iwannagothere.com Eating & Drinking in Manila

Your arteries will probably hate you after dining here, but your taste buds are likely to be swooning with joy, especially if you enjoy tasty -- if slightly greasy -- Epic Meal Time style creations. The signature burger comes sandwiched between two sugar-glazed Krispy Kreme doughnuts and a whole fried egg. And they serve deep-fried, battered bacon strips. If your heart can take it, then indulge away!

For guests who prefer a more liquid diet, there's a selection of flavored beers.

Phone number: +63 916 611 8036

Eating here won't do your wallet any favors (especially if you earn in Philippine Pesos), but the quality of their vegetarian fare -- with many vegan options -- makes it worth the premium. The menu is always changing, with some very creative meatless variations on familiar dishes -- the tofu walnut burger seems to be a popular choice. Every so often, they feature special menus focusing on particular types of cuisines (Mexican, Indian, etc.)

Phone number: +632 897 0295

The menu here caters primarily to urban hippie types, with its modest selection of local and international (mostly veg-friendly) dishes, all made from locally-sourced organic ingredients.

Their (infrequent) events schedule caters to an even wider range of tastes. They've hosted rap battles, pole-dancing events, and geek-themed trivia quizzes. (Full disclosure: i'm a co-organizer of the latter.) Check out their Facebook page to find out what's going on before you plan a visit.

Phone number: +632 519 0757

With its bad-ass sound system and high-def video screens, B-Side has quickly become a prime spot for both DJ nights and the occasional indie rock gigs. With its high ceiling, subdued lighting, and comfy sofa seating, the place sets an ideal vibe for some hardcore unwinding. Their flagship event is a weekly raggae gig/BBQ cookout: Irie Sundays.
Just one caveat: be wary of your personal belongings here.
PROTIP: for good drinking, try a B-Side Bomber (Jager + Red Bull) or the Bailey's shake.

Phone number: +632 403 5650

Depending on the night, the vibe at this place can go from relaxed to debauched. The bar serves a wide array of mixed drinks, and the satisfying meals exceed the usual bar chow fare. Like SaGuijo in Makati, it's a converted shophouse. Gigs happen sporadically on the lower floor. There's usually an art exhibit ongoing, spread out across both levels, but let's just say that the quality of work can vary widely. It's out of the way for most travelers, but worth a visit if you're going with friends