15 Top Pares Spots Around Metro Manila Right Now
You want the absolute best beef pares in Metro Manila? We know exactly what you crave. You want that glorious, slow-braised beef stew perfectly matched with garlic fried rice and a steaming bowl of rich broth.Â
Let us skip the fancy fine dining and dive straight into the ultimate street food that locals and expats absolutely obsess over. This guide ranks the top spots operating right now. Grab your spoon and fork—it’s time to find your new favorite bowl.
Top Pares Spots Around Metro Manila: The Ultimate List
The Legendary Quezon City Pioneers
Quezon City gave birth to this iconic dish. You cannot talk about this beefy goodness without hitting these historic streets.
1. Jonas
Address: 531 Mayon St, Santa Mesa Heights, Quezon City
Many food historians credit Jonas with inventing the actual word “pares” back in the day. The founders created a magical ratio of lean flank meat and melting fat that keeps loyal fans coming back decades later. You get a perfectly balanced sweet and savory sauce pouring over tender beef chunks.
I highly recommend arriving before the lunch rush to snag a good parking spot along Mayon Street. You can check out the official Jonas Facebook page for their updated opening hours.
2. The Original Pares Mami House
Address: 117 N.S. Amoranto Sr. St, La Loma, Quezon City
This joint defines old-school comfort food. They serve massive bowls of beef stew packed with soft litid (tendon) that easily melts in your mouth. You will appreciate the fast service and the intensely flavorful broth.
Food writers often highlight this specific stretch of Retiro as the ultimate food crawl destination. Make sure to order an extra plate of their toasted garlic fried rice. It soaks up the sweet soy gravy beautifully.
3. Pares Retiro
Address: 205 Tomas Morato Ave, Diliman, Quezon City
If you want air-conditioned comfort while slurping your hot soup, Pares Retiro is your best bet. The kitchen strictly follows a family recipe that balances salty and sweet notes flawlessly. They also serve a killer sizzling sisig if you want to mix things up. The staff keeps the lines moving quickly even during the crazy midnight rush.
Visit the Pares Retiro website to browse their full menu before you drop by.
4. Kanto Pares
Address: 33 Malingap St. Teachers Village, Quezon City
College students and young professionals flock to this neighborhood staple for one main reason. They add a giant decadent bone marrow right into the bowl. You simply scoop out the rich marrow and mix it into your hot garlic rice for an unmatched flavor explosion.
Pro tip: pair your meal with an ice-cold local soda to cut through the richness.
5. Cocoy Mami Pares
Address: 5A Ledesma Court, Visayas Ave, Quezon City
Food vloggers love featuring this humble eatery. Local chefs even visit this exact spot to find inspiration for their own recipes. The kitchen crew tosses in toasted star anise and cinnamon sticks to give the broth a distinct aromatic kick. The dining area is modest but always packed with regulars.
Order their classic combo and ask for extra chili oil to spice things up.
Iconic Manila & Tondo Staples
The busy streets of Manila hold some of the most historic and flavorful braised beef recipes in the entire country.
6. Jim’s Pares and Mami
Address: Maria Orosa St, Malate, Manila
You will smell the incredible aroma blocks away. Jim Delos Santos started this business in 1999 and became a viral sensation for his “pares usok” technique. The team cooks the beef over a roaring wood fire instead of a regular gas stove. This method tenderizes the meat perfectly and adds a smoky depth you simply cannot find anywhere else.
Check out Jim’s Pares Facebook to see the massive wood-fired pots in action. Add a spoonful of their fiery chopped chilies if you feel brave.
7. Best Friends
Address: Moriones St, Tondo, Manila
This Tondo legend breaks all the traditional plating rules. They serve the rich beef stew right on the same plate as your fried rice instead of keeping them in separate bowls. The sauce leans toward the sweeter side and coats every single grain of rice perfectly.
Locals always order the “Paresio” meal. This special combo adds two huge pieces of steamed pork siomai to your plate.
8. D’Original Pares
Address: 1951 España Blvd, Sampaloc, Manila
Students from the nearby university belt practically live here at D’ Original Pares. You get massive portions of tender beef flanks at incredibly student-friendly prices. The broth has a comforting clean taste that cures any late-night study fatigue. Ask the servers for their sizzling tokwa’t baboy on the side. It provides a perfect crunchy contrast to the soft beef stew.
Viral Sensations & Modern Twists
The food scene constantly evolves. These modern spots and viral pop-ups are redefining how we enjoy our favorite comfort bowl.
9. Diwata Pares Overload (Temporarily Closed)
Address: J.W. Diokno Blvd, Pasay City
You cannot open a social media app without seeing this massive outdoor operation. Diwata took the city by storm by offering unlimited rice and soup alongside heavily loaded beef chunks. The line wraps around the block by 5:00 PM. Arrive early and bring lots of patience. You will absolutely enjoy the chaotic energetic and purely local street food vibe here.
10. Angus Pares
Address: 104 Maginhawa St, Teachers Village, Quezon City
This modern kitchen elevates the classic street food by using premium Angus beef. The meat literally falls apart at the touch of your fork. You pay a slightly higher price but the premium quality makes every bite worth it. Major culinary magazines like Tatler Asia frequently showcase how young chefs upgrade traditional street dishes.
Follow the Angus Pares Facebook page for their special weekend promos.
11. DC Pares
Address: 25 Industria St, Kapasigan, Pasig City
Pasig locals swear by this neighborhood gem. They serve a unique sizzling beef tendon version that bubbles aggressively when it hits your table. The thick gravy caramelizes on the hot iron plate and creates crispy savory edges. Parking gets tight along Industria Street so consider taking a quick ride-share.
South Metro Favorites
People living in the south no longer need to brave the heavy northern traffic to get their beef fix.
12. Pares Point The Original
Address: 2252 Chino Roces Ave, Makati City
Makati workers flock to this spot right after their grueling night shifts. They offer over 20 different variations of the classic dish. You can get yours topped with crispy bagnet or sizzling tofu. The outdoor seating gives you a front-row seat to the bustling Makati street life. Order an ice-cold beer from the cooler to wash down the rich fatty beef.
13. Atoy’s Pork Chop & Pares
Address: 195 Aguirre Ave, BF Homes, Parañaque City
Atoy’s earned its fame through killer fried pork chops but their beef stew holds its own against the heavyweights. The sauce has a deep dark color and a strong garlic profile. The laid-back BF Homes crowd treats this place as an institution. Grab a table outside and enjoy the lively weekend neighborhood energy.
Hidden Neighborhood Gems
Sometimes the most unforgettable meals hide in quiet corners and unassuming storefronts.
14. Pares To Go
Address: 123 F. Blumentritt St, San Juan City
San Juan residents love this reliable takeout spot. They pack their meals securely so the hot broth never spills in your car. The chefs use 100% pure beef and slowly simmer the meat until it reaches peak tenderness. You get very generous servings that easily feed two people. This is the perfect option for those rainy nights when you just want to eat on your couch.
15. Tito Rex’s Pares
Address: 142 Katipunan Ave, Quezon City
This hidden spot operates mostly under the radar but serves an incredibly loyal fanbase. They offer a unique spicy version that uses local bird’s eye chilies directly infused into the braising liquid. The heat builds up slowly and leaves a pleasant tingle on your lips. Arrive right when they open at 4:00 PM to ensure you get a seat before the dinner rush hits.
Frequently Asked Questions
The first one is a braised beef stew served with a thick soy-based gravy and garlic rice. Mami is a hot noodle soup dish. Many restaurants serve the braised beef directly over the mami noodles for a hybrid meal.
The traditional recipe uses brown sugar and star anise to balance the salty soy sauce. This sweet and savory flavor profile perfectly matches the Filipino palate.
Most of these spots operate 24/7 or open very late into the night. They primarily cater to taxi drivers, night shift workers, and partygoers looking for a heavy meal before bed.
Now that you know the best spots to hit up for a late-night beef craving, which location are you visiting first tonight? Let us know in the comments below.
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