What’s a visit to UP Diliman without a foodtrip? If you’re looking for your next bite within this gigantic campus, we’ve rounded up a few spots that should definitely be on your list of where to eat within the campus!
We’ve taken you across different landmarks across the University of the Philippines Diliman, so now it’s time for us to eat! UP Diliman is bursting with flavors at different price points, so no visitor will ever go hungry within the campus. From restaurants to stalls to vendors on the street, there’s so much to try!
I know, I know, you guys are getting hungry, so before you get overwhelmed with all the options, here’s a list of some of the best places to grab a bite within the university.
WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE?
UP Diliman Eats & Food Spots
Area 2
This is every student’s lifesaver in UP Diliman! Before food parks were even a thing, Area 2 was already a centralized food strip. Jose P. Laurel may be known for being a former president of the Philippines, but for the UP community, his name is a reminder of the affordable eats on the street named after him.
J.P. Laurel Street in Area 2 is known for providing quick and delicious meals and snacks for those on a budget. Asta was actually once a boarder in one of the boarding houses along the street, which isn’t a surprise since Area 2 is a residential area, and one of its main functions is to provide housing for the UP community. Eventually, seeing the need for more food options in the campus, Area 2 evolved into a booming food strip.
Kiosks and hole-in-the-wall restaurants sit so closely to each other that they sometimes even share dining spaces. It’s a comforting jumble of different cuisines and cravings.
During our recent visit, we just had to order some fruit shakes, a staple in Area 2! Asta and I got the buy-one-take-one deal for P140 and got a mango graham shake each, while Mariah got a strawberry shake for P70.
Location: J.P. Laurel Street, Area 2, UP Diliman, Quezon City
Rodic’s
Rodic’s Diner is even more of an institution in UP Diliman. First opened in 1949, the very first branch of Rodic’s sat in what was once the UP Shopping Centre. While the UP Shopping Centre burned down in 2018, taking Rodic’s very first branch with it, this family-owned and operated restaurant has only grown since. Its current location in UP Diliman is at the Epsilon Chi Center, just across Cine Adarna and next to Bahay ng Alumni.
It might just be a crime not to order its tapsilog, which is the diner’s crowning glory. It’s a classic, hearty meal priced at P140 that makes for a great breakfast, lunch break, late-night snack, or even a celebratory dinner after the worst exam of your life.
But there is more to Rodic’s than its tapsilog! Browse their menu and you might just find a different Filipino classic to fill your tummy. Aside from tapsilog, we also ordered sinigang na ulo ng salmon for P190.
Location: Epsilon Chi Center, Balagtas Street, UP Diliman, Quezon City
Opening Hours: Daily, 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Art Circle Cafe & Restaurant of Choice
Right across the street from Rodic’s, you’ll find the Bahay ng Alumni. If you’re looking to enjoy a meal in a more upscale setting within UP Diliman, this is what you’re looking for.
While Bahay ng Alumni is used for the occasional event, Art Circle Cafe and Restaurant of Choice bring in regular diners. Both restaurants serve delicious comfort food, with a good balance of Filipino and western options, at reasonable price points.
But more than the food, you’ll find yourself visiting these cafes for their ambiance. Restaurant of Choice has a more subdued and relaxed atmosphere perfect for a dinner catch-up with old friends, while Art Circle Cafe is bursting with color from the artwork decorating its walls.
Location: Bahay ng Alumni, Balagtas Street, UP Diliman, Quezon City
Opening Hours: Art Circle Cafe – Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Saturday to Sunday, 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Restaurant of Choice – Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Gyud Food
Gyud Food is fairly new to UP’s food scene but it has become quite popular because of the large dining space it offers as well as the variety of food options available inside.
The Food Hub has two levels, and is located beside a breezy garden with festoon lights lighting up the picnic tables for those who prefer al fresco dining. Most food options can be found on the first floor, surrounding a center mostly made up of chairs and tables for diners, but there are also food trucks sitting on the lawn surrounding the many picnic tables.
Familiar favorites like Potato Corner and Ate Rica’s Bacsilog sit right at the entrance, but don’t feel like you have to limit yourself to what you already know! Like Area 2, you’ll find a variety of flavors in this food hub — just note that it is a bit pricier here than in Area 2.
Location: Gyud Food Hub, Emilio Jacinto Street, UP Diliman, Quezon City
Opening Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Mang Larry’s Isawan
Now, you can’t talk about food in UP without mentioning Mang Larry’s Isawan. This legendary stall is famous for its isaw, or grilled chicken intestines, and other skewered delights. If you’re feeling adventurous, give isaw a try; however, if that’s a bit too daring, they also have barbecue and other street food staples like fishball, kikiam, and kwek kwek.
We ordered a mix of chicken isaw, pork isaw, kikiam, fishball, and kwek kwek. Honestly, this was a small plate compared to how much I would usually order, but we wanted to leave some room for dinner. Anyway, we recommend choosing your orders ahead of time as the line can get quite long at Mang Larry’s but it does move pretty quickly.
Location: Mang Larry’s Isawan, Emilio Jacinto Street, UP Diliman, Quezon City
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Gubat
I know we said this list would cover items within UP Diliman, but this restaurant definitely deserves a mention! And it’s not like it’s too far away, since one of its branches sits on C.P. Garcia, which the UP Ikot passes through.
Gubat in Quezon City is a garden restaurant that offers a unique dining experience. You’ll find delicious Filipino favorites on their menu, but you won’t find any plates or utensils here. Gubat serves your favorite Filipino fare binalot style. Meals are wrapped in banana leaves and come with a side of pako, salted egg, and tomato.
If you search them up on Facebook, their intro speaks to the heart of their advocacy: KAMAYAN PO DITO, which means that meals are meant to be eaten with one’s hands. Aside from providing a rustic and very Pinoy ambiance, Gubat is an advocate for businesses operating zero-waste and plastic-free.
Our team enjoyed quite the feast during our visit. From the rice meals menu, we got Lechon Kawali(P140) and Daing na Pusit (P140). We also got an à la carte order of Dinakdakan (P220), an Ilocano delicacy made with grilled pork parts like the ears, liver, cheek, and tongue, and an additional side of pritong talong or eggplant and buro or pickled fish.
You’ll find its first branch along C.P. Garcia Avenue while their second, bigger branch can be found on Mayaman Street in UP Village. I’ve dined at both branches before and have nothing but praises for the food and the service.
Location: Bonsai Society, C.P. Garcia Avenue, UP Diliman, Quezon City
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Monday, CLOSED
Kiosks and Local Vendors
Of course we couldn’t end this video without mentioning the kiosks all over the campus and the ates and kuyas roaming the campus.
You’ll often see red and green kiosks on the corner of different streets and to the side of the different buildings across the campus. I kid you not, these kiosks serve the best instant pancit canton ever. The pancit canton you cook at home will not compare, even if you buy the exact same items from the grocery store.
But these kiosks offer more than just instant noodles. You’ll find streetfood, sandwiches, drinks, even tofu, and virtually any combination of the said items being sold at these kiosks. They’re perfect in between classes and the price point makes it even sweeter.
Aside from these stationary kiosks, you’ll also find vendors walking all over the campus, mostly along the Academic Oval and at waiting sheds. Ice cream, taho, fish crackers, bicho, karyoka, chips — these ates and kuyas will have your different cravings at arms reach. I know people usually go to UP to exercise during the weekends, but from how I see it, it’s also a snacker’s haven, as most vendors maximize the foot traffic during weekends.
If you find yourself getting hungry after your run or jog, show some support for our local vendors and grab yourself a quick bite.
And that’s it for now! We hope you enjoyed this digital food trip! If you ever find yourself eating in UP Diliman, let us know what you think! We may have missed a few spots on this list, so let us know if there are some restaurants or stalls you’d want us to try next time we visit!
Where to Stay in Quezon City
In case you are planning to stay near the UP Diliman area, you’ll find tons of hotel in Quezon City or Kyusi, the home of the sprawling national university. The city is also your gateway to the attractions in the North Luzon provinces. Here are just some of the top-rated hotels as reviewed by online users.
Top Hotels on Agoda
- NOVOTEL MANILA ARANETA CITY HOTEL
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - RED HOTEL CUBAO
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - EUROTEL VIVALDI
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - THE SENTINEL RESIDENCES
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - RED PLANET CUBAO AURORA BOULEVARD
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here!
Top Hotels on Hotels.com
- IBIS STYLES MANILA ARANETA CITY
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - VISTA HOTEL CUBAO
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - HOTEL DREAMWORLD ARANETA CUBAO
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - HOTEL 99 CUBAO QUEZON CITY
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - ACL SUITES
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here!
If you want more suggestions with more details about each hotel, you can also check our Top 10 Hotels in Quezon City article.
Find more Quezon City Hotels!
Updates Log
2024.11.13 – First uploaded
Related Article: Top 15 Things to Do in UP DILIMAN
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