Makati City

By wanderlust

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Ayala Center

Serendra

Makati, one of the cities that make up Metro Manila, is the country’s foremost business and commercial quarter. Running through the heart of its Central Business District is Ayala Avenue, nicknamed as the “Wall Street of the Philippines.”

This highly cosmopolitan city is also a major cultural and entertainment hub. Amidst the towering skyscrapers, you will also find posh neighborhoods, five-star hotels, and first-class shopping centers. Makati’s vibrant nightlife is unparalleled anywhere else in the country.

Shopping
Makati is fast developing into a shopping mecca. The Ayala Center includes Glorietta and Greenbelt malls as well as department stores of SM, Rustans, and Landmark. Designer labels such as Louis Vuitton et al can be found at Greenbelt 4. Rockwell Center (Powerplant Mall) offers high-end shopping too with popular brands like Mango and Zara. On the other side of town, Fort Bonifacio is home to another huge mall but on the cheap called Market!Market! as well as boutique shops along High Street.

For bargain hunters, bazaar shopping is the way to go especially towards the Christmas season. The Karl Edwards Bazaar at The Fort has a regular schedule throughout the year. Great finds include export overruns, designer knock-offs, local crafts, native delicacies, and more.

Dining
From street food to fine dining, the array of choices is incredible. Each of the malls and hotels has a multitude of restaurants offering superb local fare, fusion, and global cuisine. You can also discover gourmet food along the other streets of Makati: Il Ponticello in Salcedo Village, Galileo Enotica at Chino Roces Avenue, Gulliver’s at Makati Avenue, or in the many other restaurants along the length of Jupiter Street.

Nightspots
At night, the Makati scene comes alive and the latest hotspot is always something new and different. At the moment, Serendra and Greenbelt 5 are the happening places with their assortment of al fresco cafés, patisseries, bars, and restaurants. Also, there’s all-night partying at The Fort with the younger crowd at Embassy while the more mature favor Jill’s for its ‘80s and ‘90s music. Filipinos just love to eat, drink, and be merry!


Makati City is only half an hour away from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and domestic terminals, but can stretch much longer depending on the traffic.

You can get around the city by car, taxicab, bus, or the local jeepney.




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