Every Foodie Type Has a Match Waiting at SM Food Fest This September

Every barkada has someone who picks the restaurant, whether by habit or by taste. 

This September, SM Food Fest, ranking among the most loved mall events of the year, is once again bringing this decision to life across SM Supermalls nationwide. Whatever your food personality, one of the eight foodie types below points you to your next meal.

The Order Everything Friend: Manam

Perhaps you order for the whole table every time you eat out. You never order one dish. You order several, then pass the plates around so everyone gets a taste. "Let's share everything" ranks among your favorite words at any restaurant.

The Order Everything friend's dream table: sinigang na beef short rib, crispy sisig, kare kare, kansi, garlicky chicken and pork adobo, and beef salpicao, all at Manam.

Manam serves modern Filipino comfort food built for sharing, from familiar classics to creative twists on local flavors. The menu suits a full table and a long list of orders. For family day ideas in SM, put Manam on the list, then keep the mood going with group bonding and a big hangout for the whole barkada.

Foodie motto: We share a bit of everything.

The Let's Try Somewhere New Friend: Kuang Heng

Perhaps you look for a new spot every week. Having the same dish twice never interests you. While your friends pick between usual favorites, you scan the menu for a dish you have never tried before. You stay curious about unfamiliar cuisines and ingredients whose names are hard to pronounce, but you order them anyway.

Never the same order twice. Kuang Heng's mixed chicken rice and fried chicken rice give the Try Something New friend two new dishes to chase this SM Food Fest season.

Kuang Heng serves Thai-Chinese food full of bold, layered flavors, giving curious eaters plenty of new dishes to explore. The restaurant fits foodies looking for things to do in SM beyond the usual routine, and every visit turns into a small surprise.

Foodie motto: Never tried this dish before. Order this one.

The I Know What I Want Friend: 8Cuts

You skip the fifteen minute menu scan. You know your burger order, your toppings, and your side dish before you sit down.

The I Know What I Want friend already knows the order: cheeseburger, onion rings, and the Bleu 2.0, all at 8Cuts.

8Cuts focuses on burgers and sandwiches, giving decisive eaters a fast, satisfying meal without the guesswork. The spot works well for a quick stop between errands or a solo lunch break during a busy mall day. You are not indecisive. You just know what works for your palate best.

Foodie motto: I will have my usual.

The Food Is An Experience Friend: Haidilao

Dinner, for you, goes beyond the plate. Good company and the buildup beforehand mean as much as the food.

The Food Is An Experience friend's move: laksa hot pot as the soup base, topped off with beef tendon balls (among other things), at Haidilao.

Haidilao offers a hot pot experience where you build your own broth, pick your ingredients, and craft your own dipping sauce. Experience driven foodies get full control over the meal from start to finish, which is why Haidilao suits them perfectly. The restaurant works well for date spots in SM, since sharing a pot naturally sparks conversation and keeps both of you at the table longer.

Foodie motto: Let's make a whole night out of dinner.

The Comfort Me Friend: Nono's

Perhaps you stick to your favorite comfort food and never stray from your order. Some days call for adventure. Other days call for something warm and familiar, the same order you keep coming back to.

The Comfort Me friend's happy plate: homestyle fried chicken and waffles, truffle pasta, truffle cheese wanton straight from Nono’s favorite set, as well as another all-time fave: salmon and lemon cream pasta

Nono's serves hearty comfort food built to turn an average day into a better one. Expect dishes to be indulgent and nostalgic at once. The restaurant fits any craving for a warm, familiar meal after a long week at work or school.

Foodie motto: I deserve a good meal today.

The I Saw This Online Friend: Genki Sushi

A food video pops up on your feed, and the group chat gets the link within minutes. Days later, you stand at the restaurant. You stay curious about new trends and whatever your feed keeps talking about.

Genki Sushi gives the I Saw This Online friend exactly what they came for: crispy spicy salmon rolls and a sushi spread built for the camera.

Genki Sushi brings a playful take on Japanese dining, turning a simple meal into a moment worth posting. The menu keeps up with the trends, so there's always something new to catch on camera.

Foodie motto: Wait, let me take a photo first.

The Dessert Is A Separate Stomach Friend: Cinnabon

You might say you're full after dinner, but you always save room for something sweet. 

Cinnabon has exactly what the Dessert Is A Separate Stomach friend orders: a classic cinnamon roll and iced coffee.

Whether a post-meal treat or a snack you spot while walking through the mall, dessert works differently, like the perfect piece of cinnamon roll. Look no further as Cinnabon serves signature cinnamon rolls known for turning a quick errand into a dessert stop.

Foodie motto: Dessert does not count.

The Proudly Filipino Foodie: XO 46 Heritage Bistro

You enjoy cuisines from around the globe, but Filipino food holds a permanent spot at your table. Nothing beats ordering the dishes that remind you of your lola’s home cooked meals.

XO 46 Heritage Bistro serves the Proudly Filipino foodie's plate: Kare-Kare Classico and the 72-Hour Bagnet.

XO 46 Heritage Bistro focuses on Filipino heritage cooking, giving you a chance to revisit familiar dishes while learning the traditions behind them. Sometimes the best way to try something new means taking another look at what has always been yours.

Foodie motto: Nothing beats Filipino food.

Your Perfect Food Match Is Waiting at SM

No matter which type matches your personality, the SM Food Fest gives you a reason to explore this September. Order something new, bring your barkada somewhere fresh, or return to an old favorite. Whether you want a fast bite at the food court or a full sit-down meal, SM Supermalls has a spot for every mood, including kid-friendly restaurants near the food strip.

Take your cravings to the max at SM Supermalls nationwide this September. Swipe your SM Advantage Card benefits at the stores around the mall, and turn the trip into more than a meal.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and X to stay updated with all the latest news and happenings here at SM Supermalls. You can also check the updated entry guidelines and mall hours for 2026 here.

About SM Supermalls

SM Supermalls is evolving—shaping how people live, connect, and experience life today. More than a place to shop, it is the country’s most loved mall and an everyday destination designed around the lifestyles, passions, and needs of Filipino communities, delivering new finds, fresh concepts, and meaningful experiences, All For You.

As one of Southeast Asia’s largest mall developers and operators, with 90 malls in the Philippines and 9 in China, SM Supermalls continues to evolve its spaces, experiences, and partnerships, building destinations that grow with communities and remain trusted, relevant, and loved for generations. Your Most Loved Supermall, SM — All For You.