The Ultimate Holiday Food Crawl at SMDC: Go mall, strip hopping for that blank week between Christmas and New Year's

2025 is starting to wrap up with Christmas parties, family gatherings, and barkada hangouts already packing your schedules leading up to the year's biggest holidays. But have you planned out what to do for fun in that liminal week between Christmas and New Year's?

If you're looking for a great break activity you can do at your own pace with friends or family while discovering your next food find, head on to dining spots inside these SMDC properties near you! Whether you start from the north, south, or right at the heart of the metro, you're sure to come across a new favorite you'll keep coming back for.

Up North in Quezon City

Got a palate for Thai food that still tastes familiar to the Filipino palate? Hom Thai Food at Mezza Residences has your fix! For PHP 200 to PHP 400 per head, find bold yet comforting dishes that use ingredients that are proudly local. On top of their signature Pad Thai, rice-lovers can try their Sweet Chicken Fried Rice, and foodies that love dishes with a kick of spice will fall in love with their Tom Yum. 

Just in the mood for coffee and a cute pastry that tastes just as good as it looks on your IG feed? Stop by SMDC The Strip at Grass and visit Soft Habit! Drinks range from PHP 200 to PHP 250 with a selection of caffeinated and non-caffeine choices for everyone. Try their best-selling Cookie Butter Biscoff and Davao Dark Chocolate best paired with their specialty coffees sourced from Brazil, Guatemala, or Colombia.

Meet in the Middle in Mandaluyong and Makati

For tea lovers, give Chayi at the Fame Mall and their famous tea lattes a try. Explore thoughtfully-prepared blends of freshly brewed tea and milk offering a clean, balanced experience for just PHP 140 to PHP 195 per drink. They've got interesting tea combinations for every type of tea drinker: get the White Peach Oolong for something light and flowery or Artisan Ceylon for bigger, bolder flavors. 

If your tea latte's got you feeling snacky for something sweet, take a happy pit stop at Fame Mall’s Fickle Cookies and try any of their best-selling small batch cookies for PHP 85 to PHP 145 per piece. Their popular Classic Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookie can satisfy any chocoholic with an old favorite without ever getting boring. Don't miss out on their specialty flavors as well like the Holy Smokes, Oreos delivering childhood nostalgia in cookie form along with the Mochi Collection which marries Fickle Cookies with a chewy mochi center.

Can't get enough of your caffeine fix? Try Candid Coffee at Air Mall and try out their strong staple brews and lattes with a selection of tasty pastries for PHP 350 per head. 

If you're still in Makati, head on over to Mylene's at Jazz Mall for their crowd favorite Cheesy Ensaymada, Cheese rolls, and Brazo de Mercedes Cupcakes for merienda at around PHP 200.

Looking for more sweets? Moony Desserts at Air Mall just opened so you can finally try out their specialty baked goods for around PHP 300 per head. Their famous Cosmic Cookie, Crème Brule Egg Tart, and Spanish Latte are sure to be your next sweet treat rewards to return to the next time you're in the area.

Save a little room for the South

If you're craving Asian cuisine and an occasional dessert, head on over to Bay City in Pasay.

Take a right just before Mall of Asia’s iconic MOA Globe, and you’ll find yourself in Shore Residences—home to restaurants that serve authentic Asian food sure to fulfill your appetite. 

For your favorite Chinese dishes, Lau Tasteful Eats and Mr. Noodles are the best stops. Serving elevated Asian-fusion creativity on a plate, Lau Tasteful Eats' claypot rice, fried skewers, and noodle soup are popular menu items, they also offer Thai dishes and healthy dessert bowls you can try for just PHP 300 to PHP 800 per head! 

Meanwhile, no one does traditional noodle soup better than Mr. Noodle. For just PHP 280 per head you can try any of their well-loved bowls of Beef Brisket Noodle, Beef Noodle, and Pork Rib Noodle.

If you're looking for Japanese food to share in a relaxed and welcoming setting, come visit Shinya Izakaya to get a true izakaya experience for around PHP 400 to PHP 1,200 per head. Their Salmon Aburi Maki's rich smoky flavor and melt-in-your mouth texture makes it a must-try along with their freshly-grilled skewers. 

For something sweet, Shell Residences' Heavenly Dessert (Php 950 to Php 2,270 per dessert) has a Moist Chocolate Cake you have to try but if you need to take your dessert to go, grab any of their Cakes in a Cup to bring a little taste of heaven with you anywhere you're headed! 

And if you haven't decided on which craving to give in to, why not have a little bit of everything at the Mall of Asia Arena Annex's (MAAX) Six Doors buffet? Their Korean Barbecue and roast beef stay people pleasers because of the tender and flavorful meats paired with different sauces.  Good news too, Six Doors' weekly lunch rate is now PHP 999 per head, and its weekend lunch and dinner rate has rolled back its price to PHP 1,199.

Finding your next go-to food spot can be as easy as visiting an SMDC property this upcoming holiday break. What better time to indulge and share a great meal with friends and family when the cravings kick in. Besides, who's counting calories during the holidays anyway?