FoodStock 2025 by The Blue Leaf was an unforgettable festival, featuring 46 vendors, 500 stylish guests, and an electrifying party atmosphere. If I ever get married again or celebrate a special milestone, this is exactly the kind of party I’d want! I loved how each cart showcased a specialty food or drink—it was so much fun strolling around, chatting in between bites, and vibing to the DJ’s groove.
Here are our top picks for the best food and drink carts at FoodStock at The Blue Leaf:
FOODSTOCK: A CARTS & BARS FESTIVAL @the_blue_leaf
The key insight—most celebrations today unfold in three phases. The pre-event or cocktail hour serves as a “pre-game” with various food and drink carts setting the stage. The main event remains a sit-down affair, typically catered by Manila’s top caterers but with a more intimate guest list of close friends and family. Then comes the after-party, where the larger crowd joins in, featuring more specialized carts that reflect the desired vibe and party lifestyle. These carts often offer better, more curated food and drinks than traditional caterers, making the experience both interactive and fun.
JAPANESE CRAVINGS
@wasarisushibar
This would be our top pick for the event’s food cart, thanks to the high-quality Japanese cuisine and excellent presentation from this Marikina-based vendor. We especially love the wagyu skewers, wasabi rolls, prawn tempura, and wakame salad. Their packages range from ₱40,000 for 30 people to ₱75,000 for 100 guests, including a customized menu and full bar setup.
@mamonakukohi
Many people love our Mamonaku Kohi coffee cart, where we freshly extract espresso to order using an Italian coffee machine—unlike the Gemilai China machines commonly found in other coffee carts. Our Japanese specialty cold coffee options are also a hit, featuring Americano, Latte, Tres Leches, Chizu Caramel Macchiato, and Chizu Biscoff Latte. For non-coffee options, popular choices include Matcha, Hojicha, and Ichigo Yogurt. Packages start at ₱18,000 for 100 guests and ₱36,000 for 200 guests, including 2 baristas and a full espresso cart setup.
@thegoldencatchph
The Golden Catch is your go-to food cart for high-quality salmon and tuna sashimi, along with expertly crafted rolls and maki—perfect for an exquisite cocktail session. Packages for 100 guests range from ₱36,000 to ₱58,000, depending on the chosen sashimi or maki combination.
SPECIALTY MAINS
@flipsideburgersph
Flipside Burgers, one of Manila’s hottest smash burger joints by Chef Ed Bugia, often has one of the longest lines at events. This is because the burgers are smashed to order, and the irresistible aroma of sizzling patties on the griddle fills the air. While the cart could use some improvements, the burgers are undeniably the best burger cart in Manila for your events. Packages start at ₱40,000 for 100 guests, which includes the griddle cart setup to freshly cook Umami or Oklahoma burgers.
@lukasbuttersteaks
Luka’s Butter Steaks is undoubtedly the best steak cart in Manila. Once you see Luka’s at your event, you can be sure the steaks will be exceptional.
@smokecarvery
This Smoke Carvery cart from Tayabas serves high-quality smoked beef, pork belly, and pulled pork. It’s the kind of carving station that will truly delight your guests at your event.
@cargofishph
This is the best fish and chips in Manila, served from a food trailer setup. Packages range from ₱30,000 within Metro Manila to ₱40,000 in the countryside.
@cnostraph
Enjoy freshly made pizzas, baked onsite using an Ooni oven, so your guests can savor hot, high-quality pizzas with simple, delicious toppings.
@karitelabyk
Karitela is the food cart by K by Cunanan, and we absolutely love their Burger & Grana Padano Pasta cart. Packages start at ₱36,000 for 30 pax and go up to ₱64,000 for 100 pax.
APPETIZING CARTS
@2ndstreetoysters
We love the freshly shucked oysters from 2nd Street Oysters, especially their Rockefeller, Aburi Baked, and Nori Butter varieties. Packages start at ₱7,500 for 100 oysters.
@grazely.ph
We love how the grazing plates are individually plated with high-quality cheese, including a slice of brie, and delicious charcuterie. This would be perfect for my cocktail party.
@bloomingailsph
Bloomingails is unique because, in addition to being a flower and event styling agency, they also specialize in mini quiches and raclette cups. Packages start at ₱39,500+ for 100 pax.
@nutandbarrow
Their artisanal nuts, cooked onsite, are incredibly addictive and make for a perfect snack to binge on throughout the event.
@dimsummanilaa
A good-quality, beautifully presented dimsum cart is an essential appetizer for any event.
BEST DRINK CARTS
@manilacraft
Manila Craft is the best drink cart, not only because of its quality and innovative drinks, and the stunning cart setup with beautiful lighting, but also because the bartenders are well-dressed, always smiling, and bar vibe you’ll want to associate with.
@amigosbrewingco & @monkeyeagleph
Both craft beer carts are quite impressive. I particularly like the beer draft setup of Amigos Beer and the overall branding of Monkey Eagle Brewery. Both offer excellent Indian Pale Ale (IPA).
@theseriousbean
Among the coffee carts at the event, we particularly enjoyed the expertly crafted coffee concoctions from Serious Bean, their vibrant green branding, and the lovely smiles of the baristas serving your coffee.
BEST DESSERT CARTS
@danielbakerph | @morimatcha.ph | @callecrema.ph | @lollipuffers
There are several dessert cart options, including Daniel Baker’s soft serve, Mori Matcha’s treats, Calle Crema’s yema sorbetes, and the cotton candy characters by Lollipuffers.
Live an Awesome Life with Christ,
Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: This article was written entirely by 100% human, with my own biases, opinions, and insights. We are part owners of Mamonaku Kohi and Flipside Burgers.
P.S. We love these Love Hues souvenirs, where they live painted portraits with blank faces.
