Manila Shopping

Shopping Centre shopping in Manila

  1. A

    Robinsons Place

    Shopping malls at times seem to have eaten Manila. Many are thronged on weekends as residents escape their jammed and steamy abodes for a walk through the air-con comfort. You can find a range of department stores such as Shoe Mart at most, and, depending on the neighbourhood, the selection of stores can be startlingly upscale. Most include a supermarket and food court.

    Ermita and Malate are served by Robinsons Place. It's a vast place and it's getting bigger. Is this glitzy change from the broken pavements of Ermita good or bad? And does this point to a Makati-like future for the area? The hordes inside have voted with their feet.

    reviewed

  2. B

    Marikina Shoe Expo

    Easily the oddest collection of stores in Manila is at the Marikina Shoe Expo, a once open-air collection of discount shoe vendors. Some of the shops in this old single-level complex remain (with inventory unchanged since Imelda was in her prime), but now some of the storefronts have been taken over by an uber-hip assortment of kitschy shops and galleries who have discovered the cheap rent. There's a gallery, Blacksoup Project Artspace, a bookshop, Datelines Bookstore and a funky Italian café, Bellini's.

    reviewed

  3. Ortigas Center

    Mall fans with Brobdingnagian fantasies should head east to Ortigas Center, which sits on the border of Quezon City, Mandaluyong and Pasig. With its dense concentration of shopping malls and high-rises, Ortigas Center has become Manila's second-biggest business and commercial hub. However, it's still got a lot of work to do to find its soul.

    Here there are no less than four malls: Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Robinsons Galleria, The Podium and the the biggest one of all, SM Megamall.

    reviewed

  4. C

    Ayala Center

    You can buy authentic brand-name clothes in Manila for a fraction of the prices charged in Europe, Australia, Japan or the USA. Locals happily note that the designer stores stock this year's collections, so you won't have to worry about looking like last year's sensation. Look for them at Ayala Center, a vast complex of interlinked buildings, shops, hotels and enclosed malls, which at times seems to have taken over the entire town.

    reviewed

  5. Glorietta Mall

    The main focus of the Ayala Center is Glorietta Mall is actually four malls (Glorietta 1 to Glorietta 4) under one cross-shaped roof. There are hundreds of mostly midrange shops and stores here. Certain areas are devoted to electronics, art and other specialities. There are dozens of restaurants at all prices.

    reviewed

  6. D

    Greenhills Shopping Center

    Greenhills Shopping Center is somewhat like a flea market, with stall after stall selling DVDs and brand-named clothing of questionable legitimacy. But snoop around and you’ll find quality antiques and the best selection of genuine pearls in the country.

    reviewed

  7. Duty Free Fiesta Mall

    South of NAIA is the Duty Free Fiesta Mall where newly arrived passengers can pick up cigarettes, chocolates, liquor, cosmetics, electronic goods, household appliances etc at duty-free prices. Grab a taxi, private car, bus, or jeepney to get there.

    reviewed

  8. E

    The Podium

    Just behind SM Megamall in the Ortigas Center is The Podium. Virtually every chain store and restaurant and fast-food joint can be found in this retail blight, which is as suburban as you can get in Manila.

    reviewed

  9. F

    Gateway Mall

    In Cubao, the Gateway Mall has a large and glitzy collection of shops. Its real value is as an elevated transfer point between the LRT 1 and 2 lines.

    reviewed

  10. G

    SM Megamall

    Stretching over a kilometre, SM Megamall sprawls between two other malls in the Ortigas Center, Shangri-La Plaza Mall and Robinsons Galleria.

    reviewed

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  12. H

    Tutuban Center Mall

    The Tutuban Center Mall is a former train station converted into a shopping arcade.

    reviewed

  13. I

    Shangri-La Plaza Mall

    One of four malls in the the Ortigas Center.

    reviewed

  14. J

    Robinsons Galleria

    One of four malls in the Ortigas Center.

    reviewed

  15. K

    Power Plant Mall

    This is one of Manila’s poshest malls.

    reviewed

  16. L