MANILA, Philippines — There are just a few hours before many families will be enjoying sumptuous Noche Buena dishes.
For those who are looking for additional dishes to add to their festive spreads, here are food suggestions that include party trays and treats perfect for the occasion.
Festive party trays and holiday sets
Party trays and holiday sets designed for potlucks, Christmas parties, and Noche Buena feasts are offered at Gringo, with each party tray serving six to eight people.
Among the highlights is the Angus Bolognese Linguine Party Tray, a savory and meaty pasta featuring rich tomato sauce and premium Angus beef, priced at P950. For those who prefer white sauce pasta, the Bacon Cream Fusilli Party Tray offers a creamy dish topped with smoky bacon for P970. Seafood lovers can enjoy the Shrimp Bisque Pasta Party Tray, known for its distinct shellfish aroma and flavor, available for P1,250.
Gringo also brings its well-loved comfort food classics in party-sized portions. The BBQ Southern Boneless Fried Chicken with Mac and Cheese Party Tray combines crispy southern-style chicken with a barbecue drizzle and creamy, cheesy mac and cheese for P980. The Char-grilled Chicken and Ribs Party Tray, a Gringo signature, features tender smokehouse barbecue ribs paired with lemon herb chicken and is priced at P1,280. Another crowd favorite is the Chicken Tenders with Fries Party Tray, featuring golden buttermilk chicken tenders and crispy fries for P1,200.
Perfect as an appetizer or bar chow, the Garlic Calamari Party Tray delivers crunchy, deep-fried calamari best enjoyed with salt and lemon, priced at P1,050. Rounding out the starters is the Grinchos Party Tray, Gringo’s all-new deep-fried potato dish that feeds six to eight people and is also priced at P1,050.
There are also specially curated holiday sets, which feature a combination of the party trays.
The Party Starter Set, priced at P3,280, includes Grinchos, Angus Bolognese, Chicken and Ribs party trays, and two liters of soda. The Fiesta Grande Set, available for P5,250, comes with Grinchos, Garlic Calamari, Angus Bolognese, BBQ Chicken with Mac and Cheese, Chicken and Ribs party trays, plus two liters of soda.
For bigger celebrations, the Boss Feast Set is priced at P6,450 and includes Grinchos, Garlic Calamari, Angus Bolognese Linguine, Shrimp Bisque Pasta, Chicken Tenders with Fries, Chicken and Ribs party trays, along with two liters of soda.
Gringo Party Trays and Holiday Sets are available via gringo.ph, in all Gringo branches nationwide, and through GrabFood and Foodpanda.
Gourmet delights and hampers
Joel’s Place unveils a holiday hamper collection. For those who love to host and cook, the selection sparks creativity and culinary adventure.
From La Dolce Passata (P999) to The Big Paella Celebration (P3,499) to the Gusto Hamper (P5,999), these hampers invite hands-on preparation, transforming holiday meals into shared experiences.
For friends and family who prefer to enjoy rather than prepare, ready-to-eat offerings like the Signature Snack Box (P2,599) and the premium Curated Cravings Hamper (P9,999) make gifting effortless.
For the health-conscious, carefully selected options like the Coconut Collective (P899) and the Merry Harvest (P2,999) combine nourishing ingredients with lively, festive presentation.
Joel’s Place also has ready-to-eat holiday offerings. Every course is thoughtfully considered, from elegant starters to hearty comfort dishes that gather everyone around the table. Kick off the celebration with artful appetizer boards such as the Deluxe Smoked Salmon Board, pairing smoked salmon with herbed cream cheese and bagel chips, or the Best of Season Platter, offering a refreshing balance of herbed feta, truffle Manchego, seasonal vegetables, and fruits.
For the main event, the spotlight shines on showstopping dishes that make entertaining effortless. The Salmon Wellington in Golden Pastry dazzles as a centerpiece, featuring a handcrafted salmon fillet served with garlic and rosemary mashed potatoes, sautéed French beans, and an herb cream sauce. Meanwhile, the Roast Beef Belly Feast, slow-cooked USDA beef served with Brown Steak Rice and a red wine demi-glace, promises depth and comfort in every bite. And for those craving festive Filipino flair, the Crispy Crunchy Lechon Belly delivers the perfect crackling moment, complemented by green mango and eggplant salad with spiced vinegar.
Completing the spread are dishes made for sharing and celebration: the Roast Duck Breast with Pancakes & Hoisin, and the Festive Flame-Grilled Feast, a crowd-pleasing platter of baby back ribs, Hungarian sausage, Chicken Inasal, and more.
No feast is complete without a sweet finish, with dessert offerings that include the Biscoff Icebox Dream Cake, with its creamy layers and white chocolate drizzle, or the Sticky Toffee Cake, a luscious date sponge with butterscotch sauce and roasted walnuts.
The celebration continues with the Holiday Bakehouse line, featuring the Christmas Tree Croissant, Ribbon Pain Suisse, and gourmet cookie jars filled with Dark Fig & Nut Choco and Food for the Gods Biscotti.
Joel’s Place is located at The Proscenium Retail Row, Rockwell Center, Makati and Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati.
Ruby Velvet Cake
Cakes are undoubtedly favorite dessert pieces every Noche Buena. Among the many cake brands in the country, there is one that has recently come up with an interesting flavor that might just be the perfect sweet treat to end the night.
Lemon Square Bakery Treats’ Ruby Velvet Cake is a luxurious twist on the classic red velvet cake. Rich, moist, and made with the finest ingredients, it is layered with smooth cream cheese frosting and topped with elegant ruby red crumbs for that perfect finish.
Egg tarts
When Kaokee first introduced its egg tarts in early 2025, they were intended as an exclusive for Valentine’s season, but guests kept coming back for them. What started as a seasonal offering slowly became part of the Kaokee experience, often ordered as a satisfying way to end a meal, picked up as an afternoon snack, or taken home to enjoy later.
What is its beloved secret? Fans swear by its texture — each egg tart is baked with a flaky, lightly crisp pastry shell that gives way to a soft, custard center that stays rich and smooth, creating a contrast that has made it a consistent crowd favorite.
This holiday season, they are also being offered in a gift-ready box of 6 (P450), making them an easy yet thoughtful option for holiday gatherings and potlucks. The egg tarts remain available per piece at (P80) for those looking to enjoy them one at a time.
If you’re in Makati, then head to Kaokee Belamy House on Jupiter Street.
Design-It-Yourself Christmas Gingerbread Houses
This Christmas, Honeybon is bringing back a well-loved holiday favorite, the Design-It-Yourself Christmas Gingerbread House, now presented in festive new packaging.
Each kit comes with a freshly baked gingerbread house, icing, and an assortment of colorful candies. It is priced at P650.
Honeybon’s Design-It-Yourself Gingerbread Houses is available at all Honeybon branches in SM Megamall, SM North EDSA, and Festival Mall, or online at honeybon.ph.
4 Cheese Halo-Halo
Filipino favorite Mang Inasal brings back its 4 Cheese Halo-Halo, available until December 31, 2025. First launched as a limited-time summer treat, the dessert became a social media sensation, prompting fans to eagerly request its comeback.
The festive offering is a playful yet indulgent twist on the Filipino classic, featuring Selecta Quezo Real Ice Cream, cheesecake bites, grated cheese, and Leche Flan, topped with milk powder and a specially crafted milk mix.
Customers nationwide can enjoy Mang Inasal’s 4 Cheese Halo-Halo via dine-in, takeout, drive-thru, or delivery through the Mang Inasal app, Grab, or foodpanda.
Ice cream concierge
If you are still not sure what to gift your friends or families, then consider a gifting concierge.
Popular ice cream brand Carmen’s Best is taking the stress off your plate with the new Carmen’s Best Gift Concierge, which handles bulk orders, gift-wrapping, and hassle-free delivery for the holidays.
For a minimum order of 5 bundles, the Gift Concierge will ensure your gifts reach all your friends and loved ones in multiple locations.
All the holiday bundles from Carmen’s Best feature the brand’s famous ice cream in its beloved flavors, along with additional dairy treats, such as Carmen’s Best Milk, Kesong Puti, and even a Salted Caramel Macchiato Ice Cream Cake!
Each bundle comes packed in a limited-edition HOPE insulated bag as part of its partnership with HOPE. This year, Carmen’s Best is sharing joy and hope in a special way, as a portion of all gift bundle sales will be donated to HOPE to build public school classrooms in the Philippines.
Delivery is within Metro Manila only, and orders must be placed three days prior the first delivery date.
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