A method for managing big metadata using columnar techniques includes receiving a query request requesting data blocks from a data table that match query parameters. The data table is associated with system tables that each includes metadata for a corresponding data block of the data table. The method includes generating, based on the query request, a system query to return a subset of rows that correspond to the data blocks that match the query parameters. The method further includes generating, based on the query request and the system query, a final query to return a subset of data blocks from the data table corresponding to the subset of rows. The method also includes determining whether any of the data blocks in the subset of data blocks match the query parameters, and returning the matching data blocks when one or more data blocks match the query parameters.