Filipino culinary excellence is finally recognized in the Michelin Guide 2026.

The 2026 Michelin Guide for Manila, Environs, and Cebu awarded one restaurant two stars, eight with one star, and 25 with Bib Gourmand honors.

On Thursday, October 30, 2025, Michelin marked a historic moment for the Philippines by announcing its first-ever restaurant selection for the country. The debut of the MICHELIN Guide Manila and Environs & Cebu 2026 was held at the luxurious Manila Marriott Hotel, nestled within the iconic Newport World Resorts. The grand event brought together distinguished chefs, prominent restaurateurs, and culinary aficionados, all eager to witness this milestone in Philippine gastronomy.

The MICHELIN Guide Philippines 2026 edition sets a new benchmark in Filipino culinary history by celebrating the nation’s vibrant and diverse food culture. Recognizing the country’s growing influence in the international gastronomic community, this list features 108 carefully selected establishments. Manila and the Environs dominate the selection with 90 restaurants that illustrate the innovation and sophistication of the capital’s culinary scene. In contrast, Cebu is represented by 18 restaurants, each highlighting the local flavors, traditions, and culinary artistry of the Visayan region. This comprehensive selection not only elevates the Philippines on the world food map but also honors both the sophisticated energies of the metropolis and the distinctive soul of its regions.

“We are honored to present the first edition of the MICHELIN Guide in the Philippines,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide. “This selection pays tribute to a new generation of Filipino chefs and international chefs who have embraced the Philippines, drawing inspiration from local heritage, bold flavors, and heartfelt hospitality. Whether it’s fine dining or street-side eateries, our inspectors were truly impressed by the culinary authenticity and creativity found across the country.”

In this inaugural selection, nine restaurants have been awarded MICHELIN Stars.

Two MICHELIN Stars: Excellent cooking, worth a detour!

1 restaurant achieves the rare distinction of Two MICHELIN Stars with its debut, recognizing its excellent cooking that’s worth a detour!

• Helm – a contemporary restaurant in Manila, embodies Chef Josh Boutwood’s half-British, half-Filipino roots and Spanish influences, combining creativity with precision. Rather than resorting to common East-West fusion, the eight-course tasting menu resists easy classification. Each dish incorporates seasonal and local ingredients, a practice Boutwood honed while working with Raymond Blanc in the UK. The result is a sequence of meticulously crafted plates with artistic presentations, echoing the style of Noma in Denmark. With only ten seats around an intimate U-shaped counter, Helm provides a distinctive culinary experience where guests can witness innovation and excellence up close.

One MICHELIN Star: High quality cooking, worth a stop!

8 restaurants receive One MICHELIN Star for their high-quality cooking that’s worth a stop.

• Asador Alfonso – Their ingredients are sourced directly from Spain to deliver authentic dishes that balance rustic simplicity with remarkable depth and character.
• Celera – Two chef-owners craft contemporary Asian dishes that draw on influences from Japan, China, Singapore, and beyond.
• Gallery by Chele – Culinary excellence meets environmental integrity at Gallery by Chele, from local sourcing and waste reduction to educating diners.
• Hapag – Tapping into the full potential of local ingredients, Hapag brings a modern, sophisticated touch to traditional dishes.
• Inatô – Ring the bell to enter a chic, intimate space where a sculptural marble counter seats eight guests facing the open kitchen.
• Kasa Palma – The chef draws on French techniques and global influences – from Latin America to Southeast Asia – and makes good use of wood fire. Local ingredients go into expressive, refined dishes.
• Linamnam – The chef welcomes just 10 diners into what was once his childhood bedroom — now transformed into an elegant dining space adorned with woven wall coverings, wooden floors, and Tiffany-style lamps.
• Toyo Eatery – “Toyo”, Tagalog for “soy sauce”, hints at the restaurant’s appreciation of apparently simple items that in fact take time and are complex to craft.

These restaurants represent a variety of culinary styles, from refined interpretations of traditional Filipino fare to boundary-pushing fusion menus — all guided by precision, consistency, and a deep respect for ingredients.

The Green Star Community: Showcasing Dedication to Mindful Gastronomy

The MICHELIN Green Star recognizes restaurants in the MICHELIN Guide that have inspired and impressed Inspectors with their forward-thinking approach to gastronomy. By bringing together a community of like-minded, innovative establishments, the Green Star encourages dialogue, collaboration, and mutual inspiration as restaurants strive to evolve together.

This year, Gallery By Chele has newly captured the Inspectors’ attention for their inspiring visions:

• Gallery By Chele – Recognized for their farm-to-table ethos. Gallery By Chele practices waste-reduction and commits itself to biodiversity and community sourcing.

The restaurant forms a community deeply committed to presenting another vision of gastronomy.

Bib Gourmand: Quality at Great Value

The Bib Gourmand selection highlights 25 restaurants: 19 in Manila and surrounding areas, and 6 in Cebu. These establishments are praised for offering quality cuisine at reasonable prices.

In Metro Manila and Environs

• Bolero – The largely Spanish menu is laced with Mediterranean notes and global influences – built for sharing, generous portions make for great value.
• Brick Corner – The menu hones in on North Indian cuisine — rich, spiced, and hearty fare.
• Cabel – The cuisine reflects the length and breadth of the Philippines, albeit with a penchant for southern Mindanao.
• COCHI – Located on a corner of BGC, this restaurant brings typical Filipino flavours into a modern setting.
• Em Hà Noi – Expect comforting bowls of ph? gà, a crisp nem rán appetizer, and fragrant rice noodles with grilled pork.
• Hálong – The chef presents a freer, more multicultural and emotionally driven style in a menu that blends Latin American and Asian influences with finesse.
• Kumba – The chef, inspired by her mother’s recipes and time working at a Chinese restaurant in Singapore, serves nuanced dishes from China, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan.
• La Pita – The chef brings a warm taste of the Middle East to an intimate sunlit spot in a cosmopolitan neighborhood.
• Lampara – The mood inside the restaurant, and out on the terrace, is relaxed and inviting. Ingredient-led dishes showcase classic French techniques infused with Filipino touches.
• Los Tacos – This casual space featuring glass walls, concrete, and soaring ceilings has a simple yet sophisticated modern feel. The buzzing open kitchen sets the stage for bold Mexican flavors.
• Manam at the Triangle – Manam’s flagship restaurant in Ayala Triangle elevates the brand with its minimalist lines, vibrant Filipino pop art, and an airy, polished aesthetic. It feels welcoming despite its spaciousness.
• Morning Sun Eatery – This modest roadside eatery serves authentic Ilocano comfort food. Presented with a rich flavor, home-style classics such as kilawin, sweet pork skewers, pinakbet, and the standout laing.
• Palm Grill (Diliman) – The restaurant presents classic Southern Mindanao cuisine, which uses spices, acidity, and roasted coconut for rich and intense flavors.
• Pilya’s Kitchen – This counter in the food market serves its delicious signature ribbon-like noodles featuring a chewy and elastic feature.
• Sarsa – Marbled tiles, rattan lamps, simple wooden tables, and casual seating make for a laid-back vibe. Green-accented walls and screen dividers offer structure, but the focus is firmly on flavor over form.
• SOME THAI – Inspired by the chef’s travels, this relaxed restaurant transports you to Thailand with its modern take on Thai favorites.
• Taquería Franco – The chef reimagines tacos through a Gallic lens, serving creations such as foie gras, steak frites, and lamb bourguignon alongside beloved classics.
• The Underbelly – A young internationally trained chef brings his love of Japan to the table – try Billy’s pork rib ramen in a rich pork bone broth, offering an endless depth of flavor.
• Your Local – The restaurant serves easy-going, wallet-friendly gastronomy, including dishes that are ideal for sharing.

CEBU Bib Gourmand
Good food at moderate price!

In Cebu

• Abaseria Deli & Café – Opened as a jewelry export business in 1999, home-cooked dishes such as sinigang pasayan, fish with tofu in black bean sauce, and Humba stew are made for sharing.
• CUR8 – Where Asian cuisine is reimagined with bold style, has a fantastic deal in their lunch set, showcasing various dishes as small portions.
• Esmen – For 60 years, this market-side eatery has been loved for one thing: linarang, a sour fish soup made with fresh porcupine fish simmered over wood fire.
• Lasa – The well-drilled team serves refined Filipino fare with regional soul. Shrimp kinilaw with kimchi, chicken skin nachos, and the signature Lasa crispy pata are vibrant updates on tradition.
• Pares Batchoy Food House – This unpretentious restaurant has been winning fans with Filipino food, serving the signature stewed beef noodle soup, pares batchoy, and seared stuffed bangus, a delicate milkfish dish.
• The Pig & Palm – At this stylish spot led by a globe-trotting British chef, the menu focuses on pork — confit pork belly is a signature dish — and the small plates are conducive for sharing.

The Bib Gourmand list, spanning family-run eateries to modern bistros, highlights the rich diversity of everyday dining in the Philippines, where value, flavor, and heart are perfectly combined.

MICHELIN Guide Selected Restaurants: Celebrating Culinary Excellence

Beyond MICHELIN Star and Bib Gourmand distinctions, the MICHELIN Guide Manila and Environs & Cebu 2026 features 74 MICHELIN Selected restaurants: 62 in Manila and Environs and 12 in Cebu.

MICHELIN Selected: Manila and Environs

Cebu MICHELIN Selected

Each establishment is recognized for outstanding cuisine, memorable dining character, and consistently high standards.

Special Awards: Honoring Talent Behind the Scenes

Beyond its selection of outstanding restaurants, the MICHELIN Guide in the Philippines proudly introduces three Special Awards. These honors shine a spotlight on remarkable individuals who consistently raise the industry’s standards with their dedication, creativity, and passion, inspiring peers and elevating Philippine gastronomy.

• The MICHELIN Guide Young Chef Award – Awarded to a rising talent demonstrating exceptional skill, creativity, and leadership in the kitchen.

Chef Don Patrick Baldosano of Linamnam, recipient of one MICHELIN Star, receives the award. At just 27, Chef Baldosano reinvents Filipino cuisine by using local ingredients and merging traditional methods with innovative techniques like fermentation and aging to showcase the country’s regional diversity.

• The MICHELIN Guide Service Award – Recognizing excellence in hospitality, attentiveness, and the art of creating memorable guest experiences.

Mrs. Erin Recto of Hapag, which holds One MICHELIN Star, receives the award. With extensive experience in Australia, Portugal, and the Philippines, Mrs. Recto excels as both Operations Director and Sommelier. She goes beyond traditional roles by actively engaging with guests, ensuring a warm and inviting environment that showcases Filipino culture and hospitality.

• The MICHELIN Guide Exceptional Cocktails Award – Celebrating innovation, balance, and personality in the craft of mixology.

Mr. Benjamin Leal from Uma Nota, a MICHELIN Selected venue, receives the award. With a career spanning three continents, Mr. Leal crafts inventive cocktails by combining Japanese, Brazilian, and Southeast Asian influences with local ingredients, infusing new energy into the bar experience.

The launch of the MICHELIN Guide Philippines 2026 begins an exciting new chapter for the nation’s culinary scene. Drawing from its rich heritage and diverse influences, and driven by a bold new generation of chefs, the Philippines is now part of the global culinary stage—and this is only the start of its journey.

“The enthusiasm and dedication we’ve witnessed from chefs and restaurateurs here is truly inspiring,” added Mr. Poullennec. “We look forward to continuing our exploration and sharing the Philippines’ culinary stories with the world.”

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