By skyforbes 
9 Best Michelin Restaurants in the Philippines
Michelin has officially hit the Philippines, and here is Islifearecipe’s review of the 9. If you’ve been waiting for the Philippines to finally get its well-earned shine from the French tyre chaps, pop the calamansi and ring the kampana: the MICHELIN Guide has officially arrived, dropping a debut haul of one 2-Star and eight 1-Star restaurants. That’s not hearsay; that’s straight from MICHELIN HQ’s big reveal on 30 October 2025.
Below, I’ll walk you through the nine starred spots, share what to order, and sprinkle in notes from earlier write-ups and diner buzz so you know which plates to pounce on first. Spoiler: there’s pride, smoke, vinegar, and a lot of clever technique behind the smiles. Oh, and yes — Bib Gourmand favourites landed too (25 of them in the Philippines), but today’s review is the shiny stars for the nine. Worth calling out that we have researched these from the public domain, and will be targeting them during our Philippines visits to have individual Islifearecipe reviews just for you!!!
Malaysia Michelin Guide Review HERE
The Michelin Guide For The Philippines HERE
When did the Michelin Stars arrive in the Philippines?
Its first-ever ceremony for the Philippines took place on 30 Oct 2025: launching the Philippines 2026 selection with 1 restaurant on 2 Stars and 8 on 1 Star. The official site lists the winners with short write-ups. Translation: it’s official, the ribbons are cut, and tables will be even harder to book now.
The MICHELIN Guide finally pointed its posh white gloves toward the Philippines and said, “Yes, we’ll have that, thank you (aka Salamat).” And honestly? About time. There have been chefs sweating over stoves across the Philippines turning local classics into plates that would make their mum and nans proud. Now the tyre company has stepped in to hand out shiny stars and long booking queues, and the nation has collectively gone: “Tara, let’s eat.”
Just to ceaveat, The Philippines didn’t suddenly learn to cook; the spotlight just arrived late, like a Singaporean auntie who always turns up after everyone has eaten and demands a tapow box.
What makes this fun is how Filipino flavours have held their ground. No one here is pretending to be Paris or Tokyo — nope it’s grass-roots with contemporary flair, and tasting menus, precision plating, and lighting that screams “Instagram me, please.” And honestly? It works. The stars are new, but the attitude has been here forever.
But it is not just Filipino fair in the nine, there is also: Spanish, Asian contemporary, and a new style for me called ‘Creative’. But, suffice it to say, Filipino and Filipino contemporary take the most stars — of that I am super proud. I wonder if one day The Kapre Restaurant and Bar picks up a Bib or Star… how funny would that be…
Photos courtesy of the restaurant’s very own WebSites.
18 MUST-VISIT Places In The Philippines HERE
The Starred Nine — who they are, what to eat, why they matter
Helm (Makati) — 2 MICHELIN Stars
Mood: Dark, focused, chef-counter theatre.
Why it earned the heavy metal: Chef Josh Boutwood runs seasonal set menus that change themes (street-food inspirations one season, film-inspired the next) with exquisite control. Inspectors highlighted the personal voice and precision; it’s the headline of the entire launch.
Prior diners have raved about tasting sessions that feel like 15 courses even when listed at 12, and playful touches that still land with technical accuracy. Think butters from heaven, ceviche notes, and a “taho” wink executed with polish.
Order intel: You don’t really “order” — you submit (happily) to the set. Expect layered plates that move through smoke, acidity, and crunch like well-rehearsed theatre. Media previews this year flagged themed menus (yes, even a wizarding nod from earlier in 2025, that Harry Potter would be happy with).
Address: 3F, The Shops at Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati Avenue, Makati — Metro Manila
₱₱₱₱ · Creative
Asador Alfonso (Cavite) — 1 MICHELIN Star
Mood: Spanish fire with countryside charm.
Why: Inspectors note Spanish contemporary cooking with ingredients pulled straight from Spain, handled with rustic-smart confidence. Expect the grill to be the boss — I love this style, like our mates at Asador here in Singapore.
Order intel: Asador-style meats, glossy txuleta-leaning cuts, and long-rested roasts. It’s the one on the list where a table of friends, a magnum, and a very big steak feels like the correct life decision for you at that moment in time.
Address: Lot-3308, Barangay Road, Alfonso, Cavite
₱₱₱₱ · Spanish Contemporary
Celera (Makati) — 1 MICHELIN Star
Mood: Asian contemporary with two chef-owners nudging flavours from Japan and Singapore into tight, modern plates.
Order intel: Look for seafood with clean lines (cured fish, delicate broth work), and charcoal-kissed veg — having just had that at Il Toro Woodfire Grill, I think I may be heading here. The write-up promises bold, layered flavours — my notebook says: watch the stocks and sauces.
Address: 3F, Comuna, 238 Pablo Ocampo Senior Extension, Makati — Metro Manila, 1203
₱₱₱₱ · Asian Contemporary
Gallery by Chele (Taguig) — 1 MICHELIN Star (+ Green Star)
Mood: Thoughtful, produce-led tasting menus; calm room, assured pacing.
Why: Beyond the Star, Gallery by Chele also netted the Green Star for its farm-to-table ethos and strong community links in sourcing and education: Bravo!!!
Order intel: The menu rotates, but fermentation notes, foraged touches, and precise acidity are part of the house style. If you like long, balanced food experiences and a chef who’s been banging the sustainability drum for years, bookmark this one.
“We source 90% of our ingredients locally, partnering with farmers, fisherfolk, and indigenous communities to support livelihoods and share heritage cooking. Our urban garden highlights endemic herbs nourished by composted waste. Through cacao, coconut, and rice initiatives, we add value to local produce and repurpose byproducts. We work with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Rice Project to preserve and promote heirloom rice varieties.” Chef José Luis Gonzales
Address: 5F, Clipp Center, 11th Avenue corner 39th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig — Metro Manila
₱₱₱₱ · Creative
Hapag (Makati) — 1 MICHELIN Star
Mood: Refined Filipino plates that taste like home after a mamang cooking skills bootcamp.
Why: Inspectors called out heritage flavours with modern technique. The team’s own materials talk about placing Filipino food proudly “on the table” with local produce from mountains to seas: I have to take Wifey one day.
Order intel: Hapag’s tasting has featured takes on sinigang, precise work with local fish, and snacks that feel nostalgic without being a touristy gimmic. If you care about memory and local seasoning, this is for you, folks.
Address: 7F, The Balmori Suites, Hidalgo Drive, Rockwell Centre, Makati — Metro Manila
₱₱₱₱ · Filipino
Inatô (Makati) — 1 MICHELIN Star
Mood: Eight seats, bell on the door, marble counter — intimate and a touch cheeky. Yes EIGHT seats!!!
Why: The inspectors loved the immersive counter experience and refined Filipino flavours. It’s the place you book when you want to stare at the craft from start to finish.
Order intel: Tasting format with tiny details that add up — soups that buzz, glazes with umami depth, and a service team that knows you every desire and whim.
Address: The Alley at Karrivin, Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati — Metro Manila, 1231
₱₱₱ · Filipino, Contemporary
Kasa Palma (Makati) — 1 MICHELIN Star
Mood: Filipino produce through a lens of French technique with Latin and SEA nudges, often wood-fired.
Order intel: Expect grill marks with purpose, bright sauces, and fatty-acid balance dialled in. The kind of place where your Instagram camera and knife fight for custody of the plate will be front and centre.
Address: 6042 R. Palma, Poblacion, Makati — Metro Manila
₱₱₱₱ · Filipino, Contemporary
Linamnam (Parañaque) — 1 MICHELIN Star
Mood: Ten seats in what was once the chef’s childhood bedroom (!); woven walls, warm light — what a story already: I LOVE THIS!!!
Why: A deeply personal tasting that champions provenance; diners travel for this. Tatler’s round-up backed the same notes on chef Don Baldosano’s ingredient work and progressive takes on hos chioldhood Filipino classics.
Order intel: Heirloom produce, foraged touches, and dishes that reference tradition without being overly stuck in it. Bring your patient, curious self.
Address: 31 Greenvale 2, Marcelo Green Village, Parañaque — Metro Manila
₱₱₱₱ · Filipino, Contemporary
Toyo Eatery (Makati) — 1 MICHELIN Star
Mood: The now-famous modern Filipino flag-bearer from Chef Jordy Navarra.
Why: Inspectors note the craft and the ethos; media for years have praised fermentation, regional references, and clear ideas on seasonality. The signature “Bahay Kubo” course, inspired by the folk song listing 18 garden vegetables, remains one of Manila’s most talked-about plates.
Order intel: If “Bahay Kubo” is on, order it. Expect pork done with finesse, vinegar-driven balance, and desserts that don’t need to sweet-talk you for you to fall in love.
Address: The Alley at Karrivin, Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati — Metro Manila
₱₱₱₱ · Filipino, Contemporary
Quick Michelin Philippines snapshot — who got what (and where)
- 2★: Helm (Makati)
- 1★: Asador Alfonso (Cavite), Celera (Makati), Gallery by Chele (Taguig) + Green Star, Hapag (Makati), Inatô (Makati), Kasa Palma (Makati), Linamnam (Parañaque), Toyo Eatery (Makati)
How to choose where to book (and what to eat) — Chef Kenno’s Michelin Philippines cheat sheet
- Want the national flex in one sitting? Helm for the full tasting spectacle: think long taste profiles, tiny details, and a chef’s counter that pulls you into the craft. Go hungry; the pacing will be generous.
- Chasing the thinking-chef vibe with strong sourcing chops? Gallery by Chele for the Star and the Green Star ethos. Produce leads, waste is challenged, and dishes are, bright, and assured.
- Craving Filipino comfort rewritten with finesse? Hapag and Toyo Eatery are your north stars. At Toyo, that Bahay Kubo garden course is a rite of passage; at Hapag, watch how sinigang ideas and seafood are tweaked with modern skills.
- Want small, intimate rooms where the chef is basically your tablemate? Inatô (eight seats) or Linamnam (ten seats). Book early, behave, and bring your quiet shoes — it’s a bit whispery.
- Fancy a proper grill session with confident technique? Asador Alfonso and Kasa Palma offer fire — the former Spanish-leaning, the latter Filipino produce with French-Latin seasoning in the best sense. It’s Asador baby…
- Prefer menus that roam Asia without losing the plot? Celera is tagged Asian contemporary by the inspectors — a tidy place to taste that pan-regional outlook without the chaos of multiple-Visas.
40 MUST-TRY Filipino Dishes HERE
A few notes on Bib Gourmand (because value matters)
The same launch named 25 Bib Gourmand spots for great food at friendly prices — across everyday favourites from Manila to Cebu — with names like Your Local, Lampara, Sarsa, Em Hà Nội, Taquería Franco, and more appearing on the live index. If you’re planning a week of eating, weave a couple of these in between the tasting temples.
Previous reviews & the rumour mill — what people have been saying
- Helm has long been the “book it for the counter show” pick; diners mention playful themes and tight execution. Local food media previewed seasonal concept menus earlier in 2025.
- Toyo Eatery has been on Asia’s radar for years, landing awards and list placements; chefs and travel titles alike repeat the refrain: “Bahay Kubo, fermentation, strong identity.”
- Linamnam gets praised for being deeply personal and worth the trip to Parañaque — small room, big ideas, serious sourcing.
My perfect three-day hit list (because my greed is a menu)
Day 1 (Makati): Lunch Hapag; have a snooze; Helm for dinner. Day 2 (Taguig/Makati): Lunch Toyo Eatery; dinner Gallery by Chele. Day 3 (Parañaque/Makati): Dinner at Linamnam (or Inatô if you snag seats); swing back for a late night snack at a Bib Gourmand pick close to home.
14 Exciting Filipino Festivals You MUST Visit HERE
Practical bits — booking, budgets, and timing
- Lead time: With Stars freshly minted, expect waitlists. Counter spots (Helm, Inatô, Linamnam) will disappear first. Plan weeks ahead for primetime slots. (Yes, even Tuesdays.) Evidence: the ceremony only just happened, and the surge is real.
- Budgets: Tasting rooms will vary. As a rule, set menus in Makati’s top rooms sit at premium brackets, with wine pairings nudging the bill north in a happy way. (Helm’s guide/press snippets and list placements point to full-format menus.)
- Dress: Smart casual gets you everywhere; bring a light jacket if you’re averse to air-con — as my Wifey is.
- Dietaries: Most tasting rooms can tweak with advance notice; message them at booking. This is critical for me with my adversity to the piscatorial options.
Final thoughts from Islifearecipe…
This first Philippine MICHELIN crop reads like a confidence statement in Filipino food: memory-rich flavours, plating techniques you can measure with a set square, and rooms led by chefs telling very local stories without fuss. If you’ve ever argued that Filipino food belongs on the big stage — book these, eat through them, and smugly text your group chat with Filipino-pride and Instagrams. The Stars are here. The cooking’s ready. Now to try and get a table…
If the first starred restaurants in the Philippines are any hint of what’s cooking next, we’re in for a very tasty few years. There’s pride on the plate, proper technique, and plenty of creativity from chefs who clearly enjoy telling stories in bites. One night you’re at a sleek counter in Makati watching tweezers at work; next day you’re in Parañaque eating dishes that taste like a Sunday at lola’s, polished up with serious craft.
Brace your inbox for the waitlist emails, and take a camera with a clean lens. Order the signatures the regulars rave about, then leave space that makes your head spin. These MICHELIN Guide Philippines choices have become a focus for Islifearecipe, so get booking folks, hope to see you at a counter soon… ENJOY!!!
Learn more about 9 Michelin Starred Restaurants Now In The Philippines: Islifearecipe REVIEW