The restaurants included in the Michelin Guide Manila & Environs &Cebu 2026, a first for the country, were announced at a ceremony on October 30 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom.
108 establishments were added to the guide, varying from Michelin Guide selected restaurants, Bib Gourmand Awards and coveted Michelin stars. There were 74 Michelin selected restaurants and 25 Bib Gourmand award winners in the country. Eight were awarded one Michelin star, and only one, Helm (directed by Josh Boutwood), received two Michelin stars.
The guide says of Helm, “Leaded by Chef Josh Boutwood, Helm presents a deeply personal expression of his half-British, half-Filipino heritage, infused with Spanish influences. His creative yet disciplined approach results in a modern tasting menu that is intimate, precise and deeply expressive. Each course is a reflection of craftsmanship, identity and culinary evolution.”
The country's first one-starred restaurants include Asador Alfonso and Gallery by Chele, both by Chele Gonzalez, with Andres Osorio at Asador Alfonso and Carlos Villaflor at Gallery, respectively. Longtime industry favorite Gallery by Disciples also received a Michelin Green Star, an award for sustainable gastronomy. Coincidentally, Mr. Boutwood and Mr. Gonzalez had the most restaurants that were honored in different categories.
Celera (by Nico Santos and Queeny Villar), Hapag (by John Kevin Navoa, Third Dolatre, and Erin Recto; Ms. Recto also took the Service Award for Hospitality), Inato (by JP Cruz), Casa Palma (by Aaron Isip), Linamnam (by Don Baldosano; he also took the Young Chef Award), and Toyo Eatery (by Jordi Navarra, another industry favorite) round out List of first Michelin star award winners in the Philippines.
According to the Michelin Guide website, “One Michelin star is awarded to restaurants that use high-quality ingredients, where dishes with distinctive flavors are prepared to a consistently high standard.” It was launched with the tagline “High quality cooking, worth a stop!” Briefly presented by. The guide continues, “Two Michelin stars are awarded when the chef's personality and talent are evident in his expertly crafted dishes; his food is refined and inspired.” Two stars in the guide means, “Excellent cooking, worth a detour!”.
The guide says, “We take into account five universal criteria: the quality of the ingredients, the harmony of flavours, the mastery of techniques, the personality of the chef as expressed through his dishes and, equally important, both the menu as a whole and sustainability over time.” The winners are decided by official inspectors who dine in secret. “Once several inspectors have eaten at a restaurant, they discuss their experiences as a team to make a final decision.”
Special Awards, BIB Gourmand and Guide Selection List
Two of the three special awards were mentioned above, but Benjamin Leal of Uma Nota went home with the Exceptional Cocktail award.
Meanwhile, the Bib Gourmand selection awards restaurants that offer “exceptional food at moderate prices,” according to the guide. In Manila and its environs, these include Bolero, Brick Corner, Cabela's, Kochi, Am Ha Ni, Halong, Kumba, La Pita, Lampara, Los Tacos, Manam at the Triangle, Morning Sun Eatery, Palm Grill (Diliman), Pilaya Kitchen, Sarasa, Some Thai, Taqueria Franco, The Underbelly and Your Local. In Cebu, the Bib Gourmand selection includes Abecería Deli & Café, CUR8, Esmen, Lasa, Pares Batchoy Food House and The Pig & Palm.
As for the Michelin selected restaurants, which number 74, these were recognized for “the quality of their cuisine, the nature of their dining experience and the overall consistency”.
The recipients were:
-12/10
-Abli
-Aida's Kitchen
-Antonio's
-ATO-AH
-Arora
-automatic
-Aya
-Benjarong
-Blackbird
-butcher boy
-Cantabria by Chele Gonzalez
-Canton Road
-Carmelo's Steakhouse
-Chi Chi's Pancit Batil Patung
-China Blue
-Circulo
-cocoa
-Crew Steakhouse
-Dev Gracious
-dip
-El Poco Cantina (Mallet)
-embers
-By Annie Chele Gonzalez
-Esmeralda Kitchen
-Fong Wei Wu
-Fresca Trattoria
-Ginza Nagaoka
-Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill
-goxo
-Lechon's house
-iai
-Juniper
-Kamakura
-kei
-Kodaavari (Salcedo)
-Lantao(Compostela,Cebu)
-Locavore (Taguig)
-Lola Helen
-Knowledge
-Luso (Legazpi)
-Mamacita
-if you feel like it
-Maya
-Metis
-Mirio
-Modan
-Just now
-oak and smoke
-unusual
-Old Manila
-Produce
-Osteria Antica
-Pablo
-Papillon
-Pares Pares (N. Escario Street)
-People's Palace
-Ramon Ron
-Brother-in-law
-Service
-sialo
-Sukarrat
Spices
-Steak and Fries
-Summer Complex
-Super Uncle Claypot
-tandem
-Taupe
-Terraza Martínez
-The Test Kitchen
-texanton
-Uma Nota
-umu
-Yamazato
Of these, two-star chef Mr Boutwood also heads Amber, Juniper and The Test Kitchen. Chele Gonzalez, who already has two restaurants on the one-starred list, also heads Cantabria and Annie's.
“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 roadside eateries, our inspectors were truly impressed by the culinary authenticity and creativity found across the country,” Gwendal Poulenc, international director of the Michelin Guide, said in a statement.
