Michelin Guide 2026: Full List of Awarded Restaurants in the Philippines

It finally happened. The Michelin Guide has officially entered the Philippines, and we’re coming in hot.

In its first-ever Michelin Guide Manila and Environs & Cebu 2026, the country scored nine starred restaurants, one Green Star, 25 Bib Gourmand awardees, and 74 Michelin Selected spots. The launch was held at the Manila Marriott Hotel in Newport World Resorts.

This debut puts the Philippines right on the global culinary radar. It celebrates a new generation of Filipino chefs who blend heritage, creativity, and bold flavours.

Image credit: Michelin Guide Website

Let’s start with the basics. A Michelin Star is one of the world’s highest honours in the food industry. It’s a stamp of approval that says a restaurant’s food is truly exceptional.

Michelin Stars are given to restaurants with outstanding cooking. Anonymous Michelin inspectors visit and judge them based on five things:

• The quality of ingredients

• The harmony of flavours

• The chef’s skill and creativity

• The consistency of the food over time

• How the chef’s personality shows through their dishes

It’s all about what’s on the plate. The restaurant’s decor, service or style do not affect the award. Whether it’s fine dining or a casual eatery, if the food is great, it counts.

Michelin reassesses restaurants every year to make sure they still meet the standard. A place can lose its Star if the food declines, or earn one if it improves.

Here’s what each level means:

• One Star means great cooking that is worth a stop.

• Two Stars mean excellent food that is worth a detour.

• Three Stars mean world-class cooking that is worth a special journey.

So when a restaurant earns a Michelin Star, it means the food has impressed not just one, but several professional inspectors, time and time again.

Earning a Michelin Star takes time and consistency. Each year, the Michelin team selects restaurants in chosen cities for review by anonymous inspectors. These inspectors are full-time food experts with years of experience in the hospitality industry. Their identities are kept secret so they can dine like regular guests.

They visit restaurants several times a year for lunch and dinner, on weekdays and weekends, to see if the quality stays the same. After each visit, they write a detailed report about the food, flavours and overall dining experience.

The team then meets to study the reports and decide which restaurants meet Michelin’s high standards for ingredients, technique, flavour, creativity and consistency.

When a restaurant earns a Michelin Star, it means the food has impressed several inspectors over multiple visits.

Image credit: helmmnl | Instagram

Helm (Makati). Led by Chef Josh Boutwood, Helm offers a creative tasting menu inspired by his British Filipino roots. Each course feels intimate, refined, and emotionally expressive.

Image credit: asaderaalfonso, restaurantcelera, gallery.bychele, hapag.mnl, inato.ph, kasapalma, linamnam_mnl, toyoeatery | Instagram

• Asador Alfonso (Cavite). Spanish contemporary restaurant known for authentic flavours and rustic charm.

• Celera (Makati). Contemporary Asian dining inspired by Japan, China, and Singapore.

• Gallery by Chele (Taguig). Farm-to-table dining with strong sustainability values.

• Hapag (Makati). Modern Filipino cuisine rooted in tradition and local produce.

• Inatô (Makati). A sleek eight-seater offering refined Filipino dishes.

• Kása Palma (Makati). Combines French techniques and global influences with local ingredients.

• Linamnam (Parañaque). A 10-seater fine dining restaurant inside the chef’s childhood bedroom.

• Toyo Eatery (Makati). Celebrates Filipino flavours through creative simplicity.

• Gallery by Chele (Taguig). Recognised for its strong commitment to sustainability, farm-to-table sourcing, waste reduction, and community engagement

Also read: 10 Best Restaurants in Makati for a Culinary Adventure

Image credit: Michelin Guide Website | Ginataang Pinakbet from Morning Sun Eatery

Awarded to restaurants serving exceptional meals at reasonable prices.

In Manila and Environs:

• Abaseria Deli & Café

• Bolero

• Brick Corner

• Cabel

• Cochi

• Em Hà Nội

• Halong

• Kumba

• La Pita

• Lampara

• Lasa

• Los Tacos

• Manam at The Triangle

• Morning Sun Eatery

• Palm Grill (Diliman)

• Pares Batchoy Food House

• Pilya’s Kitchen

• Sarsa

• Some Thai

• Taqueria Franco

• The Pig & Palm

• The Underbelly

• Your Local

• Abaseria Deli & Café

• CUR8

• Esmen

• Lasa

• Pares Batchoy Food House

• The Pig & Palm

Recognising talents who define excellence in their craft.

• Young Chef Award: Don Patrick Baldosano (Linamnam)

• Service Award: Erin Recto (Hapag)

• Exceptional Cocktails Award: Benjamin Leal (Uma Nota)

A total of 74 restaurants were listed as Michelin Selected, meaning they are officially recognised and recommended by Michelin inspectors for their quality and creativity.

Some notable names include Antonio’s, Locavore, Ramen Ron, Umu, Aida’s Chicken, Metiz, House of Lechon, and Old Manila. These are the next ones to watch, as many could be future Michelin Star contenders.

Also read: 10 Shangri-La Plaza Restaurants to Experience Gourmet Excellence

Image credit: Michelin Guide Website

The Michelin Guide began in France in 1900, created by brothers André and Édouard Michelin to help motorists travel more. The little red book included maps, petrol stations and places to eat or stay, encouraging people to drive further and buy more tyres. After realising people valued what they paid for, the guide was relaunched for sale in 1920.

By 1926, Michelin started giving stars to fine dining restaurants and introduced the one, two and three-star system in 1931. The guide later expanded worldwide and became one of the most respected awards in food. Today, it rates thousands of restaurants across more than 30 countries.

Michelin’s arrival in the Philippines marks a turning point for local gastronomy. The selection proves that Filipino chefs can stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best while still staying true to local roots and flavours.

As Michelin’s international director Gwendal Poullennec put it, this debut celebrates “a new generation of Filipino chefs drawing inspiration from heritage, bold flavours, and heartfelt hospitality.”

From humble eateries in Cebu to fine dining in Makati, the first-ever Michelin Guide for the Philippines shows just how far Filipino cuisine has come. Whether you’re a foodie, traveller, or just hungry, this list is proof that world-class dining is finally, proudly, right here at home.

Featured image credit: Michelin Guide