The Michelin Guide has always been my go-to reference for identifying dining spots beyond the usual tourist favorites whenever I travel overseas. So when its inspectors finally landed in the Philippines for the first time in 2025, I was one of those foodies thrilled to see the list of restaurants that made it to the 2026 Michelin Guide Manila and Environs & Cebu.
I was amused to find a mix of popular, locally approved, and lesser-known restaurants in the roster as a local. However, I was quite surprised that the Bib Gourmand selections—recognized for good value and quality cooking—were pricier than other recognized restaurants in the same category in cities like Bangkok, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City.
Nonetheless, that didn’t stop me from initially trying some of the recognized dining spots on the list and in the other categories—specifically in the bustling districts of Makati and BGC, where I usually find myself exploring Manila beyond the surface.
💡 Not familiar with the Michelin Guide distinctions? Here’s a quick overview of what each recognition means!
- Michelin Stars: Given to restaurants that were evaluated using the Michelin Guide’s five criteria: quality of ingredients, harmony of flavors, mastery of culinary techniques, chef’s personality, and consistency across the menu and over time.
- Three Stars: The highest award given to a restaurant, distinguished by the chef’s culinary expertise regarded as an art form and poised to become a classic; highly recommended and worth the trip.
- Two Stars: Awarded to talented chefs whose personality and expertise are reflected in their well-crafted dishes; recommended and worth a detour.
- One Star: Awarded to restaurants following high standards in their dishes and using top-quality ingredients; recommended as worth a stop.
- Michelin Bib Gourmand: Distinction given to dining spots that offer quality dishes and good value cooking.
- Michelin-Selected: Recognized restaurants noted for offering a notable dining experience, fresh, high-quality ingredients, and talented chefs.
Budget-Friendly Michelin Restaurants in Makati and BGC
Em Hà Nội
- Location: GF, F1 Hotel, 32nd Street corner Lane A, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
- Operating Hours: 10:30AM-9:00PM
- Price Range: ₱150-₱1,300
- Reservation: Not required
- Dress Code: None
Located on the ground floor of F1 Hotel and just a block away from Bonifacio High Street‘s popular Central Square and 3D billboard displays, Em Hà Nội is one of the most accessible and affordable Michelin restaurants in BGC.
Priding itself on its authentic Vietnamese dishes, the restaurant earned a nod from Michelin inspectors with its comforting bowl of chicken pho, spring rolls, rice noodles, and grilled pork.
Thanks to my recent travels in Vietnam, my taste buds easily recognized the distinct and familiar flavors of authentic Vietnamese food with my first bite of Bún Thịt Nướng (Vietnamese Grilled Pork with Rice Noodles) (₱380) at the place during my first visit.
As its name implies, the star of the dish is its grilled thin pork slices, glazed in an orange barbecue marinade, oozing a subtle, distinct smoky taste and well-balanced saltiness that pairs well with the herbs, vegetables, crushed nuts, and rice noodles that come with the dish.
The accompanying sweet fish dipping sauce was also remarkable that I felt instantly transported back to Hanoi upon my first sip. The only downside for me was the meat’s tenderness, which I found a bit hard to cut into smaller pieces.
Their Bun Cha Ha Noi (Grilled Pork and Noodles) (₱320) is another recommendation from their menu, boasting grilled meatballs, pork slices, and cold rice noodles and greens, and tasted similar to the ones I tried in Vietnam. Although I still find it less remarkable when I reminisce about the delicious serving I tried at Hanoi’s Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee, Bun Cha Ta.
Beverage-wise, their Cà Phê Trứng (Egg Coffee) (₱199) is the star of the menu; it tasted similar to the one I tried at the famous Cafe Giang in Hanoi and perfectly recreated the dish’s signature velvety foam, caffeine kick, and balanced sweetness.
Nonetheless, their Cà Phê Sữa Đá (Vietnamese Coconut Coffee) (₱199) was a disappointment for me, as I found it more watery than expected and small for the price.
During my recent visit, I also noticed that the service had changed, especially in terms of cleanliness, as the restaurant looked grittier than my initial visits. I was also surprised that card payments were halted, limiting options to cash and QR code transactions, so heads up if you plan to visit the place soon.
Sarsa
- Location: GF, The Frabella 1, 109 Rada St., Legazpi Village, Makati City
- Operating Hours: 11:00AM-10:00PM (Sunday-Thursday); 11:00AM-11:00PM (Friday-Saturday)
- Price Range: ₱300-₱1,500
- Reservation: Not required but recommended, especially during peak hours
- Dress Code: None
With its unique Filipino name, which literally means “sauce” in English, Sarsa is one of the handful of Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants on the list that proudly showcase the distinct taste of Philippine cuisine, conveniently in the heart of Makati.
Helmed by well-known Filipino chef and Bacolod-born JP Anglo, Sarsa gained the attention of Michelin inspectors with its striking interiors featuring tropical and native aesthetics and, of course, the star of the place: Filipino food classics with a contemporary twist.
Michelin inspectors gave Sarsa’s Kinilaw (Filipino ceviche) (₱705) and Lechon Manok (Grilled Chicken) (₱1,290) a thumbs-up. But for my visit—and since Chef JP also hailed from the city where it originated—I decided to give their Chicken Inasal Pecho (Filipino-Style Grilled Chicken Breast) (₱360) a try.
Honestly, as a local, I didn’t find anything remarkable in the place’s take on this iconic Filipino dish, which boasts an orange, grilled appearance and smoky taste, best paired with soy sauce and calamansi (Philippine lime). Nonetheless, for foreigners and expats looking to sample Philippine cuisine, Sarsa’s version of inasal is a good place to introduce your taste buds to this famous and savory Filipino dish.
Brick Corner
- Location: B151, Forbeswood Heights, Forbestown Road, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
- Operating Hours: 12:00PM-3:30PM; 5:00PM-12AM
- Price Range: ₱200-₱4,500
- Reservation: Not required but recommended, especially during peak hours
- Dress Code: None
Conveniently sitting at the corner of Rizal Drive and 29th Street, behind the children’s favorite, The Mind Museum, is another Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee priding itself on notable North Indian cuisine.
Reminiscent of its name, the restaurant covers two levels and is dressed in red brick interiors and dim lighting that seem to echo the former restaurant that occupied the same space years ago and was also one of my favorite BGC dining spots—The Bowery.
During my visit, the reception is manned by an Indian woman who verifies available seats—and one’s assumption that they’re in for an authentic treat—for walk-in customers, while being instantly welcomed by the scent of rich spices lingering within the restaurant’s walls.
For my first time, and since I was dining alone, I limited myself to a serving I knew I could finish and ordered their Samosa (₱300) and Sweet Lassi (₱250). This is because their main dishes and Michelin-recommended grub like Butter Chicken (₱725) and Mutton Bhuna Masala (₱900) come in generous servings, best shared.
Aside from North Indian cuisine, the restaurant also offers a handful of Asian favorites like Pork Sisig (₱385), Pad Thai (₱585), and Nasi Goreng (₱675).
Served fresh, hot, and straight from the kitchen, the place’s three-piece samosa boasts crispy and crunchy patti without leaving the usual oily residue. Its soft potato filling comes with hints of strong spices in between, best paired with the dish’s accompanying chutney.
The lassi was the best pick to wash all of those samosas down with its refreshing coldness and distinct mix of sweet and sour taste.
Splurge-Worthy Michelin Restaurants in Makati and BGC
Uma Nota
- Location: Shangri-La The Fort, 30th Street corner 5th Ave, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
- Operating Hours: 11:30AM-2:30PM; 6:00PM-12:00AM (Sunday-Tuesday); 11:30AM-2:30PM; 6:00PM-3:00AM (Wednesday-Thursday); 1:30PM-2:30PM; 6:00PM-4:00AM (Friday-Saturday)
- Price Range: ₱500-₱6,000
- Reservation: Not required but recommended, especially during peak hours
- Dress Code: Smart Casual
With its location in the complex of a five-star hotel, Uma Nota may come off as intimidating but is actually one of the warmest restaurants I’ve experienced, with its friendly and hospitable staff, which likely earned it a Michelin Selected distinction.
Tucked beneath the main building of Shangri-La The Fort, Uma Nota is a fine dining restaurant famous for its Brazilian-Japanese fusion cuisine during the day and transforms into an energetic nightlife spot at night.
The sound of the words “fine dining” easily makes most people turn away from this BGC gem, but this celebrated restaurant could be way more affordable than you think.
Starting at ₱550, one can already sample their selections of nigiri and sashimi or take it up a notch by trying their Uma Nota Udon (₱850) for a proper meal.
Visiting during a weekday rewards diners with more affordable options with their Weekday Lunch Menu, which varies from time to time and comes with a serving of an appetizer, main dish, and a side for ₱1,380. This was also the same one I tried during my first visit when I celebrated my 30th birthday at the place.
My meal at the time was composed of Miso Soup and Brazilian Fried Chicken as appetizers, Peixo Assado do Dio as the main, and Uma Nota Salad as a side. Out of the four, the Brazilian Fried Chicken is my favorite, with its tender meat and well-balanced saltiness and crispiness that pair well with its accompanying spicy biquinho sauce.
Another star for me is the restaurant’s Yellow Fever (₱450) mocktail, which perfectly balances the sweetness of mango and passionfruit with the sourness of lime. This notable experience is probably a reflection of the place’s Exceptional Cocktails distinction, also awarded by Michelin to the restaurant.
For birthday celebrants, don’t forget to try their decadent Birthday Cake Slice (₱170), which comes with a flaming cotton candy curtain that unveils a plated birthday greeting.
Wrapping all of these experiences is Uma Nota’s distinct and charming ambience, underscored by a floating tree in the middle and a 1970s-inspired interior.
Blackbird
- Location: 1229 Nielson Tower, Ayala Triangle, Makati Avenue, Makati City
- Operating Hours: 11:00AM-10:00PM
- Price Range: ₱300-₱3,500
- Reservation: Not required, but recommended, especially during peak hours
- Dress Code: Smart Casual
Housed in Manila’s former and first commercial airport, Nielson Tower, at Ayala Triangle, the Michelin Selected restaurant of Blackbird is known for its Art Deco interiors, echoing its 1930s origins, which is the same period when the building was first inaugurated. The current design of the establishment stays true to its original construction, with its former control tower and passenger terminal refurbished to cater to the restaurant’s dining customers.
At the heart of Blackbird’s menu is an assortment of international cuisine, with their off-menu dishes recommended by Michelin inspectors. But for my visit, I decided to try their Blue Swimmer Crab Omelette, Lamb Rendang, Sriracha and Jasmine Rice (₱1,580), and Lemon, Cardamom and Elderflower Fizz (₱280) as an accompanying drink.
The serving of lamb rendang was a standout for me, with its distinct spiciness and tender meat, reflecting the dish’s slow-cooking method, while the lemon, cardamom, and elderflower mocktail creates a bright and citrusy taste, underscored by a fizzy finish.
For affordable options on their menu, their main dish Grilled Iberico Pork Skewers, Vietnamese Spring Rolls, Chilled Rice Noodles, Herb Salad, and Nuoc Cham (₱980) are worth the buck for their very generous servings, while their Prawn Scotch Eggs, Betel Leaves and Coconut Chili Sambal (₱360) is a well-loved item on the menu that customers return to.
Service was also top-notch, with its attentive and friendly staff who warmly tend to dining customers, worthy of their Michelin Selected recognition.
Although I still have a handful of restaurants to tick off from the list, my initial experience of trying Manila’s first Michelin-recommended dining spots has become a discovery for me even as a local, especially when it comes to unraveling the capital’s best-kept and lesser-known culinary treasures.
With a few of them conveniently located in the popular and tourist-favorite districts of Makati and BGC, I’m just glad that the local F&B industry has finally been put in the spotlight and has been given the recognition it well deserves.
Which restaurant on the list are you excited to try first? Let’s hear it out in the comments below!
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