9 Fine Dining Restaurants Earning the Philippines' First Michelin Status
The debut of the Michelin Guide in the Philippines is cementing Manila's position as a global dining hub. Beyond the buzz, the spotlight shines brightest on the innovative chefs and polished establishments that are translating the heart of Filipino flavors into world-class fine dining. We dive deep into the restaurants that have achieved the most prestigious status—the elusive Michelin stars. Prepare for a look at Manila's new culinary stars, where meticulous plating, exquisite service, and profound flavor stories combine to define the cutting edge of Philippine gastronomy.
Helm by Josh Boutwood
Helm is a modern, fine-dining restaurant in Makati, Metro Manila, led by Chef Josh Boutwood, which achieved the historic distinction of being the first and only restaurant in the Philippines to be awarded two Michelin Stars in the inaugural 2026 edition of the Michelin Guide Manila and Environs & Cebu. The intimate 10-seater establishment is renowned for its highly creative, multi-course themed tasting menus that defy easy categorization, blending Chef Boutwood's Filipino, British, and Spanish influences with global techniques and a strong focus on seasonality and local ingredients. The dining experience is lauded for its precision, bold, layered flavors, and the personal connection fostered by the open kitchen and counter-style seating, which the Michelin Guide recognizes as "excellent cooking that's worth a detour."
Helm by Josh Boutwood
3rd floor, Ayala triangle gardens, Makati Ave, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Asador Alfonso
While Helm was the only restaurant to debut with Two Michelin Stars in the inaugural Michelin Guide Manila and Environs & Cebu 2026, Asador Alfonso earned a highly coveted one Michelin Star. Located amidst a lush, architectural leisure development in Alfonso, Cavite, this Spanish contemporary restaurant, spearheaded by Chef Chele Gonzalez and Chef Rodrigo Osorio, is celebrated as an authentic Spanish roasting house. Its concept is rooted in ancestral-style cooking, with its centerpiece being a massive, wood-fired Horno Jumaco Maestro oven, imported from Spain and rare in Asia, used to create signature dishes like melt-in-your-mouth Lechazo (suckling lamb) and crispy Cochinillo (suckling pig). The Michelin Guide specifically lauded Asador Alfonso for sourcing ingredients directly from Spain to deliver authentic dishes that balance rustic simplicity with remarkable depth and character in an architecturally stunning setting inspired by the nearby Taal Volcano.
Asador Alfonso
Lot-3308 Barangay Road, Alfonso, 4100 Cavite, Philippines
Celera
Celera, situated in Makati, Metro Manila, earned a coveted one Michelin Star in the inaugural Michelin Guide Manila and Environs & Cebu 2026 for its high-quality, contemporary Asian cuisine. Led by Chef Nicco Santos and Chef Quenee Vilar, the intimate, dimly lit dining space—whose name is a play on the Malay word for "appetite"—is known for its unique "marriage cuisine" that skillfully blends flavors and techniques drawn from Japan, China, Singapore, and wider Asian culinary traditions. Diners are treated to complex, umami-rich tasting menus that rely on elements like dashi, fermentation, and subtle smoke, offering a sophisticated and story-driven experience where artful plating and highly personal Filipino ingenuity enhance every dish.
Celera
3rd Floor, 238 Pablo Ocampo Sr. Ext, Comuna, Makati City, 1203 Metro Manila, Philippines
Gallery by Chele
Gallery by Chele, located in Bonifacio Global City, Metro Manila, was notably awarded one Michelin Star in the debut Michelin Guide Manila and Environs & Cebu 2026. Spearheaded by the acclaimed Spanish Chef Chele Gonzalez, the restaurant is a creative hub focused on elevating Filipino ingredients and regional culinary traditions through sophisticated, modern techniques. The tasting menu experience is driven by deep research into the archipelago's unique produce and heritage, translating them into elegant, visually stunning dishes that tell a story of place and culture. The Guide praises Gallery by Chele for its commitment to sustainability, its innovative use of local ingredients, and its role in defining the cutting edge of contemporary Filipino fine dining.
Gallery by Chele
5/F Clipp Center, 11th Avenue corner, 39th St, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines
Hapag
Hapag, located in Quezon City, Metro Manila, achieved a significant accolade by earning one Michelin Star in the inaugural Michelin Guide Manila and Environs & Cebu 2026. This restaurant is celebrated for its dedication to redefining Filipino heritage cuisine through modern, research-driven techniques. The young culinary team at Hapag meticulously researches forgotten local ingredients and regional cooking methods, often employing techniques like fermentation, curing, and roasting over fire to extract deep, complex flavors. Their multi-course tasting menus are designed to tell a story about the Philippines, blending nostalgia with innovation and showcasing the incredible potential of indigenous ingredients in a sleek, contemporary dining setting.
Hapag
7th Floor, The Balmori Suites, Hidalgo Dr, Rockwell Center, Makati City, 1210 Metro Manila, Philippines
Inatô
Inatô, situated in Quezon City, Metro Manila, earned a notable one Michelin Star in the debut Michelin Guide Manila and Environs & Cebu 2026. The restaurant is celebrated for its highly personal and deeply respectful approach to traditional regional Filipino cuisine, specifically championing the food and customs of the Bicol region (Inatô means "our own" in Bicolano). The experience is delivered through a unique, intimate tasting menu that focuses on indigenous ingredients, traditional cooking methods like using coconut milk (gata) and chili (sili), and the philosophy of zero-waste. The Guide recognized Inatô for its commitment to preserving and elevating authentic heritage flavors, offering diners a profound cultural journey and a taste of often-overlooked regional Filipino dishes.
Inatô
The Alley at Karrivin, Karrivin Plaza, 1231 Chino Roces Ave, Extension, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Kása Palma
Kása Palma, located in the vibrant Poblacion neighborhood of Makati, was honored with one Michelin Star in the inaugural Michelin Guide Manila and Environs & Cebu 2026. Chef Aaron Isip's concept successfully blends his French fine dining training with global influences, ranging from Latin America to Southeast Asia, while using a strong core of local Filipino ingredients. The tranquil, jungle-inspired atmosphere and counter seating set the scene for the experience, which is particularly defined by the Jungle Kitchen, where dishes are cooked over a wood fire. Kása Palma offers both tasting menus and à la carte creativity, presenting expressive, refined dishes that the Guide recognizes for their high quality and unique flavor combinations.
Kása Palma
6042 R Palma, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Linamnam
Linamnam, situated in Parañaque, Metro Manila, was awarded one Michelin Star, and its young Chef-Owner, Don Patrick Baldosano, earned the prestigious Michelin Young Chef Award in the debut Michelin Guide Manila and Environs & Cebu 2026. The restaurant is celebrated for its highly intimate, unconventional setting, hosting only ten diners in what was once the chef's childhood bedroom, providing a uniquely personal and comfortable ambiance. Linamnam's tasting menu is a deeply rooted expression of regional Filipino traditions and unsung dishes, transformed by Chef Baldosano's modern techniques, philosophy, and dedication to showcasing seasonal, local ingredients, making it a truly memorable hidden gem.
Linamnam
198 President Quirino St, Cagayan De Oro City, 9000 Misamis Oriental, Philippines
Toyo Eatery
Toyo Eatery, located in Makati, Metro Manila, is an internationally celebrated modern Filipino restaurant that was awarded one Michelin Star in the debut Michelin Guide Manila and Environs & Cebu 2026. Led by Chef Jordy Navarra, the restaurant is known for its inventive and highly conceptual tasting menus that celebrate the humble yet complex nature of Filipino ingredients and culinary heritage (its name, Toyo, means soy sauce). With a strong commitment to sustainability and fostering relationships with local farmers, Toyo Eatery transforms familiar dishes into sophisticated, story-driven creations, with signature items including the Three-Cut Pork Barbecue and the iconic Bahay Kubo Lumpia, solidifying its reputation as a leader in defining the future of Filipino gastronomy.
Toyo Eatery
2316, The Alley at Karrivin, Karrivin Plaza, 1231 Chino Roces Ave Ext, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
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