The Philippines’ culinary scene has more room at the table.
The MICHELIN Guide 2027 recognized 127 restaurants across Metro Manila, Cavite, Pampanga and Cebu, expanding its footprint across the country and signaling that Philippine dining is becoming harder for the world’s food scouts to ignore.
The latest selection, announced Thursday at the Manila Marriott Hotel, includes one two-star restaurant, nine one-star establishments, 31 Bib Gourmand recipients, and 86 MICHELIN Selected restaurants.
Helm, led by Chef Josh Boutwood, retained its two MICHELIN Stars for a second consecutive year, keeping its place at the summit of Philippine dining. Makati newcomer Flow joined the one-star ranks for its contemporary interpretation of Filipino and Peruvian cuisines.
Eight other restaurants retained one-star distinctions, namely Inato, Solera, Asador Alfonso, Linamnam, Casa Palma, Hapag, Toyo Eatery and Gallery by Chele.
But the more revealing story may be the size of the list below the stars. The 31 Bib Gourmand restaurants, which are recognized for quality food at good value, and the 86 MICHELIN Selected establishments broaden the guide’s culinary map beyond the small circle of restaurants competing for stars.
A MICHELIN distinction, often sought by chefs, is more than a dinner-table trophy. The guide’s inspectors assess restaurants anonymously and independently, with stars awarded for the quality of cooking rather than décor, service theatrics or celebrity appeal. One star signals a very good restaurant, two stars indicate excellent cooking worth a detour, while three stars denote exceptional cuisine worth a special journey.
For Philippine restaurants, inclusion can bring international visibility and hungry travelers. For the wider food economy, it can mean stronger demand for local ingredients and more opportunities for farmers, fisherfolk, food producers and small businesses.
MICHELIN Guides international director Gwendal Poullennec said Philippine cuisine was developing a stronger identity through native ingredients, regional traditions and familiar Filipino flavors.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the recognition could strengthen culinary tourism, with the government seeking better infrastructure, connectivity and culinary education to draw visitors beyond Metro Manila and Cebu.
The message from the expanded list is deliciously simple: Philippine food is no longer waiting to be discovered. It is increasingly giving the world reasons to make the trip.
The full list:
Two MICHELIN Stars
Helm.
One MICHELIN Star
Inato, Solera, Asador Alfonso, Linamnam, Casa Palma, Hapag, Toyo Eatery, Gallery by Chele, and Flow (new).
Bib Gourmand
Returning: Abaseria Deli & Café, Bolero, Brick Corner, Kabel, Kotchi, M Hanoi, Esmen, Kumba, Lapita Poblacion, Lambara, Lasa, Los Tacos, Manam at the Triangle, Morning Sun Eatery, Palm Grill Diliman, Pilias Kitchen, Sarsa, Som Thai Tomas Morato, Taqueria Franco, The Pig & Palm, and The Underbelly.
New: Apag Marangle, Ato-ah, Asala Manila, Balay Dako, Bawai’s Vietnamese Kitchen, Witcher Boy, CHE Bacolod Chicken House Express, Kalipay, Tatang’s Lechon, and Tito Boy.
MICHELIN Selected
Returning: 12/10, Abli, Aida’s Chicken, Antonio’s, Aurora, Automat, Ayà, Benjarong, Blackbird, Cantabria by Chele Gonzalez, Canton Road, Carmelo’s Steakhouse, Chie Chie’s Pancit Batil Patung, China Blue, Cirkulo, COCO, Cru Steakhouse, Deo Gracias, DIP, El Poco Cantina Malate, Ember, Enye by Chele Gonzalez, Fong Wei Wu, Fresca Trattoria, Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill, Goxo, House of Lechon, Iai, Juniper, Kamakura, Kei, Kodawari, Lantaw Compostela, Locavore Taguig, Lola Helen, Lore, Mamacita Taguig, Man Ho, Maya, Metiz, Now Now, Oak & Smoke, Offbeat, Old Manila, Origine, Osteria Antica, Pablo, Papillon, People’s Palace, Ramen Ron Makati, Sala, Seva, Sialo, Socarrat, Steak & Frice, Summer Palace, Super Uncle Claypot Makati, Tandem, Taupe, Terraza Martinez, The Test Kitchen, Txanton, Uma Nota, Umu, Yamazato, and Your Local.
New: Alpe Taguig, Bon Vinos Bodega, Sirya’s Candingan, Tikamo, Elaya by Sima, Palia, Italia, Kokiks Manukan, Kong Comedor, Liab, Makanai, Marjos Pochero, Mila’s Tokwat Baboy, San Andres, Oyster Bay, Playa Governor M. Cuenco Avenue, Suk, and Tadhana.
