ICYMI— The prestigious restaurant and hotel guide published by the French tire company Michelin has finally set foot in the country—gearing for its 2026 debut. The Michelin Guide is best known for awarding Michelin stars to exceptional restaurants, making it one of the most influential food rating systems in the world.
But before we skip to the good part, let’s take a brief walk towards the Michelin Guide’s interesting story. Flashback to 1900 in France, when the Michelin brothers, André and Édouard Michelin, created a marketing tool intended for their tire company. Back then, there were only a few thousand cars in France, and to encourage people to drive, they came up with a free booklet to help drivers find useful services. The booklet contained maps, tire repair instructions, and a list of gas stations, hotels, and restaurant recommendations. The goal was simple—when more people are encouraged to drive, there will be more road travels, which, in turn, increases the demand for tires.
26 years later, more and more people started using the guide. When the Michelin brothers noticed that the restaurant section of their guide became particularly popular, they introduced a star rating system and established the three-star ranking by 1931. The anonymous Michelin inspectors became known for their high standards and anonymity, which is why the marketing tool became the most prestigious restaurant guide in the world—something that the Michelin brothers probably never imagined!
Michelin sets foot in the Philippines
Fast forward to February 18, 2025, the Michelin Guide has finally decided to cover the dynamic culinary scene in the Philippines when the Guide announced its expansion to Manila and Environs & Cebu for its 2026 debut. The expert inspectors have already started exploring Metro Manila and Cebu while also covering nearby places, including Tagaytay, Pampanga, and Cavite.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) ushered and supported the arrival of the MICHELIN Guide in the country. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said, “The arrival of the MICHELIN Guide is not only a testament to our country’s culinary excellence but also a significant leap forward for Filipino tourism, with gastronomy now forming a key part of our national tourism priorities. In the Philippines, every dish tells a story, and every flavor is an invitation to experience our nation’s rich cultural tapestry.”
All things considered, here is a list of restaurants in Metro Manila that we feel are at the precipice of receiving the globally renowned MICHELIN Star… or Stars. Who knows? With the vibrant aura of Filipino cuisine—prepped and served by passionate Filipino chefs and the heartwarming story of our dishes, it’s not impossible for these restaurants to bag up to three MICHELIN Stars. Sure, there are only around 140 restaurants worldwide that hold the prestigious three Michelin stars, but maybe in 2026, these truly Pinoy restaurants could make it 144! As they say, to dream is to see beyond the present, to imagine the impossible, and to believe in what could be.
TOYO EATERY (The Alley at Karrivin, Chino Roces Ave Ext, Makati)
All hail the first Filipino restaurant to breach Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list, and so far, the sole Filipino restaurant in the same list. Known for its modern take on Filipino cuisine, the Chef Jordy Navarra-led Toyo Eatery blends tradition and innovation, using locally sourced ingredients to create dishes that honor Filipino flavors while reinterpreting them in creative, contemporary ways.
METIZ (Karrivin Plaza, Chino Roces Ave Ext, Makati)
Led by Chef Stephan Duhesme, Metiz is one of the most exciting and boundary-pushing restaurants in the Philippine dining scene. This second Filipino restaurant that landed in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2023 offers a modern, minimalist approach to Filipino cuisine, focusing on fermentation, locally sourced ingredients, and bold, unexpected flavors.
GALLERY BY CHELE (Clipp Center, 11th Ave corner 39th St, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig)
Gallery by Chele is a culinary gem that blends Filipino flavors with global influences, offering a truly unique and refined dining experience. Led by Chef Chele González, a Spanish-born chef who fell in love with the Philippines, the restaurant is known for its innovative tasting menus, sustainability, and use of local ingredients.
HAPAG (The Balmori Suites, Hidalgo Dr, Rockwell Center, Makati)
Nature’s bounty, given to the Filipinos, shared to the world’s Hapag.
I mean… if that adage does not exemplify what Filipino cuisine is, I don’t know what does. Chefs Nav and Thirdy have masterfully woven the heart of Filipino hospitality into Hapag. It’s more than just a destination for exceptional food or stunning design—it’s an experience. You go to Hapag to feel the essence of a Filipino home—warm, welcoming, connected, and brimming with stories in every dish.
Despite the country having Michelin-starred restaurants like PUTIEN, Hawker Chan, Din Tai Fung, and Tim Ho Wan, to this day, there is still no homegrown, Filipino-owned and -operated restaurant that has bagged the coveted Michelin Star. But that will change in 2026 when the MICHELIN Guide debuts in the country. Will we see the four restaurants we mentioned above? We certainly hope so! But more than that, we’re eager to witness a new era for Filipino cuisine—one where more restaurants, hidden gems, and unexpected contenders step into the spotlight, proving to the world that the Philippines is a true culinary powerhouse.
