The MICHELIN Guide Philippines 2026 is here. Discover the country’s first-ever MICHELIN-starred restaurants, including Helm with two stars, and eight others redefining Filipino fine dining from Manila to Cebu.
What does the stars mean?
Did you know the world-famous Michelin star actually started as a marketing idea? Back in the early 1900s, brothers André and Édouard Michelin (yes, the tire guys) created the Michelin Guide—not to rate restaurants at first, but to get people to drive more. The logic was simple: more cars on the road meant more tires to sell.
The first edition was more like a driver’s manual than a foodie bible. It had maps, tire repair tips, mechanics, gas stations, and even restaurant listings—basically everything a road-tripper might need back then.
Fast forward to the 1920s: the guide became a paid publication, and food started to take center stage. Michelin even hired anonymous inspectors to visit and review restaurants. By 1926, they introduced a one-star rating to mark outstanding dining spots.
Then came the real game-changer—the one-to-three star system—officially rolled out in 1933. One star meant “worth a stop,” two meant “worth a detour,” and three? “Worth a special journey.”
Michelin Awards: Beyond the Stars
What's Inside
Michelin has expanded its recognitions beyond the iconic stars to honor diverse dining and hospitality experiences:
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Bib Gourmand (1997) – Celebrates casual dining with exceptional food at accessible prices.
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Green Star (2020) – Recognizes restaurants committed to sustainability and eco-friendly practices while delivering outstanding cuisine.
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Michelin Plate (2018) – Highlights restaurants serving quality food that may not qualify for a star or Bib Gourmand.
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Michelin Key (2024) – Honors hotels offering exceptional stays, considering design, architecture, service, and overall guest experience.
The Stars Have Arrived: The MICHELIN Guide Finally Lands in the Philippines
It’s official — the MICHELIN Guide Philippines 2026 has arrived, and with it, a brand-new chapter for Filipino cuisine. For the first time ever, the Philippines joins the world’s most prestigious dining destinations, with its top restaurants earning coveted MICHELIN Stars and global recognition.
Unveiled at the Manila Marriott Hotel, the debut of the MICHELIN Guide Manila & Environs and Cebu 2026 was more than an announcement — it was a celebration of artistry, culture, and the Filipino spirit of hospitality.
A Landmark Moment for Filipino Dining
The inaugural MICHELIN Guide Philippines 2026 shines a spotlight on 108 restaurants nationwide, honoring their creativity, innovation, and heart. The list features:
⭐ 2 Two MICHELIN Stars
⭐ 8 One MICHELIN Stars
🍽️ 25 Bib Gourmands
🍴 74 MICHELIN Selected
Each recognition tells a story — from boundary-pushing tasting menus to heartwarming heirloom recipes — proving that Filipino cuisine is more than a trend; it’s a global force.
“The enthusiasm and dedication we’ve witnessed from chefs and restaurateurs here is truly inspiring,” shared Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides. “We look forward to sharing the Philippines’ culinary stories with the world.”
Helm Takes Center Stage with Two MICHELIN Stars
Leading the first-ever MICHELIN Star list in the Philippines is Helm, helmed by Chef Josh Boutwood. Intimate and theatrical, the 10-seater restaurant delivers an immersive dining experience where each dish feels like a dialogue between art and emotion. With this, Helm proudly earns Two MICHELIN Stars, cementing its place as a leader in Philippine gastronomy.
Eight Restaurants Earn One MICHELIN Star
Eight remarkable restaurants join Helm in putting the Philippines on the global culinary map. Each one brings its own narrative — rooted in passion, identity, and a sense of place.
✨ Asador Alfonso – elevating Spanish tradition with soulful precision.
✨ Celera – a masterful blend of Asian flavors in a contemporary setting.
✨ Gallery by Chele – pioneering sustainability and creative storytelling.
✨ Hapag – modern Filipino cuisine, deeply emotional and unapologetically local.
✨ Inatô – design-forward and introspective, with flavors that surprise.
✨ Kasa Palma – French technique meets global flair and fire cooking.
✨ Linamnam – Filipino comfort food reimagined in a deeply personal space.
✨ Toyo Eatery – redefining Filipino food with depth, nostalgia, and innovation.
Sustainability and Soul: The Green Star and Bib Gourmand
Gallery by Chele also earned the MICHELIN Green Star, honoring its dedication to sustainable practices and strong ties with local farmers and artisans — proof that mindful dining can be both luxurious and responsible.
Meanwhile, 25 Bib Gourmand restaurants were recognized for serving exceptional food at affordable prices — from Bolero’s Spanish-inspired dishes to Sarsa’s soulful Filipino comfort food, and Esmen’s sour fish soup in Cebu. These places capture what Filipino dining is truly about: warmth, generosity, and heart.
Spotlight on Talent: Special Awards
This year also celebrated the personalities behind the plates:
🏆 Young Chef Award – Chef Don Patrick Baldosano (Linamnam), for redefining Filipino flavors through aging and fermentation.
🏆 Service Award – Mrs. Erin Recto (Hapag), for her heartfelt hospitality and warmth.
🏆 Exceptional Cocktails Award – Mr. Benjamin Leal (Uma Nota), for inventive blends that fuse Japanese, Brazilian, and Southeast Asian influences.
The Philippines on the Global Culinary Stage
The launch of the MICHELIN Guide Philippines 2026 is more than a milestone — it’s a love letter to a country where food is memory, culture, and connection. From Manila to Cebu, every restaurant tells a story of pride, perseverance, and the power of flavor.
The world has finally taken a seat at the Filipino table — and the feast has only just begun.
MICHELIN Guide Manila & Environs | Cebu 2026
⭐⭐Two MICHELIN Stars
Excellent cooking, worth a detour!
| Restaurant Name | Type of Cuisine |
|---|---|
| Helm | Creative |
⭐ One MICHELIN Star
High-quality cooking, worth a stop!
| Restaurant Name | Type of Cuisine |
|---|---|
| Asador Alfonso | Spanish Contemporary |
| Celera | Asian Contemporary |
| Gallery by Chele | Creative |
| Hapag | Filipino |
| Inatô | Filipino Contemporary |
| Kasa Palma | Filipino Contemporary |
| Linamnam | Filipino Contemporary |
| Toyo Eatery | Filipino Contemporary |
🍽️ Bib Gourmand
Good food at moderate prices!
| Restaurant Name | Type of Cuisine |
|---|---|
| Bolero | Spanish |
| Brick Corner | Indian |
| Cabel | Filipino |
| COCHI | Filipino |
| Em Hà Nội | Vietnamese |
| Hálong | Fusion |
| Kumba | Asian |
| La Pita | Middle Eastern |
| Lampara | Filipino |
| Los Tacos | Mexican |
| Manam at the Triangle | Filipino |
| Morning Sun Eatery | Street Food |
| Palm Grill (Diliman) | Filipino |
| Pilya’s Kitchen | Noodles |
| Sarsa | Filipino |
| Some Thai | Thai |
| Taquería Franco | Mexican |
| The Underbelly | Ramen |
| Your Local | Asian Contemporary |
🍴 MICHELIN Selected
Restaurants recognized for quality and creativity.
| Restaurant Name | Type of Cuisine |
|---|---|
| 12/10 | Japanese Contemporary |
| Aida’s Chicken | Filipino |
| Antonio’s | European |
| Aurora | Asian |
| Automat | Filipino |
| Ayà | Filipino |
| Benjarong | Thai |
| Blackbird | International |
| Butcher Boy | Asian |
| Cantabria by Chele Gonzalez | Spanish |
| Canton Road | Chinese |
| Carmelo’s Steakhouse | Steakhouse |
| Chie Chie’s Pancit Batil Patung | Street Food |
| China Blue | Cantonese |
| Cirkulo | Spanish |
| Cru Steakhouse | Grills |
| Deo Gracias | Spanish |
| El Poco Cantina (Malate) | Mexican |
| Ember | European Contemporary |
| Esmeralda Kitchen | Filipino |
| Fong Wei Wu | Taiwanese |
| Fresca Trattoria | Italian |
| Ginza Nagaoka | Sushi |
| Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill | Meats and Seafood |
| Goxo | Basque |
| Iai | Japanese |
| Juniper | Contemporary |
| Kei | Japanese |
| Kodawari (Salcedo) | Asian |
| Locavore (Taguig) | Filipino |
| Lola Helen | Filipino |
| Lore | Filipino |
| Lusso (Legazpi) | European |
| Mamacita | Mexican |
| Man Ho | Cantonese |
| Metiz | Filipino |
| Mirèio | French |
| MŌDAN | Creative |
| Now Now | Contemporary |
| Oak & Smoke | Meats and Grills |
| Offbeat | Filipino |
| Old Manila | French |
| Origine | Spanish |
| Osteria Antica | Italian Contemporary |
| Pablo | Spanish |
| Papillon | Asian |
| People’s Palace | Thai |
| Ramen Ron | Ramen |
| Sala | European |
| Seva | Contemporary |
| Spices | Asian |
| Steak & Frice | Steakhouse |
| Summer Palace | Chinese |
| Super Uncle Claypot | Cantonese |
| Tandem | Contemporary |
| Taupe | Contemporary |
| Terraza Martinez | Spanish |
| The Test Kitchen | European |
| Txanton | Spanish |
| Uma Nota | Japanese Contemporary |
| Umu | Japanese |
| Yamazato | Japanese |
