Must-see restaurants in Philippines

  • Van Gogh is Bipolar

    Manila

    Every bit as interesting as it sounds, this chaotic restaurant inhabits a tiny space packed with curios and artworks. It's run by artist Jetro, who cooks…

  • Antonio’s

    Around Manila

    One of the finest restaurants in the country, this upscale French-Euro-Filipino eatery offers the chance to rub elbows with politicians and oligarchs over…

  • Coffee Empire

    Manila

    A chic industrial open-plan warehouse setup with hessian sacks of single-origin green beans on display in the glassed-in 'green room', plus drawers of…

  • Guerrera

    Camiguin

    Camiguin's culinary profile is given a big boost by this restaurant housed in a large yellow villa on an isolated bit of waterfront. The culinary-school…

  • Sala

    Manila

    Arguably Manila’s finest restaurant for almost 15 years, this refined European bistro is headed by Scottish chef-owner Colin Mackay, who also runs People…

  • Calle Brewery

    Vigan

    This home-grown craft brewery doubles as Vigan's best restaurant. It's a smokehouse – pick your meat and a couple of sides, and wash it down with home…

  • Claude’s Le Cafe De Ville

    Davao

    The polished wood floors, carved trellis work and white clapboard exterior make this beautifully restored colonial-era home one of Davao's treasures…

  • Locavore

    Manila

    Locavore uses locally sourced ingredients to stunning effect, creating French-inspired takes on Filipino classics like Bicol exprés (spicy minced pork),…

  • Log Cabin

    Sagada

    One of Sagada’s many wonderful surprises is this aptly named restaurant that feels like a cosy ski lodge, with a roaring log fire and a fleece-clad…

  • Kalui

    Puerto Princesa

    This shoes-off eatery is an institution in Puerto Princesa. It has a lovely Balinese ambience – colourful paintings, sculptures and masks adorn the walls …

  • Arcobaleno Pizzeria & Ristorante

    Puerto Galera

    It doesn't look like much – basically a lean-to with just a few tables – but the medium-crust pizza here is the best in Puerto Galera, heaped with…

  • Artisans

    Puerto Princesa

    The Scottish owner calls the style here 'obscurity'; it basically consists of anything he fancies. The menu is a best-of-the-world affair, where tikka…

  • Trattoria Altrove

    El Nido

    This upstairs Slovenian–owned place does the best pizza in El Nido, made with imported mozzarella in the street-level brick oven. There are a dozen types…

  • Cafe by the Ruins Dua

    Baguio

    The clean white, vaguely colonial decor makes one of North Luzon's best meals taste even swankier. Local specialities such as carabao (water buffalo)…

  • Smalltalk Cafe

    Bicol

    This quaint little Albay eatery defines the notion of Bicol fusion cooking and draws in travellers and locals like a tractor beam. The menu covers 'small…

  • Cafe Laguna

    Cebu City

    The cosmopolitan Ayala Center does not have many options for good local food, but highly popular Cafe Laguna is an exception. Excellent, relatively…

  • Coco Loco

    Bohol

    A simple, artistically decorated cafe-resto famous for delicious coco burgers, though great vegie burgers and couscous are also available, and homemade…

  • Angelina

    Malapascua Island

    The eponymous chef at Angelina cooks up heavenly creations that will have you craving Italian food for weeks. The homemade tagliatelle asparagi is al…

  • Rico's Lechon

    Cebu City

    Cebu is the place to eat that signature Filipino delicacy, lechón (spit-roasted suckling pig), and Rico's has the best in town. It's cooked every morning…

  • Maya

    Cebu City

    Enter through heavy carved wooden doors to this classy, candlelit restaurant with arguably the best Mexican food in the country. Authentic dishes include…

  • Bag of Beans

    Around Manila

    Dine among hanging angel's trumpets, begonias and other exotic flowering plants on the garden patio of this superb bakery-restaurant specialising in…

  • El Nido Boutique & Art Café

    El Nido

    Everyone ends up here at some point, and rightfully so. The large 2nd-storey dining room is a relaxed place to eat, drink and get your bearings…

  • La Terrasse

    Puerto Princesa

    This is a sophisticated open-air dining room with a small menu of pasta, seafood and grilled or stewed meats (including duck rendang). Attention is paid…

  • Cafe by the Ruins

    Baguio

    Rising from the ashes after burning down in 2017, Baguio’s most beloved restaurant is back and better than ever. The new space is a more contemporary,…

  • Anzani

    Cebu City

    One of the best fine-dining restaurants in the Visayas, classy Anzani is the perfect location for a special meal with sweeping views of the city from its…

  • What the Fork

    Tacloban

    A brilliant pop-up on the Yellow Doors Hostel rooftop that draws a creative, arty crowd for its delicious marinated meats and hand-rolled pizzas. Also…

  • Get Real Cafe

    Coron Town

    This place works equally well for drinks or a meal. It's sort of a TexMex menu with more emphasis on the Tex (marbled Angus rib-eye steak) than the Mex …

  • Tindahin it Boracay

    Boracay

    At this open-air food park, social enterprises such as Red Box prepare scrumptious seafood bought fresh at the adjoining palengke (wet market). A DIY…

  • Healthy U

    Cebu City

    This quirky, inexpensive little place is a haven for vegetarians, with tasty tofu and vegan dishes (most costing P30 to P40). For really cheap eats you…

  • Veranda

    Puerto Galera

    Formerly on a cliff above White Beach, Veranda has relocated to a smaller location on the beach but remains one of Puerto Galera's best restaurants, with…

  • Abacá Restaurant

    Mactan Island

    The in-house restaurant at this exclusive hotel features California- and Mediterranean-inspired dishes, with oven-roasted meats and fine seafood. Starters…

  • Canto Fresco

    Tacloban

    There's an earthy, authentic flavour to this boho, Italian-influenced place. On the menu you'll find rustic hand-rolled pizza, pasta, sandwiches, fine…

  • Hummus Eliajah

    Manila

    The speciality is hummus combined with pine nuts, falafel or egg, but the tastiness extends to pita wraps, shakshuka (eggs poached in a spicy sauce) and…

  • Calle Arco

    Around Manila

    Easily the best restaurant in town, atmospheric Calle Arco adds uniquely Pagsanjan touches to Filipino fare, along with pizza and pasta. Try the chicken…

  • Las Flores

    Manila

    With a slick industrial interior and an authentic menu of Catalonia–inspired tapas and mains, Las Flores is justifiably one of Manila's most popular…

  • Giuseppe

    Panglao Island

    One of the Visayas' best Italians, with choice antipasti, divine pizza (from P300), mouthwatering pasta and a daily specials board. It's cool and classy…

  • Bella Vita

    El Nido

    Fantastic pizza with perfect thin crust in a beachfront setting? Sign us up. Fresh-baked bread and gnocchi are other specialities. Don't be afraid to show…

  • Cocina Juan Luna

    Tacloban

    Offering a rustic feel in the city, this delightful restaurant is set in an open-sided, traditional wooden structure in a garden with bench seating…

  • Jelo's Place

    Eastern Visayas

    Popular cafe-restaurant serving filling breakfasts, Filipino dishes, sandwiches and burgers and pasta. There's one of the best cake selections in all the…

  • Bantayan Burrito Company

    Bantayan Island

    What's this? A British-owned Tex-Mex restaurant on a remote Visayan island? Works for us. Satisfy all your burrito and taco cravings at this simple place…

More destinations you need to see