With the release of the latest edition of Philippine Tatler Best Restaurants, we bring you this year's top 20
Every year, our sister publication Philippine Tatler celebrates the craft and the dynamism of the local restaurant scene with their Best Restaurants Guide. For the second year in a row, 20 of the 172 culinary gems were awarded the special distinction of being part of the Top 20 Restaurants list. Call it the best of the best, if you will.
The Top 20 Restaurants represent a wide range of cuisines and cover more ground in terms of location. This year, Philippine Tatler's Best Restaurants welcomed 13 new entries to the list.
For the Top 20 Best Restaurants in Hong Kong and Macau, click here
Antonio’s
Cuisine: Asian / European
The popularity of Antonio’s will never wane as consistency and effortless colonial style are key to its success. This culinary gem is destination fine dining at its very best with chef and restaurateur, Antonio "Tony Boy" Escalante, never losing sight of an exacting formula that is infallible.
Purok 138, Brgy. Neogan, Tagaytay City
Bondi & Bourke
Cuisine: Australian
Thanks to its multi-awarded Australian chef and owner, Wade Watson, Bondi & Bourke’s immediate success came with straightforward dishes (Aussie or not) that you want to come home to after a day’s work. The B&B pitch is a fun and casual vibe that serves up soul gratifying comfort food favourites.
G/F Cattleya Condominium, Salcedo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City
Brasserie on 3
Cuisine: International
Conrad Manila's all-day dining restaurant presents an extensive buffet spread and an à la carte menu by the Executive Chef Thomas Jakobi, who has created dishes that highlight organic, locally and sustainably sourced ingredients. Add to that, a priceless view of the famed Manila Bay sunset.
Conrad Manila, Seaside Blvd. cor. Coral Way, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City
Canton Road
Cuisine: Cantonese / Huaiyang
Enjoy an assortment of regional Chinese cuisine specialities along with signature roasted barbecued meats and a smattering of Huaiyang dishes. Canton Road puts a modern twist on the intricate presentation of Chinese fare amidst the plush and lavish dynastic setting.
3/F Shangri-La at the Fort, Manila, 30th Street cor. 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Chateau 1771
Cuisine: French / European
With more than 25 years in the industry, Château 1771 continues to delight its patrons with its "No Borders Cuisine," which features delectable and innovative French, Swiss, and Italian favourites. Here, food is not the only star; the service is exceptional and the ambience, warm and cosy.
G/F Greenbelt 5, Ayala Centre, Makati City
China Blue by Jereme Leung
Cuisine: Chinese
A new entry in the BRG, China Blue, which is the signature Chinese restaurant of the recently opened Conrad Manila has a lot going for it. This fine dining restaurant boasts a spectacular view of the Manila Bay, decadent interiors, and inventive fusion as well as authentic fare by renowned chef, Jereme Leung.
Conrad Manila, Seaside Blvd. cor. Coral Way, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City
Cru Steakhouse
Cuisine: Steaks
Cru Steakhouse, Marriott Hotel Manila's crown jewel, continues to impress diners with its well-seasoned hand-cut steaks grilled to perfection in an open kitchen. The wine list is impressive, complete with popular pours as well as hard-to-find Old and New World bottles.
Marriott Hotel Manila, 2 Resorts Drive, Pasay City
Crystal Dragon
Cuisine: Cantonese / Chinese
Dramatic and visually stimulating in an opulent way, Crystal Dragon beautifully highlights authentic regional Chinese dishes and premium Cantonese fare with panache. Its consistent service keeps its sophisticated clientele loyal, whether from the Philippines or abroad.
UG/F Crown Towers, City of Dreams Manila, Aseana Ave. cor. Roxas Blvd., Parañaque City
Donosti
Cuisine: Spanish
Quality ingredients and timeless elegance make this the go-to tapas y pintxos place for foodies as well as corporate BGC big wigs, who come here for power lunches and VIP client dinners. The authentic Basque bill of fare, impeccable service, and finely tuned wine list is hard to beat.
G/F, NAC Tower, 32nd Street Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Gallery VASK
Cuisine: Anthropological
Tantalising food meets covetable art in this hip gallery-cum-restaurant. Just last year, the inimitable and beloved chef Jose Luis "Chele" Gonzalez, put the Philippines on the global culinary map with Gallery VASK ranking in at number 39 in the 2016 Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list.
5/F Clipp Centre, 11th Avenue cor. 39th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Hai Shin Lou
Cuisine: Cantonese
This unassuming restaurant remains a go-to place for authentic Cantonese fare. Helmed by the chef Tommy Yao for over a decade now, Hai Shin Lou takes pride in its fresh seafood offerings that are cooked to the diners' preference, as well as ingredients and spices flown in regularly from Hong Kong.
810 Arnaiz Avenue, San Lorenzo Village, Makati City
Inagiku
Cuisine: Japanese
This time-tested and venerated Japanese restaurant of the 5-star Makati Shangri-La Hotel is perpetually top of mind. From the stellar à la carte creations to the colourful and extensive weekend buffet, here, you can savour the rich authenticity of Japanese cuisine and enjoy the top-notch service that comes with it.
2/F Makati Shangri-La, Manila, Ayala Avenue cor. Makati Avenue, Makati City
Jasmine
Cuisine: Chinese
Jasmine continues to delight diners with scrumptious specialities from across China including dim sum, barbecue delicacies, live seafood, and Peking duck, among others. Using only the highest-quality produce, Jasmine amplifies the dining experience with its chic Chinese Art Deco interiors.
2/F New World Makati Hotel, Esperanza Street cor. Makati Avenue, Ayala Centre, Makati City
The Pig & Palm
Cuisine: Modern European / Tapas
The Pig & Palm offers an impressive modern Spanish tapas menu by the Michelin-starred British chef, Jason Atherton. It is the 16th restaurant worldwide for the Athertons’ restaurant group, which holds three Michelin stars across London, New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Dubai and Sydney.
G/F MSY Tower Pescadores Road, Cebu City
Raging Bull Chophouse & Bar
Cuisine: Steaks
A newcomer to the BRG, this stunning restaurant harks back to an elegant bygone era that gives off a sexy retro 1960s Manhattan vibe. Besides being a carnivore's dream, expect a great deal of creativity in the cocktail department, an impressive wine list and world-class service. It is in a 5-star hotel after all.
3/F Shangri-La at the Fort, Manila, 30th St. cor. 5th Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Sala Bistro
Cuisine: European
Manila's foodie scene holds a soft spot in its heart for this perennial favourite. Sophisticated yet laid-back chic, Sala Bistro's exquisite continental cuisine and consistently excellent service keep the discerning sophisticate crowd coming back to chef Colin Mackay's café-style restaurant.
Unit 114, G/F Garden Side, Greenbelt 3, Makati City
Sirena
Cuisine: Seafood
Nestled atop a cliff overlooking the azure waters of Boracay Island, Sirena offers a scrumptious menu that highlights the bounties of the sea, and an amazing wine list that includes some of the world's best pours. The food, the views and the attentive service make for an unforgettable dining experience.
Shangri-La's Boracay Resort & Spa, Brgy. Yapak, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
Tea of Spring
Cuisine: Tea of Spring
Reflecting the rich culinary heritage of China, Tea of Spring serves an array of contemporary Chinese creations by the award-winning chef Boon Bun Hoe, and an extensive selection of loose-leaf teas and Chinese wines in an elegant setting amidst the charming Shangri-La's Mactan Resort & Spa.
Shangri-La's Mactan Resort & Spa, Punta Engaño Road, Lapu-Lapu City
Terry’s Bistro
Cuisine: Spanish
The celebrated chef and owner, Juan Carlos de Terry, showcases his passion for cooking via his stellar and authentic Iberican creations. Hands down, the pintxos and tapas served at this old-time favourite remain right up there with the best of them.
G/F BCS Prime Bldg., 2297 Pasong Tamo Ext., Makati City
Tsukiji
Cuisine: Japanese
Tsukiji belongs to the impressive roster of restaurants owned and managed by the chef J Gamboa and his sibling, Malu. Since 1989, it has been serving premium Japanese cuisine prepared by the chef Toshiro Okajima. Loyal followers enjoy dishes crafted from ingredients flown in regularly from Japan.
3/F Milky Way Building, 900 A. Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City
Source: Philippine Tatler