Got Dinner Plans? These MICHELIN-Recognized Restaurants Should Be on Your List

• Helm retains its Two MICHELIN Stars, while FLOW makes history as the only new One MICHELIN Star recipient in the 2027 Philippine selection.
• The Bib Gourmand list celebrates accessible Filipino dining, with C.H.E. Bacolod Chicken House Express, Tatang’s Lechon, ATO-AH, and Balay Dako among the recognized restaurants.

The restaurants worth booking a table for

The Philippines is giving the world lots to chew on. From a two-star kitchen maintaining its place at the top to Cebuano lechon earning international recognition, the MICHELIN Guide Manila and Environs & Cebu 2027 has delivered another round of culinary accolades worth paying attention to.

While the stars make for the obvious headlines, there’s plenty happening beyond the fine-dining circuit. Consider this your latest excuse to book a table, plan a road trip, or finally settle that argument over where to get the best lechon.

Helm holds its ground with two MICHELIN stars

At the top of the food chain is Helm, where chef Josh Boutwood has retained Two MICHELIN Stars for the second consecutive year. Having made history in 2026 as the Philippines’ first and only two-star restaurant, it remains the country’s sole holder of the distinction.

FLOW is the new star of Filipino-Peruvian dining

There’s a new star in town, and it’s bringing two culinary worlds together. FLOW became the only new restaurant to receive One MICHELIN Star in the 2027 selection, thanks to the inventive work of co-executive chefs Kevin Uy and Gabriel “Gato” Ong.

C.H.E Bacolod Chicken House Express gives inasal its MICHELIN moment

Fine dining is all well and good, but sometimes the real star of the table comes with a side of rice and a generous helping of chicken oil. C.H.E. Bacolod Chicken House Express has earned a Bib Gourmand distinction, bringing Bacolod’s celebrated chicken inasal into the MICHELIN spotlight.

The restaurant has an impressive family connection: it’s owned and operated by one of the children of Bacolod’s original Chicken House, a legendary name in the city’s food scene. Its Express format brings that culinary legacy to Metro Manila without losing the straightforward appeal of the original.

Tatang’s Lechon gets the recognition it deserves

A Filipino celebration without lechon is a scheduling error. Now, Tatang’s Lechon has another reason to make it onto the guest list, officially earning a Bib Gourmand distinction as one of 10 new recipients in this year’s selection.

ATO-AH levels up to Bib Gourmand status

Cebu’s dining scene has another reason to celebrate. ATO-AH has moved up from MICHELIN Selected to Bib Gourmand status, earning recognition for its exceptional flavors at an accessible price point.

Not every memorable meal needs a lengthy tasting menu or a special-occasion budget. Sometimes, knowing where to eat well without overspending is the real luxury.

BUTCHER BOY proves a change of address is no recipe for disaster

Moving house is stressful enough without having to keep an entire kitchen’s reputation intact. BUTCHER BOY, previously listed as MICHELIN Selected, has maintained its culinary momentum through a major relocation and secured recognition in the 2027 guide.

Balay Dako makes its weekend road trip even more worthwhile

For Manila residents, a trip to Tagaytay often comes with a familiar itinerary: escape the traffic, enjoy the cooler weather, admire the view, and find somewhere good to eat. Balay Dako has now given that last part an official MICHELIN endorsement, joining the 2027 Bib Gourmand selection.

Known for its generous Filipino family-style servings, or pansalo, the restaurant has built its appeal around the pleasure of sharing a proper meal.

Kong finds its place in the MICHELIN-Selected list

A year after relocating, Kong has earned a place on the MICHELIN-Selected roster. Its new home at Ayala Triangle Gardens puts it right in the middle of Makati’s central business district, a strategic address for a restaurant looking to make its mark among the capital’s dining crowd.

TADHANA takes home the MICHELIN Opening of the Year Award

Some restaurants take years to make an impression. Tadhana needed just five months. Chef Frances Tariga’s contemporary Filipino restaurant received the country’s first-ever MICHELIN Opening of the Year Award, recognizing the most impactful and creative dining concepts launched within the past 12 months.

Tadhana also secured a place on the MICHELIN-Selected list, making its double recognition particularly impressive given how recently it opened in Makati.

Digámo’s Francis Lacson is the MICHELIN Guide’s Young Chef to Watch

At 28, chef Francis Lacson‘s already making the sort of impression that most young chefs spend years working towards. The talent behind newly MICHELIN-Selected restaurant Digámo received the MICHELIN Guide Young Chef Award at this year’s gala.

From Helm’s continued dominance to FLOW’s cross-cultural experimentation, and from Tatang’s Lechon preserving Cebuano tradition to Tadhana’s ambitious debut, this year’s awardees demonstrate just how varied Filipino dining can be.

Dayne Aduna

Associate Editor

Dayne Aduna is an Associate Editor at VMAN Southeast Asia, specializing in fashion, grooming, film, television, and contemporary pop culture. With a strong editorial focus on menswear, his work explores how style intersects with shifting cultural movements across Southeast Asia and beyond.

His expertise spans fashion journalism, celebrity profiling, grooming and skincare trends, fragrance, runway reporting, and cultural commentary, with a particular eye for emerging creatives and youth-driven style.

Dayne has written extensively on fashion houses, seasonal trends, designer collections, and the evolving image of the modern Southeast Asian man, bringing both editorial depth and cultural relevance to his coverage.

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