The highly anticipated guide will cover Metro Manila and Cebu City, as well as areas surrounding the capital region, including Pampanga, Tagaytay, and Cavite.
Speculations have been rife for quite some time now, leaving foodies waiting with bated breath. And today, February 18, the rumor is confirmed—after a long wait the Michelin Guide is finally landing on our shores!
The venerable food and travel guide made the announcement on its website, stating that it “has set its sights on the Philippines, marking an exciting new chapter for the country’s dynamic culinary scene.” Describing the food scene in Metro Manila (and its environs) and Cebu as “vibrant,” Michelin makes the bold statement that “Filipino cuisine is poised to take center stage on the global culinary map.”
With excitement reaching fever pitch, The POST rounds up the bits and pieces of what we know so far about the upcoming Michelin Guide to the Philippines.
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Which places will be covered?
Per Michelin Guide’s website, it will focus on Metro Manila and Cebu City, while also beginning to explore the areas surrounding the capital region, including Pampanga, Tagaytay, and Cavite.
To crank up the excitement a notch higher (as if we weren’t giddy enough), the statement added that with its “signature discretion and expertise,” the anonymous Michelin Guide Inspectors have been meticulously exploring the said areas as they seek out the most exceptional dining destinations. “This highly anticipated selection will shine a spotlight on the Philippines’ most talented chefs and dedicated teams, celebrating their passion, innovation, and deep respect for local flavors and traditions,” it continues.
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“Our Michelin Inspectors have been following the evolution of the Filipino culinary scene with great excitement,” says Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide. “The country’s deep-rooted culinary traditions, combined with a strong openness to global influences, create a uniquely diverse dining culture.”
Poullennec adds that in Manila, they have observed young, talented chefs that continue to redefine Filipino cuisine with fresh and unique perspectives. Cebu, meanwhile, offers an impressive range of dining experiences with its renowned hospitality, given that it’s a world-class tourist destination.
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When will it be out? Where can I buy it?
The inaugural Michelin Guide Philippines is set to be unveiled at a special event to be held in the last quarter of 2025.
It will be available exclusively in digital format on all the Guide’s interfaces: website, mobile applications, and social networks. It will join the global Michelin Guide restaurant and hotel selections to be found for free on its digital platforms.
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What to expect?
The Michelin Guide is trusted by travelers and food lovers for over 125 years. In more recent years, it has expanded its guide to cover places outside the well-worn tracks in the Western hemisphere. Here in Southeast Asia, the very first edition of the guide for the region was the Singapore Michelin Guide launched in 2016. It has since included other neighboring countries, such as Thailand in 2018, Malaysia in 2022, and Vietnam in 2023.
The establishments that make the cut are selected following Michelin’s “historic method” based on five universal criteria that ensures consistency between each selection, including: (1) The quality of the ingredients; (2) The harmony of flavors; (3) The mastery of cooking techniques; (4) The personality of the cuisine; and (5) The consistency both over time and through the menu as a whole.
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As many of us already know, the Michelin Guide’s restaurant reviews bestow an extensive system of distinctions to exceptional establishments. The most famous and most coveted of which are its iconic “Michelin Stars” that are awarded only to restaurants “offering the best culinary experiences.”
More specifically, One Michelin Star is awarded to restaurants for “high-quality cooking that is worth a stop,” two for “excellent cooking that is worth a detour,” and three for “exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey.”
Aside from its renowned star-system, Michelin also has the Bib Gourmand selection launched in 1997, which highlights restaurants offering “exceptionally good food at moderate prices.” There’s also The Plate, first awarded in 2016, which recognizes restaurants that “simply serve good food.” In 2020, the Michelin Guide introduced a sustainability emblem to symbolize excellence in sustainable gastronomy.
You can watch the teaser for the first Michelin Guide to the Philippines here:
To learn more about the Michelin Guide, visit guide.michelin.com or follow its updates on youtube.com/MICHELINGuideAsia, facebook.com/MICHELINGuideAsia, and instagram.com/MICHELINGuide.
