Holiday Plans? Here Are Some MICHELIN-Recognized Restaurants To Book A Table At

Ayala Malls invites diners to kick off their holiday celebrations with its roster of MICHELIN-recognized restaurants and celebrated culinary concepts, offering settings for memorable spreads enjoyed with loved ones.

The holidays have once again arrived, and because we Filipinos are fond of stretching the festivities for as long as possible, it’s never too early to start planning your Christmas feasts with those who matter most. The timing couldn’t be better either, as we’re hot on the heels of the MICHELIN Guide Restaurant Ceremony Manila and Environs & Cebu 2027, which recognized dining concepts both new and familiar, adding more to our must-eat itinerary. Ayala Malls is home to many of these MICHELIN-recognized restaurants, so whether it’s a small dinner, a long-awaited family reunion, or a festive get-together with friends, these spots offer no shortage of reasons to make a reservation.

READ ALSO: Cover Story: Paloma Urquijo Zobel De Ayala On Creating Places People Return To

Two MICHELIN Stars

Two MICHELIN Stars recognize exceptional cuisine, where quality ingredients, mastery of technique, and harmonious flavors create a memorable dining experience.

Helm | Ayala Triangle Gardens

Chef Josh Boutwood’s Helm continues to hold its Two MICHELIN Stars, a distinction it earned in the Guide’s inaugural Philippine edition and retained in 2027. Located at Ayala Triangle Gardens, its inventive tasting menus and meticulous approach to fine diningFine DiningA formal restaurant experience defined by refined cuisine, elegant presentation, attentive service, and a polished setting. Fine dining often features tasting menus, wine pairings, and highly trained staff, and itGo to Fine Dining Glossary create an exceptional setting for a festive yet intimate meal worth savoring with your nearest and dearest. 

MICHELIN-Selected Restaurants

Recognized by the MICHELIN Guide for good cooking, this distinction covers a diverse range of dining experiences, including creative contemporary concepts and restaurants celebrating culinary traditions.

Kong | Ayala Triangle Gardens

For a holiday gathering that calls for a little more energy, Kong provides an unconventional take on fine dining. Centered on open-fire cooking, charcoal grilling, and high-heat wok techniques, its menu presents dishes with Southeast Asian flavors and contemporary Australian influences. Guests can settle in for à la carte dining or opt for its multi-course Freestyle tasting menus, making it a fitting choice for a group that enjoys discovering something new together. 

Blackbird | Ayala Triangle Gardens

Housed in the historic Nielson Tower—once the country’s first commercial airport—Blackbird feels like it was designed for special occasions. Its eclectic menu takes cues from world classics and contemporary Asian cooking, spanning grilled meats, seafood, fresh pasta, and curries. It welcomes those looking for leisurely holiday lunches or more celebratory dinners, but if you’d rather enjoy a well-executed afternoon tea with a smaller group, it’s the place to be as well. Either way, it makes an occasion out of every meal. 

Ember | Greenbelt 

Chef Josh Boutwood’s Ember takes a more free-spirited approach to its cooking, drawing inspiration from different culinary traditions rather than adhering to a single cuisine. Its kitchen makes use of several techniques, including hearth cooking and smoking, with the smoked aged steak among its signature offerings. Set within Greenbelt 3, it’s an inviting choice for those seeking a meal that puts flavor and good ingredients front and center. 

People’s Palace | Greenbelt

Thai food might not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning a Filipino holiday spread, but given how both Southeast Asian cuisines share a similar flavor profile—rich in umami and bold, impactful flavors—it makes for a pretty logical choice when craving something different. Its menu features familiar Thai favorites, from fragrant soups and fresh salads to curries and grilled specialties. Large groups need not worry about ordering, either, as the generous helpings make it easy to share the cuisine’s signature sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors, with enough left over for seconds. 

Taupe | High Street South, BGC

At Taupe, Chef Francis Tolentino puts Philippine ingredients at the center of a contemporary dining experience. Its tasting menus look to local produce and culinary traditions for inspiration, yet global techniques give them another layer of depth, as well as a distinct point of view. If you’re looking for some adventure on a quiet holiday evening, but want a meal that’s evidently thoughtfully paced, Taupe makes for a good option. 

Kei | High Street South, BGC

Many of the best meals are those that let their ingredients shine, leaving little room for distraction. At Kei, the primary focus is Japanese hand rolls, or temaki, prepared with fresh seafood and wrapped in crisp sheets of nori. Led by Chef Kei Takahashi, the restaurant also serves sashimi and small plates, with Japanese whisky and sake to cap off the holiday merriment. Its cozy counter setting makes it a lovely choice for a smaller gathering or a more personal catch-up over good food. 

Abé | Serendra, BGC

A celebration of Filipino food and its many regional influences, Abé is well-suited to holiday gatherings that call for a large spread. Dedicated to the memory of artist and writer Emilio “Abe” Aguilar Cruz, the restaurant serves traditional Filipino cooking, with much of its menu featuring longtime-favorites and rarer, seasonal Kapampangan specialties that showcase the diversity of the province’s cuisine. 

Makanai | West Gallery Place, BGC

Makanai lets you experience dynamic Japanese dining up-close. And because it comes from the mind of Chef Jorge Mendez, one can expect a flavorful menu that’s a good balance of familiar izakaya offerings and more elaborate preparations, including donabe rice dishes finished tableside. With its warm interiors and flexible portions, the restaurant lends itself to both compact dinners and group gatherings.

Lore | One Bonifacio High Street, BGC

At Lore, Chef Myke “Tatung” Sarthou offers a thoughtful exploration of Filipino cuisine, one that dives deeply into traditional ingredients and cooking techniques while acknowledging the creativity of today’s modern Filipino chefs. Each dish invites guests to rediscover familiar flavors through an appreciation on how they continue to evolve. If you’re searching for a spot to host a holiday gathering with an undeniably Filipino point of view, but want something outside of the typical noche buena fare, look no further. 

Iai | The Montane, BGC

Iai by Chef Bruce Ricketts offers a dining experience centered on precise culinary handiwork and seasonal ingredients. Its omakaseOmakaseJapanese for "I leave it up to you," a dining style in which guests entrust the chef to choose the meal, typically sushi, based on the day's freshest ingredients. OmakaseGo to Omakase Glossary menus are product-driven and ever-changing, shaped by the freshest catches and Bruce’s instinct for bringing out the natural flavors of each ingredient. Whether it’s a kappo experience or sushi omakase, diners get an intimate look at the chef’s meticulous skill, with the counter seating offering the opportunity to watch each dish come together.

Offbeat | Ayala Triangle Gardens

As its name suggests, Offbeat takes you off the beaten path when it comes to Filipino cuisine. Its playful takes on local favorites, crafted under the hands of chefs Don Baldosano and Angelo Comsti, offer something out of the box this holiday season. Set within modern-retro interiors that pay homage to our cultureCultureshared traditions, beliefs, values, customs, arts, and social practices that define the identity and way of life of a community, society, or nation.Go to Culture Glossary, it is a great choice for diners looking to treat their loved ones to something that feels fresh yet comforting. 

Steak & Frice | Central Square, BGC

For the meat lovers out there, no holiday spread is complete without something to really indulge in. They’ll get just that at Steak & Frice, which pairs choice cuts of beef cooked to your preference with crispy French fries and fluffy steak rice. Its warm, welcoming atmosphere and generous helpings make it a go-to spot for celebrations big and small. 

MICHELIN Bib Gourmand

The MICHELIN Bib Gourmand distinction recognizes restaurants that offer good-quality cooking at moderate prices. These establishments are a reminder that a memorable meal need not always come with a particularly elaborate setting or a fine-dining price tag.

Manam at the Triangle | Ayala Triangle Gardens

A hearty and generous Filipino spread is always going to be one of the best ways to celebrate the holidays, and Manam has made a name for itself by giving familiar local favorites a fresh treatment without taking away the very things that make them delicious. Its spacious flagship at Ayala Triangle Gardens offers an extensive menu of well-loved dishes, as well as more unique combinations, making it ideal for groups with different cravings. 

Bolero | High Street South, BGC

Bolero is brimming with Spanish soul, serving their own twists and takes on popular and lesser-known dishes from the country within a pleasantly relaxed dining space. It’s a natural option for those who want to relish in slow conversation over sumptuous and refreshing bites. Led by Chef Fernando Alcalá, its menu features coal-grilled meats, cold and hot appetizers, and of course, dishes made for sharing. And if you’re going to go there for one sweet treat over the holidays, let it be its famous gooey cheesecake, its savory flavor providing an addictive edge to counteract the sugar.

COCHI | High Street South, BGC

Nothing quite screams “Filipino Christmas” than roast pig. A Filipino celebration often calls for the centerpiece dish, and at COCHI, that honor goes to its signature cochinillo. The roasted suckling pig is marinated in 12 herbs and spices before being slow-cooked for three hours, resulting in crisp skin and tender meat served with a dash of tableside theater. And while you can certainly expect succulent meats, it also offers seafood and vegetable dishes to accompany them, which gives you and your guests every reason to crowd the table. 

The Pig & Palm | Cebu Business Park, Cebu

Not all the fun has to happen in Manila; for those spending the holidays in Cebu, The Pig & Palm offers a different kind of festive dining experience. Founded by British chef Jason Atherton and his wife, Irha, the restaurant serves a modern European sharing-style menu in a contemporary, relaxed setting. Its approach to dining encourages guests to sample a little bit of everything, making it an appealing choice for groups who appreciate plenty of variety in their spreads.