Inspectors of the esteemed Michelin Guide have made their way to the Philippines, marking an exciting chapter that will bring even more global attention to the archipelago’s marvelous flavors.
On February 17, the Michelin Guide officially announced its debut and foray into the Philippines. This expansion includes the capital of Metro Manila (namely its cities of Makati, Manila, Mandaluyong, Parañaque, Pasay City, Quezon City, Taguig, and San Juan), as well as the province of Cebu. This was followed by a recently released video showcasing clips of the country’s bustling culinary scenes, from beloved street food to fine dining spreads.
“Our MICHELIN Inspectors have been following the evolution of the Filipino culinary scene with great excitement,” shares Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide, in the press release. “The country’s deep-rooted culinary traditions, combined with a strong openness to global influences, create a uniquely diverse dining culture.”
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Why It Matters
The local food community has been buzzing with anticipation since the guide hinted on its journey to the archipelago, and for good reason. French tire company Michelin initially created a series of guides in the 1920s to encourage people to drive around France; little did it know that this endeavor would eventually make it one of the world’s most highly respected authorities on food and hospitality. Earning its famous Michelin Stars isn’t just an achievement—it’s a resounding confirmation that the Philippines’ rich culinary traditions have always been worthy of global recognition, meant to be experienced and shared with as many people as possible.
“In Manila, we see young, talented chefs redefining Filipino cuisine with fresh perspectives; while Cebu, as a leading tourist destination, offers an impressive range of dining experiences with world-class hospitality,” adds Poullennec in his statement.
How It Works
The Michelin Guide will be applying their standard protocols when journeying across the Philippines, sending experts they call “inspectors” to anonymously seek out the most exceptional dining destinations they can find. This kind of discretion ensures that inspectors experience these places at their most candid and genuine (in other words, no preferential treatment), so they can confidently recommend them to diners.
The selection of dining establishments in the Philippines will follow the Michelin Guide’s historic methodology, based on five universal criteria: quality of the ingredients, the mastery of cooking techniques, the harmony of flavors, the personality of the cuisine, and consistency—both over time and through the menu as a whole.
These criteria will help the guide award its esteemed Michelin Stars, a system used to describe the excellence of a destination. “One Michelin Star is awarded to restaurants for ‘high-quality cooking that is worth a stop,’ two Michelin Stars for ‘excellent cooking that is worth a detour,’ and three Michelin Stars for ‘exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey,’” the guide writes in its press release.
Besides the star ratings, the guide will also have other accolades such as the Bib Gourmand category, which recognizes establishments offering good quality food at “a moderate price.”
The full restaurant selection of the MICHELIN Guide Manila and Environs & Cebu 2026 will be unveiled at a special event to be held in the last quarter of 2025, and will be available exclusively in digital format on all the Guide’s interfaces (including its 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.
Banner photo from the Michelin Guide Asia on Youtube.
