10 Michelin Selected And Bib Gourmand Restaurants In Manila For Your Next Casual Date

It's been quite a time for the local food scene with the unveiling of the inaugural Michelin Guide in the Philippines. A total of 108 restaurants in Metro Manila and nearby areas as well as Cebu were awarded with eight restaurants getting a coveted star and Helm by Chef Josh Boutwood earning 2 stars.

Your fun fact of the day: the Michelin Guide was actually created by the guys behind the tire company of the same name (yes, with the marshmallow-looking mascot) as a way to, well, sell more tires as folks drove to the restaurants they've recommended (and wear out their tires in the process). In the spirit of this origin story, the Michelin Guide in the Philippines is the perfect bucket list for foodie couples out there who love to go out and explore great eats.

And no, you don't have to feel intimidated—a lot of these newly awarded restos serve up high-quality, award-winning food in a casual setting. Don't know where to start? We've compiled a list of Michelin-awarded restaurants for your next laid-back date!

Location: 195 Scout Fuentebella Street, Tomas Morato, Quezon City

With its bright, in-your-face red interiors and playful table setting and menu designs, Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee Some Thai is laid-back and fun—the type of restaurant you and your boo keep in your back pocket when you don't wanna think too hard about where to go for a casual dinner out. But that doesn't mean the dishes aren't well thought out.

Chef Jorge Mendez serves up unapologetically inauthentic Thai food inspired by his travels, resulting in gems like the Crab Curry with crab chunks swimming in a rich, spice-laden sauce and the Son and Raw Egg, turning the Thai classic Son-in-Law Eggs on its head by having an egg-white omelette topped with a golden raw egg yolk and punchy tamarind sauce.

Location: G/F Streetscape, Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City

With its newly awarded Michelin two stars, Helm by Chef Josh Boutwood is rightfully enjoying a lot of buzz at the moment, but we think you shouldn't sleep on Chef Boutwood's more casual restaurant and awardee of the Michelin Select, Juniper.

Juniper is named after the berry that flavors gin, so don't be surprised to find an extensive gin and tonic menu here to start off your meal. Then venture into their menu of rich bistro food prepared with fine-dining techniques. Must-tries are the Agnolotti, Ricotta & Parsley, and the Oven-Roasted Chicken, Gremolata, Chickpea.

Location: G/F Adamson Centre, 121 L.P. Leviste Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City

From a cloud kitchen during the pandemic serving up savory gyudon and other Japanese comfort food, Kodawari has come a long way. Not only are they a part of 2026's Michelin Select, but they also got a shoutout from TikTok sensation Devin Halbal—which one is more culturally significant depends on who you ask. If you and your date love Japanese food and pop culture, then their branch in Salcedo is a must-visit.

The place embodies the youthful energy of the team behind it with lots of framed anime-inspired art pieces and eclectic decor. But the food is definitely the star—and while Kodawari stays true to classic flavors, they also imbue some of their playfulness into their dishes. The Gyudon is, of course, not to be missed along with the Chilimansi, Kodawari's version of the instant-noodle favorite, and the Fuji Apple Cloud sundae. 

Location: 106 Esteban Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City

Low-key restaurant Your Local is easy to miss—unless you're a Legazpi Village regular or have been to Yardstick, pareh (yes, this restaurant is right beside it!). But with a Bib Gourmand under their belt, the cat's out of the bag, and we're glad for it. With quietly cool interiors—think subway tiles, an open kitchen, and moody lighting—Your Local is where you take your date when you want to dress up a bit on a Friday night, but don't wanna dress up too much.

It helps that Chef Patrick Go's menu of Asian comfort food with a twist makes braving the Friday night traffic worth it. Must-tries are the Chili Crab Cold Noodles—spicy yet refreshing—and the YL Vegetable "Lumpia" that's not only hefty and tasty but also vegan. And anyone who's been to Your Local will tell you that you must (must!) try the Choco na Gatas with toasted milk ice cream, dark chocolate pudding, and banana chips.

Location: U/GF One Uptown Residences, 36th Street, Bonifacio Global City

Tacos are a tricky choice for a first date, but once you've made it to several relationship milestones, you can get a little messy. Plus, the date is still quite romantic when you have your date at broody Los Tacos—it helps that this taqueria is now also a Bib Gourmand awardee. Chef Keith Curitana knows that a taco is only as good as its tortilla, and while Los Tacos doesn't claim to be authentic Mexican, they do use a masa machine imported from Mexico to churn out fresh tortillas.

Since we'd already mentioned getting messy, why not go for the Lamb Barbacoa? Have some fun assembling your own taco with a platter of tender, slow-cooked lamb still swimming in its own savory juices as well as jicama escabeche or lightly pickled jicama (a.k.a. singkamas) and jalapeño salsa. Also not to be missed is the incredibly zingy Esquites with an addicting Habanero crema and manchego topping. 

Location: 497-C Rosa Building, Calbayog corner Esteban Street, Mandaluyong City

Cooking is just one giant experiment, and no other restaurant embodies that more than Now Now. Walking into their chic, industrial-inspired place, you'll be greeted by shelves of their newest fermentation projects from kombucha to lacto-fermented produce like pineapple, chili, calamansi, and eggplant. Name it, and Now Now has likely fermented it.

Every dish here is sure to have you and your date talking, from shoestring fries seasoned with lacto-fermented dehydrated onions and served alongside a koji-and-miso-butter aged hanger steak to a fresh and colorful Tuna Crudo made even zestier by fermented buko juice. Plus, we love that Now Now sent one of their line cooks, Lea Hasta, to receive their Michelin Select award during the inauguration last October 31. After all, running a restaurant, especially one as excellent as Now Now, takes a village.

Location: Lower G/F, Central Square Mall, Bonifacio Global City

You can never go wrong with a steak dinner date, and you don't have to wait for a special occasion to have one at Michelin Select awardee Steak and Frice. This steakhouse has an elevated vibe without feeling stuffy, perfect for the more casual monthsary dates.

It's also perfect timing that they just introduced a line of Wagyu steaks to their menu including the Japanese Ōmi Wagyu Striploin, incredibly fork-tender and juicy with just the right amount of marbling to feel luxurious in your mouth. It comes with a free refill for your steak rice and fries, too! It's going to be difficult but be sure to leave room for dessert, especially with their new Faux-reo Ice Cream Balls and Dubai Chocolate Crepe.

Location: 5883 Enriquez Street, Poblacion, Makati City

Though tucked in a quiet spot in bustling Poblacion, Lampara immediately made noise when they first opened in 2019 for their creative take on Filipino food, eventually earning themselves a Bib Gourmand this year. Lampara is artsy yet effortlessly cool, with eclectic pieces matched by cozy, homey interiors—big plus for the friendly servers, too, who are more than game to take your date pics.

The Duck Leg Confit is unapologetically indulgent with duck served three ways: cured duck meat fried in its own fat à la confit and served with duck liver pâté piped into flaky, empanada. The Tofu is its perfect, refreshing antithesis with chilled silken tofu topped with savory pork floss, crispy pork bits, and pickled onions. Pro tip: Have a brunch date at their sunny al-fresco area. 

Location: 6/F The Podium, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City

Not many people know that the folks of Wildflour are also the one behind Osteria Antica. It's perhaps a blessing in disguise as it let the Italian restaurant's food—by Chef Carlo Miguel—speak for itself, earning them a spot on this year's Michelin Select. With red brick walls and an open kitchen that features their pizza oven, Osteria Antica exudes warm Italian bistro vibes, truly the perfect place for a romantic, laid-back night out.

Lots of the dishes at Osteria Antica are finished tableside, adding a show to your date: like the Pompano Al Forno, where the server cuts open a carefully folded parchment package to reveal fork-tender, flaky fish simmering in a rich sauce of butter, olive oil, and anchovies. Of course, pizza is a must: the Quattro Carne is Osteria Antica's version of an all-meat classic with fennel sausage, homemade n'duja, and pancetta plus buffalo mozzarella on a San Marzano tomato sauce-covered smoky woodfire-baked crust.

Location: The Alley at Karrivin, Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City

The Alley at Karrivin is home to great eats—from one-star Michelin awardees Toyo and Inato to Bib Gourmand awardee The Underbelly. Though one of the newer ones on the block, this hidden ramen joint has become known for their unconventional take on the Japanese noodle dish—and you also get cool points with your date 'coz this well-designed resto is partly owned by Dan Matutina of Plus63 and Hydra Design Group.

The Billy's Rib, with a rich tonkotsu ramen and a hefty pork rib may be their signature but the Shell Yeah! tsukemen steals the show with a refreshing oyster broth and fresh Miyagi oyster. Make sure to get a Crunchy Eggplant, crunchy on the outside and almost buttery soft on the inside, and a Vanilla Ice Cream with Sesame Mochi to share.