Something historic happened in the Philippines in late 2025 that food lovers around the world have been waiting a long time for. The Michelin Guide arrived in Manila for the very first time — and the results put Makati squarely at the centre of the country’s most exciting culinary moment in decades.
If you have been thinking about visiting Manila, or if you have been looking for a reason to finally make the trip, this is it. The city is buzzing, the food scene is being talked about globally, and the best base to experience all of it is right here in the Makati CBD — where Stay N Cee manages short term rental condos available to book right now.
What Just Happened: The Michelin Guide Philippines 2026
The inaugural MICHELIN Guide Manila and Environs & Cebu 2026 was unveiled on October 30, 2025, at the Manila Marriott Hotel. The first edition features a total of 108 establishments — 1 Two-Star restaurant, 8 One-Star restaurants, 25 Bib Gourmand, and 74 Michelin Selected restaurants — showcasing the remarkable diversity of Filipino culinary traditions, techniques, and innovations.
This is not a small thing. The Philippines joins the MICHELIN Guide’s list of most exciting food destinations for 2026, sitting alongside Italy, Turkey, China, Saudi Arabia, Canada, and Poland. For a country whose food has long been celebrated at home but underappreciated internationally, this is the validation that Filipino cuisine deserved.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco called it a historic milestone: “This recognition supports our broader goal of strengthening sustainable tourism by celebrating what is authentically Filipino and by elevating the people and places behind our food.”
The Most Important Detail: Most Michelin Stars Are in Makati
Most of the Michelin-starred restaurants from the inaugural list are in Makati, with one entry each from Taguig, Paranaque, and Cavite. Helm in Makati was awarded Two Michelin Stars upon its debut — the highest honour in the entire inaugural Philippine selection.
Read that again. The only Two-Star restaurant in the entire first Philippine Michelin Guide is in Makati. If you are serious about experiencing the best of Manila’s food scene in 2026, Makati is not just a convenient place to stay — it is the epicentre of everything happening right now.
Among the standout dishes highlighted by Michelin inspectors are sisig, sinigang, inasal, and adobo — dishes once primarily enjoyed in local households that are now being recognised as essential global food experiences for their unique flavour profiles and the artisanal skill required to harmonise their signature sweet, sour, and savory elements.
What the Michelin Inspectors Said About Filipino Food
Michelin inspectors noted that “Filipino cuisine gains overdue international framing. While the hotel and dining scenes here are already buzzing, a host of local young chefs with independent styles are now leading an emerging wave of food culture steeped in balancing traditional and international techniques.”
This is the moment Manila steps out from the shadow of Bangkok, Singapore, and Tokyo as the region’s dining capitals. The chefs are ready. The restaurants are ready. And the city is absolutely ready to receive visitors who want to eat seriously and well.
The Bib Gourmand: World-Class Food at Accessible Prices
One of the most useful sections of the Michelin Guide for travellers is the Bib Gourmand — restaurants that offer exceptional quality at moderate, accessible prices. The 2026 Bib Gourmand selection features 25 restaurants across Manila and Cebu, from nostalgic neighbourhood favourites to modern kitchens redefining Filipino comfort food.
This is where Makati shines for the everyday food traveller. You do not need to book a tasting menu every night. The Bib Gourmand selections around Makati give you world-class food at prices that make the whole trip sustainable — leaving more budget for more meals and more experiences.
Notably, Manam at the Triangle — one of the Bib Gourmand selections — is located right in the Ayala Triangle area of Makati, steps from the Greenbelt complex. Another reason why staying in the Makati CBD puts you at the centre of everything.
The Best Base for Your Michelin Food Tour: The Gramercy Residences
Here is where it gets practical. If you want to eat your way through Manila’s Michelin list, you need a base that puts you close to Makati’s dining scene without draining your budget on accommodation before you have even ordered your first sinigang.
The Gramercy Residences at Century City, Kalayaan Avenue, Poblacion, Makati is an outstanding choice. One of the tallest and most iconic residential towers in the Philippines at 73 floors, The Gramercy is located within the vibrant Century City development — close to the Makati entertainment strip along Makati Avenue, a short Grab ride from Greenbelt, and surrounded by some of the best dining, nightlife, and urban life Makati has to offer.
The Gramercy is more than just a convenient address. It is a building that operates at a level most Manila condos simply do not match — featuring a legendary Skypark on the 36th floor with multi-level infinity pools, three-storey waterfalls, a lagoon pool, spa, health club, and a garden island within a reflecting pool. On the 71st floor sits 71 Gramercy, a rooftop bar and restaurant with views across the entire Metro Manila skyline.
For a food trip of this calibre, your accommodation should match the experience. The Gramercy delivers that without question.
Why 2026 Is the Best Year to Visit Manila
Beyond the Michelin Guide, Manila in 2026 is having a genuine moment on the global stage and here is why it matters to you as a visitor right now:
National Geographic named Manila one of the best places to visit in 2026. The arrival of the Michelin Guide was cited as one of the key reasons, alongside the city’s food culture, heritage, and urban energy. This is not a quiet endorsement — National Geographic’s best places list moves global tourism in a measurable way.
The Philippines is chairing ASEAN in 2026. Manila is hosting major international summits, forums, and diplomatic events throughout the year — bringing a surge of international visitors, business travellers, and global media attention to the city. The energy in Makati right now reflects this.
The UN Tourism World Gastronomy Forum is coming to Manila. The Philippines will host this prestigious global forum in 2026 — an event that validates the country’s rich and complex food culture and draws policymakers and major tourism investors to the city. The influence of this forum will spill over into restaurants, markets, and pop-ups nationwide.
The Mandarin Oriental Makati is returning. The Mandarin Oriental Hotel at Ayala Triangle Gardens is on track to reopen in 2026, making its return to the Makati skyline for the first time since the original building was demolished in 2014. This is a sign of the confidence international hospitality brands have in Makati right now.
All of this points to one conclusion: 2026 is the year Manila graduates from hidden gem to global destination. If you are visiting now, you are arriving at exactly the right moment.
Where to Stay in Makati: All Stay N Cee Short Term Rentals
Stay N Cee manages four short term rental condos in the Makati area — all set up for comfort, all with pool and gym access, and all available to book on Airbnb and Booking.com for nightly and weekly stays. Contact us directly for monthly rates.
1. Condo with Pool — The Gramercy Residences ⭐ Top pick Century City, Kalayaan Avenue, Poblacion, Makati Our flagship listing. 73-floor iconic tower with a legendary Skypark featuring multi-level infinity pools, waterfall, lagoon pool, gym, spa, and a 71st floor rooftop bar. Close to Makati Avenue, Century City Mall, and a short Grab ride to Greenbelt and the Michelin dining cluster. Amenities: Pool · Gym · Fast WiFi · Air conditioning · Laundry · 24hr security · Bath · Coffee 👉 https://www.stayinmakati.com/room/condo-with-pool-in-makati-the-gramercy
2. 50F Sunset View — Fast WiFi, Pool, Own Balcony Makati CBD 50th floor unit with a private balcony and panoramic Manila sunset views. Pool and full building amenities included. After a long day eating through Makati’s Michelin restaurants, there is no better ending than watching the sun go down over Manila Bay from your own balcony. Amenities: Private balcony · Pool · Fast WiFi · 50th floor views · Air conditioning 👉 https://www.stayinmakati.com/room/50f-sunset-view-fast-wifi-pool-own-balcony
3. Condo Living — Pool, Balcony, Gym, Fast WiFi Makati CBD Spacious, well-equipped condo with pool, private balcony, gym, and fast WiFi. Ideal for longer food trip stays where you want space to relax, cook occasionally, and spread out properly between meals. Amenities: Balcony · Pool · Gym · Fast WiFi · Air conditioning 👉 https://www.stayinmakati.com/room/condo-living-pool-balcony-gym-fast-wifi
4. Stay in Makati — Cozy 1-BR, Gym, Pool, WiFi, Netflix Makati CBD The perfect setup for solo food travellers and couples. Private balcony, Netflix for evenings in, pool, gym, and fast WiFi. Wake up, plan your Michelin itinerary over morning coffee, and spend the day eating your way through the best city in Southeast Asia. Amenities: 1-Bedroom · Netflix · Private balcony · Pool · Gym · Fast WiFi 👉 https://www.stayinmakati.com/room/stay-in-makati-cozy-1-br-gym-pool-wifi-netflix
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the Michelin-starred restaurants in Manila? Most of the Michelin-starred restaurants in Manila’s inaugural 2026 selection are concentrated in Makati, making it the undisputed centre of the city’s fine dining scene. Helm in Makati earned Two Michelin Stars — the highest distinction in the entire first Philippine Michelin Guide.
When did the Michelin Guide arrive in the Philippines? The inaugural MICHELIN Guide Manila and Environs & Cebu 2026 was launched on October 30, 2025, at the Manila Marriott Hotel — making it the first-ever Michelin Guide for the Philippines.
Where exactly is The Gramercy Residences in Makati? The Gramercy Residences is located at Century City, Kalayaan Avenue corner Salamanca Street, Poblacion, Makati. It is part of the Century City development — close to Makati Avenue, Century City Mall, and a short Grab ride from Greenbelt Mall and the Ayala Triangle.
What is the best area to stay in Makati for the food scene? The Makati CBD and surrounding areas — including Century City, Poblacion, Legazpi Village, and Salcedo Village — are all excellent bases for experiencing Makati’s Michelin food scene. All four Stay N Cee properties put you within easy reach of the top restaurants.
Is Manila a good destination for food travellers in 2026? Yes — 2026 is genuinely the best year to visit Manila as a food traveller. The inaugural Michelin Guide, the Philippines being named one of the world’s most exciting food destinations by the Michelin Guide, and the upcoming UN Tourism World Gastronomy Forum all point to a city having a historic culinary moment right now.
How do I book a Stay N Cee condo near Makati’s Michelin restaurants? All four Stay N Cee Makati condos are available on Airbnb and Booking.com for nightly and weekly stays. Contact us directly for monthly rates or to get a recommendation on the best unit for your food trip dates and group size.
Ready to Book Your Manila Michelin Food Trip?
Get in touch — we will help you find the right condo for your dates and make sure your Makati base is sorted before the best units fill up.
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