BY JAY AQUINO

SEPTEMBER 26, 2025

There's something special about dining outside—the way the air feels, how the sunset paints the sky, and the unforgettable conversations shared over glasses of wine. It’s the perfect escape from your usual routine, where the hum of a restaurant, the perfume of a good bottle uncorked, and the cadence of conversation all sync into something bigger than the sum of its parts. Whether it’s friends, family, or a table full of colleagues, breaking bread together is still the most stylish way to connect.

If you are looking for the next hotspot, we created a not so exhaustive index where restaurants has been because it embodies more than taste, it reflects where Manila's culinary scene is heading next.

AYÀ - A Modern Invitation To Filipino Dining

IMAGE SOURCE: AYÀ

In Rockwell, AYÀ takes its name from the Filipino word for “invitation,” offering a seat at the evolving table of modern Filipino cuisine. Chefs Thirdy Dolatre and John Kevin Navoa lead the kitchen, balancing nostalgia with reinvention. Think pancit negra with squid ink, kare-kare short ribs built for sharing, and gamet kropek that hits with the crunch of memory. Drinks are crafted with equal intention—cocktails explore culture, and sommelier Erin Recto curates one of Manila’s most forward-thinking wine lists. With its retractable ceiling opening to Makati’s skyline, AYÀ is both a bar and a dining room, casual and refined.

Discover AYÀ here.

Sala - Manila’s Benchmark For European Dining

IMAGE SOURCE: TATLER PH

For more than 20 years, Sala has been the north star of European dining in Manila. Founded by Chef Colin Mackay, the Makati institution has built a reputation not on novelty, but on timeless execution. The menu balances classic technique with seasonal evolution, handmade pappardelle with wild boar ragout, elegantly plated seafood, and a rotating selection of specials that keep the dining room buzzing. Service is polished, the kind that makes fine dining feel effortless rather than intimidating.

Anniversaries, business deals, and quiet celebrations—Sala is where Manila’s milestones are marked. It’s less about trends and more about consistency, and in that consistency lies its relevance.

Discover Sala here.

Daimasu - Minimalism And Omotenashi In The City

IMAGE SOURCE: DAIMASU

If Sala is about polish, Daimasu is about restraint. This Japanese restaurant strips dining back to its essentials: private rooms, minimalist design, and a philosophy rooted in omotenashi—hospitality that anticipates what you need before you ask.

The food mirrors the setting: clean, precise, and ingredient-first. Each dish is a quiet argument for simplicity as luxury. Daimasu doesn’t aim to dazzle with theatrics; instead, it delivers a kind of energy that lingers long after you leave.

Discover Daimasu here.

Iai - Sushi Omakase With Instinct And Precision

IMAGE SOURCE: IAI

Iai is Chef Bruce Ricketts’ interpretation of omakase—an experience where instinct guides the menu and no two nights look the same. The restaurant takes its name from iaido, the Japanese martial art of awareness and precision, and that discipline is palpable in every detail.

The kappo-style counter brings guests face-to-face with the chef. Expect seasonal Japanese fish, otsumami accented with Filipino notes, and desserts that close the experience with quiet finesse. For those chasing Manila’s most exacting sushi experience, Iai is a name that surfaces again and again.

Discover Iai here.

Gallery By Chele - Where Sustainability Meets Innovation

IMAGE SOURCE: GALLERY BY CHELE

More than a restaurant, Gallery by Chele feels like a manifesto for future dining. Chefs Chele González and Carlos Villaflor work directly with ecosystems across the Philippines—coastal waters, forest produce, and indigenous traditions—then translate those into globally informed menus.

Expect fermentation woven into fine dining, cocktails infused with endemic botanicals, and dishes that tell stories as much as they feed. The warm light and natural textures of the space encourage slowing down, staying present, and tasting with intention.

Discover Gallery by Chele here.

Together, AYÀ, Sala, Daimasu, Iai, and Gallery by Chele map out Manila’s dining identity today: ambitious yet grounded, local yet global, and expressive yet precise. These restaurants serve as stages where Manila shows how dining can feel at once Filipino and universal.