The best Italian restaurants from the Tatler Dining Guide 2024

With a charming atmosphere, familiar Italian treasures, and heartwarming service, Caruso Ristorante Italiano brings the essence of Italy to your table, and has done so for over 21 years. With consistency and authenticity at its core, very little has changed at this restaurant over the last few decades, and that’s exactly why guests return to this long-loved establishment: the promise of a delicious, classic, unfussy dining experience.

Tatler Tip: Explore more of Italy’s authentic dishes with Caruso Ristorante Italiano’s off-menu items— most notably the Dover sole and coniglio alla Ischitana (Ischia-style rabbit ragu).

Related: The timelessness of Caruso Ristorante Italiano

Born out of chef Margarita Forés’s affinity for simple, home-style Italian food, Cibo strikes a balance between great service, value for money, and delectable comfort food. Enjoyed by foodies of all ages, signature dishes such as the penne al telefono and spinaci zola are some of chef Forés’s most iconic creations, exemplifying her ability to craft timeless dishes that speak to all palates. While Cibo approaches its 27th year, regulars can continue to expect exciting new dishes from the restaurant as they are always looking for delicious ways to utilise the best seasonal ingredients.

Tatler Tip: Enhance your meal with their iconic red grape shake or signature iced tea.

Rooted in time-honoured Italian recipes handed down through generations, this charming restaurant presents traditional heirloom dishes that capture the essence of homestyle comfort food. Designed to be an extension of the Guidicelli home, Da Gianni Cucina Italiana promises a warm, fun, and above all, delicious dining experience. Whether you stick to the quintessential Italian favourites or explore their modern twists, this trattoria promises a satisfying epicurean journey.

Tatler Tip: Gianluca Guidicelli continuously adds to the menu depending on his latest travels and interests, with seasonal ingredients and the customer’s enjoyment always in mind—be sure to ask about the newest dishes whenever you visit.

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This haven for all comfort food enthusiasts, curated by restaurateur Elbert Cuenca, features a variety of delectable offerings. Elbert’s Collective offers both contemporary American and Italian cuisine, cohesively marrying Cuenca’s well-loved concepts in one retro space. Indulge in Naples-inspired wood-fired pies from Elbert’s Pizzeria along with bites from Elbert’s Cheesesteak & Sandwiches, and discover delicious new surprises along the way.

Tatler Tip: Their off-menu pizza fritta a Napolitana, stuffed with smoked cheese, ricotta, sausage, and cherry tomatoes is sure to satisfy.

With chef Andrea Spagoni now at the helm of this fine dining destination, Finestra delves deeper into the character and soul of Italian cuisine. Boasting luxurious interiors and stunning views that make this restaurant a go-to for sophisticated meals, Finestra continues to impress with its tried and tested gourmet creations. For the full experience, do indulge in some signature cocktails from the bar—you won’t be disappointed.

Tatler Tip: When making your reservations, inquire about off-menu items such as their artisanal spaghetti, Sicilian red prawns, and dry-aged rib-eye.

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Give into your cravings for delicious, well-made pizza and pasta. Gino’s Brick Oven Pizza is committed to using only the finest locally sourced produce and even makes some of its ingredients in-house, including delectable mozzarella made fresh every morning. For the best experience, be sure to top your slice of choice with a drizzle of Gino’s famed spicy honey, which they conveniently sell by the bottle.

Tatler Tip: The team at Gino’s is always busy whipping up new items to add to the menu. Look out for these fresh additions on your next visit!

Chef Margarita Forés marries her affinity for Italian fare and deep adoration for Filipino cuisine at Grace Park. Befittingly tucked within Rockwell’s amiable neighbourhood, the restaurant’s original space has become a beloved dining fixture for comfort food in a cosy, casual space. Using quality ingredients sourced from artisans and farmers approved by chef Forés herself, Grace Park offers a true farm-to-table experience, be it through hearty servings of pasta, perfectly roasted fish, or delicious rice bowls.

Tatler Tip: For a serious feast, indulge in their Negros organic lechon with Cerveza Negra available Fridays to Sundays exclusively at the One Rockwell branch.

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This charming spot is celebrated for its no-fuss excellent Italian food and has been a fixture in San Antonio Plaza since 1978. Three generations of regulars swear by their pizzas and pasta, returning time and time again for satisfying lunches or quiet family dinners. Consistent and nostalgic, the team still consists of the pioneer members who infuse their passion for their craft into daily operations to ensure reliably delicious experiences.

Tatler Tip: Try their off-menu tomato soup, salmon bruschetta, or espresso affogato.

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This neighbourhood restaurant provides much-needed authentic Italian flavours in the Northern part of Metro Manila. Chef Aaron Shiu’s classical French training and work experience in cosmopolitan Hong Kong imbibed in him the importance of technique and provenance when executing his popular spaghetti carbonara, among other Italian classics interspersed with sparks of innovation. While the kitchen has certainly set high standards for its food, the dining room’s casual vibe encourages regular and spontaneous visits.

Tatler Tip: Parking is limited, so do come early.

Family-owned with a true passion for hospitality, this charming beachfront restaurant in Siargao offers authentic Italian cuisine. You’ll find the simple treats you know and love, made with quality ingredients and a keen eye for detail. While the brick oven remains the heart of their space, L’Osteria has evolved to include more Bolognese and seafood dishes. Beyond great food and its easygoing ambience, its quality service has earned this restaurant many return guests among tourists and residents alike.

Tatler Tip: The kitchen can easily whip up any classic pasta of your choosing, on or off the menu.

The stunning grounds of the restored estate along Roxas Boulevard is home to a dining experience that is just as breathtaking as the location. Chef Margarita Forés works with one of her esteemed colleagues, seasoned chef Eric Magante, to provide visitors of The Loggia with celebratory Italian dishes worthy of their special moments. Aside from the pasta and pizzas that Forés is known for, Magante and his team indulge diners with a range of Spanish finds which is part of their expanded menu of dishes.

Tatler Tip: Bigger celebrations call for a memorable centrepiece. The team also makes a delicious cochinillo for these special occasions.

Related: The 24 best restaurants for al fresco dining from the Tatler Dining Guide 2024

Few restaurants exude as much class as Lusso, chef Margarita Forés’s upscale French-Italian restaurant. From its luxe interiors dressed in marble and gold to the elegant plates adorned with caviar, truffle, and foie gras, this well-loved destination invites guests to indulge in a sophisticated dining experience. As a staunch advocate for Filipino cuisine, Forés also highlights seasonal local delicacies like diwal, making Lusso’s cuisine truly one of a kind.

Tatler Tip: Elevate your meal with Lusso’s new caviar menu, and keep an eye out for their seasonal white truffle special menus.

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At this cosy upscale destination, the Wildflour Hospitality Group offers an authentic Italian dining experience where the wood-fired brick oven serves as the restaurant’s beating heart. Its award-winning pizzas, which build on the team’s affinity for breadmaking, remain their most popular offerings—but their selection of freshly made pasta and substantial mains are equally worth talking about. Tuck into their crowd-pleasing dishes made with fresh, top-quality ingredients, and imbibe in their selection of Italian wines while you’re at it.

Tatler Tip: Missing their comforting cioppino? Fret not. The tomato-based seafood soup with mussels, clams, prawns, octopus, and sea bass is still available to order as an off-menu speciality.
 

Armed with the expertise from Wildflour, the same award-winning group brings us a one-of-a-kind pizza with a thin, crispy, dreamy crust, topped with only the finest ingredients–a meal that many have fallen in love with. Following the Wildflour Hospitality Group’s food philosophy and dedication to working directly with farmers but designed for scale, Pizza Sisters hopes to bring quality dining to a much wider audience. The pizzas are served in the sports bar at Pink’s and also at Hotel Bar, which can both be reserved completely for private events.

Tatler Tip: To keep things exciting and ultra fresh, try the Farmer’s Market pizza: a seasonal variant meant to take advantage of the most prime offerings from their suppliers.

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As the most elevated iteration of the Prologue brand, excellent produce lives at the centre of its culinary narrative, where the team aims to give new life to casual fine dining. Chef Hirouyuki Meno applies his own unique, elevated spin on classic dishes while also introducing brand-new toothsome creations. With French techniques and a bright array of elegant Japanese ingredients at his fingertips, this French-Italian menu is brimming with global flair.

Tatler Tip: Simply give the restaurant advance notice and chef Meno can customise delectable tasting menus and dishes to your liking.