These are the best Italian restaurants in the Tatler Best Philippines Guide 2026

Carlo’s reimagines Italian-American comfort with a modern, playful style that remains approachable and nostalgic. Founder Carlo Alvarez and head chef Morris Manalo have refined a menu centred on New Haven-style pizza, known for its smoky, blistered crust and customisable toppings. The experience features fresh in-house pasta and elevated childhood staples like mozzarella sticks, too. As night falls, the energy shifts into a vibrant bar scene with creative cocktails. Whether it’s a quick bite or a wine- filled dinner, guests are encouraged to enjoy, unwind and feel at home.

Tatler Tip: Did you know that they started their Carlo’s-on-wheels catering arm? Give them a call and book it for your next event!

Caruso remains a cornerstone of authentic Italian dining in Manila, driven by owner Emilio Mina’s dedication to traditional regional recipes. The menu focuses on handmade pasta, roasted meats and premium ingredients sourced directly from Italy. Recently, Happy Gumabao has stepped in as president and CEO to guide the restaurant alongside Mina, ensuring the family legacy continues to evolve gracefully. Guests can expect old-world hospitality and a curated wine programme served in a refined yet intimate atmosphere.

Tatler Tip: You can opt to order their off-menu vitello tonnato. They also regularly update their menu with seasonal selections, so be sure to ask your server.

Cibo is a beloved fixture of the local dining scene, offering modern Italian dining in a casual setting, blending regional traditions with a warm sense of community. Founded by chef Margarita Forés in 1997, the restaurant continues to evolve under the culinary guidance of chef Jorge Mendez and resident pizzaiolo Stefano Canosci. The menu features a growing line of pastries and crisp Roman-style pizzas alongside iconic signature pasta dishes. By maintaining rigorous quality standards and a flavour-first philosophy, this beloved establishment offers an approachable yet premium experience that feels both familiar and contemporary.

Tatler Tip: For the most current experience, explore the newly refreshed pizza line featuring authentic Roman-style crusts or check the seasonal menu inserts for limited-time collaborations and expanded pastry offerings.

Crosta continues to redefine the local scene through an unwavering obsession with dough and artisanal technique. Head chef Yuichi Ito, recently ranked among the top pizza chefs globally, leads a kitchen that is hyper-focused on dough quality to showcase a mastery of diverse styles. From airy classics to contemporary pies featuring house-cured meats, every slice reflects their dedication to the craft. The brand has grown from a humble container van in Poblacion to having bustling branches in Metro Manila and even Niseko, Japan.

Tatler Tip: Visit during the weekend to catch their limited-edition specials featuring seasonal ingredients.

Rooted in time-honoured Italian recipes, this charming trattoria presents traditional heirloom dishes that capture the essence of homestyle comfort. Designed as an extension of the Guidicelli home, Da Gianni Cucina Italiana continues to evolve under chef Gianluca Guidicelli. By blending family heritage with culinary innovation, the restaurant honours the legacy of Gianni and Franca through handmade pasta and wood-fired pizza. It remains a heartfelt space where tradition meets modern tastes, ensuring every dining experience feels like a celebration of family.

Tatler Tip: When visiting Da Gianni, make sure to try their new tasting menu to treat yourself to a totally new experience from the restaurant.

Finestra has evolved beyond its steakhouse roots to focus on authentic northern Italian cuisine under executive chef Andrea Spagoni. Drawing from his Piedmontese heritage, the chef emphasises regional craftsmanship and meticulous techniques rarely found locally. While premium cuts remain, the menu now prioritises ingredient- driven regional classics.

Tatler Tip: For a hidden treat, request the off-menu whiskey steak. Alternatively, visit on Sundays for Brunchissimo to enjoy an extensive Italian experience featuring a selection of premium Italian cheeses, charcuterie and seafood towers.

Fresca Trattoria in Legazpi Village, Makati, delivers honest Italian cooking with a modern, fresh and personal touch. Once an 11sqm pop-up pasta bar, it has since grown into a chic, laid-back neighbourhood trattoria serving handmade pasta, traditional sauces and seasonal regional dishes. Chef-owner Francesco D’Arrigo, trained in Italy and gained further hospitality industry experience in London, Sydney and Amsterdam, now leads a menu rooted in tradition at his first-ever restaurant. Expect warm, home-style hospitality, an intimate dining room and a thoughtful wine and cocktail list.

Tatler Tip: Try the seasonal pasta specials, which change regularly. Save room for the tiramisu, best enjoyed with a glass from the thoughtfully curated Italian wine programme.

Read more: New restaurant in Legazpi Village: Head to Fresca Trattoria to satisfy all your pasta cravings

Founded by Jutes and Cello Templo, Gino’s Brick Oven Pizza has evolved from a home kitchen project into a beloved destination for Neapolitan-style pies. The menu focuses on soulful, handcrafted dishes, including long-fermented dough and fresh mozzarella pulled daily in-house. Recent updates include interior improvements across several branches and an expanded beverage programme. Diners can now enjoy craft beer on tap from Mitchell’s Backyard Brewery, a partnership that perfectly complements the charred, chewy crusts and rich burrata that define this comforting dining experience.

Tatler Tip: Don’t forget to request their signature spicy honey to pair with your slice.

Related: Gino’s Brick Oven Pizza: “Be brave and stay true to who you are”

La Carinderia captures the unpretentious warmth of its Siargao origins, blending Italian heritage with a Filipino heart. The humble restaurant celebrates this cultural marriage through regional Italian dishes and fresh pasta, often reimagined with locally sourced ingredients. Since expanding from the island to Makati, the restaurant has touched more diners while remaining a bastion of honest, comforting flavours. The experience is intentionally casual and unassuming, offering a soulful dining environment where the energy of a traditional carinderia meets the refinement of handmade Italian home cooking.

Tatler Tip: Ask about their off-menu sizzling tuna sisig, their version of the Filipino classic pulutan crafted with an Italian touch, now using fresh-caught tuna from their Siargao fisherman friends.

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, boscaiola pasta or café affogato.

Tucked along Bolabog Road, Lanterna serves as a serene sanctuary for authentic Italian home cooking on Boracay Island. Chef Luigi Barbolla delivers a soulful dining experience, crafting pasta and bread from scratch while incorporating fresh herbs from his own garden. This family-run villa offers an intimate al fresco setting that captures the essence of a private Italian home. Its dedication to layering subtle, harmonised flavours makes it a standout destination for those seeking quiet culinary excellence.

Tatler Tip: While the lush garden provides a quintessential island vibe, request a table in the newly added air-conditioned section if you prefer to dine in cool comfort during humid evenings.

L’Osteria is a coastal gem in Siargao that marries the rustic traditions of Bologna with the island’s vibrant seafood. Founded by pioneer chef Gaetano Sansone di Campobianco and Anna Katrina Alcaraz, the restaurant offers a conviviality found in traditional Italian inns. With wines imported directly from family-owned Italian estates and recipes perfected over decades through lessons with the chef’s mama and nonna, it provides a sophisticated yet familial atmosphere. Its central location on Tuason Beach cements its status as an essential Siargao landmark.

Tatler Tip: Though the restaurant remains private for in-house guests during the day, dinner service is open to the public. Look out for the new al fresco area and pool.

Few restaurants exude as much glamour as Lusso. The late chef Margarita Forés’s upscale French-Italian restaurant remains a destination for celebratory dining, with luxe interiors, impeccable service and indulgent plates accented with caviar, truffle and foie gras. Championing both European technique and Filipino ingredients, Lusso continues to honour the late chef’s enduring legacy of elegance and generosity, marrying old-world charm with Filipino warmth.

Tatler Tip: Stay tuned to Lusso’s socials for seasonal menus featuring prized ingredients like diwal and white truffles, and order their off-menu mini crinkles for a sweet end to the meal.

With chef Tom Bascon at the helm, M Dining + Bar continues to impress with refined European fare accented by Asian influences. The restaurant’s refreshed interiors place its elegant bar front and centre, setting the tone for a polished yet welcoming dining experience. From classic favourites to newer seasonal offerings, every visit promises thoughtful execution and warm, professional service. Stay tuned to their socials, as they now host collaborations with other chefs, enriching M Dining + Bar with new and memorable dining experiences.

Tatler Tip: M Dining + Bar has a list of specials that must be pre-ordered, including gougères, arroz caldoso, whole turbot and Tajima rib-eye roast.

Osteria Antica, the reimagined Italian concept from Wildflour Hospitality Group, brings authentic Italian dining to Ortigas CBD. Located at The Podium, this restaurant features handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas and premium steaks alongside curated Italian wines. The elegantly designed space includes distinct formal dining and cocktail bar sections with striking city views. Since opening in 2025, the restaurant has introduced evolving tasting menus, with offerings refreshed every two to three days, showcasing seasonal produce.

Tatler Tip: Make sure to drop by Bar Antica for a wide array of expertly crafted cocktails, from unforgettable Italian favourites to the bartender’s most innovative mix.

As the most elevated iteration of the Prologue brand, excellent produce remains at the centre of its culinary narrative, giving new life to casual fine dining. Drawing from Japanese heritage and French training, the chefs deliver refined spins on familiar dishes alongside inventive new creations. This polished yet approachable dining room underscores the restaurant’s focus on premium, globally sourced ingredients prepared entirely from scratch, while regular monthly specials keep the experience evolving.

Tatler Tip: Drop by at lunchtime for their pasta and pizza sets or ask about custom tasting menus, which can be arranged upon request for a more tailored dining experience.

Pizza Studio Tamaki brings Tokyo-born Neapolitan pizza precision to Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati. Led by chef Hiromi Nakada, who trained under founder chef Tsubasa Tamaki for seven years, the restaurant showcases wood-fired pizzas made with PST’s original flour blend, producing light, chewy crusts with blistered, charred edges. Since opening in October 2025, the concept has remained faithful to its Tokyo roots whilst introducing Philippines-exclusive specials. Pushing the boundaries of casual dining, PST’s pizzas blend culinary expertise and hospitality for all guests seeking the perfect slice.

Tatler Tip: Don’t forget to explore Pizza Studio Tamaki’s beverage programme, featuring classics and Tamaki-designed cocktails, curated with Dominion Cellar’s wine expertise.

Tavolata delivers the warmth of Italian home cooking to Cebu’s increasingly discerning diners. Grounded in the cuisine’s values of generosity and quality, the kitchen works with premium ingredients across a menu led by homemade pasta and hand-tossed sourdough pizzas. It has evolved into a lively neighbourhood watering hole, where good food, friends and well-chosen wines meet. Family-style dining remains central, inviting guests to linger and savour life’s simple pleasures in a relaxed setting.

Tatler Tip: Ask the chefs and servers about seasonal dishes and their beautiful array of fresh ingredients used in each dish to learn more about what you are eating.