Location: Cubao, Quezon City

Mōdan MNL goes beyond Japan with its third menu, Global: Asian Leg. The eight-course menu draws inspiration from chef Jorge Mendez’s travels around Asia, with each course dedicated to a different country while remaining anchored in the Mōdan’s neo-Japanese identity. Tuck into a tom yum chawanmushi, salt-cured bonito with dan-dan foam, and other wildly imaginative dishes as chef Mendez flexes his impressive culinary arsenal as a seasoned R&D chef.

Related: Mōdan MNL ventures beyond Japan with its third menu, Global: Asian Leg
 

Location: Poblacion, Makati City

Doodle & Co. is the newest café-meets-wine bar concept in the Poblacion district. Still on its soft opening, the warm, friendly space is helmed by the team that brought you Run Rabbit Run. Come by for well-made cocktails and a healthy selection of wines and nibbles.  

In case you missed it: Natural wine gastrobars in Metro Manila: Meet Bibio and Bombvinos Bodega

Location: Proscenium at Rockwell, Makati City

Indulge in your favourite Mediterranean foods at Feta, now open at Proscenium at Rockwell. From flavourful döners to juicy kebabs, colourful mezze and sinful baklava, the wide-ranging menu will surely satisfy.

See also: Culinary cures: The Sleepy Girl Mocktail and other wellness trends

Location: Fully Booked, BGC

At long last, Del Unión has finally opened its doors. The newly-minted café is a spin-off of El Union Coffee, the famed café in La Union, and marks the brand’s first concept in Metro Manila. Swing by to sample their popular coffees and horchata, and be sure to try their unique sandwiches crafted by EJ Lagman of Makan at Eliseos.

Related: Chef EJ Lagman of Makan, La Union on “finding your voice and your people”

Location: Six/NEO, BGC

Helmed by chef-owner Gianni Grifoni, this casual Italian-American restaurant offers straightforward comfort food without the bells and whistles. The Florentine native moved to the Philippines as a marine biologist and later called Siargao his home, where he would open the beloved Kermit pizzeria. Now, the restaurateur spends more time in Manila overseeing Grifoni’s in BGC, with two more branches on the way. Delight in bar chow like calamari, salpicao, and chicken wings, or opt for heartier picks like rick gnocchi and prosciutto pizza with stracciatella and arugula.

Read more: From Siargao to BGC, Grifoni’s makes its debut in the metro

Location: San Juan City

Offering items like corn ribs with elote crema, ahi tuna tartare with tobiko, and NY Strip in shao kao with mala jus, this new San Juan restaurant takes diners on a culinary journey around the world. At Seva, the chefs take thoughtful creative liberties with familiar favourites, resulting in playful dishes with unique inflexions. While you’re there, savour and sample the tipples on their cocktail menu— crafted by ITO’s Niko Tiutan and Alex Atienza, these drinks are sure to impress. 

See also: The best (and worst) TikTok food trends of 2023: butter candles, tinned fish, and more

Location: SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City

Hai Di Lao, the famous hot pot brand, has landed in the Philippines! Founded in 1994 in Sichuan province, the global chain boasts a strong presence in markets all over the world, as far as the UK. Try out their hearty, spicy broths and handmade noodles (with a show!).

See also: 8 Restaurants for hot pot and shabu-shabu in Metro Manila

Location: Shangri-La the Fort, Manila, BGC

Experience the marriage of Brazilian and Japanese cuisines at Uma Nota, the newest restaurant at Shangri-La the Fort, Manila. Designed by Asmaa Said of The Odd Duck Studio, the sophisticated, stylish space marks the brand’s third location worldwide, following Paris and Hong Kong. Discover unique dishes like the signature coxinhas de frango (chicken and okra croquettes with a homemade chilli sauce) and dadinhos de tapioca (Brazilian tapioca and cheese dices with sweet chilli sauce), or opt for familiar comforts like sushi and beef tataki.

Read more: The science behind the art: Restaurant consultants let us in on what it takes to build the brand

Location: Jupiter corner Canopus St, Makati City

Deepen your appreciation for your cup of joe at Satorī, a multipurpose café bringing you “diverse coffee experiences.” Explore their range of espresso and pour-over beverages made with their rotating selection of guest beans from renowned roasteries in Singapore, the USA, Thailand, Australia, the UAE, and more, or pop in for one of their expert-led coffee events.

See also: Sip, savour, and connect: Common Man Coffee Roasters is ready to welcome the neighbourhood in

Location: The Balmori Suites, Rockwell, Makati City

With Hapag’s Katipunan home now closed, the team gears up to move into their new Makati space, which is expected to open in the next few weeks. In the meantime, guests can relish some of the Filipino restaurant’s greatest hits at The Balmori Chef’s Table pop-up, available until March 3. The six-course menu highlights Hapag specialities from 2017-2023, including the crowd-favourite pansit negra with adobo negra sauce, prawn confit in prawn oil and grilled, chicharon, garlic, spring onions, taba ng talangka cream, and Mexican lime.

Related: The ultimate primer to The Balmori Chef’s Table at Rockwell

Location: The Shops at Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City

Chef Josh Boutwood presents a brand-new menu at Helm, his flagship dining destination known for its creative menus. This time, Boutwood sets his sights on a galaxy far, far away, with a playful degustation inspired by the Star Wars universe— a fitting theme for the innovative chef, who once dreamed of becoming an astronaut.

In case you missed it: Helm by Josh Boutwood moves to its new home at Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City

Location: Legazpi Village, Makati City

It seems like there’s always something new around the corner at Legazpi Village— and this time around, it takes the form of a fun, contemporary café. Open daily from 11am to 7pm, Natsu (Japanese for “summer”) offers both classic and playful coffees, including a butterscotch popcorn latte, pandan latte, and tiramisu latte, as well as a lean selection of classic pastries. Hungry? Dig into one of their rice bowls or graze across appetisers like a salmon taco or karaage bites.

See also: Where to order cauliflower rice meals

Location: Salcedo Village, Makati City

On days you’re after a no-frills, authentic Japanese experience, head to Izakaya Hamachi. Using ingredients air-flown from Japan, the casual Salcedo eatery offers fun, approachable bites that pair perfectly with their selection of beers and sake— all the makings of an enjoyable night out without pretensions.

In case you missed it: The best Japanese restaurants in the Tatler Dining Guide 2023

Location: Comuna, Makati City

Ani Cafe is a homey comfort food concept nestled within the new Comuna complex—a creative hub of various concepts, including RiseSpace Art Gallery, JJ Acuna / Bespoke Studio, and the soon-to-open Restaurant Celera by chefs Nicco Santos and Quenee Vilar. Drop by for coffee, pastries, and simple delights like pasta, grilled skewers or “Anihaw”, and many more items as the team is always busy cooking up something new.

See also: This cookbook by Lokal Lab is a love letter to Siargao’s culinary landscape

Location: Tagaytay City

Chef Sau Del Rosario has opened up an idyllic new restaurant in Tagaytay with a 180-degree view of Taal Lake— hence its name, 180 by Chef Sau. But there’s more to the moniker than its picturesque views. “It’s also called 180 by Chef Sau because we cook dishes at 180-degrees, the perfect temperature for making stews, broths, and grilled items,” explains Del Rosario. “The menu is made up of my signature dishes so you won’t find this anywhere else in Tagaytay.” Here, he utilises hyper-local produce, mostly sourced within a 15-kilometer radius like tawilis, seafood from neighbouring towns, and the region’s famed pineapples.

See also: Neighbourhood Guide: Cafés in Tagaytay with great views to boot

Location: Estancia Capital Commons, Pasig City

Known for its cookies, pies, and cakes, The Manila Baker started as an online-only shop and expanded with its very first kiosk back in June 2022. Now, the brand not only boasts six kiosks throughout the metro but has recently unveiled The Manila Baker Brew + Bistro: their new restaurant at Estancia Capital Commons, home to indulgences sweet and savoury— including their famed chocolate chip cookies.

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