Cover Inside Tatler Best Philippines 2025
Inside Tatler Best Philippines 2025
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The Tatler Dining Guide is now Tatler Best Philippines—here’s your peek into the exclusive launch and awards night
If there’s one night a year chefs and restaurateurs have blocked off on their social calendars, it’s the launch of the Tatler Dining Guide: the coming-together of the country’s leading culinary forces, trading aprons for stylish suits and gowns as Tatler reveals the top 20 restaurants for the year, as well as special awards—including the coveted Restaurant of the Year title.
On March 17, 2025, Tatler proudly launched the latest evolution of our annual guide, now rebranded as Tatler Best Philippines: your definitive resource to excellence in hospitality, recognising not just the country’s best restaurants, but for the first time, achievements in the local bar and hotel industries, too. This marks a monumental milestone for Tatler, building on the success of the region-wide Tatler Best of Asia awards in Bangkok last November 2024.
Read more: Introducing Tatler Best Philippines: Your ultimate guide to the best of hospitality and F&B
Tatler Dining editor Isabel Francisco, Tatler managing director Irene Martel Francisco, and Tatler Dining associate editor Lauren Golangco at the launch of Tatler Best Philippines 2025
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Hosted at Shangri-La the Fort, Manila, the inaugural Tatler Best Philippines event saw over 400 of the Philippines’s most prominent chefs, restaurateurs, bartenders, hoteliers, and other industry professionals in one room, for one night only. The Grand Ballroom was abuzz with excitement and anticipation, with attendees flying in from all over the country for this special occasion.
As guests exchanged hellos and indulged in the delicious spread of food and beverages, Tatler managing director Irene Martel Francisco kicked off the festivities, welcoming guests to the event. Tatler Dining editor Isabel Francisco elaborated on the exciting changes to this year’s edition, which lists a whopping 205 restaurants, 48 bars, and 10 hotels—our most comprehensive guide to date. We also heard from Sandeel Uppal, President and CEO of HSBC Philippines, and our keynote speaker, the honourable Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, both of whom expressed their enthusiasm for the bright future of the country’s hospitality space.
See also: F&B Trends for 2025: Jordy Navarra, Miko Calo, and other experts share their predictions
Inside Tatler Best Philippines 2025
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The Best-in-Class winners for hotels at Tatler Best Philippines 2025
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The Philippines’s food and beverage scene would not be where it is today without the late Margarita Forés, a pioneer in modern Filipino cuisine who took every opportunity to uplift those around her. Tatler editor-in-chief Anton San Diego took to the stage to share a touching tribute to the legendary chef and restaurateur, who was not only a pillar of the hospitality industry but a mother, a sister, and a dear friend of the Tatler community. Celebrating her zest for life and contagious optimism, the room arose to deliver a standing ovation in homage to the inimitable and ever-inspiring culinary icon.
Tatler Best Philippines: Best-in-Class winners for restaurants 2025
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The Tatler Best Philippines awards ceremony commenced with our ten Best-in-Class accolades for hotels—a first for Tatler Philippines. Renowned for its pristine beaches, unparalleled privacy, luxury villas, and warm Filipino service, Amanpulo in Pamalican Island, Palawan took home the biggest award of the night for hotels, crowned Hotel of the Year.
Moving onto the restaurant category, we unveiled the Tatler Best 20: our listing of the 20 best restaurants for 2025 as curated by our expert panel of voters and the Tatler Dining team. From a casual pizzeria that isn’t afraid to break the rules to sophisticated fine dining experiences, these restaurants promise memorable meals deserving of a spot on any foodie’s bucket list. Opened in October 2024, Bruce Ricketts and Jae Pickrell’s contemporary sushi kappo Iai was named Best New Restaurant. Meanwhile, chef JP Cruz was not only recognised as Rising Star, but also nabbed a dazzling Restaurant of the Year title for his modern Filipino chef’s counter, Inatô.
Read more: Tatler Best Restaurants: the full list of Best-in-Class winners
Tatler Best Philippines: Best-in-Class winners for bars 2025
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Turning our attention to beverages, the Tatler Best 20 bars were announced, recognising exceptional drinking dens such as Japanese wine bar Good Morning Wines, island favourite Manu Siargao, and the internationally renowned The Curator Coffee & Cocktails. While Raion, headed by seasoned mixologist Kate Osmillo was awarded Best New Bar, it was Fat Cat that took home the gold as Tatler Philippines’s first-ever Bar of the Year winner.
More from Tatler: Tatler Best-in-Class: Awarding the best bars in the Philippines 2025
Inside Tatler Best Philippines 2025
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Stay tuned as Tatler gears up for Tatler Best of Asia 2025 this November and local winners advance into the regional heats, eligible for a spot in the Tatler Best 100 list for hotels, restaurants, and bars, as well as the Asia-wide Best-in-Class awards.
Big thank you to our lead partner HSBC, our gold partner Ayala Malls and Make It Makati, and supporting partners Nespresso and Shangri-La The Fort Manila. A shout-out to Pernod Ricard and Evian for being a part of this milestone event too.
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Credits
Photography: Ian Santos and Medal Elepano
Topics
About
Lauren’s love for food came much later in life than one would expect— an obsession awakened in the streets of Melbourne’s multicultural dining scene. Armed with this newfound passion, she returned to the Philippines determined to discover the best eats in her home country, with a personal advocacy to champion local cuisines and homegrown talent. Nothing is off-limits; if it’s delicious, it’s worth celebrating.
Work
As Tatler Dining associate editor, Lauren covers all things food and drink, from listing the latest openings in our monthly Dining Radar to interviewing chefs and bartenders about the biggest obstacles crippling the industry today. Beyond the digital space, she also organises Tatler Dining’s tentpole events, including Off Menu and Tatler Dining Kitchen, as well as the annual Tatler Best Philippines awards night and guide launch, detailing the best restaurants in the country.
For leads and event invites, contact her via lauren@tatlerphilippines.com or follow her on Instagram at @laurengolangco.
Photo: Ralph Mendo
