Cover Discover the new restaurants, cafés, and bars you should have on your radar this February, including La Taperia Martínez (Photo: courtesy of La Taperia Martínez)
Discover the new restaurants, cafés, and bars you should have on your radar this February, including La Taperia Martínez (Photo: courtesy of La Taperia Martínez)
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From a much-awaited yakitori omakase to a new cocktail bar by the team behind Seva, here are the new restaurants and bars on our radar this February
Keep your finger on the pulse of the local dining scene with Tatler’s Dining Radar—our monthly round-up of the most exciting new restaurants, bars and cafés across the Philippines.
Our February Dining Radar reflects a dining scene in constant motion, one that continues to welcome thoughtful reinterpretations of familiar cuisines alongside ambitious new concepts finding their footing. This month’s openings span soulful Italian cooking infused with local sensibility, Spanish tapas designed for long nights out anchored by fine wine, precision-driven Japanese grilling, cocktail-forward lounges by a neighbourhood favourite and global comfort food you’ll crave for time and again.
Whether you’re after a new go-to hangout or a destination-worthy dining experience, these are new restaurants, bars and cafés worth having on your radar this February.
In case you missed it: January 2026 Dining Radar: new restaurants and bars in Metro Manila
1. Birdjovi
Location: Comuna, Pablo Ocampo Sr. Street Extension, Makati City
Since 2023, whispers of an exceptional yakitori shop have circulated among F&B insiders, leading many to make the drive to Carmona, Cavite, to experience it for themselves. Now, chef Takuto Kato brings his craft to the metro with Birdjovi, the newly opened sister restaurant of Yakitori Ao’chan (previously known as Suijin). Originally from Nagoya, Kato-san has spent five years honing his skills behind the yakitori grill, focusing on straightforward preparations free of excessive sauces and flourishes to let his meticulously sourced chicken shine. Available via omakase or à la carte, the menu spans various cuts—from thigh and neck to liver and heart—alongside dishes like kanpachi, chicken ramen, yaki onigiri and matcha cheesecake.
Related: Modern plates with regional roots: Indian restaurant Agni by Mantra opens in Comuna
2. Sala by Seva
Location: LYH Building, Jose Abad Santos Street, San Juan City
Founded by chefs Neil and Amanda Dy alongside front-of-house and guest relations manager Jonah Chantong, Seva has become a neighbourhood favourite in San Juan City, known for its welcoming atmosphere, comforting global plates and impressive cocktails. Through their newly minted cocktail bar, Sala by Seva, the team places the spotlight on head bartender Juju Guzman, who has steadily grown into her role and helped establish Seva as one of the area’s most popular nightlife haunts. Sip on new creations like the light and refreshing mango highball with tequila, Aperol, tamarind, kaffir and green cardamom soda, or the boozy Mont Blanc white Russian with vodka, coffee, vanilla cream, orange and cinnamon. For bites, crowd favourites such as hot crab dip and corn ribs, as well as new additions like mussel pops, round out the experience.
Read more: Best of both worlds: 10 restaurants with the best cocktails in Metro Manila
3. Moderna
Location: Uptown Parade, BGC, Taguig City
Fans of Al Dente have a new Italian concept to look forward to, this time infused with Filipino soul. Through Moderna, Donatello Montrone bridges his Italian heritage with the flavours of the country he now calls home. “At its core, my food is Italian—guided by technique, structure and clarity, yet introduced to Filipino ingredients, climate and sensibility,” shares the soldier-turned-chef, or as he calls himself, the restaurant’s gastronomic director. “There is no dilution of identity, only its marriage.” Expect daring dishes like adobo raviolo with provolone cream or lapu-lapu in a sinigang-style broth with basil and parsley, all served in a lively, colourful space.
See also: Where to eat Italian food: these are the best 18 Italian restaurants in the Philippines
4. La Taperia Martínez
La Taperia Martínez | Bikini sandwich with jamon Ibérico, Emmental, and truffle (Photo: courtesy of La Taperia Martínez)
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Location: One Bonifacio, BGC, Taguig City
Chef Luis Martínez and the Nikkei Group present a new way to enjoy their Spanish cuisine with La Taperia Martínez. The latest addition to the Terraza Martínez and Sala Martínez family, this BGC concept draws inspiration from Spain’s lively drinking culture. Expect an extensive selection of classic, infallible tapas like melon con jamón Ibérico, tortilla de patatas, chopitos and foie à la plancha to pair with fine wines and tempting cocktails. Looking for something heartier? Martínez has also prepared a few dishes to share, including a charcoal-grilled steak of the day and his signature Valencian-style arroz al horno.
Related: The best Spanish restaurants in the Tatler Best Philippines Guide 2025
5. Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen
Above Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen is now open at Ayala Triangle Gardens (Photo: courtesy of Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen)
Above Crystal Jade specialises in roasts and dim sum at their Hong Kong Kitchen brand of restaurants (Photo: courtesy of Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen)
Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen is now open at Ayala Triangle Gardens (Photo: courtesy of Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen)
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Location: The Shops at Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City
A culinary institution since 1991, Crystal Jade arrives at Ayala Triangle Gardens, bringing its authentic Chinese cuisine to Metro Manila. Founded in Singapore, the restaurant group enters the local scene as Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen—a casual concept focused on roasted meats, wok-fired staples and handcrafted dim sum. Signature dishes include crystal shrimp dumplings, Peking duck with egg crêpe, olive fried rice, braised e-fu noodles with mushrooms and truffle, and aiyu jelly with peach gum and coconut milk served in a whole coconut.
See also: The best Chinese restaurants in the Philippines 2025
6. Harry’s Bistro
Location: Bolanos Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City
Designed to appeal to old souls, Harry’s Bistro takes pride in “classical dishes, done right, for today’s modern guest.” Open for lunch, dinner and late-night drinks on weekends, the menu reads like a catalogue of crowd favourites: croquetas, patatas bravas, fish and chips, beef salpicao and lasagna, among others. Chef Adrian Cuenca leads the kitchen, with chef Miguel Vecin contributing his expertise in Spanish cuisine through curated small plates, while mixologist Arcadius Ryback oversees a programme of classic cocktails.
7. Wahunomi
Above Wahunomi’s kare-karē with bagoong-glazed ribs, tortang tahong, and whole bangus with roasted tomato salsa (Photo: courtesy of Wahunomi)
Above Wahunomi is a play on the words uhaw and inom (Photo: courtesy of Wahunomi)
Wahunomi’s kare-karē with bagoong-glazed ribs, tortang tahong, and whole bangus with roasted tomato salsa (Photo: courtesy of Wahunomi)
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Location: Santolan Town Plaza, San Juan City
Part restaurant, part cocktail bar, Wahunomi explores the intersection of global flavours through a Filipino lens. On the food side, expect inventive dishes like kare karē, tortang tahong with green miso and gochujang aioli, and bibingka with citrus honey butter and latik ice cream. While chef-consultant Reeza Villa leads the kitchen, the beverage programme is a collaborative effort by the team behind The Attic in BGC. A play on the words uhaw and inom, Wahunomi is primed to be an all-day drinking hangout, with coffees and cocktails both classic and unconventional. Need a pick-me-up? Try the watermelon cold brew or peach aerocano. After a nightcap? Explore tipples like B.A.M. 34 with melon and genmaicha, the sour-style Spicy Daw! with tequila and mezcal or the Mezillaaaa with tomato and parmesan.
See also: The 23 best Filipino restaurants in the Philippines 2025—did your favourite make the cut?
8. Guidicelli
Location: Molito Lifestyle Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Actor Matteo Guidicelli and his father Gianluca enter a new chapter with Guidicelli, their most ambitious Italian restaurant to date. While the pair have previously demonstrated their affinity for authentic Italian cuisine through Da Gianni Cucina Italiana and Trattoria da Gianni, this concept raises the bar with an elevated dining experience that balances Italian elegance and Filipino warmth. The menu features indulgent offerings such as escargot with guanciale and polenta, blue shrimp carpaccio, bistecca alla Fiorentina Wagyu, Atlantic lobster and optional caviar and truffle supplements. A selection of pasta and risotto—including linguine with clams and bottarga, risotto carbonara and tagliatelle with duck ragù—rounds out the menu.
Read more: Let’s go with the Flow: chef Kevin Uy makes an impressive debut in the Philippine F&B scene
9. Twenty Third Café
Location: YMC Building, Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City
Interior design and F&B collide at Twenty Third Café, located inside the Twenty Third showroom. Founded by interior designer Dianne Lim, the space features eclectic furniture sourced from around the world, with a café menu that mirrors this global sensibility. Their beverage programme builds on familiar favourites, with house specials such as the Viennese einspänner, sparkling passionfruit yuzu espresso and black sesame palm sugar topped with toasted marshmallow. Their food menu was developed in collaboration with Sunday Street and offers tempting bites like spinach and cheese dip, pork rillettes sandwich and calamansi olive oil cake with mascarpone, which are already available.
See also: Where to order the Dubai chewy cookie in Metro Manila
10. Tamjai Mixian
Location: BGC Corporate Center 2, Taguig City
Turn up the heat with authentic Hong Kong mixian noodles at Tamjai Mixian. Founded in 1996, the global brand specialises in Yunnan-style rice noodles prized for their silky texture and firm bite, served in a range of soup bases—from peppery chicken broth and tangy tomato to mala and Chongqing-style sour-spicy. Diners can opt for preset bowls or build their own, choosing spice levels from non-spicy to “hell fire.” Rice bowls and snacks are also available for those not in the mood for noodles.
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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
