Cover Tatler Best Philippines 2026 | Your definitive guide to hospitality in the country, awarding the best restaurants, hotels and bars in the Philippines
Tatler Best Philippines 2026 | Your definitive guide to hospitality in the country, awarding the best restaurants, hotels and bars in the Philippines
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From standout restaurants and bars to leading hotels across the country, Tatler Best Philippines 2026 gathers the industry for an evening of recognition, celebration and community
Tatler Best Philippines has become a meaningful moment for the local hospitality industry: a chance for the people behind the country’s most compelling restaurants—and for the second year, bars and hotels—to step away from service and come together in one room, not just to be recognised, but to celebrate one another.
On March 16, 2026, Tatler Best Philippines returned to Shangri-La The Fort, Manila, marking another milestone in the brand’s evolution from the Tatler Dining Guide into a wider, more inclusive platform for hospitality. What was once focused solely on restaurants has grown to reflect the full spectrum of the industry, with bars and hotels now firmly part of the conversation—an expansion that mirrors the way Filipinos dine, drink and travel today.
Related: Tatler Best 10: the best hotels in the Philippines 2026
Tatler Best Philippines 2026 | Your definitive guide to hospitality in the country, awarding the best restaurants, hotels and bars in the Philippines
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The evening gathered a cross-section of the community: chefs, restaurateurs, bartenders, hoteliers and the teams behind them, alongside long-time industry supporters and new voices shaping its future. Conversations flowed easily across the room as guests toasted to the industry—many reconnecting, others meeting for the first time. A generous spread welcomed guests to the Grand Ballroom, spanning a gravlax carving station, 48-hour sous-vide beef short rib with an assortment of accoutrements, alongside a cheese and charcuterie station and Cantonese favourites. Free-flowing drinks kept glasses filled throughout the night, setting the tone for a stylish celebration.
Tatler managing director Irene Martel Francisco formally opened the programme with warm welcome remarks, followed by Tatler Dining and Travel editor Isabel Francisco, who introduced this year’s guide—Tatler’s most comprehensive to date, featuring 213 restaurants, 40 bars and, for the first time, a listing of 22 hotels. This year also saw the introduction of Tatler Best Spotlight, a new designation for featured establishments previously recognised as Tatler Best Recommended—now reframed to reflect their continued excellence and enduring commitment to outstanding hospitality. Together, they underscored the guide’s role as a definitive resource to hospitality in the Philippines, profiling the establishments shaping the industry today. Pramoth Rajendran, head of international wealth and premier banking at HSBC Philippines, also expressed continued support for the industry and its growth.
Read more: Tatler Best 20: the best bars in the Philippines 2026
Tatler Best Philippines 2026 | Your definitive guide to hospitality in the country, awarding the best restaurants, hotels and bars in the Philippines
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Tatler Best Philippines 2026 | Your definitive guide to hospitality in the country, awarding the best restaurants, hotels and bars in the Philippines
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The awards ceremony kicked off with the unveiling of the Tatler Best 10 Hotels, marking the first time a list of top hotels has been introduced in the Philippine edition of the guide. The evening then moved into the Tatler Best 20 Bars, spotlighting a dynamic mix of concepts that continue to push our young but flourishing bar scene forward, followed by the Tatler Best 20 Restaurants, which reflect the depth, diversity and continued evolution of dining in the Philippines. Taken together, these awards represent the top-ranking establishments as voted by Tatler’s expert panel and the Tatler Dining and Travel team.
Then came the most anticipated segment of the night: the Best-in-Class awards, honouring standout individuals and establishments across hotels, bars and restaurants.
See also: Tatler Best 20: the best restaurants in the Philippines 2026
Tatler Best Philippines 2026 | Your definitive guide to hospitality in the country, awarding the best restaurants, hotels and bars in the Philippines
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In the hotel category, Shangri-La The Fort, Manila was named Hotel of the Year, recognised for its consistency and continued leadership in luxury hospitality. Amanpulo took home Best Service, while Hotel Okura Manila was awarded Best City Hotel. Pangulasian Island Resort in El Nido was named Best Resort, and Nay Palad Hideaway in Siargao took home Best Destination Hotel. For the second year in a row, The Farm at San Benito, Autograph Collection was recognised as Best Wellness Retreat, while The Henry Hotel Manila retained its title as Best Boutique Hotel. Two new distinctions were also introduced this year: Best Hotel Spa and Best Family Hotel, awarded to Conrad Manila and Shangri-La Boracay, respectively.
Read more: Tatler Best-in-Class: awarding the best hotels in the Philippines 2026
Tatler Best Philippines 2026 | Your definitive guide to hospitality in the country, awarding the best restaurants, hotels and bars in the Philippines
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Highlighting the bar industry, the Best-in-Class awards reflected a community that continues to grow in both confidence and creativity. Big Fuzz was named Bar of the Year, recognised for its sincere warmth and fuss-free atmosphere. Problem Child took home Best New Bar, marking it as one of the most exciting recent openings in the local scene. Recraft was awarded Best Innovation for its out-of-the-box approach to cocktails, while Ito was recognised for Best Service, underscoring the importance of hospitality behind the bar. Rising Star was awarded to David Abalayan, beverage director and bar manager of No Entry—another newly minted cocktail bar that took home the award for Best Design.
Related: Tatler Best-in-Class: awarding the best bars in the Philippines 2026
Tatler Best Philippines 2026 | Your definitive guide to hospitality in the country, awarding the best restaurants, hotels and bars in the Philippines
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Last but not least, we turn our attention back to the restaurant industry. Toyo Eatery was named Restaurant of the Year, a timely recognition as it marks ten years of thoughtful, research-driven cooking that has helped shape conversations around Filipino cuisine. Celera was awarded Best New Restaurant, signalling a strong new chapter for chefs Nicco Santos and Qunee Vilar. Gallery by Chele took home Best Innovation for its continued exploration of local ingredients through rigorous research and technique, while Medusa at The Palace was recognised for Best Design. Inatô was awarded Best Service, and the Rising Star honour went to chef Charles Montanez of Liyab, underscoring an emerging voice in the local dining scene.
Read more: Tatler Best-in-Class: awarding the best restaurants in the Philippines 2026
Tatler Best Philippines 2026 | Your definitive guide to hospitality in the country, awarding the best restaurants, hotels and bars in the Philippines
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As Tatler Best Philippines continues to evolve, it not only reflects the current state of the industry but also champions its growth—recognising excellence, fostering community and celebrating what defines exceptional hospitality in the Philippines.
Stay tuned as local winners advance to the regional stage at Tatler Best Asia 2026, each eligible for a place among the region’s finest in the Tatler Best 100, as well as our Best-in-Class awards.
A special thank you to our lead partner HSBC; our supporting partners Don Julio Tequila, Zacapa, Make It Makati and Shangri-La The Fort, Manila.
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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
