Every year, Philippine Tatler celebrates the craft and the dynamism of the local restaurant scene with the Best Restaurants Guide. For the second year in a row, 20 of the 172 culinary gems were awarded the special distinction of being part of the Top 20 Restaurants list. Call it the best of the best, if you will. The Top 20 Restaurants represent a wide range of cuisines and cover more ground in terms of location. This year, we welcome 13 new entries to the list.
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Antonio’s

Cuisine: Asian / European

The popularity of Antonio’s will never wane as consistency and effortless colonial style are key to its success. This culinary gem is destination fine dining at its very best with chef and restaurateur, Antonio "Tony Boy" Escalante, never losing sight of an exacting formula that is infallible.

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Bondi & Bourke

Cuisine: Australian

Thanks to its multi-awarded Australian chef and owner, Wade Watson, Bondi & Bourke’s immediate success came with straightforward dishes (Aussie or not) that you want to come home to after a day’s work. The B&B pitch is a fun and casual vibe that serves up soul gratifying comfort food favourites.

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Brasserie on 3

Cuisine: International

Conrad Manila's all-day dining restaurant presents an extensive buffet spread and an à la carte menu by the Executive Chef Thomas Jakobi, who has created dishes that highlight organic, locally and sustainably sourced ingredients. Add to that, a priceless view of the famed Manila Bay sunset.

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Canton Road

Cuisine: Cantonese / Huaiyang

Enjoy an assortment of regional Chinese cuisine specialities along with signature roasted barbecued meats and a smattering of Huaiyang dishes. Canton Road puts a modern twist on the intricate presentation of Chinese fare amidst the plush and lavish dynastic setting.

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Chateau 1771

Cuisine: French / European

With more than 25 years in the industry, Château 1771 continues to delight its patrons with its "No Borders Cuisine," which features delectable and innovative French, Swiss, and Italian favourites. Here, food is not the only star; the service is exceptional and the ambience, warm and cosy.

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China Blue by Jereme Leung

Cuisine: Chinese

A new entry in the BRG, China Blue, which is the signature Chinese restaurant of the recently opened Conrad Manila has a lot going for it. This fine dining restaurant boasts a spectacular view of the Manila Bay, decadent interiors, and inventive fusion as well as authentic fare by renowned chef, Jereme Leung.

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Cru Steakhouse

Cuisine: Steaks

Cru Steakhouse, Marriott Hotel Manila's crown jewel, continues to impress diners with its well-seasoned hand-cut steaks grilled to perfection in an open kitchen. The wine list is impressive, complete with popular pours as well as hard-to-find Old and New World bottles

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Crystal Dragon

Cuisine: Cantonese / Chinese

Dramatic and visually stimulating in an opulent way, Crystal Dragon beautifully highlights authentic regional Chinese dishes and premium Cantonese fare with panache. Its consistent service keeps its sophisticated clientele loyal, whether from the Philippines or abroad.

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Donosti

Cuisine: Spanish

Quality ingredients and timeless elegance make this the go-to tapas y pintxos place for foodies as well as corporate BGC big wigs, who come here for power lunches and VIP client dinners. The authentic Basque bill of fare, impeccable service, and finely tuned wine list is hard to beat.

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Gallery VASK

Cuisine: Anthropological

Tantalising food meets covetable art in this hip gallery-cum-restaurant. Just last year, the inimitable and beloved chef Jose Luis "Chele" Gonzalez, put the Philippines on the global culinary map with Gallery VASK ranking in at number 39 in the 2016 Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list.

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Hai Shin Lou

Cuisine: Cantonese

This unassuming restaurant remains a go-to place for authentic Cantonese fare. Helmed by the chef Tommy Yao for over a decade now, Hai Shin Lou takes pride in its fresh seafood offerings that are cooked to the diners' preference, as well as ingredients and spices flown in regularly from Hong Kong.

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Inagiku

Cuisine: Japanese

This time-tested and venerated Japanese restaurant of the 5-star Makati Shangri-La Hotel is perpetually top of mind. From the stellar à la carte creations to the colourful and extensive weekend buffet, here, you can savour the rich authenticity of Japanese cuisine and enjoy the top-notch service that comes with it.

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Jasmine

Cuisine: Chinese

Jasmine continues to delight diners with scrumptious specialities from across China including dim sum, barbecue delicacies, live seafood, and Peking duck, among others. Using only the highest-quality produce, Jasmine amplifies the dining experience with its chic Chinese Art Deco interiors.

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The Pig & Palm

Cuisine: Modern European / Tapas

The Pig & Palm offers an impressive modern Spanish tapas menu by the Michelin-starred British chef, Jason Atherton. It is the 16th restaurant worldwide for the Athertons’ restaurant group, which holds three Michelin stars across London, New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Dubai and Sydney.

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Raging Bull Chophouse & Bar

Cuisine: Steaks

A newcomer to the BRG, this stunning restaurant harks back to an elegant bygone era that gives off a sexy retro 1960s Manhattan vibe. Besides being a carnivore's dream, expect a great deal of creativity in the cocktail department, an impressive wine list and world-class service. It is in a 5-star hotel after all.

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Sala Bistro

Cuisine: European

Manila's foodie scene holds a soft spot in its heart for this perennial favourite. Sophisticated yet laid-back chic, Sala Bistro's exquisite continental cuisine and consistently excellent service keep the discerning sophisticate crowd coming back to chef Colin Mackay's café-style restaurant.

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Sirena

Cuisine: Seafood

Nestled atop a cliff overlooking the azure waters of Boracay Island, Sirena offers a scrumptious menu that highlights the bounties of the sea, and an amazing wine list that includes some of the world's best pours. The food, the views and the attentive service make for an unforgettable dining experience.

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Tea of Spring

Cuisine: Tea of Spring

Reflecting the rich culinary heritage of China, Tea of Spring serves an array of contemporary Chinese creations by the award-winning chef Boon Bun Hoe, and an extensive selection of loose-leaf teas and Chinese wines in an elegant setting amidst the charming Shangri-La's Mactan Resort & Spa.

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Terry’s Bistro

Cuisine: Spanish

The celebrated chef and owner, Juan Carlos de Terry, showcases his passion for cooking via his stellar and authentic Iberican creations. Hands down, the pintxos and tapas served at this old-time favourite remain right up there with the best of them.

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Tsukiji

Cuisine: Japanese

Tsukiji belongs to the impressive roster of restaurants owned and managed by the chef J Gamboa and his sibling, Malu. Since 1989, it has been serving premium Japanese cuisine prepared by the chef Toshiro Okajima. Loyal followers enjoy dishes crafted from ingredients flown in regularly from Japan.

For more details on how we arrive at our list of best restaurants and the Top 20, click here.