16 Best Restaurants in Makati You Must Visit
Finding the absolute best spots to eat in this busy city can feel overwhelming. If you want the ultimate guide to the 15+ Best Restaurants in Makati You Must Visit, you are in the exact right place. We ate our way through the bustling streets of Poblacion, Salcedo, and Legazpi Village to bring you this list. Expect a carefully curated mix of Michelin-starred heavyweights, trendy neighborhood joints, and timeless local legends. Grab your fork and let us get right into the recommendations.
The Ultimate Makati Dining Guide: 16 Must-Visit Spots
The Michelin-Starred & Fine Dining Heavyweights
Makati is the undisputed culinary capital of the Philippines. Local chefs continue to push boundaries and earn international recognition. These spots require advanced bookings and a healthy budget.
1. Helm
Chef Josh Boutwood runs this spectacular fine dining spot in Ayala Triangle. The Michelin Guide awarded Helm two stars in 2026, making it the top-rated restaurant in the entire country. The menu changes frequently and features incredible half-British, half-Filipino influences.
Park directly at the Ayala Triangle Gardens basement parking. Secure your reservation on Helm’s official booking page at least a month in advance.
2. Toyo Eatery
Chef Jordy Navarra completely changed the landscape of modern Filipino food. Toyo Eatery holds one Michelin star and consistently ranks high on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. The tasting menu transforms simple local ingredients into mind-blowing culinary art.
The restaurant hides inside the Karrivin Plaza along Chino Roces Extension. Do not skip the signature “Bahay Kubo” salad. You can check their latest menu updates on Toyo Eatery’s Instagram page.
3. Hapag
Hapag recently brought its award-winning concept right to the heart of Makati. This one-Michelin-star restaurant takes traditional Filipino flavors and elevates them with stunning presentation. The Tatler Best 20 guide highly recommends their black beef soup called Tiyul Itum.
The tasting menu is extremely filling. Arrive hungry and pace yourself through the early snack courses. Book your table directly on the Hapag website.
4. Kása Palma
Chef Aaron Isip brings the heat to Poblacion with his spectacular open-fire cooking. Kása Palma earned its first Michelin star by serving incredible seafood and root crops grilled over customized wood-fired hearths. The interiors feel like a lush tropical hideaway right in the middle of the city grid.
Order the Ube in three textures for dessert. You can view the full dining experience on the Kása Palma Instagram page.
5. Inatô
If you prefer an intimate dining experience, Inatô is your best bet. Guests sit around a beautiful marble counter and watch the chefs prepare contemporary dishes right in front of them. The Michelin Guide gave them one star for their precise and creative tasting menu.
The restaurant only seats a handful of guests per night. Keep an eye on Inatô’s reservation platform for sudden cancellations if you want a last-minute seat.
6. Blackbird at the Nielson Tower
No Makati dining list is complete without Blackbird. Chef Colin Mackay set up this gorgeous restaurant inside the country’s first commercial airport control tower. It serves incredible Western and Asian dishes in an unmatched Art Deco setting.
This is the best place in Makati for a Sunday brunch. Ask the host for a table in the aviation room when you book through the Blackbird official website.
Trendy Neighborhood Favorites
Salcedo and Legazpi Village host a massive collection of trendy, casual spots. These restaurants attract young professionals looking for a great meal after a long workday.
7. Crosta Pizzeria
Pizza lovers agree that Crosta serves the absolute best pies in Metro Manila. Located along HV Dela Costa in Salcedo Village, this casual joint frequently wins global awards. They excel at both round pies and thick Detroit-style squares.
Order the Morty and Ella 2.0. It features a brilliant combination of mortadella and burrata. Check out their wild seasonal specials on the Crosta Pizzeria Instagram page.
8. Kodawari
Kodawari perfectly executes Japanese comfort food. This Salcedo Village favorite went completely viral for serving rich and satisfying rice bowls in a very aesthetic dining space.
The Salmon Mentai Don is the absolute star of the menu. Expect a wait during the lunch rush. View their menu on the Kodawari Instagram account.
9. Bombvinos Bodega
Natural wine is having a massive moment in Manila right now. Bombvinos Bodega leads the charge with an incredible selection of funky wines paired with elevated Filipino tapas. The vibe here is electric on a Friday night.
Pair their famous Pyanggang chicken with a chilled orange wine. You can browse their current bottle selection on the Bombvinos official website.
10. Your Local
Your Local has held a strong reputation in Legazpi Village for years. The Michelin Guide gave this Asian Contemporary spot a Bib Gourmand award for offering excellent food at a great value. The interior gives off a cool industrial vibe.
The Torched Salmon Donburi and the Braised Lamb Shoulder are mandatory orders. Follow the Your Local Instagram page for their operating hours.
11. TaquerÃa Franco
Chef Miko Calo applies precise French techniques to vibrant Mexican flavors at this fantastic Salcedo spot. TaquerÃa Franco offers a refined but very fun take on the traditional taco joint.
Drop by for a midday cocktail and grab a seat at the bar. Their lamb birria is outstanding. Check them out on the TaquerÃa Franco Instagram page.
12. Mendokoro Ramenba
People gladly wait in line for an hour to eat at Mendokoro Ramenba. This ramen shop in Salcedo Village features a single massive wooden counter where you eat shoulder-to-shoulder with other diners. The broth is unbelievably rich and the noodles have the perfect chew.
Arrive at 11:00 AM sharp to beat the massive lunch line. The Super Chashu ramen is the ultimate treat. You can find their other branch locations on the Mendokoro Ramenba Instagram page.
Classic Staples & Local Legends
Some restaurants stand the test of time. These local legends consistently deliver fantastic food and remain the go-to choices for family gatherings and comfort meals.
13. Sarsa Kitchen + Bar
Chef JP Anglo celebrates the bold flavors of the Visayas region at Sarsa. Located on Rada Street in Legazpi Village, this bustling restaurant serves some of the most comforting Filipino food in the city. The Michelin Guide recently recognized it with a Bib Gourmand award.
The sizzling kansi and the tortang talong are non-negotiable. It gets loud inside, so do not plan a quiet business meeting here. Visit the Sarsa Kitchen Instagram page for their latest seasonal dishes.
14. Elbert’s Steak Room
Finding Elbert’s Steak Room feels like an adventure. Tucked away inside the old Sagittarius Building in Salcedo Village, this unmarked restaurant serves the finest USDA Prime grade steaks in Makati. The service is incredibly personal and attentive.
Go for the set menu to enjoy their fantastic side dishes and wine pairings. Secure your romantic dinner reservation on Elbert’s Steak Room official website.
15. A Mano
A Mano serves deeply authentic Italian food without any pretense. Located at One Ayala, they make all their pastas fresh daily. The Tatler Dining Guide praises their commitment to traditional Italian ingredients and cooking methods.
Save room for the burrata gelato soft serve. It sounds unusual but tastes like absolute heaven. Look at their stunning dishes on the A Mano Instagram page.
16. Milky Way Cafe
Milky Way Cafe has been serving classic Filipino dishes to Makati residents since the 1960s. Located along Pasay Road, this bright and cheerful restaurant is the ultimate spot for a nostalgic Sunday family lunch.
You absolutely must order the Halo-Halo. Locals widely consider it the best one in the entire city. View their catering menu on the Milky Way Cafe website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Salcedo Village and Legazpi Village offer the best concentration of trendy cafes, bakeries, and excellent casual dining spots. If you want nightlife and exciting new concepts, head straight to the Poblacion neighborhood. Ayala Triangle Gardens is currently the best destination for high-end, Michelin-starred fine dining.
Yes. You absolutely must book in advance for places like Helm, Toyo Eatery, and Hapag. These restaurants have limited seating and prepare ingredients based on their exact guest count. Try to book at least three to four weeks ahead of your planned visit.
You can find amazing and affordable food at the Salcedo Saturday Market and the Legazpi Sunday Market. Jolly Jeep food stalls line the streets of the central business district on weekdays and offer incredible local meals for just a few pesos.
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