From Haute Cuisine to Comfort Plates: 11 Casual Spots by Manila’s Top Fine-Dining Chefs
Even the country’s most acclaimed chefs know that luxury doesn’t always have to come with a white tablecloth. Many of Manila’s fine-dining luminaries have expanded their culinary worlds to include more casual offshoots—places where the food is just as well-thought-out, but the atmosphere is looser, warmer, and more accessible. For diners, these spin-offs provide an approachable entry point to flavors and philosophies that otherwise belong to tasting menus and multi-course dinners. Here’s where to experience some of the Philippines’ best chefs in their more relaxed moods.
Juniper by Josh Boutwood
Best known for Helm, a fine-dining restaurant with a tightly-presented tasting menu, Josh Boutwood loosens his collar at Juniper. This restaurant highlights modern cooking in a casual setting, with an impressive gin-and-tonic program at its core. Expect dishes that echo the inventiveness of Helm but in a more shareable, laid-back format—think small plates with big flavors, perfect for pairing with botanically bright cocktails.
GF Streetscape, Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong. +639274123848. instagram.com/junipermanila
Deli by Chele by Chele González
From the same mind behind Gallery by Chele, Deli by Chele takes the chef’s fascination with local and global ingredients and turns it into everyday indulgence. Charcuterie, sandwiches, and cheeses are the stars here, crafted with the same precision that earned González his fine-dining credentials. It’s a deli, yes—but executed with flavors that bear the chef’s signature innovation.
The Podium Mall, Ground Level, ADB Ave, Ortigas Center; Power Plant Mall, R1 Level near Rolex Store, Rockwell, Makati; SM Aura Mall, 26th Street corner McKinley Parkway, Taguig; Robinson’s Magnolia, Upper Ground Floor, New Manila, Quezon City. delibychele.com
Balay Dako by Tonyboy Escalante
Chef Tony Boy Escalante, of Antonio’s fame, channels Filipino hospitality in this sprawling Tagaytay favorite. Balay Dako offers traditional Filipino dishes cooked with authenticity and served in an environment that feels like a lively family gathering. It’s a far cry from the refinement of Antonio’s, but the same dedication to quality ingredients and heartfelt service permeates every dish. Don’t miss the weekend breakfast spread.
Tagaytay–Nasugbu Highway, Tagaytay City. 046.413.4866 or +63.923.726.6290. https://www.antoniosrestaurant.ph/balay-dako
La Chinesca by Bruce Ricketts
While Bruce Ricketts is celebrated for the precision of Iai, at La Chinesca he shows a different side. This taqueria has a cult following thanks to its bold flavors and laid-back vibe. Must-tries include the tuna tostada and the chicharrón taco, proof that Ricketts’ mastery of technique translates as easily to Mexican street food as it does to intricate Japanese tasting plates.
At the BF Homes outpost, La Chinesca shares the spotlight with Sensei, another must-visit Japanese restaurant concept by Ricketts.
181 Aguirre Ave., BF Homes, Parañaque, 0915 292 2475; The Grid Food Market, 2/F Power Plant Mall, Makati, 0905 205 9151; East Gallery Place, 28th St., BGC, 0954 304 2999. https://lachinesca.ph/home
Sala Bistro & People’s Palace by Colin Mackay
Colin MacKay, the chef behind Sala and Blackbird, is equally adept at creating upscale yet relaxed dining rooms. Sala Bistro has long been a Makati staple for refined but accessible European cooking, while People’s Palace presents palate-friendly Thai food with flair.
Both places capture MacKay’s strength in balancing sophistication with approachability—whether it’s a curry bursting with flavor or a bistro steak that hits all the right notes.
Sala Bistro: G/F Greenbelt 3, Makati City, +63 917 8217500, salabistro.com; People’s Palace: Greenbelt 3, Makati City, +63 917 819 4375, peoplespalacethai.com.
Cibo by Margarita Forés
Even before Pepato and Lusso, the late, great Margarita Forés‘ name has been synonymous with Italian elegance, what with her Cibo chain. For more than two decades, Cibo has presented Italian cuisine in a relaxed and accessible way, but always with poise. Known for its vibrant pastas, panini, and pizzas, Cibo combines the refined palate of Forés with the informality of a modern café.
Multiple locations nationwide | cibo.ph
Taqueria Franco by Miko Calo
From the same chef who gave us Metronome and now Coquette at Newport World Resorts, Taqueria Franco is all about laid-back fun. It trades French finesse for vibrant, no-fuss tacos that deliver just as much technique, personality, and sophistication. The casual spot has quickly become a favorite for its bold flavors and convivial vibe—a reminder that Calo’s culinary voice thrives in both haute cuisine and the humble taco.
LPL Center (back entrance), 130 L.P. Leviste St., Salcedo Village, Makati City. + 63 945 788 6224 and +63 917 885 5561. taqueriafranco.com
AzukiToyo by Toyo and Florilege and Panaderya Toyo by Jordy Navarra
AzukiToyo is an intimate four-seat dessert bar created in collaboration with Tokyo’s Florilège. It reimagines kakigori—Japanese shaved ice—through a distinctly Filipino lens, layering flavors like halo-halo and mais at keso.
Though currently closed for renovations (and its space occupied by AzukiToyo), Panaderya Toyo has long been the relaxed counterpart to Toyo Eatery, the award-winning modern Filipino restaurant. Known for its sourdough pan de sal and inventive takes on local breads, Panaderya distilled chef Jordy Navarra’s culinary philosophy into something you could enjoy daily. Its eventual reopening is eagerly awaited by fans who miss its fresh take on Filipino baking.
The Alley at Karrivin, Chino Roces Ave., Makati City | instagram.com/panaderyatoyo
Elbert’s Collective by Elbert Cuenca
Restaurateur Elbert Cuenca, the man behind the enduring and beloved Elbert’s Steak Room, extends his culinary empire with Elbert’s Collective. This concept gathers multiple casual ideas under one roof, from pizza to sandwiches, executed by the chef at its helm, Adrian Cuenca. While the setting is easygoing, the attention to casual food done well makes this a perfect place for everyday dining.
4893 Durban cor. Ebro Streets, Poblacion, Makati. +63 9176778325. https://www.instagram.com/elbertscollective
Mugen Ramenya by Jorge Méndez
At Mōdan, Jorge Méndez builds Japanese tasting menus that highlight craft and precision. At Mugen Ramenya in Maginhawa, he takes a humbler route: steaming bowls of ramen rich with long-simmered broths. The casual spot is as inviting as it is hearty, with broths simmered for hours, and while Mōdan and Mugen Ramenya are cut from different cloths, the same passion for Japanese flavors threads through both kitchens.
108-B Maginhawa Street, Quezon City. +63 917 123 4567 | instagram.com/mugenramenyaph
Automat by Stephan Duhesme
At Automat, Metiz chef Stephan Duhesme channels his fine-dining sensibilities into a more casual setting. The menu draws on bold ingredients transformed into contemporary Filipino dishes that are vibrant yet approachable. It’s a natural complement to Metiz, offering diners a different way to experience Duhesme’s culinary voice.
2nd Floor, Building A, Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Chino Roces Ave Ext, Makati 1203. https://www.instagram.com/automat.mnl