Congratulations to the Michelin star winners – but what we’re truly happier about are the Bib Gourmand awardees

Congratulations to the Michelin star winners — but what we’re truly happier about are the Bib Gourmand awardees. These are the humble heroes of the dining scene — eateries that prove good food doesn’t have to come with white tablecloths or hefty price tags.

The Bib Gourmand, first introduced by Michelin in 1997, honors restaurants that serve excellent food at reasonable prices. It’s a recognition of flavor, consistency, and heart, rather than luxury or exclusivity. These are the spots where locals eat every week — neighborhood favorites, carinderia-style bistros, noodle shops, and family-run gems that deliver unforgettable meals without breaking the bank.

How are Bib Gourmand awardees chosen?

Michelin inspectors dine incognito and evaluate each restaurant on quality, technique, personality, and overall experience. For the Bib Gourmand, affordability is key — each dish must be not only delicious but also good value. It’s a reminder that culinary excellence exists in the everyday, and that the love and skill behind a dish matter more than the setting.

Why this matters

For Michelin as an organization, the Bib Gourmand makes the guide more inclusive. It recognizes that remarkable food isn’t limited to fine dining. For diners and travelers, it offers something more exciting — a curated list of authentic, accessible places worth discovering.

For the awardees, it can be life-changing. A Bib Gourmand nod brings global visibility, boosts tourism, and encourages local chefs to take pride in their roots. For a food-loving nation like the Philippines, it’s also an invitation to celebrate what we already know: that flavor lives in simplicity, history, and community.

A flavor treasure trove waiting to be mapped

It’s astounding that the Philippines — with 7,641 islands, give or take depending on high tide or low tide — is only now beginning to get Michelin’s attention. From Mindanao’s spice trails and Visayan seafood to Luzon’s mountain harvests and Metro Manila’s creative kitchens, the country is a true melting pot of flavor and culture.

Of course, no contest comes without debate or detractors. But this recognition points us in a good direction — one where we finally celebrate what Filipino diners have always known: great food doesn’t have to be fancy — it just has to be real and sincere.

MICHELIN Guide — Bib Gourmand awardees (2026) — with locations/addresses

Manila & Environs (19)

• Bolero — GF, Verve Residences Tower 2, High Street South, 26th–27th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. MICHELIN Guide
• Brick Corner — 151 Forbeswood Heights, Forbestown Road, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. MICHELIN Guide
• Cabel — 1153 JP Laurel corner Aguado Street, San Miguel, Manila. MICHELIN Guide
• Cochi — Unit 1, GF, Verve Residences Tower 2, 27th Street corner 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. MICHELIN Guide
• Em Hà Noi — GF, F1 Hotel, 32nd Street corner Lane A, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig (BGC). MICHELIN Guide
• Hálong — U-105, First Midland Condominium Building, 109 Gamboa, Makati. MICHELIN Guide
• Kumba — 92 Aguirre Avenue, BF Homes, Parañaque. MICHELIN Guide
• La Pita — 5652 Don Pedro, Poblacion, Makati. MICHELIN Guide
• Lampara — 2F, 5883 Enriquez Street, Poblacion, Makati. MICHELIN Guide
• Los Tacos — UGF, One Uptown Residences, 36th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. MICHELIN Guide
• Manam — The Triangle — Restaurant Arcade, Ayala Triangle Walkways, Makati. MICHELIN Guide
• Morning Sun Eatery — 120 J.P. Rizal, Project 4, Quezon City. MICHELIN Guide
• Palm Grill (Diliman) — 179 Tomas Morato Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City. MICHELIN Guide
• Pilya’s Kitchen — Stall 11, The Grid — Food Market, Power Plant Mall (Rockwell), Makati. MICHELIN Guide
• Sarsa — 109 Rada, Legazpi Village, Makati. MICHELIN Guide
• SOME THAI — 195 Tomas Morato (Scout Fuentebella St.), Quezon City. MICHELIN Guide
• Taquería Franco — 130 LPL Center, L.P. Leviste Street, Salcedo Village, Makati. MICHELIN Guide
• The Underbelly — The Alley at Karrivin, Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Don Chino Roces Ave. Ext., Makati. MICHELIN Guide
• Your Local — 106 Esteban, Legazpi Village, Makati. MICHELIN Guide