Where to Find Yummy, Sizzling Vegan Sisig in Metro Manila

The home of the burger and lobster has just arrived in the Philippines!

One of London’s most famous restaurants, Burger & Lobster, has opened their first branch in the Philippines, located at the Upper Ground Level of the SM Aura Premier in Bonifacio Global City. 

Get ready to crack some shells, hear the sizzles of beef, devour some good food, raise a glass, and do all those things again at Burger & Lobster. 

Launched in late February and opening its doors in early March, the restaurant features some of its classic dishes from London, including The Burger (The Mayfair) (P990), The Lobster (Classic Whole Lobster) (P4790), and The Lobster Roll (P1650). They also introduced two new Manila-exclusive dishes—The Honcho Burger (P595) and Surf & Turk Platter (P4290/P6390)—to cater to the Filipino palate. 

Other items on the menu worth looking out for are the Lobster Mac & Cheese (P990), Atomic Burger (P695), Manila Roll (P790), Spicy Chili Lobster (P3190/P5490), The B&L Combo One (P5290), and the B&L Combo Two (P7090). 

Burger & Lobster is open for walk-ins and reservations. Learn more by visit their website and Instagram page. 

Location: Burger & Lobster, Upper Ground Level, SM Aura Premier, Bonifacio Global City

Opening Hours: 10 AM to 10 PM

After 15 years of globetrotting through the kitchens of New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, Chef Kevin David is finally opening the doors to his own culinary haven, Restaurant Idalia.

Before opening its doors permanently, Restaurant Idalia is offering a sneak peek at its menu with an exclusive Kitchen Takeover at Bibio. For two nights only, Chef Kevin David will be showcasing his signature produce-driven cooking in an intimate dining experience that blends refined technique with bold, ingredient-focused flavors.

Taking place at Bibio Natural Wine Bar in Poblacion, Makati City on Mar. 14 and Mar. 15, 2025, this is a rare chance to sample Idalia’s highly anticipated menu.  

Restaurant Idalia is rooted in a passion for purposeful, ingredient-led cooking. Expect a thoughtfully curated selection of dishes, from Laffa Flatbread with Hummus for P375 and Crispy Calamari (P600) to an umami-packed Udon "Carbonara" with Togarashi and Onsen Egg (P500).

For mains, the NY Strip steak with soubise, leeks, and wine jus (P1,950) promises a perfectly executed indulgence, and dessert lovers can end the night with an Auro Chocolate Torta with pistachio, orange, and crème fraîche (P425).

This takeover sets the stage for Restaurant Idalia’s long-awaited permanent home, marking the evolution of what began as a series of seasonal pop-ups into a full-fledged dining experience. 

Seats are extremely limited, so book now!

For more information, visit Restaurant Idalia on their Instagram. Visit the wine bar Bibio's Instagram here. 

Location: Bibio, 5659 Don Pedro St, Poblacion, Makati

Opening Hours: Mar.14 - 2 seating options, either 6 PM or 8:30 PM. Mar.15 - 2 seating options, either 6 PM or 8:30 PM.

Toyo Eatery once again adds to their glimmering list of achievements in the international culinary scene. 

The Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy announced on Feb. 25, 2025 that Manila-based Filipino restaurant Toyo Eatery was named the winner of the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award 2025. 

This award is voted for by the 350-plus members of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, who were asked to name the one establishment that has provided the best hospitality experience in the last 18 months. The award is the second special award to have been unveiled leading up to Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 programme and awards ceremony to be held at the Grand Hyatt, Seoul, on Mar. 25, 2025. 

Toyo Eatery has continued its rise in the industry since debuting at the Asia’ 50 Best Restaurants as the One to Watch Award Winner in 2018. The following year, the restaurant joined the list as No. 43 while consistently holding onto the title of The Best Restaurant in the Philippines for five years and winning the prestigious Sustainable Restaurant Award in 2023. 

Currently ranked as No. 24 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024, Toyo Eatery – named after the Tagalog word for soy sauce – is helmed by husband-and-wife team Jordy and May Navarra. The restaurant honors Filipino heritage and food culture, concepts that are thought to be deeply personal experiences. 

William Drew, Director of Content for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, said, “At Toyo Eatery, each guest is warmly immersed in Filipino food culture – whether you are there to enjoy a tasting menu of reimagined cuisine, or the kamayan sharing plates, eaten by hand off banana leaves. Genuine hospitality is also evident in the personal touches from Jordy and May – from the seamless integration of interiors, floral and vegetable displays and wall art to local craftmanship and, of course, in the way they educate diners about their food. A hearty congratulations to the entire Toyo Eatery team.” 

Toyo Eatery is a deep dive into the culinary culture of the Philippines. With their vegetable-forward menu, mindful use of local ingredients, service ware, art, furniture, and design, the restaurant celebrates everything Filipino, loud and proud. 

Filipino culture is reimagined in a showcase of bold flavors through fermentation and preservation, which are apparent in signature dishes like Bahay Kubo, an 18-vegetable salad inspired by a beloved Tagalog folk song; a creative twist on pork barbecue using three cuts of pork; and Tortang Talong, where banana ketchup takes the spotlight and is paired with an eggplant omelette. 

Every meal cooked by Toyo Eatery is a deeply personal and enlightening journey into the Philippines’ rich gastronomic and artisanal landscape. 

Chef Jordy Navarra leads the team at Toyo Eatery, after honing his skills at The Fat Duck in the UK – ranked The World’s Best Restaurant in 2005 – and Bo Innovation in Hong Kong. Since opening Toyo Eatery in 2016 with his wife May, they have championed minimizing their carbon footprint, locally sourcing their ingredients, and fostering relationships with farmers and artisans, all the while maintaining an approachable fine dining atmosphere. 

On winning the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award 2025, Chef Jordy said, “To be welcomed into a Filipino home is to experience genuine warmth and care. At Toyo Eatery, our style of hospitality has always kept that in mind. We continue to go beyond just service, which is why we are deeply honored to receive this year’s award. We aim to convey the Filipino experience, not just through the dishes we serve, but also by creating genuine connections with our guests. This award belongs to our incredible team and to all those who have dined with us. Maraming salamat (Thank you very much.)”

Olivia Flynn, Global Brand Manager at Gin Mare, said, “Congratulations to Toyo Eatery on winning the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award as part of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025! Its unwavering dedication to creating a welcoming environment where guests can immerse themselves in Filipino traditions is a true testament to the team’s commitment to hospitality. This well-deserved recognition perfectly embodies the Gin Mare spirit. Cheers to Toyo Eatery on this outstanding achievement.” 

Location: Toyo Eatery, The Alley at Karrivin, Karrivin Plaza, Chino Roces Ext., Makati, Philippines

Opening Hours: 6 PM to 11 PM, Tuesdays to Saturdays

We love our home-grown coffee, and apparently, so does the rest of the world!

At the recently concluded Coffee Fest held at IFEMA Madrid in Madrid, Spain last Feb. 15 to 17, 2025, four Philippine coffee shops were hailed among others as part of The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops inaugural list for 2025. This new award-giving body aims to find the best and finest specialty coffee shops around the world.

These coffee shops are El Union in San Juan, La Union, Yardstick Coffee in Makati, Single Origin with different branches around Metro Manila, and Crema & Cream Coffee Roasters in Quezon City. 

The inaugural list was announced on Feb. 18, 2025 (local time). With the Philippines included in the list, it further cements the country’s position of being able to compete in the growing global coffee industry. 

Yardstick Coffee – 18th Place

Yardstick has been proudly operating since 2013 and is one of the coffee shops that began our current coffee culture. Known for its minimalist designs, seasonal coffee blends, and diverse range of single-origin coffee and espresso blends, Yardstick is a choice you can’t go wrong with.

Follow them on Instagram and Facebook, and check out their online store.

Locations: Legazpi Village, MOA Square, Podium (via The Daily Cut), Rockwell (via Maisonette), Salcedo Village (via Cartel), SM Aura, Otaku Room BGC, and Opus Mall. 

El Unión Coffee – 61st Place

A must-try for those visiting the surf town of San Juan, La Union, El Unión Coffee is a charming spot to hit up when you’re in need of a caffeine fix. Their coffee menu is crafted with specialty-grade coffee beans, so you can expect a burst of flavor in each cup. They also serve sandwiches and desserts if you’re feeling peckish.

Check out their website and Instagram page for more details!

Locations: (Main Branch) Urbiztondo Highway, San Juan, La Union; (Del Union Branch): 3rd Floor, Fully Booked, B6 Bonifacio High Street, Taguig, Metro Manila; (El Union Baguio Branch): 15 Outlook Drive, Baguio City

Opening Hours: 8 AM to 6 PM (daily except Wednesdays)

Single Origin – 83rd Place

Single Origin boasts “coffee crafted with passion.” With their locations in MOA Square, Rockwell, Vertis North, Opus Mall, Molito, and BGC, the café offers a variety of international beans, brewed in different ways so you can enjoy your cup of joe in any way you want. They also offer an all-day dining menu with craft cocktails and comfort food. 

Follow them on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated!

Locations: MOA Square, Rockwell, Vertis North, Opus Mall, Molito, and BGC

Opening Hours: 7 AM to 12 MN, Daily

Crema & Cream Coffee Roasters – 86th Place

Backed by science, passion, and dedication, Crema & Cream Coffee Roasters aims to deliver only the best quality beans in every cup. This coffee shop sorts their coffee beans into four different categories: Essentials, Eccentric, Exquisite, and Exclusive, everyone has the option to choose what their coffee’s base flavor is — and in whatever brewing method they enjoy. 

Check out their website, Facebook, and Instagram for more!

Location: 116B Timog Ave. corner 11th Jamboree Brgy. Sacred Heart, Quezon City, Philippines

Opening Hours: 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM, Daily

Get ready to step into a colorful culinary journey of Filipino myths and legends, where every bite tells a unique story. Auro Chocolate Cafe has unveiled their exclusive Afternoon Chocolate & Tea Set, available from 3 PM to 6 PM, every Friday to Sunday. Curated by Auro’s culinary director, Chef Leti Moreau, this set not only looks stunning, but it can also teach you more about beloved Filipino folktales.

Priced at P2,500 for two or P4,200 for four, the set features sweet and savory dishes named after Filipino folktales, each with its own unique twist. For example, "Florante at Laura" is a sandwich of dark chocolate toast with dill, capers, calamansi cream, and cured salmon, symbolizing the lovers in the story's reunion. "Ang Kalabaw at ang Suso" presents a savory puff pastry filled with balsamic caramelized garlic and goat cheese, showcasing a carabao and shell, inspired by the classic fable.

There’s also "Bakit may Kaliskis ang Isda," a blue and purple tuile that features fish scales from the folktale, and "Ang Kuwintas at ang Suklay," which showcases a pan de queso with a parmesan star, inspired by the legend of a pearl necklace turned into stars.

For something sweeter, indulge in "Ang Alamat ni Maria Makiling," a cross between a Paquibato éclair and a hazelnut puff, inspired by the forest goddess, or "Ang Alamat ng Mangga," a cake with a crunchy layer symbolizing a father-son tale. "Ang Alamat ng Ibong Adarna" offers a delicious pistachio strawberry tart representing the mythical bird’s feathers.

To end the experience, "Ang Langgam at ang Tipaklong" brings a rice caramel cake shaped like grains of rice, celebrating the harmony between the two characters in the fable.

No afternoon tea is complete without tea, and Auro presents a selection of flavor-enhancing drinks, such as cacao iced tea, lime cacao iced tea, dark or white chocolate au lait, or loose-leaf tea. For an extra P990, guests can order a pitcher of cacao lime spritz or calamansi spritz. 

Reservations are required by Wednesday every week at 12 PM, with walk-ins subject to availability. Don’t miss this chance to savor Filipino folklore in every bite!

Location: Auro Café, BGC, Unit 01, Ground Floor, One Maridien Tower (U/C), 27th Street, Taguig, 1634 Metro Manila

Opening Hours: Sundays to Thursdays, from 7 AM to 11 PM. Fridays to Saturdays & Public Holidays: 7 AM to 1 AM.

For more information, visit Auro Chocolate Café on their website, or check them out on Instagram and Facebook.