The last year has been a big one for food and dining. 2022 marked the return to (semi) normalcy and the opening of lots and lots of new restaurants. Aside from the new places we were lucky enough to try, we also did a lot of rediscovering familiar favorites we’ve been away from since the beginning of the pandemic.
This list is a good mix of casual, fine dining, and more hole-in-the-wall type eats (we never discriminate here). A common thread shared by these establishments is the care and thought that they’ve put into every dish. These restaurants don’t just serve delicious food. They also tell stories through each and every bite.
Yes, it’s a tall order, but every single one of these establishments have gone above and beyond to prove that their food is worth devouring (and going back to).
In alphabetical order, here are some of our new and old favorites that made 2022 a pleasure to eat through.
12/10
G/F 8 Rockwell, Lopez Drive, Rockwell Center, Makati City
Open from Monday to Saturday, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Instagram.com/twelvetenph
Cuisine: Modern Japanese
Claim to fame: A fresh take on Japanese omakase-style dining with a twist
Alegria Cantina
Molito Lifestyle Center, Madrigal Ave, Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa
Open from Monday to Sunday, 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Instagram.com/alegriacantinamnl
Cuisine: Latin, European, and Asian fusion cuisine
Claim to fame: A fine dining restaurant with a wild side when the clock nears midnight
Butterboy
81 Basa St., Quezon City
Open on weekends for Drag Saturday brunch and Sunday brunch; reservations required
Instagram.com/butterboyph
Cuisine: French-style viennoiserie and boulangerie staples
Claim to fame: Their weekly drag brunch
Deo Gracias
12 11th Jamboree Street, Quezon City
Open from Mondays to Sundays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. (restaurant); 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (deli)
Instagram.com/deogracias.ph
Cuisine: Staple Spanish fare
Claim to fame: Delicious traditional Spanish dishes with an adjacent Spanish deli by chef Heny Sison
Ember
3 Greenbelt Dr., Makati City
Instagram.com/ember.manila
Cuisine: Fine, flame-touched dining
Claim to fame: The steak
Ikinari Steak
G/F MOA Square, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City
Open from Monday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Instagram.com/ikinariph
Cuisine: Japanese-style fast casual steak
Claim to fame: Affordable yet delicious cuts of meat
Marudori
Ground Floor, 8 Rockwell Center, Plaza Dr., Makati City
Open from Mondays to Sundays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Instagram.com/ramen_marudori
Cuisine: Japanese
Claim to fame: Thick, chicken-based broth
Modan
Unit 3 Level 1, Escalades East Tower, 20th Ave., Cubao, Quezon City
Open from Friday to Sunday, 6.p.m. onwards
Instagram.com/modan.mnl
Cuisine: Progressive Japanese
Claim to fame: Imaginative reinterpretations of classic Japanese dishes
One World Butchers
8491 Kalayaan Avenue, corner Matilde, Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City
Open from Sunday, Tuesday to Wednesday, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Thursday to Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Instagram.com/oneworldbutchers
Cuisine: Deli
Claim to fame: Their house-made sausages that utilize the whole animal from snout to tail
Papa Bolo
Cor. Crisanto Delos Reyes Avenue, Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, Kaybagal South, Tagaytay
Open from Wednesdays to Fridays, 3 p.m. to 12 a.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 12 a.m., Sundays to Mondays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Instagram.com/papabolobeer
Cuisine: Southeast Asian and Western fusion
Claim to fame: Their beer
Sawsaw
8491 Kalayaan Ave., Poblacion, Makati
Open from Tuesdays to Sundays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Instagram.com/Sawsaw.ph
Cuisine: Modern Filipino
Claim to fame: Helmed by famed Kapampangan chef, Sau del Rosario
Sunae Asian Cantina
28th Street 2nd Floor View Deck One Bonifacio High Street Mall PSE Tower, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Open from Mondays to Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Wednesdays to Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Fridays to Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 12 a.m., Sundays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Instagram.com/sunae.mnl
Cuisine: Southeast Asian
Claim to fame: Their tamales
Taco-Mata
5686 Dona Carmen St., Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City
Open from Tuesdays to Sundays, 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Instagram.com/tacomata.mnl
Cuisine: Non-traditional tacos with a New York twist
Claim to fame: Their Soho taco
Terra Bomba
45 Matimtiman, Diliman, Quezon City
Open from Fridays to Saturdays, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Instagram.com/terrabombakitchen
Cuisine: Vegetarian fare
Claim to fame: Their lagundi and edible flower pizzas
Tian Mansion
Level 1, South Wing, Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City
Open from Mondays to Sundays, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Cuisine: Szechuan hotpot
Claim to fame: Their SUPER spicy Szechuan hot pot broth
Tuny RestoFarm
131-I Brgy. Malabag, Cavite, Philippines
Mondays to Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Instagram.com/tunyrestofarm
Cuisine: Filipinized Western and Filipino comfort food
Claim to fame: Their slightly more Filipino-than-Italian-style carbonara and their super fluffy ensaymada
Yugen
G/F The Crescent Condominium, 29 San Miguel Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Open from Monday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Instagram.com/yugen.restaurant
Cuisine: Japanese
Claim to fame: Well-executed versions of Japanese staple dishes