2022 in dining: Restaurants that have a place in our hearts (and stomachs)

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

@nolisoli.ph

Latin American dinner then drinks? 💃🥃🍹 nolisoliph nolisolieats tiktokeatsph

♬ EL NOPAL – Goliath Flores

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

@nolisoli.ph

If you can’t love your bread, how are you gonna love somebody else? 🥐💅🏼 #foodie #foodtok #dragrace #dragph #nolisoliph

♬ Cafe fashion piano hiphop(842090) – Kazamasata

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

@nolisoli.ph

This video is not safe for vegans and vegetarians 🍗🥓🥩🍖 #oneworldbutcher #foodietokph #foodieph #sausages

♬ Rock and Roll Session – Canal Records JP

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

@nolisoli.ph

Southeast Asian fare + cocktails + pastries #nolisoliph #tiktokeatsph #bgceats

♬ Food Loop – Dan_Orange

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

@nolisoli.ph

No need to choose anymore between flowers or pizza #tiktokeatsph #foodtok #nolisoliph

♬ Pumpkins – Chris Alan Lee

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

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