Must-Try Tasting Menu in Manila & Nearby: Degustation Restaurants

Degustation menus, also called tasting menus, are also available in many restaurants in Manila. Trying a restaurant’s degustation menu will allow you to sample several dishes by renowned chefs without overstuffing yourself. This trendy dining experience is perfect for those who are looking for new date ideas in Manila and nearby or places to host friend and family gatherings.

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To help you narrow down your choices for a tasting menu in Manila, we’ve listed the best degustation in Manila and its nearby areas.

Best Tasting Menu Restaurants in Metro Manila

You’ll be spoiled for choice if you’re looking for Metro Manila restaurants with a tasting menu. From Makati to Quezon City to Taguig, you’ll find these dining spots almost everywhere in the capital region.

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Toyo Eatery (Makati)

Photo by Toyo Eatery

This reservations-only restaurant is only open for dinner, from 6 PM to 10 PM. It serves modern Filipino dishes and uses locally sourced ingredients, so its menu changes depending on what’s available. 

Most people who dine here go for their 8-course tasting menu, which may include standouts like the Leche Flan Ice Cream sprinkled with Asin Tibuok, a rare salt from Bohol, and a contemporary take on Silog, which is fried rice with garlic and egg. Diners may also opt to pay an added fee for beverage pairings.

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If you want to dine here, you need to make reservations weeks or even months in advance, as tables here are usually snapped up quickly, which is no surprise since many deem it as one of the best tasting menus in Manila.

Toyo Eatery is located at The Alley at Karrivin Plaza, Chino Roces Extension, Makati.

Gallery by Chele (Taguig)

Photo by Gallery by Chele

Formerly known as Gallery VASK, this fine dining restaurant in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig uses only local ingredients to create dishes inspired by Philippine and South East Asian cuisine. European Chef Chele Gonzalez works with Filipino Chef Carlos Villaflor to ensure that local flavors come through in each dish. The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11 AM to 9 PM, and prior reservation is required.

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Photo by Gallery by Chele

Diners can choose between a six-course or ten-course tasting menu, both of which include dishes like the ceviche-esque Kinilaw, the prawn dish Binuho, Beef Laing, and strawberry, citrus, and banana Iskrambol for dessert.

Gallery by Chele is located at 5F Clipp Center, 11th Ave corner 39th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Ninyo Fusion Cuisine (Quezon City) 

Photo by Ninyo Fusion Cuisine

A favorite dining place in the north of Manila for many, Ninyo Fusion Cuisine offers several degustation menus, including the Elevations menu, which takes inspiration from a nature hike, the Hygge menu, which features comfort food, and the Classics menu, which include the best-sellers of the restaurant. 

There’s also a plant-based version of the Elevations menu for vegans. These menus all have eight courses, but Ninyo Fusion Cuisine also has seasonal degustation menus which offer fewer courses.

The restaurant’s gazebos and private rooms make for a private and intimate date setting, but these would need to be reserved in advance to ensure that you can be accommodated. Note that some of the degustation menus also require advance booking.

Ninyo Fusion Cuisine is located at 66 Esteban Abada St, Quezon City.

Nobu Restaurant - City of Dreams (Parañaque) 

Photo by Nobu Restaurant

One of the most famous Japanese restaurants in the world, Nobu Restaurant is located in Nobu Hotel, one of the top luxury hotels in the Philippines and hotels near NAIA. While the restaurant serves ala carte dishes, they also have their Omakase degustation. 

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Photo by Nobu Restaurant

You can choose from the Signature or Seasonal Omakase. Their Signature Omakase features popular Nobu dishes, while the Seasonal Omakase has seasonal dishes. As with traditional omakase, the specific dishes for each set are ultimately up to the chef, so be ready for a surprise when you order one of the (or both) sets. The restaurant is popular in the area, so it’s best to reserve a table beforehand.

Nobu Restaurant - City of Dreams is located at  Level 1 Nobu North Tower, Aseana Ave, City of Dreams. Parañaque.

Mecha Uma (Taguig) 

Photo by Mecha Uma

Located in the bustling area of Taguig, Mecha Uma is known for its Japanese fusion food prepared in its open kitchen. Headed by Chef Bruce Ricketts, Mecha Uma is open Monday to Saturday for dinner, starting at 6 PM. 

While the restaurant offers ala carte dishes, the best way to experience the food here is by getting the tasting menu, a 10-course meal prepared using fresh ingredients. The tasting menu here is omakase style, so it can change every day. If you’re feeling indulgent, you can pay extra on top of the tasting menu to get the Matsusaka Wagyu beef, a special Japanese beef that has a high fat-to-meat ratio.

Mecha Uma is located at G/F RCBC Savings Bank Corporate Center, 25th Street, Taguig.

Sala Restaurant (Makati)

Sala Restaurant in Makati is only open for dinner, from 5 PM to 10 PM. This fine dining restaurant has been around since the 1990s, but in a different location in the metro. Known for its rich European dishes and extensive wine list, Sala Restaurant is the perfect place to celebrate momentous occasions. 

Sala Restaurant’s tasting menu comes with five courses, an optional cheese plate, and add-on wine pairings. You can choose your appetizer and main course, but the intermediate course and the dessert are usually predetermined for you.

Sala Restaurant is located at LV Locsin Building, Podium Level, 6752 Ayala Ave, Makati.

Caviar Restaurant and Champagne Bar (Alabang) 

Photo by Caviar Restaurant and Champagne Bar

Those located in the south of Metro Manila don’t have to go very far for their tasting menu fix, as they can dry the degustation set at Caviar Restaurant and Champagne Bar in Alabang. This modern European restaurant is open for dinner from Monday to Saturday beginning at 4 PM but opens as early as 11 AM on Sundays.

Their five-course degustation menu usually features their signature dishes. They also have seasonal tasting menus which are dependent on available ingredients but usually have steak as the main course, like a Picanha Steak or Darling Downs Wagyu.

Caviar Restaurant and Champagne Bar is located at Unit A-206 Westgate Center, Muntinlupa City.

Metiz (Makati) 

Photo by Metiz

This restaurant in Makati serves modern Filipino dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. Ordering the tasting menu here is a surprise every time, as the dishes are dependent on the availability of ingredients. What is constant in their multi-course degustation menu is the strong flavor profiles people have come to expect with a Filipino meal: salty, sweet, sour, and everything in between.

Chef Stephan Duhesme is the founder of Metiz, and if you’re lucky, you’ll see him preparing your dishes in the restaurant’s open kitchen. Metiz is open Tuesday to Saturday from 6 PM to 11 PM and on Saturdays from 12 PM to 3 PM. It is closed on Mondays and Sundays.

Metiz is located on the Ground Floor of Building A, Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati.

Hapag Private Dining (Quezon City) 

Photo by Hapag Private Dining 

Most restaurants with tasting menus only offer dinner sets, but those looking for lunch tasting menus can head to Quezon City, as Hapag Private Dining offers both lunch and dinner degustation menus. Like with other restaurants, the dishes on their tasting menus change from time to time but expect Hapag’s offerings to include well-loved Filipino dishes like pandesal, sorbetes, palabok, and halo-halo. There are also modern takes on local dishes like mushroom sisig silog and soy caramel kutsinta. 

Do note that the lunch menu is only available from Friday to Sunday at 11 AM, while the dinner set is available Wednesday to Sunday at 6 PM and 7:30 PM. Make sure you call ahead to ensure there’s a table available on your visit.

Hapag Private Dining is located at 201 Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City. 

Metronome (Makati)

Photo by Metronome

Located on the ground floor of a luxury condominium building, Metronome is a modern French restaurant that serves guests ala carte dishes as well as their Discovery Set Menu, a 10-course tasting menu dinner that features dishes that aren’t offered ala carte, including fresh uni, Iberico Secreto, and salted cacao crisps.

Photo by Metronome

You can also try the Bistro Lunch menu if you want to visit the restaurant earlier. With the lunch set, you’ll have more flexibility as you can choose your main and dessert and pick between a soup or salad and coffee or tea. There is also a tasting menu with caviar and veal, but this set needs to be ordered ahead of time.

Metronome is located at G/F The Grand Midori Makati Bolanos Street, Legaspi Village, Makati.

Beso Beso (Makati) 

Photo by Beso Beso

Helmed by renowned Chef Rob Pengson, Beso Beso is a restaurant that fuses Filipino food with international cooking, including Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and Mexican cuisine. You’ll need to reserve a table at this restaurant, as tables can be filled quickly. 

Their Signature tasting menu has ten courses, including their famous Unagi Foie Empanada and the rich Miyazaki Wagyu. You can also try their Express tasting menu, which has five courses. Apart from the first course, you have options to choose from for each course.

The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 5 PM to 11 PM. But you also have the option to book Beso Beso’s private chef at home so you can enjoy the tasting menu without heading out.

Beso Beso is located at 2F RM 101-A Aleanza Institute of Arts, Autometics Center, 2257 Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati.

Linamnam (Parañaque) 

Photo by Linamnam

Linamnam operates out of a backyard of a residential home in Parañaque, ensuring a homey experience. You can even have the place to yourself for dinner if you have ten people in your party, but you can still reserve tables for two to six people if you don’t mind sharing the place. Make sure to book ahead, as you might need to wait weeks or even months before a vacancy opens up.

Chef Don Baldosanao calls his offerings a modern Filipino tasting menu, and you can expect twists on Filipino favorites, including Kilawing Puso (banana blossoms prepared ceviche style), Arroz Caldo with fish instead of chicken, and Asado Pampangueño. You can also expect surprises as the dishes in the degustation menu change from time to time.

Linamnam is located at  31 Greenvale 2, Parañaque.

Helm (Taguig) 

Photo by Helm

If you want an intimate dining experience, reserve a spot at this 10-seat restaurant. Helm only serves one thematic dinner menu for all guests, but this changes every four months, ensuring a new experience for diners who want to come back. The tasting menus have around 12 to 14 servings, and for an additional fee, diners can also enjoy wine pairings.

Photo by Helm

Helm is most known for its live dining experience, where Chef Josh Boutwood not only prepares the dishes in front of guests but also converses with them about the food that they are about to eat. Remember to reserve your slot and dress nicely for a night of culinary theater.

Helm is located at G/F The Plaza, Arya Residences, Mckinley Parkway, Bonifacio Global City Taguig.

Lore (Taguig)

Photo by Lore Manila

Chef Myke “Tatung” Sarthou’s Lore in BGC offers diners several options when it comes to its multi-course menus. There are two 5-course menus, a 7-course feasting menu, a 7-course pescatarian menu, and for those who really want to indulge, a 10-course menu called Tapestry, which is described by the restaurant as “a celebration of interwoven flavors across all generations.” 

Photo by Lore Manila

The Tapestry menu includes showstoppers like the Mariscos con Sarsa Verde, which is smoked Hamachi and seared scallops with a green puree of spinach, green tomatoes, and almonds, and Moros Y Kristianos, which is slow braised short ribs in black and white coconut sauces with pickled eggplant. 

You can try all menus for lunch (11 AM to 3 PM) or dinner (6 PM to 11 PM), but remember to book a reservation to ensure that you get a table.

Lore is located at 3/F West Super Block Retail, One Bonifacio High Street Mall, 3rd Avenue, Taguig.

Best Tasting Menu Restaurants Near Metro Manila

Some of the best degustation menus can also be found outside of the National Capital Region, in nearby provinces, including Rizal and the Culinary Capital of the Philippines, Pampanga.

Bale Dutung (Pampanga)

Photo by Bale Dutung

Often hailed as one of the best restaurants in Pampanga, Bale Dutung in Angeles is helmed by renowned chef Claude Tayag. The private dining space has degustation menus that feature traditional Kapampangan and Filipino dishes, and if you want to try them, you have to reserve in advance.

If you want to go truly go local, try the Kapampangan Menu, which includes ensaladang pako, Kapampangan sushi, and Bulanglang Kapampangan, a meat or seafood soup flavored with native guava. The restaurant also once offered the Anthony Bourdain Menu, made in honor of the late chef, who once featured the restaurant in his show.

If you have been to Bale Dutung before, expect a new experience when you come back, as a renovated wing now features an open kitchen where guests can see their dishes being prepared.

Bale Dutung is located at Paul Avenue, Villa Gloria Subdivision, Angeles, Pampanga.

Tahanan Bistro (Antipolo)

Photo by Tahanan Bistro

Tahanan Bistro in Antipolo, Rizal is only open from Friday through Sunday, but this hasn’t stopped foodies from making a reservation to try their modern Filipino cuisine. They have five set menus, including vegetarian and pescetarian sets that must be ordered two days in advance. 

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Photo by Tahanan Bistro

Those who don’t have dietary restrictions can try the Halcon, Mayon, and Iraya sets, all of which include danggit and a seasonal fresh fruit popsicle. For mains, diners can choose between pininyahang manok, binagoongan, and bistek Tagalog. While you’re here, you may also order a glass or bottle of wine to pair with your set or keep it casual with a bottle of beer.

Tahanan Bistro is located at 22 Loresville Drive, Lores Farm, Antipolo, Rizal.

Mama’s Table (Baguio)

If you find yourself planning a trip to Baguio, one of the top tourist spots in Luzon, make sure you also make reservations (at least a week in advance!) at Mama’s Table, which is a private dining area, that is actually in Chef Vicky Clemente’s house. 

The tasting menu here has 8-courses, but since there is no set menu, expect to be surprised by whatever French-inspired spread Chef Vicky comes up with. Just make sure to inform Chef Vicky of any allergies or dietary restrictions you may have so she can make some adjustments.

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The best part is, dining here is a private affair, which means you and at least five of your companions can experience an intimate gathering in a charming glass home surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Mama’s Table is located at 888-A Ambuklao Road, Baguio City.

Denlim’s Kitchen (Pampanga)

Photo by  Denlim's Kitchen

Another gem in Pampanga is Denlim’s Kitchen, which, as its name suggests, is literally a kitchen with a small dining area. It’s a private dining space, which means you have to reserve a spot here, and since they only accept one group at a time, you might have to book months in advance to get a slot.

Diners can enjoy a multi-course degustation menu, with dishes prepared by Chef Dennis Lim in front of the guests. The dishes on the menu change regularly, but diners can expect a mix of Filipino cuisine and comfort food like sisig spaghetti and liempo sa pugon wrap.

Denlim’s Kitchen is located at Maharlika Street, San Fernando, Pampanga.

Reserve Your Tables Now at the Best Tasting Menu in Manila and Nearby 

Photo by Beso Beso

Whether you are looking for the best-tasting menu in Manila or a unique dining experience outside the metro, this list of restaurants and private dining spots is a good place to start. Eating at these places is a great way to celebrate important events and milestones, mark birthdays and anniversaries, or just indulge after a long work week.

If you want to make the most of your time, you can also visit several Manila tourist spots, including Intramuros, National Museum, Rizal Park, the Ayala Museum, and other museums in Manila. Binondo, which is considered the oldest Chinatown in the world, is known as a good spot to try the local Chinese cuisine by visiting Binondo food trip restaurants.

If it’s your first time traveling to the Philippines, take note that while there are other international Philippine airports, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) or the Manila International Airport serves as the primary gateway for international flights going into the country. There are also endless options for hotels in Manila or serviced apartments in Manila, which you can easily access from the airport via Manila transfers.

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