Toyo Eatery

 As of this writing, there’s no Michelin Guide in Manila but if there were, then this restaurant should be on that list.

Helmed by Chef Jordy Navarra, who trained at the Fat Duck in the UK and Bo Innovation in Hong Kong, Toyo Eatery is one of the top fine dining restaurants in Manila. It was named the Best Restaurant in the Philippines in 2023 and currently sits at number 42 on the list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.

Nationalistic in his cooking style, Chef Navarra is known for his playful and innovative takes on Filipino cuisine. Go for one of his tasting menus and you’re in for an unforgettable dining experience in Manila.

These pictures were from a tasting menu we enjoyed a few years ago but expect something of this caliber when you book a table at Toyo Eatery. What you’re looking at below is his take on kilaw (Filipino ceviche) made with wild talakitok (saltwater fish), sesame, and lime.

I loved this garden vegetable dish. It’s Chef Navarra’s homage to a popular Filipino folk song called “Bahay Kubo”. Bahay kubo refers to a traditional Filipino bamboo house on stilts. It’s the type of house you’d typically find in rural areas of the Philippines.

The Bahay Kubo song describes the many different vegetables grown in a stilt house’s garden. Chef Navarra dehydrated eggplant and peanuts to look like soil. Push the soil aside and you’ll find all eighteen vegetables referenced in the song buried underneath. How creative and fun!

The garden vegetable dish was clever but not much to look at. This lightly grilled mackerel with semi-ripe guava and kamias (bilimbi) was much prettier and just as delicious.

You can refer to my article on Toyo Eatery for more pictures of this fabulous meal.

If tasting menus are your thing, then you need to book a table at Toyo Eatery. You can do so on their website.