BEST OF MANILA: 40 Most Awesome NEW Restaurants in Manila 2014! (Top 1-10)

2014 was an exciting year because there were a lot of new establishments that opened in the city–both homegrown restos and international franchises. 

We tried each one and ranked them based on our favorites, our preferences, and 10 years’ worth of food and travel blogging experience. This is not a crowdsourced list, a list decided by an editorial team, nor a list voted by peers. This is a curated list based solely on how awesome our experience was dining in these restaurants.

BEST OF MANILA: 40 Most Awesome NEW Restaurants in Manila 2014! 
(Top 1-10) | (Top 11-20) | (Top 21-30) | (Top 31-40) 

You can see the list of the Top 50 of Manila’s Most Awesome Restaurants in the new Our Awesome Planet App! The OAP App gives you a curated and updated list of the best restaurants in Manila–no need for a restaurant book! Plus, you can download any restaurant’s information to your phone to access it anytime, anywhere. 

Download the app here via iTunes (iOS): Our Awesome Planet or from Google Play (Android): Our Awesome Planet.

Here’s a year-end roundup of the Most Awesome NEW Restaurants in Manila for 2014 (Top 1 – 10)…

1. BLACKBIRD

BLACKBIRD is the Aviation-themed, Contemporary European and Asian Restaurant of Chef Colin Mackay of Sala and People’s Palace fame. It is located at the Neilson Tower of the old Manila International Airport and is named after the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft. The ambiance is inspired by an Airport Terminal and its Art Deco building in the heart of Makati City.

We tried Blackbird with our partners and we loved it! Check out one of our favorite restaurants of 2014…

Read More: BLACKBIRD MAKATI: Aviation-Themed Restaurant by Chef Colin Mackay at Nielson Tower

BLACKBIRD by Chef Colin Mackay 
Nielson Tower, Ayala Triangle, Makati City, across the Peninsula Hotel.
Telephone: +632 828-4888
Operating Hours: Open Daily 11.00am to 12.00mn

Note: Credit Card Accepted. Reservation is a must.

2. MECHA UMA

MECHA UMA is a Chef-Driven Restaurant by Chef Bruce Ricketts of Sensei Sushi fame. The name is a Japanese expression for absurdly delicious food.

They serve predominantly Japanese food but are not limited to it. Foodies have raved about the Tasting Menu served Omakase-style (but is still dependent on the chef and what’s freshly available that day). They also serve an a la carte menu of the best dishes featured in the Tasting Menu.

Read More: MECHA UMA: “Absurdly Delicious” Food by Chef Bruce Ricketts! 

MECHA UMA
G/F RCBC Savings Bank Corporate Center,
25th Streets, cor. 6th and 7th Avenue,
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Philippines
(beside Starbucks Coffee) 
Telephone: +632 801-2770
Mobile: +63 917 544-3226

Note: Credit Card Accepted. Reservation is a must.

3. WILD FLOUR MAKATI

WILD FLOUR MAKATI is the Makati expansion of the popular bakery and cafe by Chef Walter Manzke, located along the Leviste food street in Makati. It’s bigger, with improved interiors, and a better, off-mall Salcedo neighborhood location.

I love how they executed their concept, comfort food line-up, and chill ambiance, which makes it a great place to hang out with your foodie friends. Here’s our Wild Flour Makati experience…

Read More: WILD FLOUR Cafe + Bakery by Chef Walter Manzke in Makati! (A Review) @WildFlourManila

WILD FLOUR BAKERY & CAFE MAKATI
G/F V. Corporate Center 125 L.P. Leviste St., Salcedo Village, Makati City
Telephone: +632 808-7072
Facebook: Wildflour Cafe + Bakery
Twitter: @WildFlourManila 

Note: Credit Card Accepted. Best to reserve when going with a group.

4. WHOLESOME TABLE

THE WHOLESOME TABLE is an Organic Comfort Food Restaurant by Bianca Araneta Elizalde of Aria Boracay Fame.

All the produce comes from organic sources; they use free-range chicken and eggs, grass-fed beef, wild-caught seafood, and local artisan products. All the sauces are natural and made from scratch, and they don’t use high fructose corn syrup, refined sugar, or trans fats.

Their passionate commitment to all things wholesome and healthy is contagious. 

Read More: THE WHOLESOME TABLE Organic Comfort Food Resto by Bianca Araneta Elizalde (A Review)

5. BLACK SHEEP

I was so impressed with the “Bahay Kubo” that Chef Jordy Navarra served during the Lifestyle Asia Gala Dinner, we had to go back to Black Sheep and try their most raved-about degustacion.

The first time we tried Black Sheep, the chef was still feeling his way into the Manila food scene. This time around, Chef Jordy was able to express his culinary brilliance, celebrating Filipino ingredients and our culture through food.

Read More: BLACK SHEEP Degustacion: The Culinary Brilliance of Chef Jordy Navarra! #BlackSheepBGC

BLACK SHEEP
The Penthouse at W Fifth Avenue, corner 32nd and 5th, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig 
Telephone: +632 478-4498 
Mobile: +63917 871 4388
Email: dine@blacksheepbgc.com
Website: http://www.blacksheepbgc.com
Facebook: Black Sheep Bar and Restaurant
Instagram: @BlackSheepBGC

Note: Credit Card Accepted. Reservation is a must.

Download the OAP app here via iTunes (iOS): Our Awesome Planet or from Google Play (Android): Our Awesome Planet

6. PURPLE YAM MALATE

PURPLE YAM MALATE is the local branch of the popular Purple Yam Modern Filipino Restaurant in Brooklyn, New York. It was founded in 2007 by Amy Besa and Chef Romy Dorotan of Cendrillon fame in Soho. Its name was inspired by the owner’s love of ube. 🙂

The Malate branch is only open on weekends for by-reservation private dining — dinner on Fridays and Saturdays, and brunch on Sundays. The owners describe their restaurant as a “serious dining” establishment (as opposed to a fine dining one).

The opening of Purple Yam is sure to create a buzz among the foodies in Manila and hopefully usher in the revival of Malate.

Read More: PURPLE YAM MALATE: A Taste of Reimagined Filipino Food & Revival of Malate! @PurpleYamNYC #VivaManila

PURPLE YAM MALATE – Reimagining Filipino Food
PY Curated Foods, Inc.
603 Julio Nakpil corner Bacobo, Malate, Manila
Contact: Amy Besa 
Email: acbesa49@gmail.com
Reservations: +632 523-3497
Mobile: +63 926 713-3523
Facebook: Purple Yam
Twitter: @PurpleYamNYC
Website: http://www.purpleyamnyc.com/

Operating Hours (Set Menu price):
Friday Dinner:  7.00 pm onwards (P2,500/head)
Saturday Dinner: 7.00 pm onwards (P2,500/head)
Sunday Lunch: 11.00 am to 3.30pm (P1,500/head)

Note: Cash Only. Reservation is a must.

7. IPPUDO

IPPUDO is the most popular Hakata-style Tonkotsu (pork-based) ramen in the world. It was founded in 1985 by Ramen King Shigemi Kawahara in Fukuoka City, Kyushu. 

Its name literally means “One Wind Hall” and is symbolic for the restaurant’s going against the wind and revolutionizing the ramen era of the time. It was the first shop to offer ramen in a carefully crafted setting, so that both men and women can enjoy an elegant bowl of noodle soup. It was also the first to refer to its broth by colour Shiro (white) for the classic and Aka (red) for spicy.

After months of waiting, Ippudo Philippines has finally opened to complete the Ramen Craze in Manila. 🙂

Here’s what to expect from the Ippudo experience in Manila (in comparison to Ippudo Singapore)…

Read More: IPPUDO Philippines: #WorldFamousRamen Now in Manila! (What to Expect @IppudoPH?)

IPPUDO PHILIPPINES
3rd Floor, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Mega Mall, EDSA, Mandaluyong City
Telephone: +632 470-1837
Operating Hours: Open Daily 10.00am to 10.00pm
Website: www.ippudoph.com
Facebook: Ippudo Philippines
Instagram: @ippudoph
Twitter: @ippudoph

Note: Credit Card Accepted. Strictly No Reservations Accepted, No Take Out.

8. TIM HO WAN

TIM HO WAN MANILA 添好運 finally opens in Manila! It is the first international expansion after the Singapore branch, which owns the Asian franchise of this Hong Kong original. The Manila franchise is a partnership between Ricky Dee of Mesa Filipino Moderne and Todd English Food Hall, and Felix Ang of Cats Motors.

I love the clean and high quality taste of their dimsum, which are priced unbelievably well. Check out the Tim Ho Wan flagship branch in SM Mega Fashion Hall…

Read More: TIM HO WAN MANILA 添好運: World’s Cheapest Michelin-Star Restaurant Opens in Manila!

TIM HO WAN MANILA 添好運
Ground Floor, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Mega Mall, EDSA, Mandaluyong City 
Facebook: Tim Ho Wan
Website: http://www.timhowan.com/

Note: Credit Card Accepted. Strictly No Reservations Accepted, No Take Out.

9. HOLE IN THE WALL

HOLE IN THE WALL is a Food-driven concept Food Hall one of the first of its kind located in Century City Mall in Manila. It was conceptualized by Charles Paw together with his chef partners to bring unique “good food gathering” experience in a hipster food hall setting.

Here’s our Foodie Guide on the BEST of Hole in the Wall…

Read More: HOLE IN THE WALL: Foodie Guide on the BEST of Hole in the Wall Food Hall @CenturyMallPH

HOLE IN THE WALL
4/F, Century City Mall, Kalayaan Avenue corner Salamanca Street, Makati City 
Telephone: +632 887-2089

Note: Credit Card Accepted. No Reservations Needed.

10. TODD ENGLISH

TODD ENGLISH FOOD HALL is officially Manila’s first Celebrity Chef Restaurant opening at the SM Aura Premier! It is also the first restaurant that sets the trend for the Food Hall concept in Manila.

A Food Hall is a communal dining space with well-curated stalls or food stations. It is NOT a buffet, because you can order from one or any of the stations. It is NOT a food court, because the food is typically handmade, with a cohesive theme.

Todd English Food Hall is all about quality of food with provenance, and a mix of cuisine that is eclectic and inspired across 9 food stations.

Read More: TODD ENGLISH FOOD HALL MANILA: What you Need to Know About the First Celebrity Chef Restaurant in Manila! @SMAuraPremier

TODD ENGLISH FOOD HALL
5/F SkyPark, SM Aura Premiere, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Operating hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Monday to Sunday
Email: toddenglishfoodhallmnl@gmail.com
Twitter: @TEFoodHallMNL
Facebook: FoodHall ToddEnglish
Instagram: @toddenglishfoodhallmnl
Telephone: +632 621 4002

Note: Credit Card Accepted. Reservation is a must.

BEST OF MANILA: 40 Most Awesome NEW Restaurants in Manila 2014! 
(Top 1-10) | (Top 11-20) | (Top 21-30) | (Top 31-40) 

BEST RESTAURANT SERIES 2014:

• BEST OF MANILA: 50 Most Awesome NEW Restaurants in Manila 2014!
• BEST OF TAGUIG: 10 Most Awesome NEW Restaurants in BGC & Taguig 2014!
• BEST OF MAKATI: 10 Most Awesome NEW Restaurants in Makati 2014!
• MEGA FASHION HALL: 10 BEST New Restaurants @SMMegaMall in 2014!
• MANILA’S BEST RESTAURANTS AWARDS 2014: And the Best Restaurants in Manila are…

Live an Awesome Life,

Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com 

Disclosure: I wrote this article with my own biases, opinions, and insights. Read Our Awesome Planet Complete Disclosure Policy here.  

P.S. Download the OAP app here via iTunes (iOS): Our Awesome Planet or from Google Play (Android): Our Awesome Planet for free to get the 50 Most Awesome Restaurants in Manila!