10 New Must-Try Restaurants in Metro Manila for Your Christmas Get-Together

Whether you’re looking for a space that you can exclusively use for your gatherings or a gram-worthy destination that you can visit for a quick get-together, there’s no scarcity of newly opened food establishments to help make your Christmas celebrations jollier.  

And in the spirit of sharing, we list down 10 of our top picks for new must-try restaurants in Metro Manila. Whether you’re from the south, north, or east, we made sure to include at least one that’s accessible to you.

Fans of Taiwanese dishes, this place will surely delight you. Ninetea virtually takes you on a gourmet tour of the island country by offering a wide variety of dishes that include chili beef, kung pao chicken, all sorts of noodle dishes, hotpot, and of course, authentic Taiwanese milk tea. And if you’re thinking that this is just another run-of-the-mill Chinese restaurant, think again. The dishes here are really well made and well-priced too! They do not require any dress code, but it doesn’t hurt to put in a bit of effort if you’re meeting friends this season.

Part “bekeri”, part restaurant, Let Petit Café Fleur brings to the metro the well-loved dishes from Chef Sau Del Rosario’s Café Fleur in Pampanga. And if you know who Chef Sau is, then you probably understand that despite opening only recently, Le Petit Café Fleur is already poised to become one of the top restaurants in Metro Manila. Dishes they offer range from duck leg confit lemongrass pumpkin and spinach, U.S. wagyu striploin (cooked bistek style or chimichurri), pork belly bar-b-q Asian coleslaw and spiced fries, to citrus aligue crab meat coconut penne, tuyo-caper and roasted cherry tomatoes penne. They also serve cocktails, salads, and desserts, including Chef Sau’s famous vuko fye. The space in Le Petit Café Fleur, although undoubtedly very beautiful, is limited, so it really is best to make reservations or rent the whole place.

Farmery Deli’s newest branch in Molito makes for an ideal spot to hang out in the south with al fresco seating and arguably some of the best-tasting organic and all-natural selections out there. Their chicken inasal is like the gourmet interpretation of the popular dish from Bacolod. Their salpicao and burgers—works of art. And their lime-mon-si cheesecake—one of the most underrated desserts in the metro. Like with other restaurants on this list, the downside of eating at Farmery Deli is the fact that space is very limited, so securing a reservation is definitely a must.

Regardless if you decide to dine in their beautifully designed indoor space or choose to enjoy your meal al fresco, Café Guilt’s laid back beachy vibes and IG-worthy food make it a top contender for the must-try restaurants in Metro Manila list. Their space is absolutely stunning and their wide selection of food is very well thought of. Some of their bestsellers include avo toast, salmon peacezza (which is their take on pizza), pasta vongole, grass-fed ribeye steak rice, and salmon with truffle mushroom adlai risotto. They also serve all sorts of caffeinated concoctions that have easily become signature drinks, including their take on the Vietnamese latte and beetroot latte.

 

Located along Mother Ignacia, Serendipity PH is a fine dining restaurant that opened back on March 5, 2021. From its décor to its selection of Western and Scandinavian dishes, everything about Serendipity PH provides guests with a sense of calm escape that is nothing short of luxurious. And the great thing about it is that their set menu changes every two weeks so you can go here twice a month and expect something different with each visit. Oh! And did we mention that they have unli wine deals and discounts on 6-course degustation meals? Needless to say, reservations are encouraged so be sure to call or message ahead of time.

Located in Lamp Quarters in Marikina, Night & Day Restorante became a trending topic on TikTok when it first opened to the public earlier this year. The rustic chic interior of the restaurant serves as the perfect backdrop for a truly enjoyable, casual merienda or dinner with family or friends. They have quite the slew of affordable yet tasty fares, which include all-day breakfast options, appetizers and salads, burgers and sandwiches, main courses, pizzas and pastas, platters, and of course, desserts and coffee-based drinks.

Located inside Crimson Hotel in Alabang, Baker J offers everyone a casual yet fine dining experience that’s inspired by Parisian cafes. It opens as early as 6:00 AM and closes at 9:00 PM. Baker J serves classic favorites like eggs florentine, smoked salmon eggs benedict, and shakshuka. Other must-try dishes include their take on the coq au vin, quiche lorraine, and confit de canard. Of course, they also serve drinks—from all sorts of coffee-based drinks to mocktails, cocktails and detoxifying concoctions.

The newest addition to Evia’s exciting line-up of food and retail shops, Sombrero Café & Bar offers Spanish cuisines and coffee-based drinks with special twists. Think modern take on Spanish garlic prawns, beef salpicao, and chorizo and chicken paella. Then, there are the blended spirits, signature cocktails, specialty beers, and boozy coffee. Its interior takes inspiration from industrial designs but given that Sombrero flare for a distinctly charismatic vibe.

Ever wondered how it feels to dine in a roadside coffee shop in Italy? Bread Basket allows you a glimpse of the la dolce far niente with its quaint Italian countryside-inspired interiors and display of freshly baked, artisanal breads. Honestly, a visit here will really have you slowing down. Their selection of food is guaranteed to please even the most sophisticated palates and their coffee drinks are really good too! Some of their bestsellers include their Italian sausage pizza, Spanish sardines with black olives pasta, garlic butter salmon (which is served with rice!), and the cilantro lime chicken.

 

You can’t write an article about new restaurants in Metro Manila without mentioning 1120 House in Rockwell. 1120 House is a new lifestyle retail space that effectively combines food, flowers and tasteful interiors to create a distinct experience that you simply cannot find anywhere else. The idea is to create a space that makes guests feel like they are stepping into someone’s (really beautiful) house. It houses three popular brands: Lady Scott Jones, Rustan’s Flower Shop, and Bon Appetit Café. They are open from 10:30AM to 8:00PM daily and serve what they call “elevated comfort food” –  well-curated items that are meant to remind you of your grandmother’s cooking. You can view their full menu here.