Cabel

Cabel is the only restaurant in the city of Manila itself to receive a Bib Gourmand in the 2026 Michelin Guide, and it is worth the trip across town. It occupies a listed 1930s building on the corner of JP Laurel and Aguado streets in San Miguel, with tiled floors, rattan chairs and a garden with a koi pond, so the setting alone makes it feel very different from the glass towers of Makati.

The menu draws on dishes from across the Philippines, with particular attention to the cooking of southern Mindanao, a region whose food is less familiar to most visitors and many Manila diners too. The Michelin inspectors highlight the crisp ukoy and the richly spiced piyanggang manok. Ask the staff for guidance on the regional dishes, as many will be new even to travellers who know Filipino food.

Beyond the main dining room, the house has a bar, a café and private rooms, so it can work for a long lunch, a coffee in the garden or a group celebration. It is family friendly and wheelchair accessible, and the terrace and garden are pleasant in the cooler hours of the day.

According to the Michelin Guide, Cabel opens from 9am to 10pm from Monday to Thursday and from 10am to 10pm from Friday to Sunday, so it is useful for breakfast or brunch as well as lunch and dinner. Bookings are handled by the restaurant directly, and it is worth reserving for weekend meals or for a private room.

Allow time to walk around the house and garden before or after your meal, as the building is as much a part of the visit as the food. If you are a group, a private room makes a memorable setting for a celebration, but book these well in advance. For a lighter visit, the café is a good stop for a drink between sights in the older districts of Manila.

Cabel is easiest to reach by taxi or ride-hailing car, especially from Makati or BGC. It can be combined with a morning exploring Quiapo or Binondo. The restaurant suits travellers who want to explore regional Filipino cooking, families and groups, and anyone interested in old Manila houses. Prices are moderate, in line with its Bib Gourmand status, which makes it good value for the experience.