Toyo Eatery

Toyo Eatery takes its name from the Tagalog word for soy sauce, and the choice says a lot about its approach. The kitchen focuses on everyday Filipino ingredients and flavours that look simple but take time and skill to prepare properly. All of its ingredients come from the Philippines, and fermenting and preserving are done on site. The restaurant holds one star in the 2026 Michelin Guide, the first edition to cover Manila.

The cooking balances soy, vinegar and fish sauce to bring out the natural flavour of produce rather than mask it. One well-known dish is inspired by the bahay kubo and uses 18 different vegetables on one plate. The restaurant also offers kamayan, the Filipino tradition of a shared meal served on banana leaves and eaten by hand, which is a memorable way to experience the food if you are dining with friends.

The restaurant is in The Alley at Karrivin, within Karrivin Plaza on Chino Roces Avenue Extension in Makati. The space has a terrace, and the Michelin inspectors note an interesting wine list. Expect a relaxed but polished room rather than formal fine dining, and smart casual dress.

Toyo Eatery is open for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, 6pm to 11pm, and is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Reservations are made online through the restaurant's booking system or by email, and tables go quickly, so plan ahead, particularly if you want a Friday or Saturday. Mention dietary requirements when you book. Allow two and a half to three hours for a full dinner.

Because the menu is built around what Philippine farms and fishermen supply, dishes shift through the year, so a return visit rarely repeats the first. If you have dietary restrictions, raise them at the time of booking rather than on the night, as much of the preparation, including the ferments, starts long before service. Arrive a few minutes early to enjoy a drink on the terrace before you sit down.

Most diners arrive by taxi or ride-hailing car, and parking is available. The restaurant suits curious eaters who want to understand modern Filipino food, couples marking an occasion and groups who would enjoy the kamayan experience. Karrivin Plaza also houses Metiz, another acclaimed Filipino restaurant, so it is worth knowing the area if you are planning several dinners in Makati.