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The Michelin Guide on Tuesday announced its arrival in the Philippines, and its team has started inspecting restaurants in different parts of the country.

The famed restaurant guide will select top dining spots in Metro Manila, Cebu, Pampanga, Tagaytay, and Cavite for its 2026 edition.

"Our Michelin inspectors have been following the evolution of the Filipino culinary scene with great excitement. The country's deep-rooted culinary traditions, combined with a strong openness to global influences, create a uniquely diverse dining culture," Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, said in a statement.

"In Manila, we see young, talented chefs redefining Filipino cuisine with fresh perspectives, while Cebu, as a leading tourist destination, offers an impressive range of dining experiences with world-class hospitality," added Poullennec.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, for her part, sees the debut of the Michelin Guide in the Philippines as "not only a testament to our country's culinary excellence but also a significant leap forward for Filipino tourism."

The restaurants will be selected by the Michelin Guide based on five criteria: quality of ingredients, mastery of cooking techniques, harmony of flavors, personality of cuisine, and consistency both over time and through the menu as a whole. 

Distinctions range from Michelin stars (one to three) to the Bib Gourmand, which is awarded to restaurants that provide good quality food at a moderate price. 

The Michelin Guide's full restaurant selection for the Philippines for 2026 will be unveiled in the last quarter of the year.