Restaurants to look forward to in 2025

MANILA, Philippines – Last year, we bid goodbye to a handful of beloved restaurants, but when one door closes, several others open.

The year 2025 brings new and exciting reasons to dine out; it’s quickly shaping up to be another banner year for foodies in Manila. With a mix of international names, local concepts, and new culinary experiences, here’s what’s in store for the food and beverage industry this year!

Sweet dreams are made of these

Almost a decade after closing in 8 Rockwell, French patisserie Ladurée is returning to Manila. Set to open in May 2025 at the One Bonifacio High Street Mall in BGC, this will be Ladurée’s first grand flagship store in Southeast Asia, globally known for its refined Parisian desserts and macarons.

Dessert 29, a Korean dessert cafe known for its Instagram-worthy creations, is heading to Manila this year.

From around the world and in the Philippines

From The Bistro Group, American chain Dave & Buster’s — a family restaurant, sports viewing pub, and arcade in one — is opening in OPUS Mall, while USA’s LongHorn Steakhouse is also set to open in Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

Another steakhouse — Brazilian churrascaria Fogo de Chão — is opening in Glorietta 3 Mall, complete with tableside meat carving and the “roasting of high-quality cuts of meat over an open flame.” Chef Josh Boutwood of Helm and Ember will also introduce Juniper, a new gin-forward concept of creative dishes.

Joining the global lineup is Cong Ca Phe, a retro-vintage Vietnamese coffee chain founded by former performance artist Linh Dung in 2007. It’s known for its Coconut Coffee, which is inspired by Trang Tien Ice Cream, a Hanoi street specialty.

Pizza Studio Tamaki, renowned for serving some of Tokyo’s best Neapolitan-style pizzas, is coming to the Philippines. It is helmed by Tsubasa Tamaki, formerly of Seirinkan (also known as Savoy in Tokyo). It was slated for an October 2024 opening, but has since been delayed.

The Japanese division of the BBK Group (Bibingkinitan, Ginza Gyu, Butternut MNL) is officially opening katsudon specialty restaurant Katsudonya Saiko in Mitsukoshi BGC this January, and also a new Modern Tepanyaki bar concept at Bonifacio Global City in June. Inari Sukiyaki is also set for a third branch in the South in April, following a second location in SM Aura, Bonifacio Global City last December.

The Tasteless Group (The Grid, Public Eatery, Bored and Hungry, Scout’s Honor) has new ventures ahead, like the Epic Eats, a food hall opening at Opus Mall that will host a variety of concepts. Highlights include 50/50, a creative spin on burger steak and hambagu, and Robert Chicken, a Korean fried chicken spot with a twist – the chef is a robot!

Underbelly will be a reimagined ramen joint taking over the former Poison Doughnuts location along Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City. You’ll also find Twelve Labors, a cozy cafe offering coffee and pastries. Lastly, Yóle, a froyo brand from Singapore, will be coming in soon.

The Moment Group, after opening 15 new outlets in 2024, is taking Manam to new locales both inside and outside the metro. The group is also bringing its entire roster to Cebu, with Manam, Din Tai Fung, 8Cuts, Ooma, and Mo’ Cookies setting up shop in the Queen City of the South. Following the successful launch of Manam spinoff, hayop, in Singapore, the group’s Filipino concepts will continue to expand.

Foodie Concepts Global, the team behind Hawker Chan, Mesa, Pound Cafe, and Llaollao, said that Hawker Chan will launch a new location at SM Mall of Asia in January. Sunnies Cafe will also be reopening its BGC branch this month.

Seasoned chefs, new concepts

Chef Robby Goco of Cyma fame is adding to his Mediterranean repertoire with ELAIA by Cyma. This new rustic concept in Cavite, inspired by Greek mountain tavernas, will highlight clean dishes infused with the finest extra virgin olive oil, after its name “Elaia” – Greek for “olive.”

Chef Margarita Forés of Cibo, Grace Park, and Lusso fame is set to unveil Margarita, a personal love letter to her career spanning 37 years. The 2016 Asia’s Best Female Chef has an upcoming two-story restaurant set to open at Ayala Triangle Gardens this year. – Rappler.com