This Makati joint bears the title of “The Best Restaurant in the Philippines”

This Makati joint bears the title of "The Best Restaurant in the Philippines" | Toyo Eatery
(Image: Toyo Eatery)

For the third year in a row, local fine dining spot Toyo Eatery has been included in the 2021 edition of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. It finished at number 49, making it the only Philippine restaurant to make it to the top 50. 

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Since opening shop in 2016, Toyo Eatery has snagged the highest spot for any Filipino restaurant in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants roll: in 2019, it came in at the 43rd place, and last year, it ended at No. 44.

The husband-and-wife team of May Navarra and award-winning chef Jordy Navarra runs this quaint contemporary diner along Chino Roces Avenue in Makati. An advocate of Filipino food, Toyo Eatery has earned international acclaim with its modern and playful reinventions of classic local cuisines, a harmony of past and present techniques that keep customers coming back. 

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Their name is a testament to this — while it also means “soy sauce” in the local language, the toyo also refers to the native saying “may toyo sa utak” which means someone is being crazy. Considering some of Toyo Eatery’s ingenious menu items, the genius behind them probably has toyo, but it’s the kind of genius that works.

The virtual awarding ceremony of Asia’s Best saw Hong Kong’s The Chairman take home the top spot and the title of being Asia’s Best Restaurant this year.

Prior to the announcement of the top 50, Asia’s Best also released a list that included the 51st to the 100th best restaurants in Asia. Of the extended list: two more were Filipino favorites: the popular Antonio’s in Tagaytay, ranked at #84, while Taguig’s Gallery by Chele came in at #90.

We know, we know: the timing could not be worse. But hey, at least you now have an idea on where to dine once the enhanced quarantine lets up!

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