AMA Tower Studio, 8th flr, near DMW and SM Megamall

"Hapag", meaning "family table" in Tagalog, is led by a team of young chefs aspiring to reimagine Filipino cuisine with finesse. Tapping into the full potential of local ingredients, they bring a modern, sophisticated touch to traditional dishes. This inventive approach honours regional recipes and time-honoured methods, while challenging expectations and blurring culinary boundaries for a fresh and exciting perspective on Filipino flavours.

Step into this tranquil oasis of straw cloche lamps, lush greenery and shell-lined walls evoking beachside charm. Chef Isip draws on French technique and global influences – from Latin America to Southeast Asia – and makes good use of the wood fire. Local ingredients go into expressive, refined dishes. Order a tasting menu and dine on the breezy terrace or sit at the counter and enjoy à la carte creativity and a front-row seat to the action in the open kitchen.

This Italian restaurant playfully experiments – think bruschetta topped with mango – to deliver a fresh yet satisfying twist on familiar dishes. In addition to pasta, seafood and meats, more traditional pizzas arrive from the open kitchen, with tasty smoky crusts. Their tiramisu, too, strays from tradition but retains that home-made feel. Exposed brick walls evoke Tuscan charm, and diners can enjoy the city views from this sixth-floor perch in the mall.

This long-standing restaurant has been bringing Chinese cuisine to Metro Manila for over 25 years. Rooted in Cantonese tradition, the chef's repertoire also draws on Sichuan heat and Beijing classics. À la carte options encourage sharing, with recommendations pictured on the menu. Dumplings, such as generously packed shrimp parcels, are crafted by a dim sum master. Polished service and vibrant, comforting dishes make Summer Palace ideal for special gatherings.

On the first floor of Shangri-La Plaza, Juniper combines soft grey hues and a sleek semi-open kitchen with a relaxed, modern feel. The menu blends global influences – charcuterie, pasta, roast chicken – and leans into Asian flavours at lunchtime. The UK-and Philippines-trained chef favours creativity over rigid styles. True to its name, Juniper has an impressive gin selection, with guests invited to choose their tonic for a refreshing start to the meal.

Spanish chef brings his southern Spanish roots to the heart of Ortigas Centre. Classic and more inventive tapas, such as ibérico pork katsu, set the tone. The seafood options are a nod to the chef's coastal roots, with famed anchovies sourced from Spain, but local Lapu Lapu also stars. Finish with the popular Sobo Pasiego dessert. As you tuck into the good-value lunch menu, savour the view of the city skyline from the rooftop terrace.

This counter in the food market serves its delicious signature ribbon-like noodles featuring a chewy and elastic feature. The chef draws on her experience in a Chinese restaurant in New York City to create a menu of Chinese favourites. The pork and shrimp wontons are crisp, with fragrant pork and spicy shrimp.