26 December 2025
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Makati’s glass skyscrapers dazzle from a distance, but the real story lies in what’s happening on the ground.
During weekdays, commuters rush in from all over the greater metropolitan area, and the city swells to over seven times its nighttime population. On weekends, farmers’ markets, museums and restaurants teem with locals and expats, with small neighborhoods such as Salcedo Village and Poblacion becoming cozy enclaves amid the flurry of city life.
Sampling the best of what Makati has to offer can be done in a day, but truly appreciating the city requires some slowing down. Whatever the pace, comfortable shoes, a small umbrella and a camera are essential to make sure nothing is missed.
EAT
Modern and innovative picks
Recent Philippine gastronomy is marked by experimentation. Chefs and restaurateurs are pushing the boundaries of traditional techniques and ingredients while maintaining a sense of play.
Fine dining establishment Metiz elevates fermentation from a preservation method to a tool for flavor. Lampara, a Neo-Filipino bistro, blends Filipino sensibilities with French techniques in dishes featuring soft shell crab and octopus. Offbeat’s open kitchen gives diners a glimpse into how their playfully plated dishes are made, while Your Local offers inventive dishes such as miso tuna tartare, at exceptional value.
Reimagined Filipino
Today’s Filipino chefs celebrate heritage while fearlessly challenging expectations of the cuisine.
Named after the Tagalog word for “family table”, One-MICHELIN-Starred Hapag reinterprets cuisine from different parts of the archipelago through its Western Visayas and Western Mindanao tasting menus. Manam at the Triangle offers Filipino comfort classics with a twist such as Tagalog beef cheeks and soda-drenched lechon manok, alongside exclusive offerings such as the slow-cooked Ibérico pork collar. For those looking to experience Philippine seasons through carefully crafted dishes, try the multi-course "Bahala Na" menu at one-starred Inatô.
Global flavors
Makati’s role as one of the Philippines’ business hubs attracts visitors and expats from all over the globe, and its dining scene reflects that international presence.
Two-MICHELIN-Starred Helm crafts seasonal set menus with artful, restrained plating that hints at unexpected influences, such as sci-fi films. Sala, led by Scottish-born chef Colin Mackay, offers two set menus with timeless appeal and meticulous refinement. For wine enthusiasts, Txanton exquisitely pairs its robust wine collection with Spanish classics such as Jamón Ibérico. Mexican-French Taqueria Franco, meanwhile, serves tacos featuring foie gras, steak frites and lamb bourguignon.
Celera, named after the Malay word for “appetite,” fuses a plethora of Asian influences and employs techniques such as fermentation and subtle smoking. Inside The Alley at Karrivin, a stylish ramen shop, The Underbelly, shares premises with a café, making it a good stop for noodle and coffee enthusiasts alike. People’s Palace, near Greenbelt Park, has MSG-free Thai dishes and a vegetarian menu.
Neighborhood icons
Makati’s discerning community is the perfect testing ground for new restaurants, with many that have come and gone, and a few that have evolved into beloved mainstays.
Aida’s Chicken, an eatery located in a shopping center basement, serves chargrilled chicken and other Bacolod-style staples. Roadside favorite Chie Chie's Pancit Batil Patung specializes in the Filipino noodle dish pancit with a Northern Luzon take. At One-MICHELIN-Starred Toyo Eatery, diners can experience a "kamayan" menu — Filipino communal fare served on banana leaves and eaten by hand. For a sweet finish, Sarsa takes the quintessential turon — banana wrapped in spring roll wrappers and fried — and serves it à la mode.
STAY
Rest is vital after a whirlwind day in Makati. Immerse yourself in classic Philippine Brutalist architecture through a stay at The Peninsula Manila. Its iconic fountain is a picture-perfect spot.
One building houses MICHELIN Key awardees Fairmont Makati and Raffles Makati. The Fairmont offers amenities such as a 24-hour fitness center, a swimming pool and the Fairmont Spa. Raffles is more intimate and houses the Writers Bar, an homage to the writers who stayed in the original Singapore location. Guests can use facilities from both hotels.
PLAY
Daytime
History lovers should head to the Ayala Museum to marvel at paintings by renowned Filipino artists. The Yuchengco Museum, meanwhile, is home to a permanent exhibition of pre-colonial Philippine gold.
Makati’s contemporary arts scene is also on the rise, with galleries, furniture shops and MICHELIN restaurants taking pride of place in Karrivin, one of the many arts and design compounds in the city. Comuna and Common Room at the Atrium shopping mall spotlight merchandise and crafts from local designers and illustrators, which make thoughtful souvenirs.
Farmers’ markets pop up during the weekends. Head to Salcedo Village for the Saturday Market and Legazpi Village for the Sunday Market. Power Plant Mall used to be a defunct thermal plant until it was converted into a premier shopping center twenty years ago. The mall hosts artisan-driven bazaars such as Artefino, among others.
For a dose of fresh air in the city, take a stroll through the parks. Ayala Triangle Garden hosts festivals and live performances. On Sunday mornings, the roads adjacent to the Triangle close to make way for cyclists and runners. Washington Sycip Park is a welcome sight of greenery amid the Central Business District.
After dark
Makati’s first Spanish settlement, Poblacion, now thrives as a mixed residential and commercial district with a buzzing nightlife scene. Cocktail bars OTO and The Spirits Library have extensive drink selections as well as standout playlists thanks to vinyl collections and DJ sets. Poblacion is also a hotbed for the natural wine movement with establishments like Bibio and Dr. Wine.
To get a feel of Makati's nighttime grit, drop by Amorsolo. Head up a flight of stairs to arrive at Fat Cat, which serves handcrafted cocktails. Locals love bars reminiscent of speakeasies, such as Big Fuzz, which is hidden behind a red door on the second floor of Creekside Mall.
In the end, Makati rewards those who take the time to look beyond its polished skyline. Slip into its side streets, pause in its parks, let a meal unfold at an easy pace — and the city begins to reveal its layers: places where the bustle fades, unexpected spots of warmth and character. Whether you’re here for a day or settling in for something slower, Makati lingers in memory well beyond the visit.
Header Image (©Hanapot_pv)
