Leading up to the 2025 Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants award ceremony in Seoul on March 25, Toyo Eatery from the Philippines has proudly earned the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award. This special recognition honors outstanding restaurant service and dining experiences, as determined by a panel of independent restaurant industry experts and seasoned gourmets from around the globe.
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Past winners of the Art of Hospitality Award include Tokyo’s Den (2017), Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet in Shanghai (2018), 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana in Hong Kong (2019), Singapore’s Les Amis (2020), Hong Kong’s Vea (2021), Singapore’s Odette and Zén (2022 and 2023), and Nusara in Bangkok (2024).
Helmed by husband-and-wife team Jordy and May Navarra, Toyo Eatery made its mark in 2018 when it won the One To Watch Award. Since then, it’s been climbing the ranks, coming in at No. 43 in 2019 and proudly holding the title of the Best Restaurant in the Philippines for five years straight. In 2023, it earned the notable Sustainable Restaurant Award and was recently ranked No. 24 on the 2024 list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Toyo Eatery, named after the Filipino word for soy sauce, embodies Filipino culture through its decor and menu offerings. “To be welcomed into a Filipino home is to experience genuine warmth and care. At Toyo Eatery, our style of hospitality has always kept that in mind,” shares chef Jordy. Chef Jordy, who honed his culinary skills at The Fat Duck in the UK—ranked the World’s Best Restaurant in 2005—and Bo Innovation in Hong Kong, elevates local ingredients and flavors. He creatively showcases these elements using a blend of modern techniques alongside traditional methods such as fermentation and preservation. The restaurant’s vegetable-forward menu emphasizes locally sourced produce while paying homage to the Philippines’ rich gastronomic heritage and beloved culinary traditions.
At the restaurant, guests can indulge in a Kamayan feast—traditionally served on banana leaves, encouraging communal dining by hand—and a meticulously curated tasting menu inviting exploration of the country’s rich flavors. The restaurant also takes a planet-first approach, reducing its carbon footprint by sourcing ingredients locally and building strong connections with farmers and artisans. Since eliminating beef from its menu in 2022, it now features a menu where half of the dishes are vegetarian or vegan.
“We continue to go beyond just service, which is why we are deeply honored to receive this year’s award. We aim to convey the Filipino experience, not just through the dishes we serve, but also by creating genuine connections with our guests. This award belongs to our incredible team and to all those who have dined with us. Maraming salamat (thank you very much),” shares chef Jordy.
Subscribe to the YouTube channel 50 Best Restaurants TV and watch out for the live announcements on March 25. For more information, visit theworlds50best.com.
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