Toyo Eatery in Manila has been named the winner of the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award 2025, an honor determined by votes from over 350 members of the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy. Each voter selected the restaurant that provided the most outstanding hospitality experience in the past 18 months. The award is part of a series of pre-announced accolades leading up to the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 awards ceremony, which will take place at the Grand Hyatt in Seoul on 25 March 2025.
Since its debut on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list as the 2018 One To Watch Award recipient, Toyo Eatery has steadily gained recognition. It entered the rankings in 2019 at No.43 and has remained The Best Restaurant in the Philippines for five consecutive years. In 2023, it received the Sustainable Restaurant Award, further highlighting its commitment to responsible dining. In 2024, Toyo Eatery placed No.24 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
Founded by husband-and-wife team Jordy and May Navarra, the restaurant takes its name from the Tagalog word for soy sauce and offers a dining experience deeply rooted in Filipino traditions. The restaurant’s approach to hospitality reflects a warm, home-like atmosphere, with a focus on local ingredients, craftsmanship, and storytelling through food.
William Drew, Director of Content for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, commented: “At Toyo Eatery, each guest is warmly immersed in Filipino food culture – whether you are there to enjoy a tasting menu of reimagined cuisine, or the kamayan sharing plates, eaten by hand off banana leaves. Genuine hospitality is also evident in the personal touches from Jordy and May – from the seamless integration of interiors, floral and vegetable displays and wall art to local craftsmanship and, of course, in the way they educate diners about their food. A hearty congratulations to the entire Toyo Eatery team.”
Toyo Eatery’s menu celebrates Filipino culinary heritage through creative interpretations of traditional dishes. Signature offerings include Bahay Kubo, an 18-vegetable salad inspired by a Tagalog folk song; a reinvented take on pork barbecue featuring three different cuts; and Tortang Talong, where banana ketchup is a key element alongside an aubergine omelette. Fermentation and preservation techniques play a significant role in the restaurant’s approach, adding depth to its bold flavors.
Chef Jordy Navarra, who trained at The Fat Duck in the UK and Bo Innovation in Hong Kong, infuses his own cultural background into the restaurant’s philosophy. Since opening Toyo Eatery in 2016, he and his wife May have prioritized sustainability by sourcing local ingredients, reducing waste, and fostering relationships with farmers and artisans.
On receiving the award, Chef Jordy said: “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. 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).”
Oliva Flynn, Global Brand Manager at Gin Mare, added: “Congratulations to Toyo Eatery on winning the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award as part of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025! Its unwavering dedication to creating a welcoming environment where guests can immerse themselves in Filipino traditions is a true testament to the team’s commitment to hospitality. This well-deserved recognition perfectly embodies the Gin Mare spirit. Cheers to Toyo Eatery on this outstanding achievement.”
The Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award has previously been awarded to restaurants across Asia, including Den in Tokyo (2017), Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet in Shanghai (2018), 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana in Hong Kong (2019), Les Amis in Singapore (2020), Vea in Hong Kong (2021), Odette and Zén in Singapore (2022 and 2023), and Nusara in Bangkok (2024).
