Helm

Verdict

Helm is the restaurant to book if you want Makati's most technically ambitious chef's table experience. Holding a Michelin star (2026), a La Liste score of 93 points, and back-to-back placement on Tatler's Leading 20 Restaurants Philippines (2025 and 2026), Helm has the credentials to justify a special-occasion splurge. Book here when you want a single long meal that demands full attention — not a casual dinner, not a group catch-up. If you're comparing it against Hapag (Filipino), the distinction is clear: Hapag centres Filipino culinary identity; Helm, under chef Josh Boutwood, follows a more internationally framed, chef-driven tasting format. Both are hard to book. Helm is the call for the explorer who wants to see how far a kitchen in Makati can push.

About Helm

Helm occupies the third floor of The Shops at Ayala Triangle Gardens on Makati Avenue — a polished address that signals the register you're operating in before you sit down. Tatler's description of it as "a true chef's table experience" is accurate in a literal sense: the format is structured around what the kitchen wants to say, not what you order off a menu. That format suits certain diners well and will frustrate others, so be clear about which kind of guest you are before you reserve.

Chef Josh Boutwood has built a reputation as one of the more creatively restless figures in Philippine fine dining, and Helm is the clearest expression of that. The kitchen's output, based on the La Liste recognition (93 points, 2026) and Michelin star, is operating at a level that places it in serious company regionally. For context, La Liste scores in the 90s put a restaurant in the top tier of its national market; Helm is at that level. If you've eaten at comparable chef's table formats internationally , say, Lazy Bear in San Francisco or Le Bernardin in New York City , you'll arrive with the right expectations: a structured progression, a room that takes itself seriously, and a bill that reflects both.

On wine: the editorial angle here matters, because at this price tier and format, the beverage program is part of the decision. Helm's wine pairing (where offered alongside the tasting menu) should be considered seriously rather than skipped , chef's table formats at Michelin level are generally designed with pairing in mind, and the food-to-wine relationship is part of what you're paying for. Specific list details aren't confirmed in our data, so ask at booking whether a sommelier-led pairing is available, and factor that cost into your budget. If wine depth matters as much to you as the food, confirm the pairing option before you commit.

Booking is hard. Helm's combination of Michelin recognition and a chef's table format means seat count is almost certainly limited, and demand has only grown since the star. Reach the restaurant directly on +63 915 909 8647 to check availability. Plan at minimum several weeks ahead; for weekend slots or significant dates, go further out. Walk-ins are not a realistic option here.

For dress, there is no confirmed code in our data, but the address, format, and price tier all point toward smart-casual as the floor , Ayala Triangle Gardens is a well-heeled environment and the room will match it. Overdressing is unlikely to be a problem. Showing up in beach attire would be out of place.

Helm sits within a strong cluster of serious restaurants in Makati. For the full picture of where to eat, drink, and stay in the area, see our full Makati restaurants guide, our full Makati bars guide, and our full Makati hotels guide. If you're building a broader Manila itinerary, Toyo Eatery in Manila and Linamnam in Parañaque are both worth adding to the list. Further afield, Antonio's Restaurant in Tagaytay offers a different kind of special-occasion destination if you have time to travel.

At a Glance

• Awards: Michelin 1 Star (2026), La Liste 93pts (2026), Tatler Leading 20 Restaurants Philippines (2025 & 2026)
• Format: Chef's table tasting menu
• Address: 3/F The Shops at Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati Avenue, Makati City
• Phone: +63 915 909 8647
• Booking difficulty: Hard , reserve weeks in advance
• Leading for: Special occasions, food-focused explorers, tasting menu enthusiasts
• Not ideal for: Casual group dinners, spontaneous walk-ins, à la carte diners

FAQ

Does Helm handle dietary restrictions?

• Tasting menu formats at Michelin-starred restaurants typically accommodate restrictions when notified in advance , this is standard practice at this level.
• Contact Helm directly at +63 915 909 8647 when booking to confirm what the kitchen can accommodate and give them maximum notice.
• Do not assume flexibility on the day; chef's table menus are planned well ahead and last-minute changes are harder to absorb.

Can I eat at the bar at Helm?

• There is no confirmed bar seating option in our data for Helm.
• Given the chef's table format, the experience is almost certainly structured around a set seated progression rather than a casual bar option.
• If counter or bar seating is something you want in Makati, Inatô or Kása Palma are worth checking as alternatives with different formats.

What should I wear to Helm?

• No dress code is confirmed in our data, but smart-casual is the safe call given the Ayala Triangle Gardens address, Michelin recognition, and tasting menu format.
• Think: clean, considered clothing. A neat shirt and trousers for men; equivalent for women. You will not be overdressed in this room.
• Avoid overly casual attire , the room and price point set a tone that casual clothes will work against.

Is Helm good for a special occasion?

• Yes, clearly. The Michelin star, chef's table format, and Tatler recognition make it one of the most credentialled special-occasion restaurants in Makati.
• The structured tasting format is well-suited to milestone dinners where the meal itself is the event , anniversaries, significant birthdays, a serious food experience shared between two people.
• For larger groups wanting a celebratory dinner with more flexibility, Hapag may fit better depending on group size and format preference.
• Book well ahead and mention the occasion at reservation , kitchens at this level often acknowledge it.

What are alternatives to Helm in Makati?

• Hapag is the closest comparison in terms of prestige and booking difficulty, with a stronger Filipino identity in its food.
• Kása Palma and Inatô offer more accessible formats if you want a serious meal without the full commitment of a set tasting progression.
• Celera and 12/10 are worth considering if you want to stay in the Makati fine dining tier with different cuisine angles.
• See our full Makati restaurants guide for the complete picture.