July 2026

GUIDE: Discover Bonifacio Global City, Metro Manila’s Dynamic Neighborhood

Bonifacio Global City, or BGC, has become one of Metro Manila’s most dynamic neighborhoods—a polished urban district where business, lifestyle, art, shopping, nightlife, and dining naturally come together.

IMAGE from Philippine Primer

Wide walkable streets, open-air retail areas, corporate towers, residential communities, public art, and late-night destinations give the area a distinctly cosmopolitan rhythm.

IMAGE from Philippine Primer

By day, it draws office workers, families, shoppers, and café-hoppers; by night, it shifts into a lively dining and social scene filled with restaurants, wine bars, izakayas, steakhouses, and chef-driven concepts.

IMAGE from Philippine Primer

What makes BGC especially exciting is how easily it brings diverse dining experiences into a single neighborhood. A special dinner can begin with contemporary Filipino cuisine, continue with Japanese comfort food, or end with wine and steak—all within a short drive or walk of one another.

Discover BGC’s Hottest North & West Side

BGC’s North and West Side offers a polished slice of city life, where sleek towers, stylish dining spots, cafés, and lifestyle destinations come together in one walkable district. From casual meetups to after-work dinners and weekend discoveries, this side of Bonifacio Global City captures the energy and convenience that make BGC one of Metro Manila’s most exciting urban destinations.

Among its standout dining destinations is Gallery by Chele, a fine dining restaurant at Clipp Center known for its creative use of local ingredients and modern tasting menus. Its approach highlights Filipino flavors through contemporary techniques, with dishes and beverages that often feature local produce, ferments, and reimagined classics.

IMAGE from Gallery by Chele

Abalone Arroz Caldo / IMAGE from Gallery by Chele

For ramen lovers, Ramen IBUKI at Uptown Parade adds a distinctly Japanese experience to the neighborhood, focusing on carefully prepared bowls built around creamy chicken paitan and umami-rich seafood dashi broths. The restaurant also highlights fresh in-house noodles and a lighter, more elegant take on ramen.

IMAGE from Ramen IBUKI

Abalone Arroz Caldo

Also in Uptown, Hikiniku To Come brings Japan’s hamburg-over-rice concept to BGC. It centers on freshly grilled hamburg served over rice, offering a focused and satisfying Japanese meal built around the simple pleasure of hot rice, juicy meat, and precise grilling.

IMAGE from Hikiniku To Come

Over at Forbestown, Dr. Wine offers a relaxed yet stylish French bistro and wine bar experience, serving as a go-to spot for wine, casual gatherings, and hearty European-inspired dishes. Beyond its selection of wines and small plates, the restaurant also serves satisfying steak options, making it a fitting choice for diners who want to enjoy a glass of wine with a generous, meat-forward meal.

IMAGE from Dr. Wine

Nearby, L’entrecôte Bistro & Upper Room continues the European mood with its signature steak-frites: Certified US Angus Beef sirloin topped with secret herb butter sauce, served with house salad and unlimited hand-cut fries.

IMAGE from Philippine Primer

The L’entrecote Steak / IMAGE from Philippine Primer

For a more casual Japanese night out, Kenshin Japanese Izakaya brings the energy of an izakaya to Forbestown Road, with late operating hours and familiar favorites such as yakitori, sashimi, sushi, ramen, gyoza, karaage, and other Japanese comfort dishes made for sharing.

IMAGE from Philippine Primer

Burger Steak / IMAGE from Kenshin Japanese Izakaya

Explore BGC’s Vibrant South & East Side

Now, the spotlight shifts to the South and East areas, centered around Bonifacio High Street and SM Aura. This highlights lively shopping, dining, and lifestyle spots that showcase the distinct character of this side of Bonifacio Global City.

First on our list of must-try restaurants is Smith & Wollensky, the famed American steakhouse that began in New York City in 1977. At the center of its menu is its selection of steaks, particularly USDA Prime cuts chosen from the top 2% of cattle in America. The beef is dry-aged for a minimum of 28 days, a process that enhances tenderness while deepening its rich, beefy flavor.

IMAGE from Philippine Primer

USDA Prime 28 Day Dry-Aged Bone-In Rib Eye 620 g. (Php 9,980) / IMAGE from Smith & Wollensky Philippines

Now at SM Aura Premier, HIRO Premier Japanese Yakiniku has been steadily establishing itself as one of BGC’s notable destinations for Japanese-style grilled meat. At the heart of Yakiniku Hiro Premium is its biggest highlight: Omi Wagyu, directly imported from Daikichi Farm in Shiga Prefecture, Japan.

IMAGE from HIRO Premier’s Facebook page

Shin Course (Php 5,800/pax) / IMAGE from Philippine Primer

Next, Hamburg Yoshi sits at Bonifacio High Street South as a well-loved name in Japan’s dining scene, known for drawing long lines in Harajuku and Omotesando. It has made its way to the Philippines, bringing its signature hamburg steak that has captivated food enthusiasts in Tokyo.

IMAGE from Philippine Primer

IMAGE from Hamburg Yoshi

Still in Bonifacio High Street South, Ikoka Japanese Yakitori Restaurant came all the way from Osaka to bring its yakitori and signature sauce to the Philippines. At Ikoka, every skewer is meticulously prepared: chicken is uniformly cut, skewered with care, and grilled slowly resulting to a crispy, smoky skin and juicy, flavorful yakitori, enhanced by house-made sauces tailored to each cut.

IMAGE from Philippine Primer

IMAGE from Ikoka Japanese Yakitori Restaurant

Located at NAC Tower in BGC, Astoria-ACES Food Journey is a multi-concept dining destination that brings together four (4) food concepts under one roof.

IMAGE from Astoria-ACES Food Journey

This includes Café Astoria which serves freshly brewed coffee, pastries, and light café fare for breakfast, coffee breaks, and casual meetings. Minami Saki Lite, inspired by Minami Saki by Astoria at Astoria Plaza, offers Japanese favorites in a more convenient format.

IMAGE from Astoria-ACES Food Journey

Soleggiato specializes in Mediterranean-inspired comfort dishes such as pastas and lasagnas, while Inom. Drama. Kain. (IDK) focuses on Filipino comfort food and rice bowls.

Pares Rice Bowl (Php 200)/IMAGE from Astoria-ACES Food Journey

Finally, Manduca Taberna has grown into one of BGC’s well-loved Spanish dining destinations, drawing guests with its generous sharing plates, authentic flavors, and warm, unpretentious atmosphere.

Founded by Spanish Chef Amado Garcia Fernandez, Manduca brings the soul of Madrid to the Philippines through the charm of a traditional Spanish taberna.

IMAGE from Philippine Primer

Mussels ala Marinera (Php 680) / IMAGE from Philippine Primer

Together, these restaurants reflect the character of BGC itself: modern, international, energetic, and always evolving. Whether for a polished tasting menu, a comforting bowl of ramen, a late-night izakaya meal, or a classic steak dinner, Bonifacio Global City continues to stand out as one of Metro Manila’s most exciting dining neighborhoods.

BGC on the Rise: New Developments Shaping the City

New developments continue to shape Bonifacio Global City, bringing both major changes and fresh attractions to the district. In eastern BGC, Market! Market!, one of the area’s longtime landmarks, is expected to close by the end of 2027 as its site is prepared for a new mixed-use urban development.

Market! Market! / IMAGE from Philippine Primer

The future project is planned as part of a transit-oriented development connected to the upcoming BGC station of the Makati Subway, with commercial, office, and residential spaces expected to rise in the area.

Meanwhile, along BGC High Street, a new attraction called Portal has drawn attention as a “window to the world.” Through a large circular screen, visitors can see and interact in real time with people from six overseas cities, including Vilnius, Lublin, Dublin, Ipswich, Curitiba, and New York. As the first Portal installation in Asia, BGC offers a new way for visitors to experience global connection right in the city.
Portal / IMAGE from Philippine Primer

BGC continues to grow as one of Metro Manila’s most dynamic city destinations, offering more than just places to shop, dine, and explore. From long-time landmarks to new developments and global attractions, each area reveals a different side of Bonifacio Global City. As the district moves forward, BGC remains a place where everyday visits can lead to fresh discoveries.