Champagne Lovers’ Guide to the Philippines: restaurants, bars and things to do
The Philippines is a natural destination for travellers who enjoy Champagne, food and warm-weather escapes. Its growing international dining and hospitality scene, particularly in Manila and popular island destinations, offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy Champagne in sophisticated restaurants, hotels and bars. The tropical climate also makes Champagne an appealing choice alongside seafood, fresh fruit and long evenings by the coast.
Filipino cuisine brings together Malay, Chinese, Spanish and American influences, creating a food culture that is distinctly its own. Try adobo, lechon, sinigang, sisig, lumpia and pancit, as well as the country’s enormous variety of seafood. Champagne’s acidity works particularly well with rich pork dishes, fried foods, seafood and dishes with vinegar or citrus. The combination of salty, sour, sweet and savoury flavours found in Filipino cooking can create surprisingly good Champagne pairings.
Manila offers the country’s most cosmopolitan dining and drinking scene, while the islands provide a very different experience. Cebu is known for its food and beaches, while Palawan offers dramatic limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons and some of the country’s most spectacular scenery. Boracay combines white-sand beaches with a lively hospitality scene, while Bohol is known for its distinctive landscapes and the Chocolate Hills.
In Manila, explore the historic Intramuros, walk around Rizal Park and discover the city’s very different neighbourhoods. Beyond the capital, island life becomes the main attraction, with diving, snorkelling, sailing and beaches providing plenty of opportunities to slow down. For Champagne lovers, a sunset by the sea with a chilled glass of Champagne can be as memorable as a formal dinner.
