
The Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings of 2015
December 8, 2019- Pamela CortezWords
Manila’s becoming one of the up-and-coming cities in Asia when it comes to the dining scene, and 2015 is poised to be even bigger than the last. This year, we saw Ippudo, Nobu, Todd English Food Hall, Tim Ho Wan, and other big imports coming in from abroad, while anticipated local restaurants Duck and Buvette, Mecha Uma, Farmacy, and Mendokoro Ramenba all made waves. Here, we tell you some of the most anticipated openings, confirming rumors, and which ones are still in the works.
The New
1. Pink’s Hotdogs
Since 1939, this hotdog stand in the middle of L.A. has been a Hollywood institution with dogs and toppings unheard of before. The Wildflour group is bringing its first branch in Manila in Shang BGC in May 2015.
2. Halal Guys
The New York shawarma platter cart is making its way to the SM Mega Fashion Hall food court. The gyros and plates will seriously sate the appetites of those who’ve had a drunken Halal Guys experience in the Big Apple.
3. Italian by Davide Oldani
The group behind Todd English Food Hall and Tim Ho Wan are bringing in one-star Michelin chef from Milan (Davide Oldani of Ristorante D’O) to open an Italian concept in 2015.
4. Din Tai Fung
The famed xiao long bao giant is finally opening in Manila in the second half of 2015, thanks to the folks behind Moment Group.
5. Dean and Deluca
The New York institution will finally be opening its doors in Rockwell Edades early in 2015.
6. Red Light
Erwan Heussaff’s latest venture is a secret space in Makati that will be part bar, part creative lab, hosting different chefs and even throwdowns like Ilan Hall’s Knife Fight.
7. An upscale cocktail lounge/bar in BGC with Enzo Lim of Maharlika
A passion project of the Moment Group in collaboration with Enzo Lim, this bar is for Manila’s older and more dynamic set, with an extensive offering of premium spirits, liquors, sakes, and shochus.
8. A new Japanese concept by Bruce Ricketts in SM Mega Fashion Hall
Mecha Uma and Sensei’s Bruce Ricketts is opening a more casual outfit in SM Mega Fashion Hall, still with a Japanese influence.
9. Soban
Brought in by Sariwon, Soban means small, low dining table. It is their own concept but with recipes from their Korean principles for chicken and pork barbecue. (Sariwon serves all beef.)
10. Komugi
An authentic Japanese bakery that will be in a takeout counter format with 2 initial locations in Makati. Hard and soft breads, puddings, custard-filled pastries called Custard ‘Croos. There will be a balance of traditional flavors like chocolate, matcha, and strawberry and “out-there” flavors like wasabi yogurt and yuzu cream. This is from the Relish Group who brought in Osaka Ohsho, who are also working on a new Italian concept and a specialized Japanese concept.
11. Frank and Dean, Ocean Telephone Co.
By the same owner as Pablo’s, Frank and Dean will be located in Burgos Circle, a restaurant with a secret speakeasy, Ocean Telephone Co., inside. The space is opening in early 2015.
12. Wolfgang’s Steakhouse
A steakhouse by a former Peter Luger alum, find Wolfgang’s in Resort World’s new reimagined space.
13. Sugar Factory
Located in the same area as Wolfgang’s Steakhouse, Sugar Factory is a big candy shop for both kids and adults alike, an import from Las Vegas.
14. Pie Face
Owned by Michelle Chan, relative of Ben Chan. From Australia, specializes in delicious pies (sweet and savory, hot and cold), pastries, and coffee. Initially it will be in SM MOA, with 2 other locations planned, with a target opening of Jan 2015.
15. Arrozeria
Vask’s latest restaurant is devoted to everything rice, bringing in a chef from Spain specializing in paella. Located in Century City Mall, you can start queuing up for some arroz by the end of December.
16. Miam Miam
Hailing from Singapore, this French-Japanese cafe specializes in baked soufflés and french toasts. No word on location just yet, but it has been confirmed by the group behind Wrong Ramen and Hole in the Wall.
17. Kushikatsu Daruma
A popular chain from Osaka, Kushikatsu Daruma is known for their delicately fried chicken, beef and vegetable skewers. No word on location just yet, but it has been confirmed by the group behind Wrong Ramen and Hole in the Wall.
18. Susi
A vegetarian and vegan restaurant by Bianca Mabanta (whose family is responsible for perennial favorites Senor Pollo and El Chupacabra) and Ramon Antonio, the space is located in Burgos Circle and will be a shrine to good ingredients and sustainable living.
19. Sarsa Group
Chef JP Anglo is poised to open another branch of his popular restaurant in Makati, beside Wildflour, but is also opening an entirely different concept in Rockwell by 2015.
The Old

From left: 8 Cuts via Web Sushi Design; Rita’s Custard via Tales from the Tummy; Juju Eats: Pepper’s own.
1. 8 Cuts
Moment Group is making 8 Cuts their “banner brand”, opening in different neighborhoods all within Metro Manila, with at least 4 new locations lined up for 2015.
2. Rita’s Custard
This custard shop from Philadelphia will be expanding quick in 2015, with 4 locations in QC, Fort, Makati and Pasay already in the works.
3. JUJU Eats
The group has 5 Juju Eats branches across the city, but they are now focusing on opening and collaborating with institutions such as Medical City in Ortigas to magnify their vision of wellness.
4. Wildflour
Wildflour is opening their 4th location in Legazpi Village in 2015, which will be part commissary.
The Rumored

From left: Panda Express via Wikipedia; Toby’s Estate via Behance; Blue Butcher via Prestige Hong Kong.
1. Panda Express
Chinese-American fast food chain Panda Express is meant to make an appearance on our shores, but the rumors concerning its arrival have quieted down.
2. Blue Butcher
Known as one of the best steakhouses in Hong Kong, Blue Butcher is most famous for their dry-aged meats and ridiculous tomahawks. No confirmed word yet, but this rumor has gained more and more traction in the past few months.
3. Toby’s Estate
The rumored location of this third-wave coffee Melbourne import will be in Legazpi Village by Union Church.
4. Bonchon Group
The people behind Bonchon are rumored to bring in another Asian import, as well as a Japanese bento concept.
5. Ladurée
The wildest of the rumors, a few people have been posting about the famed Parisian macaron shop on social media, but so far it seems to be wishful thinking.
Which restaurant are you most looking forward to? Which opening do you think is the most anticipated? Let us know your thoughts below!
Special thanks to: Andrea See

46 responses to “The Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings of 2015”
Leave a Reply
Keep on

Shake Shack AND Halal Guys?! Be still my heart!
Soban or sabon?
Why is Toby’s Estate a rumor? It opened in century city mall and salcedo village months ago.
Hi! We wrote in the article: The rumored location of this third-wave coffee Melbourne import will be in Legazpi Village by Union Church. It will be another bigger branch apparently! Sorry for the confusion. Thanks Rickzoo!
They also opened a kiosk at SM Aura recently (a month or so ago)
Tasting Room 🙂
who needs to go abroad when all the good stuff are here! however even if both are of the same franchise it would be a different taste to cater the Ph market, though owners of the restaurant may say that their are authentic and all ingredients would be imported from the origin, that would be for the initial inventory later on they would probably source from local market which will would make a lot of difference.
but good thing is we don’t need to spend for a plane ticket to taste a great food =)
Why Why is Panda express a rumor??? Please make it true!!!
it should be.. Panda Express sucks.. one of the worst i’ve ever tasted..
Panda Express? Are you kidding me?? WHY! THAT’S THE MOST GOD-AWFUL FAST CHINESE EVER. BLAND AND OILY AND JUST ICK! But on the POSITIVE SIDE – YES YES YES! Shake Shack, Wolfgang’s Steakhouse and Dean & Deluca! OMG! YES! :- )
I want Chick-Fil-A!!
Long John Silver’s of USA
They already have a branch in SM Manila.
clickthecity.com/food-drink/a/24469/long-john-silvers-americas-largest-seafood-restaurant-is-now-in-manila
Important question: Is Pink’s opening in Shang or BGC? Please say Shang please say Shang…
Shangri-la BGC which opens next year as well!
Thanks for the answer! I never knew that! But damn, everything’s in BGC nggh
Din Tai Fung!!!!
Halal Guys in a mall? hmm..
That Halal Guys in Megamall better be the real thing! Haha.
Let’s bring in CHIPOTLE!!!
Yup it’s real!!
Shack Shack, Pinks, and Halal Guys in PH and no Cali appearance? What sort of madness is this?…
SHAKE SHACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Any news re In n Out Burgers?
As of now, none 🙁 looks like they won’t be coming to the Philippines soon.
Pie Face essentially is broke so why would anyone trade in on that franchise? They closed 6 of 7 New York stores within 2 years of opening. 5 stores in Melbourne closed in Dec and the remaining 9 are expected to follow suit. The company itself closed 20 company owned stores. It is a matter of time before the all the Sydney stores close.
http://www.brw.com.au/p/entrepreneurs/how_pie_face_lost_its_way_s7RHCT80RILeaLYydrkxSM
EXACTLY!!! Almost all pie face stores in Australia are shutting down. Lawsuits are in place. They owe a lot of money to a lot of people. This is a waste of money for the investors. Besides, filipinos wont eat pies. Break the deal!
Awesome info Pam! Thanks for scoop. Is it the Mesa group behind Shake Shack? Any idea on location?
Ludovic
Shake Shack is brought in by the guys behind Jollibee, but with no location yet. They are keeping mum on that for the moment!
Cool! Thanks Pam!
why shang for pink’s.??? why dont they just make it accessible for everybody. . like place them along side streets or anywhere there . it makes it more authentic. shang?? tsss
Pink’s also has (or had?) a branch in Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, so putting a branch in a hotel isn’t exactly unprecedented.
welcome calories and cholesterols…
i hope shake shack patties are not high in sodium…..sad
Please… bring In&Out.
Baker nowadays shakeshack sa list
Baket nawala shakeshack sa list
so is the shake shack coming to PH not real? you removed it from the initial list!
How come Shake Shack in included in the picture yet not in the list?
I love JUJU before but recently, their quality changed a lot. The price increased, the servings got smaller, and they even mix cabbage with lettuce. What’s up with that? You’re not even suppose to put that in a salad, might as well just offer coleslaw if they want to serve cabbage.
Same… I stopped going after that experience. I go for the juices na lang. But even that you can get cheaper somewhere else.
[…] Food will always be a good reason to celebrate, and 2015 promises a lot of reasons for us to be excited. There’s a line up of amazing restaurant openings for next year, and thinking about it already makes our mouth water! This year we’ve witnessed long lines in new dining places such as Tim Ho Wan, Ippudo Manila, and Saint Marc Cafe of Tokyo, 2015 offers the likes of Din Tai Fung and Pink’s Hotdogs. […]
You forgot Buffalo Wild Wings is opening at Capitol Commons. Its a popular chicken wing joint back in NY.
How come nobody knows about BDubs???
[…] Rumors of the French luxury bakery opening a store in Manila began circulating on social media last year. Pepper.ph, an acclaimed food blog, included Ladurée on its “The Rumored” list in an article entitled “Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings of 2015“. […]
Little caesars pizza.. Love their italian cheese bread
Nando’s sana may mag-pasok. Saka sana bumalik ang Arby’s.