Metro’s Essential Food & Drink Guide: October 2026

October is not the month to stay home. Manila has beer festivals, immersive dinners, visiting chefs, a new season of the world’s tiniest chef, wine tastings, matcha cakes and an award-winning burger available for one day only. For the first time, Metro’s monthly food-and-drink guide is also stepping outside Metro Manila, because some things are simply too good to ignore. Here’s Metro’s FOMO food and drink guide to  October 2026.

1. Dine in the Dark at The Westin Manila

What happens when you take sight completely out of the dining experience? DID, or Dine in the Dark, serves a three-course mystery menu in a pitch-black room at The Westin Manila, with visually impaired guides leading diners through the meal. The concept was founded in Bangkok in 2012 by social entrepreneur Julien Wallet-Houget and has since expanded across Asia Pacific. At The Westin, Executive Chef Francisco “Kiko” Santiago’s menu plays with texture, temperature and flavor, while the guides become an essential part of the experience. P3,990 nett per person, including a welcome drink; dinner starts at 7 p.m. at Seasonal Tastes, The Westin Manila. For reservations, visit this link or inquire at @westinmanilahotel.

2. Oktoberfest at Solaire

If you are going to Oktoberfest, we highly recommend German Club Manila’s 86th Oktoberfest at Solaire’s Grand Ballroom on October 8 to 10. Think free-flowing German food and beer, long communal tables, a Bavarian programme and the 11-piece Bavarian Sound Express flying in from Munich. More than 6,000 guests are expected across three nights, and yes, lederhosen and dirndls are welcome. Doors open at 6 p.m.; the buffet runs until 10:30 p.m. This is one of those nights when the beer is only half the point. October 8 to 10 at Solaire Resort Entertainment City; tickets and buffet packages are available through German Club Manila. 

3. Park & Pints Craft Beer Feast

Engkanto Brewery is taking craft beer to Park & Pints, a two-day gathering at NBS Park on Pioneer Street on October 9 and 10. Expect Engkanto beers, food, music, games and the sort of loose, communal atmosphere that makes craft-beer events so, so fun. The Beer Pass is P999 and includes five pints of your choice plus free skewers, with one pass available per day. It runs from 3 p.m. to midnight, giving you plenty of time to make an evening of it. October 9 to 10, 3 p.m. to midnight, at NBS Park on Pioneer Street; Beer Passes are P999 and include five pints plus free skewers, with one pass valid per day.

4. The Burger That Won Gold, Back for One Day

On October 9, Manila Marriott Hotel brings back Chef Glen Endozo’s Multigrain Kaiser Burger, which recently won the highest Gold distinction at the 2026 Philippine Culinary Cup. The anniversary special costs P350 at Marriott Café Bakery and comes with fries and a Coca-Cola; Greatroom Al Fresco will also serve smashburgers prepared live by Chef Glen for P200. It is part of the hotel’s 17th-anniversary “Amburgers” celebration at Newport World Resorts, but the real draw is simpler: the award-winning burger disappears again after one day. October 9 at Marriott Café Bakery, Manila Marriott Hotel; the Multigrain Kaiser Burger is P350 with fries and Coca-Cola, while Greatroom Al Fresco’s live smashburger is P200; burger reservations: 0917 859 9521.

5. Half Saints Arrives at The Grid

Half Saints has moved into a new phase, opening at The Grid Food Market in Power Plant Mall after closing its former BGC location in August. The bakery-and-restaurant is known for contemporary food with Filipino influences, as well as breads, pastries and desserts; its new Rockwell outpost joins The Grid’s already crowded roster of serious places to eat. Look for familiar Half Saints signatures alongside new things to discover, including the Earl Grey Cream Croissant. Open daily at The Grid, Power Plant Mall.

6. Mano Thevar x Chele Gonzalez at Gallery by Chele

Two chefs who have been talking about cooking together for more than a year finally get two nights at the same table. Singapore-based Chef Mano Thevar, whose restaurant Thevar holds two MICHELIN stars, joins Chef Chele Gonzalez at Gallery by Chele on October 14 and 15. The dinner brings together their shared interest in technique, creativity and terroir, drawing on culinary influences from India, the Philippines, Singapore and Spain. At P8,900+ per guest, it is one for serious food people: two chefs, two perspectives, and only two nights to experience what they come up with together. October 14 to 15 at Gallery by Chele, BGC; P8,900+ per guest, with very limited seats; for reservations, email reservations@gallerybychele.com or call +63 917 546 1673.

7. Manila Calls, Bangkok Answers at Benjarong

Bangkok meets Manila over seven courses when MICHELIN-starred Chef Napol “Joe” Jantraget joins Benjarong Chef Watcharaphon “Ja” Yongbanthom for two nights, October 15 and 16. Chef Joe, founder and culinary director of Banana Blossom, is known for a progressive, research-driven approach to Thai cooking; Chef Ja has spent more than a decade at Benjarong, shaping its interpretation of Royal Thai cuisine. Together, they bring those two perspectives to one table, with dishes ranging from cured tuna and spicy tiger prawn soup to Wagyu and Thai-inspired dessert. Dinner begins at 7 p.m. and costs P10,500 nett per person. October 15 to 16 at Benjarong, Dusit Thani Manila; dinner starts at 7 p.m. and costs P10,500 nett per person, with reservations required and 50% pre-payment requested.

8. Kalayo: Liyab x Mamacita in Bacolod

During MassKara season, Chef Charles Montañez of Liyab and Mamacita takes over LANAI by Fresh Start in Bacolod for Kalayo, an afternoon-to-evening open-fire dinner built around ingredients from the Slow Food Community of Negros. Montañez brings the cooking; DJ Mariwara supplies the soundtrack. The one-night experience is October 16 from 4 to 10 p.m., and costs P2,800 per person including the full food experience and one Slow Drink. If you happen to be in Bacolod for MassKara, this is exactly the kind of dinner you want to know about before everyone else does. October 16, 4 to 10 p.m., at LANAI by Fresh Start in Bacolod; P2,800 per person, including the full food experience and one Slow Drink; reservations: Nikki at 0998 970 4851.

9. Manila Uncorked 2026

Manila Uncorked returns for its sixth edition on October 21 at Whitespace Manila, bringing together wine suppliers and more than 300 selections from around the world, alongside sake, beer and natural wines. The Philippine Sommelier Association’s annual tasting is designed to work for both curious beginners and serious wine drinkers, with themed Wine Flights, seminars and a VIP section for ultra-premium bottles. It runs from 4 to 10 p.m., giving you six hours to taste your way through the room without pretending you know everything about wine. October 21, 4 to 10 p.m., at Whitespace Manila, 2315 Don Chino Roces Avenue, Makati; tickets range from P900 to P2,800, with more than 300 wines plus sake, beer and natural wines.

10. Le Petit Chef: The Magical Cooking Book

The world’s smallest chef is back, and this time he has a magical cooking book. Season 4 of Le Petit Chef begins October 1 at The Peak at Grand Hyatt Manila, combining 3D animation, live hosting and a four-course dinner into the kind of meal that works equally well for a date night, family outing or anyone who still enjoys being surprised by dinner. The new season brings a new story, characters and dishes, including the much-talked-about AI Cooking Robot course featuring Patagonian toothfish, followed by a hands-on dessert. It is dinner and theatre in one seat, with the table itself becoming part of the show. From October 1 at The Peak, Grand Hyatt Manila; the Classic Menu is P7,500 nett per person, with vegan and kids’ menus also available; reservations are through lepetitchef.com/grand-hyatt-manila or +63 2 8838 1234. 

Matcha and chestnut are having a very good October. The Matcha Tokyo PH and Flour Pot have created two limited-edition cakes using The Matcha Tokyo’s 100 percent organic matcha: the Matcha Marron, layered with chestnut cremeux, roasted chestnut sponge, matcha-vanilla cream, white chocolate and Benguet strawberries; and the Matcha Wild Raspberry, with wild raspberry jam and matcha buttercream. Slices are P370 and P350 respectively, with whole cakes available as well. Available until October 25 at selected The Matcha Tokyo branches; Matcha Marron is P370 a slice/P1,950 whole, while Matcha Wild Raspberry is P350 a slice/P1,850 whole.

12. Petite Bakery Pops Up in Rockwell

Petite Bakery, the cult cookie brand behind the social-media-famous baking videos, has landed at Power Plant Rockwell for a limited pop-up. Come for the cookies, leave with a box, and try not to eat them before you get home. The Petite Bakery pop-up at Power Plant Rockwell runs from October to December 2026; check @petitebakerystudio for current pop-up hours, cookie availability and ordering details.