Celebrating Our 20th Wedding Anniversary at Cantabria by Chele Gonzalez

 A Spanish Fine Dining Experience in Metro Manila
 
If you are looking for a fine dining restaurant in Metro Manila for special occasions, Cantabria by Chele Gonzalez is definitely worth considering. Known for its Spanish-inspired tasting menus and recognition in the Michelin Guide, the restaurant offers a curated tasting menu dining experience that changes every quarter.

We recently visited this Spanish fine dining restaurant in Manila to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary, and it turned out to be a memorable experience for our family.
 
Our Anniversary Celebration
 
This year marked a huge milestone for us, our 20th wedding anniversary. We originally planned an anniversary getaway, but unfortunately, it had to be canceled due to circumstances beyond our control. Thankfully, we were able to rebook the trip for another time.
 
Since our travel plan didn’t push through, we decided to celebrate by dining out instead. Our first plan was to eat at a buffet restaurant, but when my husband called to make a reservation, they were already fully booked for the entire week.

 
That’s when I remembered Cantabria by Chele Gonzalez, which I first discovered during our Christmas Staycation at The Westin Manila.
 
A Michelin-Recognized Restaurant in the Philippines
 
Cantabria by Chele Gonzalez is one of the restaurants in the Philippines recognized in the Michelin Guide, making it one of the Michelin-recognized restaurants in the Philippines that food lovers often talk about.
 
This was actually the second Michelin-recognized restaurant that we have tried. The restaurant focuses on Spanish flavors inspired by the Cantabria region of Spain, presented through a thoughtfully prepared tasting menu.
 
The restaurant is definitely on the expensive side, but it is perfect for special occasions like anniversaries, birthdays, or celebrations.

 
Why I Enjoy Tasting Menu Dining
 
After trying set menu dining experiences at several restaurants such as:
 
Nawa Wellness
Tiger Leaf Asian
Samira by Chele
 
I have learned to appreciate this kind of fine dining tasting menu experience.
 
What I like about it is that:
 
There is no rush while eating
You get to try multiple dishes from appetizer to dessert
Every course feels like a pleasant surprise
 
The staff usually explains each dish when it is served. However, during our visit there were two dishes that were not explained, probably because a different server brought them to the table.
 
Reservation and Dining Experience
 
My husband made our reservation through the restaurant’s website and received a confirmation right away. This time, we also brought our son so he could experience a fine dining tasting menu in Manila.
 
We ordered the 5-Course Set Menu, which costs PHP 2,900 per person plus service charge.
 
Restaurant Hours:
 
Lunch: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Dinner: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
 
The restaurant’s set menu changes every quarter, and during our visit we were able to try the new menu that started on January 6, 2026.
 
5-Course Set Menu
 
Amuse Bouche
 
Anchoa, Queso y Pistachio
Croqueta de Jamon
Vieiras, Apionabo y Chocolate Blanco

First Course
Canelon de Ave Escabechada, Yogur y Granada

 
Second Course
Huevo Poche, Setas Confitadas al Jerez, Migas y Parmentier Trufada

Third Course 
Pescado en Amarillo

Fourth Course
Solomillo, Pimientos Asados y Pil Pil Tuetano a la Brasa

 
Fifth Course
Sobaomisu

Our Favorite Dishes
 
We literally enjoyed our tasting menu lunch from 11:30 AM until 2:00 PM. By the end of the meal, we were completely full.
 
There was no need for take-out because we managed to finish everything including the complimentary anniversary cake.

My personal favorites from the menu were:
 
the amuse bouche
the third course
the fourth course
and of course the fifth course dessert
 
Each dish was beautifully presented and thoughtfully prepared, making the entire fine dining experience in Manila even more special.
 
A Simple Anniversary Cake
 
To make the celebration extra special, we also bought a mini carrot cake to serve as our anniversary cake.
 
I created a DIY wedding cake topper using an image from Cricut Design Space, which added a nice personal touch to our celebration.

Overall, it was a memorable way to celebrate two decades of marriage, good food, a relaxed dining experience, and quality time with family.
 
Cantabria by Chele
Top floor, The Westin Manila,
San Miguel Avenue corner Lourdes Drive,
Ortigas Center MandaluyongCity,
Metro Manila, Philippines 1552