Helm in Makati is an intimate chef's-counter restaurant serving seasonal multi-course tasting menus. It charges ₱5,800 for eight courses and ₱8,800 for 12 courses, requires advance booking, and suits serious food lovers and special occasions rather than budget or walk-in dining.
A chef's counter means guests sit around the kitchen and watch dishes being finished. A tasting menu means a fixed sequence of small courses eaten in order. At Helm, that format is formal, quiet, and focused on technique.
Table of Contents
- Where is Helm and why does it matter?
- What kind of food does Helm serve?
- How much will dinner cost?
- How do you get a reservation?
- Who will enjoy Helm most, and who should skip it?
Where is Helm and why does it matter?
Helm by Filipino-British chef Josh Boutwood operates on the Third Floor, Tower 2, The Shops at Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City, after moving from BGC in 2023, according to Lifestyle Asia's restaurant report. The move placed it in a business and shopping district that is easier to pair with an evening out. Plan for mall traffic, parking, and extra travel time.
Helm earned Two Michelin Stars at the Oct. 30, 2025 ceremony for MICHELIN Guide Manila and Environs and Cebu 2026, the only two-star restaurant in the Philippines, according to BusinessMirror's awards coverage. That status explains high demand and limited seats. For home cooks, it is useful as a tasting benchmark rather than a weekly dinner option.
What kind of food does Helm serve?
Helm serves seasonal, themed tasting menus reflecting Boutwood's half-British, half-Filipino roots and Spanish influences. Recent dishes include Fjord Trout with carrot and Wagyu with beetroot. Each plate pairs one main ingredient with a focused vegetable accompaniment.
Expect precise cooking, restrained seasoning, and close attention to texture. The room is built for watching the kitchen work, with open-kitchen interaction and minimalist black, copper, and gray design. Conversation stays low because the counter is small and every seat faces the cooking.
How much will dinner cost?
Listed prices are ₱5,800 for eight courses and ₱8,800 for 12 courses per person, inclusive of VAT plus a 7.5% service charge, while special menus such as Single Ingredient cost ₱7,500 plus 10%, according to Preview's menu and price report. Drinks, extra pairings, and special requests add to the bill. Treat the 12-course option as a longer evening with higher total cost.
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For budgeting, calculate the service charge before you go. Eight courses suit first-time visitors who want the full style without the longest night. Twelve courses suit diners who want the widest range in one visit.
How do you get a reservation?
Reservations are required well in advance because seating is very limited around the counter. Helm describes an intimate room with 10 seats around a U-shaped counter, also listed elsewhere as a 24-seater.
Use one of these booking routes: Book early for weekends, holidays, and anniversaries. Confirm party size, arrival time, allergies, and special menus before paying any deposit.
- Book through joshboutwood.com.
- Call +63 9159098647 from 10AM to 5PM.
- Email [email protected] for groups.
Who will enjoy Helm most, and who should skip it?
Helm suits serious gastronomes, date nights, chef's-table seekers, and special-occasion diners wanting to watch cooking up close. It rewards patience, curiosity, and interest in tasting small, carefully built courses. Home cooks can pick up ideas about pairing, portion size, and sequencing.
It does not suit budget diners, walk-ins, or large groups. Diners who prefer large portions, loud rooms, or flexible ordering will feel constrained. Choose another spot if anyone needs a casual, quick, or low-cost meal.
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