Esquire Essentials 2026 for Food, Lifestyle, and Banks

Every year we cook up the ultimate cheat sheet called Esquire Essentials, a curated list where we personally sift through countless options to handpick only the exceptional and truly cool products, services, and experiences that are worth your time and attention.

In the second installment of this year's Esquire Essentials, we present our picks for the absolute best in food and beverage, lifestyle and travel, and banking and finance for the discerning man. These are narrowed down to restaurants worth braving the traffic for, a bar that could be your regular hangout, food items for your next grocery run, luxury resorts and hotels for your next getaway, and trusted banks for saving and spending.

ALSO READ: Esquire Essentials 2026 for Gadgets, Technology, and Grooming

Malagihay Cocktail Club hides in plain sight, but that doesn't mean it's easy to get a table at this speakeasy. The neighborhood bar, which soft-opened in November 2025, has really brought back the culture of having regulars, most just hanging out at a familiar place—exactly as Malagihay wanted it to be. After all, it is housed within a repurposed old house, making it the perfect third place to escape the city's noise. The cocktails are thoughtfully curated, inviting guests to choose their drink based on a specific Mood, Moment, or Memory, which are also the names of the cocktail collections. "Magic Gulaman," for example, may remind you of childhood summers, while "Burnham Park" calls on memories of quick weekend getaways. Malagihay is also a recommended pitstop if you're going on a bar crawl in the Pasig-Mandaluyong-San Juan corridor.

Malagihay Cocktail Club is at 2/F 193 A. Mabini Street, San Juan City. It is closed on Tuesdays.

An icon of Tennessee whiskey, Jack Daniel's has become an essential feature on any liquor shelf, whether behind the bar at a cozy speakeasy or showcased in your home collection. It can be served neat or on the rocks, but some popular pairing are with cola, lemonade, or ginger beer.

Kása Palma’s latest tasting menu takes diners on an immersive culinary journey, leaving them with a renewed appreciation for the country’s coastal heritage. The eight-course degustation reinterprets local ingredients like oyster, sea cucumber, halibut, sea mantis, prawn, jackfish, tuna, sea urchin, crab, and coral trout, in unexpected fine-dining forms. Expect playful transformation across the menu from an oyster served in a savory ice cream cornet and a sea mantis empanadita to sea cucumber chicharon and crab crème brûlée. The menu likewise highlights Chef Aaron Isip’s Cuisine d’Auteur, which is rooted in French technique, with Filipino, Latin, and Southeast Asian influences. 

Kása Palma is at 6042 Palma Street, Poblacion, Makati City. It is open for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, from 5:30 p.m. onwards.

Manam, a homegrown brand by The Moment Group, serves Filipino comfort fare. It has become so familiar that, at this point, it's a go-to option when we don't know where to eat (or where to have food delivered). The House Crispy Sisig is a staple, ideally paired with Bagoong Rice. Manam is also known for its Sinigang na Beef Short Rib, which comes with watermelon chunks.

Manam has several branches in Makati, Taguig, Quezon City, Pasay, Manila, and other major hubs outside Metro Manila. Its flagship store is at Ayala Triangle Gardens, which is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and weekends from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Cantabria by Chele Gonzalez makes a compelling case for Spanish dining by going beyond the familiar tapas-and-paella repertoire to explore the country’s rich regional diversity. In its latest menu series, Los Chicucos, Creative Culinary Director Chef Chele Gonzalez and Chef de Cuisine Álvaro Romero-Abreu Raya trace the historical ties between Cantabria and Cádiz, their respective hometowns. In the five-course menu, heritage dishes and seasonal ingredients are reinterpreted with contemporary techniques—from Cádiz’s tortillita de camarones and northern Spain’s bacalao al pil-pil to dishes inspired by Spanish summer afternoons by the sea. More than a showcase of Spanish flavors, Los Chicucos gives diners a deeper appreciation of Spain’s culinary heritage with every course. 

Cantabria by Chele Gonzalez is at The Westin Manila, San Miguel Avenue corner Lourdes Drive, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City. It is open daily, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Yawagari at Hotel Okura Manila has everything you could want from a Japanese feast. The buffet features a Raw Bar with an assortment of sushi and sashimi, a Noodle Station serving hearty ramen and other hot noodles, and a Robatayaki section with grilled favorites such as yakitori, kushiyaki, and tsukune. There’s also a Carving Station for roasted meats, plus tempura, gyoza, and yakisoba to round out the spread. With so many Japanese favorites to choose from, Yawagari is a great spot when you want to sample a little bit of everything. And the setting makes the experience even better: the elegant dining space is inspired by the aesthetic of a modern Japanese village. 

Yawaragi now also features an Ishiyaki stone-grilling experience on its grill menu, using hot volcanic stone plates heated by glowing binchotan charcoal. Diners can choose between Premium A5 Wagyu Sirloin and Saga Wagyu beef, and both come with Japanese rice, miso soup, and specialized dips/salts (Maldon salt, matcha salt, wasabi, and a selection of sauces).

Yawaragi is at Hotel Okura, 2 Portwood Street, Newport World Resorts, Pasay City. It is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

CRU Steakhouse received the prestigious MICHELIN Selected distinction in the inaugural MICHELIN Guide in 2025. The fine dining restaurant is most proud of its showstopping Omi Wagyu A5 striploin, while other highlights are the oysters, foie gras, and surf 'n' turf. This elegance is complemented by the interiors' leather accents, warm tones, and a lively open kitchen.

CRU Steakhouse is at the ground level of Manila Marriott Hotel, 2 Resort Drive, Newport World Resorts, Pasay City. It is open from Sunday to Thursday, from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and from Friday to Saturday, from 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Yardstick traces its beginnings as one of the pioneers of specialty coffee with a quiet operation in Legazpi Village in 2013. It has since grown into 10 branches and has earned a spot in the World's 100 Best Coffee Shops twice in a row since the global list was established in 2025. Their flagship espresso blends are Golden Ticket, a familiar coffee, and Legazpi, their specialty.

Yardstick has branches at Mall of Asia, Opus Mall, Otaku Room BGC, Podium (via The Daily Cut), Rockwell (via Maisonette), Salcedo Village (via Cartel), SM Aura, The Corner House, and Aguirre. Its flagship store is in Legazpi Village, which is open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Homegrown brand B Coffee was founded in 2020 in an effort to "democratize premium coffee" in the Philippines. And by that, they mean selling 100% Arabica coffee from all over the world in capsules and at low cost: P250 for a box of 10 Colombia Americano capsules or 10 Dulce Caramel Macchiato capsules, P2,000 for a bundle of eight boxes of different flavors, and more. The capsules are also compatible with other coffee capsule machine brands, but B Coffee also has its own at P2,600. Everything is readily available online: through their website or other shopping platforms, making it easy to have good coffee at home.

Moroccan luxury brand Bacha Coffee has become a popular pasalubong for travelers returning from North Africa or connection hubs like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia—where its iconic orange tins are a staple sight in airport shops. It offers over 200 varieties of 100% Arabica coffee, fine blended coffees, and decaffeinated ones. Bacha Coffee recently opened an outpost at Greenbelt 3 in Makati City, where they sell their signature drip coffees and whole beans. Personal favorites are the Milano Morning Coffee, which brings the Italian city's vibe through hints of bitter chocolate squares and sweet notes of melting brioche; and the Singapore Morning Coffee, which has notes of chocolate and spices—both are from their Fine Flavoured line.

Marcelo's Microcreamery gambled on turning kakanin classics into artisanal ice cream, and the trial and error all paid off. Back in May, they won the 2026 Best Specialty & Gourmet Frozen Dessert of the Year at the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions' Katha Awards, which honors product excellence, export potential, and tropical heritage in Philippine food innovation. They were also the sole Philippine brand featured in its category at THAIFEX Anuga Asia 2026 at the Halal & New to Market Showcase in Bangkok, Thailand.

According to founder and CEO John Marcelo, they operate as a microcreamery to ensure absolute quality in small batches. Their Heritage Line now includes fun Filipino flavors like Bilo-Bilo, Inutak, Ube Macapuno Champorado, Latik-Latik, Mangga’t Suman, and Chocolate Champorado.

Marcelo’s Microcreamery Heritage Line (P469.00 / pint) is available at Landers, The Marketplace, Robinsons Supermarket, Shopwise, HeyDay, One World Deli, Romulo Cafe, Last Chucker, Manila Polo Club, Anya Resort Tagaytay, and Likhaang Filipino.

Amorita Resort and Spa is a familiar name on Panglao Island in Bohol, and it has now brought its signature service to Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The new property's architecture is modern and almost brutalist; its villas are still private sanctuaries, and staff are still attentive to guests' needs. One of its restaurants, Katala, serves inventive Filipino and Asian cuisine developed for the resort by Executive Chef Greg Villalon. Standouts are the Crab and Prawn Noodles, Chicken Inasal ala Puebla, Pork Belly Randang, and Palawan Cashew Pie.

Amorita Resort & Spa in Palawan is located on F. Ponce de Leon Road in Barangay San Pedro, Puerto Princesa City.

El Nido Resorts - Lagen Island’s redesigned 42 rooms and villas make Filipino craftsmanship the star, blending understated elegance with sweeping views and interiors inspired by the bahay kubo and indigenous patterns of the Batak, Tagbanua, Tausug, and Maranao communities. Intricate weaving and woodwork by local artisans bring these influences to life throughout the retreat. Beyond its beautiful accommodations, the resort offers a Dive Center, Marine & Biodiversity Conservation Center, and a serene wellness sanctuary with a spa garden, yoga studio, healing pool, and treatment rooms. The result is a deeply immersive escape that feels distinctly Filipino, from its architecture and artistry to its connection with the surrounding island. 

El Nido Resorts - Lagen is accessible via Cebu Pacific with flights from Clark, Cebu, and Bohol. Arrival is at Lio Airport, then a 30-minute private boat transfer to the resort.

Radisson RED Cebu Mandaue is the very first Radisson RED property in the Philippines. It is distinct from the other Radisson Hotels in that it is all about a philosophy of a casual and expressive environment, replacing the rigid, traditional hotel structures. For one, the color red just screams all over the property: from the entrance, where guests are greeted by their mascot Piggy Boy (a nod to the world-famous Cebu lechon), to the hallways, and, of course, the rooms. Art pieces on the walls are in black and white, with touches of red that, again, stand out. The heart of the hotel is The OUIBar, its all-day dining restaurant on the ground floor. It is designed to be a social space, with cool, red-themed knick-knacks on the shelves and more artworks on the walls.

Radisson RED Cebu Mandaue is at Astra Center, A. S. Fortuna Street, Banilad, Mandaue City, Cebu.

Bearcat Travel & Yacht Charters believes that the Philippines is best experienced through responsible and intentional travel, especially curated by people who know it well. It operates M/Y Isla, a refurbished steel trawler yacht built in Hong Kong in 1961, which is available for customized island-hopping tours, off-the-grid multi-day expeditions, or even just sunset cruises. The travel agency can also bring guests to lesser-known and community-driven tourist spots, like the Dewil Mangrove Kayak Tour, which features a biodiverse coastal ecosystem. Bearcat was founded in 2016 and launched the Bearcat Travel Lounge in June 2026 at the Lio Tourism Estate, its new and permanent home base in the last frontier.

Bearcat Travel Lounge, which also houses the co-working space by Neighbors and Nomads, is at the Lio Tourism Estate's The Shops (along Lio Beach), El Nido, Palawan.

The 24-hectare Club Laiya in San Juan, Batangas has long been a plan of real estate company Landco. While the residential area is yet to be completed, the beach town is already a go-to for weekend getaways. It houses a variety of accommodation options like the capsule-like rooms of Cocoons and beachside camper units called Camperisti; two dining options: The Sands with Filipino favorites and the beachfront grill called Captain Barbozza; and an infinity pool right in front of the sleeping pods.

Club Laiya is in Barangay Laiya Aplaya, San Juan, Batangas.

Shopping mobile app Lazada may have been around for 11 years, celebrating its anniversary this August, but it's not slowing down anytime soon. It now has over 130 million annual active consumers in Southeast Asia, aligning with a study by Milieu Insight that says up to 73 percent of shoppers now consider shopping online to be integral to everyday life. The Philippine e-commerce market, according to data and analytics firm GlobalData, is projected to reach P2.2 trillion by 2028. Three in five shoppers agree that Lazada makes shopping entertaining, with users crediting authentic product reviews. In particular, LazMall, a specialized, premium channel on Lazada that is reserved strictly for official brand owners, authorized distributors, and flagship stores, adds to the credibility of this online platform.

Metrobank Cashback Card stands out as a strong rebate option, especially if you have recurring expenses. It delivers a five percent cash rebate on essential everyday categories, including groceries, telecommunications, streaming subscriptions, and school or bookstore expenses, and a baseline 0.2 percent rebate for everything else. While it doesn't earn rewards points or miles, unlike other credit cards, its Cash Rebates earned or deducted are always reflected in the succeeding statement of account, allowing huge savings.

People sending you bank transfers via MariBank is proof of just how popular this digital bank has become. For one, it features zero-fee transfers, whether through InstaPay or PESONet. As a debit bank, it offers a significant 3.75 percent to four percent interest on savings that are credited daily. Opening an account is hassle-free as it has no lock-in period or minimum balance requirement.

Sun Life Premier Legacy is built for high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and families seeking structured estate planning and wealth preservation. Unlike standard policies that release claims as a single lump sum, policy owners can structure payouts to heirs across defined timelines or installments, helping prevent financial mismanagement. It provides double (200 percent) life insurance coverage until age 100, generating significant liquidity to cover estate taxes, settle outstanding liabilities, or preserve business continuity without liquidating key assets.

GCash has become an essential e-wallet, especially with the rollout of QRPH, allowing GCash users to just scan and pay with their phones. Since it was launched in 2004, it has grown into a comprehensive financial super-app, offering cryptocurrency trading, investment in local and global mutual funds, microinsurance, and even an e-commerce feature. Gcash has also allowed global cashless spending, through Alipay; as well as international swiping for close-to-none fees and fair exchange rates.

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