The growing influence of community-based food businesses
took center stage as Grab Philippines recognized some of the country’s most
consistently performing restaurants and micro, small, and medium enterprises at
the inaugural 5-Star Eats Awards held on September 4 at a hotel in
Makati.
Rather than focusing on the country’s biggest food chains,
the awards placed the spotlight on merchants that have built strong customer
loyalty through dependable food quality, service, and operational performance.
The recipients came from Grab Philippines’ 5-Star Eats
program, which recognizes merchants that maintain at least a 4.5-star rating on
the platform while meeting additional criteria involving branch presence,
quality standards, and service fulfillment. The program effectively serves as a
benchmark for establishments that consistently deliver a strong dining
experience through the app.
Recognition Built on Customers, Experts and Performance
Grab Philippines structured the awards around three distinct
measures designed to provide a broader assessment of each participating
merchant.
The first was the People’s Verdict, which reflected
customer feedback and preferences on the platform. The second, Experts’
Validation, came from blind tastings conducted by a panel composed of food
experts, journalists, and content creators. The third was Data’s Proof,
which evaluated merchants according to Grab’s operational and service metrics.
Together, the three criteria provided a more comprehensive
basis for determining the winners. Customer enthusiasm alone was not enough.
Awardees also had to demonstrate quality under expert scrutiny and maintain
reliable performance in actual transactions.
This approach gave smaller and independent establishments a
meaningful opportunity to compete on the strength of what they consistently
deliver, rather than on brand size or marketing reach.
Alberto’s Pizza Leads the Winners
Cebu City-based Alberto’s Pizza emerged as the
evening’s standout recipient, securing both the Merchant of the Year
distinction and the Regional Award for Visayas.
Other regional winners represented different parts of the
country. L.A. Bakeshop received the Luzon award, Kyu Kyu Ramen 99
was recognized for Metro Manila, while Chikoy’s Lugawan took the honor
for Mindanao.
Several other merchants were recognized for achievements
across specialized categories.
Wok It Out earned the Viral Hit Award, while Go!
Salads was named the 5-Star Dine Out Restaurant. Claudette’s
received the Rising Star distinction, and Mylene’s Ensaymada and
Banana Cake was recognized with the GrabFood Exclusive Star Award.
The awards also highlighted individual dishes that have
become notable draws for diners.
Cake2Go received the Platinum 5-Star Plate for
its Toblerone Overload. Vito’s BBQ was recognized as a Filipino Icon
for its Boneless Chicken Plate, while Sushi Nori earned the Japanese
Icon distinction for its Aburi Poké.
Recognition Extends Beyond Metro Manila
The strong showing of businesses outside the capital was
among the more significant developments highlighted during the awards.
Grab Philippines Commercial Director Cams Tuason discussed
the 5-Star Eats program with members of the media, emphasizing that the
initiative was created to increase visibility for merchants that consistently
demonstrate strong food quality and customer service.
The geographic spread of the awardees also underscored a
broader development within Grab’s merchant ecosystem. Businesses from various
regions are increasingly meeting the platform’s standards for customer ratings,
service reliability, and operational consistency.
For emerging food enterprises, visibility can be as valuable
as an award itself. Recognition on a major digital platform can introduce
regional establishments to customers who might otherwise never encounter them,
potentially turning a neighborhood favorite into a destination for a much wider
audience.
The inaugural 5-Star Eats Awards therefore represent more than a celebration of popular restaurants. They illustrate how customer feedback, expert assessment, and measurable service performance can collectively elevate smaller food businesses and give them a stronger platform in an increasingly competitive dining market.
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