Start the year deliciously: What’s hot in PH food scene this January

January 23, 2026 – 2:37 PM

Cocktails mudslide, kare-kare, Latin Nights, tiramisu. (Denny’s, Siklab+, Waterside, Carmen’s Best/Released)

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The new year is off to a delicious start, with January serving up a feast for food lovers across the Philippines.

Here’s a look at the month’s standout food and drink highlights, featuring exciting offerings from local favorites and more.

Ice cream and sweet indulgence

Carmen’s Best

kicked off the year by expanding its product lineup with limited-edition ice cream flavors and a new milk bar.

The new Ube Halaya and Tiramisu flavors are “familiar, well-loved desserts, but made the Carmen’s Best way: 100% fresh milk, no shortcuts, and handcrafted using only the finest ingredients,”

Cammie Jimenez

Part of the sales from these flavors goes toward building public school classrooms in partnership with HOPE Philippines.

The brand also introduced the

Carmen’s Best Milk Bar

, a 183-calorie treat made with pure milk that provides 12% of the daily calcium intake.

“Whether you’re a longtime Carmen’s Best fan or just about to discover its ultra-indulgent, 100% fresh milk, and its #NoShortcuts philosophy…this is your chance to treat yourself,” the brand noted.

Dairy Queen

also added a spark of childhood nostalgia with its January Blizzard of the Month: the

Poppin’ Candy Fantasy

Popping Cotton Candy Blizzard

Blueberry Popping Candy Blizzard

, each dessert mixes soft serve with popping candies and syrup for a whimsical, playful bite.

Savory and spicy favorites

Fans of Filipino barbecue can continue enjoying

Mang Inasal’s Spicy Pork BBQ

, extended until April 30.

“We will continue serving the spicy Pork BBQ for another quarter…for that juicy-lambot sarap with a kick!” Mang Inasal President Mike Castro said.

Jollibee

brought back

Mix & Match

, giving customers the freedom to pair popular mains and sides starting at P78.

“Mix & Match is all about bringing people together over the Jollibee favorites they love…Kahit anong piliin mo, masarap. Kahit sinong kasama mo, mas masaya!” Dorothy Ching, VP for Marketing, explained.

This year, Mix & Match is endorsed by

BINI

, the Nation’s Girl Group.

Siklab+,

the Filipino dining concept under

The Bistro Group,

opened its biggest branch at Conrad S’Maison, accommodating 265 guests and three function rooms.

“Our biggest branch is more than just a restaurant. It is where Filipino food brings people together, sharing precious experiences, in a spacious and welcoming ambiance,”

Guia Abuel

International flavors and cocktail experiences

For a taste of Latin culture,

Waterside at Solaire Resort

launched

Latin Nights

Cocktail enthusiasts can also look forward to

Philippine Cocktail Week

, presented by

Maya Black

, happening February 5 to 8. The event brings together 28 international bars and 28 of Manila’s top local bars in citywide collaborations.

“Philippine Cocktail Week reflects the best of modern Filipino hospitality…we’re proud to support an event that positions Manila confidently on the global stage,” Maya’s Chief Marketing Officer

Pepe Torres

said.

(Maya/Released)

Denny’s

unveiled its first-ever all-day cocktails and mocktails, available 24/7 at select branches. From dessert-inspired

Mudslide

to the floral

Make ’Em Blush

and indulgent

Ube Cream Cocktail

, the drinks are served with dramatic tableside flair, giving diners a visually and gustatorily memorable experience.

Everyday convenience and food savings

Starting the year smart,

foodpanda’s pandapro Pro Weeks

Industry moves

Finally, in the corporate side of food and beverage,

Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines

appointed

Chris Pesigan

as its new CEO, effective January 2026.

Ramon Christian “Chris” Pesigan is the new President and Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines. (Released)

“It is an honor to lead Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines at such a transformative and exciting time…we are more driven than ever to deliver sustainable growth for our people, customers, and communities,” Pesigan reflected.

—With Rosette Adel