Grab 5-Star Eats and Travel Guide Review - Our journey through 4 top‑rated establishments

After being greeted by a new 5-Star Eats page on our Grab app, we decided to try select recommended establishments to see if it is that good.

Grab 5-Star Eats and Travel recommended spot: Shizu Matcha Bar

Is Grab Food 5-Star Eats worth it?

Grab 5-Star Eats section and 5-Star Travel Guide

As frequent users of Grab ride-hailing and food delivery services in Metro Manila, we were intrigued by its new 5-Star Eats section. It is a curated selection of consistently high-rated establishments that have maintained their rating over an extended period. We decided to thoroughly test the feature by ordering from three different 5-Star Eats establishments and using the recommended establishments to visit in person.

Delivery experience from three 5-Star Eats listed establishments

Likhang Harina Sourdough loaf packaging

1. Likhang Harina - To give context, our recent doctor's visit advised us to intentionally eat Sourdough if possible. Likhang Harina is one of the select establishments within my delivery area that is listed on the 5-Star Eat list.

We ordered the three loaves of sourdough. Specifically, the Country, Jalapeno and Cheddar, and Moringa Flax loaves. We may have accidentally placed a box of 4 Sourdough Cookies as well.

It gave us an estimated arrival of an hour from booking, and it arrived under 10 minutes earlier. It travelled from C. Raymundo Pasig to our home in San Juan City.

The packaging immediately stood out as each loaf was elegantly wrapped in brown paper, tied with rope, and stamped with the bakery's logo.

The breads delivered a velvety interior texture paired with a well-developed sourdough tang or sourness. The flavors were distinct, with the Jalapeno and cheddar variant offering a pleasant and subtle saltiness. Overall, the quality is fresh and premium. One of the better Sourdoughs I've tried so far.

Likhang Harina is worthy of the 5-Star Eats badge.

717 Deli Roast Beef Sandwich and 717 Cheeseburger

2. 717 Deli - We ordered a Roast Beef Sandwich and the 717 Cheeseburger. It arrived in premium paper packaging with the 717 branding.

Both items featured generous portions and generous beef flavor with a hint of cheese. The brioche-style buns were fluffy, too. 

Grab rider delivers 717 Deli delivery

The sandwiches were cooked perfectly and tasted good, but we weren't blown away. Our main concern was the price. Even though the portion is plenty and filling, the taste didn't blow our minds. It may be a little underseasoned for my taste.

717 Deli deserves to be on the list. It just isn't my cup of tea.

Belly Good Express Lechon Belly and Lechon Sisig

3. Belly Good Express - My final delivery came from Belly Good Express, where I ordered the 1kg Lechon Belly and Lechon Sisig. It arrived in the standard flat poly-coated paper.

The belly offered crisp skin and thoroughly cooked, tender meat, though I would have preferred additional torching for extra crispy edges. 

Belly Good Express' packaging

The Lechon Sisig, however, was outstanding. Incorporating lechon skin and bits elevated the dish significantly, resulting in richer flavor and better texture than standard versions. The packaging effectively kept the food hot and well-contained.

Belly Good Boneless Lechon strongly deserves its place in the 5-Star Eats, especially their Sisig.

All three deliveries arrived around 10 to 25 minutes ahead of their estimated delivery times.

Grab 5-Star Travel Guide 

We rode a Grab Car 4-seater to get to Shizu Matcha Bar in Caloocan 

On the Grab Transport tab, there is the new 5-Star Travel Guide section where Grab users can browse several lists of where to go in their current location. One section called 'Where to hang out' where it lists top-rated cafes, including Shizu Matcha bar in Caloocan.

Once we selected the establishment, the Grab app gave us the option to navigate towards it or to book a ride to get to the establishment. We booked a 45-minute ride to and from San Juan and Shizu Matcha Bar. It cost PHP 356 for the 4-seater ride from San Juan to Shizu Matcha Bar in Caloocan, and it cost PHP 486 for the ride back on a 6-seater Innova. We did get unlucky with our ride because the Innova we rode on smelled like cigarettes.

When we got there, we ordered the Iced Koku Matcha Latte, Hot Hojicha Latte, and Iced Genmaicha. Each drink was surprisingly different and surprisingly elegant. I love that they explicitly state whether they use whole milk or oat milk. One drink even had dango.

Shizu Matcha Bar is an experience, and it deserves to be on the 5-Star Travel Guide list.

Pros - Easy to read and navigate the 5 Star Eats section, a varied list of establishments, consistently good results

Cons - 5 Star Eats and Travel Guide is limited to your area, Grab rides sometimes have smelly or poorly maintained vehicles, and some establishments are listed on 5-Star Eats even though they are less than a year old, but with high ratings

Verdict

Grab's 5-Star Eats list proved to be a valuable tool for efficient discovery. It successfully narrows down quality options, saving time whether one is ordering delivery or seeking a place to visit.

While most aspects of my experience were positive—particularly the food quality and packaging from the deliveries—the minor shortcomings (price perception at one restaurant and variable ride comfort) highlight that curation does not guarantee perfection in every detail.

I would confidently use the 5-Star Eats section again, especially for food deliveries from standout establishments like Likhang Harina and Belly Good Boneless Lechon. For those in Manila seeking reliable choices without extensive searching, it is a worthwhile feature.

What do you guys think?