Nicco Santos is a Filipino chef known for modern Southeast Asian cooking, best known for the restaurants Your Local and Hey Handsome in Manila.
Modern Southeast Asian cooking rooted in Singaporean and Malaysian flavours with a Filipino sensibility. This profile looks at Nicco’s background, career and signature approach.
TL;DR
- Filipino
- Known for the restaurants Your Local and Hey Handsome in Manila
- His restaurant Your Local was the sole Filipino entry on Conde Nast Traveler’s 2016 list of best restaurants.
- He is also a portrait photographer alongside his culinary career.
- Modern Southeast Asian cooking rooted in Singaporean and Malaysian flavours with a Filipino sensibility.
Nicco Santos key facts
| Name | Nicco Santos |
| Nationality / origin | Filipino |
| Known for | the restaurants Your Local and Hey Handsome in Manila |
| Location | Manila, Philippines |
| Style | Modern Southeast Asian cooking rooted in Singaporean and Malaysian flavours with a Filipino sensibility. |
Background and career
He built his cooking style by training under home cooks and families in Singapore and Malaysia. His restaurant Your Local was the sole Filipino entry on Conde Nast Traveler’s 2016 list of best restaurants.
Recognition and legacy
Hey Handsome showcases his bolder Southeast Asian flavours and modern neighbourhood-eatery concept. He is also a portrait photographer alongside his culinary career.

Signature style
Modern Southeast Asian cooking rooted in Singaporean and Malaysian flavours with a Filipino sensibility. It is an approach that has made Nicco a distinctive figure in the food world.
Nicco in context
Nicco Santos is one of the chefs featured on Pickup Table 4, alongside JP Anglo and Claude Tayag.
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Nicco Santos FAQ
Who is Nicco Santos?
A Filipino chef known for modern Southeast Asian cooking.
Where is Nicco based?
Manila, Philippines.
What is Nicco known for?
The restaurants Your Local and Hey Handsome in Manila.
What is a notable fact about Nicco?
He built his cooking style by training under home cooks and families in Singapore and Malaysia.
What is Nicco’s style?
Modern Southeast Asian cooking rooted in Singaporean and Malaysian flavours with a Filipino sensibility.
