- Creative
- Date night
- Destination
Filipino restaurants that I would take my Filipino parents to
· Updated
If you have Filipino relatives who have certain expectations of the cuisine (iykyk), try taking them to these spots.
6 places
Showing 6 of 6 places
Brunch and lechon
I actually discovered Cebu after my parents took there for brunch, when they offer fun spins on breakfast faves like French toast with tres leches French toast, calamansi cream, strawberry compote, milk sauce and graham crumble, and ube waffles with chicken. And one thing my mom isn't making at home is lechon, so when the craving demands to be met, Cebu will fulfill our dreams of the slow-roasted specialty.
Snacks to go
Aside from Spam musubi and different variations of the popular Hawaiian delicacy, this casual spot also offers Filipino-inspired snacks like chicken adobo onigiri and bento boxes for when you need a fulfilling meal on the go.
Sweet spot
The creative take on traditional Filipino sweets like buttery ensaymada is something my whole family can all enjoy and appreciate. The owner is from Ilocos so when Umaga offers empanadas filled with longanisa and fried to a crisp, make sure to order at least two because you'll want one immediately after eating one.
Filipino-Cuban fusion
- Creative
Bayan Ko
Creative Filipino-Cuban fare & BYOB offered in a snug, artsy setup with outdoor seating.
Traditional dishes like lumpia and croqueta are reimagined with the addition of luxurious ingredients like caviar and uni, which are definitely not everyday foods i.e. Mom is not making this for dinner. And the combination of Filipino and Cuban is unique and worthy of a special occasion.
Not your lola's food
- Date night
- Destination
- Low-key cool
Boonie's Filipino Restaurant
No-nonsense counter-serve joint with limited seats dishing up Filipino classics like chicken adobo.
Boonie's food is Filipino at heart but reinterpreted through chef Joe Fontelera's creative eye, with beautiful presentation that matches the flavor. It reminds me a lot of the chef-driven restaurants I went to in Makati and BGC where the dishes were modern but still rooted in Filipino flavors and techniques.
Tastes like home
- Neighborly
A Taste of the Philippines
Straightforward, soulful and flavorful comfort food like you cooked it yourself but were too lazy to do it. And the service is extremely attentive and friendly so you feel right at home.