8 Filipino Restaurants to Revamp Your Local Food Appetite

Filipino food has an unrivaled warmth that swiftly transports you back to a familiar, cozy ambiance, much like at home. Definitely, your loved ones abroad miss Filipino food too and the nostalgic feeling of having it while reminiscing the good old days. Well, in our culture, eating is more than just having food on the table, it's also a way of expressing a Filipino’s love through cooking.

And aside from culinary skills, Filipinos are also renowned for their resourcefulness and creativity in the kitchen. That's why we're able to put our own spin on any recipe from any culture and craft unique dishes that you won't find elsewhere. Several local restaurants are known for serving these dishes, and you'll understand why they're considered special once you try them! 

Definitely a candidate for your next go-to with your balikbayan fam!

If you're in search of the best, go no further than this Filipino restaurant which has been named one of Asia's 50 best restaurants for 2022. Incorporating a modern spin on traditional Filipino flavors, the restaurant's name reflects the unique vision of its owner, Chef Navarra.

Housed in a chic modern building in a bustling part of Makati, the specialties of this popular Filipino restaurant include a three-cut pork barbecue (shoulder, belly, and butt), an 18-vegetable bahay-kubo salad, a tomato meringue with ginataang langka and kinilaw na "relyenong" pusit among others, all of which are cooked using locally sourced ingredients. In total, you have the option of choosing from a menu consisting of six courses, a meal consisting of three courses, or anything from the list served à la carte.

Address: The Alley at Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Chino Roces Ave, Makati

Contact Information: 0917 720 8630

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You've probably heard of this Filipino restaurant online which is popular for its unique take on classic Pinoy food such as sinigang, sisig and palabok. Its popularity among Filipinos stems from its significant role in modernizing traditional Filipino recipes. The main attraction on the menu? Their crispy palabok drizzled with sauce upon serving!

If you're a fan of classic sinigang, Manam also serves a version of this prepared with watermelon fruit. Despite the recipe's unfamiliarity, the unique blend of flavors was spot on that kept customers coming back for more. This is definitely the place to go if you want to experience the comfort and familiarity of traditional Filipino food, especially for balikbayans who missed this experience.

Address: SM Mall Of Asia, Main Mall, J.W. Diokno Blvd, Pasay

Contact Information: (02) 8889 1020

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Located in the heart of Poblacion Makati, this Filipino restaurant has been a top favorite among locals since its launch three years ago. If you go there after 9 p.m., you may take advantage of their dimmed lights that offer a romantic ambiance that's sure to look great on your Instagram feed. The ambiance here feels like home, so you and your balikbayan fam may unwind here and catch up like the good old days.

The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as an indoor bar, making it perfect for a relaxing night out. Pair it with one of their signature dishes, Dinuckduckan, made of duck breast with fried egg, crispy duck skin, and pickled green chile. If you love chicken feet but want to explore new twists, their fried duck leg could be right up your alley!

Address: 5883 Enriquez St., Poblacion, Makati

Contact Information: +63917-1735883

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This Filipino restaurant is known for its innovative twists on traditional Filipino cuisine and has become popular not just in Tagaytay but also in four other areas around the country. Of the four, though, this may be your best bet for tasting Dekada's signature Filipino food while basking in the scenic beauty and balmy weather of the city. They offer everything from fish, meat, and veggies, which are all guaranteed to be freshly prepared and sourced from local vendors.

If you're looking for something out of the ordinary like the crispy palabok at Manam, they serve lumpiang palabok here which includes grilled mahi-mahi wrapped in rice paper. And while dining here, you'll feel like you're in a modern museum owing to the restaurant's unique blend of antique decor, contemporary accents, and pop artworks of Filipino heroes. An ideal location for taking Instagram-worthy pictures too!

Address: Silang Junction South, Tagaytay

Contact Information: 0951 132 8893

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This spot is another local favorite in Tagaytay; serving contemporary twists on traditional Filipino food while overlooking the scenic view of the Taal Volcano and Taal Lake. Your balikbayan relatives will surely love the eclectic mix of contemporary and vintage decor featured here which is a picture-perfect setting for vacation snaps.

Have a hankering for Inasal, Batchoy, Bulalo, and more? There is no way you'll go unsatisfied at this Filipino restaurant since they have every kind of local comfort food available here. Even better, there's a Piyaya production corner for you to check out and buy as pasalubong. You must also try their own spin on Bulalo—a creamier, saucier version called Bulalo na Baka—served hot off the grill. Just note that you will likely have to wait in a long line if you plan on eating here during the weekend.

Address: 4120 Tagaytay-Nasugbu Hwy, 4120 Tagaytay City

Contact Information: 0923 726 6290

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Set in another corner of Poblacion Makati, this Filipino restaurant and pub has earned a name for itself as one of the best in the city serving a variety of craft beers, draft beers, and wines. The founder of Alamat apparently built it with the idea of creating a great spot to bring balikbayan families to eat authentic Filipino food and to get a glimpse of Poblacion nightlife. 

Alamat is well-known not only for its pub scene but also for its unique twists in classic Filipino dishes. There's a lot to choose from on their menu, but their bistek, skewers, chicken wings, sausage, and sisig are fan favorites!

Address: 2/F, 5666 Don Pedro, Poblacion, Makati

Contact Information: 0917 306 2024

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If you're pining for a traditional Filipino home-cooked meal with your balikbayan fam, Bale Dutung won't let you down. Located in a residential subdivision of Pampanga, this Filipino restaurant is run by a sculptor and artist who is behind all the wooden sculptures and decorations that adorn the restaurant.

Interestingly, the restaurant's shelves are lined not with bottles of wine but with jars of aging vinegar. Some of the local Filipino fare offered here is their fiddlehead fern salad with calamansi vinaigrette and lumpiang ubod with a mix of Claud'9 oriental sauce made with lemon, coriander, and Thai basil. You should try their famous tortillas stuffed with fried crispy lechon flakes too!

Address: Paul Ave, Angeles, Pampanga

Contact Information: (045) 625 0169

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Many of our balikbayan relatives missed the nostalgia of the hearty breakfasts they used to enjoy back home. When it comes to traditional Pinoy breakfast, sinangag with tuyo, egg, hotdog, ham, tocino, etc., cannot be beaten. It's complemented with a hot cup of coffee, milk, and a chocolate drink that will take you back to the cozy, home-cooked meals of a Filipino household. Cafe Juanita serves these meals with a wide selection of other Filipino food, ranging from basic breakfast meals to classic favorites. There’s also a corner in the restaurant that exudes a homey provincial feeling if you’re homesick from the old times!

As one of Kapitolyo's well-known cafes especially among tourists, this Filipino restaurant has grown over the years to embrace not only Filipino culture but also other Asian countries' aesthetics, such as Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Korean. 

Address: 19 W Capitol Dr, Pasig

Contact Information: (02) 8632 0357

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