The 11 Best Filipino Restaurants in Toronto [2022]

Best Filipino Restaurants in Toronto

The best Filipino restaurants in Toronto, with their tasty dishes, will transport you right to the Philippines! If you enjoy salty, well-seasoned food with a good mix of vegetables, meat, and fish, you have to visit these Filipino restaurants. The Philippines is home to all kinds of dishes like lechon and adobo, waiting for you to discover or return to. 

Filipino cuisine is becoming increasingly popular in North America, and Toronto is no exception. Whether you’re looking for authentic Filipino cooking or more fusion, modern dishes, you’ll love these Filipino restaurants right in Toronto. 

 We chose these restaurants based on their welcoming atmosphere, affordability, and their assortment of all kinds of delicious Filipino dishes!

If you love Philippine cuisine, you’ll love these other Asian restaurants. Visit the best Thai restaurants in Toronto and the best sushi restaurants in the city!

Summary

What are the Most Popular Filipino Dishes?

Filipino cuisine is known for its salty, sour, and sweet flavours. Common ingredients include:

There are many popular Filipino dishes, but some of the most common include:

  • Lechon: Roasted suckling pig. Lechon is a popular dish for celebrations and festivals.
  • Adobo: Chicken or pork stewed in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and pepper. Adobo is a very common dish in the Philippines.
  • Pork sinigang: Pork soup with tamarind, veggies, and shrimp. Sinigang is a sour soup that is popular in the Philippines.
  • Balut: A fertilized duck egg that is incubated for 14-21 days before it is cooked. Balut is popular street food in the Philippines.
  • Kare-kare: Oxtail stew with veggies in a peanut sauce. Kare-kare is a popular dish for celebrations and festivals.
  • Halo-halo: A refreshing shaved ice dessert with fruits, beans, and milk. Halo-halo is a popular summertime treat in the Philippines.
These are just some of the many popular dishes you’ll find in Filipino restaurants! When you visit one of these restaurants, you’re sure to find a dish that you’ll love.

The Best Filipino Restaurants in Toronto

Now that you know a little bit more about Filipino cuisine, it’s time to check out some of the best Filipino restaurants in Toronto!

1. Bagnet Bros

Yelp/ Dan L.

If you’re looking for an authentic taste of the Philippines, look no further than Bagnet Bros. Their Kamayan is a flavoursome feast that will leave you full and satisfied, and at just $15 for adults and $8 for children, it’s great value too. 

For something lighter, try the Longsilog – a dish of garlic rice,eggs and seasoned meat – from their all-day breakfast menu. Prices start at just $8.99, or you can add a delicious mango salad for only $2.49. 

Bagnet Bros also offers a spacious seating area, making it ideal for families or groups of friends. And to top it all off, they have fresh Calamansi – a citrus fruit that’s hard to come by in the city. So why not head on down to Bagnet Bros and enjoy some of the best Filipino food around?

Business Information:

3770 Bathurst St, North York, ON M3H 3M5
(416) 256-9555

Customer Review Highlight:

“Great Filipino food, passionate and producing quality. I like how they are not just catering to the Filipino crowd, they're actually trying to welcome everyone to experience Filipino food. They have fresh and real calamansi! You don't get that anywhere.”
“We bought 2 portions of topsilog with garlic rice. The meat was extremely tender and very flavourful. I would definitely make the trip again just for that dish. Although, we ordered a portion of the liempo and we weren't satisfied. The thin pieces were burnt and the thicker pieces were undercooked. Stick with the tapsilog.”

Pros

Cons

  • No website

2. LAMESA

Lamesa is one of the latest trendy eateries to grace the scene, and it does not disappoint. They serve up delicious traditional Filipino cuisine in a beautiful setting. The décor and ambiance are spotless and tastefully adorned with plants and excellent furnishings. If you are a fan of art, you will enjoy the wall artworks and digital arts that are on display. 

The menu features a variety of dishes such as Ube flan, pig belly, mushroom Pancit, and many others. They also change their menus on a regular basis, so you can try new things and never grow bored. Be sure to try their chicken adobo, which is one of the best in town.  You won’t be disappointed.

Business Information:

634 St Clair Ave W, Toronto, ON M6C 1A9
(647) 343-1110
lamesatoronto.com

Customer Review Highlight:

“We booked out the restaurant for a friend's birthday tonight, and the team put out an incredible meal. Absolutely everything was delicious. Could have eaten an entire bowl of the brussel sprouts, but thankfully I didn't as I needed the room to try everything on the giant platters they brought out for us to share, each item of which was unique and full of flavor and perfectly cooked. Great place for a couple people, or a big group like ours.”
“Highly recommended! The staff was friendly, welcoming, and attentive and the food was delicious and in generous portions. The fried chicken and the garlic rice in the chick-silog were really good and the adobo brussel sprouts were perfectly cooked.”

Pros

  • Serves traditional Filipino dishes and seafood
  • Offers catering services for large events

Cons

  • Closed on Mondays

3. Tinuno

If you’re looking for an authentic Filipino dining experience, look no further than Tinuno. This hole-in-the-wall restaurant may be small, but it packs a big punch when it comes to flavour. From their famous Kamayan feast to their Bangsilog breakfast dish, there’s something for everyone at Tinuno. 

And don’t forget to try their refreshing coconut water or Calamansi juice – the perfect way to wash down your meal. Best of all, their outdoor patio is perfect for people watching on a warm day. 

So next time you’re in the mood for something different, head to Tinuno and enjoy a taste of the Philippines. Bon appetit!

Business Information:

31 Howard St, Toronto, ON M4X 1J6
(647) 343-9294
tinunothirtyone.com

Customer Review Highlight:

“Food tasted amazing and the portions were huge. However, some food was overcooked and tasted burned. Overall, price was reasonable, and you could also enjoy unlimited garlic rice. The staff was very nice and friendly. Their desserts are must-try. Definitely will come back again”
“First try of Filipino cuisine and it was amazing. The bbq seafood feast is absolutely something you must try. Set on banana leaf and rice, eat with hand! (Plastic glove provided) No strong spices, very yummy! The calamary and pork crackling was good too.”

Pros

  • Serves traditional Filipino dishes including grilled fish, pork and veggies
  • Located in 3 places around Toronto

Cons

  • Some reviewers mentioned that the quality of the food fluctuated

4. Marcelina's Filipino Restaurant

Google/Brian Cohen

Marcelina’s is one of the best places to visit, especially during the summer. They offer a lovely sheltered terrace that is perfect for small or large group meetings. The BBQ chicken skewers, Lechon, Palabok, and other dishes are seasoned perfectly and sure to leave you wanting more. 

The restaurant is a great place to spend the day with fabulous food and a relaxed atmosphere. All-night karaoke is also available, which is perfect for a fun night out. With their high-quality sound system, delicious food, and friendly staff, Marcelina’s is a place you don’t want to miss!

Business Information:

355 Wilson Ave, North York, ON M3H 1T3
(647) 350-1200

Customer Review Highlight:

“Went there last Friday for the Ontario reopening. We arrived before 6.30pm and the outdoor tents were packed. Nice friendly atmosphere. They had repainted the patio bar and fence ( since before Covid) in a classy Caribbean vacation blue and the place just looks dope. We stayed till midnight and stuffed our faces. The food was still as good as ever! We had lechón, palabok, kare kare and bangus sisig. So amazing. We were singing and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Too bad the karaoke wasn't open till there's indoor dining again. But we'll be back in no time. 🙂”
“This spot constantly delivers. They serve fresh dishes for fair prices, there is no waiting time even when they are busy. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for good Filipino food. My Filipino friends recommended it to me and it has been awesome! I come from a greek household and this place has me hooked on Filipino food!”

Pros

  • Open till 1 am

Cons

  • No website

5. Mineral

Mineral is one of Toronto’s modern restaurants serving Filipino-inspired cuisine. The restaurant is cozy, with soft lighting and comfortable jewel-tone seats ideal for friend meetings or date nights. There is also a bar with stools where you can enjoy a nice range of wine and cocktails. 

The menu features shareable dishes such as glazed pig neck, tuna tartar, roasted duck leg, and many more. Mineral’s cuisine is inspired by the Philippines, but with influences from other cultures such as France and Japan. As a result, the menu offers a unique and exciting culinary experience. 

Whether you’re looking for a romantic evening out or a night with friends, Mineral is sure to please.

Business Information:

1027 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4W 2K9
(416) 925-8565
mineralto.com

Customer Review Highlight:

“Chef Danny is doing an amazing job in elevating Filipino cuisine. The menu is modern fusion yet it brings you back to the memory lane. Dishes may look different from the traditional ones but the more you eat of it - it will somehow remind you of that particular traditional dish. Everything is impeccably plated and flavours are spot on.”
“Inventive dishes with some Filipino inspiration. I was wowed by the clean and delicate taste of the tuna kinilaw cold app, which contrasted the punchy flavours of the mains. The seafood noodles really screamed “ocean”.”

Pros

  • Serves Filipino inspired and contemporary Canadian dishes
  • Up-scale restaurant

Cons

  • Closed from Sunday till Tuesday

6. Wilson's Haus of Lechon

Wilson’s Haus of Lechon is a North York hidden gem. As the name implies, they serve up some of the best lechon in town. The restaurant also has a range of other meals such as pork skewers, grilled chicken and fish, and many more. They put their grill outside the restaurant under a tent, and the aroma will make you turn your head. 

The restaurant has a small dining area as well as a patio. However, they are ideal for takeout, but the aroma of the dish will not keep you waiting long. So if you’re ever in the mood for some delicious Filipino food, be sure to check out Wilson’s Haus of Lechon!

Business Information:

365 Wilson Ave, North York, ON M3H 1T3
(416) 792-7548
wilsonshausoflechon.com

Customer Review Highlight:

“My first time trying here. Staff are very friendly. They even gave me more portion of the combo we ordered. I have not tried the lumpia because they ran out of stock but ate was kind enough to give me pancit which is also good. Reasonably priced. Try the combo 5 and add a Bbq stick to share. I will definitely come back to try more of their dishes.”
“I always buy lechon here. It's one of the best and really taste like Cebu's lechon!! Since we can't wait to go home & eat.. & the smell is so good.. we always ended up eating in the car!! Kuya Wilson & staff are very friendly as well!! They greeted me Happy Birthday last sunday! 😍😍”

Pros

  • Serving Cebuano Bisaya Lechon cuisine
  • Specializing in whole roasted hog and rotisserie chicken

Cons

  • Closed on Mondays

7. iSLAS Filipino BBQ and Bar

If you enjoy authentic Filipino cuisine and tropical cocktails, you are going to love this restaurant. iSLAS Filipino BBQ and bar have a lively dining room as well as a lovely summer patio. 

Their cuisine is both delicious and reasonably priced, including a $5 menu featuring dishes like pork BBQ, Karioka, and beverages such as red horse (Filipino beer) and Sago’t Gulaman ( Filipino bubble tea). Don’t forget to try their Halo-Halo, which is visually attractive and delicious. 

The restaurant also has a full bar, making it the perfect place to enjoy a night out with friends. Whether you’re looking for a hearty meal or just a casual snack, iSLAS Filipino BBQ and bar is definitely worth checking out.

Business Information:

1690 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6R 1B3
(416) 533-0777
islasto.com

Customer Review Highlight:

“A passioned chef with an artistic talent. My first time eating Pilipino food not the usual restaurant. Delicious food. Lovely decor. We have tried many dishes and will be back for more. Loved loved the desert. Highly recommend. The owners Mariel and Mark are available most of the time making sure their customers have an amazing experience. The staff is really helpful. Thank u for a nice evening.”
“Excellent restaurant with authentic Filipino food, made with love and served with care. Closer than Manila, far from many other restaurants that claim to serve Filipino food (and they are not). Warm atmosphere with a nice patio. For the quantity and quality of food it's also pretty cheap too.”

Pros

  • Traditional grilled Filipino food with tropical cocktails
  • Operates throughout the week

Cons

8. Kabalen Restaurant

On your next visit to North York, be sure to check out Kabalen, one of the best Filipino restaurants in the area. This restaurant offers an incredible assortment of classic Filipino meals, such as crispy Pata, chicken adobo, Igado, and Halo-Halo. 

The ambience is perfect for intimate meetings, with soft lighting, brick walls, and clean, comfortable dining chairs. But our favourite part of Kabalen is their Kamayan feasts. For $40, you get 15 different dishes, which is perfect for 3-4 people. And their chicken skewers are absolutely delicious. 

So on your next visit to North York, be sure to check out Kabalen. You won’t be disappointed.

Business Information:

3778 Bathurst St, North York, ON M3H 3M6
(647) 352-7222
kabalen.ca

Customer Review Highlight:

“I love this place, the selection of dishes always amazes me. Food tastes great, nice staff...and despite the nonsense comment below about no one speaking English, that's complete garbage, everyone speaks English!!”
“I told my friends about this restaurant with my warmest recommendations. I visit this restaurant often. I get very good feedback from my friends. The dishes they serve are appetizing and the crew is attentive and cooperative. always when we visit this place we have a pleasing time. I recommend this place with pleasure.”

Pros

  • Open 7 days a week

Cons

  • Website under construction

9. Bangku Filipino Cuisine By Rosslax

Bangku is one of Toronto’s coziest Filipino restaurants. This restaurant serves authentic Filipino cuisine such as Isaw ($2.25), Silog ($7.50), and Mami ($7.99). We love the ambience and the interior design, which makes you feel like you’re in a street market. 

Their meal is also reasonably priced, considering the size of the portions. It’s a great spot to have dinner, catch up with friends, or even celebrate a special occasion while eating delicious food. Try their congee the next time you visit; you won’t be disappointed. The warm and filling soup is perfect for a cold winter night, and it’s sure to leave you feeling satisfied. 

So if you’re looking for an authentic Filipino dining experience, be sure to check out Bangku. You won’t be disappointed!

Business Information:

3028 Bathurst St, North York, ON M6B 3B6
(647) 975-3028
bangku-filipino-cuisine-by-rosslax.business.site

Customer Review Highlight:

“My husband and I had lunch here! The crispy pork rice is my favourite. My husband enjoyed the beef mami (noodles). The quality of the noodles is unexpectedly good, the beef broth is a little greasy thou. The dessert Ube Halo Halo is amazing, full of toppings and flavour!”
“We have never ordered Filipino Fusion so we decided to stop by Bangku on the way home and try it, the atmosphere was electric inside and made me feel like I was outside at a street market, I loved the way they had it setup inside ... the food was fantastic and I enjoyed trying both the pork and the beef meals that we got, would recommend and go there again for sure !!!”

Pros

  • Filipino dishes and confections

Cons

  • Closed on Sundays

10. Kanto by Tita Flips

Kanto is the perfect place to go for classic and authentic Filipino food. The restaurant is small, yet cozy and inviting for dining. It also has a patio for those who enjoy outdoor seating. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Wednesday to Monday. 

Some of their standout dishes include Bangsilog, which is a combination of garlic rice, sinfully crispy pork belly, and a sunny side up egg; Lechon Kawali, which is deep-fried pork belly that is served with atchara (pickled green papaya salad); and fish balls, which are fried fish balls that are served with sweet chilli sauce. 

Their spring rolls are also a must-try – they have the perfect crispy texture and crunch. So if you’re ever in the mood for some delicious Filipino street food, be sure to head on over to Kanto!

Business Information:

707 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5T 2W6
(647) 595-5000 
titaflips.com/kanto/

Customer Review Highlight:

“I had previously never tried Filipino food before, and after this culinary experience I highly look forward to trying more again. I ordered sinigang soup and fell in love instantly. The food is very high quality, savory, and fresh!”
“Had the sigsig fries and arroz caldo. Very generous portions of pork belly with the fries - delicious! Arroz caldo was very flavourful and a great comfort food for anyone who grew up with congee. Very sweet lady working, interesting menu, and very reasonable prices.”

Pros

  • Arroz caldo is a customer favorite
  • Offers event catering

Cons

  • Closed on Sunday till Tuesday

11. Jer’s Filicanasian Restaurant

Jer’s Filicanasian is the perfect place to go if you want to try delicious Filipino food without breaking the bank. The restaurant is conveniently located near the Eglinton West subway station, and it also includes a little shop where you can buy snacks, Nescafe, and even dish soap. 

Jer’s offers a small seating area where you can sample their menu options, such as chicken Tinola, Sinigang, Pancit Miki, and others. The restaurant is wonderful for any time of day, but it’s especially great for breakfast because they offer a fantastic breakfast menu that includes pancakes, Longsilog, Tapsilog, and other items served with house coffee. 

So next time you’re in the mood for some amazing Filipino food, be sure to head to Jer’s Filicanasian. You won’t be disappointed!

Business Information:

1481 Eglinton Ave W, York, ON M6E 2G6
(647) 346-4462
jersfilicanasianrestaurant.ca

Customer Review Highlight:

“This place is certainly one of the most attractive place to eat in the region. Anytime I come there I am incredibly satisfied. They hold their very high standard service and the highest level of dishes they offer. You surely will enjoy this this restaurant. Warmly recommended.”
“I come to this special place many times because I love the special atmosphere that is part of this restaurant. The personel is exceptionally loving and professional. The service is remarkablywonderfully rapid. Most important, the food you eat is excellent. I visited more than once and I was always joyful. The payment is fair. I highly suggest this place to to all.”

Pros

  • Specializes in chicken and pork barbeque
  • Competitive pricing
  • Swift service

Cons

FAQs About Filipino Food

Many Filipino foods are not a health-conscious option. Filipino cuisine is meat-oriented and typically eaten with a lot of white rice. Because the food is so flavourful and seasoned, many dishes are packed with salt and sugar and are high in calories. However, there are healthier dishes like Machado beef stew and light soups like sinigang.
Filipino cuisine is known for three flavours: salty, sour, and sweet. Filipino food is known for its strong, intense flavours, so every bite is as delicious as the next.
There are many vegan Filipino dishes, including: vegetable sinigang (soup), kare-kare (stew), and lumpia (spring rolls). There are also many vegan desserts, such as: halo-halo (shaved ice dessert) and ube ice cream.

Some popular Filipino desserts include: 

  • Halo-halo: A refreshing shaved ice dessert with fruits, beans, and milk. Halo-halo is a popular summertime treat in the Philippines.
  • Bibingka: A coconut cake that is traditionally eaten during Christmas. Bibingka is a popular Filipino dessert.
  • Leche flan: A custard dessert with a caramel top. Leche flan is a popular Filipino dessert.
  • Ube ice cream: Ice cream made with purple yams. Ube is a popular flavor in the Philippines.

Final Thoughts

 

Filipino food is probably one of the most underrated cuisines ever. Even though we’re not in the Philippines, these Filipino restaurants in Toronto will give you a taste of what the country has to offer. With delicious dishes like Tinola chicken and yummy desserts like halo-halo, Filipino food is every foodie’s dream. If you’re looking for a great spot to grab some Filipino food, you can’t go wrong with any of the best Filipino restaurants in Toronto!

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