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Abu Dhabi has a thriving Filipino community, and the city is home to a variety of Filipino restaurants that offer authentic, delicious, and affordable dishes. Whether you’re craving classic comfort food like adobo and sinigang or Filipino street food like isaw and balut, here are some of the best Filipino restaurants in Abu Dhabi where you can indulge in traditional Filipino flavors:
1. Bistro Charley
- Cuisine: Filipino
- Location: Hamdan Street
- Why it’s famous: Bistro Charley is known for its homey atmosphere and hearty Filipino meals. The restaurant offers a wide variety of Filipino comfort food such as adobo, sinigang, and sisig. The casual setting and affordable prices make it a favorite among locals and expats alike.
- Signature Dish: Sinigang na Baboy, Lechon Kawali, Sisig, Adobong Manok, and Pancit Canton.
2. Kanto Freestyle Kitchen
- Cuisine: Filipino Fusion
- Location: Al Muroor Road
- Why it’s famous: Kanto Freestyle Kitchen offers a modern twist on traditional Filipino dishes. It’s known for its creative menu, which includes unique renditions of Filipino comfort foods with an emphasis on high-quality ingredients and fusion concepts. It’s a great spot for those looking for both classic dishes and innovative Filipino-inspired creations.
- Signature Dish: Kanto Breakfast (longganisa, tapa, and tocino), Sisig Fries, Sinigang na Hipon, and Crispy Pata.
3. Chibugan Sa Kanto
- Cuisine: Filipino
- Location: Khalidiya
- Why it’s famous: As the name suggests, Chibugan Sa Kanto offers a casual, “kanto-style” (street corner) Filipino dining experience. The restaurant is famous for its comfort food and traditional Filipino street food snacks. It’s a great place to enjoy a fun, laid-back meal with a selection of barbecue skewers, grilled meats, and other popular Filipino dishes.
- Signature Dish: BBQ Skewers, Pancit Malabon, Lechon Kawali, and Kare-Kare.
4. Filipino Diner
- Cuisine: Filipino
- Location: Electra Street, Abu Dhabi
- Why it’s famous: Filipino Diner is a beloved spot for traditional Filipino dishes, offering a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. This place serves up hearty portions of sinigang, adobo, and bangus (milkfish), with affordable prices that keep it popular among both expats and locals.
- Signature Dish: Adobong Manok at Baboy, Sinigang na Baboy, Pancit Bihon, and Lechon Kawali.
5. Mesa Filipino
- Cuisine: Filipino
- Location: Al Nahyan
- Why it’s famous: Mesa Filipino brings traditional Filipino cuisine to the forefront with a wide variety of dishes served in a cozy, inviting atmosphere. This restaurant is perfect for groups, offering shareable plates and a menu that features classic Filipino dishes like bistek tagalog, bangus, and pancit.
- Signature Dish: Pancit Palabok, Bistek Tagalog, Sinigang na Baboy, and Crispy Pata.
6. Cabalen Filipino Restaurant
- Cuisine: Filipino Buffet (All-You-Can-Eat)
- Location: Al Wahda Mall
- Why it’s famous: Cabalen offers a buffet-style dining experience, where you can enjoy a wide range of Filipino dishes. The restaurant is known for its Filipino buffet featuring an assortment of popular Filipino dishes such as sisig, sinigang, and crispy pata. It’s a popular spot for groups or families looking to enjoy an indulgent meal together.
- Signature Dish: Crispy Pata, Sinigang na Baboy, Pancit Malabon, and Lechon Kawali.
7. Manila Restaurant
- Cuisine: Filipino
- Location: Tourist Club Area
- Why it’s famous: Manila Restaurant offers an extensive menu featuring classic Filipino comfort food. It’s known for its affordable prices and generous portions, making it a favorite for those craving traditional Filipino meals like adobo, sinigang, and dinuguan.
- Signature Dish: Adobong Manok, Sinigang na Baboy, Tocilog (tocino, egg, and garlic rice), and Pancit Canton.
8. Al Basha Filipino Restaurant
- Cuisine: Filipino
- Location: Al Zahiyah
- Why it’s famous: Al Basha Filipino Restaurant is an iconic spot for Filipino food lovers in Abu Dhabi. The restaurant serves a variety of classic Filipino dishes with generous portions and great flavor. It’s also known for its street food offerings, such as isaw and kwek-kwek.
- Signature Dish: Pancit Bihon, Lechon Kawali, Isaw, and Balut.
9. Barbecue Nation Filipino Restaurant
- Cuisine: Filipino BBQ
- Location: Al Reem Island
- Why it’s famous: Barbecue Nation is dedicated to grilling up the best Filipino barbecue and skewered street food, offering classic Filipino BBQ with tasty dips. It’s the perfect place for a casual meal with friends or family, especially if you enjoy grilled meats and Filipino-style barbecue.
- Signature Dish: BBQ Skewers (chicken, pork, and beef), Inihaw na Baboy, Lechon Kawali, and Pancit Canton.
10. Gerry’s Grill
- Cuisine: Filipino, Grill & BBQ
- Location: Khalifa Street
- Why it’s famous: Gerry’s Grill is a popular Filipino chain offering a mix of grilled meats and classic Filipino dishes. The restaurant is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and a wide variety of grilled items, including sisig, kare-kare, and grilled bangus.
- Signature Dish: Sisig, Grilled Bangus, Pork BBQ, and Kare-Kare.
11. Sizzling Plate
- Cuisine: Filipino
- Location: Al Manhal
- Why it’s famous: Sizzling Plate is a Filipino-style diner that serves up sizzling hot plates of delicious Filipino comfort food. Their menu offers a variety of sizzling meats and savory stews, making it a popular spot for those who enjoy a good, hearty meal.
- Signature Dish: Sisig Sizzling Plate, Sizzling Tofu, Sizzling Kare-Kare, and Sizzling Beef Steak.
12. Lugang Café
- Cuisine: Filipino-Chinese Fusion
- Location: Al Wahda Mall
- Why it’s famous: Lugang Café is a fusion restaurant that blends Filipino and Chinese cuisines. It offers a unique menu with a variety of traditional Filipino dishes alongside Chinese-style dishes like dimsum, pancit, and sweet and sour pork. It’s a great spot for people looking for something different but still familiar.
- Signature Dish: Sizzling Sisig, Pancit Canton, Chop Suey, and Lechon Kawali.
13. The Filipino Kitchen
- Cuisine: Filipino
- Location: Abu Dhabi Mall
- Why it’s famous: The Filipino Kitchen is a great place to sample all the favorite Filipino home-cooked dishes in a cozy setting. This restaurant offers a combination of rice bowls, tapas-style bites, and traditional meals.
- Signature Dish: Adobo, Sinigang, Lechon Kawali, and Kare-Kare.
Conclusion:
If you’re craving Filipino food in Abu Dhabi, these restaurants will surely satisfy your taste buds. From traditional dishes like adobo, sinigang, and sisig to barbecue and street food, you’ll find a variety of options that showcase the rich and diverse flavors of Filipino cuisine. Whether you’re looking for a casual spot to enjoy street food or a cozy place for a sit-down family meal, Abu Dhabi has something to offer for everyone who loves Filipino flavors.
