Dubai is home to a large Filipino community, and there are numerous Filipino restaurants in the city offering a taste of authentic Filipino cuisine, ranging from casual eateries to more refined dining experiences. Here’s a guide to some of the best Filipino restaurants in Dubai where you can enjoy delicious, hearty Filipino dishes:
1. Kanto Freestyle Kitchen
- Cuisine: Filipino Fusion
- Location: Al Muroor Road, Dubai
- Why it’s famous: Kanto Freestyle Kitchen is one of the most popular Filipino fusion restaurants in Dubai. The restaurant is known for its creative take on classic Filipino comfort food, offering both traditional and innovative dishes. Their “freestyle” approach allows for a modern twist on classic recipes.
- Signature Dish: Sisig Fries, Kanto Breakfast (tocino, tapa, longganisa), Sinigang na Hipon, and Crispy Pata.
2. Little Manila
- Cuisine: Filipino
- Location: Al Karama, Dubai
- Why it’s famous: Little Manila brings the bustling food culture of Manila to Dubai. Known for its affordable prices and authentic flavors, this casual Filipino eatery offers a wide range of dishes, from street food to hearty meals. It’s a great place for a laid-back meal with friends or family.
- Signature Dish: Lechon Kawali, Sinigang na Baboy, Pancit Canton, Balut, and Isaw.
3. Barrio Fiesta
- Cuisine: Filipino
- Location: Al Karama, Dubai
- Why it’s famous: Barrio Fiesta is an iconic Filipino restaurant in Dubai that has been serving traditional Filipino dishes for years. It offers a cozy atmosphere and serves a wide selection of Filipino favorites, including grilled meats, sinigang, and adobo.
- Signature Dish: Crispy Pata, Sinigang na Baboy, Pancit Malabon, Lechon Kawali, and Kare-Kare.
4. Cabalen
- Cuisine: Filipino Buffet (All-You-Can-Eat)
- Location: Al Wahda Mall, Dubai
- Why it’s famous: Cabalen is a well-loved Filipino buffet restaurant offering an extensive selection of Filipino dishes. The all-you-can-eat buffet is a hit among locals and visitors, providing a variety of traditional Filipino dishes such as sinigang, adobo, and crispy pata. It’s a great place for families or groups to enjoy Filipino home-cooked meals.
- Signature Dish: Sinigang na Baboy, Pancit Malabon, Lechon Kawali, and Kare-Kare.
5. The Filipino Kitchen
- Cuisine: Filipino
- Location: Dubai Marina
- Why it’s famous: The Filipino Kitchen offers traditional Filipino food in a homey, warm setting. It’s known for its comforting, heartwarming dishes and is a great place to enjoy classic Filipino meals. The restaurant serves both main dishes and street food items, making it perfect for any Filipino food lover.
- Signature Dish: Sinigang na Baboy, Pancit Canton, Adobong Manok, Sisig, and Lechon Kawali.
6. Manila Grill
- Cuisine: Filipino
- Location: The Philippine Center, Sheikh Zayed Road
- Why it’s famous: Manila Grill is a great spot for those who crave authentic Filipino grilled meats. The restaurant is known for its BBQ skewers, crispy pata, and lechon kawali. The ambiance is relaxed, and the food is flavorful, making it a great place to enjoy a casual meal with friends or family.
- Signature Dish: BBQ Skewers, Crispy Pata, Sizzling Sisig, and Lechon Kawali.
7. Sambo Kojin
- Cuisine: Filipino-Japanese Buffet
- Location: Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai
- Why it’s famous: Sambo Kojin offers a unique buffet experience with a fusion of Filipino and Japanese cuisine. The buffet features a wide variety of dishes, including sushi, sinigang, BBQ skewers, and other Filipino comfort foods. It’s a fun dining experience, especially for those who enjoy both Filipino and Japanese flavors.
- Signature Dish: Sinigang na Baboy, Sushi Rolls, BBQ Skewers, and Sizzling Pork Sisig.
8. Aroy-D
- Cuisine: Filipino-Thai
- Location: Al Mankhool, Dubai
- Why it’s famous: Aroy-D serves a fusion of Filipino and Thai dishes, offering a variety of authentic meals from both cultures. It’s a good spot for those who love spicy and flavorful dishes. The menu includes some Filipino classics with a touch of Thai influence, making it unique and different from other Filipino restaurants in Dubai.
- Signature Dish: Sinigang na Hipon, Thai Green Curry, Lechon Kawali, and Adobo.
9. Kusina Niño
- Cuisine: Filipino
- Location: Al Quoz 1, Dubai
- Why it’s famous: Kusina Niño offers a no-frills, casual dining experience focused on classic Filipino flavors. The restaurant serves everything from Adobo to Kare-Kare, Lechon Kawali, and Pancit Bihon. The simple, cozy setting makes it a perfect spot to enjoy comforting Filipino food at affordable prices.
- Signature Dish: Pancit Bihon, Sisig, Lechon Kawali, and Sinigang na Baboy.
10. Tapsilog House
- Cuisine: Filipino (Specializes in Tapsilog)
- Location: Dubai Silicon Oasis
- Why it’s famous: If you’re craving a classic Filipino breakfast, Tapsilog House is the place to go. Specializing in tapsilog (a combination of tocino, egg, and garlic rice), the restaurant serves up this Filipino staple in various forms, along with other traditional Filipino breakfast items like longsilog (longganisa), tocilog, and bangusilog.
- Signature Dish: Tapsilog, Longsilog, Bangusilog, and Silog Plates.
11. Tutti Frutti
- Cuisine: Filipino
- Location: Al Barsha, Dubai
- Why it’s famous: Tutti Frutti offers a fusion of Filipino and international cuisines, creating a unique and modern take on Filipino food. The restaurant is known for its desserts, particularly halo-halo, along with traditional dishes like Sinigang and Adobo.
- Signature Dish: Halo-Halo, Pancit Malabon, Sinigang na Baboy, and Adobong Manok.
12. Troyka Restaurant
- Cuisine: Filipino-International
- Location: Deira, Dubai
- Why it’s famous: Troyka offers a mix of Filipino and international cuisines, serving classic Filipino dishes along with a selection of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern meals. The restaurant has a cozy ambiance, with a large variety of dishes that satisfy all tastes.
- Signature Dish: Pancit Canton, Lechon Kawali, Sizzling Sisig, and Kare-Kare.
13. Sarap Filipino Restaurant
- Cuisine: Filipino
- Location: Al Karama, Dubai
- Why it’s famous: Sarap Filipino Restaurant is known for serving authentic, no-nonsense Filipino dishes in a casual and welcoming setting. The restaurant focuses on home-style Filipino cooking, including all the classic dishes that many Filipinos crave.
- Signature Dish: Adobong Manok, Sinigang na Baboy, Lechon Kawali, and Sisig.
Conclusion:
Dubai has a vibrant Filipino food scene, with options ranging from traditional comfort food to fusion concepts. Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty breakfast of tapsilog, a rich bowl of sinigang, or crispy lechon kawali, these Filipino restaurants offer a wide variety of delicious dishes that will make you feel at home in Dubai. Whether you’re looking for an affordable meal or a more upscale dining experience, there’s something for every taste and budget.