From kare-kare and lechon, to tapa and adobo, you'll find appetising Filipino treats at these restaurants.
Here in Singapore, you can hardly be bored of food. From Thai and Korean to Mexican and French, our sunny island offers a smorgasbord of delectable cuisines from all over the world. And this time around, allow us to introduce you to the flavoursome world of Filipino food. From fancy restaurants to casual eateries, here are our fave spots in Singapore where you can get authentic Filipino food like kare-kare (stew with peanut sauce), inasal (barbecued chicken) and tapa (dried or cured beef preserved in salt and spices).
Best Pinoy restaurants in Singapore
1. El Mesa
Nestled within the rustic Octapas settings, modern bar and restaurant El Mesa’s specialties include bulalo (beef shank and bone marrow), the staple chicken and pork adobo with a tangy, sweet and salty recipe, laing con lechon cooked in rich coconut milk, and sisig (pork jowls in a spicy broth) with a crunchy and chewy texture best matched with a cold beer.
El Mesa, #01-08, Clarke Quay, Block D, River Valley Road, Singapore 179023
2. Max’s Restaurant
Located in Far East Plaza, Max’s Restaurant, aka “The House That Fried Chicken Built”, serves its signature tender, juicy sarap-to-the-bone fried chicken. Their affordable merienda (light meal) combo includes pancit luglug (noodles), fried lumpia (spring roll) and arroz caldo (chicken rice porridge).
Max’s Restaurant, #01-07, Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road, Singapore 228213
3. Gerry’s Grill
Gerry’s Grill is popular for its inihaw (grilled) dishes. While the items are typically grilled on charcoal, the meat here is cooked on a gas grill. You can expect an assortment of Pinoy favourites on the menu such as sisig, inihaw na pusit (grilled squid) and tokwa’t baboy (boiled pork pieces served with deep-fried tofu cubes).
Gerry’s Grill, #01-12, Starhub Centre, 51 Cuppage Road, Singapore 229469
4. Inasal
Hop on a culinary adventure at this resto and feast on the best chicken inasal from Bacolod, Philippines. If you’re feeling adventurous, try its rendition of sisig served on a sizzling pan. What’s more, these folks will cook the food upon receiving your orders, so you’ll surely get your dishes hot and fresh!
Inasal, #04-49/50/51, Lucky Plaza, 304 Orchard Road, Singapore 238863
5. Don Lechon
Indulge in the aromatic, succulent meat and crispy skin of lechon (roasted suckling pig) at Don Lechon. You can enjoy this Filipino classic on its own, but if you want to try some variety the kitchen also serves lechon paksiw (pork in vinegar), lechon sisig, lechon kare-kare, and lechon sinigang (pork in sour tamarind soup). Tucked away at Grand Link Square, the space offers both alfresco and indoor dining. And if you happen to dine here on your birthday, your food is on the house!
Don Lechon, #01-52, Grandlink Square, 511 Guillemard Road, Singapore 399849
6. Tapa King
The authentic Filipino chain is well-known for its best-tasting beef tapa, as well as an assortment of signature rice dishes. We suggest you try the palate-pleasing Tapa King (marinated beef jerky), as well as other delicious favourites like cornsilog (corned beef) and smoked bangus (milkfish).
Tapa King, #B1-038, Lucky Plaza, 304 Orchard Road, Singapore 238863
7. Iskina Cebu
Iskina Cebu is taking over Singapore, one Cebuano dish at a time. This open-air food truck restaurant at the hip Timbre+ serves mouthwatering barbecued roasts like the famous lechon Cebu, spicy BellyChon (slow-roasted pork belly), Liempo ala Balamban (grilled pork belly) and inasal nga manok (grilled chicken). Best of all, you can get these dishes at affordable prices from $6.
Iskina Cebu, #01-27, 73A Ayer Rajah Crescent, Singapore 139957
8. Kabayan Filipino Restaurant
Frequented by Pinoys especially during the weekends, Kabayan is a laidback, economical Filipino restaurant where you can get a myriad of Filipino food including appetisers such as lumpiang Shanghai, mains like pork sinigang, and leche flan (caramel pudding) for dessert. A set meal here costs about $5 to $10.
Kabayan Filipino Restaurant, #03-25, Lucky Plaza, 304 Orchard Road, Singapore 238863
Bonus: Jollibee
Okay, we admit Jollibee is more of a fast food eatery than a restaurant, but we can’t not mention this popular brand. Jollibee has given Pinoys, not just in Singapore but all over the world, a taste of home. Must-tries include ChickenJoy and the oh-so-sweet Jolly spaghetti. Plus point: All Jollibee branches in Singapore are halal-certified.
Jollibee, multiple locations including Lucky Plaza, Square 2 at Novena and Changi City Point.
