Guide to the best Filipino restaurants in London

Coming from the team behind Mamasons and Panadera, Donia is a restaurant in Kingly Court that draws inspiration from the rich culinary heritage of the Philippines. Depsite only opening in late 2023, it quickly made a name for itself thanks to great reviews. Guests can look forward to a tasty selection of carefully crafted Filipino sharing dishes made with high-quality local ingredients, such as prawn and pork dumplings served with white crab and a brown butter lime sauce.

Kasa and Kin, owned by the same family as the closed-down Romulo Café, carries on the latter's commitment to bringing authentic Filipino cuisine and culture to London. Offering a variety of Pinoy dishes, this vibrant and social restaurant features bright wall art that complements the lively flavours of its food. Besides a full à la carte menu with contemporary takes on Filipino classics, Kasa and Kin also serves as a bakery and patisserie during the day, offering freshly baked Filipino pastries, breads, and visually stunning desserts.

Since as far back as 1996, the Lutong Pinoy restaurant in London has offered authentic, home-cooked Filipino food. The menu at this Little Manila restaurant encapsulates genuine Philippine flavours, drawing inspiration from the archipelago's varied regions. Distinctive dining experiences like the "kamayan" bare-handed eating combat and "bilao" communal sharing platters are also available here, making the restaurant a great choice for groups.

Considered one of the best Filipino restaurants in the city, Kamayan Sa Earl's Court is a budget-friendly spot serving authentic Thai and Filipino food in London's Little Manila. In addition to the range of traditional breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes, the restaurant offers unique Filipino dining styles, including "boodle fight" or "kamayan", where the food is laid out on banana leaves on the table for the eating combatants to scrap over with their bare hands. It's not as aggressive as it sounds, though – it's actually designed to bring family and friends closer together.

At Bintang, a vibrant Camden restaurant with a quirky interior and a colourful garden terrace, you can experience a fusion of Filipino and pan-Asian cuisine, including options such as chicken wings, noodles, and fried rice. On Sundays, the restaurant offers a traditional Filipino breakfast with silog dishes – different combinations of garlic fried rice, fried eggs, and meat, fish, or vegetables.

Mama's Kubo in Hampstead is an authentic Filipino restaurant known for its cosy atmosphere and unique take on "hygge" cosiness, blending style with warm hospitality. The interior combines classic elegance with traditional Filipino elements, enhanced by lush greenery and a small outdoor terrace, creating a tropical dining ambience. The menu features traditional Filipino dishes like lumpia spring rolls and mango salad, along with Filipino-inspired cocktails, all crafted by experienced Chef Rommel Bustarde, who brings his own creative twists to the cuisine.

Hit up this Market Halls Oxford Street stall if you're after authentic grilled Filipino food in London. Offering a genuine Filipino barbecue and street food experience, Apoy serves comfort food just like you'd find in the bustling streets of the Philippines. The venture is led by the former head chef and owner of Sarap, who now specialises in bringing the rich, smoky essence of traditional Filipino BBQ to London with dishes like soy braised chicken and Pinoy pork.

Experienced Pinoy chef Francis Puyat made a name for himself with his pop-up, Kinilaw & Buko, before opening a bricks-and-mortar restaurant. At Rapsa, he offers his take on traditional Filipino food with a Euro-fusion twist, evolving classic Asian flavours with a progressive approach. The Rapsa venues are lively and sociable spots where good company shines as much as the flavourful cuisine and inventive drinks.

Cirilo Filipino Kainan is a snug, modern eatery situated in East Smithfield, drawing its culinary creativity from both shores of the South China Sea. Bringing together Chinese and Filipino culinary traditions, the restaurant offers a succinct selection of traditional Filipino fare with a Chinese twist. The menu includes items such as wok-fried noodles, grilled chicken adobo, and sisig plates, with takeaway provided as well.

A globally-renowned Filipino fast-food brand, Jollibee alsohas multiple outlets in the UK, recognisable by their red chicken logo. The chain's London restaurants serve an extensive menu, primarily revolving around fried chicken in various shapes and sizes – buckets, sandwiches, tenders, you name it. Burgers, spaghetti, loaded fries, and other fast-food delights are also available, letting patrons dip their toes into Filipino cuisine in a casual setting and at affordable prices.

Holborn's The Queen's Head pub is a snug spot for after-work drinks, with elegant wooden furnishings and a few outside trestle tables for warm weather. In addition to an extensive assortment of gins and other drinks, the pub is also the current home of Turo Turo, an award-winning Filipino street food concept. You can try Filipino burgers, sandwiches, rice bowls, and other Pinoy dishes here, and the pub also hosts monthly "boodle fight" events.

Ramo Ramen offers a unique fusion of Japanese and Filipino cuisines in a relaxed setting. The menu stars diverse ramen options, including Filipino oxtail kare kare and vegan tofu, alongside katsu rice bowls and small bites like gyoza and chicken wings. A varied drinks selection, including Japanese and Filipino beers and bubble teas, complements the distinctive Asian fusion on offer.

Located in Tooting, Ading Ysa's Kitchen is a cosy, wood-panelled eatery offering homemade Filipino dishes rich in authentic taste. This family-run restaurant serves traditional Filipino breakfasts in the early afternoon and popular Pinoy dishes like chicken adobo or nilagang baka beef soup all day. You can also try your hand at the Philippines' favourite pastime here – karaoke.

Spoon & Rice, a Filipino street food enterprise, operates across several sites in London. It provides an authentic Filipino culinary experience with options for both dining in and takeaway, showcasing traditional dishes like adobo and Pinoy-grilled chicken, all made with fresh ingredients. This contemporary, no-frills establishment also includes halal options on its menu.

Filishack evolved from a market stall to a food truck and finally to a permanent establishment, launching its first permanent location in Peckham in 2021. Managed by two brothers, this eatery offers Filipino street food in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The affordable menu lets customers craft their own rice boxes, burritos, loaded fries, and salads, with a diverse range of fillings to choose from.