Whenever you ask a Singaporean what makes them proud of Singapore, you’re bound to hear someone say “food”.
We have so many people of different cultures settling in our country, there’s an almost limitless variety to the cuisines for us to choose from.
From Japanese, Korean and Thai, to Vietnamese, Swedish and European, there’s something for everyone.
Here, we’ve compiled a list of the best Filipino restaurants in Singapore.
Filipino Comfort Food
1. Kabayan Filipino Restaurant
Kabayan Filipino Restaurant is similar to our mixed rice (cai png) stalls in our coffeeshop.
Except filipinos do it better. In a restaurant with air-conditioning.
Visitors get to pick from a large variety of dishes such as the Pork Sinigang (Pork in Tamarind Soup), Lumpiang Shanghai (Fried Spring Rolls), and Crispy Pata (Pork Knuckles).
If you have a sweet tooth, go for the Turon (Banana Spring Roll) or the Leche Flan (Filipino Creme Caramel).
The price is cheap too, between $5 to $10 for a meal set. It’s no wonder the place is always crowded on weekends.
What’s a better indicator than satisfied repeat customers and large crowds?
Don’t forget to call ahead to make reservations!
Kabayan Filipino Restaurant
Address: 304 Orchard Road, #03-25 Lucky Plaza, Singapore, 238863
Opening Hours: Daily: 9am – 9pm
Contact no.: 6738 0921
Website
2. Gerry’s Grill
Gerry’s Grill is a franchise that has outlets in Philippines, United States and Qatar and is a familiar sight to most filipinos.
They’re well known for the grilled seafood and traditional filipino dishes such as the Inihaw na Pusit (Grilled Squid), Pancit Palabok (Stir Fried Shrimp Noodles) and Beef Kare-Kare (Filipino Beef Stew in Peanut Butter Sauce).
Their menu may be small but they serve up high quality food. The grilled squid is a favourite even among local diners.
For dessert, try their Halo-Halo, which is a snowball served with a scoop of ice cream, mixed fruits, and sweets. Reminds of Ice Kachang, to be honest.
Gerry’s Grill
Address: 51 Cuppage Road, #01-12 Starhub Centre, Singapore, 229469
Opening Hours: Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Contact no.: 6720 1412
Website
Address: 8 Raffles Ave, Esplanade Mall, Singapore, 039802
Opening Hours: Daily: 5pm – 2am
Contact no.: 9728 0426
3. Tapa King
Tapa refers to dried or cured beef preserved in salt and spices. As their name suggests, no one does Tapas (no, not the Spanish kind) better than Tapa King.
They’re an authentic Filipino fast food chain so you know you’re getting legit Filipino cuisine.
If you’re at Tapa King, get the Tapa King Set that comes with Tapa, fried garlic rice and egg, or the Cornsilog, which is corned beef served with fried garlic rice and egg. Pure comfort food.
Don’t say we never intro.
Tapa King
Address: 304 Orchard Road, #B1-038 Lucky Plaza Asian Food Mall, Singapore, 238863
Opening Hours: Daily: 8am – 10pm
Contact no.: 6734 4080
Website
4. Inasal Restaurant
Inasal Restaurant brings authentic filipino flavours straight from Bacolod.
Like its name suggests, this restaurant serves up a mean Chicken Inasal, or Barbecued Chicken. The chicken is charred to perfection, crispy on the outside yet tender and succulent on the inside.
If you don’t feel like having chicken, try their Pork Sinigang as well as Sisig.
Sisig is a must-try for adventurous eaters. It’s a dish made with diced parts of pig’s head, liver, and seasoned with lime and chilli peppers.
Try it if you dare.
The queue at Inasal is always long on weekends so do call ahead.
Inasal Restaurant
Address: 304 Orchard Road, #04-49/50/51 Lucky Plaza, Singapore, 238863
Opening Hours: Daily: 10am – 8.30pm
Contact no.: 6733 2752
Website
5. Iskina Cebu Singapore
If you’re a fan of al fresco dining and roasted or grilled meat, then Iskina Cebu is the place to be.
Unlike the rest of the restaurants on this list, Iskina Cebu is an open air food truck nestled in Timbre+.
Known as one of the best places in Singapore to have crispy Lechon (chargrilled pork), the pig is roasted over a charcoal fire for 5 hours, resulting in crispy and juicy pork.
If you find the pork too salty to be eaten on its own, try dipping it in their sauce made with garlic, vinegar and various herbs and spices. Or just get a bowl of white rice with the Lechon set meal ($10).
This place is strictly not suitable for vegetarians.
Iskina Cebu Singapore
Address: 73A Ayer Rajah Crescent, Singapore, 139957
Opening Hours: Mon – Wed: 11.30am – 9.30pm, Thu: 11.30am – 9.30pm & 11pm – 12am, Fri – Sat: 11.30am – 10.30pm, Sun: Closed
Contact no.: 6728 0765
Website
6. Comida Fiesta Singapore
Formerly Calle Real, Comida Fiesta serves up a mix of Spanish and Filipino cuisine.
Signatures include the Beef Kare-Kare (Filipino Beef Stew in Peanut Butter sauce), Rellenong Bangus (Stuffed Milkfish), Lechon Carajay (Crispy Roasted Pork) and Brazo de Mercedez (Soft Meringue Roll with Custard Filling).
The restaurant is also able to host private events and accomodate up to 100 people.
Great food, great service, and a whole lot of space.
Comida Fiesta Singapore
Address: 1 Expo Drive, #01-41 Singapore Expo, Singapore, 486150
Opening Hours: Mon -Thu: 12pm – 9pm, Fri – Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Contact no.: 6443 3037
Website
7. Lutong Pinoy
Lutong Pinoy is a food stall in the food court at Lucky Plaza.
They are well known for their Sisig and Bulalo (Filipino Beef Bone Marrow Soup) and there’s always a long queue at the stall.
The Sisig served here is a messy but delicious hotplate stir-fry of minced pork. Be sure to get an extra bowl of rice because one is definitely not enough.
Lutong Pinoy has a catering service as well so you can enjoy delicious filipino cuisine at birthdays, parties, events and more.
Lutong Pinoy
Address: 304 Orchard Road, #B1-16 Lucky Plaza, Singapore, 238863
Opening Hours: Daily: 9.30am – 9.30pm
Contact no.: 9048 2236
Website
8. My Kusina
Nestled in Kampong Bahru, is My Kusina.
This restaurant bar serves up beer, wine and a great selection of cocktails at affordable prices. If you’re looking for something to munch on, order their Lechon Kawale (Crispy Pork Belly), served with rice and veggie soup.
Also, what filipino bar is complete without a karaoke machine? Bar patrons get to sing along to their favourite songs as well as watch other patrons belt their tunes.
Seats fill up quickly so do call ahead to make reservations.
My Kusina
Address: 19 Kampong Bahru Road, Singapore, 169348
Opening Hours: Daily: 12pm – 12am
Contact no.: 6221 5996
Website
Filipino cuisine is our new favourite, with their oily, messy, unpretentious food.
Nothing says comfort food like sinful bowl of crispy pork, beef stew, garlic rice, and egg.
Don’t believe us? Try it for yourself.
Also read Wah Seh, Here Are All 27 Singlish Words That Made It Into The Oxford English Dictionary
(Header Image Source: Serious Eats)
