Whilst us Aussies have embraced the various cuisines of Japan, China, Vietnam, India, Thailand, Korea, Malaysia and love a good Asian Fusion menu, our knowledge of the dishes of The Philippines remains sparse. Which is both surprising and a shame, for as someone who was lucky enough to visit the archipelago a number of times some years ago, I can vouch that it’s a cuisine that’s worth exploring.
So what can you expect to eat at a Filipino restaurant? Well, given that the country comprises of over 7,600 islands and has a population of more than 112 million, quite a range of dishes! That said, some of the nation’s most famous offerings include the moreish Adobo. This is a meat stew flavoured with Vinegar, Soy Sauce & plenty of Garlic. Another adored Stew is Kare-Kare which has a thick, Peanut Sauce. And then there’s Lechon – Whole Roasted Pig. Something that many of us BBQ-loving Australians can get behind.
In addition to these savoury dishes, the Filipinos also prize a good dessert. And given that the country was colonised by the Spanish from 1565 to 1898, it’s no wonder their culinary influence is still sprinkled across dining tables of the Philippines. Especially amongst the sweets, with treats like Leche Flan (similar to a Creme Caramel) and Mais con Yelo (a sweetcorn pudding) hugely popular.
So having – hopefully – whetted your appetite, let’s take a look at the best Filipino Restaurants in Melbourne.
We are back in the world of slick, contemporary fare in matching chic surroundings for the next of our best Filipino restaurants in Melbourne.
Askal is the latest venture from some of the major movers and shakers in the rising Filipino food scene, with alumni from Serai (see above) and Kariton Sorbetes amongst those involved.
As you may be aware, we are all for a Set Menu. It takes the stress out of navigating unfamiliar dishes and hopefully gives you a taste of all the best bits. Askal Melbourne offers a number of such menus – including an Express Lunch ($29) & Express Dinner ($39) option. And with a choice of delights such as Chicken ‘Inasal’, Annatto & Lemongrass Condiment and Sawsawan Pickles, you won’t go hungry.
But. You will miss out on Askal’s Instagram-crushing star dish. A large bowl of pares Claypot Rice, topped with a generous 300g Collinson & Co Angus Beef Rump Cap MS4+. The finishing flourish is a Flintstone-style Bone, complete with glutinous Marrow, sticking from its middle. Although this prehistoric-sized meal will set you back a princely ($100), it’s quite something – both visually and in terms of flavour. And it’s also by far the dearest plate from the kitchen.
When a Filipino friend recommends a somewhere for an authentic breakfast experience, we listen.
At Palay, the Silogs come in 4 varieties, our pick being the Rib Eye Beef Tapas ($29). The surprise of the dish is the Housemade Banana Ketchup which goes brilliantly with the Meat, Garlic Fried Rice, Atsara (Pickled Papaya) & Sawsawan (Spiced Vinegar).
But honestly, everything at this fabulous local gem is worth trying. For a real taste of the Philippines, give one of the Tasting Menus ($75pp) a go. From the more familiar Chicken Skewers, to the dark and mysterious Tiyulang Itum, all the dishes are well-balanced. And the Biko. If you’ve never tried this sticky, caramel-scented sweet Rice Cake before, you are in for a treat.
Lastly, to say that this eatery is welcoming is a massive understatement. Simple, homely and with some of the friendliest staff in town, dinning at Palay is a pleasure in every way. All reasons why it’s on our list of the best Filipino restaurants in Melbourne.
Location: Racing Club Ln, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Ph: (03) 9600 0016
‘Filipino over Fire/Vin Naturel’ what more could you want from the first of our best Filipino restaurants in Melbourne?
We are massive fans of the refined Filipino dishes, conquered up by Rice Paper Scissors alumni Ross Magnaye, at Serai Kitchen. Not least as the focus on open flame cooking enhances both the cooking techniques and flavours of the food perfectly.
Here, traditional ‘Kare Kare’ is re-imagined as a Hash Brown with Peanut Sauce, Salted Duck Egg & Herbs ($24 for 2). It’s a clever spin on authentic Filipino fare and indicative of the delights to come. Cabbage ‘Tocino’ is heavily caramelised Organic Savoy Cabbage & Roasted Garlic ($26). The rich, deep colouring on the vegetable lends it a wonderful ‘Tocino’ (sweet, cured meat) flavour. It’s brilliant, and delicious. The culinary smarts continue with plates like Port Lincoln Calamari with Smoked ‘Longganisa’ Nduja ($32) and Marble 9 Sher Wagyu with Pinoy Chimichurri ($62).
In true Filipino style, the Desserts are also rather fabulous. ‘Cassava Cake’ comes with a lush Smoked Butter Ice Cream ($19), but we can never resist a good ‘Leche Flan’ ($21). Thankfully, the one at Serai Melbourne is really very good, doused, as it is, in Coffee & Don Papa Rum Jus.
All this and friendly bar staff who mix a mean Cocktail. We dare you to try the Mangarita ($26). A heady concoction of NODO Tequilana Blanco, Mal Bien Mezcal, Mango, Vietnamese Mint, Lime and… Wait for it… ‘Bagoong’ Shrimp Paste.
When you have businesses on the edges of Melbourne and Sydney in Werribee and Rooty Hill respectively, you may think that they aren’t worth checking out. Well, think again.
Mama Lor is about as genuine a Filipino eatery as you’re likely to find in Australia. Begun by a family from Cebu, the success of the original branch in Western Sydney led to the opening for the Werribee off-shoot. And judging by the ecstatic online reviews, fans of Filipino food are flocking to the simple, welcoming, eatery in droves.
What for? Where do we begin?
Firstly, the Mama Lor Restaurant menu is extensive. You could start with one of three types of Lumpiang (Spring Rolls). Or perhaps a bowl of highly addictive Crispy Chicken Skin ($14). For a Main, we recommend the Cebu Lechon Belly – juicy Pork Belly with glass-crisp Crackling. Alternatively, the Chicken Adobo ($19) is superb, as is the Sinigang na Baka sa Gabi ($$24), a divine combo of Beef in Tamarind Broth. Or maybe Inihaw na Bangus ($28) – Grilled, Stuffed Milkfish – is more to your taste? And then there are Noodle Dishes, Side Dishes and colourful Desserts. There is even an enticing array of Filipino Breakfast options.
But that’s not all. The team at Mama Lor also run a Bakery, where they turn out Filipino baked goods on a daily basis. We love the drama of the Hopia Ube – a delicate Pastry filled with vivid Purple Yam. Just as authentic is the Pan de Coco – a sweetened Bread stuffed with Coconut Jam.
Finally, if you’re having a celebration, the crew at Mama Lor can also cater it for you.
With so much to offer – and lovely staff to boot – Mama Lor is keeping the Werribee Filipino community well-fed. And anyone else who feels like dropping by.
And we suggest that you do. For one of the finest Filipino restaurants in Melbourne, make your way to Mama Lor.
Location: 177 Russell St, Melbourne, VIC 3000 See Website For Further Locations
We are changing gears for this selection in our best of Filipino restaurants in Melbourne. For rather than being a fully fledged dining space, Kariton Sorbetes solely does desserts. Fabulous, colourful, Filipino and Asian-inspired artisan Gelato, Sorbets and other sweet creations, in fact.
If you crave the vivid purple allure of Ube, then give their creamy Ube Halaya a try. The combination of the Ube Gelato with an Ube Fudge, Blackberry Jam and Caramelised Coconut Curds is brilliant. Then there’s the textural wonder of their Turon. A satiny Banana Gelato with Muscovado Butterscotch, studded with Jackfruit and Candied Sesame Seeds, finished with Spring Roll Pastry.
Believe it or not, these are amongst the Kariton Sorbetes regular offerings. On top of this, the kitchen also knocks out fortnightly Specials. As I write, they have an incredible Smoked Coconut running. Check their website on Mondays for new flavours.
For the Sorbet-lovers, we adore the 4 Seasons. A tropical blend of Pineapple, Pink Guava, Blood Orange & Mango, it’s like sitting in the shade on a Boracay Beach.
All this as well as Soft Serve Ice Cream, ‘Treats’ and Ice Cream Cakes. Kariton Sorbetes is Filipino dessert heaven.
From polished plates and fancy ices, we’re back to more homely fare with Barkada Pinoy.
If you hanker after authentic Filipino-style barbecue, this is the place to try. The range of grilled Skewers is mind-boggling. For those who miss the crunch and chew of delights such as Chicken Feet and Grilled Pork Intestines, form a queue. If that sounds a like too adventurous for you, never fear. The more regular Chicken and Pork sticks are excellent.
But the dish that gets us genuinely excited is their take on Chicken Inasal. A succulent Chicken Maryland, marinated in Vinegar, Pepper, Brown Sugar, Garlic and Citrus, grilled to perfection whilst being brushed with Annatto Sauce. It’s simple, but utterly addictive. Especially when paired with Garlic Rice and plenty of Dipping Sauce.
Whatever you do, don’t skip dessert. Like all of the finest Filipino restaurants in Melbourne, Barkada Pinoy Streetfood takes its puddings very seriously. The Halo Halo is very popular for good reason.
If you need further proof that Filipino cuisine is gaining fans, then the opening of a second outlet in Oakleigh for Sunshine North’s Cebu Charcoal Lechon Belly should be it.
Mmm. Lechon. A Suckling Pig spit-roasted to crunchy, burnished skin and melting flesh perfection. And in Cebu, they up the stakes by spiking their Pork Belly with all kinds of wonderful herbs and spices – such as Lemongrass and Garlic. Moreoever, this is a cheap feed of the best kind. You can get the Value Meal 2 – 200g Lechon or Roast Pork with Rice or Chips and a Soft Drink for only $22.50. If you only want the Lechon, a Kilo of the finest BBQ Pork you’ll ever eat is $95. And it comes in either Original or Spicy.
If Pork doesn’t excite you, the menu continas plenty of other authentic Filipino dishes. The Tinolang Manok – a lively Chicken Soup with Lemongrass and Chilli is great on a cold evening. Also delicious is the deep fried Chicken Skin.
Yes. it’s not the flashiest eatery in town, but boy does the food taste good.
That’s why we recommend Cebu Charcoal Lechon Belly as one of the best Filipino restaurants in Melbourne.
Location: 502 Hampton St, Hampton, VIC 3188 Ph: (03) 8589 5542 See Website For Further Locations
When a country is literally a mass of thousands of islands, as The Philippines is, great seafood is generally a given. And the team at Kalye Marinas prove that this is the case.
This wee chain makes our list of the best Filipino restaurants in Melbourne partly as it’s the only one we know that does a Seafood Boil. And boy do we love a Seafood Boil! Especially when it’s drenched in a Garlic Butter Sauce like the one here.
But that’s not the only tasty offering on the menu. The Sizzling Pork Sisig ($26.99) also gets those juices following. As does the wonderful Fried Softshell Crabs ($27.99) which come with Pickles and both a Singapore Chilli Crab Sauce and a House-Made Cajun Sauce. If you’re feeling particularly hungry, the Platters and Specials are worth investigating. Our pick is the Street Food Platter ($74.99). A bounteous array of Pork BBQ Skewers, Fried Quail Egg Dumplings, Springrolls, Fishballs, Rice and lots more.
Finally, if you’re hankering for an authentic Filipino drink, then the Iced Ube Overload ($10) is for you.
With such a varied menu and such flavour-packed dishes, it’s no surprise that Kalya Marinas Filipino Grill and Seafood Boil now has spots in Hampton, Ashburton and Geelong. We expect to see a lot more.
New kid on the block Halaya is a creative Filipino Cafe and Bakery near St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne.
Whilst it takes it’s name from the classic boiled Root Vegetable Jam which is much-loved all over the Philippines, this eatery puts up dishes that are far from traditional.
Two of our favourite dishes are the Longanisa Pandesal Eggs Benny and the Ube Champorado. The former pairs conventional Poached Eggs with a Longanisa (Pork Sausage) Patty, shiny with Banana Ketchup Glaze. Meanwhile, the latter features a satisfying Glutinous Rice and Ube Porridge served with Coconut Clusters, Strawberry Compote and malty Toasted Milk Powder.
And if you pop by after 10am with a real hunger, give the Beef Tapa Rice Bowl a whirl. It’s filling and delicious.
However this isn’t all. The team at Halaya are also accomplished bakers and produce a range of tempting – and colourful – delights. Although a Scroll is always welcome, in our opinion – especially an Ube one – our pick is the Swiss Roll adjacent Ube Flan Roll. Here, a delicate purple Ube Sponge is rolled with a lush cream.
