Filipino food may be one of the hardest cuisine to describe because it the true definition of fusion food.
Filipino dishes contains a bit of Malay, Spanish, Chinese, and American influences.
Plus, with more than 7,000 islands in the Philippines, each region has their own distinct culinary traditions, ingredients, and cooking styles.
This result in a cuisine that comes in a variety of flavors and ingredients.
Filipino food has a flavor profile that is bold, savory, tangy, and sometimes sweet.
Don’t forget to expect a lot of delicious fry food!
Luckily, Los Angeles is home to some of the largest Filipino communities: Eagle Rock, Glendale, West Covina, and Cerritos to name a few.
These highly rated Filipino restaurants in Los Angeles reflect the diverse cuisines and culture of the Philippines.
1. Crispy House
Address: 11869 Artesia Blvd Artesia, CA 90701
Top 5 Popular dishes: Crispy Pata, Lechon Kawali, garlic fried rice, and Kare Kare
Located in the corner of the strip mall with no visible sign showing the name of the restaurant, you must really look for it on your first visit.
That’s okay, because delicious Filipino food are worth the search for this mom and pop restaurant!
Their Crispy Pata dish, which consist of deep fried pig feet or knuckles, is easily one of the best in Southern California.
It’s crispy and served with soy-vinegar dip.
Come dine, or to grab takeout, you’ll find yourself impressed!
2. Dollar’s Hit
1st Address: 2432 W Temple St. Los Angeles, CA 90026
2nd Address: 1559 East Amar Road #C, West Covina, CA 91792
Website: https://dollarhitsstreetfood.com/
Top 5 Popular dishes: Kwek-kwek 4 piece, chicken bbq, pork bbq, pork ear 4 piece skewer, and Turon (banana eggroll with caramel).
For anyone craving authentic Filipino street food, this is the place for you!
One of the most popular eatery in Los Angeles, Dollar Hits, sell tapas like food skewer that have been cooked but once they are purchased, they can be reheated in the BBQ grills available outside of the restaurant.
This restaurant is truly for the food adventure where you can unique meat options like chicken feet (adidas), chicken heart (Puso Ng Manok), pork’s ear (Tenga), pork blood (Betamax), etc.
3. Kusina Filipina Los Angeles
Address: 4157 Eagle Rock Blvd Ste 1 Los Angeles, CA 90065
Website: https://www.kusinafilipina.com/
Top 5 Popular dishes: Kare Kare, Crispy Pata, Halo Halo, garlic fried rice, and Lechon Kawali.
Kusina Filipina Los Angeles has been staple restaurant in Los Angeles for over 10+ years specializing in delicious Filipino food.
All of their chefs come with over 25+ years of experience straight from the Philippines!
No wonder they have a such loyal customers!
They also do catering and allow for parties inside their restaurants.
Like any respective Filipino parties, they also provide karaoke for private gettogethers.
4. LA Rosa Cafe
Address: 4749 Fountain Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90029
Website: https://www.larosecafehollywood.com/
Top 5 Popular dishes: Halo-halo, oxtail Kare-kare, chicken Adobo, pork adobo, and Ube cake.
Most restaurants fail within 2 years, but LA Rose Cafe has been in business for over 40+ years.
Established by Lemuel Balagot in 1982, LA Rose Cafe continues to serve authentic Filipino favorites and modern Asian fusion cuisines.
Most new customers would be blown away not only by their delectable food, but also by their Victorian style interior with a homey tea shop vibe and beautiful wall paper.
5. Nova’s Grill
Address: 989 W San Bernardino Rd. Covina, CA 91722
Top 5 Popular dishes: Sisig tacos, Boodle Fight, Halo halo, Sisig plate, and Crispy Pata
Nova’s Grill is a wonderful home-style Filipino restaurant that will quickly become a family favorite.
They are known for their table-engulfing feasts known in the popular dish call Boodle Fight.
Also known as Kamayan-style dining, Boodle Fight is a great communal family style eating experience that requires reservations and a minimum of 8 people.
You won’t be disappointed by the feast which includes Tilapia, Cajun shrimp, fried egg plant, rice, salad, lumpia, egg, and fresh fruits served on banana leaves.
You don’t have 8 people to share the reservation with?
That’s okay, they’re also known for their delicious Sisig tacos, Halo Halo, Sisig plate and Crispy Pata.
6. Oi Asian Fusion
Address: 7242 Canoga Ave Los Angeles, CA 91303
Website: https://www.oiasianfusionsd.com/
Top 5 popular dishes: Adobo bowl, pork bun, Oi burger, pork belly bowl, and Tapsilog bowl.
Oi Asian Fusion is one of the most exciting spot in Los Angeles that serves a fusion of Filipino, Japanese, and Chinese dishes.
It’s a small shop with a dozen or so counter seating, but it’s also located next to Barnsdall Art park for easy take out orders and picnicking.
They have a variety of dishes including rice bowls, pork buns, burgers, fried chicken, tacos, ube desserts, and even Thai tea!
You must get the Adobo bowl and throw in some pork buns!
Oi Asian Fusion dishes pack a lot of flavor for a pretty reasonable price.
7. The Original Barrio Fiesta of Manila Glendale
Address: 818 North Pacific Ave. Unit M, Glendale, CA 91203
Website: https://barriofiestaglendale.com/
Top 5 popular dishes: Kare Kare, Lechon Kawaii, garlic rice, Pinakbet, and beef steak Tagalog.
The Original Barrio Fiesta of Manila has been a staple in Glendale for over 10+ years.
They serve authentic Filipino food with comforting and favorable dishes.
Their colorful interior will take you back to Manila where vibrant colors will add to your dining experience.
Since the pandemic, their prices have increased but the flavors and service remains the same.
You won’t be disappointed if you order the Kare Kare and Lechon Kawaii!
8. Silog
Address: 1555 Sepulveda Blvd. Torrance, CA 90501
Website: https://www.eatsilog.com/
Top 5 popular dishes: lumpia, chicken wings, sizzling Sisig, Turon a La Mode, and fried calamari.
Silog is small restaurant that can seat 28, but they pack some big flavors in their food!
They are a self serve restaurant where you go up to the register to order and wait for your number to be called.
You can choose to do take out or dine in one of their few tables.
Their Boodle Fight is so tasty it’ll be sure to please a crowd of hungry eaters!
This is a high quality restaurant that will have you coming back again and again.
9. Spoon & Pork
Address: 3131 W. Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026
Website: https://www.spoonandpork.com/
Top 5 popular dishes: Lechon Kawaii, Adobo Belly Musubi, fried chicken Adobo, crispy Pata, and Pork Belly Adobo.
Ray and Jay, founder and chef of Spoon & Pork, grew up in the Philippines and when they moved to the US, they wanted to share their culture by introducing modern Filipino flavors they know and love.
What started as a food truck in 2017, has now grown to 2 very popular brick and mortar restaurants in Silver Lake and West Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Times and New York Times has named their Patita & Coco Jack, one of the best dishes of 2019.
Their Lechon Kawali, Adobo Belly Musubi, and fried Chicken Adobo are well loved and pack some amazing umami flavors!
10. The Noypitz Bar & Grill
Address:
1st location: 11165 183rd St. Unit A165, Cerritos, CA 90703
2nd location: 333 S. Alameda St. Ste 115, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Top 5 popular dishes: Halo-halo, Crispy Pata, Pork Sisig, Kare Kare, and Lechon Kawali.
The Noypitz Bar & Grill is a high end Filipino restaurant with nice ambiance and live entertainment.
They can hold large groups and is the perfect spot for parties.
They serve big portion of comforting Filipino food.
Their halo halo are huge and can be split with 2-3 people!
11. Tita Celia’s
Address: 621 W. Carson St. Carson, CA 90745
Website: http://titacelias.com
Top 5 popular dishes: Pork Adobo, Kare Kare, garlic rice and eggs, Mechado (Filipino-style beef stew), and Turon (Filipino banana wrap dessert).
Tita Celia’s is a popular mom and pop Filipino restaurant that specialized in traditional comfort food.
They are a no frill eatery where delicious Filipino food has been premade and the serving area is similar to those you’ll find at a fast food joint.
But don’t let this simple setup fool you, they may have one of the best Pork Adobo in Los Angeles!
It’s worth the drive if you’re looking for delicious Filipino food at a reasonable price.
12. Tony’s Barbecue
Addresses:
- 345 E. Main St. #102, Alhambra, CA 91801
- 1555 E Amar Rd West Covina, CA 91792
- 4024 Grand Ave #102, Chino, CA 91710
Website: http://tonysbarbecueca.com
Top 5 popular dishes: grilled tuna belly, chicken Inasal (grill chicken), pork skewers, BBQ pork, and BBQ chicken.
Usually located inside of an Asian supermarket, Tony’s Barbecue is a Filipino chain specializing in Asian fusion BBQ food.
Their pork and chicken skewers are made with their signature peanut sauce.
Customers rave about their yummy grill tuna belly dish served with their in-house pica pica sauce and java rice!
Tony’s Barbecue is quickly expanding because they have a huge following and serve delicious fresh food.
They start cooking once you order so be patient with the wait time.
13. Toro Grillhouse
Address: 514 W. Colorado St, Glendale, CA 91204
Website: http://torogrillhouse.com
Top 5 popular dishes: Aioli burger, fried fish tacos, California burrito, Sisig breakfast burrito, and Wings of Wall Street.
Toro Grillhouse combines two of Angelenos favorite food combos, burritos with a killer Filipino sauce!
With their special secret in-house sauce, Toro Grillhouse offer Mexican and Filipino fusion food.
Don’t be afraid to order the Aioli burger which includes a great combination of flavors: aioli (of course), melted cheddar, arugula, bacon, and grilled onion.
The California burrito is a tasty mixture of your choice of protein (beef, chicken, pork, marinated pork, or veggie), cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and…. get this….fries!
While waiting for your food, you can play some free arcade games inside the shop.