Where to eat Filipino food abroad this Filipino Food Month
For many, April means vacations both here and abroad, longer and warmer days, and a whole lot of sunscreen and cold drinks to beat the summer heat. But for Filipino cuisine, it’s actually a very important month, as former President Rodrigo Duterte, through Proclamation No. 469, designated April of every year as Filipino Food Month back in 2018.
The declaration was made in the belief that our country’s cuisine must be “appreciated, preserved, and promoted to ensure its transmission to future generations and to support the various industries, farmers, and agri-communities.”
Complex and with a multilayered history, Filipino food has captured the attention of even the most prominent people in international cuisine. The late celebrity chef and author Anthony Bourdain once said that Filipino food would be the next big thing in America. Fast forward nearly a decade, and Filipino food isn’t making a name for itself just in the US but also in other parts of the globe.
So if you happen to be one of those Filipinos vacationing abroad this month, you might want to celebrate Filipino Food Month by including a Filipino restaurant in your itinerary.
Australia
Believe it or not, there are more than 200 places across Australia where you can have your Filipino food fix. One of the standouts is Melbourne’s Serai, which reimagines Filipino food in an open kitchen setting where dishes are cooked over a wood-fired grill.
When in Serai, try the selat lumpia with smoked pineapple, spiced coconut, and caviar as well as their take on kare-kare, which comes with hash brown, peanut sauce, herbs, and salted duck egg.
Another popular Filipino restaurant is Lolo and Lola in Canberra. Lolo and Lola’s menu constantly changes, but it’s the perfect choice for those who want traditional Filipino fare. From savory dishes like BBQ skewers and pork sisig to sweet classics such as leche flan and halo-halo espesyal, there’s something for everyone.
Canada
Multiple Filipino restaurants have been added to the Michelin Guide when it debuted in Manila last year, but believe it or not, there are Filipino restaurants abroad that are on the prestigious list as well. One example of this is BB’s, a Filipino restaurant in Toronto, Canada that has received the Bib Gourmand distinction for three years straight. BB’s offers Filipino staples, including silog meals, bistek and eggs, tortang talong, and spaghetti that has hotdog mixed into the sauce.
For those on the other side of Canada, a popular Filipino restaurant in Vancouver is Halina. Giving a modern twist to authentic Filipino flavors, Halina’s menu contains dishes like seared chicken tinola and salmon berry sinigang, which has a broth made from blueberries.
France
Filipino food has also found its way to Europe. Paris, in particular, is home to a number of Filipino restaurants, including Bobi, which offers not just authentic dishes but also a “kamayan” feast, which involves communal eating with the use of bare hands.
There’s also Reyna, which brings a blend of Filipino and Southeast Asian food with a French twist to the Parisian restaurant scene. Reyna’s menu is always changing—sometimes even daily—so there’s always something different to look forward to.
Outside Paris, there’s Maison Nipa, located in Fillé, which is close to the city of Le Mans. This Michelin Select restaurant marries Filipino flavors and ingredients with traditional French cuisine in a fine dining setting.
Hong Kong
With more than 200,000 Filipinos now residing in Hong Kong, it’s no surprise that Filipino cuisine has found its way in the region. For those near Central, Barkada is a favorite to get authentic Filipino cuisine served on banana leaves.
Those looking for a hefty meal for lunch can opt for a build-your-own plate, which includes meat options like lechon kawali and chicken tocino. Those dining as a group can go for the boodle fight menu.
Another popular location for classics is Dara, a family-run business in Sai Ying Pun. The food here lacks the twists and frills you find in other restaurants, making it a favorite pick for those who just want good ol’ Filipino comfort food.
Ireland
It might seem unlikely, but yes, Filipino food has found its way to Ireland. Located in Dublin, Kaldero has also been listed in the 2026 Michelin Guide. Like many restaurants on this list, food served at Kaldero is meant for sharing. You’ll find much-loved dishes like adobo, chicken inasal, and even Kaldero’s take on Chickenjoy.
Singapore
Similar to Hong Kong, there are around 220,000 Filipinos who live and work in Singapore. Catering to their craving for food from home as well as the appetites of locals and tourists alike is Hayop.
Owned by The Moment Group and also in the Michelin Guide, Hayop feels a lot like Manam—another one of Moment’s concepts—but in a different setting. Manam’s wildly popular watermelon sinigang and crispy palabok are also on Hayop’s menu, along with other dishes such as lechon de leche, rellenong pusit, and sisig tokwa.
United Kingdom
When you think about culinary hotspots in the world, chances are London doesn’t come to mind. Believe it or not, however, it has been named by TripAdvisor as the top food destination in the world. Among the many restaurants here is Donia, which has been awarded the Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide.
Describing itself as a modern Filipino restaurant, Donia serves dishes such as adobo mushroom croquetas, halibut Bicol express, and an English twist to the kaldereta called lamb shoulder caldereta pie.
Also found in London is Belly, another Filipino restaurant included in the Michelin Guide. A modern Filipino-European bistro, Belly reflects the blend of flavors and cultures through dishes like woodland mushroom arroz caldo, oak-smoked tinola herb chicken, and pumpkin kare-kare.
United States of America
Filipino restaurants may only account for one percent of Asian eateries in the United States, but many have made their mark in the culinary scene. One even has two Michelin stars.
That distinction belongs to Kasama, which is located in Chicago. Presenting a modern and elegant take on Filipino cuisine, Kasama primarily offers a tasting menu but its bakery, which whips out matcha pandan eclairs and guava and cheese ensaymadas, shouldn’t be overlooked.
Also found in Chicago is Bib Gourmand-awardee Boonie’s. While diners can find Filipino classics like pinakbet and sarsiado on the menu, Boonie’s also offers Mindanao-inspired dishes such as satti manok, a grilled chicken dish typically eaten for breakfast in Zamboanga.
Another Bib Gourmand-awardee Filipino restaurant is Estrellita in Atlanta, Georgia. Offering casual comfort and an authentic culinary journey to the Philippines, Estrellita’s menu consists of rice meals and Filipino classics, such as branzino sa baga, beef nilaga, and its own signature longganisa.
