Here is the best Filipino food in Los Angeles list! These places showcase authentic and modernized Filipino flavors in all the lip-smacking ways. Filipino food is represented with high quality ingredients, great service, cleanliness, good vibes, and all the good feeling atmosphere you want when you eat out. From sit down to grab and go, there’s something for everyone. Come hungry!
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Filipino Food in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is one of the best places to try Filipino food considering that Los Angeles has over 1.2 million Filipino residents! Being that California has a massive Filipino population, expect that Filipino food is more than just eating, it is community.
Within that, there is love, healing, memories, and innovation. The flavors are nostalgic with new ones arising that are elevating and progressing Filipino food into the mainstream and opening up the conversation to non-Filipinos to try the flavors of these beautiful people.
With all that said, Filipino food still has to be done right. I always say, first impressions matter so let’s start your Filipino food in Los Angeles exploration off on the right foot.
Whether you are a first gen Filipino or completely new to this part of the world…these spots got you. Give them a try.
I love to eat!! Best believe, I eat everywhere and I also have been a foodie for more than half my life. I am lucky to have eaten in gorgeous Michelin restaurants and also hole-in-the wall finds. Therefore, my suggestions are strictly based on flavor and overall presentation.
I also worked in the service industry for many years. Great customer service is incredibly important to me. Cleanliness. Nice people. Vibe and decor of the establishment, also on my list. Overall, the feeling has to come with the food and whole package (especially with the Los Angeles prices).
MY REVIEW IS NON-SPONSORED. If you want to suggest a place for me to try and add please leave a comment or email. This review is for Los Angeles area.
Here are some of the top options to consider when craving Filipino food in Los Angeles:
Kuya Lord
- Location: 5003 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90038
- Cuisine: Elevated Fast Casual Restaurant, Southern Tagalog Cuisine
- Highlights to Eat: Kuya Trays, Lucenachon, Lechon Kawali
- Vibe: Order for Take Out or Delivery/ 28 Seats at the Restaurant only
- Good For: Everything they have
My, my, my Kuya Lord. I love a good story of a Filipino that has grown through so many of life’s scenarios and now, just crushing the Filipino food scene in the heart of trendy Los Angeles. Oh, and James Beard Award nominee and Voted Best Restaurants in Los Angeles.
This food just exudes quintessential Filipino flavors and that beats in the hearts of Filipinos everywhere.
It’s familiar and nostaligic flavors, done right. Maybe a little better…with high quality ingredients and an enormous amount of love and passion.
Makes sense, Kuya Lord. The name “Kuya” meaning older brother and the the owner’s name Lord Maynard. See that? Older brother is taking care of us.
Go check this place out. DO NOT skimp…just go all the way and order everything you can. Try the Kuya trays for an assortment to share.
Feast. Forget the napkins, have paper towel. Use your hands. Enjoy.
HiFi Kitchen
- Location: 1667 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026 in Historic Filipinotown
- Cuisine: Filipino Fusion with Vegetarian Options; Cafe Style; Fast and Casual
- Highlights to Eat: Great Vegetarian Options Available; Silogs/Breakfast; Ube Pie; Laing; Merchandise
- Vibe: Cafe, Young, Hip, Fun, Easy
HiFi is chill vibes and chill bowls for Filipino food in Los Angeles. The food is casual and cool. Not fussy, the portions are quick lunch size and the rice is perfect.
Food comes in to-go style containers…but you probably won’t have leftovers. It’s easy and spot-on.
Grab some comfort food breakfast or healthy lunch because their vegetarian options like the veggie pancit with tofu is very simple, yet satisfies that need for Filipino food flavor.
You can eat there for your lunchtime work break and return feeling satisfied and good inside.
Lasita
- Location: 727 N Broadway #120, Los Angeles, CA 90012
- Cuisine: Filipino-American
- Highlights to Eat: Pancit, Chicken Inasal
- Vibe: Elevated, Trendy, Presentation, Wine, Sit Down
Lasita offers a vibrant and contemporary dining atmosphere that effortlessly blends Filipino and American influences.
When I have dined at LASA it was great, now Lasita takes it a step further with ambiance and total immersion in food that has layers of flavor.
Expect to see many Filipino favorites, elevated with modern culinary techniques, seasonal ingredients, and fused with American/California Coast flavors.
They have a beautiful long list of wines to pair with your dishes, lending to a long and relaxed atmosphere of sipping and bites.
The restaurant’s aesthetic is modern and sleek, with chic decor and a welcoming ambiance that caters to both semi-casual diners and those seeking a more upscale experience.
In terms of price, Lasita offers a mid/high-range dining experience, matching the quality of food and service offered. This makes it an ideal choice for special occasions.
Lasita is no stranger to celebrity compliments as even the likes of a Filipino favorite, Jo Koy, has dined there a few times and all reviews…excellent.
If you are looking to treat yourself to an elevated foodie experience of Filipino food in Los Angeles, this is the place.
The Park’s Finest
- Location: 1267 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90026
- Cuisine: Filipino-American BBQ with Craft Beers
- Highlights: Coconut Beef, Pork Belly
- Vibe: Casual, Family Friendly
Filipino BBQ is essential. It really is. It’s the staple for almost every party that has life and love. It brings people together, tastes lip-smacking good, and is symbolic of good times.
Park’s delivers that love that Filipinos have for BBQ with their own fusion twists.
Try a Worker Wednesday Plate to get a taste of the slow cooked coconut beef adobo and the Hot Links longganisa. There is much more to choose from, marinated with Filipino flavor and delivered will Filipino flair.
Add in craft beers, and I don’t think there is much convincing needed as to why The Park’s Finest is a cool stop that needs to be on your list of “chill lunch” to-do’s.
I especially like the spacious outdoor seating and kid-friendly atmosphere.
Mano Po
- Location: https://eatmanopo.com/contact-us
- Cuisine: Filipino Food at SMORGASBURG LA (open air food market at The Row)
- Highlights: Chicken Inasal, Liempo
- Vibe: Fun, Casual, Comforting, Outside Market Stall
This place is on my list. They are at the Smorgasburg at the Row in DTLA. I love that Filipino food is representing at the biggest and best of all open air food markets in Los Angeles.
There is no other space like Smorgasburg that is not just hip with music and all the feels for families, kids, and food enthusiasts, but the makers of this market bring it with solid food vendors that show up to win.
The selections are grand at the market, and Mano Po shines. It uplifts Filipino food with fresh flavor and a lot of focus on each bite being flavorful…because that is what Filipino food in Los Angeles has to be about, full, lip-smacking flavor.
They make great chicken inasal. When I was in Bacolod, Philippines, that is one dish that sticks with you for life. It’s so good to relive it at Mano Po.
Sampa
- Location: POP UP visit the website link (currently DTLA)
- Cuisine: Modern Filipino-American by Chef Josh Espinosa
- Highlights: Filipino Ceviche, Lamb Shank Kaldereta, Tocino Tacos
- Vibe: Trendy, Elevated Casual, Date Night, Going Out
This welcome popup establishment needs permanent residency at my house! The ingredients are so fresh, the presentation is on point, and the flavors of calamansi and Filipino love are present in every dish.
Expect elevated and modern versions of classic Filipino ingredients that are brought out with exceptional culinary techniques.
Dishes like short rib bistek benedict, pasta palabok, and calamansi key lime pie exude the chef’s affinity with fusion and showcasing Filipino ingredients in exciting ways our lolas never had tried before.
Come here for a trendy brunch or date night. Don’t miss the cocktails and wear your nice shoes.
Jollibee
- Location: Multiple locations
- Cuisine: Filipino Fast Food; Fried Chicken
- Highlights: Fried Chicken; Fried Mango Peach Pie
- Vibe: Fun, Fast-Food, Easy, Comforting
There are so many reasons why Jollibee is an iconic Filipino fast food staple. It’s the Mc D’s to the Philippines. Plus, the bee mascot is adorable and he dances too!
Loaded with flavor, crispy Chicken Joy, and of course sides like rice and Filipino spaghetti. These make Jollibee a home away from home, especially to Filipinos in the States that are missing home and family.
So you see, Jollibee is not to be messed with.
When you eat there and crunch into that crispy fried chicken bucket, just know that is the sound of happy children that the Filipino parents wanted to feed in an environment that is safe, fun, comforting, and has that Filipino family vibe we all can feel sentimental about.
Go hungry. Get the crispy chicken bucket and sides of rice and gravy.
B Sweet
- Location: Multiple locations, https://www.mybsweet.com/bsweetdessertbar
- Cuisine: Dessert Bar
- Highlights: Halo-Halo and Ube Banana Pudding, Cakes, and Brownies…everything!
- Vibe: Sweet, Dessert, Casual/Fast
The halo halo is loaded here. I love it!!! It’s elevated because every bit is fresh and tasty. I love the crushed ice and the ube ice cream on top. The Instagram worthy desserts are fun, colorful, and ube-rific.
Since this place is busy, you can expect everything to be nice and fresh and the turnover is quick. That is my favorite part, knowing that the ingredients never sit long enough because everyone wants something from B Sweet.
It’s kid friendly and in the Sawtelle location, it’s a very walkable area and there are little benches available to chill.
The atmosphere is definitely very cool and walkable for the whole family.
Definitely go if you have a sweet tooth. Also, be sure to grab some ice cream pints on your way out for home. B Sweet doesn’t disappoint.
Oh, and the portions are big too!
Cafe 86
- Location: Multiple locations in Los Angeles
- Cuisine: Halo-Halo, Lattes, Milk Teas, Slushies, and more Drinks
- Highlights: Ube, Ube, Ube. Upside Down Halo-Halo, Ube Leche Flan Cupcake. Everything ube and ube latte.
- Vibe: Cafe and Casual and Chill
Filipinos love cafes and to kick back and have coffee, teas, and sweet desserts. Cafe 86 says it is all about “Ube done right” and they are not amiss.
Delight in an extensive menu of sweet ube shakes and milk teas while sitting for some relaxed chit chat with your fave people or solo and getting a little work done on the laptop.
Cafe 86 really has a cool vibe and here is where you can taste real ube halaya flavor, flan, the delighful pandan flavor, jackfruit, and signature sweet Filipino flavors.
It’s all a bit elevated with layers…literal layers, of jellies and goodies and ice cream. The presentation alone is worth the visit.
Come on a sunny day and indulge in icy cold drinks and have fun pointing out all the flavors as you dig them out from the tall halo-halo cups they serve.
This is one cafe that does it right and has the atmosphere that almost makes you want for another.
Papa J’s Lechon
- Location: 1846 California Ave, Monrovia, CA 91016
- Phone: (909) 471-3362
- Cuisine: Filipino; Party Size Portions; Whole Lechon and Cebuchon
- Highlights to Eat: Lechon
- Vibe: Deliver or Pick Up, Caterer
I had a whole lechon at my wedding. I am pretty sure some people had never seen lechon before…but the whole thing was gone! Every bit of meat…nothing left. It’s that good.
The skin is crispy, tender meat, flavorful and aromatic with lemongrass leaves and simple seasonings that will take you back to every big Filipino party you ever went to.
Papa J’s is in Monrovia, so I suggest it if you are closest to that location. Otherwise, travel time can affect the crispy skin that can make or break your lechon.
These establishments offer a rich array of traditional and modern Filipino dishes, ensuring you get a start to trying some of the very best flavors of the Philippines in the heart of Los Angeles.
As the food scene and Filipino food in Los Angeles expands to more new chefs and creators that love to combine passion with flavor and technique, I cannot wait to see what will come next on the list!
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