Top Filipino Restaurants in London

The Filipino in me jumped in spirit when I learned that I would work in London for a little more than three months. There are no Filipino restaurants in Geneva any more, and soon enough, I would be in a big multicultural city with Filipino restaurants to discover!

First of all, this is far from being a definitive list, but let me list the restaurants I have been to and the rationale for the ranking.

6) Sunrise Kabayan Bakery and Canteen (10 Kenway Road Tube: Earls Court)

Try to street map this place, and you’ll see that it has the word Kabayan, remittance, and Thai restaurant into it. These words make it a bit misleading for those unfamiliar with Filipinos, but for us, we see kabayan, and we are happy. This restaurant is the least costly on my list, and that is because it is a canteen. The food is just reheated, and all you have to do is pick the food you want. In terms of quality, you get what you pay.

5) Lutong Pinoy  (10 Kenway Road Tube: Earls Court)

The restaurant just beside Kabayan is quite good. They have a buffet, but the good thing is you can order your staple Adobo, Sinigang, Lechon Kawali; you can almost feel like you are in Manila. Mind you, Kenway Road seems to be the Little Manila of London. It is on my number 5 as I think in terms of ambiance, they can do better.

4 ) Lakwatsa (7 Blenheim Crescent Tube: Ladbroke Grove), this restaurant has the same name as this website —  I can tell you that this is by pure coincidence.  Why should I put this on this list, well it is Filipino, and yes it does have Filipino meriendas(snacks) on the menu. The only thing is that it is, first and foremost, a bubble tea place. So much so that they do not have the time to serve their meriendas. Last time I was there, there was a big line for their Bubble teas. By the way, they are hiring! I hope they can find people fast so that they can serve their meriendas. It makes me want to open a Bubble tea place in Geneva (Lakwatsa, did you hear me? Can you give me the secret of your Bubble tea).

The next time you are at Portobello road, do yourself a favor. Try their bubble tea 🙂

3) Port of Manila (129-131 Brackenbury Rd  Tube: Hammersmith)

Good Filipino restaurant, the President of the Philippines, can attest. It is just that it is a little bit far from transport spots. It is 9 minutes walk from Hammersmith, and there isn’t much to see when you do that walking. However, Brackenbury Rd itself could yield a few surprises. There are several restaurants in the area.

2)Cirillo Noodle Bar (4 Cable Street Tube: Tower Hill)

Cirillo Noodle Bar could easily be number 1 on my list if it were not for its location. It is quite hidden, and I guess those who chance upon it could consider it a gem. What I like with Cirillo’s is the modern touch that it gives to Filipino dishes. Some would find that good or bad. As an example, I could hardly say that I ate Adobo when I ordered their take on it. Was it good?  I’d say yes. I reckon the cooking is more like Modern Filipino Chines. The chef they say was previously a nutritionist, again that may be good or bad for some; with Filipino food, I always have a guilty pleasure with Lechon Kawali!

1)Josephine’s restaurant (4 Charlotte Street  Tube: Tottenham Court Road – Central Line  /  Goodge – Northern Line)

A Filipino restaurant at Fitzrovia! Very practical! And yes, you can have your Lechon Kawali Guilty pleasure here. The ambiance is excellent. Oh, and yes, the food is good. I’d say it is more classical Filipino, but they adapt their serving style to Western standards(entrée, main meal). Give me sinigang, Lechon Kawali, and rice, and I’m happy. Their sago is a bit too sweet. The halo-halo dessert is supreme! I have been there four times in the last six weeks.

Just like Port of Manila, a lot of Filipino celebrities pass by this place. I believe Manny, apl.de.ap, Honasan etch have been there.  Well, I wouldn’t be surprised if  Megan Young, the new Miss World eat in this place.

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As I said, the list is not finite. I believe I need to go further East and also  West towards Chelsea to make this list more exhaustive in terms of Filipino restaurants, London.