Toronto’s favourite Filipino foodie event — Filipino Restaurant Month — is back for its second year. Kicking off on April 1, the event was launched to promote and support Filipino restaurants and chefs, while encouraging the use of Philippine-made ingredients.
The month-long food extravaganza will see participating restaurants offer prix fixe menus that showcase the diversity of Filipino food.
Here are the 11 Toronto restaurants participating in Filipino Restaurant Month.
Casa Manila
This popular restaurant is an ode to classic Filipino food, which is a melange of the various culinary cultures that have made their mark on the Philippines, including Spanish, Chinese and American. Casa Manila also strives to bring Filipino cuisine into the modern era by offering vegan and gluten-free options. 508 Danforth Ave.
ISLA’s Filipino BBQ & Bar
Featuring traditional Filipino grilled fare plus tropical-inspired cocktails, ISLA’s owner and executive chef Marc Buenaventura opened the restaurant with wife, Mariel hoping to introduce Torontonians to the food and culture. Located in Parkdale, the cozy restaurant keeps with traditional styles and authentic flavours with each dish. 1690 Queen St. W.
Kanto by Tita Flicks
Beginning in the 80s as a family business, Tita Flips has evolved to encompass delicious made-to-order Filipino street food. Proudly offering the comforts of the classic food dishes, Kanto has expanded to two locations – one in the Junction, and the other in Chinatown. Most known for their Sunday Fiesta all-you-can-eat brunch, expect traditional faves like silogs, fish balls and sisig with rice. 707 Dundas St. W.
Lechon Republik
This menu at Lechon Rebublik is inspired by by the country’s most popular dish – Lechon. Also on the menu is an abundance of beef and chicken dishes like chicken Afritada, a chicken stew in tomato sauce and beef papaitan — beef bitter soup. 1 Romar Cres.
The Original Barrio Fiesta
Open since 1952, Barrio Fiesta offers modern interpretations on traditional Filipino dishes like chicken sisig tacos, crispy chicken wings, as well as a number of rice, noodle and seafood dishes. 45 Overlea Blvd.
B’s Sizzling Kitchen
Known for their Cebu lechon (suckling pig) which range in price from $285 for a small to $325 for a large, B’s Sizzling Kitchen in Etobicoke also offers Kamayan to-go in a box. Kamayan means “by hand” referring to how the meal is eaten. The regular K-box includes rice, steamed veggies, green mangoes, BBQ chicken, chorizo, roasted pork, fish and pork spring rolls. 430 Horner Ave.
MB The Place to Be
Located in North York, MB The Place to Be has been open since 2019 and is a cosy resto-bar and lounge with late night eats until 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Along with traditional Filipino cuisine, on weekends comedians, musicians and themed events are on offer 3434 Bathurst St., North York
Republika Restaurant and Grill
Promising food that will “blow your mind” Republka Restaurant and Grill offers all-time favourites like sizzling pork Sisig, beef Kare-Kare and bangus sinigang — a type of sour clear broth fish soup. 288 Wilson Ave. North York
The Crane Kitchen
Counting professional basketball players Andrew Nicholson and Tobias Harris as ambassadors, The Crane Kitchen is serving up hot pot noodle soup, rice bowls, noodles and barbecue platters including pork belly and squid. 846 Sheppard Ave. W. North York
Bao Mama
Bad Mama is a female, Filipino-owned restaurant in Scarborough offering fresh Filipino and Asian-inspired handcrafted baos which come topped with asian house slaw, green onions and mama’s specialty sauces. 4419 Sheppard Ave. E. North York
FV Foods
With a vision to introduce the best Filipino delicacies to the masses, this restaurant (and adjacent bakery) is unique for serving up authentic Filipino cuisine for the last two decades. The menu includes an extensive amount of beef dishes including beef in coconut milk and beef steak Tagalog and many goat dishes as well. 2085 Lawrence Ave. E. Scarborough
