Filipino Restaurants in DC You Should Visit

Ube lattes. Modern Pinoy comfort. Cozy, cute space. Restaurant Category: Casual Filipino cafe + counter-service restaurant; typical $18–$35 per person; items ~$12–$25, coffee/lattes ~$7–$8 Menu Highlights: – Ube latte (most-mentioned), plus pandan and turon lattes – Kare-kare – Adobo – Lechon kawali (crispy pork belly) – Ube chori burger (when ube buns are available) – Chicken inasal with garlic rice and atsara – Chopsuey – Breakfast chorizo sandwich; pastries like cheese ensaymada Service Highlights: – Chill, cozy vibe with stylish Filipino decor and a homey feel – Hybrid counter-service with sit-down dining; good for casual catch-ups – Friendly, attentive staff noted by many; presentation often praised – Lattes and coffee drinks are a visual standout around the room Notes: – Prices feel high to several diners; portions can run small – Mandatory 5% “employee wellness” fee plus tip prompts – Wait times can be long (coffee and food), with reports of disorganization – Order issues reported: wrong/missing items, out-of-stock items, underfilled cups – Mixed takes on authenticity and seasoning; a few dishes arrived cold or undercooked – Some mention loud noise and leaving with a kitchen smell on clothes – Menu changes removed past favorites; rice often a separate add-on … read full review

Modern Filipino fine dining. Creative plates. Welcoming service. Restaurant Category: Modern Filipino fine dining, $$$$; a la carte mains around $44–$66; tasting/prix fixe and chef’s counter available. Menu Highlights: – Cassava Cake with crab fat/lardo and smoked trout roe (frequent rave) – Smoked Longganisa with stewed chickpeas and salsa verde – Dinuguan with foie gras and pork jowl – Pato Tim (aged duck breast) – Kare-Kare with crispy oxtail and roasted/burnt eggplant – Wild Mushroom Dumplings (rich broth; mixed feedback) – Humba crispy pork belly (crisp skin; texture feedback varies) – Tofu & mushroom Sisig (vegetarian take) – Ube/bao buns; tender chicken tocino/main – Desserts: Malted S’mores with durian ice cream; Maja Blanca corn custard; Suman Morong (glutinous rice with macadamia/coconut curd); Burnt cassava cheesecake; Taho topped with caviar – Cocktails and mocktails (e.g., Pampanga Sour) are standouts Service Highlights: – Warm, polished hospitality; attentive servers – Chef’s counter adds an interactive, front-row experience – Chef often greets tables; special-occasion friendly – Tasting menus are thoughtfully paced and beautifully presented – Bar program is creative and well-executed – Room can be quiet on some nights; music volume can feel a touch loud when it’s empty Notes: – Expensive/$$$$; a few … read full review

Filipino–Latin fusion. Creative buns and plates. Friendly, quick grab-and-go. Restaurant Category: Casual takeout/pop-up; pick-up only; no seating. Menu Highlights: – Longanisa concha sandwich (soft concha, flavorful longanisa) – Elote bun; sesame bun concha; ube concha – Chicken adobo pupusas plate; Baboy plate – Siopao; lumpia – Ube banana/banana ube muffin, mango bun, crinkle cookies, ube cookies, ensaymada – Pandan horchata – Sides: garlic fried rice, black beans, curtido – White and green sauces Service Highlights: – Warm, friendly service; community-minded vibe – Proactive when items sell out (e.g., complimentary drink or pastry) – Consistent quality across savory plates and baked goods – Good for a quick bite/grab-and-go Notes: – No seating; more of a pick-up spot – Popular pastries can sell out early – Fixed pickup time for online orders; can’t adjust after placing – Food (pupusas, lumpia) is best enjoyed hot; quality drops if you arrive late – A bit of a hassle to find for first-timers Logistics: – Online ordering opens early (e.g., Sunday morning) with set pickup slots – Location can be tricky to spot the first time Customers come for the Filipino–Latin fusion and especially rave about the longanisa concha sandwich—soft, sweet concha bun with a … read full review

Modern Filipino comfort. Ube-brunch standouts. Cozy, bustling vibe. Restaurant Category: Casual Filipino restaurant with brunch and dinner; $20–$40 per person typical. Menu Highlights: – Chicken and ube waffles/“uber pancakes”; spicy adobo fried chicken – Sizzling sisig – Bicol Express – Mama Alice’s lumpia – Pancit (bihon/canton) – Grilled ribeye skewers and short rib – Curries (e.g., coconut curry chicken) – Tosilog bowl, soft pandesal – Ube desserts: cheesecake and bread pudding – Cocktails: Palawan; notable gin selection Service Highlights: – Friendly, helpful staff; warm, attentive service for many diners – Smooth reservations; nice touches for celebrations (birthday candles, personalized anniversary table) – Intimate, slightly underground space with a lively, cozy energy – Outdoor seating can be quieter; can get busy at peak times Notes: – Service can be inconsistent; a few diners reported long waits or inattentive servers even when not crowded – Portions feel small for the price to some customers – Mandatory 20% service charge mentioned by multiple diners – A few dishes arrived lukewarm; one salad was overdressed; a couple of diners found flavors underwhelming – Patio seating sits on a slanted sidewalk, which some found uncomfortable – Sizzling plates can leave some smoke hanging inside Logistics: … read full review

Tropical cocktails. Filipino comfort bites. Party-friendly vibes. Restaurant Category: Casual tiki bar + Filipino plates, $12–20 small plates; cocktails ~$12–18 (happy hour tiki drinks ~$10) Menu Highlights: – Halo-halo (often praised) – Pansit/pancit – Mumbo wings and other wings – Lumpia (pork) – Beef skewers – Spam sliders – Curry salmon (mixed feedback) – Standout tiki sips: Pina Colada, Hurricane, Nitro Rum Barrel, Bubbly Bath, One Love DC; solid rum selection – Mocktails/zero-proof options available Service Highlights: – Friendly, accommodating team; good with large groups and events – Fun, tropical vibe; newly renovated basement with a speakeasy feel and DJ on some nights – Unique, photo-worthy glassware – Solid happy hour with multiple tiki options – Vegetarian-friendly options Notes: – Can be very loud inside, especially on weekends – Service can run slow or feel sparse at peak times; a few reports of delayed drinks – Drinks’ flavors can feel similar or out of balance to some – Tiki decor feels light to a few folks – Prices feel high to some; 20% auto-gratuity reported and not always communicated clearly – Outdoor seating is limited by a 27-person cap; you may see open tables but not be seated due to … read full review