Aplaya Kitchen + Tiki Bar

Tropical vibes. Creative cocktails. Filipino-inspired bites.

Restaurant Category: Casual tiki bar with Filipino-inspired small plates, $12–$25 per item; cocktails priced on the higher side for the area

Menu Highlights:
– Lumpia/egg rolls (frequently praised)
– Mom’s adobo chicken
– BBQ ribs (flavorful; some find them spicy)
– Tacos (pork and fish; generally a hit)
– Tuna poke
– Skewers and plantains
– Siopao/siopao cheeseburger (mixed feedback)
– Ube ice cream sandwich
– Signature cocktails: Mai Tai, Calamansi Margarita, Pinoy Colada; solid mocktail list

Service Highlights:
– Laid-back, tropical/tiki atmosphere tucked off Main Street
– Attentive, friendly bartenders; fun to chat with
– Generally quick service; easy seating early evening
– Great for casual night outs and late-night drinks
– Hosts private events; collaborative and responsive management for parties
– Music and decor set a festive, vacation-y mood

Notes:
– Portions run small; some diners order multiple plates to feel full
– Prices feel high to some, especially for add-ons like rice or siopao
– Food consistency varies: smoked shrimp disliked by several; empanadas called too doughy
– A few dishes arrived cold or underwhelming (e.g., monkfish loco moco patty, siopao cheeseburger confusion)
– Authenticity debated by Filipino diners; some found flavors bland or not true Pinoy
– Occasional bar/kitchen backup causing slow drink delivery
– One report of a server making light of Filipino dish names, which felt disrespectful

Logistics:
– Hidden down an alley off Main Street; “blink-and-miss-it” from the street
– Dog-friendly outdoor patio and roomy layout for strollers
– Clean bathrooms
– Can get busy later at night; easier tables around 5 pm

Diners come for the tropical ambiance and standout drinks—think well-balanced Mai Tais, a bright Calamansi Margarita, and a Pinoy Colada that wins over both locals and visiting Filipinos. The vibe is a big part of the draw: a tucked-away, tiki-style patio with upbeat music, plants, and that vacation feel. Bartenders get a lot of love for being attentive and personable, and the place handles casual date nights as comfortably as late-night hangouts. Several folks also mention it’s stroller-friendly and dog-friendly, with clean restrooms—little details that make a difference.

On the food side, lumpia and egg rolls pop up again and again as favorites, along with Mom’s adobo chicken, ribs with good heat and char, tacos, skewers, plantains, and even an ube ice cream sandwich for dessert. Customers enjoy sharing plates, although some point out the portions are on the smaller side and prices can add up—especially with sides like rice or specialty items like siopao. Drinks and mocktails get consistently strong marks, though there are reports of the bar getting backed up at peak times, leading to slower cocktail delivery.

Experiences can be mixed: plenty of folks say they had one of their best vacation meals here, while others felt the kitchen missed the mark. A few dishes draw criticism—the “smoked” shrimp came off as overly artificial to some, empanadas read too doughy, and one group found a loco moco patty unappetizing and food arriving cold. Some Filipino diners mention the flavors don’t always land as authentically Pinoy as they hoped, and one server’s jokes about dish names rubbed a family the wrong way. On the flip side, event hosts call out Johnny and the team for warm hospitality and smooth planning for private parties, which suggests the staff can really shine when the room is humming. Overall, people love the setting and cocktails, and while many enjoy the food, a few wish the execution and cultural nuance were more consistent.