Filipino food hasn’t become quite as mainstream as many other cuisines in Perth, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a thriving community with some stellar Pinoy restaurants to delve into.
The newest kid on the block for Perth Pinoy cuisine, Pala brings Filipino fusion flavours to brunch. Expect to find plenty of purple on the menu, with ube French toast, waffles with fried chicken and lattes – plus picture-perfect flower-scattered salads, adobo eggs benny and sinigang salmon.
91 Main Street, Osborne Park
Started by the team behind beloved burger joint RoyAl’s, Lola’s Filipino Diner pays homage to their Filipino heritage and the food they grew up with. The crowd favourite is, of course, the fried chicken gravy – Lola’s ode to Jollibee’s chicken joy.
8/885 Albany Highway, East Victoria Park
Cockburn’s Congee House is an Asian fusion restaurant that specialises in Filipino cuisine, serving up its namesake congee in a style that straddles both the Chinese and Filipino arroz caldo. You’ll also find plenty of other Filipino favourites on offer, like adobo, sisig, and kaldereta.
Shop 9/ 23 Junction Boulevard, Cockburn Central
Coventry just can’t miss, and yet another heavy-hitter amongst the market is Chef Knowell. Serving up plenty of Filipino faves, all with the Chef Knowell flair – from house-made silog, sizzling sisig, crispy pata and plenty of sweets, including (of course!) refreshing halo-halo, served with homemade ube, buko pandan and langka sorbetes.
Coventry Village, 243-253 Walter Road West, Morley
Another pint-sized powerhouse, Kusina Republik will sort you out with some big Filipino street food flavours – especially if you’re craving isaw and pork BBQ, grilled over charcoal every Saturday. Plus, you can pop into neighbours Melissa’s Supermarket for some Pinoy groceries and goodies to take home.
72-74 Warton Road, Huntingdale
Hammy Hill’s Ready Eddie’s Cafe will fill the silog-sized hole in your heart. Freshly-made lumpia, pork adobo and grilled pork belly, fried tilapia and more are all on offer – though we find it hard to resist that crispy pork hock. Don’t worry – if pork’s not your vibe, there’s plenty of vegetarian options, too.
Unit 5C, 817 Beeliar Drive, Cockburn Central
What’d we tell you? Coventry just can’t miss, and Kabayan’s is just more proof. While they offer a multitude of Asian cuisines, their specialty is definitely their tasty Pinoy offerings – which are also a total bargain. Head there on a weekday for their $12 combo, or feast at their weekend buffet, which is a measly $20.
Coventry Village, 243-253 Walter Road West, Morley
Another innocuous strip mall treasure, House of Pinoy has you covered with all your tasty Filipino faves – from chorizo de Cebu, to crispy pata or oxtail kare-kare, all cooked with homey heart.
Timberlane Village Shopping Centre, 497 Beechboro Road, Beechboro
It’s more than worth hunting down pop up and food stall Filipino Favourites. Their menu is a perfect entry point for any newcomers to Filipino cuisine, with charcoal-y chicken inasan or adobo burgers ready to convert any skeptics.
With locations in Joondalup and Medina, Bikol Express (and its latest outpost, Erah BBQ And Grill) is making it even easier to get your hands on some Filipino favourites, accompanied by some warm and welcoming service (and karaoke!). Bikol Express by name, express by nature: they’ve also got plenty of grab and go goodies for when you need your fix extra fast – think cheese donuts, pilipit and biko.
39 Central Walk, Joondalup
13 Pace Road, Medina
While you’ll have to wait for one of Mesa’s next pop ups to taste their modern Filipino menu – you won’t be disappointed. At these limited-run events, classic Filipino flavours are paired with contemporary fine dining techniques – think sinigang-inspired Albany rock oysters or roasted cansi bone marrow with pandesal toast.
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Header image: Lola’s Filipino Diner