I’ve been to countless Filipino restaurants in Dubai, big and small, good and not-so-good. That’s why I always get asked, “Where’s best to eat?” I would often respond based on the ‘taste’ of the person asking.
As a blogger, it is on me to ensure I give impartial reviews about MY experiences. At the end, it is still MY experience, if you find similarity to my ‘not-so-hard-to-please’ taste, take my word for it. Otherwise, to each his own.
We have different preferences. What’s good for me may not be pleasant for you. What you like, I might not.
I won’t just recommend the best restaurant within your location, because food experience must be beyond practicality – except when the situation really calls for it. If I go back to a restaurant because of location, I’m just being practical – “Pwede na yan para di na tayo lalayo.”
I’m a fan of “dayo” for restaurants that deserve my petrol and toll.
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| The creativity is overflowing inside Hot Palayok in Karama, but the wow factor ends there |
If a customer returns to a restaurant for the ambiance, something’s wrong with the customer.
The restaurant is good if I return for the food. Even if I get lost in Karama, I’d drive makakain lang ng tama – even if it’s just a small eatery, as long as the food is well beyond satisfactory.
It’s all about great dining experience.
Here’s a list of my most preferred food to order, and in where I found the best experiences. So saan nga ba masarap kumain ng…
BEEF
Beef Belly Barbecue – JJ’s Inasal, Little Manila
Beef Tenderloin Skewers – Ihawan
Bulalo – Tagpuan [2nd, Max’s]
Kare-Kare – Pita
Lechon Kawali – Ihawan
Lechon Paksiw – House of Lechon, Little Manila
Lengua Estofada – House of Lechon, Little Manila
Liempo Grilled – House of Lechon, Little Manila
Nilagang Oxtail (Buntot) – Olive Oil Restaurant, Rotana Jumeirah
T-bone (grilled) – Ihawan
CHICKEN
Chicken Inasal – BBF Multicuisine
Chicken Longanisa (LongSiLog) – Ihawan
Chicken Sisig – Max’s
Chicken Skin Sisig – Barrio Fiesta
Fried Chicken – Max’s and Jollibee (where else)
Lechon Manok (Cebu Style) – Authentic Angels
Lechon Manok (Tagalog Style) – House of Lechon Manok, Little Manila
PORK
Crispy Pata – Kitakits Kafe & Klubb
Lechon Kawali – La Mesa
Liempo (Inihaw) – Boracay
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| Tinapa breakfast at Pancake House |
SEAFOOD
Baked Mussels – Dampa
Bangus Inihaw – Pita
Bangus Relyeno – Casa Pinoy
Bangus Tinapa (Breakfast style) – Pancake House
Crispy Shrimps – JJ’s Inasal at Little Manila
Crispy Tilapia – Dampa
Daing na Bangus – Tapa King
Grilled Squid – Dampa
Seafood Mix (Grilled in Chipotle) – Dampa
Sinigang na Bangus – Chowking
Sweet Chili Crab – Binondo Komedor
Tahong Pesa – Ihawan
Tahong Tinola – Max’s
VEGETABLE
Adobong Kangkong – Tapa King
Lumpiang Sariwa – Max’s
Sizzling Tofu – Pampanguenos
Tofu Sisig – Max’s
Tortang Talong (Relyenong Talong) – Sinugba Ng Cucina
NOODLES / MERIENDA
Arroz Caldo – Ihawan
Goto – Delmon
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| Another great concept of a Filipino restaurant with a lot of intresting twists. Check out our experience at BBF. |
Pansit Bihon – BBF Multicuisine
Pansit Luglug – Max’s
Pansit Malabon- Pampaguenos
Pansit Palabok – Lamesa at Centurion [2nd, Pampaguenos]
STREET FOOD
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| 6-pcs isaw for only AED15 at Casa Pinoy – by far the cheapest price in Dubai, yet tastes really good. |
Beef Isaw – Uling at Parilya
Chicken Barbecue (Skewers) – Ihawan
Chicken Liver Barbecue – Ihawan
Grilled Burger (Filipino style) – Ihawan
Isaw (Grilled) – Ihawan [2nd, Casa Pinoy]
Fried Isaw – Carinderia Ni Tandang Sora [2nd, Casa Pinoy]
APPETIZERS
Calamares – Lamesa at Centurion
Camaron Rebusado – Max’s
Chicken Skin – Olive Oil Restaurant, Rotana Jumeirah
Papaitan – Carinderia Ni Tandang Sora / Uling at Parilya [2nd, Ihawan]
DESSERTS / PASTRY
Banana Con Yelo – Ihawan
Bibingka – Veto Pizza
Binignit – Authentic Angels
Ensaymada – Breadshop at Little Manila
Ensaymada Cebu – Pinoy Lomi House
Espasol – Pinoy Lomi House
Ginataang Halo-halo – Pita [2nd, Ihawan]
Halo-halo – Ihawan [2nd, Chowking]
Iskrambol – Bodega
Mais Con Yelo – Tapa King [2nd, Ihawan]
Nilupak / Tibok-tibok – Casa Pinoy
Shakoy / Inipit – Authentic Angels
Silvanas – Uling at Parilya
Ube Halaya – Ihawan [2nd, Barrio Fiesta]
Ube Pianono – Authentic Angels
Ube Roll – Max’s
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There are more or less a hundred Filipino restaurants in Dubai. Unfortunately, not many of them prioritizes authencity and quality of food. Having the opportuniy to talk to many of them, restaurateurs, I can tell who does it for purpose and passion, or primarily for money.
We don’t order much of the common household recipes, because, well, my wife does it best at home, you know. I wouldn’t trade her Sinigang, Tinola, Embutido, Adobo, Batchoy, Pork Sisig, Bistek Tagalog, Porkchop Steak, Dinuguan, even Spaghetti and Buco Pandan and Kutsinta over any restaurants out there. Oops, didn’t I say I’m on healthy diet?
And oh, this post is in no way influenced by the preferred restaurants I mentioned above okaaaay.
Your thoughts please…