Hello, dear readers! Or should we say, Mabuhay! We’re hunting down all the must-try Filipino restaurants in the city today, so you’re in for a treat if you’ve always wanted to try the cuisine – or, if you’re Filipino, to get a delicious yet nostalgic taste of home.
Hold on to your karaoke mics because we’re launching this exciting escapade enough to make you scream and hit the high notes like Broadway star Lea Salonga! She’s Filipino, did you know?
Table of Contents
1. Tambayan at Kainang Filipino Restaurant
Website: https://www.facebook.com/tambayanfilipinorestaurantcanada/
Address: 5147 20 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2B 0B1, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-475-3638
Operating hours:
- Monday – closed
- Tuesday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM
- Sunday – 11:30 AM to 8 PM
When translated to English, Tambayan at Kainang Filipino Restaurant means ‘hangout spot and eatery.’ True to its name, it offers a welcoming and friendly ambiance that will remind any Filipinos of home.
They’re known for their flavorful crispy pata, a deep-fried pork leg usually served during lively Filipino parties. However, who’s to say you can’t indulge in it on a regular day when the opportunity presents itself, right?
2. Paolo’s Authentic Filipino Restaurant
Website: https://paolos-dine-in.business.site
Address: 7070 11 St SE #11, Calgary, AB T2H 2W8, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-253-9200
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 10 AM to 7 PM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 5 PM
As the name suggests, Paolo’s Authentic Filipino Restaurant serves a plethora of authentic meals from the Southeast Asian country – and our absolute favorite is the mouthwatering tapsilog.
It’s a hearty, breakfast dish with tapa (beef), sinangag (garlic rice), and itlog (egg). That said, you can also never go wrong with their crispy pata.
By the way, their menu is pretty flexible – another awesome highlight to this eatery. If you want something, they can whip it up for you as long as they have the ingredients in the kitchen.
Here’s a pro-tip: Ask for the kakanin, a glutinous rice cake!
3. Barrio Fiesta
Website: https://www.facebook.com/barrioyyc/
Address: 6800 Memorial Dr E #170, Calgary, AB T2A 6V3, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-272-2970
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 1 PM to 9 PM
- Friday – 1 PM to 10 PM
- Saturday – 1 PM to 12 AM
According to plenty of our Filipino friends, Barrio Fiesta is a popular dining spot in the Philippines, especially during special occasions.
The kare-kare, a concoction featuring juicy beef stewed in a mouthwatering peanut sauce, is one of the most popular choices among customers. It comes with delightful inclusions of eggplant, bokchoy, and string beans.
It’s certainly a standout meal, making it a great introduction to the wonderful world of Filipino cuisine.
One should also not miss the opportunity to try their famous halo-halo (mix-mix in Filipino), which is their delectable version of shaved ice. Try it and face addiction!
4. Max’s Restaurant, Cuisine of the Philippines
Website: https://www.maxsrestaurantna.com/calgary
Address: 3581 20 Ave NE, Calgary, AB T1Y 6R3, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-453-2111
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 7 PM
Max’s Restaurant is another popular Filipino food chain that has multiple stores all over the Philippines, and now has extended its presence to Calgary.
They’re extremely popular for their chicken, with the crispy skin being the delicious highlights. We thoroughly enjoyed pairing it with their banana ketchup, but we heard some Filipinos also pair it with Worcestershire sauce, for a nice and savory kick.
We’ve yet to try the latter but a lot of Filipino friends assured us that it’s good – and we have every reason to believe them!
5. Lola’s Filipino Kitchen
Website: https://www.lolasfilipinokitchen.com
Address: 255 28 St SE, Calgary, AB T2A 5K4, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-235-1210
Operating hours:
- Monday – closed
- Tuesday – 11 AM to 6 PM
- Wednesday to Sunday – 11 AM to 7 PM
True to its name, Lola’s Filipino Kitchen crafts a wide array of delicious homemade meals, reminiscent of the warmth of a Filipino grandmother’s kitchen.
Among their wide array of popular items, we were astonished by the pork belly sinigang, a delicious dish made with sour soup that will have you swimming in flavor.
We were particularly keen on trying this one because it’s one of the most recommended dishes by our Filipino friends – and it didn’t disappoint! Naturally, we went ahead to procure the ingredients from a Filipino grocery store to try and replicate the recipe!
If you have any tips for us Filipino cuisine beginners, please let us know.
6. Amihan Grill + Bakeshop
Website: https://amihan.ca
Address: Interpacific Business Park, 3132 26 St NE Unit # 208, Calgary, AB T1Y 6Z1, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-455-6050
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
Amihan Grill + Bakeshop is one of the most unique Filipino restaurants in Calgary, offering delightful grilled plates and street food.
The BBQ liempo (pork belly) definitely takes the spotlight, but the kwek kwek (battered quail eggs) blew us away because of its surprising flavors and textures.
You should also check out their bakeshop that has plenty of delightful Filipino pastries. The brazo de mercedez is a must-try!
