The 5 Best Filipino Restaurants in Sydney That Make You Feel at Home
We know there’s a big Filipino community in Sydney, and sometimes nothing hits the spot like a meal that feels just like home. That’s why our team went on the hunt for the best Filipino restaurants around the city.
Filipino food deserves more than a quick taste test. So, we took a closer look at each spot’s menu, how authentic the dishes were, and the overall vibe. We even looped in a Filipino friend to help us assess the authenticity of the dishes.
Keep reading to see which restaurants we’d happily recommend to our homesick Filipino friends.
How much does dining in a Filipino restaurant in Sydney cost?
Dining in a Filipino restaurant in Sydney usually costs A$15–40 per person for mains or combos, with buffets averaging A$30–35. Drinks and extras can push the total higher.
1. Takam
Address: 324 Victoria St, Darlinghurst
Phone: +61 431 580 898
Business hours:
- Monday to Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday to Thursday: 5:30 PM – 10 PM
- Friday: 6 PM – 10 PM
- Saturday: 12 PM – 3 PM, 6 PM – 10 PM
- Sunday: 12 PM – 3 PM
Takam’s identity lies in its Filipino Food Forward philosophy. They take familiar Filipino dishes and mix in native Australian ingredients like wattleseed, pepperleaf, and finger lime.
That might feel gimmicky, but it doesn’t. People consistently mentioned that the flavours still feel true to Filipino taste.
Chicken inasal (grilled and flavoured chicken) is one of their strongest dishes. It’s juicy, and the char is perfect.
Another dish that got a lot of attention is the king prawn palabok. Many people said it’s a nice change from the traditional version. Takam’s version has grilled prawns and vibrant toppings that elevate the dish without losing its identity.
The pacing is also intentional. Plates arrive at just the right timing so guests can really enjoy the dish.
For the service, we found the staff warm, friendly, and accommodating.
Now, about the price. It’s a bit expensive. Compared to its competitors, it’s on the higher end. It’s also worth noting that there’s an additional service charge for groups of 12 or more.
Beautifully cooked, thoughtful, and full of authentic flavour
“Absolutely 5 stars! Love seeing Filipino food being presented the right way — beautifully cooked, thoughtful, and full of authentic flavour. The service was warm and attentive, and the whole experience felt so welcoming. Takam Sydney truly showcases Filipino cuisine with pride. Highly recommend!”
Astrid, Google review
The ambience was perfect and the staff were friendly
“Had the $95 feast and it was all delicious! My husband and I were so full- we had to get take away. So impressed by their creatively modern take on Filipino favourites. The ambience was perfect and the staff were friendly. Gianina was a hoot!”
Pia H, Google review
2. Descanso
Address: Shop 4/32-72 Alice St, Newtown
Phone: +61 2 9592 1408
Business hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday to Friday: 7 AM – 3 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 8 AM – 4 PM
For those who want to have a Filipino brunch in Sydney, Descano is a good choice.
Their silog plates and rice bowls in general seem to be their comfort zone. Bangsilog, adobo rice bowls, and other rice-based meals sit around A$19. It’s pretty standard for Sydney brunch prices.
The menu mixes Filipino classics with Aussie-style breakfast options, so it works well for mixed groups.
There are safe picks for less adventurous eaters, but also solid Filipino staples like pansit palabok and Filipino spaghetti.
Their sisig is pretty good when we tried it. It’s a finely chopped pork dish that’s boiled, grilled, then chopped and pan-fried until crispy.
Descano’s version of sisig comes without mayonnaise. It made a lot of people happy, especially those who grew up with the more traditional style.
Free street parking nearby for one to two hours is a practical bonus. Service is also described as friendly and fast by a lot of people.
There are a few weak spots, though. The Barkada Share Board at A$52 received some complaints about the portion size.
One person said it barely fed two people, even though it was advertised for two to three.
The flavors were rich and comforting
“Tried my first Filipino restaurant in Sydney and it was a great experience! The food was delicious — I had the beef pares, which was a bit on the salty side for my taste, but a squeeze of lemon balanced it out perfectly. The flavors were rich and comforting. Service was top-notch, friendly, and attentive — couldn’t ask for better. Definito worth a visit if you’re curious about Filipino cuisine!”
Mage Tangonan, Google review
Strongly recommend this place for those who want to experience eating a Filipino dish
“Went to this lovely restaurant to experience the taste of a Filipino food for the first time. Atmosphere is very cosy, and you are greeted by lovely staff member. I appreciate them for explaining the dish and even recommending the best ones. Strongly recommend this place for those who want to experience eating a Filipino dish for the very first time!”
Michelle Kim, Google review
3. Mama Lor Restaurant & Bakery
Address: Shop 5/39-45 Rooty Hill Rd N, Rooty Hill
Phone: +61 2 8809 7778
Business hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 10 AM – 8:30 PM
- Sunday: 10 AM – 8 PM
Mama Lor Restaurant & Bakery has been a family-owned restaurant since 2017. This already led us to think that this place leans hard into classics and abundance, and the menu proved us right.
They have lechon (roasted pig), inihaw meats, seafood, desserts, and an entire in-house bakery on top of that.
From a Filipino dining perspective, that range alone already makes it appealing, especially for group meals.
Their lechon, in particular, gathered many praises. Soft, juicy pork with crispy skin isn’t easy to get right, but they nail it all the time.
We also loved that it comes with a dipping sauce and pickled vegetables. There’s also an option to order it in regular, large, or family sizes.
For those who want to take cakes or pastries home, they have ube pastries and fresh Filipino breads.
Their catering seals the deal that they really are the ones to be called for big Filipino-style celebrations. They could do it in party trays, fiesta boxes, and buffet packages, which adds some flexibility.
Where they could use some improvement would be in customer service. Some staff members felt distant or dismissive, with little warmth or engagement.
Great Filipino dishes
“Came for lunch, I ordered the chicken adobo it was nice, I also ordered the pork soup, this was quite strong and sound once I adapted it was amazing! My friend ordered the fish and beef, the fish was yummy needs a nicer dip though.”
Lara, Google review
We had an amazing dining experience at Mama Lor’s!
“We had an amazing dining experience at Mama Lor’s! The food was absolutely delicious and beautifully presented. The kare kare was rich, creamy, and packed with flavour—perfectly paired with steamed rice served in a a filipino rice pot. The fresh bokchoy on top added a nice crunch and balance to the dish, while the peanut sauce was smooth and hearty. The crispy pata was another highlight—crispy on the outside, juicy and tender inside. It was served with a side of atchara, greens and soy sauce adding a refreshing contrast to the richness of the meat…”
Charlene, Google review
4. Lola’s Table – Filipino Mexican Restaurant
Address: Shop 1/18 Footbridge Bvd, Wentworth Point
Phone: +61 401 774 261
Business hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 5 PM – 9 PM
- Thursday to Sunday: 12 PM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 9 PM
Lola’s Table intentionally steps outside the usual box. Instead of sticking to purely traditional Filipino dishes, they blend Filipino flavours with Mexican elements that are well thought out.
The Crispy Pata (pork knuckle) is one of their strongest dishes. We tried it and found it very crispy and satisfying. What makes it different is the addition of guacamole, tortillas, and pickled sides.
They’re really great at fusion. Some dish examples are the sisig tacos and adobo paired with corn chips. Now, these aren’t something that can be found in traditional Filipino restaurants.
Their halo-halo (shaved ice with milk and fruits) is equally good. They’re very generous with the toppings, and the ingredients taste fresh.
The Boodle Fight option, available for group dining, adds a fun and communal element too. It’s a great choice for celebrations or family gatherings.
Generally, the service is great. However, there is at least one experience where service dipped during busy periods.
One person mentioned that when a larger group came, most of the staff focused on them instead. It led to a 10-minute wait before her order was taken.
The fusion was done well
“Some of the best Filipino food in Sydney plus Mexican food too! The fusion was done well, I quite enjoyed the Pork Belly tortilla. Bulalo and Quesadilla were also great. Been twice, first time the wait was quite long, but the next quite quick ( both lunch weekends ) Will go back.”
Bradley Webster, Google review
The food is delicious and brings back memories of home
“Introduced my daughter to boodle fights here and she loved being able to celebrate her Filipino culture. The food is delicious and brings back memories of home. The owner operators and all their staff were wonderfully welcoming”
Chona Navarro, Google review
5. Pamana Filipino Restaurant Chatswood
Address: 102/9 Railway St, Chatswood
Phone: +61 2 9884 7104
Business hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday to Sunday: 11:30 AM – 2 PM, 5:30 PM – 8 PM
Pamana is a Filipino restaurant to visit in Sydney for proper group dining. They lean heavily into shared meals and generous servings.
The biggest highlight is their boodle fight. Customers mentioned that this is the main reason why they keep coming back here.
The setup lets groups choose their own package. This means the spread can change depending on what’s picked.
Dishes like grilled squid, lechon kawali, lumpiang shanghai (spring roll), and dinuguan (bloody pork) can be added. That variety is a strong point.
Serving sizes are very generous. Many diners even said there’s often leftover to take home.
For those who want authenticity, Pamana’s also a good choice. Regulars mentioned that the food tastes like what’s served at Filipino households, not a fusion version.
Their service is also great. The booking process for boodle fights is smooth. The staff are quick to reply through Facebook Messenger and follow up with phone confirmations.
The main downside we saw was the wait time. Food can take a while to arrive after ordering, and this came up often enough to be noticeable.
The food was so good, and the party package was really flexible
“We had our son’s baptism and first birthday celebration at Pamana, and honestly, we couldn’t be happier! From the planning stage all the way to the day itself, the team was absolutely amazing — super accommodating, professional, and very attentive to every detail. The food was so good, and the party package was really flexible, making it easy to include everything we wanted. The atmosphere was perfect too — such a great vibe for celebrating our little one’s special day. Huge thanks to the Pamana team for making it all smooth and memorable!”
Nearly Oroy, Google review
First time eating here and it feels like I’m back in the Philippines!
“Heaven for pork lovers and all things with strong taste. First time eating here and it feels like I’m back in the Philippines! The pork dishes were all juicy, saucy, and the right amount of spice. The pork knuckle and sisig is a must but there are some parts of the pork knuckles that is too hard to bite so that was kinda a bummer. Service was great and the food came faster than I expected it to.”
Marvella Eldrafa, Google review