Where To Find Filipino Food In Melbourne?

Melbourne, widely regarded as Australia's "foodie capital," is home to some of the country's most acclaimed restaurants. The city's rich cultural tapestry makes it a veritable gourmet wonderland, with restaurants serving up dishes from all over the world, including the Philippines.

Here are seven of the greatest venues in and around Melbourne to enjoy authentic Filipino cuisine, ranging from traditional street fare and homestyle favourites to bagels with a Filipino spin.

We always get a lot of questions about where to find Filipino restaurants here in Melbourne and always wish that they could recommend my parent’s or all my aunties’ kitchens as they LOVE their cooking!

Please find the definitive guide on locating Filipino food below. If you've never, had it before, come with just an open mind and ask any questions at the counter so that they can explain what's in some of the not-so-appetising appearing meals; even though they may not seem like a Masterchef dish, they are still just as good!

Filipino Food In Melbourne

One thing we learned about Melbourne in recent times is that they know how to throw a good food market. Given Melbourne's reputation as Australia's culinary epicentre, this should come as no surprise.

There is no shortage of food trucks to feed the ravenous crowds of Melbournians (or is it Melbournites?) at the city's many festivals, pop-up events, and traditional markets like the Queen Victoria Markets, especially its Wednesday night food markets and the Night Noodle Markets.

Chibog

Chibog opened in 2020 and has since made a huge splash in Melbourne's Filipinx community. Popular Filipino dishes including kinilaw, crispy spaghetti, Kare Kare, Biko, pancit Malabon, and sans rival are available at this hip and quirky eatery.

Calamansi juice, San Miguel beers, and original cocktails with Filipino flavours, such as the ube macapuno colada and Pinoy old fashioned, are the icing on the cake. To find a chibog when you need one in the future.

Chibog frequently hosts exciting, celebratory meals in conjunction with other skilled Filipino chefs; make sure you're following their social media to avoid missing out!

One really must pay a visit to this location. We were really pleased with the visit here soon before covid-19 swept over the city, from the modern interior design by ElvinTan featuring a prominent bar area to the wonderful dishes of well-balanced and well-presented Filipino cuisine.

Sisig, Kare Kare, and crispy pata, three of the Filipino people's most beloved foods, were all being devoured by the throngs of happy diners. You'll be binding ube waffles and crispy Leche flan to create sweets with a modern twist. The kansi and kinilaw dishes were fantastic.

Hoy Pinoy

There are stalls selling suckling roast pork on a rotisserie at the Night Winter Market at Queen Victoria Market and the Night Noodle Markets along Brisbane's Southbank. However, wait times might be substantial, so arriving early is recommended.

GJ's Grill

Their crispy pasta dish is fantastic, and grills are their speciality. You can also order sinigang and pick up a jar of their atchara if you appreciate traditional Filipino food (pickled papaya). It pairs wonderfully with grilled meats.

To view what we ordered, please go to my prior post. As regulars, we can attest that their garlic rice, skewers, and Lechon never disappoint. This is the go-to when we are in the mood for Filipino food in Melbourne because the dishes are always prepared with care and the service is always kind.

The food and atmosphere at GJ's Grill are near and dear to many people. GJ's is the place to get delicious roasted and grilled treats including Lechon, barbeque pork, and roast chicken, as well as sinigang and beef tapa.

There is now a Filipino restaurant adjacent to the Vic Market, so if you're craving crunchy crispy pata or Filipino-style BBQ skewers and don't know anyone who lives there, you may satisfy your appetite without leaving the neighbourhood. GJ's Grill, the brainchild of Sheila and Len, is a Filipino eatery in Melbourne's central business district.

You may expect to be blown away by the homemade atchara (Filipino pickled relish) and seasoned beef delights coupled with flavorful garlic rice. The meals of beef tapa and Lechon were delicious, and the owners were really kind and attentive. Keep your eyes peeled for the restaurant's sign as it is located at the very end of the walkway just across from the market.

Grilled milkfish, salmon, and squid are available with the usual pork and chicken options. GJ's Grill is a great place to get your feet wet with Filipino food if you've never tried it before, thanks to its emphasis on soy and garlic.

GJ's Grill, a Filipino favourite, is known for its minimal but welcoming atmosphere. Located at the far end of Franklin Street, Lechon is a favourite cheap and filling meal. Halo-Halo is a popular dish that consists of shaved ice, milk, and assorted candies like colourful jellies and coconut.

Kariton Sorbetes

Located in Manila, Kariton Sorbetes is headed by the formidable duo the Restaurant Lûmé and pastry who serve up artisanal gelato in both traditional and novel Filipino flavours.

Whether you stick to the classic flavours like buko pandan and ube halaya or venture out into the experimental territory of truffle keso and champorado, you will be impressed by their creative take on filthy ice cream. Due to our rapid growth, we at Kariton Sorbetes are continuously on the lookout for talented new team members who can contribute to our culture in a positive way and complement our existing team members.

We need extra help in the kitchen and on the sales floor as we prepare to establish Australia's first gelato shop in Footscray in January 2022.

We are looking for a store manager, pastry chefs, retail assistants, and cooks to fill a variety of temporary, part-time, and permanent positions in our kitchen and retail department. Watch their social media to get your hands on their limited-time seasonal flavours!

Reynaldo’s Grill And Sizzles

The food of Reynaldo's, another establishment on the inner Melbourne Filipino scene, are served hot off the stove, and the menu features both traditional Filipino fare and Western staples. We recommend the chicken adobo with coconut milk, or Adobong Manok sa Gata, and the kare kare, both staples in the Filipino diet.

The service was excellent, and we appreciated that the meals came with both rice and vegetables. We have eaten here and at GJ's Grill several times for lunch, and each time the food has been consistently high-quality and delicious.

If this is your first time at the Pinoy rodeo, Reynaldo's Grill & Sizzles in North Melbourne is a strong choice. Pinoy pork skewers, coated and glossy with handmade barbeque sauce, arrive at the tables with an irresistible smokiness. One of the restaurant's most popular dishes is Reynaldo's Seafood Gumbo, which features shrimp, mussels, and soft crab in a rich fish broth.

Masarap Bakery

Head over to Braybrook for some hassle-free Filipino bread, a vital ingredient in many dishes from the Philippines. Their famous Pandesal is baked from scratch every single day, and it is mildly sweet, wonderfully soft, and wonderfully fluffy. They also have a sweet and salty Hopia Pork bread, and a coconut-filled bread called Pan de coco.

Migrant Coffee

If you're looking for a unique Melbourne Cafe, look no further than Migrant Coffee. Here, you'll find excellent bagels with humorous Filipino touches. Try something new by topping your bagel with coconut jam or atsara; for a heartier meal, try the Pastrami Mami, Bok Bok Manok, or Summer Ensalada.

Sunday, July 11th, should be circled on your calendars. The Merkado market, hosted by the Entree Pinays, will be held at Migrant Coffee from 9 AM to 2 PM, selling Filipino food, apparel, and other goods.

Boba Bar

Boba Bar provides doorstep delivery of deliciously smooth and sugary taho. Browse their Instagram to see the other creative desserts and beverages they've done for parties and catering, such the malunggay strawberry milk and the ube basque cheesecake, both of which are guaranteed to impress.

Sweet Cora Cakes

The proprietor of Sweet Cora Cakes combines her expertise in the kitchen with her Philippine roots to create stunning, one-of-a-kind desserts. Her baking exploits include an ube swirl cheesecake with an Oreo crust, a turon banoffee pie, a calamansi and poppyseed puto, a cornflake crunch polvoron, and more!

Chadz Chickenhaus

If you're hungry, order the chicken and garlic rice. Very hearty and delicious, lapaz batchoy (pork noodle soup with hog offal and crushed pork crackling on top) is available in a meal with siopao on the side, perfect for the colder months. It's also not served cold from the bain-marie but rather after being prepared in the rear. The new playground in Sunvale Community Park is fantastic, and locals and visitors alike will have a great time playing on it.

The Little Jeepney

The Little Jeepney is a Filipino food truck with enormous flavours that serves as a staple at Preston Food Truck Park. Be prepared to chow down on a wide variety of BBQ skewers and burgers, such as the Chicken Tocino Slider, which features succulent chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, caramelised onion, slaw, and their secret sauce.

Their Ube-Leche is a cross between caramel and Ube halaya (a Filipino flan flavoured with purple yam). Don't be alarmed by the purple colour; this cake is incredibly fluffy and moist.

Spots all across Melbourne the Little Jeepney, Australia's first Filipino food truck, is going to launch (stay updated here), so get your fill before they leave! A few weekends ago, we visited their soft launch, and thus far, our favourite dishes have been the adobo chicken and BBQ skewers.

We're excited for The Little Jeepney to introduce Filipino food to the rest of Melbourne, and we can't wait to try their new Pinoy fusion dishes like tocino sliders and more.

San Mateo Cafe 

The San Mateo Cafe in Geelong is the city's first Filipino restaurant, and it's a classy spot. We take great pride in serving both classic and innovative Pinoy dishes, such as wasabi-seasoned crackling, fried pata (fried pork hocks), and Tapsilog (thin slices of beef over a bed of garlic rice).

The desserts, such as the ube with macapuno (coconut meat) and the sans rival (a cake with almond buttercream and meringue), are not to be missed. The drooling must cease.

Highway 54′ Cafe

You were an expert at the boodle fight, a popular Filipino tradition that involves sitting down to a communal meal on banana leaves and eating with your hands.

Lasang Pinoy

Lasang Pinoy is a Filipino restaurant that specialises in honey, cosy, soul-warming cuisine. Is that Pata we see before me, all crispy and tender and falling off the bone? Tick. Chicken Adobo with a delicious marinade? Tick. Meatballs on a stick? Time passes quickly and suddenly there's a huge explosion. Save room for dessert; there are many delicious Filipino sweets to choose from, such as ube macapuno cake.

Nipa Hut       

Nipa Hut is the least-guarded secret in Mitcham, and for good reason: the Filipino-Thai fusion fare is spectacular. This tiny shop only has a few indoor and outdoor tables, so on the weekends you'll need to plan ahead and take your food to go. Filipino favourites like Chicken Adobo, pork spring rolls,and hearty Filipino stir fry are all on the menu.

Ria Cuisine

Try out their unlimited food and drinks! To accommodate the large number of guests attending my Lola's birthday party, my aunt reserved two long tables. From Filipino standards like dinuguan and lechon to more exotic options like BBQ skewers, Ria's Cuisine had it all (need to pay extra for these). The buffet also includes desserts and drinks. The iced tea, while refreshing, was a tad too sugary.

 Mama Lor

Mama Lor, a relatively new restaurant in Werribee, has quickly become a favourite among Melbourne diners looking for authentic Filipino fare in a pleasant, uncluttered atmosphere. On some days and nights, you may enjoy both excellent meals and the sounds of live music.

Silog Food Truck

Yummy rice, meat, and egg combinations including fried garlic rice, Filipino sausages (longganisa), and more are conveniently packaged and ready to go. The steak is delicious, and the service is warm and welcoming.

 Ria Cuisine

You should try their unlimited food and drink! To accommodate the large number of guests attending my Lola's birthday party, my aunt reserved two long tables. Ria's Cuisine offered a wide selection, from dinuguan and Lechon to BBQ skewers (for an additional fee). Buffets typically include drinks and sweets. The iced tea, while refreshing, was a tad too sugary.

The Waffle Project 

The Waffle Project is one of the newest additions to the vibrant shopping district in Deer Park, where other notable establishments include the world-famous Roxy Kebabs and the authentic Latin foods as well as products at Latin Foods and Wines. The menu features fried chicken and waffles with subtle Filipino flavours. If you want to add some purple to your life, we recommend the ube latte or the ube macapuno-filled waffle.

H E Catering 

A good buddy of mine brought us to the Saint Side Street celebration the other weekend, and we all had a blast because of the great sense of community there. We were famished, so we ordered halo halo, and our pal got a fantastic lunch special that included noodles, fried chicken, and spring rolls. Also, the meal was fantastic. You can easily plan your next party without lifting a finger by having it catered, and you may peruse their menu on Facebook.

 Pusong Pinoy 

Pusong Pinoy, a new Filipino restaurant in Melbourne's west, caters to the midday population in the Braybrook area with Filipino meals in the back of the property and coffee and sandwiches in the front. They also sell a selection of freshly baked pastries and a variety of Filipino pantry staples. You can also order catering from Pusong Pinoy.

Jasmine’s Cafe & Restaurant

You must get the lumpiang sariwa, which are vegetable rolls topped with a sweet sauce and crushed peanuts.

You can prepare to have an ihaw-ihaw platter sent to your table, which includes a selection of grilled meats and fish, in addition to soup and gulaman (a sweet grass jelly type beverage). The service is somewhat sluggish, unfortunately. Find out what Mon, the blogger of Mon's Adventure, thought of Jasmine's by reading about it on her blog.

Conclusion

Some of Australia's best restaurants may be found in Melbourne. The city has become a culinary paradise thanks to its diverse population and history. Festivals, pop-up events, and traditional markets have an abundance of food trucks to serve the hordes of hungry attendees. For example, the Filipino restaurant GJ's Grill, founded by Sheila and Len, can be found in Melbourne's central business district. Lechon, barbecued pork, roast chicken, sinigang, and beef tapa are just a few roasted and grilled delights available at GJ's.

Popular Filipino restaurants in Melbourne include Kariton Sorbetes, Reynaldo's Grill & Sizzles, and GJ's Grill. They serve classic and original gelato flavours and are always on the hunt for skilled new employees. These eateries always serve up the tasty, high-quality fare. Migrant Coffee is one of Melbourne's most interesting cafes. Filipino street food is best experienced from the Little Jeepney.

Sweet Cora Cakes is the result of the baker's ingenuity and her Filipino heritage. Geelong's San Mateo Cafe is the first Filipino eatery in Melbourne. Honey, cosy, soul-warming food is Lasang Pinoy's speciality. The Thai and Filipino fusion dishes of Mitcham's Nipa Hut are to be noticed. The restaurant Ria's Cuisine is one of the newest additions to the Deer Park commercial zone.

We serve fried chicken and waffles with a light Filipino twist. When lunchtime rolls around in Melbourne's western suburbs, locals may stop by Pusong Pinoy for some delicious Filipino fare and some coffee and sandwiches.

Content Summary

• Melbourne, widely regarded as Australia's "foodie capital," is home to some of the country's most acclaimed restaurants.
• The city's rich cultural tapestry makes it a veritable gourmet wonderland, with restaurants serving dishes from around the world, including the Philippines.
• Here are seven of the greatest venues in and around Melbourne to enjoy authentic Filipino cuisine, ranging from traditional street fair and homestyle favourites to bagels with a Filipino spin.
• Given Melbourne's reputation as Australia's culinary epicentre, this should be no surprise.
• Chibog opened in 2020 and has made a huge splash in Melbourne's Filipino community.
• Sisig, Kare Kare, and crispy pata, three of the Filipino people's most beloved foods, were all being devoured by the crowds of happy diners.
• The food and atmosphere at GJ's Grill are near and dear to many people.
• GJ's is the place to get delicious roasted and grilled treats, including Lechon, barbeque pork, roast chicken, sinigang and beef tapa.
• There is now a Filipino restaurant adjacent to the Vic Market, so if you're craving crunchy, crispy pata or Filipino-style BBQ skewers and need to know someone who lives there, you may satisfy your appetite without leaving the neighbourhood.
• GJ's Grill, the brainchild of Sheila and Len, is a Filipino eatery in Melbourne's central business district.
• The beef tapa and Lechon meals were delicious, and the owners were really kind and attentive.
• Keep your eyes peeled for the restaurant's sign at the very end of the walkway just across from the market.
• Located in Manila, Kariton Sorbetes is headed by the formidable Restaurant Lûmé and pastry, which serves up artisanal gelato in both traditional and novel Filipino flavours.
• Due to our rapid growth, we at Kariton Sorbetes are continuously looking for talented new team members who can positively contribute to our culture and complement our existing team members.
• We need extra help in the kitchen and sales floor as we prepared to establish Australia's first gelato shop in Footscray in January 2022.
• We are looking for a store manager, pastry chefs, retail assistants, and cooks to fill a variety of temporary, part-time, and permanent positions in our kitchen and retail department.
• The food of Reynaldo's, another establishment on the inner Melbourne Filipino scene, is served hot off the stove, and the menu features both traditional Filipino fare and Western staples.
• If this is your first time at the Pinoy rodeo, Reynaldo's Grill & Sizzles in North Melbourne is a strong choice.
• Head over to Braybrook for some hassle-free Filipino bread, a vital ingredient in many dishes from the Philippines.
• If you're looking for a unique Melbourne Cafe, look no further than Migrant Coffee.
• Sunday, July 11th, should be circled on your calendars.
• The Merkado market, hosted by the Entree Pinays, will be held at Migrant Coffee from 9 AM to 2 PM, selling Filipino food, apparel, and other goods.
• Sweet Cora Cakes's proprietor combines her kitchen expertise with her Philippine roots to create stunning, one-of-a-kind desserts.
• The new playground in Sunvale Community Park is fantastic, and locals and visitors alike will enjoy playing on it.
• The Little Jeepney is a Filipino food truck with enormous flavours that serves as a staple at Preston Food Truck Park.
• We're excited for The Little Jeepney to introduce Filipino food to the rest of Melbourne, and we can't wait to try their new Pinoy fusion dishes like tocino sliders and more.
• The San Mateo Cafe in Geelong is the city's first Filipino restaurant and is a classy spot.
• Lasang Pinoy is a Filipino restaurant specialising in honey, cosy, soul-warming cuisine.
• Nipa Hut is the least-guarded secret in Mitcham, and for a good reason: the Filipino-Thai fusion fare is spectacular.
• Filipino favourites like Chicken Adobo, pork spring rolls, and hearty Filipino stir fry are all on the menu.
• The Waffle Project is one of the newest additions to the vibrant shopping district in Deer Park. Other notable establishments include the world-famous Roxy Kebabs, authentic Latin foods, and products at Latin Foods and Wines.
• The menu features fried chicken and waffles with subtle Filipino flavours.
• Pusong Pinoy, a new Filipino restaurant in Melbourne's west, caters to the midday population in the Braybrook area with Filipino meals in the back of the property and coffee and sandwiches in the front.