Best Filipino Restaurants in Ottawa

Ottawa's Filipino food scene has quietly become one of the city's most exciting. From authentic Kapampangan cuisine (the culinary capital of the Philippines) to Kamayan feasts you eat with your hands, halo-halo cafés, and family-run spots in the suburbs, there's a Filipino restaurant for every neighbourhood and every craving.

These are the best Filipino restaurants in Ottawa.

Top Filipino Restaurants in Ottawa

1. Lola's Kitchen — Kamayan Feasts in Chinatown

Lola's Kitchen on Somerset Street West specializes in Kamayan, the traditional Filipino feast where you eat with your hands off banana leaves. Rice, grilled meats, lumpia, vegetables, and seafood spread out on the table — it's a communal experience as much as a meal.

The à la carte menu features family-recipe classics like chicken adobo, pancit, and beef tapa. It's earned a 4.8 Google rating from over 1,800 reviews — the highest of any Filipino restaurant in Ottawa.

Must-try: Kamayan Platter (book ahead), Chicken Adobo, Pancit, Beef Tapa

Price: $$
Address: 765 Somerset St W, Chinatown
Hours: Wed–Fri 5–10 PM, Sat–Sun 11:30 AM–2:30 PM & 5–10 PM (Mon–Tue closed)
Best for: Group dinners, special occasions, first-timers to Filipino food

2. Divisoria Resto Bar — East End Family Favourite

Divisoria Resto Bar on Innes Road in Orléans is the East End's go-to Filipino spot. Family-run with generous portions and budget-friendly prices, it's earned a 4.8 Google rating and built a loyal following among Ottawa's Filipino community and beyond.

The menu covers all the classics — silog breakfasts (Tapsilog, Longsilog), Filipino fried chicken, garlic fried rice, kare-kare, and pork sisig. Free parking makes it easy.

Must-try: Filipino Fried Chicken, Pork Sisig, Beef Kare-Kare, Tapsilog

Price: $
Address: 3621 Innes Rd, Orléans
Hours: Check website for current hours
Best for: Families, value, East End locals

3. Saboroso Bistro — Iloilo Cuisine in Kanata

Saboroso Bistro in Kanata started as a downtown food stall and expanded to a full kitchen on Eagleson Road. The kitchen specializes in Iloilo regional cuisine — a different Filipino culinary tradition from the more familiar Manila or Pampanga styles.

Their Chicken Inasal (grilled chicken marinated in lemongrass and annatto) is a Iloilo specialty rarely found elsewhere in Ottawa. They also serve sizzling plates, sisig, halo-halo, and skewers.

Must-try: Chicken Inasal, Sizzling Sisig, Halo-Halo

Price: $–$$
Address: 782 Eagleson Rd, Kanata
Hours: Check website for current hours
Best for: West-end Filipino food lovers, Iloilo regional specialties

Filipino Dishes to Try in Ottawa

Dish	What It Is	Where to Try
Adobo	Meat braised in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic	Lola's Kitchen
Sisig	Sizzling chopped pork with onions and chili	Tamis Cafe, Divisoria, Saboroso
Kare-kare	Oxtail or pork stew in peanut sauce	Sanduk, Divisoria
Lumpia Shanghai	Fried Filipino spring rolls	Sanduk, Divisoria
Crispy Pata	Deep-fried pork hock	Sanduk
Chicken Inasal	Iloilo-style grilled chicken	Saboroso
Tapsilog	Cured beef + garlic rice + egg	Divisoria
Halo-Halo	Shaved ice dessert with mix-ins	Tamis Cafe, Saboroso
Kamayan	Hand-eating banana leaf feast	Lola's Kitchen

Comparison

Restaurant	Specialty	Price	Neighborhood	Rating
Lola's Kitchen	Kamayan, classics	$$	Chinatown	4.8
Sanduk	Kapampangan + live music	$$	Hintonburg	4.4
Tamis Cafe	Halo-halo, sisig	$$	Centretown	4.6
Divisoria	Family classics, value	$	Orleans	4.8
Saboroso	Iloilo regional, Chicken Inasal	$–$$	Kanata	4.8

Tips for Filipino Dining in Ottawa

Book ahead for Kamayan: Lola's Kitchen Kamayan platters are a group experience and need to be reserved in advance
Sanduk Friday nights: Live music makes it a great date night, but also fills up — reserve a table
Try halo-halo in summer: The frozen Filipino dessert is at its best in Ottawa's hot summer months
Bring a group: Filipino food is built for sharing. Family-style ordering (especially at Sanduk and Lola's) gives you the best variety
First time? Start with Lola's Kitchen or Tamis Cafe — both are approachable for newcomers to Filipino cuisine
Adventurous eaters: Try sisig (chopped pork with offal), kare-kare (peanut stew), or crispy pata (deep-fried pork hock)

FAQ

What is the best Filipino restaurant in Ottawa?

Lola's Kitchen at 765 Somerset St W has the highest rating (4.8 Google with 1,815+ reviews) and is famous for its Kamayan feast experience. Sanduk is the only Kapampangan restaurant in Ottawa. Divisoria in Orléans is the highest-rated Filipino spot in the East End.

What is Kamayan?

Kamayan is a traditional Filipino feast where rice, grilled meats, seafood, lumpia, and vegetables are spread out on banana leaves and eaten communally with your hands. Lola's Kitchen in Ottawa's Chinatown specializes in Kamayan platters.

Where can I find halo-halo in Ottawa?

Tamis Cafe at 374 Bank Street is consistently named one of the best halo-halo spots in Ottawa. Saboroso Bistro in Kanata also serves halo-halo. The dessert is a layered shaved ice with sweet beans, fruits, jellies, ube ice cream, and leche flan.

Are there Filipino restaurants in Orléans or Kanata?

Yes. Divisoria Resto Bar at 3621 Innes Road is the top Filipino restaurant in Orléans (East End). Saboroso Bistro at 782 Eagleson Road is the best option in Kanata, specializing in Iloilo regional cuisine including Chicken Inasal.

What should I order at a Filipino restaurant if it's my first time?

Start with chicken adobo (Filipino national dish), pancit (noodles), lumpia Shanghai (fried spring rolls), and halo-halo for dessert. Sisig is more adventurous but a Filipino favourite. For a full experience, try a Kamayan platter at Lola's Kitchen.

Information may change. If you spot anything outdated or incorrect, let us know.