Emma WhiteAre you looking for a culinary adventure as colorful as a jeepney ride in the Philippines? Well, what are you waiting for? Hop on!
Today, it’s all about the savory concoctions that will make you feel like you’re in the middle of the bustling streets of this tropical Asian hotspot. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of Filipino restaurants in Ottawa, ensuring you’re for a delicious treat!
But be forewarned: these restaurants serve mouth-watering delights enough to make your taste buds do the tinikling dance – without the bruises from bamboo poles, of course.
1. Lola’s Kitchen
Website: https://lolaskitchen613.com
Address: 765 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K1R 6R1, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-276-7708
Operating hours:
- Monday, Wednesday to Friday – 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM
- Saturday – 4 PM to 9:30 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 8 PM
Lola’s Kitchen, which translates to ‘grandmother’s kitchen’ in English, offers hearty Filipino dishes that evoke memories of the comforting meals lovingly prepared by grandmothers.
For those trying out Filipino food for the first time, pancit (vermicelli noodle dish) and beef tapa are much recommended, as they are beloved staples. We find that these two perfectly embody the diverse flavors the Philippines has to offer.
For a more traditional adventure, try the kamayan experience, where you’ll enjoy your food served on banana leaves and eaten with your bare hands – a communal feast usually shared with your companions on the table.
The creative presentation of their dishes also sets them apart from other Filipino restaurants in the city, which is a nice touch that elevates the experience.
2. Tamis Cafe
Website: https://www.tamiscafe.ca
Address: 374 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1Y4, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-567-7550
Operating hours:
- Monday and Tuesday – closed
- Wednesday and Thursday – 11:30 AM to 8 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 4 PM
Tamis Cafe is a stylish and cozy restaurant that boasts a diverse array of menus filled with Filipino-fusion dishes.
From classic comfort foods to modern interpretations, this is the perfect spot for those eager to explore bold and inventive flavor combinations.
It seems that they’re most known for the sizzling sisig – a flavorful grilled and sauteed pork belly and pig ears concoction, with red onions, and chili peppers.
We also suggest checking out their dessert menu, especially the brazo de mercedes – a fluffy Filipino cake with delightful cream filling.
3. Divisoria Resto Bar
– Media credit: @sweet_ed3n
Website: https://www.facebook.com/people/Divisoria-Resto-Bar/100094638466359/
Address: 3621 Innes Rd, Orléans, ON K1C 1T1, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-590-6688
Operating hours:
- Monday – closed
- Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday – 11 AM to 8 PM
- Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday – 11 AM to 7 PM
Divisoria Resto Bar is a lesser-known gem in the thriving Ottawa culinary scene. Its unassuming facade makes it easy to ignore, but once you know about this hidden jewel, you won’t be able to stay away.
They offer mouth-watering all-day breakfast plates including hotsilog, longsilog, and tosilog – all of which come with rice, a viand, and egg.
The crispy kare-kare is a popular choice – an interesting dish stewed in peanut sauce. Before you fully devour this delicious plate, make sure to take a bite of the delectable lumpiang shanghai for your appetizer, which is basically a Filipino-style spring roll.
For dessert, the halo-halo is a noteworthy option.
4. Grab N’ Eat by H&B
Website: https://www.facebook.com/p/Grab-n-eat-by-HB-100063639125267/
Address: 2916 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON K2B 7J7, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-421-8880
Operating hours:
- Sunday and Monday – 10 AM to 6 PM
- Tuesday to Saturday – 10 AM to 7 PM
Grab N’ Eat is a Filipino restaurant with a bustling interior similar to a canteen. As soon as you step inside, you’re greeted by cheerful chatter and an array of viands you can choose from by the counter.
They have a lot of Filipino classics like crispy tapa, fried tilapia, lumpiang shanghai, and turon.
But the ultimate star of the show? It’s definitely the halo-halo, which is a colorful dessert with a delightful blend of different ingredients, similar to shaved ice.
Here’s a fun fact: halo-halo literally translates to ‘mix-mix’ in English, which suits the beloved dessert perfectly well.
5. Enteng’s Kitchen
Website: https://entengskitchen.com
Contact details: +1 613-400-1489
Enteng’s Kitchen boasts a wide variety of Filipino dishes, perfect to satisfy anyone’s craving. They have a lot of the favorite classics like pork belly lechon, pancit, and pork sisig.
Additionally, they feature unique gems first-timers probably haven’t heard of like laing (a dish made with taro leaves), Bicol express (a stew with a coconut milk base), and dinuguan (a pork stew cooked in blood).
Needless to say, Enteng’s Kitchen is a great option for those who want to dive into the world of Filipino cuisine.
Note that Enteng’s Kitchen is only open for pick-ups, deliveries, or catering.
6. Meryenda
Website: https://infomeryenda.wixsite.com/kainpo
Address: 1448 Prince of Wales Dr, Ottawa, ON K2C 1P1, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-552-5125
To end this list of the best Filipino restaurants in Ottawa, here’s something a bit different – the city’s first Filipino food truck, Meryenda.
Meryenda can be translated to the word ‘snack’ in English, mostly associated with a light meal in the afternoon. However, this isn’t to say that this food truck’s meals will leave you famished.
The longganisa burger is an exciting innovation of the classic longganisa often paired with rice.
Another interesting option is the kwek-kwek covered in orange egg batter. We discovered that this is a popular street food in the Philippines and is usually dipped in spicy vinegar.
