Where to go for Filipino food in Belfast

Located in the bustling Trademarket on Belfast’s Dublin Road, Kubo is the ultimate spot to try some tasty and authentic Filipino dishes while in the city. You’ll want to arrive early though, because this spot sells out fast. Born from tradition and family recipes passed down through generations, Kubo was founded by Nallaine Calvo, who was born in the Philippines but moved to Toronto where she worked in the industry for 12 years as a chef before moving to London then Belfast. Nallaine founded Kubo just before the pandemic in 2020, fired by a passion and determination to showcase the unique flavours of her home country.

Having gone from strength to strength over the past four years, Kubo has become one of the most beloved eateries in the city with its unique and flavourful menu. From rice bowls to classic Filipino street food, ceviché, poke bowls, and more, the menu here changes frequently to offer as wide a variety of Filipino flavours as possible. Many dishes feature chicken and fish, but they always have a great range of vegan and vegetarian options for those following a plant-based diet.

Northern Ireland’s very first ever Filipino food buffet, Manong’s is the perfect place to experience a vast array of flavours from this Southeast Asian country. With everything from Filipino-style juicy roast chicken to classic pork sisig seasoned with lime, garlic, and chilli peppers, palabok to beef pares, kare-kare, and much more, you can expect a wide range of delicious, authentic dishes here.

A recent addition to Belfast’s dining scene, Manong’s opened at the end of 2023 and has quickly gained a reputation for itself as one of the city’s best Asian eateries. Founded by Filipino-born pals Niño and Arnie, Manong’s was founded with the intention of just offering pizzas with Filipino-style toppings but demand for Filipino flavours proved so strong that they decided to offer some classic dishes from their homeland. Laidback and relaxed with a real community feel, the eatery has been welcoming diners from all across East Belfast and further afield who have loved trying out the unique flavours of the Philippines.

Offering an array of Asian cuisine, inspired by countries from across the continent, both Zen on Adelaide Street and House of Zen in Belfast’s bustling Cathedral Quarter are perfect for indulging in some creative Asian flavours. With everything from Chinese to Japanese to Thai to Korean, you can expect fragrance, spice, and flavour inspired by a huge variety of different cuisines.

If you’re in the mood for Filipino flavours, you’re sure to find something to suit your tastes from their diverse menu, which features plenty of delicious fish, meat, and veggie dishes. Their ‘Sanpei’ Sizzling Chicken offers a unique Filipino flavour featuring two lightly battered chicken breasts flavoured with green chilli, garlic, sweet basil, and baby leeks. If seafood is more your style, then you have to try their stir fried king prawns with cream and coconut milk with a side of rice. 

The Cathedral Quarter’s Dumpling Library is yet another unmissable Asian fusion dining experience at the heart of the city. Owned and operated by the same team behind the Zen restaurants, this spot has quickly become a favourite among Asian food lovers in the city. Specialising in, you guessed it, dumplings, they offer a variety of unique and creative flavours that take you on a culinary journey across the continent from Korea to China to Japan to the Philippines and everywhere in between.

Designed with a sharing concept, this is the perfect place for group dining, so if you’re looking for somewhere to catch up with friends over some delicious small plates and creative cocktails, get your table booked now. Even if dumplings aren’t your thing, this spot is worth checking out with a great range of tasty small plates such as their Dumpling Library special Chicken Wings, which come with the chef’s secret marinade, their Pineapple Fried Rice with bell pepper, prawn, duck, raisin, and fish floss, and their delicious Sliced Beef Flat Rice Noodles.

Located at their brand new home, the NDCC, Lasa is the perfect place to try a taste of the Philippines before a night out in the city. Casual and authentic, you can expect everything from traditional PakPak, which is crispy chicken wings with Filipino ketchup, honey, and calamansi sauce to their famous Beef Curry, made with fresh local Hannon’s 6oz steak, garlic rice, fries, and curry sauce.

For epic Filipino flavours, we highly recommend trying their incredible Peppered Coconut Adobo Sandwich, which comes with your choice of glazed pork or marinated beef, crispy roast potatoes, Asian style chimichurri, and peppered adobo sauce, all served inside a toasted Italian baguette. Our mouths are watering just at the thought! They have frequent specials conjured up by the creative minds behind the business, so you can always expect something new and delicious every time you visit. So, what are you waiting for? Get down to Lasa now to see what it’s all about!