14 Filipino Valentine Date Night Spots from NY to the Bay

If you’re looking for some casual but soul warming food (that won’t break the bank) to impress your love for Valentine’s Day (or any other day for that matter), Filipino food is the only way to go. It’s filling, nostalgic and many big cities have a blossoming Filipino food scene no matter where you live. We’ve round up some fast-casual spots in different cities across the US that you could prob still plan a last minute Valentine’s Day visit around. While it is a short list and we can definitely go on and on, here are our faves that don’t require way in advance reservations that will make your Valentine feeling extra special.

1. Pig and Khao (Lower East Side, New York) $$$

Starting off with the largest city on our list, Pig and Khao, is a unique blend of flavor and cuisine  that is very befitting to the melting pot culture of New York. Their southeast asian dishes are a blend of both Filipino and Thai cuisine, crowing it with the honor of being the most reviewed Filipino restaurant in New York. Be sure to drop in and try their sisig that comes out sizzling hot on a cast iron plate. 

2. Flip Sigi (West Village, New York) $$

Maybe you’re on a first date and want something more casual, we encourage you to check out Flip Sigi located in West Village. Their pairing of tacos and burgers with Filipino flavors will impress any date why you would pair together as well. Although their Adobo and Pork belly Cali Burrito are the most recommended dish, I’m willing to bet that their take on an In-N-Out burger topped with banana ketchup will leave a lasting impression on your taste buds, order the Flip-N-Out Burger and thank me later.  

3. The Park’s Finest (Echo Park, Los Angeles) $$

If you’ve kept up with our food posts, you’ve probably already seen this restaurant before and for good reason. They are not good at what they do… they are AMAZING at what they do. We have written about their Cornbread Bibingka which you can find here tinyurl.com/Cornbread-Bibingka But today we get to talk about their mouth watering dish, Mama Leah’s Coconut Beef Adobo. Sixteen hour smoke chuck roll stewed in coconut cream to perfection. And if coconut isn’t your date's preferred entree, they have a full menu of other Filipino inspired dishes that you have to taste to believe. 

4. Max’s Restaurant (Glendale, Los Angeles) $$

Of course nothing beats classic home cooking. Max’s Restaurant is just like spending thanksgiving with all your Lolas, Lolos, Titas, Titos, and that cousin you just met. They are best known for their Max’s Fried Chicken but let me tell you from personal experience that their Crispy Pata with Garlic Fried Rice will instantly bring you back to your childhood. Bring your date here if they are missing that nostalgic taste from home. 

5. Uncle Mike’s Place (Ukrainian Village, Chicago) $$

Starting Valentines earlier in the day? Stop by Uncle Mike’s Place in Chicago to get your Filipino Breakfast fix. It has the perfect dish to start any morning. Feeling cold? Get their Lugaw with that punch of citrus to warm you up. Want something more hearty? Grab my personal favorite, Longanisa & Tocino breakfast! Just make sure you don’t burp in front of your date or at least give them a warning before doing so.

6. Kasama (West Town, Chicago) $$

If you really want to bring a one of a kind experience to  your date, bring them to the world's first Filipino restaurant to earn a Michelin Star, Kasama. Such a prestigious honor speaks for itself, I’m sure I don’t need to write much to grab your attention. You cannot go wrong with any of their dishes, their Filipino breakfast, mushroom adobo, or their ube huckleberry cake topped with a powdered sugar Filipino Sun, will be a very special night to remember. 

7. Flip ‘N Patties (West Oaks, Houston) $$

Such a unique menu, pairing Filipino dishes with burgers. Their most famous Puet Burger and Jeepney burger starts off with akaushi beef and either paired with longganisa and banana ketchup (Jeepney Burger) or marinated pecan smoked pork butt and their fnp tang sauce (Puet Burger). Aside from their delicious burgers, the overwhelming amount of Yelp reviews talking about how nice the service is, is more than enough reason to go out of your way to support this local business. 

8. Phx Lechon Roasters (Tempe, Phoenix)  $$

So you really want to impress your Valentine? Nothing says Filipino food more than a fully roasted Lechon served on banana leaves. Although they are only open on Saturdays, Yelp reviews have nothing but the best to say about Phx Lechon Roasters. You can either dine in for an inhouse kamayan feast or even get it catered and take it to go back home. Let the crispy Lechon skin break the ice and show your Valentine that you know where to find the best Filipino food in town. 

9. Oming’s Kitchen (Las Vegas) $$

Born and raised in Dumaguete, Philippines, Chef Oming brings his colorful palette of Filipino street food to sin city to showcase to visitors all around the world. Awarded Best of Las Vegas, Oming’s, their best selling and award winning Pork Belly Sinugba served over jasmine white rice will get your night started in the right direction with a burst of flavor to match the Las Vegas nightlife.

10. Tita’s Kitchenette (San Diego) $$

We have seen it in Crazy Rich Asians, Korean Dramas, and all our favorite Teleseria’s, that iconic scene of young love walking through the city and getting some street food is a scene that will always melt our hearts. Time for you to take your Valentine out and do the same thing, step into Tita’s Kitchenette to grab some BBQ Chicken skewers for BBQ pork skewers as a lighthearted and casual pit stop during your evening of romance. 

11. Fil-Am Cuisine (Daly City, San Francisco) $

Of course I have to show love to one of the best mom and pop shops in the bay, Fil-Am Cuisine. Some home cooked food from some hometown favorites, stop by Fil-Am Cuisine to grab all of your favorites: Pancit, BBQ Chicken, BBQ Pork, Turon, Lumpia Shanghai, the list goes on and on. Best part is, you’re getting quality food at an affordable price. So head down to Fil-Am Cuisine, splurge on the menu and support the best kept secret in Daly City. 

12. Tapsilog Bistro (San Jose) $$

Bringing you Filipino comfort food, Tapsilog Bistro earns its spot as the #1 most reviewed Filipino restaurant in San Jose. Being that San Jose has a higher concentration of Filipino eateries compared to the previous metropolitan areas we have covered, that is a proud badge of honor to wear. With an extensive menu, they will have any dish that you have been craving and most reviews glamor that it will be served to you “piping hot”. Time to bring out the ace up your sleeve and impress your valentine with some good old fashioned Filipino comfort food. 

13. Señor Sisig - Food Trucks (San Francisco) $$

The only food truck on our list, Señor Sisig brings variations of the traditional sisig dish in various formats. With almost 500 reviews, the Señor Sisig Burrito combines the classic crispy sisig with Adobo garlic rice, pinto beans,  lettuce, pico de gallo & our cilantro cream sauce. If you’re searching for a way to surprise any foodie, Señor Sisig is the way to go.

14. 7 Mile House (Brisbane, San Francisco) $$

Who doesn’t love a good brunch spot? Not only does 7 Mile House have unique Filipino twists like Chicken & Ube Waffles or 7 Mile Signature Mango Margarita made with real Philippine Mangoes but it also has award winning desserts and proudly boasts the Best Dog Friendly Restaurant 5 years in a row from SF Weekly. Charm your Valentine with some pups and cups of mimosas and bring them down to 7 Mile House this weekend. 

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Written By Niko Del Rey

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