How to eat your way around the Philippines (without leaving Canberra)
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If the Philippines is high on your travel bucket list, you’re not alone.
Known for pristine white beaches, welcoming locals, and vibrant culture, it’s an ideal destination for travellers seeking a mix of relaxation and adventure. But if you can’t afford a plane ticket – or the thought of heading overseas right now makes you (understandably) nervous – there is one element of the islands you can experience right here in Canberra: the food.
Home to an incredible multicultural community, Canberra is one of the best cities in Australia to try international cuisines (in our humble opinion). So, the next time you’re dreaming of that island holiday, here are some places to visit around the city that serve a taste of incredible Filipino food.
Editor’s note: This is not an extensive list of where to find Filipino food in Canberra – just some of the local gems that the team knows about. If you have a suggestion, feel free to email us at editor@hercanberra.com.au and we’ll pop it in!
Lolo and Lola (Watson)
Starting off in a shipping container at Westside Acton Park in 2015, Lolo and Lola have become something of an icon in Canberra’s food scene – and for good reason. Serving traditional Filipino food served with a twist, this restaurant is known for its traditional and contemporary flavour showcased through weekly specials.
Dishes have included options like chicken wings covered in a spicy Adobo glaze, Kare-Kare and halo-halo – but it’s their ube cake that put this Filipino bakery and restaurant on the map.
Shop 2, 3 Watson Place, Watson | loloandlola.com.au
Manila in Canberra (City)
From hearty Filipino breakfasts to soulful lunches and dinners, every dish at Manila in Canberra is cooked to thank the immigrants, dreamers, workers, and creators from Philippines who have made the community what it is today.
Telling the story of their loved ones through traditional Filipino dishes, every plate tells a story – from the marinated beef with garlic fried rice and fried egg for breakfast to the leche flan for dessert. Go for the hospitality and stay for the history.
Highgate, G4 190/260 City Walk, City | manilaincanberra.au
Sharon May’s Filipino Cuisine (Gungahlin)
A hidden gem in Gungahlin, Sharon May’s Filipino Cuisine has been serving authentic Filipino food since late 2022. Made with fresh, local ingredients, the delicious home-style cooking, the dishes here are generous and comforting – exactly like what you would experience in the Philippines.
The Cebu Lechon, Bistek Tagalog and Adobong Manok are just some of the classic savoury dishes you can try, while the Turon and Mais con Yelo will cure any sweet cravings you have. Add an ube latte and you’ll feel like you’re in Manila.
u3/5 Hibberson Street, Gungahlin | sharonmays.com.au
Northside Garden Café (Nicholls)
Filipino Pan Desal served with ube jam, Bangsilog, Tocilog, and Chicken Inasal are just some of the dishes on the extensive menu at Northside Garden Café. Serving a fusion of traditional Filipino dishes with a Western twist, here they focus on dishes that use slow cooking or charcoaling to pull out the flavour.
Balanced and healthy, a visit here is a great introduction to Filipino cuisine and all the deliciousness it offers.
Café Luzon (Lyneham)
Taking over the space formerly home to Hide and Seek, this Filipino fusion café is owned by the same team behind Northside Garden Café. Serving specialty coffee alongside Filipino-inspired treats and eats, the menu at Café Luzon sits firmly between a Western brunch and Filipino lunch.
With options including a Tocino Pork Belly Bowl, Okoy Chilli Scrambled Egg, Turon French Toast and Kare Kare Katsu Bowl, make sure to try the Pandesal served with ube cheese mousse.
4/2 Colville Street, Lyneham | @cafe_luzon
Adobo (Coombs)
This food truck brings the rich, comforting flavours of the Philippines to Canberra by serving up food that you’d find on the streets. From squid balls to Kikiam, spring rolls to skewers, the only thing missing is the hustle and bustle of the streets themselves.
And before you ask, of course they have Adobo (the dish the truck is named after) and unofficial national dish of the Philippines. Choose between pork, chicken and egg for a traditional taste of the country.
Just make sure to keep an eye on their Facebook page for their trading hours.
Beecroft Street, Coombs | facebook.com
Kamusta Filipinos Cuisine (Chisholm)
If you’re heading southside, Kamusta in Chisholm is quietly serving up some of Canberra’s most comforting Filipino dishes.
The menu leans into home-style favourites you’d expect at a Filipino family table, from crispy pork sisig and barbecue skewers to hearty classics like beef caldereta, crispy pata and kare-kare. You’ll also find pancit palabok noodles, Filipino spaghetti and plenty of rice dishes to round things out.
Save room for dessert — halo-halo, leche flan and other traditional sweets make it easy to go all in on the full experience.
42 Halley Street. Chisholm | kamustafilipinos.com.au
