Kamusta, Mga Kaibigan!
If comfort and warm, homely flavours of the Philippines are what you seek here in Dubai, then this blog is a treat for you. From sour soups to hearty stews, from crispy lechon-style pork to colourful desserts. Filipino cuisine Dubai is just getting started.
In this blog, discover must-try Filipino dishes available in Dubai, where to find from classic sit-down restaurants to street-food spots, and why trying Pinoy food here is more than just having a meal; it is a way to experience culture. We even drop a little plug by Beno on how to get there with ease.
Why Filipino Food Is A Hidden Gem in Dubai
While Dubai's culinary map is famously global, Filipino food in Dubai takes pride of place in that mix. A vibrant Kabayan community means there's an abundance of restaurants dishing out well-loved, soul-warming Pinoy dishes, from inasal-style grilled chicken to comforting home-style stews.
It is the Al Karama neighbourhood, specially noted for housing a food hub for Filipinos restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores, it is a spot where real flavours can be tasted. This is also where many Filipino food places in Dubai are clustered.
5 Filipino Dishes You Should Try in Dubai
Here's a list of the best Filipino food to try in Dubai, which have become favourites in the city, plus where to find them:
1. Kare-Kare
Oxtail or beef in a rich peanut stew served with vegetables, paired with a side of perfectly balanced salty and umami bagoong, a classic among Filipino cuisine Dubai. Common on the menus of restaurants such as Lamesa in the Asiana Hotel.
Apart from these, other street-food favourites include Taho, Fishball, Isaw or Grilled chicken intestines, and Adidas or Grilled chicken feet.
2. Halo-Halo
Classic mix-mix dessert: shaved ice, milk, sweet beans, jelly, ube, leche flan, and ice cream. So fun and colourful, just what is needed to cool down during Dubai's heat.
You can find it in casual Filipino restaurants like Chowking.
3. Sinigang
Sour and tart, with a tamarind broth teeming with vegetables, pork or beef or prawns, this dish is refreshingly comforting.
Where to eat - Served at Max’s & some Karama-area restaurants.
4. Lechon Kawali
Deep-fry pork belly or your favourite cut until it becomes gorgeously crispy on the outside, with a soft inside.
This can be found in Filipino buffets or speciality vendors like in Lamesa.
5. Adobo
Braised meat, either chicken or pork, in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and bay leaf, creates a food for Filipinos that is considered the ultimate comfort food.
Where to try - Adobo ribs can be found in restaurants such as Max's Restaurant and Gerry's Grill, among other Filipino diners.
Where to Find the Best Filipino Eats in Dubai
Here's a list of some of the best Filipino restaurants you should try when you're craving authentic Pinoy flavours:
Max's Restaurant remains a sure stop for adobo, kare-kare, and sinigang, among other classics.
Dampa Seafood Grill - Foodie haven for every seafood lover, wherein seafood boils are served kamayan in banana leaves with rice and a side of spicy Filipino sauces.
Lamesa - In the Asiana Hotel, this is your destination for buffets and large Filipino platters of lechon-style pork and kare-kare.
Chibog - Specialises in Filipino breakfast items or "silog" meals, ulam salads, and hearty traditional flavours.
Cuisinerong Pinoy - Offers a complete menu of Filipino favourites that is just ideal for group and family gatherings in Al Barsha.
Jollibee is fast food-Filipino style. Chickenjoy, Spaghetti, and burger steaks are all ubiquitous in malls across Dubai.
Kabayan Turo-Turo. In this cafeteria-style Karama spot, the "point-point" system is used: simply point to your dish of choice from the counter, be it siomai or turon.
What Dubai's Pinoy Community is Talking About
A few recent reviews as of 2025 from the Dubai Filipino community and diners, so you can make an informed decision;
Max's or La Mesa was recommended by a user on Reddit in June 2025 for an "experience", while just for a solid meal, the places recommended were Salvi's or Dampa.
Another recommendation by a Reddit commenter, Feb 2025, was Kooya Filipino Eatery, which served creative regional dishes in the Dubai Marina. "The menu are Filipino dishes, but the flavours are twisted and innovated."
These views bring as far as Filipino food is concerned, that it is traditional yet evolving, places that remind one of home, others to get a slice of the culture..
Why You Should Try Filipino Cuisine Dubai
If the above dishes already don’t have you drooling, then the following reasons should do it;
Community Connection: Filipino restaurants are not just a place to eat out, but also a community gathering spot for both the Kabayan community and for families here in Dubai.
Variety to Suit Every Mood: Whether you're in the mood for a quick fix like Halo-halo from Chowking or a sit-down family feast of kare-kare at Lamesa, there is something for you.
Value Options: Most buffets, aside from casual restaurants, have reasonably priced meals. Places like Hot Palayok, for example, have Filipino all-you-can-eat for fairly affordable prices.
Authentic Comfort From adobo to sinigang, the dishes transport you right into Filipino kitchens; hence, comfort food at its best.
How BENO Can Help You Dive into Filipino Flavours
Beno, with the best car rental in Dubai, lets you move and explore without worrying about your ride. Here's how Beno could make your Pinoy food crawl smoother, door-to-door rides, no hassle of parking in Karama or Al Barsha; it would take you there with ease.
Group Bookings Travelling with friends/family? Beno lets you choose spacious vehicles so that everybody can travel together. So why the wait? book your family SUV ride today and embark on this beautiful journey to try Filipino food places in Dubai together!
FAQs
- Where in Dubai is the Filipino food hub?
Al Karama is the unofficial Pinoy food district, offering an array of Filipino restaurants, bakeries, and even lots of turo-turo or cafeteria-style places.
- Which Filipino dishes should one try when coming to Dubai?
Adobo, sinigang, kare-kare, lechon kawali, and halo-halo top the list of the traditional dishes you should taste.
- Are there budget-friendly Filipino buffet offers in Dubai?
Yes, some restaurants do offer Filipino food in a buffet or a deal for as low as around AED 25–30 at places like Hot Palayok.
- Do Filipino restaurants serving seafood exist?
Oh, yes. Dampa Seafood Grill is very well-loved for its kamayan-style seafood boils served on banana leaves.
- Do Filipino restaurants in Dubai provide delivery?
Most do; some of the Pinoy favourites are even listed on major delivery platforms, plus you can use Beno to ride to your chosen spot if you prefer to dine in.
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