8 restaurants serving Kamayan Feast
Los Angeles, CA
“Bamboo Bistro has earned exceptional recognition in Los Angeles's Filipino dining scene, offering authentic Filipino home cooking in a warm, welcoming atmosphere that feels like visiting a Filipino friend's home. Located in Panorama City in the San Fernando Valley, the restaurant serves affordably priced Filipino cuisine featuring all the greatest hits�"from kare-kare and pork tocino to pancit bihon and crispy pata. Bamboo Bistro distinguishes itself by offering kamayan-style dining, where entrées are served on banana leaves and guests eat with their hands in the traditional Filipino manner. The restaurant prepares comforting soups like tinola, sinigang, and chicken sotanghon, alongside hard-to-find dishes like fried bangus (milkfish) served with spiced palm vinegar. Featured by The Infatuation and praised for food that tastes like it was made by a friend's mom, Bamboo Bistro has become a Valley treasure for both Filipino families seeking authentic home cooking and food enthusiasts discovering genuine Filipino cuisine. The restaurant also offers weekend breakfast and lunch buffets, karaoke nights, and private event space.”
Charleston, SC
“Founded by James Beard Award Finalist Chef Nikko Cagalanan and Paula Kramer, Kultura honors the memory of Lola Mansueta through carefully crafted Filipino dishes that blend traditional recipes with local Charleston ingredients. Chef Cagalanan, who began cooking while working as a nurse in 2017, creates modern interpretations of classic Filipino cuisine served family-style, with Sunday kamayan communal feasts where guests eat with their hands from banana leaves. The restaurant has earned national recognition as one of Eater and Esquire's Best New Restaurants, featuring dishes that tell stories of heritage, memory, and the warmth of Filipino hospitality.”
Philadelphia, PA
“Perla specializes in traditional Filipino kamayan dining, where guests eat with their hands in authentic Filipino style. They offer curated kamayan feasts featuring grilled specialties like chicken inasal with lemongrass and annatto marinade, and pork liempo with soy-calamansi. Their communal dining experience celebrates Filipino culture through hands-on eating traditions passed down through generations.”
Columbus, OH
“Bonifacio stands as Columbus's premier modern Filipino restaurant, offering unapologetically authentic Filipino cuisine with emphasis on quality ingredients and contemporary presentation. Opened in 2016 by Krizzia Yanga (also owner of Red Velvet Cafe), Bonifacio arrived at the perfect moment as Filipino cuisine gained national recognition, becoming the first Filipino restaurant in Columbus to establish itself as a full-service, full-bar destination. The restaurant is home to Columbus's first Kamayan and hosts monthly kamayan dinners�"traditional family-style experiential events where food is served on banana leaves and eaten with hands. Featured on Food Network and praised for preserving authentic Filipino cuisine while elevating it through modern techniques, Bonifacio offers multiple dining experiences including brunch, lunch, dinner, and bar menus. Located in the Grandview neighborhood, the trendy yet cozy restaurant serves creative dishes like Lechon Kawali with crispy pork belly, specialty cocktails featuring Filipino ingredients, and fusion items that showcase Filipino flavors through contemporary presentations. With 4.8 ratings and passionate local following, Bonifacio has established Filipino cuisine in Central Ohio while competing successfully in Columbus's diverse dining landscape.”
Anaheim, CA
“Lolas By MFK (Modern Filipino Kitchen) represents a contemporary take on traditional Filipino cuisine in Anaheim, blending classic recipes with modern culinary techniques and presentation. This restaurant elevates Filipino food beyond the traditional turo-turo style, offering diners an upscale yet approachable Filipino dining experience. The menu features both beloved comfort food classics and innovative dishes that showcase the versatility and sophistication of Filipino cuisine.”
Artesia, CA
“Salo-Salo Grill stands as one of Artesia's premier Filipino restaurants, specializing in authentic grilled dishes and traditional Filipino cuisine served in a proper sit-down setting. The name 'salo-salo' refers to communal dining and sharing meals, perfectly capturing the restaurant's emphasis on family-style portions and celebratory feasts. With 324 reviews and a 4.4-star rating, Salo-Salo has established itself as a favorite destination for Filipino families throughout Southern California. Located in Gridley Plaza, the restaurant features informal dining accented with traditional Filipino decorative details, creating an authentic atmosphere. The menu showcases extensive grilling expertise with signature dishes like inihaw na bangus (grilled milkfish stuffed with tomatoes and onions), pork chops marinated in vinegar and garlic, beef skewers with Worcestershire seasoning, and tamarind-marinated chicken. Beyond grilled specialties, the restaurant excels at Filipino classics including kare-kare with oxtail and tripe, crispy pata with crunchy rinds, sisig with proper preparation, and lechon kawali with perfectly crispy pork belly. The all-day breakfast menu features tapsilog, boneless bangus, and various meat combinations with garlic rice and eggs. Kamayan feast platters serve multiple people, offering abundant grilled meats, seafood, and traditional sides. Operating with locations in both Artesia and West Covina, Salo-Salo Grill has become a go-to destination for celebrations, family gatherings, and anyone craving authentic Filipino grilling in Southern California.”
San Francisco, CA
“Mestiza is a plant-forward Filipino fusion restaurant in San Francisco's SoMa Filipino Cultural Heritage District, owned by hospitality veteran Deanna Sison with Chef Syl Mislang leading the kitchen. After originally opening in 2017 and closing during the pandemic, Mestiza relaunched in 2024 with a renewed focus on healthy, predominantly plant-based Filipino cuisine that challenges the perception of Filipino food as only heavy and fried. The restaurant name, meaning a woman of mixed heritage, celebrates the fusion of Filipino and California influences while Chef Mislang's Filipino-Mexican background brings additional layers to the cuisine. Mestiza's menu features innovative dishes like 13-inch sweet potato lumpia, mushroom tofu sisig, calabasa coconut curry, and purple ube gnocchi alongside traditional options like vinegary pork adobo and crispy lechon kawali. The entirely outdoor heated patio creates an intimate dining atmosphere, with murals by local artist Cheyenne Randall enhancing the cultural connection. Mestiza offers traditional kamayan feasts where groups eat communal-style with their hands from banana leaves, celebrating Filipino dining traditions. The plant-forward approach addresses health concerns prevalent in Filipino-American communities while maintaining authentic flavors. As one of the few Filipino restaurants in SoMa's designated cultural district, Mestiza plays an important role in anchoring Filipino presence downtown while introducing contemporary Filipino cuisine to San Francisco's diverse dining scene.”
Chicago, IL
“pig & fire is a Chicago-based boutique catering and pop-up company that adds modern twists to traditional Filipino cuisine using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Co-founded by a pediatrician, they specialize in kamayan feast platters served family-style on banana leaves and offer rotating pop-up menus at The Hatchery on Chicago's West Side. Known for their community commitment, they provide meals to at-risk families and frontline workers during the pandemic.”
