Best Pistachio Sans Rival Across the US

Manila Inasal

Los Angeles, CA

“Manila Inasal has emerged as one of Los Angeles's most acclaimed Filipino restaurants since opening in Silver Lake in 2023, founded by Chef Natalia Moran and her siblings who began cooking from their Manila home during the 2020 pandemic to feed frontline workers. This critically acclaimed establishment earned praise from The Infatuation and LA Times for reimagining Filipino cuisine with creativity, precision, and heart through elevated dishes that blend traditional flavors with modern presentation. Located at 240 Virgil Avenue, the restaurant evolved from a ghost kitchen in Echo Park to a full-service dining experience featuring live music performances, often with the owner's father playing guitar under neon lights while customers celebrate birthdays and special occasions in a lively family-reunion atmosphere. The menu showcases innovative takes on Filipino classics including laing reimagined as a dip with housemade focaccia, crab-stuffed tortang talong with roe and calamansi aioli, and kare kare in macadamia nut and crab fat gravy. The signature chicken inasal and flavorful milkfish inasal with green chile sauce represent perfectly executed traditional dishes, while creative offerings like arroz caldo arancini demonstrate the kitchen's playful fusion approach. With exceptional desserts including ube mochi brownie, coconut custard, and bibingka, plus weekend live music and BYOB policy, Manila Inasal has become a must-visit destination for both Filipino families seeking elevated comfort food and adventurous diners discovering Filipino cuisine in refined, memorable ways.”