Amelia WilliamsThe first time I tried Filipino food was at this over-priced buffet out of town. The food was cold, and don’t even get me started on all the dishes with eyes that stared back at me.
If I’m being honest, it didn’t paint Filipinos in a good light for me.
But over time, thanks to some foodie friends and a few standout spots here in Auckland, I gave it another shot—and I’m glad I did. Filipino food turned out to be warm, bold, and deeply comforting when done right.
Here are the Filipino restaurants in Auckland that changed my perspective—and the ones I’d gladly return to again and again.
1. Nanam Restaurant
– Media credit: nanam.auckland
Address: 178 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna
Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 5 PM to 10 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM,5 PM to 10 PM
Phone: +6494889976
Price: $$
If you’re the kind of eater who likes fusion food, this is your spot. Nanam puts a fun twist on the traditional Filipino food choices.
I love their taco pao. They make it with a beetroot bun packed with crispy lechon pork belly. It has this hint of pickle tang to it that I really love.
Their wagyu beef tacos are another favourite. It’s a fancier take on longganissa (Filipino sausage). The meat is garlicky, juicy and rich.
| Pro Tip: Order the calamansi margarita. It’s one of the best options on their menu if you like something a little sour, complemented by the smooth classic tequila taste. |
2. Borocay Garden Restaurant
– Media credit: borocaygarden_nz
Address: 124 Customs Street West
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 2:30 PM, 5 PM to 8:30 PM
- Friday to Sunday -11 AM to 2:30 PM, 5 PM to 9 PM
Phone: +6493773288
Price: $$
Borocay Garden is where I go when I want to start my day with an authentic Filipino breakfast. My usual? The bangsilog. It’s boneless milkfish, skin fried to a crackling perfection with flesh that’s salty, soft and just a little fishy.
Bringing friends? Order the crispy pata (pork feet). The skin is the best part, in my opinion. It’s nice and crispy—you’ll all be fighting for the last piece.
The beef kare kare is a must too. I was a bit skeptical when I heard it had beef and vegetables swimming in a peanut butter sauce, but it turned out really good.
| Pro Tip: Don’t forget to order their Red Horse beer! It’s a really good beer, especially when it’s ice cold. According to my Filipino buddy, it’s one of the best beers in the Philippines. |
3. Rosita Kitchenette
– Media credit: rositakitchenette
Address: 200a Mount Wellington Highway, Mount Wellington
Hours: Monday to Saturday – 11 AM to 8 PM
Phone: +642102485763
Price: $$
Rosita Kitchenette is a no-fuss spot that serves really good silog. My go-to is the Shanghaisilog: pork spring rolls wrapped so tightly and fried.
It’s all paired with a mountain of garlicky rice. It’s the kind of meal that makes you question why you ever bothered with cereal.
If you’re rolling in with friends, be generous and order the siomais and BBQ siopaos for the table. The dumplings are juicy, and the buns are so soft and fluffy.
| Pro Tip: Try the sinigang pork spare ribs. The broth is a bit tangy and tastes just like tamarind. The pork practically falls apart in your mouth. |
4. Jeepney Filipino Restaurant City
– Media credit: jeepney_upperqueenstreet
Address: level1/4 Upper Queen Street, Newton
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 11 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +64 9 558 5052
Price: $$
Jeepney is where you go when you want to ditch the cutlery, roll up your sleeves, and eat like you mean it. This is Filipino food for people who understand that a little mess is a sign of a good time.
My non-negotiable here is the kare-kare. You get to pick a protein of your choice (the oxtail isn’t so bad). Everything comes in a sauce so thick and peanutty you’ll want to lick the plate.
The chicken inasal here is also awesome. It’s marinated in garlic, vinegar and charred to smoky perfection.
| Pro Tip: Order the ube leche cake. It’s a pastel purple slice of heaven—light chiffon cake with a glossy flan crown. |
5. KANTO Filipino Food Stall
– Media credit: lomisakanto
Address: 6 Kilham Avenue, Northcote
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 11 AM to 8 PM
Price: $
KANTO is where you go when you want a taste of Manila’s street food—noisy, a little chaotic, and always delicious. This place nails that vibe.
Start with the Batangas Lomi. I love the taste of the thick noodles in their gravy-rich broth. The soup is also stacked with savoury pork, yummy fried garlic and the chicharrons are to die for.
Their pork sisig is another dish worth trying. It’s a plate of everything that’s right about pork: crispy bits, tangy hints of calamansi, a little chilli heat, and just enough fat.
| Pro Tip: Don’t hesitate to try their taho. I like how silky their tofu is and the subtle sweetness of the warm brown sugar syrup. The chewy sago pearls are also fun to eat. |
6. Gold Ribbon
– Media credit: welcomesundae
Address: w 0602, 1 West Coast Road, Glen Eden
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 8 PM
Phone: +6498189929
Price: $$
Gold Ribbon is the go-to when you want cakes that taste like they’ve been made with love. Their ube cake is soft, vibrant purple and has just the right amount of earthy sweetness.
I also like how their yema cake is smothered in a creamy, caramel-y custard that’ll have you scraping every last bit.
Don’t sleep on their kakanin (like glutinous rice treats) either. The sapin-sapin is coconutty and delicious.
| Pro Tip: If you want a whole cake, order ahead because they sell out fast. |
7. Bai’s BBQ and Grill – Filipino BBQ
– Media credit: russel_siayngco
Address: 72A Pah Road, Papatoetoe
Hours: Thursday & Friday – 5 PM to 8 PM
Phone: +64224624675
Price: $
Bai’s is the place to go when you want your meal on a stick and your hands a little sticky. Their pork, chicken, and chorizo skewers are all mouth-watering.
Their pork skewers are juicy and have that perfect caramelised crust. The chicken skewers are also grilled just right.
Each plate comes with a generous heap of rice and all their classic sides.
| Pro Tip: Dessert here is a must. Those chocolate crinkles are soft, fudge, and so easy to eat. |
8. Kabayan Bistro NZ
– Media credit: kabayanbistronz_
Address: 161 Apirana Avenue, Glen Innes
Hours:
- Wednesday to Friday – 10 AM to 7 PM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 8 PM
Phone: +6421732048
Price: $$
Kabayan Bistro NZ is where you go when you want a good bowl of noodles.
I usually like to get the lomi here. It’s absolutely loaded with pork, liver, and crunchy chicharron. It also comes with spring rolls, meatballs, and a soft egg.
If you want something lighter, the pancit bihon is a good choice. I like how they season their pork just right, so it’s not too salty or weighs down the veggies and the thin rice noodles.
| Pro Tip: Try their delicious halo-halo. It’s shaved ice piled high with sweet beans, colourful jellies, nata de coco, and fresh fruit. It’s also drizzled with evaporated milk and topped by a thick slab of leche flan. Don’t forget to mix it before eating! I got scolded by an older Filipina woman when she saw me trying to eat it without mixing. |
9. Kalye Manila
– Media credit: kalyemanilanz
Address: 68 Queens Road, Panmure
Hours:
- Wednesday to Friday, Monday – 11 AM to 8 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 11 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +6492173590
Price: $$
Kalye Manilla is the spot when you’re ready to go all-in on a Filipino feast.
Their lechong kawali is the stuff of cravings—pork that’s meltingly tender inside, with a golden crisp skin that’s salty and juicy.
If noodles are your thing, give their palabok a go. It’s a plate of rice noodles smothered in a shrimp-infused sauce. It’s then topped with pork cracklings, boiled egg, and a squeeze of calamansi.
| Pro Tip: If you’re here with friends, do the Boodle fight. You get a giant spread of rice, grilled meats, seafood, veggies and all the fixings laid out on banana leaves. Plus, you can eat with your hands. |
10. Noy’s Barbecue
– Media credit: noysbarbecue
Address: 3100 Great North Road, New Lynn
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday, Sunday – 11 AM to 8 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 11 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +6495583909
Price: $
Noy’s Barbecue is the place to be if you like your food with smoky flavours.
Their pork skewers are amazing. I love how they have that slight chargrilled, smoky aftertaste from being on the grill.
The marinade they use for the meat soaks into the pork, so you can taste the spiciness and sweetness with every bite. It comes with Java rice, fresh veggies, and tons of sauces.
Their pork belly is also pretty good. Some may find it a little fatty, but it’s crispy and easy to chew.
| Pro Tip: If you want to try something really exotic, get the chicken feet. |
