Ever since one of my Filipino friends got me hooked on Pinoy cuisine, it’s become my go-to comfort food whenever I’m having a bad day. And as someone juggling multiple jobs, many inconveniences happen more often than not, which makes me stress-eat.
I mean, can you blame me? The first time I tried halo-halo on a hot day, it was like heaven on a cup—shaved ice, milk, and all sorts of candy inside. I was like, ‘Give me more of that dessert gem!’
And since I’m always on the move, my friend and I ended up trying a bunch of Filipino restaurants around Belfast. We also made a list of our favourites, so check them out below!
Where can I eat Filipino food in Belfast?
There are a bunch of restaurants where you can eat Filipino food in Belfast! Notable ones are KUBO, Taste of Manila, and Platito by Mangan for that taste of authentic Pinoy cuisine with the staff’s welcoming hospitality.
KUBO
Media credit: kubo.belfast
Website: https://www.kubobelfast.com/
Address: Great Northern Mall, 48-52 Great Victoria St
Contact Details: [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday to Saturday – 12 PM to 5 PM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 4 PM
- Monday to Tuesday – Closed
Pricing: £10 to £20 per person
KUBO is one of the best Filipino restaurants in Belfast that offers modern Filipino fusion cuisine. We love its stylish, industrial-meets-tropical vibe! It’s got wooden textures, cosy booths, and neon signs that we feel really brighten up the place.
The highlights for us are the adobo (marinated meat) chicken wings, pork belly lechon (roasted pig), and sinigang (stewed) ribs. We believe the calamansi (Philippine lime) drink pairs well with these savoury dishes too.
For dessert, we think you’ll enjoy indulging in the ube (purple yam) cheesecake. But if you want crunchier sweets, we recommend the turon (banana spring roll) with ice cream instead.
Pro tip:
We think KUBO is well-suited for group dining, so why not bring a big crew sometime? It’s also best to book ahead to save yourselves some good seats, especially on busy weekends.
Taste of Manila
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Website: http://tasteofmanila.co.uk/
Address: 569 Lisburn Rd
Contact Details: +44 28 9012 4973, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 12 PM to 3 PM, 5 PM to 9 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 12 PM to 9 PM
- Monday – Closed
Pricing: £10 to £30 per person
If you’re all about a homestyle Filipino experience, we think Taste of Manila offers that chill, cafeteria-style atmosphere you might be looking for. For us, this spot represents that warm community feel that the Philippines is known for.
Our favourite mains are kare-kare (peanut-based curry), chicken inasal (grilled), and tapsilog (tapa or cured beef with fried rice and egg). We reckon any of these would taste good with the refreshing gulaman (gelatin) drink as well.
What’s more, we think your visit wouldn’t be complete without trying its halo-halo (mix-mix) dessert. Do note that besides the ice and milk, the sweet stuff in this might differ from other Filipino eateries. If you’re allergic to anything, it’s best to check first.
Handy hacks:
We suggest visiting during lunch at Taste of Manila! This way, you can get the best variety and freshest trays.
On top of that, make the most of the Pinoy groceries sold here! In our book, these are great for getting one-of-a-kind, tasty gifts for loved ones.
Platito by Mangan
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Address: 229 Castlereagh Rd
Contact Details: +44 7944 428373, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Sunday – 9 AM to 7 PM
- Monday & Thursday – 12 PM to 8:30 PM
- Friday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
- Tuesday to Wednesday, Saturday – Closed
Pricing: £10 to £20 per person
Looking for gourmet-ish casual bites? How about Platito by Mangan’s elevated Filipino street food? We adore the vibe here as well. For us, its ambience looks cool with the vibrant colours and cosy lighting.
But what caught our interest from the get-go was the BBQ skewers. We also like the sisig (sizzling pork) tacos, and chicken inasal (grilled) burgers for those with a bigger appetite. You’ll also find familiar craft sodas. Otherwise, we say try the Pinoy beers!
And since mangoes are among the Philippines’ most popular fruits, we suggest trying the mango float! Alternatively, we think the ube (purple yam) ice cream sandwich is delightful for both kids and kids at heart.
Cool idea:
Join Platito by Mangan’s themed nights now and then! You’ll have a day full of Filipino culture, food, music, and fun! Plus, you can use this as an excuse to dress up and immerse yourself (especially if you plan to visit the Philippines someday).
Manong’s Filipino Food
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Website: https://manongs.co.uk/
Address: 146 Cregagh Rd, Castlereagh
Contact Details: +44 28 9623 8140
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday to Friday – 5 PM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 1 PM to 10 PM
- Monday to Tuesday, Saturday – Closed
Pricing: £10 to £20 per person
Manong’s Filipino Food is one of our top picks due to its traditional carinderia or ‘restaurant’ style, reflecting a common dining experience for Filipinos. For us, this spot also gives off a minimalist, no-frills vibe—only focusing on the food and authenticity.
Should you want a bit of a kick, we recommend the spicy Bicol (a Philippine region) Express dish right away! There’s also menudo (tomato-based stew) and lumpiang (spring roll) Shanghai if you want something milder but still quite flavourful alternatives.
We also appreciate that the desserts here are something you could easily find along the Philippine streets. Notable ones for us are the banana cue (caramelised, fried Saba banana) and cassava cake (from grated cassava and coconut milk).
Insider scoop:
Manong’s Filipino Food is known for its takeaways. You can call ahead to avoid long queues if you’re only stopping by. (The lumpia or spring rolls also sell out quite fast!)
We also recommend checking this restaurant’s social media page for special weekend dishes. This is a way to keep things fresh and try more Filipino delicacies whenever possible.
Banto Pinoy Bites
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Address: 448A Shore Rd
Contact Details: +44 28 9443 8003
Operating Hours:
- Friday to Monday – 12:30 PM to 7 PM
- Saturday – 12:30 PM to 5 PM
- Tuesday to Thursday – Closed
Pricing: £10 to £20 per person
Should you want a food truck experience often seen at community events and local markets, Banto Pinoy Bites gives off that casual feel. We also think this pop-up or food stall style is great for chill hangouts with friends.
Some of our favourites are the longsilog (sweet pork sausage with garlic rice and fried egg), pork BBQ skewers, and pancit bihon (stir-fried rice noodles).
Dessert-wise, we love the pichi-pichi (steamed cassava flour balls)! And if you’re lucky, you can get kakanin (rice cakes) or banana cue (caramelised, fried Saba banana) on selected days.
Friendly reminders:
Though Banto Pinoy Bites’ food stalls now accept cards, we suggest bringing cash to avoid any transaction issues.
Moreover, we urge you to ask if there are items off-menu! Sometimes, this dining spot rotates specials depending on the season or market.
Rayles Diners
Media credit: filipinohub.ie
Website: https://rayles-diners.ueniweb.com/
Address: 106 Joy St
Contact Details: +44 7868 364158, +44 7912 433802, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 5 AM to 9 PM
Pricing: £10 to £20 per person
Love breakfast food? You can have them every day at Rayles Diners, Filipino-American style. We believe this restaurant’s playful and relaxed retro diner vibe is also good for families with kids.
We noticed that this spot’s breaky plates are quite popular, especially its tapsilog (cured beef with garlic fried rice and fried egg) and longsilog (longganisa or Filipino sausage with garlic fried rice and fried egg).
Plus, we love the sides, like the atchara (pickled papaya relish), which seems to pair well with the savoury dishes. Those with a sweet tooth might also appreciate the ube (purple yam) or banana fritters. Alternatively, you can just go for milk tea.
Hot idea:
Is anyone’s birthday coming up? Consider asking Rayles Diners about its catering services for a warm celebration with the most flavourful dishes!