In recent years, Chicago has experienced a vibrant surge in contemporary Filipino restaurants, showcasing a dynamic range of culinary styles and flavors. This resurgence is built on the foundation laid by well-loved family-owned establishments including Ruby’s Fast Food and Uncle Mike’s Place, alongside the notable Filipino supermarket Seafood City.
These new hotspots illustrate the rich diversity of Filipino cuisine, from comforting diner fare to avant-garde creations, highlighting a blend of classic dishes and innovative twists. The culinary scene is becoming increasingly popular, with options ranging from handheld snacks to intricate, meticulously plated courses.
Among the leading establishments is Boonie’s, located at 4337 N. Western Ave. Originally a pop-up, it has gained recognition in the Michelin Guide and has transformed into a full-fledged restaurant under the guidance of fine-dining veteran Joseph Fontelera. Guests can savor exciting dishes like grilled Argentine sugpo (prawns) complemented by bagoong brown butter and sugarcane juice chimichurri, as well as monkfish adobo infused with preserved garlic chive and coconut water adobo. Fontelera is also committed to serving the tangy and rich sizzling sisig, a delightful combination of pork and chicken liver hash.
Next on the culinary journey is Cebu, situated at 3120 N. Lincoln Ave., where the creative Tan brothers serve breakfast and dinner focused on regional Filipino classics. Dishes such as adobo chilaquiles, short rib silog with garlic rice (available during brunch), or ube waffles with fried chicken, showcase the ingenuity behind this sibling-owned eatery. Since opening in Wicker Park in 2018, Cebu has welcomed diners with its delicious three-hour lechon belly, known for its irresistible crackly skin.
Kasama at 1001 N. Winchester Ave. marks a significant milestone as Chicago’s first Michelin-starred Filipino restaurant. This all-day dining venue is a collaboration between husband-and-wife duo Tim Flores and Genie Kwon. Breakfast options attract long queues, offering hearty Filipino-inspired favorites like egg sandwiches topped with caramelized longanisa and fried eggs served with garlic rice. From Thursday to Sunday evenings, diners can indulge in an inventive tasting menu featuring Filipino small plates that range from lamb belly kare-kare with bagoong XO sauce to salmon and tamarind sinigang.
Del Sur Bakery, located at 4639 N. Damen Ave., seamlessly merges Midwestern and Filipino flavors under Justin Lerias’ creative vision. This bustling bakery and café is known for being allergen-friendly. Signature offerings include trendy ube buttercream sandwiches made with oat cookies, calamansi curd-infused morning buns, and flavorful longanisa croissants. To complement these treats, guests can enjoy refreshing house chai or lattes enhanced with salted pandan syrup in a beautifully decorated, plant-filled space.
Another standout is Bayan Ko at 1810 W. Montrose Ave., where husband-and-wife team Lawrence Letrero and Raquel Quadreny have crafted an impressive tasting menu priced at a reasonable $119 for seven courses. Their Filipino-Cuban fusion menu has evolved, emphasizing balance in flavors with dishes like whole-prawn kinilaw featuring yuzu-coconut vinaigrette and Iberian pork collar asado served with sour orange and yuca con mojo. A vegetarian tasting option priced at $99 also delights with dishes such as brown butter-soused black arroz caldo made with seared trumpet and oyster mushrooms.
The Bayan Ko Diner, just a short distance away at 1820 W. Montrose Ave., offers a more casual dining experience. In the former Glenn’s Diner space, this diner serves comforting midday and dinner fare known for its heartiness. The sisig hash stands out, featuring chopped pork belly alongside shishito peppers, crisp potatoes, and soy black vinegar aioli topped with a perfectly runny egg. The menu also includes empanadas, various silog options with garlic rice, and a Filipino sweet bread adorned with cinnamon glaze and cheddar cheese.
Side Practice Coffee at 5139 N. Damen Ave. serves as a creative hub for local indie startups while also offering Filipino-inspired coffee drinks. Among the unique offerings are the Purple Haze, a delightful cold brew with ube foam, and Sunog Lattes featuring burnt vanilla bean, black sesame, and liquid smoke. Patrons can also enjoy various pastries from Umaga Bakehouse and keep an eye on Side Practice’s Instagram for exciting pop-up events featuring local art, jewelry, or even Texas BBQ kolaches.
Novel Pizza Cafe, located at 1759 W. 19th St., focuses on a compact Filipino and Mexican-inspired menu that includes excellent tavern and pan pizzas. Standout items like the longanisa and giardiniera tavern pie perfectly blend savory, sweet, and crunchy elements. Famous for their pizza, Novel is a popular spot where early diners are advised to arrive early, as sell-outs are common.
Finally, Kanin at 5131 N. Damen Ave. takes inspiration from the corner bodegas found in Hawaii, serving casual bites inspired by both Filipino and Hawaiian flavors. Options include nori-wrapped musubi filled with Spam, tamarind shrimp, or tomato jam and egg, as well as tender skewers of tocino chicken and chimichurri pork. The weekends are particularly bustling, with ube banana pudding and musubi items often selling out quickly.
A Taste of the Philippines rounds off this culinary exploration at 5914 W. Lawrence Ave. Founded by Manila-born Kathy Vega Hardy, who started her culinary journey over a decade ago with a food truck in Denver, the charming restaurant showcases traditional Filipino brunch and lunch delicacies like pancit and crisp-edged lechon over garlic rice, as well as contemporary options such as ube cheesecake bites and longanisa Scotch eggs. This diverse array of restaurants and offerings demonstrates the vibrant flavors and creative expressions of Filipino cuisine flourishing in Chicago.
image source from：wbez
