Ah, where else can you find the most delicious and authentic Filipino restaurants in the USA but the iconic Daly City, in California? Well, it is hailed as the “Pinoy Capital of the United States” for a reason.
There are over 33,000 Filipino American residents living in this wonderful community, that’s almost 35% of the entire city’s population! Just a little trivia, Filipinos started to migrate to Daly City in the 1970s, when the 1968 Civil Rights “Fair Housing” Act was passed into law. This enabled affordable suburban homes to become available for Filipinos in the United States. So if you’re a Filipino staying anywhere near the San Francisco Bay Area and you suddenly miss the cheerful and passionate vibe of the Philippines, you already know where to go.
Also known as “Little Manila”, you will find tons of restaurants, shops, and markets that all cater to the vibrant Filipino culture. Of course, expect to encounter a lot of Filipino Americans during your visit to Daly City, so don’t be afraid to strike up a feel-good conversation with your fellow kababayans! And the best thing about that is you’ll get to taste some of the most delicious classic Filipino dishes anytime you want. Now, wouldn’t that be an experience worth looking forward to?
Well, let me get you straight to the point and begin exploring the 15 Best Filipino Restaurants in Daly City, CA! Prepare your tummies because this will definitely make you hungry!
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1. Chibog
The first one on the list and definitely something you shouldn’t miss is Chibog, which is considered by many as the Best Filipino Restaurant in Daly City! Chibog is a Filipino slang word that means “eat” or “to eat”. Well, I’m sure that you’ll be eating a whole lot of tasty Filipino food when you visit this wonderful restaurant! One of the absolute best-sellers of Chibog is the classic Crispy Pata.
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Of course, your Filipino gastronomical feast wouldn’t be complete without ordering other must-try like Beef Bulalo, Meat Sinigang, Dinuguan, and the heavenly goodness of Kare-Kare Crispy Tadyang! Ah, and you obviously shouldn’t miss the OG Silog combos like Tapa, Longganisa, Tocino, Corned Beef, and more.
Chibog is located at 2055 Gellert Blvd Ste #5, and they’re open from Tuesdays to Sundays. So make sure to check them out! They also have party trays available so if you’re planning to celebrate with family and friends, Chibog is absolutely a perfect choice.
2. Via Mare of America
Ah, and there it is! Probably one of the most popular Filipino restaurants both in the Philippines and abroad is Via Mare. It has multiple branches and one of them can be found here in between Daly City and San Francisco, the Via Mare of America. Its exact location is at 6423 Mission Street, Daly City, CA, and trust me, you will certainly have a fun and memorable dining experience here!
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Aside from the traditional and amazingly delicious homestyle cooking of Via Mare, it is also the prime gathering spot for many who are looking for a good time while being able to enjoy world-class live performances and shows. And of course, the food is absolutely spectacular as well! Make sure to order their best-selling entrèes like Crispy Pata, Grilled Pompano, Chicken Sisig, Sinigang, Pancit Canton, and the classic Via Mare Pork BBQ. Oh, and have a good ol’ Halo-Halo for a refreshingly delicious dessert, alright?
3. Cafe Colma
Another hidden gem in Daly City where you can score your delicious fix of Filipino entrèes is Café Colma. This is a perfect spot to dine with your family, bond with friends, or even have an intimate date with your special someone. There are indoor and outdoor seats available so feel free to choose wherever you’re comfortable! Some of the best-selling choices you shouldn’t miss are Fried Chicken, Lechon, and their classic original Kare-Kare.
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For dessert, you can opt to try out their Mango Ice Cream, Pancakes, and the fan-favorite Halo-Halo. They also have delicious choices of party treats if you’re planning to throw a large gathering or reunion, so I’m sure that you’re gonna have a wonderful time! Cafe Colma is located at 1700 Hillside Blvd Colma, CA, check them out soon!
4. Fil-Am Cuisine
Everybody loves BBQ, am I right?! Ah, there’s just something about the smoky and savory flavor of anything grilled to perfection. Well, if you’re looking for the best BBQ dishes of Filipino cuisine served right at your plate, then make sure to check out the famous Fil-Am Cuisine located at 66 School Street, Daly City, CA.
his classic Filipino go-to restaurant opened its doors in the year 2002 and has been managed by Richard and Venus Alvarado-Guevarra for more than two (2) decades already. Fil-Am Cuisine is proud to be the home of “The Best BBQ Skewers in the Bay Area”, so make sure to give their grilled favorites a try!
Of course, the best-sellers are the classic grilled meats like BBQ Chicken and BBQ Pork, which are both served best with a cup of freshly steamed white rice. And you should also try their Pancit Canton, Pork Adobo, Pork Asado, Dinuguan, Chicken Pastel, Beef Caldereta, and the delicious Chicken Lumpiang Shanghai. For the dessert, a quick bite of the iconic Turon will surely be the perfect ending for your delightful dining experience!
5. Tselogs
Since it was established in 2008, Tselogs has already been serving the best Filipino comfort foods in the Bay Area, making more and more Filipinos and even Americans fall in love with our fantastic cuisine! It is where you can score hearty and flavorful portions of all-time favorite Silogs where you can choose from an extensive list of Tapa, Longganisa, Shanghai, Sisig, Tocino, Kornbip, Embutido, and more. Of course, you can also order other popular merienda dishes like Spaghetti, Palabok, Arroz Caldo Pares, Lumpia Shanghai, and Sisig Fries!
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Yup and the best part is that they are open all day from 9 AM to 9 PM from Tuesdays to Sundays, so whenever you’re craving Pinoy goodies, Tselogs is definitely the place to be. Check them out at 6860 Mission Street, Daly City, CA!
6. Manila Express Gourmet Fast Foods
Well, we can all agree that nothing can beat the deliciousness of homemade Filipino classics, right? The tastes of Lechon Kawali, Nilagang Baka, and perfectly grilled and seasoned Pork, Chicken, and Beef BBQ are always so much better when cooked the Filipino style. And that’s exactly what you’ll get, and a whole lot more here at Manila Express Gourmet Fast Foods! It’s been serving classic Filipino delicacies for over twenty (20) years and its loyal customers have been saying that the excellent quality of the food has always been maintained throughout the years.
They also have other must-try orders like Pancit Palabok, Pancit Bihon, Embutido, Adobo, and other Silog Meals as well. Make sure to visit them soon at 425 Gellert Boulevard, Daly City, CA!
7. Gateway Kitchen
Have you ever felt hungry and simply missed the homestyle cooking of your mom or lola (grandmother) from the Philippines? You know, the unbeatable breakfast combinations of fried garlic rice, sunny side up eggs, and a variety of choices like Tapa, Longganisa, Tocino, Kornbip, and Daing na Bangus? Ah, then I suggest you grab a hearty bite here at the Gateway Kitchen at 6165 Mission Street, Daly City!
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It’s famous for its takeout options so if you’re always on the go, this is absolutely the perfect spot for you. You can also order other must-try favorites like the Baconsilog, Jumbo Fried Quarter Leg Chicken, Jeprox Fish, and the popular Hong Kong Style Pork Chop. Hmm, I can smell your cravings from afar!
8. Kadok’s Restaurant
When you talk about the all-time favorite Filipino restaurants in Daly City, it is virtually impossible to miss the one and only Kadok’s Restaurant. It has been delighting “Little Manila” with its classic Filipino cooking since 1995, that’s almost 30 years already!
Kadok’s is actually famous for its mouthwatering merienda dishes, especially the Siopao Asado. So make sure to also order other classic favorites such as Special Mami, Pancit Bihon, Arrozcaldo, Tokwa’t Baboy, BBQ on Stick, and Goto (Beef Tripes). They also have special orders available including Bangus Sisig, Escolta Chicken, Crispy Pata, and the hearty Silog meals.
See? A little bit of everything about Filipino cuisine can be easily found here in Kadok’s Restaurant. So don’t forget their tagline, “Sa ano mang okasyon, Kadok’s ay naging tradisyon!” They can be found at 57 St. Francis Square, Daly City, CA.
9. Ling Nam Starbread
Is anybody up for some Filipino and Chinese goodies? Well, I guess we’re going to the iconic Ling Nam Starbread at 980 King Dr. Suite #1 & #3, Daly City! This place has been legendary for its hearty portions of Silog meals that will definitely get you going throughout the day. Of course, there’s Tapa, Tuyo, Tocino, Longganisa, Sisig, Lechon Kawali, and more! And they also have available short orders like Kare-Kare, Crispy Pata, Beef Pares, Pancit Canton, and Pancit Bihon.
Finally, your visit to Ling Nam Starbread wouldn’t be complete without trying the iconic Starbread itself. The always warm, fresh, soft, and buttery flavor of this pastry will make your order over and over again all the time.
10. Mekeni Restaurant
Another hidden gem in Daly City that gives us a glimpse of the traditional “turo-turo style carinderia” is the one and only Mekeni Restaurant at 6339 Mission Street, Daly City, CA. It’s actually a restaurant and karaoke bar so whether you’re craving a classic Filipino meal or want to have fun with your friends and colleagues, this is definitely the place to be.
As I’ve mentioned, Mekeni has been known for its “turo-turo” style of ordering, so basically you’ll have to choose or point at the entrèe that you want, and it automatically comes with rice. The best part? It only costs less than $10! Some of the all-time favorites are Caldereta, Tapsilog, Adobo, Dinuguan, Picadillo, and Lumpiang Shanghai.
11. Chef Reina
Ah, the next one on our list is the absolute choice for our vegan friends. Chef Reina, founded and managed by the proud homegrown talent Chef Reina Montenegro, has only recently opened its doors in 2021. She is popular for spearheading the establishment of other restaurants in the Bay Area such as Nick’s Kitchen, Nicks on Grand, and Nick’s On Mission.
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Chef Reina has been known for following a plant-based cuisine, so feel free to grab a generous bite even when you’re on a diet! Some of Chef Reina’s best-selling entrèes are Sizzling Sisig, Sinigang, Kare-Kare, Lechon Kawali, and other Silog meals. Oh, and you can also order Mexican specials here like the Birria Tacos, Super Burrito, and Loco Moco.
They are open from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM and open all week except on Wednesdays and Sundays. So go ahead and check them out at 33 Visitacion Avenue, Brisbane, CA!
12. Auntie Em’s Fine Foods & Pastries
Filipino Cuisine is a very extensive cuisine that’s filled with lots of delicious meals and recipes from mains, entrèes, desserts, and yes, even pastries! So if you’re around the San Francisco Bay Area looking for classic Filipino pastries and kakanin, then you better drop by Auntie Em’s Fine Foods and Pastries.
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This spectacular place is offering tons of irresistibly delicious treats that you shouldn’t miss! They have Cheese Rolls, Empanadas, Sapin-Sapin, Ube Halaya, Cassava Cake, Buko Pie, and Bibingka available. Oh, and they also made-to-order cakes, cupcakes, and Ensaymada that are available in Dulce de Leche, Ube, and Original flavors. Auntie Em’s Fine Foods and Pastries has been producing delicious treats since 2008, so their products’ quality is extra fine! Make sure to visit them at 1127 El Camino Real South San Francisco, alright?
13. Pampanguena Cuisine
When it comes to Filipino cooking, the Kapampangans are absolutely the masters of this craft. Well, keep in mind that Pampanga is the undisputed Culinary Capital of the Philippines! That’s why if you’re craving some classic Kapampangan dishes, make sure to drop by here at the famous Pampanguena Cuisine! It was founded by Chef Josie Yumul in 2010 and it has been serving beloved patrons authentic and mouth-watering Filipino classics for almost 15 years already.
They have a very extensive menu and some of their best-sellers are Dinuguan, Sinigang, Sisig, Apritada, Longganisa, Crispy Binagoongan with Eggplant, Ampalaya Con Carne, Rebosado Binalot, and more! Make sure to also try out some of their desserts including Halo-Halo, Ube Ice Cream, Turon, and Leche Flan! Pampanguena Cuisine is located at 4441 Mission Street, San Francisco.
14. Kusina ni Javen Jessel
Offering a wide range of authentic Filipino dishes and pastries, I’m sure that you’ll definitely always have a feast here at Kusina ni Javen Jessel. They specialize in creating gastronomical bilaos or party packs that are all full of Filipino goodies as well as a la carte meals to satisfy your cravings. For appetizers, be sure to don’t miss ordering the Lumpia Shanghai, Lumpia, Pork Siomai, and Empanada! And you also can’t go wrong with the classic all-day breakfast Silogs as you can choose from Tapa, Jeprox, Spam, Lechon Kawali, Tocino, and more.
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Oh, and it’s also absolutely worth trying out their pastries that are available every Tuesday and Friday. Choose from their Ensaymada, Quezo de Bola, Ube, Cheese, Oreo, and Yema. See? That’s a whole lot of Filipino delights right there. Make sure to check them out at 90 Charter Oak Avenue, San Francisco, CA.
15. Jollibee
Ah, finally. I know I’m speaking for the best of us when I say that you can never go wrong with Jollibee. I mean, that’s the definition of home right there for most Filipinos! Jollibee has been the go-to comfort food for a lot of people in the Philippines and also in other countries. So having one, right here, at the Pinoy Capital of the United States itself, is absolutely perfect.
The Jollibee in Daly City is located at 6955 Mission Street, and is serving all-time favorite meals to everyone! Of course, you should never miss the crispiest, juiciest, and jolliest Jollibee Chickenjoy, right? And there’s also the Jolly Spaghetti, Yum Burger, Peach Mango Pie, Burger Steak, Palabok, French Fries, and more.
