Winner
Amihan Grill + Bakeshop
Amihan Grill + Bakeshop’s two Calgary locations in Sunridge and the Beltline serve a wide range of Filipino fare, including barbecue mains, rice or noodle bowls, seafood and more. Order the starters platter to try all of the restaurant’s bestsellers at once, try meaty dishes like the pulled pork adobo or dig into a noodle bowl like the pancit canton. What’s more, both locations also offer a bakeshop filled with house-made baked goods that will round out your meal, including mango loaves and ube macapuno cake.
3132 26 St. N.E., Unit 208, 403-455-6050; and 1011 1 St. S.W., 825-540-1211; amihan.ca, @amihan.grill.bakeshop
Runners-up
Roc’s Grill
Roc’s Grill offers a modern take on authentic Filipino fare in Shawnessy. Since 2016, the restaurant has strived to provide a one-of-a-kind dining experience that draws on family recipes, travels and traditions. Bring a friend to try one of the traditional sharing platters that highlight pork, beef, seafood, chicken or vegetables. If you’re hosting a small or large gathering, Roc’s also offers fiesta platters for four to five people, party platters and whole roasted suckling pigs (with advance notice).
285 Shawville Blvd. S.E., 403-891-5158, rocsgrill.ca, @rocsgrillyyc
Chopstix Filipino Restaurant
With locations along International Avenue and Macleod Trail S.W., Chopstix provides easy access to fresh Filipino cuisine. Start your day with one of the all-day Filipino breakfast combos featuring everything from longsilog (Filipino-style sausage) to bangsilog (deep-fried milk fish), or pop by later for dishes like fresh lumpia, sinigang (a soup with a range of protein options), mixed seafood kare-kare and more. Pair your meal with drinks like buko juice and sago’t gulaman.
5315 17 Ave. S.E., 403-235-1682; and 9737 Macleod Tr. S.W.; 403-251-0740; chopstixrestaurant.com, @chopstixfilipino
Rise N’ Shine Breakfast Place
Open early seven days a week, Rise N’ Shine is the place to go if you’re craving a classic Filipino breakfast experience. Treat yourself to a quality, home-style meal like the hearty Sunrise Steak that comes with a fried egg, mango salsa and rice or hash browns, or enjoy lunch dishes like the crispy sisig featuring spicy fried pork belly and a fried egg. Whatever you order, make sure to arrive hungry.
2014 36 St. S.E., 403-271-5170, @rnsbreakfastplace
Lola’s Cluck + Oink
Located within Fresh and Local Market & Kitchens, Lola’s Cluck + Oink offers a small yet mighty menu of tasty Filipino snacks and mains. The Cluck & Oink Adobo is a great option to try on your next visit, as well as snacks like crispy chicken skin, lumpia (spring rolls) and wings. Best of all, you can take home some of the restaurant’s signature jarred sauces that come in flavours like Chilli Garlic, Fire and Ice, and Bagoong.
12445 Lake Fraser Dr. S.E., 587-577-1380, @lolasclucknoink