Two Filipino food spots join the list of 101 best restaurants in L.A.

Photos from lasita.la, kuyalord_la/Instagram

Whenever there’s something celebratory or you just want to chill and dine out, there are hundreds of options in Los Angeles. Luckily if you’re around the area, there are 23 newcomers on the list of LA’s 101 best restaurants that you can explore — one of them is a Filipino restaurant.

Whether it be ube or avocado you’re craving, the cultural tapestry and taste of the islands are dominating not just Los Angeles but all across the US with the growing number of Filipino restaurants and pop-ups. Not to mention, California was named as the best state for foodies and their diverse selections are proof.

A living testament to their culinary brilliance as they share Filipino flavors, two Pinoy restaurants made it to the list of 101 best restaurants in L.A. and one of them is part of this year’s newcomers.

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Here are the two Filipino restaurants that landed on the Los Angeles Times list of best restaurants in L.A.

Lasita

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In the heart of Chinatown’s Far East Plaza, a Filipino food feast and community encounter awaits. As a newcomer on the list, this Filipino rotisserie and wine bar has not only earned the “101 best restaurants” seal of excellence but has also earned a nod from the New York Times top 25 restaurants in LA in 2023.

Crafted by kitchen masters Chase Valencia, his wife Steff Valencia and chef Nico de Leon, this Filipino restaurant blossomed over the last two years. Lasita’s menu is a symphony of flavors headlined by chicken inasal  (with its perfect pair: toyomansi) and rolled pork belly lechon. 

Inasal is a culinary dish from the central Philippines, the islands of Visayas — where they soak chicken in a marinade of lemongrass, garlic, ginger, calamansi juice, butter and achiote seeds before grilling. Artfully rolled like a porchetta is their pork belly lechon brimming with aromatic herbs and spices.

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Vegans, fear not, as their pancit dishes come with veggies while their mushroom sisig offers to pass your discerning palates.

For a sweet day-ender, don’t miss out on their mango sticky rice. Meanwhile, Lasita offers both indoor and outdoor dining spaces but the real magic unfolds at their alfresco.

Imagine this: courtyard tables with half-empty bottles of Carignan or Chenin Blanc surrounded by couples or groups are a canvas of camaraderie and good food. If you’re planning to visit, better to reserve early or you might just be waiting for the next available seat when walking in.

• 727 N. Broadway #120, Los Angeles, California 90012 
• (213) 443-6163
• www.lasita-la.com

You may also like: This beloved modern Filipino restaurant in San Francisco now offers a four-course Chef’s tasting menu

Kuya Lord

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Filipino food meets Hollywood at this Filipino restaurant in Melrose Hill. Kuya Lord holds the court with its culinary whiz originating from the flavors of Lucena, City Philippines.

Already featured on the 101 best restaurants in LA list, they are no newbie since 2022. What started out as a garage pop-up during the pandemic era has now become a Pinoy food haven in Los Angeles.

Good for two people, indulge in Lord Maynard Llera’s cooking through their “Kuya Trays” —each comes with yellow spiced-rice, achara, sautéed vegetables, and a choice of six pieces of meat or seafood.

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From the slice of “lucenachon” to blue prawns simmered in garlicky crab paste, Kuya Lord’s menu promises to satisfy all your cravings. 

Their egg noodle soup, “mami,” and laing, taro leaves boiled in coconut cream complete the cultural strokes in this culinary masterpiece. And for the finale, let their calamansi pie end the show with the right amount of sweetness and tangy citrus flavors.

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Also, their gotong Batangas is back — in time for the cold weather. GotoLord is beef soup with beef shank, tendons, tripe and bone marrow. 

• 5003 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, California 90038 
• kuyalord.com

It’s a badge of excellence to be included on the 101 best restaurants in L.A. list heralding you to the crème de la crème of all the food spots in the City of Angels.