Roll up your sleeves and enjoy these kamayan feasts in California
Photos from villamanila, l.a.rosecafe/Instagram
Having Filipino food kamayan-style, also known as “boodle fight,” is a fun way to celebrate Filipino Food Month this April.
Filipino Food Month is celebrated across the US, and in Canada, there’s Filipino Restaurant Month. These month-long celebrations showcase the rich and diverse culinary heritage of the Philippines.
Savor Filipino dining at California’s finest kamayan venues
Roll up your sleeves and allow your hands to get sticky (after all, it adds to the flavor). These top kamayan restaurants in California offer foodies a chance to experience the vibrant flavors of Filipino cuisine.
Abacá
2700 Jones St. inside Kimpton Alton Hotel (Fisherman’s Wharf)
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Already a cornerstone of good Filipino food around the San Francisco Bay Area, Abaca offers not just an authentic kamayan feast but an extravagant spread of bluefin tuna kinilaw, pork lumpia, and grilled oysters, to name a few.
Remember, booking this experience for four people ready to savor three courses of culinary delight requires reserving 48 hours in advance.
“Participating in a kamayan can transport you and those you are dining with to another time and place, allowing you a more intimate experience,” says Francis Ang, executive chef and owner.
You may also like: Savor the ‘Taste of the Philippines’ in this restaurant’s new home in Jefferson Park
Villa Manila
East 8th St., National City, San Diego
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This Filipino gem pulls out the stops during Filipino Food Month with their kamayan special that surprises with a complimentary treat. Plus, their menu boasts of grilled meats, veggies, seafood and rice — all arranged on a banana leaf.
Mestiza
214 Townsend St., SoMa, San Francisco
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Their kamayan feast is reflective of owner Deanna Sison’s mixed-Filipina roots. Before its opening and grand comeback last week, Mestiza showcased a spread of shrimp gambas, green papaya atchara, mushroom aji verde, grilled eggplant tofu, crunchy vegetables, pork belly and tart fruits.
Salo Salo Grill
18300 Gridley Rd Ste A, Artesia, CA
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A seafood haven awaits at this restaurant in California offering kamayan. Their platter, best for 4-6 people, features seafood delights of steamed crabs, one whole Pompano, grilled huge squids, shrimp, New Zealand mussels, dilis, mango salad and kangkong.
L.A. Rose Cafe
4749 Fountain Ave
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From humble beginnings of 23 seats in 1982, this Los Angeles spot has grown into a beloved venue for Filipino gatherings — with live music or karaoke nights.
Perfect for groups, their kamayan feasts burst with flavors and colors set to indulge diners in a traditional Filipino dining experience complete with assorted meats, grilled vegetables, seafood rice and condiments.
These top kamayan restaurants in California promise fun adventures for your palates – and your social feeds.
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