Such a wonderful experience at Carabao Filipino Eatery! My sisters and I absolutely loved our dinner here. Carabao takes traditional Filipino dishes and gives them a creative, modern twist, and everything we tried was delicious. From the minute we walked in, we felt genuinely welcomed. One of the co-owners took the time to share a little of the story and history behind the restaurant, and that warmth carried throughout the entire evening. There is something so special about the Filipino tradition of hospitality -- making guests feel like family, sharing food generously, and creating a sense of warmth and connection around the table -- and Carabao truly reflects that. Chef Jade was wonderful, and you can really see her creativity in every dish. We especially enjoyed her ever-popular twist on the traditional kare-kare, along with the salmon dish, Filipino spaghetti with fried chicken, and of course we had to finish with dessert -- halo-halo and turon. We also ended the evening with a tasting of port, which was the perfect finishing touch. Everything was beautifully presented, full of flavor, and still had that wonderful Filipino comfort-food feel while showcasing Chef Jade's own creative touch. She was also kind enough to take a picture with us, which made the evening even more memorable. The restaurant is small, charming, and very quaint, and it was completely packed when we were there, so I would highly recommend making reservations. Great food, wonderful hospitality, and such a special experience. Highly recommended -- we will definitely be back! read more

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10 Stars wouldn't even begin to describe how absolutely fabulous this place is! If Michelin doesn't don them with a star their tires should be popped. Food - We had the lumpia, adobo deviled eggs, pancit guisado, garlic fried rice and the Mango Float for dessert. Not only was the food delicious, it was exquisitely prepared. Fantastic presentation of gastronomic creativity. Service - We sat at the Kitchen Counter which is like fine dining while watching a Food Network show live. The staff was attentive and fun and that included Chef/Owner Jade who was engaging while expertly handling the pass. The food was served with perfect timing. Atmosphere - Very well styled given it's basically a strip mall. Options available for a table, bar or kitchen counter. This place FAR exceeded our expectations! read more

Carabao - Filipino Near Me - Napa, California

Amazing modern Filipino spot tucked away in a plaza! It's the perfect balance of traditional flavors like Mom used to make with modern presentation. We came in for Sat lunch for my bday. On the table was a birthday card from the staff that they all signed including Chef Jade. It was a great touch and inside it was poppin. Calamansi amerikkano cocktail to set it off - refreshing! Had every small bite plus the kinilaw to start. None of them were misses. Highly recommend doing the barako ribs but it's all amazing. We got the pancit, sisig, kare kare, BBQ skewers w achara. Nothin missed. They tell you ahead of time that chef Jade is allergic to shrimp so no bagaoong will automatically be added to dishes but can be ordered in the side. That wasn't a problem for us since we don't have it often. People need to relax giving 1-2 stars for that. The dish is honestly good as is! Anyway, We also got the ube crème brûlée and mango dessert and they brought out a special birthday dessert of ube ice cream and crinkle cookie. Can't say enough about this place. if you're Filipino and live in the Bay Area, it's a MUST TRY. Plus they were on check please Bay Area recently!!! read more

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Good food, great service, beautiful interiors. Had dinner with friends and we tried a number of dishes: kare kare, kinilaw, sisig, sinigang, and pansit. Standout in terms of taste was the kinilaw - bright and light, a summer burst of flavour. Standout in terms of inventiveness was the kare kare - the crispy croquette ball encasing the tender meat added a different texture to the traditional dish. Really good representation of Filipino food and welcoming vibe. read more

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Great food, ambience, and music. This Filipino restaurant serves childhood favorite dishes with a unique twist. We came with a pretty large group and there were no issues with any reservations. The elote was very different and unique. It was one of our starter dishes and we were very pleased. You can't go wrong with lumpia as well. It was crispy and delicious. Pork belly and shrimp pancit was yummy. There was a unique twist to the Kare Kare, well I wasn't crazy about the creamy broth, the oxtail ball was delicious. The only thing I did not care for was the chicken wings. It had a very different taste that I wasn't a fan of. The turon à la mode was the perfect way to close out dinner. Overall, it was a great experience and the food was very good. Everyone in our party enjoyed everything! read more

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We were excited to try Carabao while visiting Napa, and it was great to see Filipino cuisine represented in the heart of Wine Country. Parking was easy, with plenty of parking available nearby. The restaurant itself has limited seating, reservation only. For our meal, we ordered the Kare-Kare, Tortang Talong, steamed rice, a Calamansi Amerikano, and a glass of rosé wine. The Kare-Kare was very good. The beef was fried to perfection, crispy and golden brown on the outside while remaining tender inside. It still carried the rich, nutty kare-kare flavor that makes the dish so comforting. The only thing I felt was missing was alamang. Many Filipinos enjoy mixing alamang into their kare-kare, so I found myself looking for that familiar salty and savory component. Even without it, the dish was delicious and well executed. Definitely, their own spin. The Tortang Talong was also excellent. It gave me some "laing" vibes from the flavor profile, which I really enjoyed. It was flavorful, unique, and definitely one of those dishes that makes you want extra rice. In fact, we ended up ordering more rice because it paired so well with both dishes. To drink, we had the Calamansi Amerikano and a glass of rosé. Both were refreshing and complemented the meal nicely. The Calamansi Americano in particular was bright and refreshing, making it a perfect palate cleanser between bites. Overall, we had a great experience. Delicious food, refreshing drinks, and a unique take on Filipino cuisine in Napa. We'll definitely be back the next time we're in the area. Service was okay. We asked our server after seating down if they have dessert, server said no. So, we decided to plan getting dessert somewhere else. Towards the end beforing paying, server asked if we want dessert so we were puzzled as the server said no dessert earlier. Also, we were seated by the door so the server keeps leaving to open the door to other patrons. Paying through qr code adds additional fee, pay through server instead. read more

Carabao - Filipino Near Me - Napa, California

I've been wanting to try Carabao since they opened, so I was really excited when we finally had the opportunity to make a reservation, especially since we were celebrating our anniversary. When we arrived, the hostess checked us in and greeted us with, "Happy anniversary!" She then showed us to our seats at the bar. At first, I thought it was a nice start to the evening. However, as the night went on, I couldn't help but notice that the experience felt different compared with the other anniversary celebrations around us. The couple to our right was also celebrating an anniversary, and the restaurant had placed a special sign in front of them. Later, their waiter brought them a complimentary dessert with "Happy Anniversary" written in chocolate on the plate. As a fellow Filipina, I know how much hospitality and making guests feel special can mean, especially when they're celebrating something important. Unfortunately, we didn't receive that same level of acknowledgment beyond the initial greeting. The couple to our left also seemed to receive a much more personalized experience. The gentleman who seated them went above and beyond, taking the time to explain the restaurant's story, the menu, and what they could expect. I couldn't help but feel that we didn't receive that same attention, perhaps because we didn't choose the higher-priced dinner package. If that was the reason, it was disappointing, because every guest should feel equally welcomed and valued. As for the food, I know everyone has a different palate. While Carabao may be considered some of the best Filipino food by others, unfortunately, it just wasn't for me. I really wanted to love it, especially as someone who appreciates Filipino cuisine, but the overall food experience didn't live up to my expectations. I'm glad we finally had the chance to try Carabao, but given the anticipation I had leading up to the visit, I left feeling somewhat disappointed. The food and service simply didn't give me the experience I was hoping for. read more

Wow! Met some friends for dinner after wanting to eat here since it opened. We decided on an early dinner, which was great because the restaurant was full when we left. Our server was absolutely amazing. She made great recommendations. I tried a few things for the very first time and discovered some things. I didn't really care for. I would 100% go back. Restaurant is small, quaint, and amazing and definitely worth the price of the food. read more

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Carabao was excellent all around! From the moment we stepped in, we were greeted by the owner and seated by a small table by the window. He introduced himself, asked if we have been here before (first time!) and gave a background on the chef/his wife. Our server provided warm service as well as with all the staff here. The food is Filipino food elevated. Plates are meant to be shared. We ordered the pork lumpias, pork BBQ Skewers and the Lechon Manok. It was perfect for two people. The winner was the pork skewers! We loved it so much we placed an order to go! Beautiful presentations, delicious food, we will be back the next time we are in Napa! read more

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We went on a Sat afternoon and I love that it's located in a square that has plenty of parking. We had reservations for 130pm at the kitchen counter, but had to wait for 20 min for the previous guests to finish their meal. This isn't a huge issue, but it's a bit awkward without any seating inside or outside to wait. Luckily there is a coffee shop a few doors down that make a great latte. The seating at the kitchen counter was great. We got to see the pastry chef do her thing and see the line of food being finished and sent out by the owner. It was entertaining and their flow was dynamic and efficient. We ordered the Kare kare, sisig, stuffed eggplant dish and fried lumpia with pickled carrots and radish. Our waiter was very friendly, accommodating and was thoughtful. He brought out rice for us while we ate our eggplant and eggrolls without having us to ask. Definitely need the spiced vinegar sauce to go with the eggplant. My guy said he missed the egg that usually goes on top of it, but we still ate it all. The lumpia and sisig were delicious. The kare kare with the oxtail croquette was perfectly cooked and presented. The veggies were perfectly crisp still, sauce was smooth and creamy, and meat tender. I just missed the sautéed bagaoong (shrimp paste) that is usually added on top to give it that extra umami. I'm not sure if they just forgot it or was trying to cater to a different palate. All in all, a wonderful place for those new to the cuisine. It was just missing the fragrant extra sauces or accompanying touches that make it really authentic. I'll come back for the lumpia, other dishes and desserts. Didn't get to try them this time, but the mango float looked heavenly. They have a tasting menu of about $68 per person to try an assortment of their best hits and noticed that you get a small portion of some apps, the kare kare at least and a small dessert with it. I think that's a great price for it. read more

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We celebrated my mom's birthday at Carabao. They even had menus that said Happy Birthday *a nice little touch :) Chef Jade, Jonathan and the other staff were very attentive and pleasant. They took very good care of us. The food was tasty and the atmosphere was lively. This was my family's first time to visit and will definitely not be the last. Thank you, Chef Jade, Eric, and co for an excellent experience. read more

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From host to table it was a great experience. A small intro into what Carabao was all about and the filipino cuisine. The pacing of each course was seamless. Everything tasted amazing and elevated. Will definitely be coming back to try the other dishes as well read more

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WHY WE WENT HERE: - previously tried to do a walk-in with my family last year not realizing until we got there it was reservation only - made a reservation to dine here for brunch to be better prepared than last time to finally try it THE LOOK (FROM THE OUTSIDE): - located in a plaza off Gasser Dr in between Hartle Ct and W Imola Ave - plenty of shared parking with the other businesses in the plaza THE LOOK (FROM THE INSIDE): - love the decor; very tropical meets warm and welcoming - baskets in the ceiling, green painted walls, plants, fauna wallpaper, white tables with pink booth seating or light wood chairs THE MENU: - kukutin/small bites - gulay/vegetables - inihaw/grilled - karne/meat - pansit/noodles - lamang dagat/seafood - sides - sauces WHAT WE ORDERED: - Calamansi Amerikano - Lychee Pop - Lechon Manok - Garlic Fried Rice - Sizzling Sisig - Bistek THE TASTE: - drinks were refreshing - Lechon Manok was filling! the gravy is everything! the chicken was brined I believe and then roasted, so it was juicy meat with crispy skin - Garlic Fried Rice and the regular steamed rice were actually a bit cold and mushy - Sizzling Sisig I would recommend to NOT get; it's not the best - Bistek was the best! the steak, onions, and gravy were the highlight of the meal! CUSTOMER SERVICE: - warm and welcoming - attentive but not overbearing - loved the QR code on the table to pay for your meal read more

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The only Filipino restaurant at Napa and they only take reservations. Party of two in the dining table to celebrate my mom's birthday on a Saturday late lunch, We arrived very early for a 2:30pm reservation and waited til the reserved time but the table isn't ready to we had to be seated in a big table which is okay rather than wait for the two person table which finished 30+ longer than expected. There's plenty of parking, no waiting area inside nor outside so we chose to wait in the car. Great customer service, small place packed with people and it is very loud and noisy. Tables and chairs are very close to each other. Restroom was nice and clean. Food is amazing! The best seller crispy kare kare looks fancy and very unique than the previous crispy kare kare I had. It was a crispy ball! It looks fancy and different but tastes authentic filipino kare kare that my mom loved. After few minutes the meat became hard and chewy so better consume right away. We also had the sizzling sisig. It wasn't sizzling when it was served though. It tastes good. I wish the water was cold as it it's so hot and feels 90F outside. Anyway, the sago drink was bomb! First sip suddenly reminded me of my school days in the Philippines. It tastes the same! Although that time it was 0.08 cents (5 php) long time ago! The mango float was very delicious and i've never had it in any USA restaurant except here. I would love to come back here for that. Upon reservation few days ago, I made a note its my mom's birthday and requested a plate with happy birthday and candle which they did plus a yummy ube crinkle with ube ice cream on top! My mom loves ube! We didn't order much but we had to-go boxes as we cannot finish the rice and meat. The bill can be paid thu their QR code at the table which I did. You can also pay traditionally. Overall this is a great fancy Filipino restaurant at Napa. Perfect to celebrate occasions even no occasion. Food is delicious, service was great, hope it is calm and quiet next time. read more

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Review #1,018 Posted on 3.16.26 We came here for dinner on Saturday the 7th of March. When you go to book a reservation, keep in mind they only book 30 days out, so you have to keep checking back for that to be sure that you book your desired day/time right when it becomes available on the sight they use. My wife had been dying to try this place for sometime, so we planned a day/night trip to Napa to come relax and enjoy a dinner here. The food here was unreal. We got a seat right next to the prep line watching the chefs do their thing, what a treat. We started with the adobo deviled eggs, so good, they had awesome flavor. We also had crispy Kare Kare, fried rice, & 2 deserts, the ube crème brulee, halo halo. The flavoring of all these dishes was truly amazing, every bite you taste the special flavoring they cooked with. The food here was A+, a super cool dining experience and I'll comeback to eat here again 100%, just a matter of when. read more

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Nice ambiance and they fit me in for a party of 1, even though it was fully booked (make reservations!). They had this mango dessert that was delicious and very creamy - beautifully plated. read more

Carabao - Mango dessert with fresh Manila mango - Filipino Near Me - Napa, California

I started with the Calamansi Americano cocktail, which was bright, citrusy, and incredibly refreshing--an excellent way to kick off the meal. Originally, we planned to order several dishes from the menu, but after mentioning what we had in mind, our server suggested going with the Chef's Choice, a curated selection of the restaurant's favorites and seasonal dishes chosen by the chef. It turned out to be a decent way to experience a variety of items without overthinking the order. The meal began with lumpia Shanghai, adobo deviled eggs, and hamachi kilawin. The standout of the trio was definitely the hamachi kilawin--fresh, vibrant, and beautifully balanced with bright, tangy flavors. The lumpia Shanghai and deviled eggs were enjoyable but didn't quite stand out compared to the kilawin. Next came the taco sisig and ensalada. My sister gravitated toward the taco sisig, while the ensalada ended up being my favorite of the two. It was light and refreshing, and the creamy goat cheese added a rich, tangy element that brought the whole dish together nicely. For the main course, we had the crispy kare-kare, which was creamy, nutty, and flavorful. The fried tripe added a nice textural contrast, though it leaned a bit on the salty side. We finished with the cassava cake, which was absolutely delicious and a satisfying way to end the meal. Originally, we had planned to order the tortang talong and palabok as well, but after seeing the amount of food from the Chef's Choice, we realized it would have been far too much for us. Hopefully we'll get to try those on our next visit. Service throughout the visit was great--friendly, attentive, and helpful with recommendations. The space itself is also very nice and comfortable, making for an overall enjoyable dining experience. read more

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I've been meaning to checkout Carabao for a while now, and our group of 3 finally came by for dinner. They're now by reservation only it seems, and we had a reservation for 5:30 for 2, but showed up early at 5:15 with a group of 3 instead and they were super accommodating! I'm glad there were 3 of us because portions were very generous and we were stuffed by the end despite ordering what seemed like a reasonable amount of dishes. Service was great and checked on us and refilled our water frequently throughout the meal. -adobo deviled eggs: these were definitely a surprise and highlight of the meal - all three of us don't typically go for deviled eggs, but seeing the other reviews had to give it a try. It was surprising how much the adobo flavor came through, and they were a delightful appetizer to start with! -sago: I got this drink and I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it was a refreshing, grass jelly tasting banana essence forward drink, with just a touch of sago sprinkled throughout - not as heavy since it wasn't chock full of sago, which I appreciated it -pancit palabok: I prefer palabok over spaghetti, so we definitely had to try this. The version here is less seafood flavor forward and more porky, but was delicious, saucy, and full of egg and shrimp. -tortang talong: the take here is almost like a twice baked potato style, and while interesting I'm not sure its my favorite - because the eggplant/egg is cooked inside the eggplant shell the inside gets a little watery? It's super tender and almost like an egg custard. We all loved the coconut/eggplant puree sauce at the bottom though. -lechon kawali: this was great lechon, and super crispy on all 4 sides - though some pieces were bordering on dry/tough on the bottom edge. I loved the generous amount of papaya/pickle salad to go with this, and the presentation was so pretty! -kare kare: this was also an interesting take, with the oxtail shredded up and made into a crispy croquette - it was pretty strange to us that the bones were included inside the croquette, and at some points we did accidentally bite into pieces of bone while eating this. The sauce was a lot thicker than expected, and the oxtail itself was a little dry and salty but didn't incorporate with the sauce well so it was a little difficult to eat. Really appreciated the veggies included with this though, since there weren't too many veggie options in the menu. -garlic rice: it was $3 extra to upgrade the rice that comes with the lechon and kare kare to garlic rice, but it's worth it - the rice was full of garlic and super fragrant :) -desserts: we got the ube creme brulee, which was super rich, creamy and full of real ube flavor, coffee for two (which was enough for 3.5 cups, and much needed to balance out the richness of the creme brulee), and the halo halo which was full of goodies, our favorite being the candied hibiscus flowers. Overall, carabao has some unique and creative spins on Filipino classics, but not all of them seemed to work. The prices are a little high, but honestly for the amount of food seem reasonable to me. It does seem to be aiming for a fine dining vibe, but landed closer to a mix of fine dining and brunch. I'm glad I gave it a try, and might consider coming again to try some of the other dishes with friends. read more

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Reservation system wasn't working when I tried to make a reservation yesterday. We arrived right after opening and were told by the hostess (who was rude and inattentive) that we couldn't be seated until 8:00 PM. Yeah, OK, we'll wait more than 8 hours for an overpriced meal served by rude staff. Yeah, no. They think they're special, but it didn't seem special enough AT ALL to warrant such ridiculousness! Also, side note, despite the owner's contention that it is clear that they are reservation only on the website - um, also, no! Here is what the website says: Reservations recommended -- walk-ins welcome as space allows. Carabao is an intimate, 12-table dining room with just 6 seats at the bar and 4 at the chef's counter. We recommend reserving ahead to ensure availability and to give our team time to prepare for your visit with the care and attention every guest deserves. read more

Came here with my family for dinner during our trip to Napa. We had a reservation and were seated without any issues. The interior strikes a nice balance between cute and casual dining. We started with a few small bites. The Deviled Egg Adobo (pickled egg in soy and vinegar, whipped egg mousse, crispy garlic) was excellent. I love deviled eggs, and this pickled version was especially delicious--my only complaint is that I couldn't have more than one (9/10). The Sisig Tacos (crispy pork sisig, shredded lettuce, sunny-side-up quail egg on a flour tortilla) had great flavor, and the quail egg was a standout. I do wish there had been a bit more sauce, as the taco leaned slightly dry, but overall it was still very good (8/10). We also ordered the Smoked Lemongrass Chicken Wings Inasal. I would've loved a stronger lemongrass presence, but the wings were juicy and well cooked (8/10). We had five people dining, and it was appreciated that each appetizer came with enough pieces for everyone to try. For a vegetable dish, we shared the Tortang Talong (stuffed charred eggplant, marinated cherry tomatoes, smoked coconut béchamel). I love a good eggplant dish, and this one delivered--creamy texture, great flavor, and the coconut béchamel paired beautifully with the tomatoes (9/10). The Crispy Kare Kare (oxtail croquette, tripe, coconut peanut sauce) was flavorful and unique. There was a bone inside the croquette, which was a bit unexpected and slightly off-putting--I wouldn't have anticipated that in a fried croquette without cutting into it first. That said, the coconut peanut sauce with curry was rich and added great depth, especially when paired with the garlic fried rice we ordered (8.5/10). We also had the Lechon Manok (half chicken, herb butter, roasted broccolini, carrots, chicken gravy). The chicken was well cooked, and I loved the simplicity of the roasted vegetables. The gravy, however, was the real star--absolutely delicious (8/10 for the dish, 10/10 for the gravy). We also tried the seasonal Black Winter Truffle Lugaw (ginger rice porridge finished with fresh shaved black winter truffles). It was a bit on the salty side but warm and comforting. I'm not sure I'd order it again, though the flavors were nice (7/10). Service was excellent. I loved the hand towels provided after the tacos. Such a thoughtful touch. We also received a full cutlery change between appetizers and mains, which really elevated the experience and made it feel more upscale. Prices are very reasonable for the quality and portion sizes. The food feels elevated yet homey, which is a perfect combination. read more

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The vibe of the restaurant was good, with dim lighting and some traditional Filipino decorations, but the food was a letdown. I really wanted to love it- the staff was nice and I was excited for the Filipino fusion- but for the price and the "fine dining" idea, it sadly didn't hit the mark. I'm glad I tried it but I won't be coming back. The kinilaw had a nice coconut cream, but the fish itself was way too fishy. The pork swekers lacked flavor and were surprisingly dry for being such a basic dish. Since they weren't serving kare kare that day, we opted for sisig instead. Unfortunately, it was also dry, and it lacked the signature citrus zing. It took around 30mins to come out while the other tables who sat down after us, were served first. The fresh lumpia was the highlight, and the desserts were a cool and delicious twist on the classics. read more

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It brings me so much joy that Filipino food is finally getting its representation and to have it in Napa of all places... it makes me so, SO happy! Michelin-trained, Chef Jade and her team here at Carabao definitely know what they're doing because I'm still dreaming about the meal I had here. This statement is going to get me in so much trouble, but it's better than my mom's cooking, oh snap-yep, I said it! ;) I absolutely love the small, cozy feel as soon as you walk in. There's a reason they primarily accept reservations because the restaurant is quite small. Not a good location for large groups. Customer service is on point. They were very accommodating for our party which included my 17 month old toddler that continued to throw things on the floor. To the wait staff working on Friday, 12/12 god bless you and your patience! Now let's get to business about the food. Y'all already heard me say it's better than my mom's cooking. So that statement within itself already says a lot. Being a Filipina, I went in with preconceived thoughts about the food, but also my standards were high because I eat this food all the time. Chef Jade truly elevates the flavors of each dish, while creating a very special dining experience. I think what made dining here just a little bit more special is the nostalgia of eating these dishes and the memories attached from when I was growing up. Peep my pictures for all the dishes my family and I experienced. These are all the dishes you need to try! So I'm just going to say that you need to schedule a reservation to eat here, ASAP. I can't wait for my next visit to Carabao, I need to try the other half of the menu. LOL. read more

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Have been hearing good things about Carabao so had to try it. Went with a friend for a late lunch. We shared the Adobo Deviled eggs, pork skewers, sizzling sisig and bistek with garlic rice. The eggs had a little of that great vinegar zing you are used to with Adobo; the pork skewers were tender and flavorful on their own, but adding the sauce added even more flavor and a bit of heat. The sisig was nice and crispy, with layers of flavor and texture; the bistek was flavorful with multiple layers of different onion preparations. The steak for me was too rare, and the pieces I had were filled with gristel, which took away from the experience for me. The calmansi drink and root beer were delicious. I would go back to try other items for sure. Service was amazing and the restaurant is bright and airy, if very small and can get noisy. read more

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We finally tried this fine dinning Filipino restaurant in Napa. Served family style, so we ordered several dishes. All the dishes were so good. The Chef took traditional Filipino dishes added her twist & elevated the taste with quality & fresh ingredients, but yet keeping the integrity of the dish so it kept the traditional taste of the dish. We truly enjoyed the appetizers, entrees & desserts. We wanted to try the Dinuguan, because we heard the way the chef cooks the dish you do not get the iron taste, which is why I never liked the dish. It was not on the menu when we were there because the menu changed, but will go back when it is. Menu Items do change periodically. I highly recommend making reservations. We had a res for 5:30 PM. There is a 2 Hr time limit for your dinner time. We assume it is because of the amount of reservations they have. By 6 PM the restaurant was filled. The staff were wonderful, very informative on the food & recommendations. The Host was the Chef's husband, very personable. There is no kids menu. Plenty of parking. read more

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Make sure you have a reservation! As a filipino looking for an enhanced experience with filipino food, Carabao is a must! The staff were so friendly from the beginning and the restaurant is very clean and cute. The food and drinks were elevated and overall delicious. I can't stop thinking about their sisig tacos and fresh lumpia already. I am looking forward to our next time here to try all the other food. read more

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Let me start by saying thank you and I'm proud of this restaurant. It's hard to find a filipino restaurant where other ethnicities go to. Let me start with the mains Beef Sinigang 5/5 really good sour and a little salty Sisig 4/5 It is good. I like the other version of sisig where they grill the meat instead of this version that is crispy Kare Kare 4/5 I am trying to like it but they fried the meat and made it croquet which Im sure will pass as fine dining but it made the dish too heavy. Also the sauce is too thick and hard to enjoy. This dish usually comes with shrimp paste but they dont offer it. So kinda lacks the experience of a true Kare Kare Adobo Deviled Egg 5/5 damn. This appetizer is sooo good. I was craving it when I woke up. Good thing we to go our left over and had it for breakfast lol Tupig 5/5 this dessert is so good. Good with black coffee. Highly recommend Cassava 4/5 it was good but too sweet with coconut curds. Fresh lumpia 4/5 it's good but heavily saturated with the sauce. I wish the inside did not have sauce because it became too much. It felt like it's no longer "fresh lumpia" Overall, I had a good experience. Will definitely back when we are in Napa. read more

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I went here on a weekend for lunch with reservations. I had actually never heard about this place until a few family members had brought it up since I was visiting Napa! What we ordered: Sisig Tacos 3/5 - might be a bit biased since I grew up eating really good sisig, but this one fell slightly short for me. The pork lacked some tang and seasoning and leaned sweeter than expected. The chicharron was a nice touch, though there was a bit too much crunch, almost like it was compensating for the pork. The quail eggs were cute, though! FYI it only comes with two tacos per order, so you may need to order more if you're dining with a larger group. Fresh Lumpia 3/5 - It was decent overall. The peanut sauce really carried the dish for me, but it was a little tricky to eat. Presentation was nice, although we were momentarily confused when it came out bc we weren't entirely sure it was what we had ordered at first. Dinuguan 4/5 - This was a really creative take on dinuguan. It captured the depth and flavors of the traditional dish but reimagined it in a way that felt fresh and impressive. Kind of like it was deconstructed. Visually, it's not what you'd expect, though the color and use of pork hint strongly at its roots. It was very vinegary and helped w the fattiness of the pork. Kare-Kare 4/5 - I'm always excited for a good kare-kare, and this one was definitely a reimagined take. The presentation immediately caught me off guard in a good way. The oxtail was formed into a crispy ball, paired with green beans, eggplant, bok choy, and crispy tripe. The sauce was lighter and less oily than traditional versions, with a noticeable coconut flavor. While I personally prefer a richer, more saucy kare-kare, this one felt more restrained. With your eyes closed, you might not immediately identify it as kare-kare, but the execution was thoughtful. The bone was easy to remove, the portion of meat was satisfying, and the crispy tripe was a unique and interesting addition I'd never had it prepared that way before. Overall, it was a great experience. Seeing Filipino food reimagined is always exciting, and it's nice to see our cuisine getting recognition. That said, the flavors feel more geared toward non-Filipino palates. I may be a bit biased since I grew up around incredible home cooks, but I can appreciate the chef's bold approach in presenting Filipino dishes in a way that's approachable and inviting for a wider audience. The service was a tiny bit slow but still polite. Small areas for seating but lots of parking. I didn't like nor love it, it was just a new experience for me! If you're looking for something different and creative, this is a great place to check out. If you're craving more traditional, rich, and bold flavors, homemade still wins. I'd still recommend trying it for yourself--everyone's experience is subjective, and it's worth forming your own opinion. read more

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Find it crazy that the best Filipino food outside of the Philippines I've ever had is this place in Napa. Was super impressed with everything we had here. My highlights of the meal were the adobo deviled eggs, the sisig and the pancit palabok. My friend who's never had Filipino food couldn't stop talking about how good the sisig was. I also had the lechón kawali, kare kare, lumpia and halo halo. Service was great throughout the meal and the place had a very energetic vibe to it. Will definitely be back read more

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We had a great experience! We ordered the lechon manok, sisig, smoked chicken wings, and a lychee pop. Everything was delicious so far. The lechon manok and the sisig was flavorful, and the smoked chicken wings were perfectly cooked. The service was excellent, team members was friendly, attentive, and welcoming. I also loved the ambiance. The music was great and relaxing vibe of the restaurant. If you're craving Filipino food, this place is definitely worth a visit. I recommend making a reservation. We'll definitely be back! read more

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New restaurant ‼ Napa needed this variety of food. The location is pretty cozy and decorated nice. The staff were very excited about their business and mostly attentive. The adobo deviled eggs were marinated in soy sauce and vinegar giving it that acidic adobo taste and the filling was a little more balanced in savory and acid. I would go back just for these! The spaghetti with wagyu hot dogs was delicious!!!! It is a sweet and savory dish. The oxtail was recommended but it was not something I liked due to the peanut sauce it was in. I also think deep frying it is excessive but my husband loved it though! Can't wait to come back with friend to try more things on the menu. read more

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Been hearing great things about a Filipino Eatery established in Napa Valley. It is in my 2025 bingo card and I was able to make it happen. Layout is simple and gives Filipino home vibes. Let us talk about starting with the Host amazing welcome to the place. We originally had 7pm reservation and requested to start at 5pm when they opened. Service is epic and great explanation of the menu. I ordered expresso martini to start off and the cocktail was made well. Deviled Eggs was good but I found the adobo too sour but overall great presentation. One of the best lumpias I had around. Tortang talong was well made but texture needs to be adjusted for me. Kare-kare was beautifully executed but do not expect bagoong it is not offered with it. I would wish for the kare-kare sauce to be cooked more the peanut flavor was strong. Sinigang was the best in terms of perfectly braised meat with soup and vegetables balanced it out. Atchara was too vinegary for my preference, maybe adjust the pickling? I think for people who want to experience Filipino food in fine dining style definitely stop by and try it out. Menu is seasonal and I would come back to try other offerings plus the wine pairings. read more

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Ambiance and service was good. My only comment is the food. I don't know if I'm biased because I'm filipino and I know how each food should taste like. I'm not sure too if the restaurant is a fusion. First, the beef of the Kare-Kare was perfect but my only problem is, it had coconut milk. Growing up, that's not how I'm used to. The Lumpiang Shanghai was perfectly cooked, but it was salty, same with the Pancit. The Sizzling Sisig was pretty basic. I was excited to try and support my fellow Filipino, but it was kind of underwhelming. read more

Carabao - Sizzling sisig, pancit guisado, lumpiang shanghai, crispy kare kare - Filipino Near Me - Napa, California

High end special occassion Filipino Fusion first of its kind casual low key Asian restaurant and staff with former experience in the French Laundry Kitchen. Special Occassion Dinner for two: 2 appetizers, 2 entrees a beer and non alcoholic drink and a shared dessert: $145 without tip added. It is a solid 4.8 ! Wish I could make this show up. Young Hard working staff attentive and accomodating. Passionate kitchen and culinary staff! ( especially the pink haired pastry chef trained at the CIA but of course we sat in front of her station ) Beautiful Presentation of food ;intentional and creative. The space is family friendly with small children welcome in the space. The menu is on a journey towards a foundational set signature menu according to the owners with consistency being one of the top goals. In my opinion the foundational items I would return for are 1. The coconut glutenous rice cake dessert and ice cream. I would increase the size of the rice cake so it is more of a brownie size. 2. The fresh seasonal striped sea bass in a citrus broth glaze and fresh vegetables is beautiful and clean tasting. Well balanced acid / sweet and umami 3. The pork sigsig taco appetizer is textural and fresh including veggies ; love that there is a bit of mild heat ( spicy) in this one My only suggestion would be to keep testing your foundational menu items so there is acid , sweet and umami balance. The textures also need to be balanced somehow. If there is a cream sauce it needs relief somewhere in the dish. Something fresh and bright...something sweet or acid to kick up the cream base that lacks dimension. Looking forward to seeing the staff grow learn and evolve and enjoying more meals here It can only get better every single day ! An Adventure awaits and I look forward to seeing the menu and crew keep evolving growing and creating together Thank you to the waitstaff and kitchen staff for the show today ! You are awesome! Such hard work so appreciated. We will be back read more

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Incredible food, Incredible service, Incredible ambiance. This is the best Filipino food I've ever eaten. Definitely make reservations, or you likely won't get in. Eat at the bar for a special experience viewing the chefs cook their amazing food. The bathroom is extremely clean and the servers ensure you have all you need to enjoy your evening. We tried the Lumpia, both fried and fresh, the Diniguan, the SigSig, and the Pancit, for dinner. For dessert, we tried the cassava cake and the ube crème brûlée. Everything was piping hot, eatable, and delicious. I will definitely be back. read more

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What a wonderful meal and experience we had at Carabao. The flavors are unique and so very tasty. Service is friendly and efficient. I highly recommend it. read more

Carabao - Adobo deviled eggs, lumpia, Kinilaw - Filipino Near Me - Napa, California

That garlic rice with pork belly Sisig hit close to home. I grew up eating Filipino food and the taste brought a very comfy and homey taste. The ox tail was alright, I would highly recommend garlic rice with pork belly. Delicious! The service was great - I had a good time conversing with our waiter. read more

Carabao - Filipino Near Me - Napa, California

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I have been wanting to try Carabao for the longest time. It's the first Filipino restaurant to open in Napa. It's led by Chef Jade Cunningham who used to work at The French Laundry. This dinner was a special Kamayan dinner, which seems to occur one weekend a month. "Kamay" means "hands" in Tagalog, so this dinner is where you get to eat with your hands. The tables were laid out with fragrant banana leaves to place the food on. I started off with the Calamansi Amerikano, which was an orange-based cocktail that was refreshing and full of citrus flavor. We started with adobo deviled eggs and sinigang, which were delicious. Sinigang is my favorite soup and this one had a strong tamarind flavor which I enjoyed. The second course was the seafood course, which had shrimp, mussels, clams, and a crab-fat fried rice to tie in all those briny flavors. The third course was the meat course. There were oxtail croquettes in a kare kare sauce, roasted lechon, roasted veggies, and of course lumpia! The lechon was dripping with fat and it was so crispy! Paired with the atchara and lechon sauce atop of rice was so nostalgic and satisfying. The lumpia was yummy and addicting. We had the baked cassava cake for dessert, which was chewy with a light sweetness from the caramel. And because we were celebrating my birthday, I was treated with an ube crinkle cake with cookies n cream ice cream. My mom wanted to say hi to Chef Jade and we're so appreciative she took the time to chat with us. It just added to the welcoming vibes we experienced throughout our time here. The only small hiccups were that when we asked for spoons, we were told we're supposed to eat with our hands... I guess he forgot that we had ice cream but that was quickly rectified by another server. And the seafood course was taken away a bit too quickly as my mom wanted the rest of the mango salsa that came with it. We had such a great time and we want to come back to try items from their regular menu. read more

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New restaurant in Napa Valley featuring Filipino cuisine. The staff greeted us warmly as soon as we walked in. The dining space isn't large but feels intimate and cozy, with about 12 tables plus a semi-private dining room for larger groups. The interior is modern, featuring a cheerful green-and-pink color theme that brightens the space. I also loved the lighting fixtures. With its open-kitchen concept, you can see the entire team busily preparing dishes from scratch. The menu is focused and family-style, encouraging guests to order a variety of dishes to share. We tried a few from each section, and every dish was beautifully presented and perfectly paced. As we savored each course, we could tell it was unlike the more traditional Filipino food I've had before. The chef and team drew inspiration from the flavors they grew up with, then added their own creative twists and refined techniques to make each dish modern and distinctive. Many of the ingredient combinations on the menu were so bold and interesting that I couldn't help but try them all. My favorite dish of the night was the Spaghetti -- handmade pasta with sweet Filipino-style Bolognese and Wagyu hot dogs. The noodle texture was spot on, and the sauce was absolutely addictive. The garlic rice was also incredibly fragrant -- I even mixed it with some of the spaghetti sauce, and it was delicious. It was a heartfelt dinner -- a wonderful way to experience Filipino culture and cuisine through the chef's vision and talent right here in Napa Valley. I'll definitely be back to try more dishes on my next trip to Napa. read more

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I've been wanting to try this place for months! Reservations are required. The place is small with only 12 tables, a bar section, and the kitchen section. We got there about 30 minutes early, but they set our table and sat us within a couple of minutes. We reserved the kitchen seating, which I highly recommend. There are only 4 seats in that area, so if you like watching the kitchen, grab those seats. I definitely appreciate the meal more watching them work. Everyone is a chef in the kitchen, which I thought was awesome! The kitchen runs so smoothly, and it's very clean. The food here is so good! It's not your typical Filipino food, but the flavors are there and turned up a notch. It was definitely very nostalgic. We shared many stories and memories as we ate the dishes. We ordered the fresh lumpia and kilawin for appetizers, kare kare and chicken lechon for our entrees, and cassava for dessert. We enjoyed everything! You can get a side of fish roe with the kare kare too. We didn't get it. I'll be coming back because I want to try their palabok and sinigang. Plus, the servers were very friendly and funny. The whole vibe is so warm, welcoming, and relaxing. It was a great experience. read more

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Snuk in on a week night because getting a res here is challenging. With so many new and highly praised restaurants in Napa popping up and showing as not so nifty it's nice to find one worthy of the praise. Carabao deserves all the praise. The service is top shelf, the ambiance pleasant and the food, wow the food! We started with the Pork Lumpia and Kinilaw which were a lovely balance of appetizers. The Kinilaw impressed with the smokiness of the fish melded with a creamy poisson cru style sauce. Loved it! Our mains were Sizzling Sissig a crispy fried pork delight that won the night for me with it's garlic forward flavors and Pansit done in a stew like manner that took this Filipino staple and lifted it to new heights. I can't wait to return and try their secret menu. They don't say they have a secret menu but ya, well, likely. Lol read more

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