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    Islas Filipino BBQ and Bar

    4.3 (102 reviews)

    Islas Filipino BBQ and Bar Photos

    Business Info

    ISLAS FILIPINO BBQ AND BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate

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    Recommended Reviews - Islas Filipino BBQ and Bar

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    Feast for 2 (can probably feed 3-4)
    Dilys C.

    Came here for a birthday dinner and we got 3 of the feast for 7 people. Note: it is a lot of food. Even though it is advertised for 2 people, you may need a third person to help you with the food! Food wise: I love the variety, the plating and the amount of food you get. The food taste good, however, some items came out colder than others (e.g. skewers). The food came out longer than expected but understandable since we ordered 3 of them. I like how the feast also comes with desserts! They were very accommodating, we were a large crowd and they even let us bring a cake. The restaurant is smaller than expected, I would recommend reserving. Overall, this place is a good option to try out kamayan feast!

    Sisig
    John P.

    We were able to get a reservation for 7 the same day on a Monday night at 7pm. The restaurant was crowded and all tables were taken. They took our orders and we got our food pretty quickly. They turned on the karaoke machine around 8pm and it was lively! The food is fantastic. I'm from the Bay Area, so I know good Filipino food and this was reallllyyyy good! The lumpia was rolled to perfection and the sisig was crispy and saucy. Both were perfect. Rating a 4 because they forgot to give some of our desserts multiple times. In the end, they gave us the last missing dessert but literally at the very end while we were leaving. I would definitely come back!

    Baget and garlic rice.
    Mandeq H.

    Absolutely delicious! Big portions that will leave you so full. The Sisig is one of the best meals I've had and the garlic rice is a must try. Cannot recommend enough!

    Filipino peanut slaw
    Alekhya M.

    We did a food hopping experience in queen west and stumbled across this place accidentally. We saw that they're reviewed very well. So wanted to give it a try. We had their peanut slaw which was a very generous portion and it tasted great too. Lacked seasoning but once we added salt, it turned out really delicious. The ambiance is very cosy. I really wanted to try red horse beer which is very popular in Philippines but they were out. I can't wait to come back and try other items. For those who eat meat, looks like the meat platter is a good option. Lots of people were ordering that..

    Drinking my night away!  Yay!
    Peter M.

    A Korean, Japanese, and a Chinese guy walks into a Filipino Restaurant... and... that's all I got! AND I'm being serious! An All Asian night - it's like a production of Crazy Rich Asian - LOL! Before heading to the Snow Magic YEE (that's on another review - brace yourself Winter is Coming ..LOL), we needed some eats. When you have a Foodie Influencer, Media Influencer, and a Chef, trying to figure out where to go, it's gonna be difficult to find a place. The food needs to be excellent, the place needs to be trendy, and must be Chef approved. Well, Islas it is... I haven't been to a great Filipino place as there are just a handful of them downtown. This was recommended by our Chef dude, so food must be great. I wonder if it will be a hole in the wall, especially where it is located - media guy might have an issue. ;P OK... I'm gonna say, this place ticks all the boxes. It's a beautifully decorated, the food is deliciously plated, and Chef Marc Bonaventura knows how to cook. We had the Lechon Wings to start, some brews, and the Chef Tasting Menu. The tasting menu was the BOODELI 'TWO' !!!! :D Whole fish snapper, chicken bbq, bagnet crispy pork belly, short ribs, baked empanada, lumpia crispy spring rolls, peanut slaw salad, fruits, garlic fried rice and dessert served on banana leaves. We are going Kamayan!!! For those who do not know, don't look it up! Go and get some. If you go Kamayan, you never come back to utensils - LOL! A great night of food and friends! CHEERS!

    Matt W.

    I've been coming here for years, and am happy to say the food and beverages are consistently great. Although I wasn't able to snap a photo this time, the Boodle Fight option (massive feast served on banana leaves) is a great option, but the meat skewers (chicken and pork for us) were ridiculously amazing. The staff continue to be attentive despite being consistently busy and packed. The drink specials are also a great option if you haven't quite decided on what to try but you're in the mood for cocktails. All-in-all, I am happy to keep recommending this place as it hasn't disappointed yet.

    Entrance patio
    Carolyn S.

    Easy to get to by streetcar. The group table in the front & friends already waiting for us made me smile. Islas proprietors Marielle & Marc warmly welcomed us! Our dinner get together was planned by our mutual friend, and if y'all don't know, Filipinos love to share and host friends , especially around food! The food!! We ordered the tasting menu Boodeli Two! Tasty slaw, pancit, BBQ, and fried fish... The chicken inasal! The tofu & mushroom sisig! The lechon! The kalbi beef! The pancit palabok! The halo halo! I'm not a descriptive foodie, but I know that this food elevated my dining experience with new friends. My recommendation is not only to go to Islas to enjoy great food, but also go there to nourish yourselves in community. Gather there with people you love! Suggest this as a destination to gather new and old friends. We even had our mutual friend join us via video while he was traveling! We'll be back, Islas! Maraming salamat sa masarap na sarap ng pagkain. Check out their socials & make your reservations now.

    Ukoy Salad
    Manny L.

    Ukoy salad was tasty and snappy, especially with the fried sweet potato and onion adding great texture to the leafy greens. Sesig was steaming hot and a must pick. Service was a bit lacking, and interior was super dark but hip. Music selection was a bit all over the place. Would come back again.

    $1 oysters on Tuesdays
    David Y.

    Best boodle box in the city, hands down. Islas came late to the kamayan kit game, but the wait was so worth it. Pricier than other boodle box offerings at $75, it for sure makes up for it in terms of: - Taste and quality: Their escabeche fish is a luxury offering as far as boodle boxes go; their variety includes empanada and buko (coconut) pie to go along with the usual staples of chicken bbq, crispy pork and lumpia; and all of this now done to their usual taste level of elevated authentic Filipino food - While they say it's for 2-3 people, my wife and I found we can easily have it soread over 2 meals (and even 3 if we're not hungry)... so it's really for 4-6 people, making it on par price-wise with the smaller boxes Overall, another hit offering from Islas. Will definitely keep ordering until we finally get the chance to dine in person.

    Sisig
    Michelle T.

    Visited on a Wednesday night, they had $1 chicken wing specials every Wednesday! Ordered the sisig and chickens to start, I ordered the kare kare and friend ordered the bbq chicken. For the Wednesday chicken wing special, the minimum order is 6 pieces and you must eat it all at the restaurant to not be charged the regular full price! The wings were meaty and tasty, it said it was a little spicy, so we got the sauce on the side. It was spicy but it would be fine if you don't eat the chilli. My friend said the sisig was a good dish, however it was more on the tangy side for my liking. The sisig was many parts of pork all chopped up and it's topped with a raw egg that you should mix in on the hot plate. My friend got the bbq chicken and the presentation was pretty cool, but in terms of flavour it was okay, nothing stood out, flavours were not to my liking. I got the kare kare, it was a peanut sauce with some veggies like string beans, eggplant and bok choy, and of course pork belly! This was my first time trying kare kare, and it was AMAZING! I love the sauce, it was perfect with rice, and I can imagine it being delicious with noodles as well. The pork belly was on the smaller portion side but super crispy and fatty! Both of the bbq chicken and kare kare dish came with unlimited rice refills. I would definitely come back and try the apps as they sound more tasty than the mains, and I would try their heavily reviewed seafood dish as well. Maybe next time I'll grab some cocktails as well!

    Cassie C.

    From the BBQ skewers to the halo halo, every dish we ordered was amazing. Not only were they quick to prepare our to-go order, but the staff was very friendly too! I will happily visit them again, and hopefully they'll be open for dine-in so I can experience that.

    Pork BBQ: Sweet calamansi BBQ marinated pork served on a skewer with grilled veggies and rice.
    Kevin G.

    There aren't a lot of Filipino food places downtown, especially once's that have sit down service. And although Islas is quite far from downtown proper, the trek is well worth. My friends and I walked kilometres on a day where the TTC was not working and it was pouring rain: but everyone agreed that the food was spectacular. As a Filipino, this is the best Filipino food in the city. The ambience was absolutely amazing. The service from the tita's made me feel like I was back home. Everyone should come here. Islas is an absolute gem.

    Sisig - delicious!
    Sofi N.

    We were just strolling in the area after visiting High Park and looking to go snack-hopping. Was instantly captivated by this resto as we walked by. Ambiance is nice lounge-y chic-y island-y hipster-y. I've only ever been to family diner style filipino resto so it was kinda cool to see a filipino restaurant as a lounge bar. Sat at the bar as the place was busy and we just wanted quick bite (although a table cleared out soon and they invited us to move over, but i was ok with the bar). Ordered the sisig ($17) and some beers. The sisig was delicious, savoury, had a good medley of flavours and kick. Portion was perfect for me and bf to have a satisfying snack. Would def come back to try other things. Staff was friendly and accommodating. Cool place!

    Halo halo (to-go)

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    2 years ago

    The food is absolutely incredible!!! I'm very lucky to have this restaurant in the neighbourhood!!!

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    2 years ago

    it was pretty good although a little oily for my liking. halo halo dessert was rly good. pricier than most

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    I just loved my experience here. The food, people. What a vibe. Must try for all. Thx

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    Islas Filipino BBQ and Bar - filipino - Updated July 2026

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