Karen A.

Filipino restaurant with vibe and unique drinks and dessert. Food: If you've had Filipino food before, you'll know that they really like their meat. Malaya is one of the rare restaurants with vegan options. While the prices are a little high for the portion sizes and I found the vegan pancit to be a bit basic, I really enjoyed the halo halo. I did not get drinks, but everything that was coming out from the bar looked delicious. Service: Friendly staff, relatively fast service. Ambience: I was impressed by how nice the space is. The indoor area feels a little cramped, but there's a spacious patio area. Even though it's in the Wells district, parking was pretty easy. Overall, Malaya is worth a visit if you love everything ube.

Marissa S.

Malayà Eats Restaurant This is a review for my dining experience at Malayà Eats. Malayà Eats is a restaurant specializing in Filipino cuisine. Malayà means "free" in Tagalog. As artists specializing in cooking, they named it Malayà because they have freedom in creating Filipino dishes with their own unique twists. Website: https://malayareno.com WORDS TO DESCRIBE MALAYÀ EATS: Comfort food, elevated Filipino dishes, taste of home, savory meat dishes paired with rice, filling, hug in every bite, tropical, sunshine, flavorful DISHES: My favorite dishes were the 1)Crispy "Kare Kare" Pata- Crispy Pata- Deep fried pork leg (Pata) Kare Kare is a stew with peanut sauce and various vegetables, such as eggplant, bok choy, and green beans This dish is very filling and delicious 2)Chicken Curry: curry with potatoes, carrots, very rich and flavorful 3)Pork sisig: chopped pork with citrus and chilies We also ordered pork adobo, which was well marinated and excellent as well DRINKS: Guada Slaycation: sweet and tropical SERVICE: Staff and service were exceptional. They were all knowledgeable about the dishes served and were attentive to our table. DECOR: I loved the decor of the restaurant. The ambience was very warm and inviting. Right when I stepped in I was immersed in Filipino culture. The natural materials of bamboo, rattan, abaca, and wood made it homey and beautiful. I loved the display of fans, woven items, cooking tools, and books. I was reminded of my family back in the Philippines. CLOSING: All in all I had a wonderful experience eating at Malayà Eats! I am looking forward to dining there again! Thank you Titas, Titos, Ates and Kuyas for serving and creating such delicious dishes! Masarap na Masarap!

Gail R.

I think this is the only full-service Filipino restaurant in the Northern Nevada region. Please, correct me if I'm wrong because I'd love to try another spot. Drove all the way from Genoa to satisfy some cravings. Got there on a Monday afternoon and it was packed! We were able to get a table outside which was fine. We ordered a number of items: - Pork Adobo - Vegetable Lumpia - Pork Pansit - Crispy Pata - Chicken Lumpia - Tofu Sisig - Ube Creamsicle (drink) - Asim Kilig (drink) - Halo Halo Service was struggling that day. It took over 20 minutes just to receive our lumpia gulay. And that took us 30 seconds to eat. Probably another 10 min before the main dishes appeared. And even by the time we got them, they were lack luster. The main gripe is that majority of the savory dishes lacked UMPH! The dishes were bland, not with just salt, but with flavor. Filipino food is very savory and full of umami that you need that rice to balance it out. I can't say any of the dishes other than the crispy pata possessed any of that. Of all the dishes we got that could have been the star, was the Tofu Sisig. This was my fave, but needed so much more of that mayo. The dish was dry. I ended up dipping the tofu in the sawsawan that came with the crispy pata. Another detail that bugged me was that we ordered their vegan pansit, but requested to add pork to it. Instead of having small bite sized pieces of pork that you can pick up with your fork and have noodles, veggies, and protein in one bite, they just topped it with the same huge chunks of pork they use for their adobo. The dish was difficult to eat and I felt the ratio of noodles to veggies/protein were off. In other words, it was more veggies/protein than noodles. For some positives, the mocktails we got were good. And I particularly enjoyed the Halo Halo. I believe they used coconut milk and/or regular milk in place of evaporated milk. It was much lighter in texture, less rich, and much less sweet compared to a traditional one which I very much appreciated. I also got subtle hints of lemongrass in there too which was such a great touch. I typically feel bloated from all the sugary sweetness of a typical Halo Halo and I never finish it, but theirs was light and refreshing - i finished the whole thing. Service was polite, but despite that they were busy that day, I don't think there is an excuse to get a deep fried appetizer, that only contained 3 pieces, 20+ minutes after it's ordered and then have another 15 or so minutes to receive the main dishes. The only way I would go back is if someone wanted to try it and I would just tag along. I would not come back on my own accord.

Drake R.

First visit to the new brick and mortar location! Absolutely incredible, great work Malayà team. It's awesome to see that Reno is growing up. The Pork Adobo was out of this world and that Ube cocktail was super fun. Pancit was great, Lumpia was great, and I appreciated the special crash course on how to eat Beef Kare Kare for the first time with the Shrimp Paste. Let me tell you, no matter how you feel about seafood and new things, get the shrimp paste... that was bomb.

Jim G.

Ok, so I can't say the food was 5 Stars, but it was REALLY good and served a last minute food need just 5 blocks from my house in Midtown, Reno. Open only four months now they already have a bit of a following and I hope they become successful. Family owned and run businesses always get that extra Star. Loved seeing the two young daughters running around smiling (and helping, of course ) Thank you Joye, for giving me guidance on the food and making me a fabulous drink! The Ube-TTer Rum drink was a highlight. Not overly sweet and just the right amount of alcohol. Managed to only have one, but on a really hot day?? Watch Out! For dinner I went the non traditional route of appetizers and sides. I started with an order of the Chicken Lumpia, which turned out to be my favorite thing. Light, fresh, crispy with a fabulous dipping sauce. Next came the Pork Barbecue and it was excellent, especially as my Garlic Rice followed immediately and they made a fantastic pair. I will definitely return with an appetite and work the menu. The ambience is somewhat simple but classy and comfortable. I sat at the bar and chatted with Joye and enjoyed just a really nice and relaxing meal. This place will really get cooking as we head into summer and people can enjoy the expansive and inviting outdoor seating. I could tell from observing, the vibe is awesome, the staff is friendly and attentive and there was always a smile to greet you. I wish them much success and will follow up with more updates on the food as I will return soon. Cheers, JimG

Kit A.

Unfortunately, my third time at Malaya Eats was very different from previous visits. The lumpias were bland and anemic looking; the dipping sauce was fine, but without it the lumpia wouldn't have any flavor. We sat outside for the first time and it was a hassle to order food and drinks because you have to order through an app. All the food came at different times so my food was cold by the time my friends food arrived. The drinks took a very long time because there was only one bartender. The person who was helping deliver food to the table tried to deliver food that other tables ordered multiple times to our table. It seemed she didn't know the table numbers and it was nearly impossible to identify the table number since the wringing is so small on the QR code display card used to order online. They seem to be understaffed because it seemed everyone's food was taking a while to be delivered. Every time we needed anything we had to call the one server manning the outdoor seating area. My drink was slightly sweeter than the last time. I didn't mind it too much because it was still very good. The employees seemed tired or irritated. They were trying to put on smiles, but they definitely looked a bit down. More so than the last time I was there. The owners have been working pretty much every time I visited and they always seem very welcoming and friendly. I will give it another try, but based on my last visit I am not sure I would seat outside again.

Roy M.

Tried Malaya Eats at the farmers market and went with the tapsilog ($18+). Let's start with the positives: the tapa portion was actually pretty solid, and both the rice and egg were cooked well. Flavor-wise, it hits the basics you'd expect. That said, the value just isn't quite there. For the price, the portion felt a bit underwhelming overall. The atchara was especially skimpy, which is a miss since it helps balance the richness of the dish. I also wish it came with two eggs, pretty standard for tapsilog and would've made it feel more complete. Biggest letdown: no vinegar available. That tangy contrast is kind of essential with tapa, so not having it really took away from the experience. Not a bad plate by any means, but for $18+, I expected a bit more attention to the details that make tapsilog shine. Solid effort, but definitely room to improve.

Kirby D.

Being Indonesian and married into a Filipino family, I think I know Filipino cuisine. Malaya is a great option if you want authentic dishes but don't want to wait for your Mom or your Auntie to cook for you. Lechon, or roast pork, is defined by the balance of crispiness of the skin, the tenderness of the meat and just the right amount of fat. I must say the lechon at Malaya is one of the consistently great Lechons I have ever had. Top shelf. Pork Adobo, a perrenial in any Filipino feast, requires a balance of flavor and tenderness. One without the other and the dish quickly becomes a "meh". For me, the pork Adobo at Malaya was a meh. The flavor was there but the meat could have been simmered longer to really pull out the tenderness. It wasn't terrible, it just wasn't great. The Caldereta was quite good as well. The blend of flavors was on point. The potatoes and carrots were cooked perfectly and the beef was tender and rich with flavor. For my taste, I would preferred the "gravy" to be a bit thicker, but that is probably just a personal preference. Set in Reno's Mid-Town, Malaya has a great location, with great indoor seating but a magical outdoor patio seating area. Can't wait to come back to enjoy the patio in Reno's warm summer evenings. If you are looking for authentic Filipino dishes, Malaya is a solid option.

Lori H.

This place is wonderful! My husband and I came here because we love Filipino food. We are so pleased with this place and can't wait to go back. We didn't have reservations so we sat at the bar, which was really nice. This used to be Von Bismarck so the inside pretty much the same. It's modern, industrial vibe to it. Our waitress, Joye was also the bartender. Which was handy so we could talk with her and ask questions about everything. We ordered drinks and an appetizer and then our food which came out quickly. My husband got the pork adobo and I got sizzling pork sisig. I wanted to finish but I was getting full and I wanted to save room for their halo halo for dessert. We ordered it and I finished that... We met Arron who I'm not sure but I believe he's the owner. He was very excited about the restaurant and what's coming. Very friendly people! I highly recommend this place.

Yvette R.

These reviews are never fun for me to write, but feedback always leave opportunity for improvement. We went during lunch time of what appeared to be UNR's graduation date. Definitely wanted to sit outside but due to spacing we were told we could sit along the window high seat area. I had been super excited to come here since it had opened. My friend and I ordered the chicken lumpia and I went with the Chicken Barbecue. Similar to another establishment the chicken was full of fatty pieces, I ended up trying to take bites for protein and fullness but ended up with a togo container which ended up getting tossed. It took a long while for the wait staff to come our way and my friend's plate took twice as long. She ordered the Tapsilog and was gracious enough to share which I truly did enjoy, I noticed they had some tasty desserts so if I make it back I would definitely try a dessert. Perhaps during happy hour one day. I did really enjoy the Bayabas Fizz which consisted of Guava and Sparkling water. I wouldn't mind coming back to give it another try, but spending $30 for a lunch where I left hungry and dissatisfied was not the business.

Lisa L.

Went for the Kamayan, delicious! Variety of delicious food served on banana leaves. You eat the meal with your hands. It also comes with unlimited soup and rice. Must make reservations in advanced for this feast. Ube dessert and drink were great too. Very friendly service, thank you for the wonderful meal!

Russ M.

You know the minute walking in this is a family affair, staff are all friendly, caring about each patron's needs and it's obvious everything is prepared with love. Why then only 4 stars? The pork barbecue was overcooked making it tough & chewy. The Pancit Vegan was excellent! The pork sinigang broth was lacking depth and the pork had huge amounts of fat on it, the garlic fried rice & steamed rice were both cooked perfectly and finally for dessert the Ube and egg pies, both were delicious. Some of these issues may stem from having never tried Filipino food? Overall a very tasty experience! We will return especially once the menu expands from the limited "Soft Opening" selections.

Rae G.

So happy to finally have another Filipino restaurant in Reno! This has been sorely lacking in the community! I'm also glad to hear that this started as a food truck, so that's means they've been working their way up to have a brick and mortar location! The ambiance here is so chill and has an open air feel. They have ample space for outdoor events but their indoor dining space is on the smaller side so reservations are probably a must. However we were able to be seated at the bar area which was perfectly ok. I love how their decor has traditional Filipino touches but still has a modern feel. They're still in their soft opening era, so the menu is limited. But we were able to try a good chunk of their menu: Kare Kare, Tapsilog and Tofu Sisig. Kare Kare is a beef stew in peanut sauce, but it's not like Thai peanut, it is more creamy I think. The Tapsilog is more of a breakfast item since it is beef with egg and rice, but it still works for dinner. I would say that the Tapsilog meat is soft and tender, but more on the thinner side. But my favorite was the Tofu Sisig, which is basically a tofu skillet. I was shocked that this was my favorite because I usually order the pork version of this, but they had some creamy sauce on it that made me like it better! Of course we had to get dessert: egg pie, ube pie and ube gelato. The staff was able to inform us that they proudly partnered with other local businesses to provide us with these desserts. I believe it was Silver State Pie Co. who learned how to make the ube and egg pies and Bibo's supplied the gelato. And all were surprisingly good and nearly authentic! The pies were on the tougher side, but I suppose it could just be due to the need to refrigerate them. The ube gelato was verrry close to sorbetes, which is the ice cream in the Philippines. I also have to stop and talk about the friendly staff. This is a family owned business and everyone pitches in to help, including the children! Our food also came very quickly, so that just shows how hard working the staff is. We were welcomed with a smile and left with smiles, carrying a bit of knowledge about the new business that was blooming in front of us. I'm so excited to see how Malayà Eats grows