Both the food and service at this restaurant were outstanding! Visited twice this summer, and so far enjoyed every dish we've had. Our overall favorite so far was the tiger prawns, but the adobo rice, red snapper & baby shrimp, and kinilaw were all delicious too. Planning to come back again soon to try the lechon pork belly. Tina is an excellent manager that sets a high standard for customer appreciation! read more

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Had a nice dinner here and got the restaurant week menu. We had the pork and KFC appetizer. The pork was delicious, grilled very nicely and the sauce was tangy. I wish there was more! The KFC was crispy and came with some sauce. The chicken tasted just okay, nothing too special. For mains we had the kare kare and pancit kabute noodles. The beef in the kare kare was very tender, the bok coy was crisp, and the eggplants were cooked just right. It came in a peanut stew and it just wasn't for me. The noodles were fabulous, they were saucy, flavorful, with the right amount of heat. Dessert was a buko pandan which had small chunks of coconut flesh and was good. The leche flan came with an egg cream which was good but the flan was way too sweet. Service was okay and it took a minute for the food to come out. There seems to be a good amount of seating inside. It is nice and cozy and thank goodness for tables big enough to fit the dishes. read more

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We both ordered and loved the classic Filipino platter. I ordered the fried fish version, which was excellent (had some bones, so watch out), and was worth the extra $6. I tried some of and enjoyed my partner's pork longannisa as well. All the other things that came in the platter was great as well, the vegetables, bone broth, and the egg on rice. I enjoyed the lumpiang gulay that we ordered as well, and the sauce that came with it that gave it a bit more punch. Our server was great, explained the dish, talked to us a bit after the meal, which was nice. Would love to come back to try their dinner menu sometime! read more

Naks - Lumpiang gulay - Filipino Near Me - New York, New York

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Came here with the family for an early Sunday dinner. Great selection of food to choose from. The highlight from my end is the Ube cheesecake. Must. Have. If you are an ube fan. The fried chicken was also delicious- coupled with garlic fried rice. So good. The lechon plate was also good but pretty steep at $85. Will defo come back here and order the basic things like fried chicken and fried garlic rice! Oh and the ube cheesecake of course! read more

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Came here today for a birthday lunch and was quite surprised! The ambience was cozy and staff were accommodating and friendly. We ordered a bunch of things to share between the 6 of us and everything was so yummy. My favorite is the Pancit Batil Patong and the crab omelette. The cocktails were all delicious except the peach Bellini (too strong for me and not your usual brunch type of peach Bellini) Wouks definitely come again to try the rest of the menu. My friend said they only release reservations 7 days ahead so you will have to keep an eye out when making reservations. read more

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Everything about our dining experience at Naks for dinner was amazing! We came to celebrate a friends birthday, and all the dishes were amazing. The staff and servers were helpful for choosing dishes, and so friendly and funny. Our server Charlie was the best! For dishes we tried: -Kare Kare (beef cheeks): This was my favorite dish. The peanut sauce was subtle and not overpowering and the beef was so tender. The eggplant and bok choy were good compliments too. -Kanto Fried Chicken: Second favorite dish. The chicken was juicy and tender and the breading had good flavor. It wasn't too overly fried and they served it with a spicy sauce. -Adobo Rice: This dish was so delicious and the pork belly skin was nice and crunchy. Some pieces of meat in this felt a little too fatty but it did add nice flavor to the rice. -Ginataang Alimango (crab): This was a good dish to try as someone who's never eaten crab as a curry dish. You don't get big chunks of crab in this, but it's a nice rich smooth curry sauce with pieces of crab simmered in. -Flan: A bit of a denser flan with the perfect texture and flavor. This was my favorite dessert. -Ube cheesecake: Such a cute presentation and also delicious! Can't go wrong with either dessert. -Purple yum drink: Non alcoholic drink that I thought was okay. It was too sweet for my liking, but had good flavor Would definitely come back again! read more

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3.5! This review is for the restaurant week deal of 3 courses for 45. We opted to skip the drinks for our meal and went right to the food. My starter of the lumpiang hubad was AMAZING. My favorite dish of the entire meal which surprised me. I was confused when we brought out lettuce to make a lettuce wrap since the app was literally just beans but O M G, I understand why. The peanut sauce on the beans was so rich and flavorful and the crunchy combination of the long beans, jicama, and lettuce was refreshing. I would eat anything in that peanut sauce. My boyfriend got the Kanto Fried Chicken which he enjoyed very much. Personally, I thought it was a little oily but I also don't eat much fried chicken. The meat was well cooked and you cut through it so easily. The garlic aioli was a nice touch and the chicken was crunchy however I couldn't get over feeling oily. He liked it. For my main, I got the pancit kabute. It reminded me of carbonara with an asian flair. I personally don't like carbonara and didn't grasp from the description that it would taste like it so I wasn't the biggest fan. My boyfriend got the lechon belly which was sooooo crispy and tender. He was very happy he got that. For dessert, I got the leche flan and he got the buko pandan. I didn't like the flan at first because of the texture but as I ate more of it I grew to really like the caramel sauce combined with the vanilla flan. I was glad I chose that as the dessert! My boyfriend liked the buko pandan because of the coconut taste and jelly texture. I personally was not a fan of the jelly texture. Our wait staff was great and we were seated at the front of the restaurant which was decorated nicely. If I were to come back, I would definitely want to try the adobo rice. Just didn't get it this time because of restaurant week! read more

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We came here on a Saturday with no reservation, the host was able to seat us quickly at opening hours. We were told that walk-ins were only permitted 1 hr 15 min to dine, which was completely fine. The restaurant was very cozy and lively. The Inihaw na Liempo was flavorful, not too salty-- the pickled veggies and sauce (with a slight kick) paired well with it. The pancit was quite good, though it was a bit too heavy for me. Coconut crab was very aromatic and flavorful. The highlight was definitely the ube cheesecake though! It was the perfect balance of texture and sweetness. The ube cheese foam balanced the sweetness of the filling and the graham crust tied it altogether. read more

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One of my top places I tried in 2025! Everything here is so well crafted and intentional, that I just want to tell you to try it for yourself. The ube mocktail, every ingredient just worked in perfect tandem. The pancake was fluffy, buttery, and the salted egg yolk was not overpowering. 10/10 would come back read more

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Had an incredibly delicious meal at Naks. Was able to easily make a reservation and I loved the vibe inside. Service was friendly and quick. Enjoyed the different types of beers and that they're uniquely crafted for the restaurant. We ordered the KFC (Kanto Fried Chicken), Adobo Rice, Pancit Batil Patong, and Ginataang Alimango (Dungeness crab). We ate up every bit of everything! The chicken was perfectly crispy and still juicy. The adobo rice is mandatory. I would get it again and again and again. Really enjoyed the noodles as well, and the Dungeness crab! The crab had plenty of big meaty bites. We were stuffed at the end of the meal but couldn't stop ourselves from finishing every bite. Very much looking forward to another visit! read more

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On my mission to experience Filipino food in different regions, here is what this place had to offer. AMBIANCE: Parking: Street parking is available, but welcome to NY, where parking is almost hard to find. It's best to carpool, ride-share, or take the subway. Seating: Inside seating includes general walk-in areas, and for larger groups or those serving a multiple-course meal, there is seating in the back. There's probably room for about 100 people. Vibes: Welcome to East Village! It has a nice bohemian vibe with all the eclectic art and culture here. The spot itself is pretty neat. I enjoy the vibrant aesthetics of the colors, art, and creativity of using bilao (Filipino baskets), and some nods to Filipino history, even the background music is Filipino! It's a great place for some comforting Filipino food, from your familiar dishes to some elevated bites! FOOD: Ambaboy (Recommend) If you're a bourbon person, this is for you. I'm not too much of a bourbon fan, but that lechon fat got me intrigued. Pay attention to the flavors, and you may notice citrus flavors from the lemongrass and the sweetness from the Filipino dark rum. Kanto Fried Chicken (KFC) - (Recommend) Deelicious! This chicken pops! from that spicy kick, calamansi tang, and the crunchiness from evaporated milk and cornstarch. For something familiar with a Filipino twist, go for this! Inihaw na Liempo (Recommend) This should be a familiar flavor for many Filipinos. Nothing like home-cooked Filipino barbecue. Well-cut slices of pork belly, filled with sweet and citrus flavors noticeable from the lemon soda and banana ketchup. Isda (Fish) - (Recommend) The fish of the day was a red snapper, and they delivered it in a Bicol Express (sauced in coconut cream). A simple form of Bicol Express with a good portion of sweet coconut milk, shrimp, peppers, and based on rice. CUSTOMER SERVICE: We were served by Kenneth. He was a cool and friendly dude. TL; DR OVERALL: 4.5. Amazing! Good comforting food, reasonable prices for its quality, and a pleasant ambiance. This is a great place whether you're new to Filipino food or coming back for more. I enjoyed the balance of familiar flavors and creative mixes to it. Props to Chef Eric Valdez and the Naks team, wish them all the best! #FilipinoFoodMovement TIPS: * They have various menus (brunch, dinner, multiple courses), if you're looking for the multiple-course experience, then be sure to RSVP ahead of time * Naks means cool or nice in Filipino - Tagalog! read more

Naks - Woooo! - Filipino Near Me - New York, New York

Brunch food and service was wonderful I recommend. Omelet had wonderful flavors it came with toast and dried shrimp paste I would get again. The platter also great flavors nice portion. Pancakes delicious crispy edges and lovely sauce. Sampler cocktails really enjoyed the calamasi and ube smooth to drink the peach bellini were very strong. Server was friendly, sweet and fun. Went for dinner service not a great experience idk if the server was new but she added things to our order that we didnt order,we ordered the pork belly platter for 2 it wasn't available and didnt find out for a while after ordering. The same calamasi drink wasn't as refreshing. The chicken app was good and the pork belly app was good. The server also got the placements of food and drinks wrong and was very out of it. Not sure if I would return for dinner considering how expensive it is it didnt live up to the pricing but brunch was pleasant and I recommend. read more

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This review is for dinner. Overall, I enjoyed some dishes more than others. But I thought the menu was unique and I think it's worth checking out and would just consider switching out some dishes for others next time. Ambiance: restaurant is casual (you can come wearing literally whatever), but it still feels nice and lively. They play upbeat Filipino music like rap. Could be a fun friend dinner or even a date night. Food: recommend family style. I ordered the below for two people and it was too much. -Lumpiang Gulay: veggie spring rolls. Comes with 2. I would pass on this - they were lacking in flavor and quite greasy. However the sauce it comes with is great and I added it to almost every other dish. -KFC: yes. Just order. Crispy, succulent, and flavorful. It's a good portion, so good to share. -Pancit Batil Patong: good portion size, easily could share with 4 people. Personally I didn't love the flavor, but this was a personal preference. -Adobo Rice: good portion size again. I really enjoyed this. I added the sauce from the spring rolls and it was delish. -Ginataang Alimango: unique, rich and deep flavor. Also goes well with the adobo rice. Portion is a bit on the smaller size though so would recommend 2 orders for groups of 4 or more. -Atchara: side of pickled green papaya. What you'd expect, but it was a nice accompaniment with all the dishes. -Divinas Greens: again, nothing crazy. What you'd expect, but a nice side dish for some extra greens. read more

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I do not get why this place is so popular, I decided to give it a chance since everyone been raving about it and it was beyond average than one could imagine and I really love having Filipino food. The service also was discombobulated so you can feel there was no real rhythm in how they worked. And if they are trying to be upscale that was a hard miss. And finally the ambiance was alright it's just a long narrow restaurant, which does the job didn't feel too special and feeling again very average. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here unless you can literally just walk in. read more

My boyfriend and I had 9pm Friday reservations, and I'm so glad we made reservations, because the place was packed! I see why it's so popular though, everything was fantastic. The food, the service, the ambiance- 10/10. We started with drinks- Parusang Hapon and Para Sa Paborito Kong Apo (super instagramable). Delish! We ordered veggie spring rolls. The vinegar sauce was the star. I had the Ginataang Alimango (dungeness crab) and my boyfriend had the fish of the day which happened to be red snapper. Both tasted very home made (compliment). Very authentic food. I'll absolutely return. read more

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The cheese foam tasted sour like it was turned. Server said that's normal but I've never had cheese foam like this before.

im so glad i got to try this restaurant in new york!! i was especially wanting to go here for brunch and made a reservation online. they were able to seat me a little earlier than my time which i am grateful for. we ordered a few of the apps. the sinigang fries were perfectly crispy and seasoned. the veggie lumpia was fresh and crispy. the pandesal was soft and fluffy. the main entrees were the crab omlette which was exploding with familiar coconut ginger flavor. the fried bangus platter had a generous sized fish and delicious sides and garlic rice. the drinks were strong and very well crafted, my favorite was the ube! kinda reminded me of a ube float. overall thus place did not disappoint and would come back whenever im in new york! read more

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Service here was excellent! Waitress was incredibly hospitable. She made our experience absolutely wonderful. Very patient with us and informative on the menu. Staff was attentive. They have complimentary peanuts in salt and garlic. These were seriously addictive. I could have easily eaten a pound of these. The garlic bits on the nuts were perfectly crispy. Exactly what I shoot for Ahsan crisping garlic at home. We shared the egg noodles with mushrooms, garlic, and a fried egg as well as the pork belly platter. Noodles had a balanced texture and was another dish where the garlic was showcased. The pork belly platter was the hallmark dish. A huge platter filled with THICK pork. Super fatty and savory chunks with ultra crispy skin. Crushes nearly any Chinese or Latin American preparation that I've had. Dish also had garlic jasmine rice, pickled vegetables, braised eggplant, and charred broccoli. Great variety of flavors and textures. For dessert, I had a bite of the flan. Perfect silky texture! There were a couple single occupancy restrooms. I believe one of them was handicap accessible. Casual but nice ambiance. read more

Service Food Vibes I was crippled by the paradox of choice in pursuit of dinner while in NYC. Loe and behold I stumbled upon Naks. It exceeded every expectation. They were packed so I waited about 10 minutes. They let me sit out at a table outside while I waited and served me up some water which was nice. They quickly got me a seat at the bar. Multiple servers and the bar tender consistently checked in. Super nice. I got the KFC and one of the noodle dishes. The chicken was super crispy on the outside, and bursting with juicy on the inside. Paired with the tangy aioli this was an astounding dish super simple, comfort food for all who walk through the door. The noodles were superb as well. Rich, umami, with subtle kick. Creamy and the egg adds great texture. They also served some beer nuts with some sort of seasoning. No idea what it was, but just know it was beautiful. While the food was amazing, the service provided elevated this meal to another level. Loved every moment from beginning to end in Naks! read more

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First time having Filipino food & it did not disappoint. The fried chicken, adobo rice & lamb chops were DELICIOUS, & flavorful. I love me a sweet drink & the Calamansi Spritz was truly one of the best cocktails Ive had. Their flan dessert was also really delicious. The staff were sweet & accommodating. Will definitely be back to try the other dishes. read more

Naks - Leche flan - Filipino Near Me - New York, New York

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Nice brunch and everything was flavorful and fatty - want to come back for dinner to really enjoy all of the cocktails again! read more

Naks - Beef Egg Noodles (Pancit Batil Patong) - Filipino Near Me - New York, New York

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Naks New York is a phenomenal showcase of modern Filipino cuisine done with depth, confidence, and heart. The menu honors traditional flavors while presenting them in a refined, thoughtful way that feels both exciting and deeply rooted. Standout dishes include the lumpiang gulay, perfectly crisp and light; the kinilaw, bright and refreshing with clean acidity; and the inihaw na liempo, smoky, rich, and incredibly satisfying. The adobo rice is a must-order--savory, fragrant, and impossible to stop eating. I only wish that they would make it in a way to remove the bones to make it easier to enjoy. Seafood truly shines with the luxurious ginataang alimango, deeply comforting crab meat and rich with coconut, and the beautifully cooked isda (fish of the day for us was red snapper topped with shrimp), delicate yet full of flavor. The cocktail program is just as memorable. Ambaboy (lechon fat washed bourbon in an old fashioned like drink), Peach Please (taken as shots, it tastes exactly like and pays homage to Jollibee's famous peach mango pies), and Purple Yummm (that ube cream foam is so good) are playful, well-balanced, and thoughtfully crafted--each one complementing the food rather than overpowering it. Save room for dessert--the ube cheesecake is outstanding. Creamy and luscious with that unmistakable nutty sweetness of ube, it's perfectly balanced and not overly heavy, making it an ideal ending to the meal. With warm service, an intimate atmosphere, and food that celebrates Filipino flavors with care and creativity, Naks is easily one of the most exciting dining experiences in New York right now. A must-visit. read more

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One of the best brunches I've had in a long time! 100% worth visiting. I'm still thinking about the salted egg pancake and the longganisa egg sandwich! Would come back for those alone! I'm in no way an expert for Filipino cuisine but I have had a couple of homemade dishes from my friends Filipino grandmother. Below is what I liked! Longga Sandwich 10/10 get this!! salted Egg Pancake 10/10 get this!! I thought I wouldn't like the calamansi flavor but it went so well with this! Vinegar fries and sauce 10/10 (so addictive!!) Lumpiang 9/10 KFC sandwich 7/10 Pancit batik patong 7/10 Kare Kare omelette 5/10 - only didn't prefer this because it had a strong peanut butter taste (first time having this type of dish) Fun sized cocktails Ala eh! 10/10 (Tasted similar to an espresso martini) Ooh-bae! 9/10 Taho (mocktail) 6/10 Next time I'd probably try the crab omelette! Overall was happy with the decision to come for brunch but will definitely come back for dinner as well. Also all the servers were super friendly! Cute decor/set up as well. Reminded me a bit of semma. Well done! read more

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Brunch review! It was fairly easy to get a reservation two weeks prior. It's a cutest place with an open kitchen. The menu is pretty succinct which is good in a way! None of the cocktails were my type - but I asked about one and they brought me a taste (lucky it was a premade thing). I didn't end up ordering as it was too sweet but I think it was an amazing gesture. They also have cocktail samplers for 30 where you get all 4. They no longer have the fun sized cocktails fyi Food: the lumpia is so homely and yummy. Highly recommend; especially the vinegar oil thing it comes with. That's a flavor bomb. The vinegar fries are also very well made. Could be more vinegary I think! My Pancit batil patong was very flavorful and the whole dish comes together well. I asked for something spicy and they got me a chilli garlic paste which was DA BOMBE! there were flavors that were unfamiliar to me which was expected and I was so pleasantly surprised. Highly recommend this dish! My friend's platter with adobo chicken was also excellent, especially the fried tofu. We will be back for dinner service so we get a fuller menu. Another nice piece from unapologetic food. read more

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The food was okay - I can't say there were any stand out dishes but the staff was really accommodating to a dietary restriction for someone in my party. They made recommendations based on his non-dairy and non-spicy needs and also proactively asked if we wanted to adjust some of the portions to make it more suitable for 3 people vs 2 or 4. I would say this place is worth a try if you're looking for decent Filipino food though I think I tried everything I wanted to in my one trip. read more

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Made a reservation for dinner for party of 3 and had an awesome meal here! I tried: + Ambaboy cocktail + BJ cocktail + Lumpiang hubad + Pork bbq + Pancit batil patong + ginataang alimango (Dungeness crab) + Kanto fried chicken + garlic rice + Buko pandan The BJ was my favorite of the cocktails, and the best dish by far was the Dungeness crab. Also really enjoyed the lumpiang, garlic ride and fried chicken. Only skip was the dessert - would try a different one next time. I see they've added an ube cheesecake and ube cocktail so I need to return ASAP for those... read more

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Went to their special Unapologetically Filipino dinner service with guest chef from the restaurant Metiz in Manila. As a filipino-american, I was very excited to try an "elevated" filipino tasting menu. The dishes were very seasonal veg and seafood heavy, with nice wine pairings with each dish. Every dish was unique from the last, well executed and very yummy! Hope to come to Naks again in the future for their regular menu offerings. read more

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Came here for a low key date night and left genuinely impressed. The Kinilaw to start -- raw tuna in coconut vinegar with ginger and cucumber -- was outstanding, and the Divina's Greens (water spinach, green beans) was one of those simple sides that surprises you by being perfectly cooked and not drowning in salt. Mains were the Dungeness crab in coconut sauce and the lamb chops Caldereta, both phenomenal -- the kind of food you actually slow down for. Service was warm, atmosphere was relaxed, and the bill was maybe half of what you'd spend at many other restaurants in the city. My wife was happy, so I'm happy. Highly recommend. read more

Naks - Filipino Near Me - New York, New York

Filipino cuisine taken to the next level! NAKS is Filipino food on an entirely new level -- elevated, soulful, and beautifully executed. From the moment you walk in, the space feels warm, homey, and thoughtfully designed. It instantly brings you back to the comfort of being in a Filipino household: welcoming, familiar, and full of those aromas that remind you of "back home." The service is genuinely impeccable. The staff is attentive, friendly, and makes you feel taken care of from start to finish. They start you off with roasted peanuts, almost like an amuse-bouche or pulutan -- a small touch that feels both nostalgic and elevated at the same time. And the food? Truly outstanding. * Adobo Rice -- rich, savory, and absolutely delicious. Comfort food perfected. * Ginataang Alimango -- creamy, flavorful, and so indulgent; every bite is unforgettable. * Lumpiang Hubad -- fresh, light, and packed with clean, bright flavors. * Ube Cheesecake -- out of this world. Silky, vibrant, and one of the best ube desserts I've ever had. Their menu offers so many incredible choices, and the cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks, and wine list are just as thoughtfully curated. There's something for every kind of diner. The restaurant layout is also well done -- a bar area, a cozy middle section with just a few tables, and a larger dining space in the back. Tables are spaced comfortably, giving you privacy while still feeling part of the lively energy of the East Village. NAKS is truly an asset to the neighborhood -- a place that honors Filipino roots while elevating every dish with technique, creativity, and heart. If you're in NYC, come support this Filipino restaurant. You won't regret it. Promise. read more

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I had such high hopes for Naks based off of all the reviews. Unfortunately it did not live up to my expectations. The plates are small and the prices are high, not a great combination. The lechon platter with pork belly was good but definitely limited portion if you share. The adobe rice bowl and Dungeness crab were not my favorite and definitely salty. The service was average. When asked for recommendations, our waiter just read off the whole menu. This was not a good sign to me. The restaurant is nice but carries a lot of sound so noise travels. There was a family that seemed to know the owner/staff and came in to visit and were VERY disruptive. read more

Naks - Lechon Platter - Filipino Near Me - New York, New York

This was some of the best food I have had. The service was great the food was amazing. The veggie rolls shrimp Laing fresh seasoned to perfection we devoured the garlic fried rice. My table loved the fried chicken. My other fav was the cabbage hearts. Can't wait to go back. Also the ube cheesecake. OMG read more

Incredible pancit, crab, KFC, and eggplant/mango salad. Also really liked the kare kare. We'd probably skip the adobo rice next time. The ube cheesecake is the dessert of my dreams. read more

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I rarely try Filipino food, but I am so glad to have checked this spot out! Located in the East Village, this is a cozy spot offering phenomenal authentic Filipino food and great drinks. Service here is amazing and pretty quick. We ordered a bunch of their cocktails (which all had great presentation and were delicious) and for their food, we got their: Lumpiang hubad (long Japanese string beans), kinitaw (ceviche), Inihaw na Liempo (grilled pork belly), kare kare (Braised beef), Ginataang alimango (Dungeness crab), and Inihaw na sugno (grilled shrimp). Everything was beyond what I expected. Favorites of the night were the Lumpiang hubad, which had a peanut-based sauce and was very different than other veggie dishes I've had; their kare kare, which had crazy tender beefl and their ginataang alimango, which had a creamy sauce and tons of crab meat. Amazing menu and service and I would love to come back. read more

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Food was okay but it didn't live up to the hype that I was expecting given how small portions are & how expensive everything was. My favorites were the lechon platter (diy style small bites) & the adobe rice bowl (though this bowl is quite small). Didn't love the veggie spring roll appetizer which tasted like a normal chinese take out spring roll but with an upcharge (~3$ each). The marinated crab was ok (strong curry flavor) but on the salty side. The space was fairly casual but cozy. Side note: the kamayan experience that initially drew me to the restaurant is no longer offered. read more

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First time eating Filipino food! Both types of lumpiang were so good. The pancit was decent, the mushrooms added nice texture. The desserts were almost good. The salted Ube foam on the Ube cheesecake was a bit much and the texture of the flan was a little rubbery. I feel like the cheesecake was tart enough cause of the cream cheese and would've been better with the leche from the flan. read more

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The second time I tried Fillipino food! I booked this restaurant not only because I wanted to explore more about Fillipino dishes, but also because my sister enjoy South Asian food. Plus, this is a popular spot in NYC. However, the overall experience was worse than I expected. What disapointed me first was their new menu -- much simpler than the previous one, and many dishes such as skewers were gone. Second, some dishes were not good. The mango cubes in Ensaladang Talong (smoked eggplant puree + mango & jicama cubes + fried spinach slices + shrimp paste) tasted watery, and the shrimp tasted nothing but salty. moreover, the oily fried spinach completely ruined the other refreshing ingredients in the salad. Plus, the portion was surprisingly small. For the entree I got the beef cheeks while my sister got the adobo rice. I like the rich peanut sauce in my dish. But both dishes were quite salty. The best dish turned out to be the pickled green papaya, which was refreshing and sour. Besides food, the restaurant was super cramped. The tables near the entrance were not only small, but were placed so close to one another that it could make the diners awkward. And service was minimal. Not likely to return. read more

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Naks NYC is definitely a gem for Filipino fusion! The food was outstanding every dish packed authentic flavors with a creative twist. The fried chicken with calamansi was bursting with flavor, the coconut crab was rich and delicious, and the kare kare was absolutely A+. Honestly, every single dish we tried was on point. Service was excellent super attentive without being overbearing. The restaurant itself has a great vibe, very clean, modern, and welcoming. Perfect for a casual night out or even a foodie date spot. Excited to come back and try more of the menu! read more

Food rundown: - Kanto Fried Chicken (4/5) - the well proportioned breading was really well seasoned and the chicken super tender. The garlic aioli looked beautifully luscious but the garlic taste didn't come through. I thoroughly enjoyed the chicken along side the spicy vinegar dressing that came with the below. - Inihaw na Liempo (5/5) - enjoyed it a lot more than expected. The thin slices ensured there was no lingering fat cap and that it beautifully harnessed the charcoal flavor from the barbecue all throughout. The dressing brushed on top also perfectly tart, savory and sweet. Sleeper hit. The vinegar dressing that came with it was not required because of how well seasoned it already was, but glad I could use the dressing to pair with the KFC and Kare Kare. - Kare Kare (3.5/5) - first time trying this classic dish. The cook was perfect and the combination of veggies to go with the meat also a good selection. However, personally, I found the curry a little one dimensional. The stew had a rich peanut taste but lacked some depth. I found myself jazzing up every bite with the side of pickled raw papaya we ordered to add that acid to cut through the rich blandness. Upon diy-ing each bite with the pickles and shrimp paste, I found the dish more enjoyable. On its own, I'd pass. - Pickled Raw Papaya (5/5) - tarte, sweet, fresh. Love it! - Ube Cheesecake (5/5) - what a perfect sweet treat. Not too sweet and really well balanced. The ube foam brought in some savoriness and moisture to the cheesecake and the base was not your average graham crust. Tasted like crumbled up biscuit - a bit of a nostalgic approach. Quite more-ish. Overall ambience of the place was vibrant and had a colorful spunk. Service was great too. read more

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I found this place on the NYC Restaurant Week website. I usually do restaurant week with my friend and since we hadn't tried a Filipino place before, we decided to give it a try. It was a great decision. The food is so good, the taste is phenomenal. For appetizer, she got the pork belly and I got the KFC (Kanto Fried Chicken). I'm not a big fried chicken person but it was absolutely delicious. It's moist, cooked just right, and the outside didn't taste or feel oily or greasy. Same with pork belly - it was charred and had this chargrilled taste to it and it didn't taste like fat. Entrees she got the pancit and I got the kare-kare. Pancit is similar to stir-fried noodles. It was a vegetarian version and came with an egg on top. Also very delicious. The kare-kare is a beef cheek stew in peanut sauce that was to die for. Finally, dessert I got buko pandan and she got the leche flan. I'm not a flan person but I loved the buko pandan. It reminded me of the tapioca dessert soups they serve in Chinese restaruants. The buko pandan had more texture to it and more chew. If you haven't tried this place you have to give it a shot. It'll change your life. Staff were friendly and fast and it's a relatively small place so make a reservation. I think it's a good starter place if you're not familiar with Filipino food. read more

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Came to show my boyfriend how kamayan goes down! This was definitely a fancy kamayan, and before anyone says it's not real kamayan, the flavors will get you right in your core memories. We got some drinks while they got our table ready. The cocktails here are meticulously crafted and I would come back just to have drinks and maybe some small dishes. We started off with salabat, which was a nice warm ginger drink perfect for the cold winter weather. When the pan de sal with the goat liver spread came out, I took one bite and was immediately transported back to the Philippines where I was born and raised. Pace yourself when you come for kamayan...they do not hold back with portions. That was quickly followed by the salted duck egg and tomato salad, the kinilaw and the lumpia g hubad. And while the lumpiang hubad didn't look like the ones I've had in the past, the flavor was ON POINT. The fish came out after, followed by pancit, and at the point, my boyfriend and I were close to full. So imagine our surprise when the BIG entree came out with chicken, lechon, rice, vegetables and ginataang stew came out! Don't worry, you can have the food packed up to take home to enjoy the next day. The star fruit was drizzled with calamansi and asin ilocano which made a perfectly balanced palate cleanser; and then we had the buko pandan and the cassava cake. We are already planning on bringing some friends with us for the next kamayan!! The staff was so accommodating and friendly; they let us know that brunch would also be a really good time to stop by to try out their menu! read more

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