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Various Filipino friends have spoken highly of this place and I'm happy to be one more to add my praise. My boyfriend and I came for brunch and we got the salted egg yolk pancake and kare kare omelette. Both were delicious, although I do have to note that the pancake as another review noted doesn't actually have a salted egg yolk flavor that I could taste, but a more lemony/citrusy one. I love salted egg yolk so normally I would be disappointed, but the pancake was still really yummy. The staff who took care of us was so nice and it is a cute space for a date. Also I saw they had fun nonalcoholic summer drinks. I had their mais con yelo matcha because I love corn and matcha, although I was skeptical if the two flavors would gel. The staff reassured me it was yummy and they were so right, it was soooo good. It also actually tasted like mais con yelo.
Yuh Filipino food delicious. We got the Salted Egg Pancake, Classic Filipino Platter (Chicken Adobo), Crab Omelette, Vinegar Fries, and Mais Con Yelo. My favorite was the Salted Egg Pancake and Vinegar Fries. My friend thought the Salted Egg Pancake was better than the Golden Diner one. Food was ready pretty fast. To be honest, I thought I'd be more wowed. It was good but I'm curious if the dinner menu is even better. Cute interior too. I'll be back to try the dinner menu.
After doing a lot of research on which restaurant to try for Restaurant Week, this one seemed like one of the most exciting options. I was especially looking forward to their limited prix fixe menu and had already planned out exactly what I wanted to order. As soon as we sat down, we were ready, and the restaurant definitely delivered when it came to the food. Service, however, was a bit slow. We had to flag down our waitress multiple times--not only to place our dinner order but even to get our drinks. That said, the food was absolutely delicious. For appetizers, we ordered the pork belly and the KFC chicken. You truly can't go wrong with either. The pork belly was my favorite dish of the night. It instantly took me back to childhood family BBQs, and when a dish can bring back a memory like that, you know it's something special. It was incredibly tender and flavorful, with just the right amount of char to complement the bright lemon-lime marinade. We honestly didn't want to stop eating it. The KFC chicken was another standout. It was perfectly crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and packed with flavor. Honestly, this dish could have been a meal on its own, and I wouldn't have complained. It came with a comeback-style dipping sauce that paired beautifully with the chicken. For our entrées, we ordered the adobo rice and the shrimp. The adobo rice was assembled tableside, which was a nice touch and made for a fun presentation. It was incredibly flavorful, though I was a little surprised to find chunks of bone-in chicken mixed throughout. It wasn't a dealbreaker, just something I wasn't expecting. The shrimp was beautifully presented and topped with a vibrant green herb sauce. While it ended up being my least favorite dish, that wasn't because it wasn't good...it was simply competing with some truly outstanding dishes. The herb-forward flavors offered a refreshing contrast and a nice break from the richness of everything else we ordered. For dessert, I highly recommend the ube cheesecake. It was incredibly light, fluffy, and the perfect way to end the meal. Despite the slower service, the food more than made up for it. I'd absolutely come back and would definitely recommend giving this Restaurant Week menu a try.
Brunch at Naks absolutely lived up to the hype, and every dish felt like a thoughtful take on familiar Filipino flavors. The salted egg pancake was the standout for me. It was fluffy, savory, and rich without feeling too heavy. Expect it to be a pancake version of bibingka. I also loved the crab omelet, which was packed with generous pieces of crab and cooked so delicately that it practically melted with each bite. It also came with pandesal, which is how I enjoyed it topped off. The kanto chicken brought serious comfort food energy with crispy skin, juicy meat, and flavors that reminded me of late-night street food. To drink, the ube matcha was well-balanced and the corn coffee was another fun surprise with strong corn to coffee flavors. Service was warm, attentive, and paced perfectly even as the dining room filled up. They do accept walk-ins, but I'd definitely recommend making a reservation since brunch is clearly popular and tables go quickly. Between the creative menu, polished execution, and welcoming atmosphere, Naks is an easy place to recommend for anyone looking to represent and for a memorable brunch in NYC.
Naks Filipino restaurant by Unapolagetic Foods is a love letter to Filipino comfort food, shaped by the personal memories of Chef Eric Valdez. I had been wanting to go to Naks for a while, finally made it here for NYC Restaurant Week! Prix fixe 3 courses $60. Nice ambiance - clean and bright bit the decor has some Filipino inspired touched and the music sounds like it's in Tagalog. 2 seat table in front room near the bar. There are larger tables in the back but we couldn't see them from where we were. They participate in the Blackbird app, can pay with it and earn/use points. We each had a cocktail and really liked our drinks: Salabat Sour (added vodka to this mocktail) Hoy Bayabas Restaurant week meal - everything was very delicious and great portions. We wish there were more people in our group so that we could try more dishes! Appetizers - Inihaw Na Liempo (pork belly) Kinilaw (Tuna) Mains - Kare-kare (beef cheeks and vegetables) Adobo Rice (Chicken, Pork Belly, garlic rice) Desserts - Ube Lecheflan Highly recommend and want to come back!
Came with a reservation which was only on door dash which I had never experienced before but there were no issues with the reservation and getting seated at the reserved time. The lighting was warm and on the darker end which added to a nice dinner vibe. I thought all of the things ordered were great with the adobo rice and Pancit Batil Patong being the highlights. I would skip the vegetable spring rolls as they were nothing special in my opinion. Left with a box of leftovers as a party of 2. The price can be seen as higher for the quantity but I felt like the quality was there.
Another visit to New York and I can literally never get tired of the food scene. The past few times I have been staying around West Village and there is always something new to find. One of these days, I will check out fish cheeks but this time I wanted Filipino cuisine. Okay scene...Naks comes into the picture. While their Salt egg pancake looks scrumptious I decided to go for dinner though I knew it was gonna be tough solo since these types of places are MADE for groups. The restaurant is very long and the back area is very animated and bright. The staff were quick with getting me served and the food out in a beautiful display. So the pricing was STEEP lol a fried rice for $33 and while it was not a bad amount, if sharing with 2-3 three it would go by fast. Contrary to normal situations, I had some odd complaints.You will never hear this from me again but the seasoning for the fried rice was way too salty. I was literally using the greens to dilute the flavor. Additionally, the ratio of meat to rice was off... never again will I also say this but, there was TOO much meat. The greens were yummy though... It's a bit hard to judge because of the style I experienced the meal in having only one entree, greens and a drink but yeah not sure I'd come back because of those price and portions but I still am curious about the breakfast. However, I did really enjoy the mocktail as a lover of calamansi and all of them sound really delicious so I could stop in for a little drink or two. Adobo rice $33 Diving Green's $7 Salabat Sour $13 $$$ Food 6 Atmosphere 8 Service 7
I came here for brunch with some friends and they were super strict with their reservation time when our entire party arrived early. They are very busy though as I saw people get turned away as walk-ins. Once inside, we were led to a table in the back. The space is chic and contemporary with a modern take on Filipino classics. Our table started off with the Vinegar Fries ($5), which came highly recommended for good reason. These were so delicious with the vinegar powder seasoning that gave it so much zing and flavor. Then we shared the Chicken Adobo Classic Filipino Platter ($27) with Longanisa ($7), Pancit Batil Patong ($28), and Salted Egg Pancake ($19). The platter is a great option for variety, especially being topped with an egg. The longanisa is the best protein option though with its sweet and savory notes. The pancit was great too, but a tad on the salty side so you need some rice to balance that. Finally, I was most intrigued by the salted egg pancake but this one was just ok. The pancakes were solid, which needed the salted egg cream. It's a pretty muted flavor, which I'm not sure I would be able to tell if I didn't know what it was already. Pretty good Filipino spot in East Village with some cute aesthetics. The must get here is the vinegar fries for me, which were delicious and unique.
A modern Filipino fusion eatery by the same origins of Semma. Food: I tried the Kinilaw, KFC, adobo rice, shrimp laing, kare-kare, and ube cheesecake. I also got the Zesto cocktail. The entire meal was a delight! My favorites of the meal are the zesto, KFC, adobo rice, and ube cheesecake. The cocktails overall are so delicious, highly highly recommend getting the zesto. The Kanuo Fried Chicken tastes like what I wish the real KFC would: savory, tender, crispy. Some of the best fried chicken I've had in a while. From the crunchy pork rinds to the aromatic peppercorn, the adobo rice with its plethora of flavors and textures was an amazing journey soy and garlic. The ube cheesecake with its iconic ube squiggle on top of luscious cheesy base was a playful delicious of salty and sweet. Service: Service was great! Our waiter was informative, responsive, and positive. He gave some solid recommendations. Ambiance: Trendy but comforting is the best way to describe it. A great place for an intimate date or dinner party.
Finally got to try this place! It's hard to get a reservation if it's not early ~5pm or late ~9pm so book ahead if you want to get a prime slot dinner res. We went on a Saturday at 5:15pm. It was pretty big of a venue so you could try walking in for a small group. Food was great and very filling1 We tried the adobe rice, Kinilaw (raw tuna app), and the caldereta (lamb chops). Every thing was delicious. I am a big fan of garlic rice but the chef recommends not getting garlic rice with the lambchops. I agreed it didn't need it but it complemented the well in the adobe rice. Both mains were very flavorful and the raw tuna was very fresh. The staff was friendly and attentive. Overall a great experience and would come back again
I've had this place saved on Instagram for the longest time. I tried to come for brunch the Saturday before (party of 5) and tried to walk in when the restaurant opened at 11:30 am. Unfortunately, we were immediately told that they would not be taking any walk-ins So, just one friend and I snagged a reservation for the following Saturday. This time around they did let in a few walk-ins at the bar, but they cut that off pretty quickly. It seems the space is much larger than you would expect. We were seated right in front by the window so I didn't go back and explore, but the more you know. Staff were really lovely and attentive and gave us a few recommendations as well. Pancit Kabute - There is no subtle way to explain that this is hands down one of the best noodle dishes I have ever had. So creamy and mushroomy; the fried egg on top is such a perfect addition. YOU NEED TO TRY THIS. I will be back for this over and over and over... Classic Filipino Platter with Chicken Adobo - Just really classic and simple. Very well made, loved the chicken. Comes with a lovely, gingery broth. Salted Egg Pancake - Delicious and the perfect way to end the brunch on a sweet note. Tastes almost like an elevated corn cake (maybe even pound cake). The addition of citrus is so perfect. You can't go here and not get this (this is what first caught my eye on social media actually). For one of my best friends being Filipino, it's a little surprising that I haven't had a lot of Filipino food. I've dabbled, but nothing had really stood out until this experience. Amazing! I've been recommending this place to everyone I know.
Got the pork rice bowl and the coconut crab. Both were yummy but so expensive. Coconut crab was not a large portion but the pork rice bowl was at least. Both were tasty but I wouldn't get again because of the price. Came on a Wednesday at 6:50pm and grabbed the last bar seats. It got extremely busy with a wait shortly after so make a reservation or get there early.
Overall rating: 4.4 $40 pp (total 2x, no drinks) The place didn't look popular so I went by chance and did a walk-in. While I saw so many empty tables, the staff was really weird and said everything's reserved and they'll try to make a space. The odd part is through out the whole course, the empty tables remained. It seemed unnecessary to say in my opinion. Items my friend and I ordered: - Pancit Kabute 4/5 nothing special - Ginataang Alimango (crab): 4/5 a lot smaller than the hype Admittedly I looked up what to order online and while the food was good, I can't say it was worth it for the lack of service. Doubt I'd be back.
10 months ago
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
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
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
1 year ago
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
19 days ago
10 months ago
I'm Cebuano and very picky with lechon, but it had been too long since I've had any so I caved and decided to take a gamble. The. lechon. was. amazing. And so was EVERYTHING ELSE. We got the lechon platter, adobo rice, ensaladang talong, and lumpiang gulay. NAKS really hit it all outta the park! We were all very impressed, and this is now my husband's and my favourite Filipino restaurant here in NYC! He especially loved the cocktails. The staff was also incredibly warm and friendly, they knew their food well and can guide you through the menu. They changed our plates and cutlery and kept our table clean and organized. I will say though that it is a small space and most of the tables are for 2 persons. They were kind enough to put two tables together for us since we had an unexpected 3rd, and for a place as packed and busy as this we know that isnt easy to do. So thank you so much, Team NAKS, for the wonderful service and exceptional food! We will be coming back! read more
Came here for a Resy event for a collab from a chef from Portland with Naks. I will definitely be coming back for the normal menu, I never came across this restaurant until I tried the Resy collab. Highly recommend the vibe, food and the service. Everything was great read more
Came with a big group of Filipinos for brunch and ordered most of the menu. The food is well seasoned, elevated and fun. Service was personable and helpful when we were ordering. I have an allergy that they accommodated and it was appreciated! Favorite bites were the salted egg pancake and the crab omelet. Tip: they don't do substitutions, like swapping one side for another. read more
I've been wanting to come here for a while and was so glad Naks was on the list for NYC Restaurant Week. Appetizer, main course, and dessert for $45, such an amazing deal. I went with my friend who also never been and was excited to visit. Cozy space and staff were super friendly and accommodating. My friend and I ordered the kanto fried chicken (KFC) and inihaw na liempo (bbq pork belly) as our appetizer. For our main dishes, we ordered kare-kare and lechon belly. For desserts, we ordered the buko pandan and leche flan. Everything was so mouthwatering and service was impeccable. I can't wait to go back to try everything else. Will definitely be back soon! read more
Naks is a great "elevated" take on Filipino food. Despite being Filipino, we loved how each dish was explained and thought the flavors were super authentic to home. Snag a resy if you can and DEFINITELY add the Ube Cheesecake to your picks! Great table service as well. read more
6 months ago
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
If you don't make reservations go early to get a seat at the bar! The service here is excellent - folks are friendly and welcoming with the ambiance fun and trendy. Food is sensational! We were food hopping so we ordered only the pork belly appetizer and the adobo rice. The adobo rice was mind blowing - it was my favorite dish of the entire day - and I'll try to recreate at home. It consists of garlic rice, chicken, pork belly, and hard boiled egg that is all mixed together in front of your eyes. It's extremely filling and they don't skimp on the protein. The pork belly was grilled very well with a sweet lemony flavor. read more
Our party of 9 had a great time at Naks having the Kamayan Feast. It is described as "A unique, hands-on culinary journey celebrating Filipino culture and cuisine." Prepare for a 15 course meal ranging from palate cleansing teas to chicken & pork and veggies to dessert. You will be eating a lot with your hands so I do not have great pictures from throughout the main meal. Our waitress Alex and the other waitresses that assisted were wonderful and described everything we were eating very well and were super nice! We had a 7:45 PM reservation but discussed it would be more ideal for an earlier reservation and a small breakfast if you do this Feast! Good experience. Thank you Naks! read more
Recommendations in order- Kare Kare Omelette, Salted Egg Pancake (though the name should be changed to Calamansi Coconut Pancake,) Crab Omelette. Others were enjoying the plates/silogs. A little while back, I went back to Naks with a group for brunch having gone for dinner twice and this is easily my favorite way to enjoy their food even though I think the dinner is excellent as well. The service was nice and always and we sat in the back area where they used to their kamayan tasting menu. They open at 11:30 and they're on Resy only and I would recommend it unless you get there right on time as they got quite crowded by 12:00. They have some fun brunch drinks as well such as an alcoholic take on Taho but I didn't get any drinks nor did anyone else. For main plates, I'll first highlight what will probably become the most popular which is the Salted Egg Pancake for $16 which had citrus butter and salted egg cream and the waitress asked us whether we wanted it with our entrees or as dessert which gave a clue to how sweet it was. The name is a bit of a misnomer as the salted egg flavor isn't particularly strong with it more adding an interesting color to the pancake and sauce but honestly I think this worked as I think too much salted egg would add a bit too much chalkiness to this dish. As per the parentheses, this was more of a citrus coconut pancakes due to the shredded coconut, orange zest, and calamansi and it was delicious. The pancake texture was super fluffy and the portion size was large as well. Just change the name and it'll be perfect and I compare it overall due to the citrus sweetness to the very popular one at the Golden Diner with a slight preference to this one. The group's favorite was the outstanding Kare Kare Omelette for $26 with braised beef cheeks, rich peanut stew, market vegetables, and garlic toast. The beef on top was super tender and it had a not so sweet peanut sauce being better or on the same level as the better Kare Kare I've had which has mostly been in Queens. Said garlic toast was garlic pandesal and it was a delicious very garlicky spin, though perhaps a bit rich. This was served with bagoong/shrimp paste of course as well which helped cut the richness and they gave us more which was appreciated. The eggs on the bottom were perfectly cooked being soft and fluffy. I would heavily recommend this and I think two people could share this as well as the pancakes below and have a really good meal. The other omelette we had was the Crab Omelette for $28 with slow simmered Dungeness crab, aromatic coconut sauce, and garlic toast. There was plenty of crab and the eggs were perfectly cooked again just like the other omelette. If the ginataang/coconut sauce had a spicy kick like in dinner, it would have been perfect. I found the garlic toast also went better with this dish as it was easier to top the toast/dip it in the coconut gravy. This was again really tasty overall and worth it for the price point again. For side dishes/small plates, we got two. The Vinegar Fries for $3 was listed simply as "you know what it is!" and arrived as a pretty large amount of fries which I think were topped with malt vinegar powder. The powder was a good idea as it added the vinegar sourness without reducing any of the crispiness from the proper cooked fries. They were tasty but I would recommend them for a group and not solo as I think the sourness would become overkill eventually. The Lumpiang by comparison consisted of crispy vegetables spring rolls. They're $3 each but at least they were massive compared to the usual lumpia shanghai being I would say three to four times bigger than average so I guess the price is fine. The outside was nice and crispy and they were clearly made fresh as they were extremely hot. The inside was a bit boring with more cabbage than anything else and I wish there was some other vegetable inside to add some more texture. This was served with habanero vinegar of course though it was in a dropper which was a fun Spin and it was nice and easy to add it to the spring rolls. Every review from my first one for this place has bumped up my rating and for good reason. I can imagine them becoming very popular for brunch soon and they definitely deserve it as well. The classic platters/silogs also looked tasty and I very likely will get that next time I go here for brunch. Mid 4. read more
A friend and I have a long standing tradition of picking a new restaurant each time we got together. When I saw her in the summer she wanted to try a new Filipino restaurant and we decided to check out Naks. It's a slightly adventurous menu with items that even some Filipinos won't be familiar with. Even the staff who aren't Filipino struggle with pronouncing the dishes correctly. We ordered a bunch of things including the following: Pork BBQ Pritong Itik (Fried Duck) Pancit Batil Patong (egg noodles with beef) We also added a side of the Buro at Mustasa which is a type of fermented condiment, if you will. For drinks I tried the Parusang Hapon which translates to 'Japanese Punishment' - a drink made with miso infused Japanese whiskey, cognac, soy sauce syrup and sparkling yuzu. It was definitely an interesting drink but to me, it didn't quite hit the mark. I can see what they were trying to achieve, a complex drink that's savory and layered but it wasn't just well balanced. Also, the nori as garnish does not work. The food, overall was very good. I especially loved the fried duck as it had so much flavor and was tender but perfectly crispy on the outside. The pancit and the bbq were also both very good but both were very rich and we kind of wished the staff nudged us towards ordering a vegetable dish to balance it out. Still, I'd say the food was much stronger than the cocktails. For dessert, I forgot what it was called but we ordered something with coconut and sago and I liked the subtlety of the flavors. I think it may have been their take on a buko pandan if I'm remembering correctly and my friend and I both liked how they created a dessert that elevated the average buko pandan. TLDR; Lots of potential! Excellent food but cocktail program needs work. Service is on point and the vibe is a cool but casual Filipino American joint. read more
1 year ago
Where do i START. Came here for restaurant week. Ordered everything on the restaurant week menu. The eggplant, the kare kare, the panchit - the dessert. Just WOW! And our server was Alex and she was so kind and despite every single table being taken - she took the time to really talk us through the menu. Will definitely be returning read more
An upscale Filipino dining experience! Food (5/5): - We got the Kare Kare, Adobo Rice, Ginataang Alimango, Pancit Batil Patong, Inihaw na Liempo, and Leche Flan - All very solid choices! My favorites were the Kare Kare and the Ginataang Alimango. The latter dish had such a rich, decadent, crab flavor and the Kare Kare was super creamy and savory - Pancit Batil Patong had a nice citrus-y, limey flavor with an unexpectedly nice crunch from the chicharron - Leche Flan is a must. It was soooo dense, creamy, and rich. It wasn't too sweet either. We scooped up every piece. However, the portion they give you is very small (might be better if each person gets their own flan) - My biggest complaint about the dishes is the portioning. The portioning of the dishes seemed quite random. For example, the Kare Kare, which is one of the mains was quite small (as in maybe at most two people should share a main and those two people have to not be starving at all). So was the Alimango. However, the rice and noodles were bigger and more easily shareable. Service (4.5/5) - Good service Ambiance (5/5) - Great for groups - Great for catching up with friends read more
Food -Omg stumbled upon this gem while looking for pre-show food before an off broadway play in East Village. And what an awesome surprise and found it was Filipino by looking at menu outside with Kamayan on menu!! And both my friend and are Filipinas. HIDDEN GEM!! The food was so full of flavor better than any Filipino food I've had in while the waygu pancit with chopped up chicharrón topping so full of flavor!! And the pork bbq with a side of papaya salad garnish brings me back to home of . Cocktails menu so unique and strong !! Worth every $. Service top notch. Ambiance decor inside very colorful like the Filipino culture. One thing improve signage we thought it was graffiti and hard to read on clear plastic. Maybe a Philippines flag would help. read more
Came for the kamayan experience and loved it. Wide variety of entrees throughout the courses. It's a lot of food too, so come hungry. Very reasonable pricing/person as well. Favorite highlights: raw scallops and kinilaw na ubod (heart of palm/coconut ceviche) Extremely kind and knowledgeable service. I felt very comfortable asking anything, so this is the main reason I'm giving five stars. read more
9 months ago
I was nervous walking into Naks not knowing what to expect. But this East Village spot certainly exceeded my expectations. My friend and I did walk-in like 2hrs into dinner service was able to get spot still the interior was cool, OPM playing the background and the staff were friendly. My favorite dishes were the Kare-Kare and the desserts. The Kare-Kare was the probably the best I have eaten dining at restaurant (nothing will ever compare to my Mom's). The ube cheesecake & leche flan were to die for! I feel like with the popularity of Filipino cuisine nowadays the desserts can sometimes be over saturated. I like how fresh the desserts and it was not overdone the original flavors were still there. I would love to go back to Naks next time in the NYC! read more
"An unusual Korean addition" After an internal debate, well this place is well... fine. I came in with high hopes, drawn by its low-key vibe but it didn't quite hit the high marks for me. The food was decent, but nothing stood out as a "must-try." The tongue soup was well-cooked, the squid was nice and the portions were fair, though, and the presentation was nice. The service was polite but slow. Way too much talking. She went down a synopsis of almost every single time. Annoying. What's to cheer - refreshingly tasty and not sweet cocktails. Especially unusual in Korean food All in all, it's not a place I'd go out of my way for, but I wouldn't say no if a friend wanted to meet up there. Decent, but not life-changing. read more
we had a reservation of 4 and were seated right away. We were seated by the door though and the constant opening of the door makes the breeze comes in and it was cold! There is more space in the back. I grew up in SoCal, where you can easily find staple Filipino dishes, I was excited when I heard a new spot in NYC. Food was not bad but was not top notch as the hype says it is. But I guess for the lack of Filipino options in the city, this would be good. Portion is also pretty small. Most dish is good for one person. Our favorite is the bbq. Gulaman tasted really grassy. What makes Gulaman refreshing is the vanilla extract and the pandan, both were missing in the taste. Server was really nice. Overall if you're used to Filipino food. This place might be pricy for its taste. read more
9 months ago
This review is for brunch. Second time here. My first time was soon after opening, when they still had a tasting menu going on--i thought the food then was overwrought, as were the stories. Came for brunch and man oh man it was good! 4.5 stars. Food rundown (five people) 1. Mango skewers--only a true Filipino who loves green mango and bagoong will like this. Obvi me and my bestie did like it. 2. Kare kare omelet--Listen. Their kare kare is one of the best. Not sure that the omelet needs to be there tho. 3. Crab omelet--Crab is nicely flavored (curry?) and generous. 4. KFC sando--the best! 5. Vinegar fries--tbh meh for me. the description of it on the menu is too cute by half, and we did not think the powder on it tasted like vinegar. 6. Side of longganisa--not sweet longganisa like we like but delicious anyway, especially with vinegar (you'll have to ask for the vinegar) 7. Side of beef tapa--MUST GET 8. the big Filipino platter. Hubs opted for "grilled eggplant" for his main--do not let that description fool you, it is just tortang talong. Well-executed tho--it has a sauce on top that is reminiscent of okonomiyaki 9. Salted egg pancakes--TRULY THE STAR. DO NOT SKIP. Also don't let the name turn you off. We did not really get any salted egg taste at all. It's just delicious pancake, buttery, creamy, syrupy, with crispy edges. Easily the best pancakes I've ever had in my life. Drinks at the table were: 1. Calamansi spritz--delightfully light. So light it didn't feel like I was drinking anything alcoholic, which is nice. 2. Para sa Paboritong Apo--the best cocktail on the table. 3. Several Unapologetic beers. I liked my rice lager but I'm a cheap date. The rest of the table did not like their mango and coconut beers too much. The service was outstanding. The staff was very attentive without being overbearing. read more
Delicious Filipino fusion brunch!! Stopped by to check out their new brunch menu and left with stuffed bellies! The Kare Kare omelette was my favorite! Not only was the beef pieces super tender and smothered in the savory peanut based sauce, but also the egg was tender and paired well with the meat. The pancit batil patong was packed with umami flavors as well as a slight tanginess from the pickled onions. Noodles were on the softer side but worked well in contrast with the firmer liver pieces. Loved the heavy black pepper flavors! The salted egg pancake was tasty but different from what I expected. While I appreciated the orange citrus notes in the syrup, it overpowered the egg flavors and it was more egg than salted egg. The pancakes nevertheless were slightly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, perfect for soaking up the sauces! For desserts, the ube cheesecake came with a thick layer of light ube cream and the cake itself was more gelatinous. Ube flavors were great, especially with the crust composed of toasted coconut flakes. For drinks, the ooh-bae was tasty and was almost like an egg nog. Appreciated how cocktails were mini sized so you can try several or sample them all!! The decor was super cute with some abstract tropical vibes. Loved the backroom area cause it felt like a pseudo greenhouse. Also shoutout to the bumping Filipino hip hop playlist!! Staff were very friendly including the line cooks. read more
4 months ago
This was a fantastic meal. I was a walk in and waited over an hour but I loved it and will definitely come back to try the brunch menu. The flavors were so interesting and the server was helpful in making suggestions. I don't remember exactly the names of the dishes but I got an eggplant appetizer that was crunchy with mango salsa. I got a side of pickled papaya and I got a beef noodle dish with pork that the server mixed at the table for me. YUM read more
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201 1st Ave
New York, NY 10003
East Village
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Naks - filipino - Updated September 2026
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