Only a few blocks away from the hordes teeming from Olympia exists your Philippine oasis. You'll need the exercise given the overwhelming choices and generous portions to try. For the more leisurely visit, start with sea bream ceviche or go the vegan route Vegetable Lumpia (has nuts). As it was lunch for me, I began with an Ube Latte to drink which was tasty, but you could go for weeks trying various teas: Lemon Verbena, Turmeric Chai, Paradise Punch. And that's only a launching point to the World Beers and Handcrafted Cocktails portion of the menu. The more adventurous will try Batangas Bad Boy (10 year Talisker) or Boracay Dreams (rum, Malibu, coconut cream). But I needed to have a productive second-half of the day, so next time for those. On to the main course. I normally would be all over the "all-time favorite" Pork Hock, but as it was later in the travel week I opted for sea bass. It was a solid choice. The pandan leaf wrap locked in the moisture and flavor, and the soy lime dressing was definitely not for the faint of spicy-heart without adding rice. The noodles looked excellent at the table nearby, picking between chicken, shrimp, vegan, even sardines. Since I needed to be awake for some meetings, dessert wasn't an option this time, but the Banana Turon fritters would fit the bill nicely. Service was friendly and prompt, while still allowing time to dwell and savor. I'll schedule a return on a Friday to enjoy tapas "journey of Filipino flavours". read more

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Hello my foodie followers! Today's food destination is Romulo Cafe in London. This place was recommended by one of our flight attendants, so we had to try it. My friends ordered the Crispy Pata, Sea Bass, and Spring Chicken Adobo. Now, being the herbivore of the group I ordered the roasted butternut squash relleno - a healthy vegan masterpiece. As far as libations, , I sipped on the tropical delight of the pina colada mocktail, Clei strutted his stuff with the exquisite Ube Martini, Jorge went for a classic beer, and Jerry enjoyed a glass of wine. To wrap up our flavor-filled escapade, we shared the calamarsi lime tart, and Maja Blanca. I didn't care for the Maja Blanca, but the calamansi tart was delish. Service was good, and the vibe was fabulous. Overall, I give it 5 stars. read more

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So this is my first time here. A long time friend and London native suggested our group meet here for dinner. This is an absolute beautiful space and the staff here is very friendly and professional. We arrived a little ahead of our party so we ordered a couple cocktails. A smoked old fashioned for me and an Niki ordered an interesting drink served in a ceramic high heel. Both were expertly crafted and delicious. Niki and I decided to enjoy their house tasting which consisted of crispy spring rolls, aubergine salad, sea bream kinilaw, seafood noodles, pork belly, and ube cheese cake for dessert. Every course was beautifully presented, expertly executed, and absolutely Devine. I would suggest a visit here for anyone who enjoys food from the Phillipines. This is an experience which can't be missed. read more

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This is CLOSED don't plan to go here. We went to the location expecting Filipino food and Damn! There's a different restaurant there!

Had a delicious Filipino dinner at this cute restaurant. Ordered lots for the table which were all delicious. My Filipino friends said it was westernized but I still enjoyed it all. read more

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When I visit cities in any parts of the world, part of the thrill is finding gems not everybody has been to/ has tried. When you think of London, your primal brain tells you to eat fish and chips, have afternoon tea, bangers and mash, meat pie, pasty, etc. So, who the heck goes to London to eat Filipino food? Welp, me! I've been searching for good and I mean G-double O-D GOOD pork adobo, my favorite Filipino dish that reminds me of my mom. I'm annoyingly picky with pork adobo and I haven't had a good version of it since the last time my mom cooked it for me all the way back to 1999-2000. Many have attempted to wow me with their adobo but has always left me with disappointment (if you don't want your feelings hurt, don't make me adobo). I was doing my research and stumbled upon a family-owned restaurant in Kensington who proudly serves Filipino food but with an air of sophistication and loads of national pride. Their Michelin-trained Head Chef Jeremy Villanueva serves up traditional Pinoy food while educating people what it's all about. So, I was willing to give their Pork Belly Adobo a try (they slightly crisp up the pork belly first before simmering it in sauce. Not better or as good as mom's but I actually liked it). I also tried their kare-kare (just like how any good Filipino homecook would make it). Hot pan de sal while I waited for my entrees. I like their presentation especially with the adobo - kind of modern without being pretentious. I unfortunately had to limit myself to 2 dishes since my first day in London had a long list of places to eat at. I can proudly say this was my first meal in London and I regret nothing! You can book a table on their website. I've chatted with one of the owners who saw my multiple e-mails about changed to my reservation. It was my first meal as soon as the plane landed which was a few minutes delayed #freshofftheplane read more

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Last week I got to try Filipino food for the first time at Romulo Café on Kensington High Street even if it's not your part of town it's handy for an exciting meal if you happen to be visiting Olympia for an exhibition. It has a cosy and intimate ambience with feature lighting and good acoustics. That's an important one for me as there are so many places I have been to with great food but have totally been let down by not being able to hear anything people are saying around me. They have a varied drinks menu including a selection of cocktails with added pyrotechnics. I had the smokey and stormy which actually came with a smoke trapped in the glass. While we waited for other members of the party to arrive we were served with some deliciously sweet warm milk bread rolls and butter. The very attentive host & staff helped us choose the dishes giving recommendations and a few adaptations too. There are platitos (smaller) and platos (larger) to choose from as its intended as sharing style food so you either choose a couple of the smaller ones or a large one and still get a taste of what others have chosen. And some of the platitos aren't that small! We couldn't finish it at so the staff kindly gave us boxes to take home for a tasty lunch. I normally avoid squid but I tried a little of the cripsy squid and actually liked it! Probably because it was super crispy. I also enjoyed the the Tina ceviche,  sisig, and the rib of beef. And the two specialty rices were delicious, I could eat them on their own. And the desserts yet another course that can be shared. The halo halo shaved ice in condensed milk is so big its definitely for a few people. I look forward to going back and experimenting some more next time I am in the area. Also a side note I found there was nothing that was strongly or overly spiced which makes it a good choice if you have someone in the party who isn't keen on spicy food. Still many flavours though. read more

Romulo Cafe - Fresh and intimate decor at the Romulo Café - Filipino Near Me - London, XGL

This is one of the better Filipino restaurants in London in comparison to others in the Earl's Court area as the flavours are great, the setting is modern and the staff are polite. However, the biggest drawback and the reason why this place gets an overall 2-star rating, is that the portions are so tiny, yet they're extremely over-priced that it's actually a massive rip-off. Salmon sinigang is £18 but you only get 3 tiny pieces of salmon steak in there. The pork and chicken adobo is £15.50 but you get 2 pieces of chicken and 2 slices of pork belly. These are supposed to be sharing plates but each dish is only good for 1 person at most. We left Romulo's feeling quite unsatisfied and disappointed. I'd say save your money if you're feeling hungry and head somewhere else nearby that will fill you up. read more

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Romulo Café is a restaurant with a relaxed yet formal design with family portraits that give a homely feeling from the moment you walk through the front door. My friend and I wanted to try the best food The Philipines has to offer, so Romulo seemed like the perfect place for us. Going with the chef's recommendations was the ideal way to enjoy the full range of Filipino gastronomy. The service was superb, the waiter kept the food and wine flowing at a steady pace, describing the ingredients and cooking style of every dish. The Tuna Kilawin, an amazing dish of fresh fish ceviche marinated in cane vinegar with vegetables was so refreshing to all the senses. The Chef Lorenzo's Pork Sisig was an exquisite combination of chopped seared pork belly with pickled apples and caramelised shallots topped with a fried egg. The Ginataang Sigarillas with Tinapa of winged beans cooked in coconut milk and topped with smoked fish was a wonderful way to showcase these ingredients and we both loved this dish. Beef and Oxtail were next on the menu and Tito Greg' Kare-Kare in which the meat is stewed in a peanut-based sauce served with steamed vegetables and their artisan flavoured bagoong was unlike anything either of us have tried before but we both wanted more and more. Then the chicken & pork belly that was twice cooked and marinated in vinegar, soy sauce and garlic with glazed shallots and sweet potato mash was an absolute delight, this Adobo Romulo Style - it is worth a trip to Romulo just for this. Each dish was eaten with some Traditional Garlic Fried Rice - refried rice with just that perfect hint of garlic - simple yet wonderful! I thought the meal couldn't get any better, but the Choco-Loko of native chocolate fondant, lemon chantilly and ube puree was a sweet taste to behold. The dessert to end all desserts however was the Sans Rival, a modern Filipino dessert made with dulce de leche buttercream, cashews, chewy and sweet meringue with vanilla ice cream. Every dish was freshly produced and tasted amazing, a unique destination in London's ever crowded food scene - this is Filipino gastronomy at its absolute finest! read more

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I had traveled across the pond for business and was craving filipino food. The beef kare Karen was absolutely delightful, and so delicious. Is it bad I need to find a reason to travel back to London to eat it again?! read more

An absolute delight of a meal here! I was new to Filipino food and was excited to try the flavourful cuisine. I started with a gorgeous Boracay Dreams cocktail served in a coconut, and the delicious brioche-like bread that was bought to the table for us. The food was so plentiful (definitely shareable portions) and I particularly enjoyed the Tamarind Sinigang stew, the peanutty Kare-kare, the garlicky rice. My favourites were the gorgeous desserts, especially the ube ice cream and cashew-meringue concoction. The staff were super attentive and I found the ambience very elegant. I took a sneak peek at the lunch menu and I'd definitely return for the great deals. It's a slightly ogf-the-beaten track spot that deserves to be highlighted! read more

Filipino food is underrepresented and this place is great to introduce their culinary offerings to Londoners. Food is hearty with umami and citrus flavors. Must try the adobo and beef dishes. The garlic rice on the side and vegetable egg roll is a must! The cocktails and mocktails emanate the feeling of being in the tropics. Loved this place! Servers were attentive and helpful while the historical photos of their namesake was a nice touch to tell us a story. read more

My first taste of filipino food and its definetly due a return visit to sample more dishes. There is a lot to choose from. Its popular amongst its community which is a great recomendation to start with. The style is more upscale dinner party food. We sampled a few dishes and my favourites were the Crispy beefy tadyang A huge beef rib that tasted so good and The belly pork adobo. The desserts were lovely my favourite being the halo halo but u must try the gorgeous cheesecake. I will be back to try a few more dishes that caught my eye. A great cocktail menu too i loved my flaming mai tai read more

This place is definitely a gem amongst the busy Central London area. If you're looking for a place that can satisfy your filipino cravings, this is the place to be. The owners (Rowena & Chris) & chefs definitely pay attention to detail. For instance, the pork they use in their adobo is free range, making it so nicely tender. There are even vegan options. The flavour was pristine, & every bite was seasoned with such finesse. This was obvious in their sizzling chicken sisig dish. The interior design of the place has a nice modern, but still filipino homey feel! I enjoyed the historical photos of General Carlos P. Romulo. Wonderful experience overall! read more

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Best filipino food in London. I wish i could come back to this place again. Late review.

Oh my lord - WOW! Live round the corner and went there for the first time this evening, holy baby jesus this place is incredible. Like, next level gorgeous food. Had a whole tilapia and a slow cooked on the bone beef and both were insane. The beef especially was one of the most memorable dishes I've had in months. Really interesting story going back generations, from which the signature recipes have been passed down from. The menu is interesting, extensive, varied and well thought out from starter to cream mint tea at the end! Seriously, probably the best meal I've had in London in a long time and a great price. We have two sharing dishes between two of us and it was enough food for 4! The dishes were only 16 pounds each. For those saying it is expensive or small portions, are you mad! The whole bill was under 60 pounds including, four drinks and a desert. Check this place out, like, seriously! read more

It is hardly to find a decent Filipino restaurant in London. So i went to try out Romulo cafe for the first time after I saw it in Time out. The price of the foods and drinks is a bit pricey, menu are simple with a lot of meaty choice mainly deep fry style. Food is tasty and nice decorated but portion is not that much compare to it price. Nice interior decoration with lot of romulo president pictures on the wall. Look a bit like museum to me. Location is a bit of walk from the tube station. read more

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We just had our dinner here. Amazing amazing food!! It was authentic Filipino food with a twist of fusion!! The flavour and taste was made with much thought, ingredients at its finest. It was made to perfection, nothing was left unturned. The experience is quite unforgettable!! I highly recommend it!! The food, presentation, ambiance and service was outstanding. read more

Don't skip dessert! The halo-halo is damn good! So save room from your main course! Definitley would try other dishes next tome we're in London! read more

Delicious, modern Filipino cuisine in Kensington. If you have never tried Filipino food, Romulo Cafe is a perfect introduction. I recommend the fresh lumpia and the crispy beef short ribs tadyang. read more

I'm married to a Filipina and I've eaten at MANY Filipino restaurants all over the world, but this is probably the best I've experienced. Chris spent time with us talking about the food preparation and the history of the restaurant. If you enjoy Filipino food, this is a gem you won't want to miss. read more

This place is a gem. I booked a reservation on Open Table after being away on a long trip in Europe and craving Filipino food. We were pleasantly surprised with what we found and will be recommending this place to friends and family. Everything was perfect from start to finish. Food was delicious, staff efficient, prices fair, and the ambience was cozy and homey. Even the decor and photos on the walls had a nice touch of Philippine history and culture, giving the customers a glimpse of General Romulo as both statesman and patriot. Upon arrival, we were given a table at the back of the room which was full, considering the weather outside. Our server was enthusiastic and eager to explain the menu. She then proceeded to suggest her favorite dishes and recommend wines to go with them. After placing our orders, we were given pandesal. I'm on a low carb diet, but I couldn't help eating the bread. It was so tasty and addictive, I had to resist eating more knowing that we ordered a lot. The lechon kawali was amazing. Crunchy on the outside, tender and juicy inside. The crispy tadyang, salpicao, pancit, and laing were all delicious, and the ukoy was unique. It had julienned sweet potatoes which I thought was innovative. Of course, we had to have the garlic rice, yum! Portions were generous and served family style. Perfect for larger groups of people. Even our white wine complemented the flavorful food perfectly. Dessert topped off the evening. Loved the ube-licious - luscious ube cream sandwiched between meringue crisps and served with ice cream and macapuno. Exquisite! The halo-halo was just as interesting and tasteful. Regular crushed ice was replaced with shaved ice, similar to a Hawaiian shave ice, and the flan with it had a consistency of pudding and dulce de leche. Would definitely recommend this restaurant to friends and family. It is a nice place to celebrate an occasion, gather with family/friends, or simply enjoy some comfort food on a cold wet evening. read more

Can't fault this place. The food is excellent and the service is friendly. Would recommend it to anyone who loves Filipino food and their warm hospitality. read more

Amazing! The food here brings back memories of home. I'd recommend the beef ribs as your main. I'm coming back for this soon! Come hungry and bring a friend because the dishes are meant for sharing (in fact, just like home) and more than enough if someone comes to join you. The prices are fair. For starters, try the fritters - it just like a dish we call ukoy, but this one is an uber version of what's available in Manila. Also, the choco loko is very memorable. All that, plus the unique cocktails make for a memorable time. read more