Lolo and Lola — Restaurant in District of Canberra Central

We came down for a dinner during the recent long weekend and WOW... I have to say this is the best Filipino food I have ever tried in a restaurant in Australia PERIOD. We came as a group of 5 and ordered a lot of stuff, from actual food to desserts and drinks so I feel like we got a good idea of what the food was like overall.

I grew up in a part of Sydney with a significant Filipino population. The presence in terms of food and cuisine hadn't always been there until very recently in the last 6-7 years but needless to say, I've tried pretty much every Filipino restaurant in this area: from cafes, actual restaurants to bakeries and desserts. Lolo and Lola beats all restaurants with similar cuisines that promise authentic Filipino dishes. Not dishes with fusions from other cuisines, which there are plenty of in Sydney, but actual Filipino food.

The tagline that they have for the restaurant is honest Filipino food, and I feel like it truly captures the taste of the food. It's not just authentic, it's just straight up honest!

The great customer service was also the cherry on top of the dine in experience overall too. The staff was super friendly, they asked if we were Filipino and some of us on the table were and the feeling of bayanihan from the staff was instantly there. I think as a young Filipino person it's not something I experience even from growing up in an area where there were a lot of us. Perhaps everyone around me was trying to adjust to Australian culture where people are more aloof about personal space compare to Filipino culture. But here at Lolo and Lola, they maintain the heart of the culture obviously not just through the food taste, but also the way in which the food is served.

I do get asked pretty often where the best Filipino restaurant is by non-Filipinos because a lot of people outside of our ethnic background simply don't know much about Filipino food, let alone have actually tried it themselves. And now I'm happy to say that I know where to point them to. The only sad part is that the people asking me are also from Sydney and Canberra is obviously not the most convenient to get to.

If Lolo and Lola ever have plans to expand though, you know where to go next! You'd have a market here in Sydney for sure.

It's essential to make a booking if you plan to come here though. They are extremely popular and have a 1.5hr limit to which you can dine in. However, the food arrived really quickly anyway despite the busyness we experienced which was a pleasant surprise. Price was also reasonable, I'd say similar to what I'd pay for similar food in Sydney except the food tastes better at...

It was such a surprise to find a lively, bustling restaurant tucked away in a quiet residential area! We didn’t have a reservation, so we were really grateful the staff managed to squeeze us in — but I’d definitely recommend booking in advance.

Highly recommended:

Bagnet (deep-fried pork belly): The crispy pork crackling was incredibly light and crunchy, while the pork belly itself was rich and flavorful without being greasy — every bite was full of that satisfying roasted aroma.

Sinaing na Isla (baked barramundi wrapped in banana leaves): This had a texture closer to steamed fish — delicate and tender. Most of the large bones were already removed, and the fish was stuffed with finely chopped tomatoes that added a refreshing touch. The soy vinegar dip with minced ginger paired beautifully with the mild flavor of the fish.

Other dishes: Palabok Fiesta: We expected a soup-based vermicelli, but it turned out to be mixed with a shrimp-annatto sauce. The sauce had a very distinct, briny flavor from the shrimp roe — quite unique and enjoyable.

Spicy Beef Caldereta: The tomato-based sauce was slightly spicy and rich, perfect for spooning over rice. However, the beef brisket could have been stewed a bit longer — it was a bit dry and tough.

Since none of the dishes we ordered were particularly saucy or brothy, the Ube milkshake, with its icy, creamy texture, was a refreshing pairing. Like the Durian soft serve, its vibrant color made it really appetizing, though it lacked a bit of the real fruit texture or flavor that could’ve elevated it.

All in all, Lolo and Lola offers great value, flavorful food, and warm service — a wonderful spot for gatherings with...

we went to canberra for the floriade and stayed overnight. before the trip back to sydney, we decided to have lunch at Lolo and Lola. i thought a 4+ star rating from about 700+ reviews couldn't be THAT wrong. and glad we were that we did go. the food was really good -- honestly good food. the food on offer last weekend (9 oct 22) included sisig and bagnet. and in my 37 years in australia, i have NOT eaten in a filipino restaurant that served these dishes that way that i expected them to be... until lolo&lola. the sisig may not have been served on a sizzling plate, but that was never an issue for me. the actual dish was very tasty with the calamansi after taste very welcome. the pork crackling of the bagnet was crunchy and the meat itself so soft you could cut it with just a fork. it was tasty and not burnt. it was not glistening in oil either. i could have this everyday if it were not for my high blood pressure/cholesterol issues. servings are big and a dish could easily be shared by three people who were not that hungry. for dessert, we had halo-halo. again, perfectly done and served. the crushed ice was fine enough so that you didn't have to chew bits of the ice because it wouldn't melt quickly enough. service was good and the staff are pleasant people. only wished they didn't run out of the tomato/salted egg salad. would we go back? OF COURSE! my wife and i are already calculating the time it takes to go to canberra, have a meal at lolo&lola, and then drive back home to sydney. we make a day of a visit to the blue mountains. what's an extra hour if i was guaranteed a have really...