Tagpuan (Kensington) — Restaurant in Toronto

My husband and I were heading out for some couple time at an arcade when we found ourselves walking right by Tagpuan Kensington. We'd certainly heard great things about the spot, and with our usual favourite Filipino restaurant having recently relocated, it felt like the perfect moment to spontaneously pop in for a casual dinner. What an absolutely brilliant decision that turned out to be!

The food here is outstanding. We ordered a spread including Pork Lumpia, Bulalo, Bihon Canton, Garlic Fried Rice, and a refreshing Sago't Gulaman. Every single dish arrived tasting incredibly delicious and genuinely home-cooked, hitting all the right notes of comfort and authenticity. The lumpia were perfectly crisp with a savory filling that immediately brought to mind cherished family recipes. The Bulalo, a rich beef shank soup, was beautifully tender and soul-satisfying, offering that comforting warmth you crave: a real nod to classic Filipino home cooking. The Bihon Canton (stir-fried noodles) was perfectly seasoned, with each strand bursting with flavour. And of course, the garlic fried rice was the ideal companion to every bite.

Portions were generous, with each dish easily providing enough for two people to share and savor. To complete our meal, the Sago't Gulaman was a delightful surprise; it was on the less sweet side, which we actually found incredibly refreshing on a hot summer day, with the perfect balance of tapioca pearls and gelatin.

The restaurant itself has a very casual, unpretentious charm. While the decor is straightforward, it feels welcoming, and the presence of some grocery snack staples adds a unique, local corner-store vibe that lends to its authentic character. Every staff was attentive, friendly, and incredibly efficient.

Tagpuan Kensington is truly a gem, especially if you're exploring the vibrant Kensington Market. We'll definitely be back whenever we're in the neighborhood and try their all-day breakfast. It’s comforting Filipino food that tastes just like it came from a beloved...

I'm always on the lookout for good Filipino food—especially palabok. I came across this spot on TikTok and just had to drag my husband all the way to Toronto to try it out. Bonus: it's located in one of my favourite areas in downtown Toronto, Kensington Market. I was genuinely happy to see Filipino food being served in that neighbourhood.

Now, onto the experience. The place is clean and charming. As soon as you walk in, you're greeted with a variety of hot dishes to choose from. As you make your way further inside, there's a selection of kakanin, baked goods, and other snacks. And at the very back of the restaurant, there's a small grocery section filled with popular Pinoy food, drinks, and snacks.

We were welcomed with warm smiles, which set a nice tone—although I did notice a bit of coldness from one of the female staff when I asked for an extra serving of rice. It felt like a small ask, but the vibe shifted. That said, another staff member was friendlier and helped balance things out.

We ordered:

Dinuguan – Freaking loved it. Ginataang Langka – The best. Tasted just like my mom’s. Kaldereta – Honestly, the best I’ve had in a while. Siopao – It was okay. Palabok – Sadly, a big letdown.

We also had canned pineapple juice with our meal. The portion sizes were just right, and the pricing felt fair—especially considering the prime location.

Now, back to the palabok. It looked promising, but the flavour just wasn’t there. It lacked the rich, savory taste I was craving. We ended up taking it home, and my husband had to season it to make it more enjoyable. A bit disappointing, especially since that was the dish I came for.

Still, the rest of the food more than made up for it. I’ll definitely be back to try more dishes—and hopefully give the palabok...

'Tagpuan' is a Filipino word which means a meeting place/location and it's aptly named since this is a place where you can meet Filipino/non-Filipino friends or families to partake in Filipino cuisine in downtown Toronto.

It's a small cozy place with limited seating. When you enter the place, you will see a glass counter with a wide range of unlabeled and unpriced dishes that can be confusing for the uninitiated. There are also dishes that can be made to order including the 'Silog' breakfast.

Tried their Dinuguan dish and Halo-Halo. The dinuguan is in the salty side and the Halo-Halo is lacking in ingredients.

At the back of this place they have a small 'Sari-Sari' store which is basically a convenience store selling Filipino groceries and merchandise such as t-shirts emblazoned with a Tagalog word slogan.

And since this is located in downtown, prices are on the expensive side compared to their suburbs counterparts.

But if you're really in need of Filipino ingredients or just craving Filipino food, I guess this is the place to be. Just don't expect to find everything here and be prepared to pay...