After exploring NYC’s micro-neighborhoods of Little Ireland to Little Guyana, you’ll have to add another to the list: Little Manila.
Located along Roosevelt Avenue from 63rd to 71st Streets in Woodside, Queens, this area became a hub for Filipino diaspora post-1965. Today, it’s home to some of the best Filipino food you can find in NYC. While you’re there, here are the spots you must grab something to eat at!
Pick up groceries from Phil-Am Food Market
Open everyday besides Wednesdays, you can explore rows of Filipino pantry-items at Phil-Am Food Market. This grocery store not only has tons of imported filipino products, but a hot bar in the back for freshly made items. Due note they have a minimum card spend of $10. I recommend leaving with a bag of Filipino chips and a pastry!
đź“Ť4003 70th St, Woodside
Go for BBQ at Ihawan
Family-owned and operated, Ihawan is known for its incredible BBQ and Kamayan (roughly translates to eating with your hands in tagalog). They have kamayan platters for groups of two through eight, but you can also order individual BBQ skewers a la carte. For dessert, make sure to get Avocado con Hielo, ripe avocado with crushed ice and milk.
đź“Ť 40-06 70th St, Woodside
Order ube everything at Purple Dough
If you’ve got a raging sweet tooth, you’ll definitely want to stop by Purple Dough. This Filipino-American dessert shop specializes in all things ube, a popular flavor native to the Philippines from purple yams. From ube cake donuts to cannolis, cupcakes and flans, you can even wash it all down with some ube bubble tea or traditional halo-halo (Filipino shaved ice and milk often layered with jellies).
đź“Ť6304 39th Ave, Woodside
Try the sizzling sisig at Renee’s Kitchenette
Credited for “paving the way” for NYC’s Little Manila, Renee’s Kitchenette is an absolute neighborhood classic. The adorable atmosphere makes you feel right at home, setting the perfect ambience to enjoy their sizzling sigsig (Filipinio crispy pork typically served with an egg) and fresh cantaloupe juice. But truly anything you get on the menu is sure to please!
đź“Ť69-14 Roosevelt Ave, Woodside