Hello dear
Welcome to Kawayan
Kawayan is a charming family-run Filipino restaurant located in Chicago, IL, where each dish reflects a deep-rooted passion for authentic cuisine. Newly managed, the restaurant is helmed by a father-son duo, ensuring that every meal resonates with tradition and care. Diners rave about the bangus, lumpia Shanghai, and the perfectly marinated tocino, reminiscent of cherished home-cooked meals. The attentive service enhances the experience, with owners taking the time to guide patrons through the menu. With its inviting decor and exceptional flavors, Kawayan promises a delightful journey through Filipino culinary heritage, making it a must-visit for food enthusiasts.
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About
Kawayan
Welcome to Kawayan, a delightful Filipino restaurant nestled in the heart of Chicago at 4859 N Milwaukee Ave. This family-run establishment, recently under new management, is quickly gaining a reputation for its authentic and heartwarming flavors. With a mission to share the rich culinary heritage of the Philippines, the owners—comprised of a dedicated husband, wife, and their son—pour their passion and personal touch into every dish.
Kawayan is more than just a place to eat; it’s an experience that transports you to the vibrant streets of Manila. Guests rave about the bangus (fried milkfish), lumpia Shanghai, and chicken adobo, each paired skillfully with garlic fried rice that complements the hearty mains. The attention to detail is evident—one review describes how the owners take the time to explain menu items and customize dishes based on diner preferences, ensuring that every visit feels personal and intimate.
A standout item is the pork sisig, which has been described as 'on point,' reminding patrons of what true Filipino sisig should taste like. The flavors are bold, with perfectly marinated meat that excites the palate. One customer even recommends enhancing your sisig experience with soy sauce and chili oil—a testament to the authenticity that Kawayan embraces.
Complement your meal with refreshing drinks such as Calamansi Juice or a nostalgic cup of Sago’t Gulaman, both available at reasonable prices. The drinks are more than just a refreshment; they are reminders of cherished childhood moments spent in the Philippines.
The ambiance at Kawayan is inviting, providing a cheerful vibe that makes dining enjoyable. Many reviews emphasize the warmth and attentiveness of the staff, who are eager to ensure your experience is nothing short of excellent. As one satisfied customer put it, the meal was so comforting that it felt as if their Lola was back in the kitchen, cooking with love.
If you’re looking for an exceptional culinary adventure that feeds both the body and the soul, look no further than Kawayan. Whether it’s a special date night or a casual weeknight dinner, this restaurant promises an experience filled with flavorful and thoughtfully prepared dishes. Don't miss out on the chance to savor the essence of Filipino cuisine right in Chicago!
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ Excellent spot. This is a true family run operation (i.e. husband, wife, and son) with the owners being some of the nicest people in the business. They actually took the time to explain their menu items, and their love and passion for Filipino cuisine. The server (wife) even asked my wife how she'd like her bangus (i.e. Fried Milkfish) served- medium, medium well, or well done. Excellent personal attention/attention to detail. Their bangus, lumpia Shanghai, garlic fried rice, and chicken adobo are all top in class. As a matter of fact, this entire dinner was top in class. I felt like my Lola was back in the kitchen. The family made us feel right at home from the moment we walked in. And this was all a half hour before they closed. It was the perfect date night. Excellent service. Excellent food. Excellent people. The best. ”
“ New management, new restaurant. I love it ! I been craving some sisig, and i must say if you know how and what REAL filipino sisig supposed to taste like and look like, Kawayan’s sisig is on point!!! I recommend u guys checking them out here in chicago! Sago’t gulaman with shaved ice? Cant complain!! Literally brings me back the days being in the street of manila! Their tocino is fire, perfectly marinated! Please dont hesitate to try their pork sisig with egg!! Oh, dont forget some soy sauce and chili oil for your sisig!! ”
“ We had been to this restaurant in the past, but it's now under new ownership. The father owns the restaurant and is also the chef because he really wants the food to taste like it should. His son takes the orders and serves the food and is so nice and patient! He went through the menu and explained each dish as we were deciding. We chose pancit bihon combo and batchoy. I doubt you could find either dish made better anywhere else. Each dish had a rich complex taste that was so enjoyable. The batchoy meats are cooked over 24 hours to create an amazing flavor. Pancit bihon had its own wonderful tastes. Both dishes were of generous portions. The decor is inviting and joyful. The place is immaculate. It gets quite busy on the weekends, so you might find it easier to enjoy a great meal sometime during the week. Enjoy! We sure did. ”
“ Food was amazing! It is worth every penny. I would definitely go back for some more! It was as great if not better than Kasama restaurant that’s a Michelin star. Just a tad bit of renovation for the restaurant and it would be amazing! ”
“ Under new management, the owner and chef, more than warrants your attention. You owe it to your palate to reward it with delightful dishes that feed not just the body but also the soul. They cure tocino in house using a family recipe that goes back decades. You can be sure that the meat are cooked to perfection. Crispy and cruchy according to dish parameters. Tender and juicy to the bite. Even the vegetables are prepared at the right temperature so it's not soggy or overcooked which often happens at asian shops. The seasoning is carefully considered, holding the balance between salt and sweet or have ample kick (bicol express) when needed. I haven't had all of the dishes but have sampled many and they are all very enjoyable. Service is quick and staff are very attentive. They said they will be making sausages soon too. I can't wait. You shouldn’t either. ”
“ Excellent food we got a big order being out of town and near Indy we don’t have very many Filipino restaurants. We got several dishes to try and we were not disappointed they all were great! Kare Kare, pancit, crispy pata, garlic rice, pork sinigan. Service was amazing and food is yummy! If you’re in the area try this place out you will be happy you did! Thank you Kawayan if we are in the area we will MOST DEFINITELY BE BACK. (Greenwood, IN) ”
“ We were in the area to see Yves on tour at the Copernicus Center, and we’re so glad to have found this spot to energize us before the show! The atmosphere was nice and charming, and the lady who greeted and sat us was super accommodating. We were also served by the owner’s son who sold us on some pretty tasty-sounding dishes we’ll have to try next time, as well as the place being BYOB and them having future karaoke nights. As for the food, we were very impressed! Every bite was a flavor-bomb that kept on giving. We LOVED the lumpia shanghai with a garlic-y twist, and the sisig paired with garlic rice were my personal favorites. If we had more time and a bigger stomach, we would’ve ordered the whole menu, so major kudos to the owner/chef! Overall, the new management did a stellar job in making our experience one to remember! Thank you for the excellent service, and we’re excited to come back and try some of the other dishes, especially the breakfast and soup offerings. ”
“ Every single dish was fantastic, and the service was excellent. They made us feel like we were part of the family. My favorites were the lumpia, Crispy Pata and the Caldareta, but how can you choose when every single dish was a standout! Michelin star type food. Yum! ”