The Best Places to Eat Filipino Food in Tennessee

Craving bold flavors, crispy textures, and comfort in a bowl of steaming soup or a plate of garlicky rice? Tennessee’s Filipino food scene flies under the radar, but it is packed with surprises, from market kitchens and food trucks to polished dining rooms serving creative takes. You will find hearty classics like adobo, pancit, and lumpia alongside fusion plates that still honor tradition. Come hungry, curious, and ready to discover your new favorite spot across the Volunteer State.

1. Maemax Market (Nashville, TN)

Maemax Market feels like a friendly neighborhood secret where hot trays of pancit, adobo, and turon tempt you the moment you walk in. You get that comforting steam rising off garlic fried rice, and the scent carries across the aisles of imported snacks. It is the kind of place where you point at what looks good and end up loving everything.

Lumpia here shatters with a satisfying crunch, especially dipped in sweet chili sauce. Ask for extra vinegar with pepper for lechon kawali or crispy pork belly, and you will keep going back for more bites. If you love dessert, grab ube pandesal or leche flan before it sells out.

Prices are friendly, portions generous, and staff helpful. This market makes weeknight dinners easy.

2. Grace’s Lumpia (Cookeville, TN)

Grace’s Lumpia is exactly what the name promises, a heaven for crisp, golden lumpia rolled tight and fried to perfection. You hear that light crackle when you bite, then taste a juicy, savory filling that begs for a second roll. Order a platter and mix pork, chicken, and veggie to find your favorite balance of flavor.

Beyond lumpia, pancit with bright vegetables and calamansi notes brings a comforting, balanced plate. Add freshly made halo halo when the weather warms up, and you will be grinning the whole drive home. Friendly service keeps everything moving even when the line stretches out.

Call ahead for party trays if you are feeding a crowd. These trays disappear fast during game days.

3. Sunda New Asian (Nashville, TN)

Sunda New Asian in Nashville brings Filipino flavors into a modern, polished dining room with energy to match downtown nights. You can start with adobo glazed pork belly or sizzling sisig style bites that pair beautifully with a bright cocktail. The plating is stylish without losing the heart of the dishes.

Longganisa fried rice steals attention with sweet savory sausage and garlicky aroma. If you are sharing, order pancit and a crudo or sushi roll to balance textures and temperature. Ube butter cake or halo halo for dessert keeps the evening playful and colorful.

Reservations help on weekends, and the bar seats are great for solo dates. Expect attentive service, bold sauces, and a playlist that keeps spirits high.

4. New Manila Restaurant (Millington, TN)

New Manila Restaurant in Millington feels like Sunday lunch at a relative’s house, complete with hearty stews and big platters. Go for pork adobo, rich and tangy with soy vinegar depth, then chase it with pancit that tastes like comfort. If there is kare kare, do not miss the peanut sauce with bagoong on the side.

The staff happily guides first timers through the menu, pointing out favorites and best pairings. You will find halo halo layered with ube, leche flan, and crunchy pinipig for dessert. Everything tastes homemade and generous.

Come hungry, bring friends, and share a table covered in plates. Prices are fair, portions large, and leftovers reheat like a dream for lunch.

5. Filbilly’s Authentic Filipino BBQ Diner (Tazewell, TN)

Filbilly’s in Tazewell brings backyard barbecue vibes to Filipino favorites, and the smoke does serious work. Skewers of pork barbecue arrive lacquered with sweet tangy glaze that sticks to your fingers. Chicken inasal carries citrus and lemongrass notes, charred just right, perfect with garlic rice.

Try the tocino breakfast plate if you love sweet smoky mornings, plus a sunny egg to break over everything. Banana ketchup on the side keeps it playful, and they are not shy with portions. The team treats everyone like regulars, even on your first visit.

It is worth the drive for the mountain views alone. Bring cash just in case, and grab extra skewers to go for late night cravings.

6. Casarap (Memphis, TN)

Casarap in Memphis does big flavors that land with a satisfying punch. Crispy pata crackles loudly, and you will want a zesty vinegar dip for every bite of that porky goodness. Sisig arrives sizzling, fragrant with calamansi and chili, begging to be spooned over rice.

Pancit brings balance with fresh vegetables and seasoned noodles that never feel heavy. Ask about daily specials like laing or sinigang, which deliver soulful heat and bright sour notes. Service is casual, quick, and happy to help you mix sauces.

Come with friends and order wide, then pass plates around. Portions are generous and prices fair, making this an easy weeknight staple or weekend feast whenever cravings hit.

7. Nora’s Filipino Market (Clarksville, TN)

Nora’s Filipino Market is part pantry rescue, part comfort kitchen, perfect when you need both groceries and a hot meal. Grab frozen lumpia for later, then order pancit or adobo from the counter so you do not cook tonight. It is a relaxed space that feels welcoming, even if you are new to Filipino food.

Stock up on suka vinegar, banana ketchup, and instant pancit canton for quick cravings. The staff gladly explains brands and how to use them in home cooking. Turon by the register makes an easy sweet bite on your way out.

Prices are reasonable, selection is deep, and you leave with dinner and tomorrow’s snacks. This spot quickly becomes part of your routine.

8. Philippine Egg Roll Express (Knoxville, TN)

Philippine Egg Roll Express makes Knoxville smell like celebration when the fryer is running. Lumpia fly out the window crisp and golden, with sweet chili sauce ready for dunking. You can pair a pack of rolls with pancit and be perfectly happy for lunch.

Adobo here is deeply savory, and the vinegar brightens every bite. Ask about combo plates so you taste a little of everything, then add extra rice because the sauces deserve attention. Service is fast, and the vibe is upbeat and friendly.

Follow their social pages to track hours and locations. When the weather cooperates, nothing beats grabbing a plate, finding a sunny spot, and digging in immediately.

9. Fil-Thai (Sparta, TN)

Fil-Thai in Sparta bridges cravings with a menu that hops between Filipino comfort and Thai brightness. Start with lumpia to warm up your appetite, then decide between chicken adobo or a citrusy tom yum. The crossover works because flavors stay clean and balanced.

If you like noodles, pad thai pairs nicely with garlicky longanisa fried rice to share. Ask for vinegar or fish sauce on the side to dial in acidity just right. The owners are kind, helpful, and quick to guide first timers.

It is a great date night or family spot, casual and relaxed. Prices are sensible, portions are steady, and the menu encourages exploring both sides without feeling overwhelmed.