The Place 

Filipino restaurant Bela Fiesta opened in the M50 Art District this past March, doling out authentic dishes from across the Philippines archipelago. 

Backed by restaurateur Lucas Sai (previous owner of Urban Grill), the venue pulls together family recipes and customs from his predominantly Filipino team in one laid-back, island vibes space. 

As Shanghai’s first solely dedicated pan-Filipino establishment, the aim is to provide a bona fide taste of the island nation, as well as a feel of home for the city’s 'Pinoy' community. 

The Food

Both the lunch and dinner menu focus on traditional Filipino plates, with numerous sets, ideal for sharing. 

Think sizzling pork sisig, crispy lumpia spring rolls, tangy tamarind sinigang seafood soup, marinated whole roasted inasal chicken, and more, all cooked by consulting Filipino chef Ryan Amparo Otmana.

Ideal for two people craving a taste of the Philippines’ signature dishes, the Philippine Classic (RMB208) set includes...

Pork Sisig

Seafood Sinigang

Adobo Chicken Wings

Pork Belly Kare Kare

• Pork Sisig – minced pork parts, chicken liver and onions, fried together on a hot plate;
• Pancit Guisado – vegetable fried squiggly noodles, glazed in a sticky soy sauce and topped with a Filipino-style grilled chicken thigh;
• Seafood Sinigang – a sour tamarind-based broth replete with shrimp, mussels, clams, and mixed veggies;
• Adobo Chicken Wings – grilled in a secret soy sauce blend and served alongside roasted potatoes;
• Pork Belly Kare Kare – a thick peanut sauce slathered on fried pork belly and assorted green beans, eggplant and bok choy; and
• Dinuguan – a rich stew made of diced pork, pork blood, and a myriad of spices. 

All of these dishes can also be ordered in full size portions for RMB48-88.

Aside from the Philippine Classic set, there’s also a Skewer Set (RMB188), a Meat Set (RMB288), and a Seafood Set (RMB248). 

Lemongrass Iced Tea

Beyond the sharing sets, other popular dishes include Chicken Tinola (RMB58) – a warming chicken and ginger broth filled with chayote squash, chili greens, and stewed chicken meat…

… Shrimp with Atchara Salad (RMB68) – a pickled green papaya salad presented with four snappy shrimp, plus a lightly dressed kale and tomato salad…

… and Marinated Tuna (RMB78) – akin to Filipino kinilaw, a local style of ceviche most typically served with coconut milk, that in this case sees firm cubes of tuna belly marinated in Dati Puti Filipino vinegar, tossed with smashed ginger, garlic, cucumber, calamansi and chilis.

There is also the less conventional but equally inventive Mango and Shrimp Pizza (RMB88) – a sweet rendition of a ‘za with a cracker thin crust painted in mango and pineapple purée, finished with a dense layer of melted cheese, chopped shrimp, ripe tomatoes, and sliced mango.

There’s also an array of fried and grilled bites, seafood plates, fresh salads and stir-fried veggies.

The Philippines most beloved iced snack, Halo-Halo (RMB38/small, RMB58/large), is the star of the dessert menu, a behemoth parfait with shaved iced, mixed jellies, sweet red bean, ube paste, caramel flan, plus condensed and evaporated milk, all topped with a heaping scoop of ube ice cream – the perfect warm weather treat.

Other desserts include Mango Graham Slice (RMB48) and a rotating daily Cake Selection (RMB38) of Mocha, Black Forest and Tiramisu.

Drinks are no afterthought, with tropical delights like flavored Filipino brandy-based margaritas, cucumber rum coolers, and fruit-forward mixers, plus wine and the requisite Red Horse and San Miguel. 

The Vibe 

In true Filipino party style, the R&B tunes are always bumping, plus live music performances and open mic sessions every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday befitting any celebration. 

Equally fitting, the space is furnished with tropical plants, rustic hanging lanterns, and unfinished wood tables, further accentuating the chilled-out island feel. 

With seating for 26 inside, 34 in the air-conditioned tent terrace, and another 36 outside on the main terrace that opens out to the M50 Art District itself, there’s ample room for this Filipino community hub to grow into a Shanghai mainstay.

Price: RMB60-150
Who’s Going: The Filipino community, island life lovers, M50 Art District passersby
Good For: Satisfying Filipino food cravings, island feels, impromptu karaoke

Bela Fiesta, 1/F, Building 11, M50 Creative Park, No. 50 Moganshan Lu, by Xi Suzhou Lu, 莫干山路50号M50创意园区11号楼1层, 近西苏州路.