TL; DR | Summary
Takam Review
Takam is here to prove that Filipino cuisine is more than just crispy pork belly and other fried foods. This humble restaurant brings forward a unique cultural perspective to Sydneysiders.
Here, you'll find meals that showcase Filipino flavour depth and complexity (so it's not just about frying everything).
It's a cosy spot with wooden chairs and tables, enhanced by artworks and candles flickering atop empty bottles. The restaurant's set-up feels homely and creative, adding a memorable dining experience in Sydney.
The Takam menu shifts between brunch and dinner, giving you two different ways to experience Filipino cuisine.
I visited for both, with dinner first, where I tried their seasonal set menu, and then I came back another time for lunch to taste their brunch specials.
As for the drinks, you can expect plenty of wines, rum-based drinks, and non-alcoholic options, including rarely seen Filo drinks.
The kitchen team, led by passionate, humbling owners who clearly enjoy their craft, makes the whole experience feel welcoming.
While not every dish blew me away, I appreciated the effort and originality behind the menu for both brunch and dinner. I'd revisit Takam Sydney for another round of comforting Filipino food.
Takam Menu | Refined Filipino Food
Their food mixes familiar favourites with the unexpected, making an intriguing meal for inexperienced and experienced Filipino diners.
Dinner set course Experience
This is must try at least once as you won't find this kind of Filipino experience elsewhere in Sydney.
Mamo Tostado with Quezo de Bola Custard & Salted Egg
It was not a bad way to start the meal. The combination of creamy cheese custard and salted egg with the crunch of the mamo Tostado was rich, savoury, and perfectly balanced without going overboard.
Bacalao "Cavite" with Whipped Cod Roe & Potato Crisps
I enjoyed every element of this entrée. You can expect a refined seafood dish with dried and salted cod, silky whipped cod roe, and edible flowers. The house-made potato crisps add a delicate crunch and work well with the other elements.
Pescado al Horno with "Burong" Calamansi & Fish Terrine Croquettes
This multi-element dish has baked market fish, chives, shallots, and terrine croquettes. It's worth noting that every component is very different from each other, offering a distinguishable palate of Filipino cuisine.
There's also a "burong" calamansi drink that comes with this course. Think of this as a tangy complementary drink that works well to cleanse and refresh your palate.
Fremantle Octopus with Black Garlic, Adobo Sa Pula, Sebago Potatoes & Chorizo
This dish was beautifully presented and packs a punch. The tender Fremantle octopus was paired with the deep umami of black garlic and the bold, slightly tangy flavours of adobo sa pula. The Sebago potatoes are comfort food, while the chorizo brings a smoky, spicy kick that ties everything together. It's a banger of a special dish, but I recommend ordering this at the top of the set menu.
Litson Baka
The star of the set course was the slow-roasted beef short rib with pepper berry sarsa. This juicy, smoky, and intensely flavoured beef was a highlight of the night.
Morisqueta Tostada
Asparagus, Agre Dulce
The asparagus dish is a bit too simplistic for my liking, and I didn't really notice the Filipino take on it. But its sweetness and acidity still make it a good general side dish.
Tocino del Cielo
Unfortunately, this flan dessert was a letdown for me. While I expected a rich, silky flan-style custard, it was overly eggy and lacked the smooth, silky texture I hoped for.
Brunch Experience
After enjoying my dinner experience, I returned for lunch to explore their brunch menu. It was a completely different vibe, focusing more on home-style Filipino comfort food, which is commonly found in Filipino restaurants.
Sisig "Sexmoan"
Don't ask about the name, but this is a sizzling plate of chopped grilled pork belly, neck, and ear mixed with chicken liver, onions, and coconut vinegar. The mix of textures and the slight sourness from the vinegar made this a standout. It's a dish I generally order when it comes to Filipino comfort food.
Beef Tapa
Pan-dried soy garlic beef served with garlic fried rice, a 62-degree egg, grilled tomato, tobiko, greens, and salted duck egg. It's a comfort dish that combines umami, richness, and freshness in one bite.
It wasn't memorable for me as I've had this kind of dish at plenty of other restaurants, but if you haven't had this kind of dish often, you'll enjoy it enough.
Chicken Inasal
Coal-roasted lemongrass chicken served with fragrant garlic rice, pickled pawpaw, spiced vinegar, and chicken oil. Filipino-style BBQ chicken has always been one of my go-to comfort meals, and this version met the standard. The charred skin, the smoky marinade, and that heavenly garlic rice with loads of crispy bits. I highly recommend it!
RECOMMENDED
- Visiting for the dinner set menu
- Trying the Filo calamansi juice
- Sisig "Sexmoan" for a flavour-packed, textural delight
- Chicken Inasal for smoky, juicy, and perfect with that fragrant garlic rice
Final Words
Takam has brought a thoughtful and fresh take on Filipino cuisine by combining nostalgic comfort and modern creativity.
While a few dishes didn't completely wow me, the overall experience was good, and Takam is worth checking out.
Have you tried Takam yet or a different kind of Filipino food? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Where To Find Takam Darlinghurst
Address
Hours
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM
- Thursday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM
- Friday: 6:00 – 10:00 PM
- Saturday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 6:00 – 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Website
Phone
+61 431 580 898
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