Cabalen Restaurant, Jacksonville FL

Food was good and authentic

Definitely good local Filipino food

I’m not even Asian

Gave us a free sample since it was our first time, the food is phenomenal, and the price is very fair

The BEST pork I’ve ever had in my life. The lady at the counter was very friendly and even gave us a free sample since it was our first time and I HAD TO get that spicy pork. 11/10 you need to try this place. Prices and portions are very fair too.

Great food…but the line is so slow…and the place needs to get their AC fixed…so very hot in the room.

We came in 15 mins before they were closing. The lady accommodated us with our orders. There wasn’t a lot of option left as they were closing but we got halo-halo and Bicol express. I like the halo-halo even though they were out of Leche flan, it was still good. My half-Filipino kids tried their Bicol express and they enjoyed it very much especially my son. Only thing was it was very warm inside considering the weather outside b/t 85-90 degrees F. Overall, we liked what we ordered and we’ll be coming back to try different dish while on vacation here in Jacksonville.
Next day we came back and got longganisa and dinuguan.

I'd give this place 5 stars as the food was excellent.but the girl working the cash register was really bad on explaining the menu and food. She made me feel like I shouldn't eat there almost. In describing the food she was very negative in going over ingredients, even telling me I probably didn't want a certain menu item just because it had liver in it. I ordered anyways, despite her weirdly negative selling of her own store's food, and like I said it was good, just a strange customer service experience. Lumpia was delicious, definitely order some if you go here.

This is a hidden gem in plain sight!

I wanted to get some food from the Philippines, and Cabalen did not disappoint me! I had the pork adobo, Lumpiang Shanghai, and of course Coke Lite.

The meal was delicious, very filling, and the service was outstanding. I enjoyed the laid back atmosphere and the Filipino news that was on the tele.

If I am in the area again, I will return here! I recommend Cabalen Restaurant to everyone!

I ordered Kare Kare and Paksiw with shrimp paste. The perfect pair of fatty stew with briny freshness. The shrimp paste adds extra umami and heat. I highly recommend this combo. The people were friendly and accommodating and recommended the Dalandan juice which was excellent. Im so full I can't walk back to my apartment and the price was lower than expected. Though I recommend take-out, they had a filipino drama playing in the background which was a nice touch and the service was friendly and hospitable.

My teenage daughter & I ate there for the first time, as we like to try as many different Filipino restaurants in NE Florida, & we loved it! Food was great, service was great & there were mostly Filipinos eating there, so we had high expectations (which were definitely met). We can't wait to go back & we both highly recommend Cabalen!

A coworker told me about this place. The staff is so nice and explained what each dish is. The place is small with few tables. The menu changes from what i am told. I had the pancit, pork adobo and lumpia. All were perfectly flavored def will be back and worth the trip!

I spent most of my childhood with my grandpa. We’re kapampangan, when I had their Caldereta here all I could think about is how it taste exactly the same how my lolo makes it. I did take some sinigang to go and it made me feel like I was back in pampanga eating with my family. This place needs to be recognized as one of the best in Jacksonville.