First look: Inside Tinuno’s return, the Kamayan classic that helped put Filipino food on Toronto’s map

Some restaurants chase trends. Others quietly become institutions — the kind of places you recommend with conviction, where memories are made over shared plates and food comes with a sense of belonging. Tinuno on Howard Street has always been the latter. And after a sudden fire, a summer-long closure, and months of rebuilding, one of Toronto’s most beloved Filipino restaurants is officially back — looking as good as new, if not better.

We stepped inside the newly reopened Howard Street location this morning, and the feeling was instant familiarity. The smell of fresh eats. The warmth. The energy. If you didn’t know Tinuno had been closed after a fire on June 15, 2025, you’d never guess. It felt like blinking and landing back at a long communal table — banana leaves unfurled, garlic rice steaming, seafood and pork piled high — exactly as it’s been remembered for years.

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No one was hurt in the fire, and from the moment it happened, owners Cathy Ortega and Gerald Aquintey were clear: Tinuno would bounce back. Today, that promise feels fully realized.

Filipino food is having a moment — but Tinuno helped build it

There’s no denying it: Filipino cuisine is finally having its moment in Toronto. Newer hotspots are drawing buzz, lines, and headlines. Restaurants like Mineral, BB’s, and Makilala — the recent Filipino concept from Chef Nuit Regular alongside her husband Jef and his brother Joel, complete with live karaoke — are helping push Filipino food further into the mainstream, and rightly so.

But long before Filipino food was trending, Tinuno was already doing the work — introducing Torontonians to a deeply cultural way of eating that went far beyond a plated dish. For many diners, especially those outside the Filipino community, Tinuno was their first real introduction to Kamayan — and once you experience it, it’s hard to forget.

Tinuno didn’t just serve Filipino food. It invited you into Filipino culture.

What is Kamayan — and what is a boodle fight?

At the heart of Tinuno’s identity is Kamayan, a traditional Filipino style of dining where food is laid out on banana leaves and eaten with your hands. The word kamay literally means “hand,” and Kamayan is about more than technique — it’s about connection, celebration, and shared experience.

You’ll often hear Kamayan used interchangeably with boodle fight, a term that originated in the Filipino military. A boodle fight is a communal feast meant to strip away hierarchy — everyone eats together, with their hands, no plates, no cutlery, no barriers. It’s egalitarian, joyful, and unapologetically messy.

Tinuno leaned into this tradition intentionally. When Cathy and Gerald were building the restaurant, they wanted to give Toronto a truly authentic Filipino experience without the price of a flight to the Philippines. Kamayan wasn’t a gimmick — it was the most honest way to do it.

The Tinuno story: from humble beginnings to cultural mainstay

Tinuno didn’t start as a restaurant powerhouse. Cathy Ortega and Gerald Aquintey originally opened a small Filipino grocery and takeout shop, unsure of what to expect. What they found was demand — not just for Filipino flavours, but for something deeper.

People wanted authenticity. They wanted comfort. They wanted food that felt like home.

The name Tinuno itself reflects that ethos. It translates to “to cook by direct or extreme heat” — under a grill or over an open flame. It’s simple, honest cooking, rooted in tradition and flavour rather than flash.

In 2015, the original Howard Street location opened in Toronto’s St. James Town / Cabbagetown neighbourhood. The space was small, casual, and unpretentious — and it quickly became a favourite. Word spread fast, not because of influencer hype or glossy interiors, but because people left full, happy, and eager to bring others back.

From there, Tinuno grew:

• 2020: A sister restaurant, Tala, opened in Baldwin Village
• 2021: Tinuno expanded to Scarborough Town Centre and Little Manila on Bathurst Street in North York
• 2021: Tala closed and was integrated back into Tinuno after redevelopment plans turned the location into a condo

Despite the growth, the Howard Street location always held a special place. It was smaller, cozier, and consistently earned the strongest reviews. The intimacy worked in its favour — conversations blended across tables, and the energy felt communal in the truest sense.

The fire, the pause, and the comeback

On the morning of June 15, 2025, a fire forced Tinuno’s Howard Street location to close temporarily. It was sudden and unsettling — the kind of thing that could easily derail a small, independent restaurant.

But it didn’t.

No one was injured, and Cathy and Gerald remained optimistic from the start. Behind the scenes, the team worked quietly to rebuild, refresh, and restore the space without losing what made it special. And now, standing inside the reopened restaurant, it’s clear they succeeded.

Everything feels familiar — but elevated. Clean, refreshed, and thoughtfully put back together. It’s Tinuno, just renewed.

“The fire tested us, but it also reaffirmed why Tinuno exists -to create community through shared meals,” said owners Cathy Ortega and Gerald Aquintey. “We’re incredibly grateful to reopen our doors and welcome especially our suki’s back. Suki meaning the regulars.” ❤️

First look inside the refreshed Howard Street space

Tinuno on Howard Street has never been about design theatrics, and that hasn’t changed — thankfully. The aesthetic remains casual, homey, and approachable. It’s not large, and that’s part of the charm.

The smaller footprint creates an atmosphere that’s:

• Cozy and intimate
• Almost always buzzing
• Filled with overlapping conversations and laughter

The moment you walk in, the smell hits you — garlic rice, fried fish, grilled meats. It’s the kind of aroma that makes you hungry instantly, even if you just ate.

One of the best parts? The food comes out fast. If you order the Kamayan feast, it doesn’t take long before staff are at your table, laying down banana leaves and building the spread in front of you. It’s a performance, but not a show — efficient, confident, and familiar.

The refreshed space feels like a natural continuation of what Tinuno has always been. Nothing about it feels forced or overly polished. It still feels like the Tinuno people fell in love with — just restored and ready for the next chapter.

The iconic patio (and why we’re already excited for summer)

Ask anyone who’s dined at Tinuno in warmer months, and they’ll bring up the patio. It’s one of those rare Toronto patios that genuinely transports you — suddenly, you’re not in the city anymore. You’re somewhere tropical, communal, relaxed.

Winter may have shut that down for now, but come next summer, there’s no doubt the patio will be bumping again, filled with groups tearing into Kamayan feasts under the sun.

The food: still one of the city’s best communal dining experiences

Let’s be clear: Tinuno’s Kamayan feast remains one of the best communal dining experiences in Toronto, let alone one of the best Filipino restaurants.

The Kamayan (boodle fight) spread typically includes:

• Garlic rice
• Fried and grilled fish
• Seafood like shrimp and mussels
• Pork dishes
• Vegetables, pickles, and bright acidic sides

It’s generous, satisfying, and designed for sharing. Years ago, Tinuno became famous for offering the feast at around $15 per person (minimum two people). Today, it sits at $25 per person, which feels entirely reasonable — and still incredibly affordable — in 2025.

Inflation happens. Value like this? Rare.

Tinuno isn’t liquor licensed, but honestly, you don’t miss it. The food holds its own, and the experience doesn’t need distractions.

And don’t skip dessert. The halo-halo here is outstanding — a perfect, refreshing finish to an indulgent meal.

More than dine-in: how Tinuno shows up today

Tinuno has also evolved with the times. In addition to dine-in, they now offer:

• Takeout Kamayan Feast boxes
• Ready-made prepared hot food
• Delivery via Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Skip
• Catering services
• Private dining, on location (Little Manilla) up to 60 people

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The Little Manila (Bathurst Street) location is larger and offers private events for up to 60 people, making it ideal for birthdays, celebrations, and group dinners.

For reservations:

• Groups of up to 7 are recommended to reserve ahead via Opentable
• Groups of 8 or more should book a group dinner via email through their website

A timely holiday note: the Pasko 2025 Kit

With the holidays approaching, Tinuno is also offering a festive takeout option that doubles as a fantastic gift idea:

Pasko 2025 Kit — $200 (feeds 6–7 people)

• Lumpia
• Achara
• Kamayan
• Lechon log
• Leche flan
• Mango float

Keep in mind…

• Available all month long
• Pick-up / takeout only
• Pick-up window: 11:30am – 8pm
• Closed December 25–26, 2025 (kit not available on those dates)
• No same-day online orders — call or email to inquire about availability

Why Tinuno still matters

In a city constantly chasing the next new opening, Tinuno’s return feels grounding. It’s a reminder that some of the most meaningful dining experiences aren’t about trends or aesthetics — they’re about community, culture, and comfort.

Tinuno helped introduce Toronto to Kamayan. It helped make Filipino food accessible, joyful, and deeply social. And now, as Filipino cuisine finally gets its long-overdue spotlight, it’s fitting that one of its original torchbearers is back where it belongs — doors open, banana leaves ready.

We can’t wait to be back for a Kamayan feast of our own, surrounded by friends and family, hands messy, plates forgotten, and conversations flowing freely. If you’ve been meaning to return — or have yet to experience it at all — this is your moment.

The 411: Tinuno (Howard Street)

• Location: 31 Howard Street, St. James Town / Cabbagetown, Toronto
• Cuisine: Filipino
• Known for: Kamayan / boodle fight feasts
• Vibe: Casual, homey, communal
• Price: Kamayan feast approx. $25 per person (minimum two people), also offer a-la-carte menu, including a must try halo halo dessert
• Best for: Groups, family-style dining, first-timers to Filipino cuisine
• Drinks: Not liquor licensed
• Patio: Seasonal (summer favourite)
• Takeout & delivery: Uber Eats, DoorDash, Skip
• Catering: Available
• Private events: Up to 60 people at Little Manila (Bathurst St.) location
• Reservations: Recommended for groups up to 7 on Opentable; groups of 8+ via email

If you’re looking for one of Toronto’s most genuine, satisfying, and joyful communal dining experiences, Tinuno on Howard Street is officially back — and still very much worth the feast.