Another exciting addition has landed in East Vancouver’s dining scene!
And this time, it’s putting modern Filipino cuisine in the spotlight.
Halina Modern Filipino Kitchen + Bar has recently soft-opened earlier this month, in the Hastings Sunrise neighbourhood.
The brainchild of Catalino Javier III (CJ) and his close friends, Halina aims to blend traditional Filipino flavours with fresh, modern twists that appeal to all backgrounds.
CJ told Noms Magazine that his always dreamt of owning his own business, which was inspired by his family back home in the Philippines.
He himself has been in the restaurant industry for 6 years, first starting with helping at his dad’s deli shop before coming to Canada.
But CJ and his friends aren’t totally new to doing their own thing, because the team first started two years ago as Bigboys and Chigs, a ghost kitchen in Langley specializing in sandwiches and rice bowls.
Now, they’re stepping up their game with a full-service, dine-in concept.
“Our food blends the heart of traditional Filipino flavours with a fresh, modern twist,” says CJ.
Halina’s soft launch menu brings together comfort classics like Sizzling Sisig, Grilled Chicken Inasal, and Inihaw na Liempo and bolder creations like Seared Chicken Tinola (seared chicken breast), Beef Short Rib Pares and more.
You’ll also find appetizers like maple and ginger-glazed slamdunk wings, dry humba spareribs, and classic pork lumpia spring rolls.
They didn’t forget the zero-proof crowd either. Refreshing options like El Nido, Pandan Fizz, and Hindi-to Mojito showcase tropical ingredients like ube, calamansi, and coconut.
Inside, Halina keeps it simple.
Expect wood, cement, white furniture, and lots of tropical planters, an unfussy but welcoming setup that reflects the laid-back vibe of the Philippines.
A large feature mural by Vancouver artist Mar Cortez.
The mural captures the essence of the Philippines, its heritage, community, and spirit, through vibrant imagery and Baybayin, an ancient Filipino script from pre-colonial times.
Though they originally envisioned a more luxurious design, CJ notes that a series of construction hiccups and limited funding shifted the focus to something more relaxed and homey.
The space is a generous 3,100 square feet with seating for 106 guests, designed to create a casual but lively atmosphere.
As for why they chose East Vancouver? It’s no accident.
“East Van is vibrant, culturally rich, and values authenticity,” CJ explains. The neighbourhood’s strong Filipino presence and reputation for supporting small, independent businesses made it the perfect home for their first bricks-and-mortar restaurant.
The name Halina is rooted in a sense of perseverance, too.
Their logo, a bird inspired by the Ibong Adarna, a mythical creature from Filipino folklore, symbolizes the endurance and hard work it took to bring this project to life.
With Halina now open, they join a wave of other exciting new food spots in the neighbourhood like Rumble Fish, Mercado, and upcoming Forecast Coffee and Kam Wai Legacy.
Filipino food is still underrepresented in Vancouver, but with spots like Halina opening their doors, that’s bound to change.
For more new and upcoming food spots in Metro Vancouver, take a peek at our tracker here, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.
Address: 2439 E Hastings St, Vancouver, British Columbia