Aplaya Kitchen + Tiki Bar

Filipino food!?! Yes, please! This little restaurant is tucked in behind Main Street, so it is a little hidden gem. Once you find it, it is a very chill place to enjoy an exotic cocktail with some classic Filipino dishes Lola made for you. If you've ever been invited to a Filipino party, you'd see platters of what this place has to offer. The Tiki bar adds even more to the vibe because they've created an exotic vibe behind the bustle of the Main Street traffic of one of the busiest towns on the Cape. Because there is outdoor seating only, there is very little protection from the rain unless you're in the Tiki bar or you've scored a good table in the outdoor dining area. The food is all traditional and I should know... I'm Filipino myself

The bar is tucked back off Main Street a little bit. The bar is very cutely decorated with a variety of sitting options. You can sit at a traditional table, sit in the lounge area or sit at the bar. The lounge area is very cute with comfortable chairs Only had drinks but the food looked and smelled amazing. The cocktails on menu are very good. I had the Chatham Fog Cutter

It's marketed as a Filipino restaurant, but the aesthetic is Hawaiian. So that was a bit off. The food was oka, but it was definitely not as flavorful as Filipino food should be. I'd say it's still a decent intro to Filipino cuisine thought. We ordered three dishes and liked the Mom’s Homemade Lumpia the best. The Filipino BBQ Chicken Skewers was good but a bit bland. The biggest disappointment was the Pork Belly Sisig Tacos; they did not taste like how sisig is supposed to be, at all. The corn tortilla shell did not blend well with the pork belly as it overpowered the taste. Plus, the shell just tasted like those tortilla shells you can buy from a grocery. Plus points for having San Miguel beer, though. Would recommend to try once, but I personally would not go back until they revamp the menu.

What a fun place! We had been in Chatham for two days before finding this restaurant (it's nestled behind Snowy Owl - we only found it from looking at Google Maps). We walked up impromptu and immediately got seats at the tiki bar. The bartender with the high blonde ponytail was very attentive and friendly. She made us our drinks quickly and gave us recommendations on food to try. They were out of the lumpia, but she recommended the pork burger as it had a similar taste. It did have similar flavors, and I really enjoyed it! The gem lettuce salad was so refreshing and tasty. The drinks were unique and felt great after a long hot day. The music was beachy and upbeat but also had some random country songs, which gave me a laugh as I happily sang Country Rooooooads, take me hoooooome.... at a tiki bar 😂 I loved the atmosphere and food here and will totally come back next time I'm in Chatham!

Service was good. Drinks were good. Food was not. No one at the table finished their food. If you order the monkfish it's this weird color when you cut into it. Maybe that's normal - I don't know- but just fyi because I did not expect it.

Aplaya has great food, drinks and vibes! Solid place for lunch, dinner & night life in Chatham. Would recommend to anyone visiting the area :-)

Awesome spot in downtown Chatham! My husband and I got drinks (the Mai Tai was delish!) and a few different small bites, including: the bbq chicken skewers, empanadas, lumpia, and siopoa burger. Everything was excellent, and our server was attentive and friendly! We’ll be back.

Arrived at 5 pm on a Friday, easy to get a table. Cute place, tucked behind busy Main St. Waitress was attentive but bar was so backed up that drinks arrived after our appetizers were half gone! Pork tacos were very good, empanadas were way too doughy, lumpia was good as well but siopao cheeseburger had no beef in it. All in all, food was mediocre at best.

Stumbled along this place looking for a place other than American food, and we definitely accomplished our goal. Awesome backyard patio space with a definitive tiki and tropical vibe. Not the most expansive menu, but there's definite something for everyone. The drinks were refreshing and the lumpia was crunchy. Overall, I highly recommend if you're looking for something different in downtown Chatham

Came here for a break from walking around and loved the Filipino tiki fusion! Food and Drinks: - Calamansi Margarita (frozen): fun twist on a frozen margarita with the Filipino fusion. The hibiscus salt was a fun addition - Frozen Margarita: ordered this with a tajin rim. The tajin was so sour, but balanced well with the drink - Mom's Homemade Lumpia: this wasn't a full meal for us, so we were able to share this among 4 people (1-2 pieces each). This could easily serve one person. The sauce was tasty as well Miscellaneous: - Super fun atmosphere good for small or larger groups. - Make sure to bring sunblock because it is a sunny outdoor area - The tables are all pretty close together, so it isn't the most convenient place if you have a stroller or wheelchair

Return visit. Still awesome location and a vibe you can't beat!! So cute. Had pork rolls, chicken skewers to start. Pork rolls are fantastic. Entrees beef bun. Good, but lot like an appetizer. Pork belly tacos. Good, but better last year. Cold noodle salad still fantastic. Poke bowl new- Fantastic too.

Absolutely incredible gem in Chatham! If you love tiki bars or speakeasies, drop in for great drinks. And if you love flavorful foods, give Filipino cuisine a try. IYKYK Filipino food brings the best of southeast Asian and island flavors. And this place is legit. I judge a Filipino place on its lumpia (egg rolls of the gods) and if those are good, everything will be good. I've also had their Pinoy burger (new to me but has an adobo flavor that I would eat 7 days a week). My friend gave me a taste of his Pork Belly Sisig tacos... amazing. This place is a little hidden so you are going to have to look for it. It's in a little back alley, just keep your eyes open for the sign. Once you get to the back it's like a little oasis. I like to eat at the bar. Plenty of seats, lots of friendly service, and I've never gotten a bad recommendation from the bartending staff. If you want to expand your tastebuds beyond the traditional Cape Cod fare, if you are looking for a refreshing spot, look no further.

Delicious and potent cocktails made them a good value for the price. Favorite dish was the cold noodles which were delicious but we didn't need both large chunks of tofu on top. Mac salad had raisins and different spices.

Great drinks and food - a perfect small summer lunch in Chatham! Kids got the pork burger and loved it. Gluten free items are available and delicious! I got the chicken skewers which is a small plate and perfect for a light lunch. Can't wait to come back.

This review isn't about the food or the drinks or the service. I am giving Aplaya 3 stars because I went there on June 18 at about 4P and there was no one there, and the chairs were on the table tops...not exactly in keeping with the website that says they are open 12-12 everyday. They don't have a phone listed, so you can't check with them in advance. And they didn't ever respond to my email asking about this. Dropped in today intending to get a drink, and the music was loud and not what you might expect given the "Tiki Bar" label; it was just standard rock that was VERY bass heavy. We love the sister restaurant (Mom and Pop's), and the setting is very nice on a warm afternoon and evening. We had high hopes, and are disappointed. We have crossed this off of our list of "places to try". They could easily do better.

A welcome change of pace, I am so glad Aplaya is thriving! Delicious food, live entertainment if you time your visit right, creative cocktails.. Definitely worth your time if you're looking for a break from your average Cape menu.

I only spend the time to leave a review when something is exceptional, or exceptionally poor. Unfortunately this falls into the later. Initially I figured I wouldn't bother, but after a short walk to consider how bad my experience was I felt the need, as otherwise the positive reviews will skew people's perceptions in a way that is not reflective of the experience. Service was poor. Several other tables were attended to before mine despite arriving before them. I ordered the pork belly tacos and a water with lemon. The water was the highlight. The tacos were two store bought hard corn shells. The pork belly was surprisingly flavorless chopped up and topped with pickled onions and green salsa (?) which were also nearly flavorless. After taking a bite I realized a napkin had not been provided so I had to ask the bartender for one as my waitress was nowhere to be found. The setting is nice, set back from the street and shaded, and the umbrella tables seem reasonably nice, but the barrel tables are not suitable for dining at as the chairs are too high for them and then the barrels have a high rim that makes leaning on them uncomfortable. I ended up eating one and a third of the tacos as they weren't worth the calories. So unfortunate as the idea behind the place seems nice and the setting deserves better.

Sat at the bar for a few cocktails. Good pour and friendly bartender. Ordered a mai tai and a blue lagoon? Not too sweet either. Food menu looked good but we had already eaten. Liked the vibes and tiki bar atmosphere. Will be back

Delicious lunch, beautiful patio, friendly service. Great for vegetarians. We'd happily go back. And the neighborhood is just so charming; we'd never been to Chatham before.

A fabulous find in downtown Chatham, Aplaya serves up perfect cocktails and tasty food with friendly service in a fun, laid-back setting that will instantly transport you to the Caribbean, the South Pacific, or anywhere else in the tropics -- no matter what the weather is like on Cape Cod. My wife and I dropped in more than once on a recent vacation, to sip refreshing Mai Tais, Margaritas and Martinis, and to snack on delicious Pork Belly Tacos from their impressive menu of island grub. Tucked away behind the Lily Pulitzer store on Main St., Aplaya can be a little challenging to find, but once you find your way to its delightful covered patio, you'll have a hard time pulling yourself away. It's as perfect a Tiki Bar as any I've come across in quite a while. We'll be back whenever we visit Cape Cod!

Went here tonight for the first time and was delighted! Everything we had was excellent. We started with the little gem salad, then split the bistek, chicken skewers and pork tacos. This was the right amount of food for two people. The cocktails were tasty and well-executed. We tried the Frozen Blue Hawaiian, Frozen Calamansi Margarita, and the Snowy Owl Espresso Martini. Everything we ordered felt creative and thoughtful, as well as fresh and enjoyable. The atmosphere is just right: grass umbrellas above every table, a classic tiki-theme bar, etc. Can't say that tiki and Filipino are typically found together, but Aplaya made the combo work. Looking forward to going back. It's a great change of pace from the usual New England seafood restaurants you find on the Cape.

$15 for a drink with no alcohol in it, imitation filipino food . service was okay. there's no ambiance , someone had a dog in the restaurant with them and they left the water bowl next to our table.

We had the pleasure to dine at Aplaya this week with a party of 8. Ordering is done by QR code for the table which was easy. Our table ordered a variety of cocktails. I had the Passion Fruit Collins which was delightful. Next we ordered apps Lumpia, empanadas and chicken skewers. The stars were the lumpia and chicken skewers. Main course selections were Adobo Chicken, Siopao Cheeseburger, Bistek, Siseg Tacos, and Pritong Isda Fish. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meal. I had the fish which I would order again but would also consider the Siopao which got rave reviews. Also worth noting that the rice that comes with the dishes is fantastic! Wait staff was very good and the tiki bar atmosphere was fun andenjoyable.

Chatham Foodies :P you must come here if you're craving something with lots of umami. I live here only 4 months outta the year and so grateful this restau' is here since it is open until midnight and has an Asian fusion flare. Filipino foods on the Cape in Chatham. Yayyyyyy!!! Great outdoor tiki bar ambiance with outdoor fans and cocktails with umbrellas. Such a fun addition to Chatham life. Loved my chicken skewer with rice appetizer and Tom Collins Filipino style.

Fun place for a cocktail Hard to find ... look for signs Maybe music needs an upgrade. Didn't have food but told it is good

Really delicious food. We had the adobo chicken, steak, rice, and macaroni salad and everything was really good. The service was also excellent,l. We walked in and were seated really quickly despite the place being full, and our server was attentive and kind. The restaurant is on the main drag but set off from the street, which made for a cute environment.

Everything is delicious. My girls love the adobo chicken and we love the bistek (filipino steak and onions). The tangy jus on the rice is just awesome . Empanadas are solid and the chicken skewer appetizer is really good. Don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu. Everything tastes incredibly refreshing and unique. Highly recommended

Great drinks and casual food in a tiki bar setting. Servers and bartenders are excellent

We really liked this little tiki bar. It's super cute and kind of tucked away. The drinks were good and the vibe was great.

A real hidden gem right off of Main Street. Felt like we were on a tropical island. We dined outside under Tiki umbrellas. Service was quick and polite. Food was excellent. The menu is small but tasty. Great place to enjoy island food while on Cape Cod.

The restaurant had a great aesthetic and was all around beautiful. The staff were friendly and were really quick with everything. While the food isn't to my taste, I would definitely recommend going with a friend or a dog!

We loved it here! This place is a gem tucked away from the Main Street but so glad that we tried it. It has a fun and cool Hawaiian tiki bar vibe with music. The spicy shrimp are way too hot, but the short ribs, chicken, and jasmine rice were all delicious. And the bartender makes great drinks :) If you want a break from the typical seafood restaurants, and to try some Filipino food, go there!

Arrived at 11am, which is what is indicated on their website is when they open. I stood in the front for sooo long waiting for one of the multiple employees to speak to me. There were about 3 women working who walked back and forth and obviously saw me standing there waiting to get seated. After being ignored for so long, I stopped one of them and asked if they are open. This employee responds with "I don't know" and walks away. Firstly, how does an employee not know if they are opened or not. Secondly, how incredibly rude of them to simply respond with that and walk away as if that's all that is needed to be said. No elaboration on when they plan to open, if I should just come back at a later time, etc etc As long as this place has idiotic and rude employees, I'll take my money elsewhere. I'm profoundly disappointed because I'm a full filipina living on the Cape with barely any options of Filipino food available. I'd rather drive over an hour to Boston to get Filipino food rather than come back here. What an absolute shame. I won't be recommending this place to any of my Filipino friends or family

We are longtime Chatham summer residents and first heard about Aplaya from our adult children who said the bar and cocktails were amazing. I attended the Taste of Chatham this year when they offered samples of their Mai Tai's and empanadas. They were delicious so my husband and decided to drop in on a Sunday night for dinner. We sat at the bar and the vibe was really cool and it invited conversation. We ordered empanadas and chicken skewers for our appetizers and I ordered a Mai Tai and my husband ordered red wine. Once he tasted my Mai Tai he knew he had to do the same. The Mai Tai mixture is premade but they top it off with a dark rum with floats on the top. The empanadas were plenty (at least ten) with a tasty dipping sauce that was both spicy and sweet. We were served two chicken skewers over coconut jasmine spiced rice. It was so much food I was stuffed. My husband got the fish tacos and said the tomatillo sauce had a kick (he loves spicy food). I ordered the Bistek: marinated short ribs, Filipino style, with Steak & onions, with charred onions (my greedy husband grabbed on of my four before I could stab him with a knife) with soy coconut jasmine rice. I took a delicious bite of the perfectly grilled short rib and knew I was done. So I took it home and enjoyed it for dinner tonight. Yum!

Though memories of the great restaurant once on this site still linger, hats off to Aplaya, something completely different. Filipino food ... limited menu (for now?) ... tasty, fresh, not same old thing. Excellent drink menu. Attentive wait staff make sure diners can do ordering & payment 100% on-line, and then reappear only to bring items to the table. It's a new world out there. Happy that 2% is added for kitchen staff. Not sure about tipping usual amounts when the diners place orders & pay unaided. Paper bowls (covers available for leftovers), utensils & napkins in container on the table, picnic tablecloths, seaside decorations... We will go back. Still, great fun

This place was terrific! The ambiance, food, and service were all great. I was also able to see into the kitchen where the cooks were putting on fresh gloves to prepare something. This place is five star all around. It was also a good change up from other restaurants on the Cape.