CEBU CITY — A beloved chapter in Cebu’s dining history reopened today, July 18, 2026, as Café Laguna welcomed guests back to Ayala Center Cebu under the banner “Ang Pagbabalik.” The iconic Filipino restaurant, now on Level 1 near the South Entrance, brings its cherished recipes and warm hospitality to a new generation of diners.
A Homecoming Decades in the Making
Café Laguna first opened its doors in this very mall in 1994, becoming Ayala Center Cebu’s first food locator. For over three decades, the restaurant has been synonymous with family gatherings, Sunday lunches, and celebrations that demand authentic Filipino comfort food. Its return is not just a relocation but a heartfelt reunion with a city that grew up dining in its halls.
Founder Julita “Lita” Urbina built the Laguna Group on a simple philosophy: serve food that tastes like home. That philosophy remains unchanged even as the restaurant settles into its sleek new space adjacent to The Alcoves luxury residences. The new location places Café Laguna at the crossroads of Cebu’s past and its rapidly modernizing present.
A Fresh Space, the Same Soul
The new venue sits at a prime, high‑traffic entrance, welcoming shoppers, residents, and tourists alike. Floor‑to‑ceiling windows flood the dining room with natural light, while warm wood accents and elegant Filipino touches create an inviting atmosphere. The design honors tradition without feeling dated, much like the menu itself.
Positioned near a luxury residential tower, the restaurant now serves as both a neighborhood eatery and a destination dining spot. The afternoon opening at two o’clock was perfectly timed for late lunches and early dinners, drawing a steady stream of guests eager to revisit their favorite dishes. Families who once brought their children to the original branch are now introducing grandchildren to the same flavors.
The Dishes That Built a Legacy
The menu remains anchored in the recipes that made Café Laguna a household name. The Kare‑Kare arrives rich and velvety, paired with house‑made bagoong that balances every spoonful. Crispy Pata crackles under the fork, its tender meat falling away from the bone. Lumpiang Sariwa, delicate and fresh, carries the subtle sweetness of properly cooked vegetables wrapped in thin crepes.
No visit is complete without the Puto Bumbong, the steamed purple sticky rice that helped launch the Urbina family business decades ago. Served with grated coconut and muscovado sugar, each bite is a nostalgic trip to Christmas mornings and Simbang Gabi. These dishes, unchanged in their execution, remain the heart of Café Laguna’s enduring appeal.
A Destination Worth the Return
Café Laguna’s reopening is more than a business move. It is a statement that Cebu’s culinary heritage endures even as the city transforms around it. For returning patrons and first‑time visitors, the restaurant offers a taste of Filipino identity served with genuine warmth. The doors are now open, and the table is set.
