Abaseria Deli and Cafe: Elevated Filipino Nostalgia
Enjoy innovative Filipino homestyle cooking at Abaseria Deli and Cafe.
(Photo courtesy of Dennison John Callora)
Abaseria Deli and Cafe is a beloved Filipino restaurant in Cebu City.
Tripadvisor user Lansdb describes it as “lutong bahay in a homely ambiance,” recommending it to foreigners who are looking to try Filipino food. (2017)
Often referred to as a must-try restaurant and the best kept secret in Cebu, it was eventually recognized and recommended on Restaurant Guru in 2023.
A year later, the website awarded Abaseria with the following: Excellent Service, Excellent Puto (rice cake), Excellent Atmosphere, and ranked it among the top 10 Best Cafes in Cebu City.
As of writing, the website ranks Abaseria Deli and Cafe #8 on the list. Additionally, Google reviews show an average rating of 4.6 and Facebook reviews with 3.8.
It’s a culinary experience many have come to love because of its mix of Filipino comfort food and a vintage Filipino-home aesthetic.
HOW TO GET THERE
Exact Location:
32 Pres. Quirino Street, Villa Aurora Subdivision, Kasambagan
(Across Prutasan ni Adan in Tancor Residences)
Operating Hours:
10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Closed on Sundays
MADE WITH LOVE BY LALAY LAVA
Abaseria Deli and Cafe was started by Lalay Jurado Lava, the matriarch of the Lava family, who also owns the Lava Mountain River Farm in Biasong, Cebu.
Lalay, in an interview with Sunstar Cebu, mentioned that the cafe started as a by-product of her jewelry and furniture business in 1997, where she frequently held business talks with clients and their spouses. (2018)
To make conversations less dull, she decided to serve brewed coffee to her clients. Later on, she expanded to providing sandwiches and other light snacks, and then hearty meals for lunch.
Notably, Lalay has no culinary background, only using recipes from her experience helping out in her family kitchen. Her clients enjoyed her meals so much that they became mainstays at every business meeting.
When her exporting business eventually declined in 1999, Lalay focused solely on her restaurant. After buying the house in Kasambagan in 2004, where the restaurant stands today, Abaseria Deli and Cafe was born.
The name “Abaseria” is taken from the Spanish term for variety, more specifically, “a motley of unrelated articles.” You’ll see why this name fits the second you step inside and see its uniquely Filipino interior.
FASHIONABLE FURNISHINGS
(Photos courtesy of Dennison John Callora)
The homey ambiance of Abaseria is inspired by Lalay’s love of antiques and souvenirs, with many of them displayed around the dining area.
Even their ceiling is adorned with woven baskets, while a variety of wooden statues, household items, and decorative pieces occupy the shelves. Frames of detailed paintings and pictures of old Cebu also hang from its walls.
Within Abaseria is an area that serves as a jewelry shop for customers who might want to buy necklaces, bracelets, and other accessories.
You can easily feel the warm and cozy vibe, as the interior alone has a lot of personality. It’s not just a place for food, it’s also an homage to Filipino creativity.
As for their food, many have raved about the consistency of their flavorful dishes and impressive cooking.
DELIGHT YOUR APPETITE AT ABASERIA DELI AND CAFE
The Abaseria menu is carefully curated, with fresh ingredients from Lalay’s farm.
A standout dish is the restaurant’s take on binignit, the popular vegetable stew or dessert that Cebuanos love to serve during Holy Week. This is only available on Fridays, and the restaurant recommends customers to pre-order it ahead of time.
Lalay also created the “Deconstructed Lechon,” consisting of different parts of the pig cut up for customers to pick and choose. This must be ordered ahead of time as well.
Other bestsellers include Chili Adobong Talong, Adobong Bangus Belly, Fried Humba, and Taugi Spring Rolls.
Another menu item worth mentioning is their Crispy Roast Pork, cooked with no spices, only relying on the rich flavor and tenderness of its three-day aged meat.
For dessert, they have the Choco Durian Special: two chocolate cake slices with durian in between, and the Four Corners, which has a scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with fried bananas, mangosteen jam, and a fruit locally called iba turned into candy.
While Abaseria occasionally adds specialty dishes like Paella, Osso Buco, and Arroz a la Cubana, they always stay true to their homestyle cooking.
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It’s heartwarming to see many Filipino restaurants with a unique charm, whether it’s in the elevated ambiance, cozy interiors, or special recipes.
At Abaseria Deli and Cafe, not only is it comfortably welcoming and memorable, but it also continues to be praised for the consistency of their delicious meals.
REFERENCES:
Lansdb. 2017. ““Lutong Bahay (Home Cooking).”” Tripadvisor. https://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/ShowUserReviews-g298460-d1723377-r541010413-Abaseria_Cafe_and_Deli-Cebu_City_Cebu_Island_Visayas.html
Sabalo, Wenilyn, Kate F. Denolang, and Arnold Bustamante. 2018. “Lunch with Lalay.” Sunstar Cebu.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/more-articles/lunch-with-lalay
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