Discover what makes Raintree Mall a convenient shopping venue in Cebu City.
In the “MEMORIES OF OLD CEBU” public Facebook group, someone posted photos of Raintree Mall back in 1993. The comment section was filled with Cebuanos reminiscing about what used to be a favorite hangout spot in the city.
The iconic strip mall had its heyday in the late 80s and early 90s, just a few years before SM City Cebu opened. Unlike SM, this strip mall was much smaller, with only a few tenants.
Many come here to dine and shop, especially since it’s very close to the city center. Its mix of indoor and outdoor aesthetics makes it a great place to visit on the weekends as well.
Locals claim that Raintree Mall was where the first Jollibee in Cebu opened. Customers waited in line for two hours just to order the famous Chickenjoy.
Other establishments included hair salons, ukay-ukay shops, pet shops, dessert parlors, an arcade, a playground, a karaoke bar, and even a music school.
As more malls and establishments started to open around the city, Raintree Mall seemed to fade in the background. But with several restaurants and cafes to choose from, you will find that its convenient location continues to be its number one appeal.
RAINTREE MALL STORES AND ESTABLISHMENTS
The strip mall is divided into two complexes that are accessible through either Mango Avenue or F. Ramos Street. It shares a parking space with Velez College, which you can access through the Ramos entrance.
Mini concrete bridges and staircases have been maintained since the mall opened. You can also enjoy leisurely strolls thanks to its nature-inspired outdoor setup.
That being said, here is a list of places to visit at Raintree Mall.
RESTAURANTS & CAFES
- Jollibee
The oldest Jollibee branch in Cebu is still open today. It is surprisingly peaceful despite its accessible location along Mango Avenue.
- Greenwich
This fast food chain is also owned by Jollibee, known for its budget-friendly pizza and pasta meals. There are two floors that can accommodate a large number of customers.
- COOEE
This cafe is popular for its selection of healthy meals and drinks. From fruit shakes and juices to poke salads and yogurt bowls, dining in this cute hole-in-the-wall cafe is always a treat!
- 3 Pizza Station
If it’s pizza you’re looking for, visit this pizza parlor located right below the Acacia tree found at the end of the mall.
Aside from their best selling pizzas such as the Margherita and Pepperoni, they also serve breakfast meals and fresh artisan breads.
- Ice Castle
This is considered the original halo-halo store in Cebu. Their desserts are served in big glass bowls filled with shaved ice, scrumptious toppings, and two scoops of any ice cream flavor of your choice.
The dessert parlor also serves other types of ice cream, like a banana split or a parfait, along with other snacks that you can pair it with, like sandwiches, fries, and rice meals.
- Red’s Cafe
Located right across from Ice Castle, this all-day breakfast joint offers pasta, rice meals, and what they’re most famous for, waffles and pancakes.
Their croffles (croissants and waffles) are a bestseller as well. Flavors include Strawberry, Cookies & Cream, and Salted Caramel.
- Bo’s Coffee
Raintree Mall has its own Bo’s Coffee branch, located by the F. Ramos Street entrance. It’s relatively smaller than the other branches, but is usually filled with university students.
Bo’s is known for using homegrown coffee beans, and it’s a go-to spot for coffee aficionados who are keen on the Philippine coffee industry.
RETAIL AND RECREATION
- Ukay-Ukay Shops
Raintree Mall is a thrift shop haven, with multiple boutiques selling ukay-ukay clothes. These items are mostly secondhand and extremely cheap.
On the second floor, there are two thrift stores with great vintage pieces that you can purchase for as low as Php 100. They are arranged by color so that it’s more convenient for shoppers to browse.
Go-to Style Clothing Shop, located near Jollibee, is one of the city’s most trusted ukay-ukay stores, with its selection of thrifted and excellent quality clothes, varying from baggy jeans, denim shorts, tops, jackets, and accessories.
- Stellar Movie House
You can find some enjoyment at Stellar Movie House, where you can watch movies in a private room. Movie houses used to be a big hit in the early 2000s for students who couldn’t afford to watch movies at the mall.
Stellar is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 AM. They stop accepting viewers at 3:00 AM.
- PRG Photo Shop
Looking for a new camera? Raintree Mall has got you covered with PRG Photo Shop. This is one of the first independent camera shops in Cebu, as the owner realized the need for shops dedicated to photographers.
It first opened in 2007 at Baseline Center, offering a variety of camera models and accessories. It aims to be a fun avenue for professionals and enthusiasts where they can share their love for photography.
- Titay’s
The popular Cebuano bakery based in Liloan has a small store at Raintree Mall. They are well-known for Rosquillos, a ring-shaped biscuit that is commonly sold around many shopping centers in Cebu.
Unlike their main branch in Liloan, there isn’t a cafe or lounge where you can sit down and enjoy their treats. It’s more of a pitstop where you can buy snacks to bring home or to get as pasalubong. Other bestsellers include Otap, Hojaldres, and Galletas de Carmen.
***
As you can see, there is a lot to love about Raintree Mall, thanks to the many establishments that make it convenient for customers who are looking to dine, relax, or shop.
It’s a very noticeable landmark located in the heart of Cebu City. You can also look up other establishments there for any product or service you need.
