You can never go wrong with the croissants at 5G Coffee House!
Who would have known that croissants would be a beloved pastry in Cebu?
In fact, many of the city’s biggest coffee shops and specialty neighborhood cafes offer the famous croissant on their menu. But do you know where you can get the best croissants in Cebu?
Many Cebuanos will say that it’s none other than at 5G Coffee House!
With simple, rustic interiors in a tucked away location, it’s indeed a cozy place to enjoy a rich cup of coffee and one of Cebu’s best desserts.
5G COFFEE HOUSE BRANCHES IN CEBU
- Main Branch
Exact Location: 7K, 2nd Street, San Antonio Village, Barangay Apas, Cebu City
Operating Hours:
Monday to Saturday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
You can ride any jeepney enroute to Apas (17D or 17B) from IT Park. You can wait for one near McDonald’s near the Teleperformance tower, right behind Sugbo Mercado.
- GMall Branch
Exact Location: 1st Floor, GMall of Cebu, A. Soriano Street, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City
Operating Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily
The main jeepney passing by this area from the city is the 01K, which passes by Colon Street. You can get off right in front of the mall and walk straight to the cafe.
BESTSELLERS AND MUST TRYS
- Strawberry Croissant
A long-time fan-favorite, it has strawberry slices on top with rich vanilla cream in the middle. A sweet and delectable dessert that will make you come back for more.
- Lemon Zest
Covered in lemon-laced whipped cream and filled with citrusy custard, this sweet and sour croissant variant is the perfect kick you need in the morning.
- Double Chocolate
Another sweet delight, this one offers double the chocolate goodness with its rich chocolate filling and KitKat bars on top.
- Matcha Croissant
With matcha becoming more popular around Cebu, 5G Coffee House hops on the bandwagon by adding a strong green tea-laced filling inside a matcha-powder coated croissant.
- Tapa Cheesesteak
For a savory option, you can order a croissant with tapa (cured beef), caramelized onions, and cheese in it. A Filipino breakfast staple and a local American deli favorite combined in one!
- Silog Meals
The aforementioned cured beef on their cheesesteak sandwich also comes in a full meal, served with garlic rice and two eggs. A tocino variant is available as well.
HISTORY
5G Coffee House owner Ricardo Guinto started the business after learning how to brew his own coffee in high school. With the capital that he got from his supportive parents, he converted their garage into a neighborhood coffee shop.
The name “5G” is taken from the number of members in Ricardo’s family (two parents and three siblings) and the first letter of his surname, Guinto.
While it was primarily a coffee-centric business, their homemade croissants received a lot of praise from Cebuanos. When the cafe was temporarily closed during the pandemic, Ricardo went all in on the delicious pastries.
He spent the next two years coming up with various croissant flavors to pair with their coffee. At the same time, he dabbled with other menu items like the French toast, cruffins (croissant + muffin), and pain au chocolat.
By 2021, operations were back in full swing, with 5G now fully focused on their croissants.
The cafe introduced its menu, aptly called “The Usuals”, consisting of classic patisserie favorites like a plain croissant and its long list of bestsellers and must-trys.
The cafe doesn’t shy away from mixing things up either. Every so often, their baristas serve seasonal flavors that aren’t on their menu, letting customers experience something new.
They later incorporated more savory options like their croissant sandwiches and Filipino breakfast rice meals, which are said to be family recipes from Ricardo’s dad.
The local independent cafe became somewhat of an in-city hideaway, with many visiting to study or work while enjoying a delectable brunch or hanging out with friends.
The cafe soon garnered more success, allowing for the main branch’s expansion. Today, the Apas branch has added more dining areas, maintaining its rustic ambiance.
They slowly added more services over the years, such as the online delivery service through the QR code posted on their social media pages.
They now sell croissant themed shirts and caps as well, which you can purchase in-store. They also host events like raves and coffee crawls.
Additionally, you might find a few furry friends running along when you visit the main branch.
The cafe officially opened its GMall of Cebu branch in early 2024. They also made their way to Manila in 2023, expanding their brand nationwide.
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Today, 5G Coffee House is virtually synonymous with croissants in Cebu. A Rappler article mentioned that the once humble independent cafe now sells over 180 to 200 croissants a day, and that’s only at the first Cebu branch. (2021)
Still very much in its prime, it may continue its ongoing success with the establishment of more stores and additions to their diverse menu of pastries, meals, and desserts.
It certainly has the markings of being the country’s leading cafe with some of the best tasting croissants.
REFERENCE:
Ecarma, Lorraine. 2021. “Cebu’s 5G Coffee House croissants: Pursuit of perfection.” Rappler.
https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/food-drinks/cebu-city-5g-coffee-house-croissants/
