Looking for a laidback place to catch up with friends and family this holiday season? Head to  Southbank Cafe + Lounge, a Melbourne-inspired spot in the south metro where you can enjoy a full Aussie breakfast and coffee for brunch as well as craft cocktails and wine for a nice night out.  

“We were all living and working in Melbourne before and the suburb where we lived was called Southbank. It was an area full of small homegrown cafés and we wanted to bring that vibe here,” shared Patrick Leyble, Jr., one of Southbank’s owners.

The café’s interior was designed by Kitty Bunag of creative council Craftsmith Guild, which she describes as “a mix of industrial, botanical and mid-century modern.” 

Interior design consultant Kitty Bunag who designed Southbank's Melbourne-inspired look

The highlight of the interiors would be the bar where the café’s logo, which is inspired by aboriginal art, can be seen prominently.

The menu is also inspired by the Melbourne food scene with choices that include the Southbank Burger. For their coffee, Southbank is proud to be the first to carry Allpress Espresso. Originally from New Zealand, Allpress caters to 1,000 independent cafés around the world with their beans roasted in their Melbourne roastery.

Southbank's menu includes the mouthwatering Southbank Burger

The owners also have their own take on cocktails with some named after themselves such as Wendy Lene’s (classic coffee martini infused with raw maple syrup finished with Madagascar vanilla saffron mousse). For the wines, there’s a selection of California and Australian bottles.

Craft cocktails include Wendy Lene’s or coffee martini infused with raw maple syrup and Madagascar vanilla saffron mousse

“We put together a wine list that’s not intimidating so we selected ones that we know are really good and proud to carry,” shared co-owner Wendy Esteban.

From top left (clockwise): Southbank owners Patrick Leyble Jr., Stevie Ang, Chef Martin Espiritu, Sunshine Arcilla and Wendy Esteban

The Heyjow team with Southbank co-owner Wendy Esteban (2nd from left) and interior design consultant Kitty Bunag (5th from left)

Sophisticated yet approachable dining is the main appeal of Southbank – and with its quiet location in Alabang, a brief get-together with friends feels like going on a mini vacation.  

Follow Southbank Cafe + Lounge: @southbankcafelounge