Manila Culinary Landmark Café Ysabel Shuts Down M. Paterno Site

Courtesy: Cafe Ysabel

Café Ysabel, one of the country’s oldest and most revered heritage restaurants, officially closed the doors to its longtime M. Paterno street location on Thursday, July 23, 2026, marking the end of a multi-decade era in San Juan.

The closure, however, is not a permanent goodbye. According to founder and legendary culinary figure Chef Gene Gonzalez, the Spanish-Filipino dining institution is shuttering the property temporarily to prepare for its next chapter at a brand-new location.

Founded in 1982, Café Ysabel spent decades serving generations of Filipinos, transforming from a local favorite into a national culinary landmark known for its ancestral-house ambiance and timeless heirloom recipes. The M. Paterno branch also recently captured global attention as a primary filming location for the hit Netflix series Replacing Chef Chico.

Management has assured patrons that the restaurant's signature menu and historic charm will carry over to the new venue, with relocation details and opening dates expected to be announced in the coming weeks.