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Luxury French patisserie Ladurée, renowned globally for its iconic macarons, has formally reestablished its presence in the Philippines with a new flagship location nearly a decade after its initial entry into the market.
Ladurée Philippines’ Grand Flagship in Southeast Asia called ‘Ladurée Tropical’ pays homage to the vibrant culture and natural beauty of the Philippines, blending Parisian elegance with a tropical Filipino soul. PHOTOS FROM LADURÉE PHILIPPINES
Now open at One Bonifacio High Street Mall in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), the new Ladurée Grand Flagship marks the brand’s first flagship location in Southeast Asia. More than a relaunch, the space introduces a concept called “Ladurée Tropical,” blending Parisian elegance with a tropical Filipino soul.
(From left) Executive Chef Ladurée Philippines Executive Chef Katrina Torres; Karan Gopwani, Gastronova Group CEO, Ladurée Philippines Franchise Partner; Ladurée Paris Global CEO Mélanie Carron; and Ladurée Paris Global Executive Chef Julien Alvarez
As guests stepped into the green-and-gold-accented interiors on opening day, they were greeted by walls adorned with hand-painted palm motifs, nods to tropical flora, and counters lined with jewel-toned confections.
“Our flagship store is an inspiration of the beautiful Philippine islands which is why we have dedicated to the palm trees and as you can see from our walls, they’ve been washed in the green mountains of our beautiful country,” Karan Gopwani, CEO of Gastronova Group, Ladurée Philippines franchise partner, during the launch.
Ladurée is the originator of the macaron and the pioneer of tea rooms.
“We would like our fellow kababayans to feel that they’re enjoying the Parisian experience, yet being comfortable in their own homes,” he added.
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The store’s three-part concept includes: a retail boutique offering signature macarons, pâtisseries, viennoiseries, chocolates, and accessories; a café serving Ladurée’s celebrated coffees, teas, and hot chocolate for dine-in or takeaway; and 40-seat Salon de Thé, a full-service French restaurant featuring breakfast, lunch, high tea, and dinner.
Ladurée’s signature Vol-au-vent, a puff pastry dish filled with a savory and rich sauce.
Chef Katrina Torres, executive chef of Ladurée Philippines and a recent trainee in Paris, leads the kitchen. Her approach blends Ladurée’s classic French techniques with local, seasonal ingredients.
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“We import to maintain global standards. but we also want to reflect the richness of Filipino produce,” she said.
Croque monsieur
This expansion marks a significant milestone for the French maison. With 160 years of culinary tradition, Ladurée’s legacy includes pioneering the double-decker macaron and setting the gold standard for luxury tea salons worldwide.
About half of the boutique’s offerings will be imported from Switzerland, including the world-famous macarons. But uniquely, the BGC flagship introduces drinks and dishes customized for the Filipino palate — exclusive iced coffee blends, calamansi-infused pastries, and local floral teas are just a few of the items designed for Manila.
The brand’s signature coffee
Ladurée’s initial presence in the Philippines was as a kiosk-style boutique nearly 10 years ago. Its return, in the form of a flagship, signals both a resurgence of interest in luxury dining and a shift in consumer appetite.
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“This is the right time. The Philippine economy is growing fast, and we’re seeing a stronger demand for refined, high-end experiences. People want the world on their doorstep — and that’s what Ladurée offers,” Gopwani said.
As Ladurée settles into its new home in Bonifacio Global City, it invites a new generation of Filipinos to savor a refined taste of France.
“We’ve always been storytellers of Parisian spirit. Now, we’re excited to see how Manila tells its version of that story,” said Mélanie Carron, Global CEO of Ladurée Paris.
