Upscale Nustar Aims for Broad Market in Mall's Restaurant Options
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When Nustar opened in Cebu City in May 2021, visitors could immediately start playing in the table games at the casino, check in at the locally branded Fili hotel, and eat at only three restaurant options within the property. Those three dining outlets were Fina, which serves Filipino cuisine, Il Primo for steaks and fine Italian food, and Chinese-themed Xin Tian Di, which is located inside the casino. All served quality food but hardly provided options for more discerning diners.
In mid-2023, Nustar finally opened its retail wing, with luxury shops soon to open including Cebu’s first Louis Vuitton store coming soon. The mall also provided space for more restaurants that offer an array of cuisines not just for gamers but for a broad market of Nustar’s visitors.
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According to Winnie Nazareth, consultant for Robinsons Land Corp., which developed Nustar, the process of choosing the restaurants was deliberate and considered the primary market of the property. After the opening of the three initial dining outlets, all of which are operated directly by RLC—it was time to open it to other operators.
“We initially opened that strip on the ground floor with a view of the bay and the (CCLEX) bridge,” she told Esquire Philippines in Cebu. “That one was zoned for different cuisines that are important for a casino. You have to have Korean, Chinese, Japanese.”
Mott 32, the acclaimed modern Chinese restaurant, was one of the first to open in 2022. It was a big get for Nustar and RLC as it is the international chain’s first outlet in the Philippines.
After the retail wing opened, Nazareth said they knew to put more casual restaurants on the second floor.
“The price points are similar to a nice mall that you’d find in Manila, like Greenbelt or Robinsons Magnolia,” she said. “Something that's friendly to families that won't break the bank.”
It took some time to get the tenants to open, especially since most of them were recovering from the harsh effects of the pandemic, but one by one, the dining concepts started welcoming guests. As of October 2023, these are the restaurants diners can visit at Nustar (in addition to Mott 32, Fina, Il Primo, and Xin Tian Di):
1| Café Laguna
The proprietors of Filipino-themed Café Laguna have roots in the province of Laguna, although the first actual restaurant opened in Cebu in 1991. Now operating several brands, the group serves its own version of classic Filipino cuisine, such as kare-kare and sinigang, among many others. The branch in Nustar offers exclusive items like crispy cochinillo, pangat na salmon, and aligue fried rice.
Café Laguna is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Fridays to Sundays.
2| Abaca Baking Company
Abaca is a familiar name to most Cebuanos. At Nustar, the food group opened a casual dining concept serving a selection of modern Western favorites, from pizzas and salads to waffles and pastas. There are also entrees including fish and steaks. And, of course, there are the house-baked breads, including its famous croissants and cookies. Abaca also prides itself for building relationships with local farmers to source its ingredients.
Abaca Baking Company is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Fridays to Sundays.
3| Kazuwa Prime
The first of two Japanese-themed restaurants in Nustar is a teppanyaki concept, with A5 wagyu meat as its primary offering. Guests can watch experienced chefs grill their food right in front of them, adding an interactive element to the dining experience. Kazuwa Prime also serves an array of appetizers and mains beyond just meats, including fresh Norwegian salmon, imported Japanese oysters, sushi, and sashimi, as well as premium items like ankimo and shirako. It also has private rooms for intimate dinners and special celebrations.
Kazuwa Prime is open daily from 11 a.m. to 12 midnight.
4| Taiwan Shabu Shabu
Hot pot cravings can be satisfied at Taiwan Shabu-Shabu. The concept offers fresh and top-quality ingredients from broth, vegetables, and proteins, to seafood. Diners can customize their meals according to their own preferences.
Taiwan Shabu Shabu is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Fridays to Sundays.
5| Koshima by Nonki
Koshima is “small island” in Japanese and references the reclaimed land upon which Nustar was built. Now the Japanese restaurant at the second floor retail area of the integrated casino-resort offers familiar favorites from the Land of the Rising Sun, including sushi and sashimi, tempura, tonkatsu, and unique menu items, such as Kurobuta Tonkatsu, Miso Katsu, Wagyu Yakiniku, Wagyu Shabu Shabu, Wagyu Sukiyaki, Chanko Nabe, and Wagyu Aburi Sushi. Koshima also offers premium sake to go with the meals, as well as a hot pot option. The dessert menu includes matcha terrine and kuro goma pudding.
Koshima is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Fridays to Sundays.
6| Tom N Toms
Tom N Toms is a coffeehouse chain that originated in Seoul, South Korea. It has around 400 locations worldwide, including the Philippines. The store in Nustar, according to Tom N Toms management, is the first branch in the country to follow the “Burgundy concept,” which introduces premium branding. Besides traditional coffees, Tom N Toms serves sweet options, as well as milk teas and a selection of freshly baked pretzels and pastries.
Tom N Toms is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Fridays to Sundays.
7| Barcino
Barcino is, by now, a familiar name for those seeking Spanish-influenced cuisine, particularly tapas. Spanish executive chef Nicolas Diaz specializes in cuisine from the north of the country, including paellas, tapas, as well as unique regional dishes. Barcino in Nustar is locate din the ground floor with stunning seaside views ideal for early dinners to late night drinks. Be sure to order the cochinillo.
Barcino is open daily from 11 a.m. to 12 midnight from Sundays to Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. from Fridays to Saturdays.
According to Nazareth, in addition to the casual restaurants, Nustar is also set to open a food hall at the mall’s third floor in November 2023. The food hall will offer affordable food concepts at around P150 to P200 per person.
“We realized that not everybody can also eat every day in those types of restos, and we ultimately will have more from 2,000 to 3,000 employees,” Nazareth says. “So we decided to put a food hall and we got the best of Cebu operators to do a food hall concept.”
