Kabisera is a Filipino cafe/restaurant in the Lower East Side, famous for its ube-flavored drinks and desserts. “Kabisera” is a Filipino word that directly translates to “the master or mistress of banquets.”

Kabisera’s mistress of banquets, Augelyn Francisco, opened in 2017 with her partner Joey Payumo. Initially working in other industries, Augelyn and Joey decided to channel their passion for baking, cooking, and hunting for delicious coffee into a project when their son started school.

Augelyn and Joey originally conceptualized Kabisera as a cafe serving delicious locally roasted coffee. They opened Kabisera in Chinatown, NYC, due to the large population of Filipino-Chinese immigrants in the area. They wanted to contribute to the culinary movement that was paved by earlier Filipino businesses in America by serving classic and traditional Filipino foods made by chefs who have lived in the Philippines. Augelyn has been learning to fuse her Filipino family cooking traditions with formal training, taking French-style cooking courses at the Institute of Culinary Education.

As Augelyn has expanded her repertoire, Kabisera evolved from a coffee shop into a restaurant that serves delicious Filipino desserts and hearty savory Filipino classics (the fall menu will include gorgeous, colorful plates with proteins like bicol express, pork chop, and chicken!)

Kabisera also has strengthened the community, supporting other Filipino businesses by hosting pop-ups, partnering with non-profit organizations, and supporting community cultural events. You can visit Kabisera on Allen Street or at their Canal Street Market (newly opened in June 2022, they serve savory foods at one booth and espresso, desserts, and snacks in partnership with the Chinatown Deli booth)! The Allen Street location has karaoke and is BYOB - so it’s perfect for a fun evening with friends.

When you visit the store, make sure to try the Taho dessert, Augelyn’s personal favorite fall menu item. Kabisera was also recently featured in Food and Wine, Infatuation, Vice, and Eater NY, for their incredibly delicious bibingka, leche flan, biko and cassava cakes - and their contribution to the community!

📍 Kabisera (Chinatown)
265 Canal Street, New York, NY 10013

📍 Kabisera (Lower East Side)
151 Allen Street Store S, New York, NY 10002