IJO IN LIPA BAKES THE BEST CROISSANTS

The best croissants in Lipa City can be found at Ijo.

That wasn’t me speaking from the horse’s mouth. I first heard of Ijo Bakery from a journalist-friend of long standing, Margie Logarta, an experienced travel and business editor whose career has taken her to Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia. She was taken aghast when I told her I was hearing it for the first time from her, knowing full well I have always been a veteran Batangueno.

It took one more trip to the old hometown for me to discover Ijo Viennoiserie, located at Big Ben commercial complex along Laurel Highway in Lipa, right next to a McDonald store. What we found amazed us.

Here was this little shop in the old town, baking what, indeed, were the best croissants, flaky, light as air goodies, in town. Little wonder we had to join a long line outside the store just to place an order. Now, they have also taken over the space next door, so Ijo now has a few tables where one can sit, order coffee, and eat, French café-style, albeit not al fresco.

IJO Bakery has become one of the most talked-about pastry destinations in Southern Luzon, proving that world-class viennoiserie can proudly come from a Filipino brand.

What twist of fate that only a few weeks ago, I was introduced to Joel Pena, businessman and president of Lipa Tourism Council. It happens that one of Joel’s family members, Michelin-trained pastry chef Joaquin Katigbak, owns Ijo, who started it at the height of the pandemic. Whenever Joel invites us to cover Lipa’s tourism and cultural activities, we would normally stop by Ijo for coffee and pastry. The store, in its expansion effort, has also widened its choices of baked goodies, which now include, aside from those well-loved  Croissants and pain au chocolat, other laminated pastries such as cruffins and almond croissants. There are also kuron, sausage floss roll, and dulce banana croissant. Others in the line-up of creative and premium flavors are Blueberry Cream Cheese Pastelito, (combining fruity sweetness with rich creaminess inside delicate flaky layers, he best-selling Almond Pistachio croissant (a standout for its nutty richness and indulgent texture).

Joaquin says every croissant and pastry is crafted with precision, resulting in baked goods that are rich, buttery, flaky, and deeply satisfying in every bite.

Ijo started as a humble bakery inside a small space at Big Ben Complex in 2022. It has now grown into a full-fledged pastry favorite with four branches including its newest and first Metro Manila location at MolitoLifestyle Center in Alabang.

When in Lipa, come to Ijo. It’s the closest you can get to being in a roadside café in Vienna, Austria, or if you wish, make it Paris, France. It’s worth the short, sometimes long drive.

Nuvali in Sta Rosa

Ijo opens daily, starting at 10 AM to 6 PM. Reach them via 0927-681-1728 or 0977-072-1476.

The remarkable growth of the bakery reflects not only the quality of its products buttery creations.

Beyond classic European-inspired pastries, IJO Bakery also proudly incorporates Filipino flavors into its menu. Their bicho bicho-inspired pastry showcases a uniquely local twist that resonates with Filipino customers while maintaining the elegance of traditional viennoiserie.

represents the rise of homegrown Filipino craftsmanship in baking. More than just a bakery, it has become a destination for bread and pastry lovers seeking premium flavors, comforting aromas, and unforgettable bites.

photos: ijobakeryph IG 

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