More than just places to shop, the shopping centers of Ayala Malls are oases where locals can sip on coffee, get into outdoor sports, or engage in an immersive museum experience
Shopping malls: glowing white overhead lights, perfectly smooth floor tiles, rows upon rows of clothing stores and restaurants. The air is abuzz with excitement as you pass by restaurants that line the corridors, offering a wide array of culinary options. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafts through the air, adding to the overall sensory experience of the mall.
Yet amid the allure of the shopping center, you can’t help but notice the lack of connection. The absence of open space is palpable, leaving you feeling isolated and separated from the world outside. There’s nowhere to sit, relax, or people watch. As you navigate through the maze of stores, the visual merchandising gets old fast, and you find yourself longing for a more authentic and meaningful experience.
That is why Ayala Malls, the Philippines’ renowned shopping and dining destination, has taken it upon itself to redefine the shopping experience and transform its malls into lifestyle and cultural centers. With sprawling greenery and a selection of new concept stores set to open across its branches, Ayala Malls continues to find ways to enhance its patrons’ shopping experience so that they may come away with more than just a transaction.
Ayala Malls Manila Bay
One of Ayala Malls’ crown jewels is Ayala Malls Manila Bay, the largest shopping mall in its portfolio. The iconic destination recently welcomed HOKA, a trendsetter in the running and athletic shoe industry, to its halls. HOKA’s first concept store in the Philippines offers exclusive access to their renowned Meta-Rocker technology running shoes, which is designed to give you that extra spring in your step. But it’s not just about the shoes at HOKA; it’s an immersive experience with 300 overhead light bulbs that mimic the sensation of wide open outdoor spaces, and a treadmill for shoppers to assess HOKA’s remarkable style and technology firsthand.
Ayala Center Cebu
Meanwhile, Ayala Center Cebu, located in its vibrant namesake city, has brought a new kind of excitement to its patrons with the arrival of Garmin, a stand-out in fitness technologies. But it’s not just any Garmin store; it’s a Southeast Asian first with a golf simulator. Golf enthusiasts can now fully experience the brand’s revolutionary golf devices, including launch monitors, range finders, and smartwatches, in an unparalleled shopping experience that allows them to appreciate the products’ capabilities.
Alabang Town Center
Down south in the bustling Alabang Town Center, Ayala Malls is once again raising the bar with the opening of Nike Live. Highlighting the value of live interactions, the store leverages its mobile shopping app with that unique in-person experience.
For connoisseurs of good food, Kiwami Food Hall is opening soon. It represents the best of Japan in one space to encourage diners to explore the four important staples of Japanese cuisine: Ramen, Tendon, Yakitori, and Tonkatsu. And if you’re on the lookout for comfort food, head to Tiong Bahru, a globally-acclaimed restaurant offering award-winning Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice.
Glorietta
Tucked right in the middle of Makati, Glorietta is no stranger to worldly sophistication, and it continues to deliver with its newest store additions. With all four merchants opening their first stores in this mall, Glorietta is a home of firsts.
Korea’s largest coffee chain has arrived on our shores. Founded in 2006 by celebrity chef Paik Jong Won, Paik’s Coffee boasts a simple and delicious menu including coffee options such as americano and caramel macchiato, alongside non-coffee options such as the Strawberry Banana Paiksccino and Cookie Crunch Paiksccino. Their specialty pastries like the Triple Streusel and Milk Redbean Bread pair great with coffee. Meanwhile, a quick escalator ride to the roof deck leads to Japan Town. There, you will find the recently launched indoor attraction called Ominiverse. The place measures 3,000 square meters, and is home to over 1,000 artifacts, original movie props, and collectibles from your favorite pop culture fandoms like Game of Thrones and Harry Potter.
La Vie en Rose, the leading Canadian specialty lingerie retailer, has also graced its floors with a sweeping range of lingerie, sleepwear, loungewear, and swimwear. That’s not all; Glorietta is also unveiling California-based RVCA. Pronounced “rew-ka,” the clothing brand is known for its activewear designed for surfing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, skateboarding, and mixed martial arts.
TriNoma
The latest addition to TriNoma’s shopping scene is Harlan + Holden, an international line with 20 retail stores spread across the Philippines, South Korea, Indonesia, and online. With a new, bigger in-line space, Harlan + Holden’s store is not only a fashion haven, but also a coffee hotspot with its very own cafe, Because Coffee by Harlan + Holden. Sip on unique flavors like flat monkey, sea salt latte, and campfire coffee after browsing through their fuss-free and modular pieces for everyday wear.
For a gastronomic treat, look to Singapore-based restaurant Astons Specialities. The homegrown casual steakhouse serves up steaks and homely western cuisine without the hefty price tags. Popular Thai milk tea brand ChaTraMue is also a must-try. A perfect blend of rich tea and condensed milk, their Thai Iced Tea is the most popular drink on the menu.
Fairview Terraces
Get ready for an adrenaline-pumping adventure at Fairview Terraces. The grand opening of the biggest Timezone in the country is a treat for the whole family. Complete with arcade games, kids’ activities, karaoke rooms, bowling alleys, and billiard tables, it’s a turf for children and adults alike. Afterward, stop by the new Wiltlover Cafe, a cozy nook adorned with dried flowers from ceiling to wall. This specialty cafe is dedicated to serving high-quality coffee using locally-sourced beans.
U.P. Town Center
This is the kind of mall where you can spend more time outdoors than indoors. With a sprawling open space, it’s no wonder this shopping center feels like it’s catered especially to coffee aficionados and fitness junkies. Chapter Coffee Roastery and Cafe, a go-to among coffee drinkers, has set up shop in U.P. Town Center. Pair their premium single-origin Arabica coffee with Chapter doughnuts for an indulgent snack after your Pilates class at Reforma Studio. The gym is complete with machines and expert coaches, so you’re well on your way to a healthier lifestyle.
Ayala Malls Vertis North
Ayala Vertis North is home to restaurants and cafes offering various specialties and cuisines. Expanding its roster is Dean & Deluca, a gourmet cafe known most for their French butter croissants and pastries, with the chocolate glazed and almond variants as the frontrunners.
Led by Chef Margarita Forés, Italian restaurant Cibo has also opened its first Northern Quezon City branch. The chef recommends crowd favorite Farfalle alla Genovese, a pasta with mushrooms, basil pesto, and cream, to both frequent Cibo goers and first-timers alike.
Rediscover the joys of shopping and dining in Ayala Malls. For more information, visit their website. For the latest updates, be sure to check out their Facebook and Instagram pages.
