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From heirloom seafood recipes to playful Kagay-anon twists, SM CDO malls celebrate Higalaay with a feast of local and global flavors
The spirit of Higalaay is alive at SM CDO malls, where friendship, unity, and food take center stage. More than a festival, Higalaay 2025 has turned dining into a celebration of culture, community, and irresistible flavors, bringing together restaurants that reflect both homegrown traditions and international flair.
Leading the lineup is Bugsay Seafood Restaurant, a Cagayan de Oro favorite that grew from family heirloom recipes into a household name. Its Kinilaw comes in many forms—from fresh fish to sea urchin—while specialties like Adobong Saang, Paksiw na Pompano, and the Cajun-style Bugsay Bilao showcase Mindanao’s rich culinary heritage. Diners also flock to Letty’s Crab, cooked in a rich crab fat sauce, and playful creations like the Bugsay Bouillabaisse.
On the same floor of SM CDO Downtown, Barkadahan Grill lives up to its name with sharing platters made for celebrations. The Barkadahan Feast 2 serves Chicken BBQ, Lechon Kawali, Lumpia Shanghai, and Lomi with rice and Buko Pandan for dessert, while seafood fans savor the Feast 4 spread of Tinolang Blue Marlin, Grilled Tuna Belly, Calamares, Shrimp Pinakbet, and Pancit Canton.
Since 1998, Bigby’s Café has been taking Kagay-anons on a global adventure with its Belly Buster platter, Fisherman’s Sampler, and Rack a Bye ribs, alongside thin-crust Crispidilla pizzas and indulgent desserts like the Cheesecake Trio.
For flavors proudly rooted in Mindanao, Boy Zugba has become a go-to. Its Sinuglaw de Cagayan balances grilled pork with fresh tuna cured in vinegar and tabon-tabon fruit, while the Sospa turns cassava crisps into nacho-style bites topped with sisig and native salsa. To finish, the Buko Halo reinvents the classic halo-halo with coconut juice shaved ice and a pastel-inspired yema crown.
Japanese cravings are covered by Raki Yata, where bowls of Tonkotsu Miso Yata King ramen, simmered for 12 hours, and spicy Tan Tan Men headline the menu. Cheesy Gyoza and Aburi Cheese Salmon add playful flair to traditional favorites.
Meanwhile, Backyard Burger keeps things bold and indulgent, serving Texan and Double Original burgers, Buffalo wings, and Hickory Popper Fries, alongside quirky twists like smashed burger tacos.
For a sweet pause, Oh Waffles and Crepes at SM Uptown plates fluffy golden waffles and crepes in flavors from chocolate to cream-filled indulgences. J.CO Donuts adds to the sugar rush with a ₱199 promo pairing a Choco Mylo Frappe and a box of chocolate-overloaded donuts, available nationwide August 26–29.
Coffee lovers, on the other hand, can join Coffee Higala at SM Downtown, where local brewers like Fukuru, Mei Mei, Kopikuys, and Ummi’s Kitchen serve aromatic blends in the festive spirit of Higalaay.
For hearty meals, Roadhouse Restaurant at SM Uptown offers comfort food with a twist: Pork Kare-Kare, Sinigang na Baka sa Pakwan, and Braised Pork Belly (Humba Style), alongside seafood baskets and a crowd-pleasing Sizzling Brownie ala Mode.
And beyond the food, SM CDO Downtown’s Higala Land installation draws visitors into glowing domes and interactive spaces inspired by CDO’s icons, making the festival as much about memories as meals.
Whether it’s seafood steeped in tradition, Kagay-anon comfort food, or global plates, the dining scene at SM CDO malls captures the essence of Higalaay—come hungry, leave happy, and always celebrate together.
