Anticipation is building as Ladurée, the iconic Parisian patisserie known for refinement and indulgence since 1862, prepares to open its first Southeast Asian flagship store in the Philippines on July 5. This marks the brand’s first flagship boutique outside Paris, and it will be located in Manila.

From the iconic Champs-Élysées in Paris to the vibrant heart of BGC, Ladurée’s journey of timeless elegance continues | Photo: Ladurée PH

We spoke with Karan Gopwani, the 32-year-old founder of Gastronova Hospitality Group, which has partnered with Ladurée Paris to bring this project to life. On a mission to elevate the Philippine dining landscape, Gopwani’s lifelong passion for Ladurée has blossomed into something truly extraordinary. “I’ve had a deep passion for Ladurée since I was a child,” he shares. “I’ve always been addicted to the brand.”

Karan Gopwani, the visionary driving this landmark venture | Photo: Ladurée PH

Ladurée’s story in the Philippines begins with a revival. In 2015, the brand made a brief appearance in Manila as a modest macaron shop at 8 Rockwell. Though charming, it fell short of showcasing the brand's full grandeur. “It was only a small retail macaron store,” Gopwani recalls. “It didn’t give the full flair of what Ladurée is actually offering, which is their full spectrum of offerings.”

Ladurée’s iconic macarons, showcased in their delicate pastel hues | Photo: Ladurée PH

Gopwani believes the Philippines of a decade ago, shaped by different spending patterns and consumer mindsets, wasn’t ready for Ladurée’s vision. “Back in 2015, it was a different era. The spending power was different. The allocation of spending was different. And the consumer’s mindset was also very different,” he notes. Today, the landscape has transformed. With a GDP growth rate averaging 5.6% annually and a burgeoning middle class, the Philippines is poised for luxury. “The per GDP capita per person is now going up to about 4,337 per person per capita,” Gopwani says, highlighting the country’s growing economic strength. The timing for Ladurée’s grand return is impeccable.

More than just the timing, what makes this moment truly significant is the scale and ambition of the project. “This is the first time in the brand’s history that they are going to be having a flagship outside Paris,” Gopwani says. “It’s a huge deal.” 

This flagship store is set to be a stunning embodiment of Parisian elegance, but with a local heartbeat. Modeled after the grandeur of Ladurée’s Champs-Élysées store, the Manila boutique will offer nearly everything found in Paris—save for a baking classroom and tasting room.

Luxury brands that debut in Southeast Asia typically choose to open in hubs like Hong Kong, Singapore, or Thailand. Gopwani seeks to challenge that norm. “I wanted the Southeast Asia flagship to be in the Philippines, because I am Filipino,” he says. “I realized that why not have a brand into the Philippines first.” It's a bold move that positions Manila as a regional trailblazer. 

Ladurée’s glamorous Dubai outpost offers a glimpse of the elegance Manila can soon call its own | Photo: Ladurée PH

The space will feature three immersive zones: a pastry counter filled with signature macarons, eugenes, croissants, pains au chocolat, and artisanal chocolates; a coffee and viennoiserie bar serving everything from rich lattés and frappuccino-style drinks to delicate gelatos; and a 37-seat salon de thé, where high tea, breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner will be served with meticulous French flair. “This is the first time in Philippine history that we are doing something of this magnitude,” Gopwani notes. “You’ll never have a space that offers both fine dining and a coffee bar in the same four walls—until now.”

Service, too, will be a revelation. “We are adapting to French global standards. The service level is going to be very high,” Gopwani promises. In a market saturated with familiar local and global chains, Ladurée aims to reset the bar. “We’ve been stuck with the same players for so long. This is something fresh. Something that will elevate the experience.”

Expect elevated, elegant dining at its most luxurious | Photo: Ladurée PH

To deliver this, Gopwani has assembled an all-star team. The flagship’s executive chef, Katrina Torres, is a Filipino trained at Ladurée Paris where she received an intensive six-week certification, earning the Ladurée seal of approval. The team also includes a Filipino assistant manager from Ladurée Covent Garden in London, and a general manager from the award-winning Mott 32 in Macau.

And yes, the food will reflect Paris—without forgetting Manila. Gopwani clarifies: “We’re not localizing the menu to the point of offering Filipino cuisine. But there will be subtle tweaks—a little more salty, a little more sweet—to match Filipino palates.” The menu won’t include Filipino staples, but will have uniquely local twists are in the works. “We are working on tailor-made macaron flavors just for the Philippine market. We’re still in the R&D phase, but maybe we can launch something by Independence Day,” he says with a smile.

The iconic Eugénie pastry, in all its delicate glory | Photo: Ladurée PH

Another exciting innovation? An executive lunch menu—a global first for Ladurée—crafted specifically for BGC’s dynamic business crowd. And from 3:30 to 6 p.m., a refined, Parisian-style high tea experience will transport guests across continents with every bite.

Import quality is also non-negotiable. “Fifty percent of our stock will be imported directly from Paris and Switzerland,” Gopwani confirms. “Macarons, eugenes, jams, chocolates—all made by Ladurée, flown in, and served fresh here.” Even savory ingredients like raspberries, blueberries, and beef will be brought in to ensure fidelity to French culinary standards.

The vol-au-vent: a delicate bite of buttery indulgence | Photo: Ladurée PH

For Gopwani, this isn’t just a business—it's deeply personal. “I was born here. I am Filipino,” he says. “I wanted the Philippines to be the first in Southeast Asia to have something this iconic. Why should it always be Singapore, Hong Kong, or Thailand?” In fact, Ladurée had initially set its sights on Bangkok. But Gopwani’s unwavering passion and vision won them over.

“Ladurée believed in me,” he reflects. “They believed in the vision for the Philippines. That’s why this store is happening now, here.”

A new chapter in luxury dining begins here | Photo: Ladurée PH

The future is even more exciting. Gastronova has ambitious plans: another Ladurée café in partnership with Ayala Group is slated for 2026. By 2028, they hope to introduce a fine-dining French restaurant and a luxury juice brand. A major collaboration with a renowned French fashion house is also underway. “It’s going to be big,” Gopwani teases. “I’m just not at liberty to say the name yet.”

But at the heart of it all is a simple, powerful idea: a Filipino-led revolution in luxury dining. Ladurée’s arrival is more than the launch of a pâtisserie—it’s a statement. A redefinition of what’s possible for Filipino hospitality, one macaron at a time.

As Manila prepares to welcome the first-ever Ladurée flagship outside Paris, it isn’t just about dessert. It’s about dreaming bigger, serving better, and proving that sometimes, the most unexpected places are where elegance truly belongs.

Ladurée Philippines will open on July 5, 2025 at One Bonifacio High Street Mall, 5th Avenue corner 28th Street. Follow @ladureephilippines on Instagram.