Jainin's Cafe (Siquijor)

This is the Siquijor town branch, by the port — and that is exactly what it is for: the island's first cafe when you step off the ferry, and the last before you board it. If you arrive from Dumaguete, Bohol or Cebu with two hours to kill, this is where to go.

It is not a tourist cafe that opened last year. Jainin's grew out of a Siquijor bakery founded by Josephine and Edgardo Chan, both trained bakers and pastry chefs. They started in 2000 as a hobby and opened officially in 2006. The name comes from their two children, Jai-Jai and Nino. Their very first product, the Tortalita, is named after Josephine's mother.

What to order. The brownies are the only item that earns a superlative in the reviews of the business. Then the cakes, the local breads and the coffee — espresso around 70 ₱, and a cappuccino with a reputation. There is a savoury menu too: lasagna, loaded fries, fish and chips, poke bowls.

What we do not yet know about this branch, and we are writing it down. The port cafe's own opening hours are not reliably published, and there is no reason for them to match San Juan's. Call before relying on it for an early ferry. We will update this page as soon as we have the hours confirmed on site.

The parent business and the other branch. The bakery side of the business, Jainin's Cakes and Pastries, is also in Siquijor town — sources differ between Candanay and South Poblacion, both barangays of the capital. And the other cafe, larger and air-conditioned, is in Solangon, San Juan: see our page for the San Juan branch, which covers the menu, the prices and our reservations.

On payment: cards fail when the network drops — that is documented at Jainin's. Carry cash.

Who it is for. The ferry cafe, and the capital's cake stop. For a proper meal in Siquijor town, see Villa Marmarine or Bellview Kuzzina. For local prices in the evening, Siquijor Boulevard is on the same waterfront.

Practical: phone +63 976 428 1784 (the business number). You'll find it on Baluarte Street, close to the pier.