People in Toronto are rediscovering and falling in love with this Filipino food gem
In a city whose culture rewards the newest, most viral restaurants, one longstanding Toronto Filipino restaurant is getting a well-deserved resurgence in popularity.
In a city as big as Toronto, it's easy for longstanding businesses to fade into the background as flashy new ones with lineups around the corner hog the limelight. That's not to say that new restaurants aren't deserving of support, but it's a harsh truth that, all too often, solid stalwarts get lost in the shuffle.
But sometimes, whether through a well-timed TikTok or television segment, staples get their time to shine, too. That's exactly what's happening at Scarborough Filipino food institution Coffee In.
A family-owned stalwart for more than two decades, the name is a mere remnant of the business that occupied the Lawrence East space before current owners Eric and Jean Taninas, who run the restaurant with the help of their kids, took over in 2005.
Coffee In really isn't a coffee shop at all. Instead, it's a hidden gem of the highest order for hardy, homestyle Filipino cooking, touting itself "Toronto's home of La Paz Batchoy," a comforting noodle soup with pork cracklings, beef and broth.
"Choosing to serve La Paz Batchoy was very intentional. It is a dish that carries a lot of history and comfort, but is not always widely represented here. For us, it felt important to highlight something that is both traditional and personal, something that tells a story with every bowl," Eric and Jean's daughter, Erika, tells blogTO.
"It is the kind of dish that warms you up and reminds you of home, even if you did not grow up with it."
It's perfectly in line with Eric and Jean's vision for the restaurant: "building something meaningful for both our family and our community," Erika says.
"It started as a way for my parents to share the kind of food they grew up with, food that is comforting, honest, and deeply tied to culture," she explains. "Over time, it has grown into a place where different cultures intersect, where people who already know Filipino food can feel at home, and those trying it for the first time can experience it in an authentic way."
Now, after more than 20 years, Coffee In is seeing a renewed wave of interest, and it's thanks, in large part, to a late-2025 appearance on CBC's Locals Welcome with Suresh Doss.
"After being open for 21 years, finally getting the recognition was such an amazing feeling for our family," Erika tells blogTO. "All the hard work and sacrifices my parents made was worth it all in the end. It gave us the chance to share not just our food, but the story behind why we do what we do."
Since the episode aired in November 2025, Erika says that traffic has most certainly ramped up, with customers coming in and specifically referencing the segment, but, more than the boost in business, it's the recognition that means the most to Erika and her family.
"Beyond the increase in traffic, what stood out most was the support and encouragement we received from both the community and new customers," she explains. "It reminded us that there is real value in staying true to who we are and what we represent."
Coffee In is located at 2181 Lawrence Ave. E.
Hector Vasquez
