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Pan de sal. Bicho. Leche flan. Embutido. Ube matcha. Filipino flavours have found a home in Rushcutters Bay thanks to Adhika, a small but mighty café that’s been pulling in locals since opening in September 2025. From the team behind Takam in Darlinghurst, this casual brunch spot brings Filipino comfort food to Sydney’s east.
The Tagalog word 'adhika' means dream or purpose; co-owners Giannina Abiva, Aileen Aguirre, Nonie Ferrer, Chris Lumapas and chef Francis dela Cruz have a shared vision of introducing Filipino food and culture to Sydneysiders. The homely vibe comes through its chequerboard floors, wooden shelves lined with pot plants and trinkets and a compact dining area – inside and out – that invites you to slow down and settle in.
The menu leans into Filipino comfort classics, starting with a standout tapsilog: pan-seared beef tapa served with garlic rice, a fried egg and house-made pickles. It’s hearty, satisfying and unmistakably Filipino. Equally popular is the chilli egg bicho. Served with longganisa (a spiced sausage) and mindanao sambal, it arrives with a round, golden bicho (soft fried bread) filled with herb-y cream cheese and topped with toasted seeds. Great for brunch – and even better when you’re nursing a hangover.
For something more customisable, Adhika’s BYO (build your own) boards let you mix and match breads, spreads and pickles, with optional extras like smoked salmon, jamon or fresh salads. Pan de sal – the Philippines’ beloved soft bread roll – features heavily, stuffed with fillings like embutido (a Filipino-style meatloaf), melty cheese and eggs for a filling breakfast sandwich.
There’s also a sweeter side to the menu. Think crumpets layered with whipped cream and banana halaya (jam), or bicho drizzled with caramel and served with fruit.
Drinks like the leche flan latte, calamansi espresso, salabat (ginger) fizz and coconut pandan drinks are just as sweet and playful. The iced ube matcha, a vivid swirl of purple and green, made for Instagram. It comes with a stainless steel straw that doubles as a spoon – perfect for scooping the ube cream topping before you stir the house-made ube halaya and green matcha. Slurp.
While breakfast and brunch are the main draw, Adhika is also open for dinner on Mondays and Tuesdays. There’s also a grab-and-go selection for those wanting takeaway.
Adhika is a tasty introduction to Filipino cuisine – so go ahead and try something a little different.
Address: 59 Bayswater Rd, Rushcutters Bay NSW 2011
Find out more here.
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