Coming soon – Dayo Cafe is bringing a taste of Filipino brunch culture to Tweed Heads
From the team behind the ever-popular George’s Deli in Kingscliff comes Dayo Cafe – a bold, heartfelt new daytime eatery that is set to open in late July at the former Baked at Ancora site in Tweed Heads. Think vibrant Filipino-inspired brunches, playful Asian flavours and a warm, welcoming space designed to feel like home. Here’s everything we know so far …
Opening to the public on Friday July 25, Dayo Cafe is the latest project from husband-and-wife duo Johnny Ang and Jerrika Guiang, alongside Johnny’s sister and chef Kristyn Ang, who has run kitchens from Makati to Sydney. Together, the trio bring more than just culinary chops – they bring heritage, big dreams and brunch to the table.
The opportunity to open Dayo came unexpectedly – on a cruise ship, no less. “We were on holiday with no reception when the message came through,” Johnny laughs. “When we finally saw it, it said, ‘I’ve got an opportunity for you.’ I thought it would be a small cafe — I didn’t know it was this big.”
Big is right. The iconic water-fronting site seats 120 and was previously Baked at Ancora. Rather than stick to the bakery format, the trio saw it as an opportunity to reinvent it entirely.
To start, Dayo will be a daytime venue, focused on breakfast, brunch and lunch, with subtle Asian influences woven throughout.
“We’re drawing on Filipino traditions, Southeast Asian flavours and adding our own spin too – but the goal is to make it approachable. Aussie-friendly, but with depth,” Johnny says.
The exact menu is still a work-in-progress, but we’re told to expect spicy scramble with house-made longganisa (Filipino sausage) and Laoganma chilli alongside crispy Korean fried-chicken waffles affectionately dubbed ‘K-Pop Chicken.’
“It’s about introducing our culture in a way that feels natural,” Kristyn adds. In their culture, breakfast isn’t a piece of toast as you run out the door. “In the Philippines, you don’t leave for school without sitting down as a family,” she says. “It’s like dinner, but in the morning — rice, eggs, meat, vegetables. It’s a real meal.”
They’re bringing that philosophy to Dayo in the way of hearty, thoughtful brunches that celebrate culture and connection, without being overly heavy. And while takeaway will be available, the team wants people to sit, stay and savour.
As for the name, Dayo is Filipino for ‘visitor’ – a word with layered meaning for the trio, all of whom came to Australia as immigrants. “We’re citizens now, but this place is a way of saying ‘here we are, this is what we bring,’” Johnny says.
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To bring the concept to life visually, they turned once again to KOBI Concepts, the design studio behind George’s. Pastel tones, softened textures and nostalgic nods inspired by 90s Filipino homes create a space that feels both airy and grounded.
As for the all-important question of coffee, the team will stick with Ground Control, which will be familiar for regulars at George’s Deli.
Dayo Cafe will officially open its doors on Friday July 25. We’ll bring you all of the delicious details oh-so-soon.