Table for One at Greyhound Cafe SM Aura

Thailand’s Greyhound Cafe in SM Aura has caught my eye a couple of times, and yesterday I finally got to try their food. Every week or so, I take myself out on a date (husband can’t tag along as he’s dogsitting our aspin, Yumi, and working on his own projects), and yesterday, after shopping and running errands, I needed to refuel myself, so I had my brunch at Greyhound Cafe.

The Greyhound Cafe branch in SM Aura is the brand’s flagship restaurant in the Philippines, which opened around March 2022. Greyhound started out as a fashion label, and eventually expanded into the food business, just like Maison Kitsune and its Cafe Kitsune. Greyhound Cafe has 31 branches or more in Asia, as well as a few in Europe.

The staff was very cordial and led me to my seat, which was just a few tables away from the entrance. The menu was so extensive—although not intimidating or too nonconventional—featuring an array of Thai fusion food. It was indeed “Thai food with a twist” as the restaurant’s slogan says on its website. Since I’m on a keto lifestyle, I usually just order a salad and iced coffee on my cheat days during the weekend. So I got myself the, Crispy Sweet Corn, Classic Iced Coffee (black coffee with condensed milk), and Thai Chicken Pops for take-out. Each entree or appetizer would set you back at around P300 to P400, while the iced coffee costs around P180.

I’m not a restaurant guru or food critic so I’ll keep my review short and sweet: All I can say is I loved the food. I’ve always loved Thai food, and this is a different kind – I would say that it has been adjusted for Filipino taste buds, but comforting just the same. The Crispy Pumpkin and Tofu Salad came with a roasted sesame dressing, and the serving was really big (I think it’s good for two or three persons) so I took home the leftovers. Same with the Crispy Sweet Corn patties which contained crab meat and came with a sweet and sour dip. Really loved that one and two pieces were enough to satiate me. The iced coffee was all right; it wasn’t as sweet but it was not bland at all. If you love robust, dark coffee then this is for you.

I had my photos taken by one of the staff as proof of life. FYI, I wasn’t able to take a photo of the chicken pops I took home for dinner, because we devoured it in an instant. It’s marinated in spices, and comes with a spicy and garlic mayo dip. While the serving was small, I think it’s enough for two people, especially if you don’t have a big appetite.

About Greyhound Cafe

Greyhound is a fashion apparel brand that launched in Bangkok in the 80s. The company opened its first restaurant in 1997, and since then, has operated 17 branches in Thailand, and 18 more in several countries, including, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, of course, and the United Kingdom. Below are some frequently asked questions about the company, in case you’re curious:

Who owns Greyhound Cafe Philippines?

Viva International Food and Restaurants, Inc. has partnered with Greyhound Cafe to bring Bangkok’s favorite restaurant to the Philippines. The company was responsible for bringing five other international restaurant brands to the Philippines, namely, Botejyu, Wingzon, Pepi Cubano, Papermoon, Yogorino.

Who is the founder of Greyhound Cafe?

Creative director Bhanu Inikawat and corporate executive chef Torsit Sarisdiwong-See originated the concept of the restaurant. Another key figure in the company’s leadership is Pornsiri Rojmetha, managing director and co-founder of Greyhound Co and Greyhound Cafe.