DELINA, The Pasta Place, is probably the best Italian pasta specialty restaurant in Manila—technically right on the border, just off the San Pedro exit. It has quickly become the best restaurant in our beloved town of San Pedro, Laguna, helmed by the couple behind the pandemic-born success of Noodle Lab PH. A modern version of Va Bene with a homage to Italian cooking. Think of it as a modern-day Va Bene—an homage to Italian cooking, reimagined with precision, passion, and a fresh perspective.
Their fresh pasta, stuffed pasta, and dry pasta specialties showcase the very best of their years of experimentation, pop-ups, and crowd favorites—now finally perfected and available at DELINA. We also love their Italian desserts, which can easily make this your favorite dessert destination in San Pedro.
This is still the best-kept secret in San Pedro—so make sure to try it before everyone else discovers it.
ABOUT DELINA
Meet the beautiful couple, Nico and Ally Gonzales, the founders of DELINA— their first official pasta restaurant, while Noodle Lab remains focused on their B2B partnerships.
They named the restaurant DELINA after their daughter, inspired by Ally’s favorite perfume—a personal touch that makes the concept even more special.
The restaurant is located above Starbucks at the San Pedro Exit, inside San Antonio Exchange—a property owned by Kapitan Ynion, who is also Ally’s father-in-law.
It’s totally casual—just how we like it in the South—but the food delivers Michelin Bib–level vibes.
Restaurant Delina | The Pasta Place
A concept by @noodlelab.ph
Tuesday-Sunday 11am-10pm
San Antonio Exchange, Magsaysay Road, San Pedro, Laguna
Reserve a table via +63968 150 9898
info@restaurantdelina.com
@estaurantdelina
https://www.restaurantdelina.com/
Note: There’s parking available along the sides of the building, as the front slots are usually taken by Starbucks guests.
SMALL BITES
TRUFFLE HONEY RICOTTA. ₱400
housemade ricotta, truffle honey, focaccia
This is so good because they whip their own ricotta to achieve that fine, silky quality, then top it with black truffle honey and Maldon sea salt, served on toast — the best!
CAESAR SALAD. ₱600
romaine, housemade caesar dressing
guanciale, parmigiano reggiano
What sets this Caesar salad apart is the attention to detail: each romaine leaf is perfectly coated with Caesar dressing, topped not with bacon but with Iberico guanciale from Spain, and finished with Parmigiano Reggiano and crispy breadcrumbs instead of traditional hard croutons.
FRIED BURRATA. ₱650
deep-fried burrata, pomodoro sauce, basil
A homage to mozzarella sticks, but elevated: they use burrata from Bacolod, perfectly encased in a crisp fried shell—a technique they perfected after experimenting with over 100 burrata balls.
Rosé
Cerasuolo, Terraviva 2022, Italy
₱2,200 PER BOTTLE
Even the wine is carefully curated, and this Rosé pairs beautifully with the cheeses and fresh pasta—perfect for sipping during a long, lazy brunch.
The couple is full of energy, going into full geek mode as they present their pasta masterpieces.
FRESH PASTA
100 LAYER LASAGNA. ₱850
ragu bolognese, bechamel, grana,
mozzarella, parm foam, breadcrumbs
This is our favorite — a 100-layer lasagna with delicate pasta sheets layered with rich ragù Bolognese and béchamel, sliced vertically per order, on a bed of tomato sauce, topped with Parmesan foam, and finished with crisp breadcrumbs.
Just look at how intricate this lasagna is—this has been their signature, crowd-favorite pasta ever since its debut at The Grid pop-up.
SEAFOOD BUCATINI. ₱800
squid ink, bucatini, mussel, shrimp,
baby squid, cherry, clam, tomatoes
Love how it’s loaded with overflowing seafood—clams, mussels, and shrimp—tossed with squid ink bucatini. It feels like a lighter indulgence, yet fun to eat—no worries about ordering this on a date.
DRY PASTA
OG CARBONARA. ₱700
spaghettoni, egg, guanciale,
pecorino romano, grana padano
The sauce is luxuriously creamy from the egg, topped with Iberico guanciale and finished with two cheeses—Pecorino Romano and Grana Padano—for that perfect balance of sharp and nutty flavors.
This is the kind of carbonara we crave—one that even the kids will love. The pasta strands hug each other in a creamy embrace, coating every bite with rich, velvety goodness.
STUFFED PASTA
EGG YOLK RAVIOLI. ₱750
fresh pasta, egg yolk, spinach,
ricotta, brown butter, sage
IIt’s a giant 4-inch pasta stuffed with ricotta, spinach, Grana Padano, and a runny egg yolk, finished with brown butter and sage. Slice it open at the center and watch the carefully selected, orangey yolk ooze out.
OSSO BUCO CAPPELLETTI. ₱850
fresh pasta, osso buco filling,
beef reduction, lemon, grana padano
The Osso Buco is braised for 4 hours until tender and served in a hat-shaped fresh pasta, bathed in its rich jus—popping with flavor in every satisfying bite.
MAINS
LEMON GARLIC HALIBUT. ₱995
halibut, butter, lemon, garlic,
capers, parsley
Our mom would love it here—especially how the fish is cooked perfectly, never overdone, and finished with a bright lemon garlic butter.
White
Chardonnay, Pandolfi Price Los Patricios 2019, Chile
₱2,800 PER BOTTLE
A crisp and elegant Chardonnay from Chile, perfect for pairing with creamy pastas, seafood, and lighter Italian dishes.
CHICKEN PARM. ₱800
fried chicken fillet, mozzarella,
pecorino romano, pomodoro sauce
I love how DELINA gives each dish its own personality—like this fried chicken fillet topped with melted cheese, resting on a bed of rich red tomato sauce. Perfect for sharing and a hearty protein to pair with the pastas.
PORCINI-CRUSTED STEAK. ₱830 per 100g
new york strip, porcini crust,
cultured compound butter, gremolata
Just perfect for milestone celebrations—the NY strip steak comes with a beautifully seared porcini crust.
Served with house-made fermented butter infused with garlic confit and Parmesan, a touch of salt, and a bright gremolata of fresh parsley, minced garlic, and lemon zest to cut through the rich, meaty flavors.
The vibe of Chef Strawberry adds a halo of goodness to every pasta dish.
DESSERTS
TIRAMISU. ₱400
lady fingers, espresso,
mascarpone cream, cocoa powder
The tiramisu is freshly assembled, with ladyfingers soaked in espresso, layered with mascarpone cream, and finished with a dusting of finely grated cocoa powder.
This is a fresh take on the traditional tiramisu—definitely one of the best tiramisus you’ll find in Laguna.
CANNOLI. ₱275
cannoli shell, ricotta-based
filling, powdered sugar
The cannoli is a standout—especially the calamansi and polvoron version made with their fresh ricotta. You’ll love how the shell is crisp and sturdy, perfectly holding the creamy filling.
Ohhh… the Chocnut and Milo cannoli is pure nostalgia—ang sarap!
Tiramisu Latte ₱250
This is how we love our tiramisu—in a latte! Served with a layer of mascarpone foam, dusted with cocoa powder, and best enjoyed by dunking the ladyfinger. Truly the best tiramisu latte we’ve tried.
San Antonio Exchange has a lovely outdoor patio exclusively for DELINA guests (not Starbucks), where you can enjoy your coffee and dessert with an Italian guesthouse vibe.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, this is probably the best restaurant in Laguna—conveniently located just off the San Pedro exit. We’d gladly come back for the Truffle Honey Ricotta, the 100-Layer Lasagna, and the desserts—especially the Cannoli and Tiramisu Latte.
Get seats facing the courtyard (not the street) for the best ambiance. It’s perfect for a foodie lunch with friends over wine, a family celebration that both kids and grandparents will enjoy, or even a quick detour if you’re heading south on a road trip.
The pastas are ideal for sharing and priced like edible masterpieces at around ~₱800 per serving. The mains are reasonably priced for family-style dining—order the fish, chicken, and steak at the same time.
There’s also a bakery in a food truck right across Delina serving freshly made breads and sourdough, which they proudly support and use in the restaurant.
Love how the San Pedro exit is slowly becoming a true foodie stopover—an unexpected food trip destination in the South.
Congratulations to Nico and Ally—and the entire DELINA team—for creating such an exciting and inspired pasta place concept! 🍝✨
Restaurant Delina | The Pasta Place
A concept by @noodlelab.ph
Tuesday-Sunday 11am-10pm
San Antonio Exchange, Magsaysay Road, San Pedro, Laguna
Reserve a table via +63968 150 9898
info@restaurantdelina.com
@estaurantdelina
https://www.restaurantdelina.com/
Live an Awesome Life with Christ,
Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: This article was written entirely by a human—reflecting my own biases, opinions, and insights—with grammar and clarity checked using AI assistance. Thank you to Ally and Nico Gonzales of Noodle Lab PH for inviting us to the media opening of DELINA The Paste Place in San Pedro, Laguna.
P.S. They’re opening the patio for intimate outdoor events in Laguna —set beautifully amidst the trees.
