One of the newest entries to Cebu's ever-so bustling coffee scene is The Mill Lifestyle Cafe and it's always a full house for excellent reasons.

The most unsettling aspect of this venture is quite possibly its owner — still an undergrad — Kingston Ralph Cheng, who is just 21 years old! In fact, he took a semester off from the prestigious Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, where he is on the last term of his Bachelor of Science in International Business degree, to focus on the opening of his dream cafe. This was a sanctioned leave by the institution, all for the pursuit of learning.

Located at one of the strategic entrances of the newest wing of the Ayala Center Cebu, the 70 – sq.m. coffee house, which opened in August 2023, was born out of an interest in the vibrant Melbourne cafe culture, where the atmosphere is casual and relaxed.

Their varied selection of pastries and breads are likewise delectable, faithfully backed up by traditional clan recipes and nothing-but-forward-looking discerning innovations from across the world. And mind you, these are all baked from scratch, using specialty flour from their very own go-to family-owned mills.

Today, they serve 18 specialty treats, plus a collection of six chilled pastries, supplemented by five distinct loaves of breads. Did I see some sandwiches being crafted by a chef on the counter, before one's very own eyes?