2026 has been a big year for Iligan so far. From long-awaited restaurant openings and specialty food spots, to first-of-their-kind stores and lifestyle destinations, Iliganons have had a lot to celebrate in just the first half of the year. New investments, new jobs, and new places to eat, shop, and hang out — the city’s business community is growing faster than ever.
Here are 10 of the most notable new businesses that opened in Iligan City in the first half of 2026, in the order they launched. Consider this your mid-year check-in — proof that Iligan keeps getting better. 🎉
1. 🦐 Above Sea Level — Robinsons Iligan (March 2026)
One of the country’s fastest-growing seafood chains landed in Iligan early this year, opening at Robinsons Iligan and instantly becoming a must-try dining spot. Fresh catches, generous plates, and a mall-friendly location made it an easy hit.
2. 🥂 Calle Gavino Bar & Resto — Brgy. Tubod (May 2026)
Tucked inside the Lluch Compound along Toribia Street, Calle Gavino brought “cozy corner from breakfast till midnight” energy to the city. Filipino comfort food, a full bar with cocktails and Margaritas, and warm, family-style hospitality that regulars keep coming back for.
3. 🍚 KABS n’ GO — Palao (May 2026)
Iliganons’ new go-to for kabsa and Filipino comfort food. Located along Aguinaldo Street in Palao (beside Villa Tuna), KABS n’ GO brings a fresh mix of Middle Eastern-inspired flavors and hearty Filipino favorites to the city.
4. 🎾 The Pickleball Squad — Iligan’s First Pickleball Store (June 2026)
The pickleball craze has officially arrived in Iligan. The Pickleball Squad opened the city’s first physical pickleball store — a milestone for the local sports scene. Paddles, gear, and community for a fast-growing crowd of players.
5. 🥢 Saranghae Korean Diner & Café — Pala-o (June 2026)
Iligan’s Korean food scene got a major upgrade with Saranghae — a proper diner + café serving Korean staples like samgyup, tteokbokki, and Korean fried chicken. Now available on GrabFood and Foodpanda for delivery.
6. 🍜 HIGOP Batchoy House (June 2026)
Craving that warm, hearty Ilonggo-style batchoy? HIGOP Batchoy House opened in Iligan this June, giving Iliganons a way to skip the trip to Bacolod. Freshly prepared servings and that signature broth — a rainy-day essential.
7. 💆 Sebo Massage — 2nd Branch Opens in Palao (June 2026)
Sebo Massage Iligan expanded with a second branch in Palao — a sign of growing demand for accessible wellness services. Great news for those who love a good relaxation session close to home.
8. 💪 YUR GYM — A New Training Space (July 2026)
Fitness enthusiasts in Iligan City got a new place to work toward their goals. YUR GYM opened with a comfortable, well-equipped training space designed for both beginners and serious lifters.
9. 📸 Digi Rentals Iligan — Camera Rentals (August 2026)
Iligan’s growing content-creator community got a big win. Digi Rentals Iligan now offers camera rentals for travel, events, and content creation — perfect for creators, wedding photographers, and anyone needing quality gear without the upfront cost.
10. 🎂 Cake Ko Iligan — Filipino & Maranao Cuisine (August 2026)
One of the freshest openings on this list, Cake Ko Iligan officially opened in Pala-o, bringing a delicious mix of Filipino and Maranao cuisine to the city. A great addition to Iligan’s diverse food scene celebrating the region’s heritage.
📈 What This Tells Us About Iligan So Far in 2026
A quick look at what these 10 businesses have in common — and what it says about the city’s direction:
- Food is still king — 6 of the 10 mid-year openings are food-related, from batchoy specialists to Korean diners to Maranao cuisine.
- New categories are emerging — pickleball, camera rentals, and 24/7 convenience stores show Iliganons’ expanding lifestyle interests.
- Wellness is scaling — with existing brands like Sebo Massage opening second branches, health & wellness is a growing category.
- Palao and Robinsons Iligan remain magnets — many of the most-anticipated openings picked these locations for the foot traffic and brand energy.
- Local + regional flavors are winning — Maranao cuisine, Ilonggo batchoy, kabsa — the diversity of Iligan’s food identity keeps growing.
How This List Was Built
These 10 businesses were curated from the New Business category on Promote Iligan, focusing on January–August 2026 openings that made a notable splash — whether from being firsts in their category, generating high reader interest, or contributing something genuinely new to Iligan’s business scene. It’s not the ONLY businesses that opened this year (we’ve featured many more), but it’s a strong snapshot of the first half.
We’ll publish a full year-end version in December with the second half’s openings added. Stay tuned.
Have a new business to add — or plan to open one soon? Submit your business through our contact form and we’ll consider it for our editorial calendar and future roundups.
Here’s to more openings, more opportunities, and a stronger Iligan in the second half of the year! 🥂🎉
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