Two beloved Maryland-born culinary concepts have come together to bring the rich flavors of the Philippines to Pentagon City. Gwenie’s Pastries and Lapu Lapu officially opened at 1417 S. Fern Street on September 2, blending sweet and savory traditions under one roof in a first-of-its-kind Filipino breakfast destination for Arlington.
Led by siblings Stella and Javier Fernandez, the combined space feels like a mini food hall, offering pastries, sandwiches, and coffee drinks that honor heritage while welcoming new audiences. “It’s two concepts in one space, almost like a two-business food hall,” Javier Fernandez said. “It’s been a long time coming. There’s a big Filipino community in this area, and so we’re really excited to get it out to the city. It’s something different.”
On the savory side, Lapu Lapu serves Filipino favorites and American classics, from bistek and sweet chorizo to bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches, all tucked into soft, house-made pandesal rolls. On the sweeter side, Gwenie’s Pastries brings a rainbow of Filipino-inspired treats, including ube cheesecake, filled donuts with mango, pandan, Nutella and ube creams, along with cupcakes, teas and inventive lattes in flavors like Biscoff, tiramisu, pandan and ube. Even breakfast sides get a playful touch, with crispy tater tots and creamy ube soft serve making appearances alongside the morning staples.
The Pentagon City opening marks a major milestone for both brands. Gwenie’s Pastries was founded nearly two decades ago in Rockville by Gwendolyn “Gwen” Fernandez, whose recipes have long anchored the bakery’s loyal following. Lapu Lapu sandwiches, meanwhile, have drawn praise from Bethesda Magazine and The Washington Post, expanding on Javier Fernandez’s success as a RAMMY-nominated restaurateur behind Kuya Ja’s Lechon Belly. Together, the brands represent both culinary credibility and deep family roots.
Open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., the new Arlington location offers an all-day breakfast destination in a neighborhood known for its diversity and fast-changing dining scene. The team is already thinking ahead to menu additions, possibly including a Filipino-inspired smash burger or creative chicken sandwich, and a grand opening celebration is expected in the coming week.
For Arlington’s growing Filipino-American community and adventurous eaters across the region, Gwenie’s Pastries and Lapu Lapu bring more than food — they offer a vibrant cultural experience wrapped in warm bread, creamy ube, and the comfort of flavors that feel both familiar and new. At a time when the local dining landscape is hungry for originality, this Pentagon City newcomer stands out as a joyful, flavorful reminder of how food can connect tradition, family and place.
Photo credit: Gwenie’s Pastries drink (courtesy of Gwenie’s Pastries)
