DL Cuisina: Bringing a Taste of Manila to the Sunshine Coast

Yarrow Drtina
2 days ago
2 min read

On Cowrie Street in Sechelt, the aroma of garlic, soy, and simmering adobo fills the air at DL Cuisina – Taste of Manila on the Coast. The bright, welcoming restaurant has quickly become a local favourite, serving authentic Filipino comfort food and sharing a taste of home with the Sunshine Coast community.

For owners Diana Pineda and Leonil Landrito, food has always been about connection. After moving to B.C. through the foreign workers program, Diana spent years in hospitality and food service, eventually settling on the Coast more than a decade ago. While working full-time at the local credit union, she began experimenting with pop-ups and catering on weekends, introducing locals to Filipino dishes one event at a time.

Their journey began inside another Coast staple, Run with Soup Eatery, where Diana supplied wontons and hosted Filipino pop-up Saturdays. When the opportunity came to take over the café in March 2025, she and Leonil saw it as the perfect chance to build something of their own.

“DL Cuisina” combines the Filipino word kusina (meaning kitchen) with the English word cuisine, symbolizing their blend of cultures and flavors. What started as soups and sandwiches has grown into a vibrant eatery offering classics like silog breakfasts, pancit, lumpia, and adobo, alongside a small store stocked with Filipino snacks, sauces, and frozen meals.

The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. At first, Diana and Leonil weren’t sure how locals would respond to Filipino cuisine, but they quickly discovered the Coast’s open-hearted appetite for something new. Customers return again and again for their favourite dishes, often bringing friends to introduce them to the food.

The transition from a small soup shop to a full restaurant came with challenges and big learning moments, but also incredible support. Through Community Futures Sunshine Coast, Diana and Leonil were able to purchase their storefront and confidently move forward with their rebrand. That step gave them stability and room to grow, allowing them to hire a small team and expand their menu and hours.

Today, DL Cuisina operates six days a week with three employees and a growing customer base that spans locals and newcomers alike. Diana still caters for events and plans to join the farmers market next year, offering hot food and frozen Filipino dishes to go. Karaoke nights and community events may also be on the horizon.

When asked what makes them most proud, Diana says it’s seeing people come together over their food. “DL Cuisina is my heart and my home. This is our way of sharing love, culture, and home through every meal we serve. It’s a taste of the Philippines, proudly shared with the Sunshine Coast community we now call home.”