This is not just “another Go-to cafes in Metro Manila list” featuring cafes or coffee shops. These are some of the unexpected discoveries we made that turned into a sweet escape.
While the pandemic forced us to stay in the safety and comfort of our homes, the strain of staying indoors has left us weary and seeking another place for refuge.
A lot of people have flocked areas around and nearby Metro Manila for good coffee, and we are curious how many have you visited? Let us know in the comments down below!
Here are some of the shops we personally visited that we experienced and may be worth your time and travel:
Group & Boiler
For the people living in the south of Metro Manila, Group & Boiler is your spot! This shop, located inside the Molito Complex in Alabang, Muntinlupa is a great place to chill or do work remotely.
The cafe, managed by a well-known coffee expert serves the best tasting hot latte, cold brew, pour over and even iced tea!
☕️ passionate over coffee
☕️ wi-fi
☕️ parking space
☕️ dessert & meals
☕️ pet-friendly
☕️ al fresco
*As of writing, Group & Boiler is under renovation and will come back with more seats for you
Group & Boiler is located at Molito Complex, Madrigal ave., Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
Feynman Coffee
Read as /ˈfaɪnmən/ Coffee, the shop is a reward for anyone — bicyclists and motorists alike — that dare to traverse the steep uphill of Cabrera Road in Taytay, Rizal located about 23 kilometers east of Manila.
The cafe utilized upcycle wood from old houses and buildings to give it a warm and comfortable feel once you enter its premises.
Feynman Coffee offers a selection of sandwiches — including chicken-pesto, and banana-Nutella — to complement their coffee selection. The cozy ambience is also conducive to workers seeking a different remote working feel, with the cafe boasting high-speed internet connection.
☕️ passionate over coffee
☕️ wi-fi
☕️ parking space
☕️ dessert & sandwiches
☕️ al fresco
Feynman Coffee is located at Cabrera Road cor. Magnolia Lane, Dolores, Taytay, Rizal. Visit their Instagram page here.
2249 Coffee
Nested in the heart of the historic district of Sta. Ana, Manila, 2249 Coffee opened its doors in November 2019 and took its name from the house address in which it is located.
The cafe stands on top of a former ancestral house, the remnants of which live on through pieces scattered across the shop’s interiors. Throw in the smell of freshly prepared coffee, and it justifies the shop’s social media hashtag — #kapetbahay — a “bahay” (house) with coffee, and also “kapitbahay”, the Filipino term for neighbor.
2249 Coffee aims to introduce and educate the community on the third-wave coffee movement, while giving their patrons a taste of home cooking. When at the cafe, try out their selection of single-origin and espresso-based coffee to pair with their homespun rice meals, savory sandwiches, and sweet desserts.
☕️ passionate over coffee
☕️ parking space/bike rack
☕️ dessert & meals
☕️ pet-friendly
☕️ al fresco
2249 Coffee is located at 2249 Paco Roman st., Sta. Ana, Manila. Visit their Instagram page here and Facebook page here.
Kombi Brew
Not your ordinary coffee pop-up, Kombi Brew operates out of a vintage Volkswagen Kombi bus and does not serve the standard fare to its regulars.
However, the mobile cafe’s founder, Budz Badua, serves coffee recipes with a twist — including the Kahel Brew (espresso and tangerine orange), Pa-Change Oil (their own version of mocha), as well as our personal favorite Kombi Blue (blue ternate tea, grain milk, lychee and cream cheese).
The cafe continuously makes its rounds around the Metro, so watch out for the next stopn of the bright orange Kombi bus!
☕️ passionate over coffee
☕️ pet-friendly
☕️ al fresco
☕️ parking space/bike rack (depending on their location)
Kombi Brew is a mobile cafe with no permanent location. You may check out their upcoming pop-up schedules on their Instagram and Facebook pages.
Ugly Mug
Definitely not your basic roadside cafe, The Ugly Mug Cafe is a shop that pairs up their espresso-based blends with equally delectable sweet and savory treats!
As to why the shop was christened as The Ugly Mug, owner Carla May Reyes went on to say that they didn’t want just a usual catchy or pretty name for the shop. The former cruise ship chef used the pandemic as the perfect time to set up shop and succeeded, with the cafe recently openings its doors to a new location north of Metro Manila.
Among their best-sellers include their Croffles — a pastry combining a croissant and a waffle — in various sweet and savory flavors, their favorite Spanish latte, as well as their hotdog sandwiches with overloaded toppings.
☕️ passionate over coffee
☕️ parking space
☕️ bike rack
☕️ dessert
☕️ pet-friendly
The Ugly Mug is located at 36 J Fabella st., Brgy. Mauway, Mandaluyong City. Visit their Instagram page here and Facebook here.
Sspace
Sspace, or ‘Slow Space’ Coffee Bar, is the only local coffee shop in the sea of second-wave coffee shops in the area near Tagaytay City and definitely worth a stopover.
The shop serves a great food menu to pair with your coffee, all at affordable prices. While at Sspace, check out the nearby souvenir shop managed by the parents of the cafe’s owners.
You can find them at 25 Sta. Rosa, Tagaytay Rd, Tagaytay.
☕️ passionate over coffee
☕️ parking space
☕️ dessert & meals
☕️ pet-friendly
Sspace Coffee is located at 25 Sta. Rosa – Tagaytay Road, Cavite. Visit their Instagram page here and Facebook page here.
Chapter Coffee Roastery & Cafe — Antipolo
For people frequenting the mountains of Antipolo, Chapter Coffee Roastery & Cafe is a staple stop for their coffee and snacks fix.
The cafe has multiple branches dotted around the Metro since 2017, but its unique feel and the cool mountain air definitely set this branch apart. The coffee theme is visible around the shop, beginning with the portafilter door knob.
We recommend trying out their pour over and flat white.
☕️ passionate over coffee
☕️ parking space
☕️ dessert & meals
Chapter Coffee Roastery & Cafe is located at G/F Faith Residences Bldg., Blue Mountains Subdivision, Antipolo City. Visit their Instagram here and Facebook page here.
Resonate Coffee
Resonate Coffee started as a pop-up from the back of a trunk evolved to a small outdoor kiosk at Marikina Heights, then turned into a full-fledged shop.
Initially serving primarily cold brew and pourover coffee using internationally-sourced beans, the slow bar run by the tandem of John Lorenz Santos and Wilbert Morada has added new espresso-based offerings that can be complemented with their signature pastries.
☕️ passionate over coffee
☕️ desserts
☕️ bicycle-friendly
☕️ al fresco and indoor seating
Resonate Coffee is located at Bayan-Bayan Avenue, Marikina Heights, Marikina City. Visit their Instagram page and Facebook page here.
Bädē Lounge and Spa
Bädē Lounge and Spa relaunched itself at its new location at Congressional Town Center, Quezon City. Their concept initially involved a coffee shop fronting their store, then complimented by a spa at the back. However, the pandemic changed their plans and continued on as a cafe.
They offer coffee like: Piccolo, Cortado, Affogato, Latte, etc. as well as their best selling pastas: Mushroom Truffle Pasta and Garlic Shrimp Pasta. Also a must-try is their best-selling flavored kombucha drink.
It’s industrial interior vibe makes it instagram worthy!
☕️ passionate over coffee
☕️ wi-fi
☕️ parking space
☕️ dessert & meals
☕️ al fresco
Bädē is located at Congressional Town Center, 23 Congressional Avenue, Quezon City. Visit their Instagram page here and Facebook page.
Which other coffee shop do you think are Go-to cafes in Metro Manila? We are curious about your personal picks! Leave a comment down below and they may be our next stops.
Are you passionate over coffee? Check out our other discoveries to learn more about coffee!
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