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5 Coffee Spots to Love in the City
Another cup of joe, please?
By: Monette Atilano | July 20, 2017
Coffee houses in the metro are a dime a dozen. With every other café claiming to make the best cup of joe, it takes much more than a decent espresso to truly stand out. We’ve shortlisted some brewers who are serious about giving us a caffeine fix worth raving about, and much more.
1. Craft Coffee Revolution
Business hours: Monday to Sunday, 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Branches: Three branches in Quezon City and two branches in Mandaluyong City
Craft Coffee Revolution is a serene spot among some of the more crowded cafés in Katipunan. (Writer's photo)
The birth of what was once just a hole-in-the-wall coffee bar at the corner of E. Rodriguez Ave. and Broadway could be one of the most exciting things that’s happened for urban coffee lovers in a while. At a time when big chains serve up overpriced blended coffee drinks to perpetually disappointed customers, Craft Coffee Revolution enters the scene to bring the art back to coffee making. Here, you can chat with baristas who’ve painstakingly earned their titles as they showcase the characteristics of the most aromatic beans roasted to perfection.
Don’t be intimidated by the snobbery that comes with having several brewing options such as AeroPress or Chemex. You’ll be happy to know there’s not much needed to enjoy any hot or cold beverage item on their menu. You won’t even need to add sugar because of the natural sweetness and balanced flavor inherent to their in-house roasted beans. Expect to shell out PhP100 to PhP180 for a single cup.
2. Café Pronto at Marco Polo
Business hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Café Pronto in Ortigas is a great place to start or end your long day at work. (Writer's photo)
Those who’ve previously been to Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas would have already followed that unmistakable waft of a rich, steaming Americano to their lobby café, Café Pronto. Armed with all the makings of a proper coffee house, this well-designed establishment offers a great selection of brews along with delicious pastries and gourmet sandwiches. What’s more, the classy ambiance and speedy Wi-Fi could easily make this joint one of the best places to while away an afternoon.
3. Apartment 1B
Business hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Branches: One Rockwell, East Tower, Makati City; One Lafayette Square, Makati City; The Henry Hotel Manila, Pasay City
Apartment 1B serves Vittoria, Australia’s biggest selling ground coffee in this cozy space. (Image: Apartment 1B FB Page)
While foodies certainly patronize Apartment 1B for their consistently delicious comfort food, the cozy resto attracts their own share of coffee connoisseurs for their frothy cappuccinos. The place serves Italian-style Vittoria Coffee from Australia, an espresso blend that uses 100% Arabica beans sourced from the finest growing regions from South America. The coffee is said to be so good, it even became the first brand ever that Hollywood Icon Al Pacino agreed to endorse.
Expect to see that covetable “crema,” the golden layer that settles on top of your espresso when the coffee is made just right, by their incredibly welcoming, efficient and well-trained staff. Enjoy it with their White Toblerone Cheesecake or their Salted Caramel Chocolate Torte for a decadent dessert duet.
4. Duck & Buvette
Business hours: Monday to Friday, 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM; Saturday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
D&B offers signature pastry items, such as custard-filled canelés for guests to enjoy with their coffee. (Image: Tales from the Heart)
While on the subject of good coffee, it would be unavoidable to mention the specialty coffee Intelligentsia. First brought to Manila by French artisanal café Duck & Buvette, Intelligentsia is considered to be one of the proponents of what is known as the Third Wave Coffee Movement, along with other international bigwigs. This movement seeks to elevate coffee to higher standards and bring reverence to its origins and method of production.
Clearly serious about their coffee, D&B proudly displays their bean bar at the front of their centrally located space in Shangri-La Mall. The El Diablo, a signature dark roast, is a must-try for self-proclaimed caffeine nerds. Cup prices are a little on the higher side but it promises not to disappoint.
5. Toby’s Estate
Business hours: Varies per branch. Visit their website for info on operating hours.
Branches: Three in Makati, two in Taguig, one in Pasig, San Juan, and Mandaluyong
The newest branch of Toby’s Estate is now open at The Viridian in Greenhills. (Image: Toby's Estate FB Page)
The eponymous brainchild of expert roaster Toby Smith cannot be dropped out of any top coffee list, be it in Manila or in Sydney, Australia. This trendy café is known for giving its loyal customers the complete experience, from its cool atmosphere, friendly and well-spoken baristas to a substantial menu. Their coffee, especially the mocha, is the main drawcard but their Dutch egg skillet, Bucky’s brownies and calamansi (calamondin) pie will certainly keep you coming back.
Toby’s Estate is a favorite among breakfast goers and after-dinner dates. Even the sustainability-conscious customer will be delighted to know that part of the PhP100 to PhP160 they spend for their caffeine fix goes to growers from developing countries who mutually benefit from the partnership.
Of course, this list of café haunts is far from exhaustive. But it’s good to know that the booming coffee culture in Manila is giving coffee lovers a lot to smile about. So whether it’s a double-espresso-shot kind of morning or a caramel macchiato type of night, you can swing by one of these reliable bean hubs for that much needed pick-me-up.
Photos are from the official websites and Facebook pages of featured establishments, except otherwise indicated.
Prices may change without prior notice.
About Monette Atilano
“I write because I breathe. And because I've always been better at it than math! Contributing articles to my favorite teen magazine got me started at 16...and I've been typing away since (whether for work or my own pleasure). When I'm not penning about wine for beginners or raving about a gastronomic experience, you'll most likely find me re-watching classic movies from my extensive DVD collection, going on a local adventure with my husband, or daydreaming.” - Monette
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