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7 Quirky Coffee Shops in the Philippines that You Need to Visit
Feed your soul with adventures, but don’t forget to feed your belly too!
By: Patricia Marie Prado | April 27, 2018
Part of having a great and memorable vacation is ticking off all the popular spots in the place you’re visiting. Famous museums, a hidden beach or waterfall are usually on the must-see list, but most of the time it’s the must-try cafés and restaurants that get our attention.
To make it easier for you this summer, we compiled some of the best coffee shops in the Philippines’ most popular travel destinations. So whether you’re heading to La Union to surf or flying to Palawan to beach-hop, you’re sure to find a place where you can treat your taste buds. Read on and discover which coffee shop to add to your itinerary!
1. Café Loka
Where: Cloud 9, Siargao Island General Luna, Surigao Del Norte
Price range: PhP80 to PhP300
Unwind before and after you surf at Café Loka.
Image: Café Loka
Siargao may have been an elusive destination before, but thanks to the number of airlines providing direct flights to this small island it is now becoming more accessible to the public. If you’re on your way to this surfer’s paradise this summer, one café to try is Café Loka.
The open-spaced café became known for its hut-like structure and down-to-earth interiors. But don’t be fooled by their simple aesthetics as their menu is filled with sumptuous food that can battle other cafés here in Manila. They serve different kinds of drinks from shakes, to teas, and of course coffee! They also have for their breakfast meals, sandwiches, cakes, and muffins.
2. Groundswell Café at Charlie Does
Where: Buton St., Baler, Aurora
Price range: PhP80 to PhP200
Vegans can still have a great time at Baler thanks to Groundswell Café.
Image: @marianneantolin
Another surfer’s haven, Baler, is probably at the top of many people’s list. If it’s part of your itinerary this summer, do make a stop at Groundswell Café. Groundswell Café is part of Charlie Does, a hostel, surf shop, and local gallery in one where you can buy everything from surfboards to works of art.
If you’re a vegetarian, Groundswell Café will definitely be your go-to place as they serve meals fit for vegetarians and vegans. Their drinks are equally popular as their coffee is 100% sourced in the Philippines while their beer, Baler Brew, is a homemade creation made with honey wheat ale.
3. The Buzzz Cafè
Where: Alona Beach Panglao, Bohol
Price range: PhP60 to PhP300
Everything is organic here in The Buzzz Café.
Image: @kseesia
If you’re heading to Bohol anytime soon, you can also include visiting The Buzzz Café as part of your itinerary. The Buzzz Café, located at the Bohol Bee Farm in Panglao, is known for a 100% organic menu, from the meat to the salads. One of their unique offering here is the organic flower salad that comes as a side dish with most of their meals.
After tasting their savory offerings, make sure to cleanse your palate with their organic ice cream (PhP60). It comes in interesting flavors like spicy ginger and tomato and is served in a cone made of cassava.
4. El Nido Boutique & Artcafé
Where: Serena St., El Nido Bacuit, Palawan
Price range: PhP130 to PhP320
Make sure to grab a seat at El Nido Boutique Artcafé’s terrace to see the amazing ocean view.
Image: El Nido Boutique & Artcafe
El Nido is always a favorite destination whether it’s the summer season or not. If you do find yourself in this small part of Palawan, do give El Nido Boutique Artcafé a visit before your leave. The restaurant is famous among locals and tourists alike with its relaxing vibe, great view of the beach, and, of course, its delectable food.
El Nido Boutique & Artcafé serves a wide range of meals, from hearty breakfasts to savory pizza and pasta. It’s also perfect for a night out as they serve a good selection of alcoholic beverages. Make sure to wear slippers when you visit as footwear is not allowed in their premises.
Check out our list of cafes in Palawan or browse the Dining & Leisure category of the ShoppersGuide Directory.
5. Clean Beach
Where: 134 Beachfront, MacArthur Highway, San Juan, La Union
Price range: PhP60 to PhP200
Not into overly decorated cafés? Clean Beach takes you back to the basics.
Image: Clean Beach
La Union has been attracting crowds for years, so if you’re here and you want a quiet escape in this buzzing town, head to Clean Beach. The café opened just last 2017, but people are already calling it an introvert’s hideout because of its relaxed and simple vibe perfect for an afternoon coffee or a slow night after surfing.
Clean Beach’s menu is simple and on point and it features a selection of breakfast meals, burgers, sides, and desserts. Their Kaya Toast (PhP150) is one of their bestsellers and it can be perfectly paired with a cup of coffee which the café sources from Davao del Sur.
6. Ohana Art Café
Where: Purok 2 Barangay Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales
Price range: PhP99 to PhP599
Ohana Art Café will certainly give color to your trip.
Image: @ohanaartcafe
Not many establishments can be found in Zambales yet, but the colorful Ohana Art Café is enough to keep you busy for hours. Take advantage of the café’s numerous freebies, from the free fish spa to massage, and even free love and life advice.
In terms of their food selections, they offer classic Filipino fares like the usual silog (egg, fried rice, and meat) combinations and grilled meats. If you’re coming with a group of friends, you might be happy to know that they also offer group meals (starts at PhP299) good for four to six persons so you can enjoy a boodle fight.
7. Honesty Coffee Shop
Where: National Road, Ivana, Batanes
Your Batanes trip won’t be complete without a stop at Honesty Coffee Shop.
Image: @yiamjulian
Honesty Café in Batanes is not known for its offerings; instead, it is famous for being an unmanned store that places its trust on its customers’ honesty. Come visit here anytime of the day and all you have to do is note in the logbook the items that you bought and leave your payment. In case you need some change, you can knock at the nearby door where the owners live. Although you won’t find artisanal coffee here, you can still buy a couple of snacks and souvenir items.
Wherever you’re heading this summer, do include these cafés as part of your itinerary. Let us know in the comments section which of these food spots you will visit soon.
About Patricia Marie Prado
Patricia came from the field of business and accounting but is now pursuing her dreams of being a writer. She is a self-confessed introvert and is passionate about reading, travelling, writing, movies, coffee and God. When she's not writing, she loves discovering new coffee shops/cafe and doing TV-series marathons.
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