2015 Mid-Year Report: The

10 Best Coffee Shops In

Manila
BY DENISE JOSE ON AUGUST 14, 2015

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For a lot of us, coffee is a necessity in this crazy world. It gets us to

function in the morning when our brain cells are still half asleep and
it keeps our eyes from closing on us when we need to pull allnighters. Lets admit it, we run on caffeine and we cant live without
the stuff!
Weve all seen the coffee game get stronger here in Metro Manila,
and now, its all about who produces the highest quality brews.
Filipinos have become quite the coffee aficionados as well,
expressing our appreciation for the drink with words like nutty,
fruity, and earthy. How fancy!
So if youre that person who breaks down without at least one cup a
day, weve rounded up the top 10 coffee places in the Metro that
have gotten the highest ratings on looloo for the first half of 2015.

10. CafferaAverage Rating: 3.90/5.00

Caffera, Manilas first photography-themed cafe, will make any
camera lover swoon. It may not be the most spacious cafe out there
(it can fit 8 to 10 people) but it has gone all out with its interiors,
displaying eye-catching bits and pieces that make the place pictureperfect. Artsy photographs and vintage film SLRs are mounted on
the walls, old lenses have been recycled into hanging light fixtures,
and they even serve their coffee in lens tumblers! As Phoebe Q. has
said on her looloo review, every inch of Caffera is Instagrammable.

Photo from Noelle A.s looloo review for Caffera

The creativity spills on to their menu, with coffee concoctions like XPro Espresso, Mocha Frapperture, and ISO Americano. Their drink
sizes come in variants of Pixel (regular) and Megapixel (large). Prices
are very reasonable too, with their most expensive drinks at only
140. So if youre a photography nerd and need some caffeine buzz
at the same time, give Caffera a shot!
Caffera can be found at 2/F Dona Zenona Suites, 54 Maginhawa St.
cor. Mahusay St., Quezon City.

9. Local EditionAverage Rating: 3.93/5.00

This third wave coffee shop along Perea street is a sight for sore
eyes but theres a lot more to it than just its pretty facade. Staying
true to its name, it is an avid supporter of all things local and it is
not shy about it! Up on its grid walls, youlll see their art installations
that rotate frequently and feature works by various Filipino talents.
This cafe is also the genius behind #thebookprojectmanila, a pay-itforward scheme that allows customers to take a book home by
leaving one of theirs behind (preferably with a short written note of
kindness!)

Photo from Jenn N.s looloo review for Local Edition

Its patronage for Pinoy products extends to coffee too, using only
local beans to create its one and only Perea brew. On looloo, the
coffee addicts are raving about their Tablocha, a rich mocha coffee
drink infused with Filipino tablea chocolate said to have the perfect
blend of sweet and bitter flavors. The velvety Flat White is another
favorite, simply because it is strong and will give you the caffeine
jolt you need. Local Edition also does this cute thing where they
leave an iced gem biscuit on top of your drink so that you feel all
happy inside.
Local Edition can be found at 116 Perea St., Legazpi Village, Makati.

8. Starbucks ReserveAverage Rating: 4.34/5.00

This particular reserve in Tomas Morato trumps all other branches
when it comes to size. It is Starbucks on steroids! Tables are
abundant here and so are power outlets, making it a conducive
place for busy bees to get things done (you might have to compete
for space come intense hell weeks though, because law and med
students have been known to camp out here!) But aside from it
being huge, this Starbucks Reserve is also home to exotic brews that
are only available for short periods of time!

Photo from Erick B.s looloo review for Starbucks Reserve

Some of their intriguing concoctions on their current roster are the

Columbia Tolima, a combination of dark chocolate and toasted
walnut flavors, the Peru Amazonas, said to be bright with a burnt
sugar aftertaste, the Kenya Sangana, an aromatic brew that has
black currant and Assam tea notes, and the East Timor Ermera, a
blend of floral and citrus essence. Get chatty with the friendly
baristas to know more about these limited edition Starbucks Reserve
coffees and feel like a real connoisseur!

Starbucks Reserve has branches all over the metro.

7. Subspace Coffee HouseAverage Rating: 4.23/5.00

Youd think its just another run-of-the-mill cafe in Ortigas, but enter
Subspace and youll feel like youve just stepped into the recesses of
a whimsical artists brain and seen what its like to have so many
intricate thoughts and ideas at once.

Photo from Yvette Mariezen N.s looloo review for Subspace Coffee House

Thor Balanon, the creative visionary behind Subspace, has

transformed the tiny coffee house into a physical representation of
all his passions and interests in life, which include K-Pop, comic

books, and geek culture. The interiors are inspired by a mix and
match of various fandoms, making the space an interesting treat for
the eyes.
But dont worry, its got your coffee needs covered too! Its
bestseller, the Purple Potato Latte, is an odd concoction of coffee
and sweet potato that works surprisingly well. The potato makes for
a thicker drink while the coffee provides the bittersweet flavor. But
what Subspace is really proud about is its skill in latte art. Talented
baristas are able to draw up anything upon request. Remember to
take a picture of their masterpiece before you take your first big
gulp!
Subspace Coffee House can be found at G/F Grand Emerald Tower, F.
Ortigas Jr. Rd., Ortigas Center, Pasig.

6. Yardstick CoffeeAverage Rating: 4.20/5.00

Its not difficult to fall in love with Yardstick. Its a minimalist, no-frills
space where you can be yourself in. When life gets too
overwhelming (cue in dramatic background music), you can take
refuge in this coffee house to relax, bask in the natural light that
streams in from its big windows, maybe read a good book, or catch
up with a buddy. Its in a quiet part of Legazpi Village so the rest of
the worlds noise wont be a bother to you.

Photo from Joyce C.s looloo review for Yardstick Coffee

But what really keeps people in love with Yardstick is its straight-up,
no pretentions approach to coffee. To produce their specialty drinks,
Yardstick uses coffee machines that are handmade and flown in all
the way from Italy.
They keep the preparation process open too, so you can watch as
the baristas work their magic. looloo reviewers are all about the
classic Flat White, the Yard Shake (their take on a frappuccino), and
the Bitter, Sweet, and Toasty (their version of an affogato).

Yardsticks coffee drinks do not go easy on the caffeine though, so

dont be surprised if you find yourself still awake at 4AM!
Yardstick can be found at G/F Universal LMS Bldg., 106 Esteban St.,
Legazpi Village, Makati.

5. Kuppa Roastery & CafeAverage Rating: 4.20/5.00

Kuppa Roastery & Cafe is an old family business that started out
in Bacolod. People from Manila got wind of how good their food and
drinks are and wanted a branch of their own. Fortunately for the
coffee enthusiasts of the Metro, Kuppa (pronounced as cup-pa)
finally gave in to demands and set up a cafe in the heart of BGC.
With its homey ambiance and fresh coffee, it draws in the big
crowds of corporate bosses and young professionals who always
seem to have a need for a caffeine pick-me-up.

Photo from Chichi T.s looloo review for Kuppa Roastery & Cafe

Kuppa has gone the extra mile with its beverages, being the first
cafe in the country to roast its beans in-house. With at least 60
years of coffee roasting experience under its belt and having
mastered 3 methods of brewing coffee (namely the French Press,
AeroPress, and V60 Pourover), its safe to call Kuppa a coffee expert.
On looloo, the easy favorites from their menu seem to be Bens
Cappuccino and the Nutcracker Latte.

Kuppa Roastery & Cafe can be found at the CommerCenter, 4th Ave.
cor. 31st St., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

4. UCC ClockworkAverage Rating: 4.47/5.00

For the non-coffee connoisseurs out there, it might be intimidating
to step into a cafe that specifically serves third wave coffee. But
once youre inside, youll realize that UCC is no snob and actually
has a very friendly vibe to it.

Photo from Farrah E.s looloo review for UCC Clockwork

They make their coffee not just to impress the elite few, but to
educate anyone and everyone who wants to learn about the work
that goes into making the perfect cup. There are no holds barred in
this place; you can touch the coffee machines displayed around the
area and ask the baristas questions that have always boggled your
mind about coffee. You can even make your way to the second floor
for a birds eye view of the baristas in action!
On looloo, there has been a lot of talk about UCC Clockworks Judy
on the Rocks, a charcoal roasted coffee drink topped with cream and
salted honey, said to have both extremely sweet and bitter flavors
at the same time. Another popular concoction is the Kori Kohi, a
drink deconstructed into three parts: the warm milk, the sugar
syrup, and the glass of coffee ice cubes. Mixing all them together
makes for a very refreshing drink!
UCC Clockwork has branches in Bluebay Walk, Mall of Asia Complex
in Pasay and Estancia, Capitol Commons in Pasig.

3. The CuratorAverage Rating: 4.31/5.00

Locating The Curator on your first attempt could get very
frustrating, especially if youre not familiar with the ins and outs of
Makati. It doesnt help either that this place doesnt have a sign to
let people know where it is. But finding it gives you a sense of
achievement and a feeling that youre privy to a really cool secret.
Its a got a chill vibe to it that hardworking citizens can easily relax
into. And as Alex O. wrote on his looloo review, the baristas here
take friendliness to another level by mingling with their customers,
making you feel like youre just kicking it back at a friends house.

Photo from Michelle Ann Y.s looloo review for The Curator

At night, The Curator serves up cocktails, but come morning, it

transforms into a coffee shop that offers a wide selection of carefully
crafted drinks to perk up the senses. If youre not too sure on what
to get, ask the baristas to surprise you and they will rise to the
occasion. Some looloo reviewers have been given the Dark Matter
Theory, a shock of strong espresso balanced with the richness of
dark chocolate. Others have been presented with the WOW (Winds
of Winter) which is a seasonal espresso blend. Let them know what
youre in the mood for and see what you get!

The Curator can be found at the Cyrano Wine Shop, 134 Legazpi St.
cor. C. Palanca St., Legazpi Village, Makati.

2. Craft Coffee RevolutionAverage Rating: 4.26/5.00

Now that Craft Coffee has arrived in Katipunan, the stressed out
student zombies of the nearby colleges have something to rejoice
about. Alumni are probably wishing they had a spot that supplied
them with high quality caffeine when they were the ones toiling
away in school.

Photo from Anch B.s looloo review for Craft Coffee Revolution

The usual word that comes to mind when describing Craft is

hipster, with its dim lights, industrial interiors, and art-covered
walls. But we have to admit, we love everything thats hipster, no
matter how cliche it all gets. Craft has the perfect ambiance for
brooding artists, creative crafters, bookworms, or anyone who just
wants some space away from the hustle and bustle of life. Plus, they
have delicious brews to re-energize your tired souls.
On looloo, the usual default drinks are the Iced Mocha, the Flat
White, and the Cappuccino, all of which will give you that jolt you
need. Crafts cold coffee drinks have also been getting great
reviews, particularly the Ethiopian and Brazilian brews which are
said to be less acidic but powerful in flavor.
Craft Coffee Revolution has several branches all over the metro.

1. Tobys Estate CoffeeAverage Rating: 4.47/5.00

Books out, faces down, and coffee ready. This is the usual scenario
at Tobys Estate, Ortigas Center. You cant help but want to work or
study in this cafe because the atmosphere just calls for it. The white
washed brick walls, the long communal table, and the overall clean
and crisp environment automatically programs your brain to be
productive! And the fact that theres strong coffee to help you last
the whole day is very motivating.

Photo from Melody T.s looloo review for Tobys Estate Coffee

Tobys Estate is a speciality coffee shop that was founded in

Australia in 2011; but it soon found its way into the local market
through four Filipino caffeine lovers who wanted to share their
passion for artisan coffee with the rest of Manila. Hats off to them!
Their first branches were in Makati and Taguig but theyve recently
obliged to meet the coffee demands of the people in Pasig.
The favorite drink among looloo reviewers is something youd have
to specially request for because it isnt on the menu! The Gilbratar,

which is a ristretto topped with Hollys milk and foam, will shock
your senses in the best way possible. Other popular drinks are the
Mocha and the Flat White.
Tobys Estate Coffee has several branches all over the metro.

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ABOUT AUTHOR

DENISE JOSE
Denise is a recovering food addict. She distracts herself with photography and keeps off the
pounds by doing pilates. She is still struggling, however, and has occasional relapses. Her
food comas are mostly induced by oily burgers and chocolate desserts.

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