You would think hot beverages would be unheard of in such a hot and humid country, but coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the Philippines. Nine out of 10 households have coffee in their pantries, and eight out of 10 adults in the country drink an average of 2.5 cups of coffee every day, according to the Philippine Coffee Board.
Interest in coffee has fluctuated regarding trends, says Steven Benitez, who founded homegrown coffee shop chain Bo’s Coffee in 1996, but in the early 2000s, Manila welcomed local players. Now, Metro Manila’s coffee scene is burgeoning, particularly after the pandemic-induced lockdown, with more and more people appreciating third-wave and specialty blends.
Some coffee lovers who lost access to their favorite shops during the lockdown became brewers and jumped into the rabbit hole of home brewing. Now that everything is back to normal in Manila, coffee shops are buzzing again with activity.
“When COVID happened, everybody stayed home and started making their own coffee,” Benitez says. “Everybody felt like they could open coffee shops now because they had that lightbulb moment, and we saw a lot of individual shops opening. That’s a new set of different segments of coffee brands catering to different, very specialized markets. The way I look at it: we will see what happens in the next few years because trends come and go. The one who does it well will stay longer.”
Kevin Tang of Yardstick Coffee, one of the most trusted suppliers in the region, agrees with Benitez’s assessment: “Metro Manila’s coffee scene has seen notable growth, especially with more people getting into home brewing during the pandemic. This has pushed cafés to step up their game.”
As for the quality of coffee served in the shops in Metro Manila compared to other parts of the world, Benitez happily shares a realization after his recent trips. “I went [to Dubai] to check on the sites our partners are opening,” he says. “And then I went to Paris, Athens and Rome. When I visited those cities, I realized that what I used to enjoy a lot before — some of the coffee I missed and looked for when I traveled — is something I could already find here [in Manila].”
“The specialty coffee scene in the Philippines is alive and well, with many coffee shops sprouting on every corner,” says Miguel Rodriguez of Caravan Black Coffee. “All you have to do is find the one that speaks to you the most. My choices are dependent on execution and consistency. Try to support local coffee shops whenever you can.”
Tang adds, “Social media has also played a crucial role by shedding light on lesser-known cafés, making them more accessible to a broader audience.”
Iana Peralta, the creative behind Instagram’s @CoffeeCupSeries, is one of the most popular coffee-centric storytellers in the Philippines, with more than 17,000 followers. She started documenting her caffeinated adventures in 2016, but she’s been a bean enthusiast since 2013. Her dedication extends to exploring and advocating for the diverse coffee landscape across the Philippines, from Manila to other provinces, such as Cebu, Davao and Bacolod.
Peralta points out that people in the industry are pushing each other to up their java-making game through local and international competitions, tournaments and networking. “A strong sense of community permeates the coffee scene,” she says. “That’s witnessed through collaborations between coffee shops, local producers and home brewers. These coffee enthusiasts form virtual communities, uniting coffee aficionados to discuss their shared passion, exchange innovative brewing methods and present recipes that inspire others. This collaborative spirit nurtures innovation within the coffee community, fostering a distinctive and dynamic coffee culture in the metro.”
One of the most prominent online coffee communities is Facebook’s Coffee Home Brewers group Cebu. Rosario Juan, an entrepreneur and social media strategist, and Jose Margo Flores, a PR practitioner and owner of Baguio City’s Taguan Cafe, created the brew-loving bunch in 2019. Today, the group has more than 58,000 members sharing their thoughts, techniques and recommendations on coffee.
And speaking of recommendations, our experts have plenty for Metro Manila. Tang suggests ITO, a hidden beverage space along Aguirre Street in Legaspi Village, Makati City. “It’s a beautifully designed, reservations-only bar that serves coffee, tea and cocktail flights,” he says.
Another Legaspi Village winner is Panco Cafe, a place turning out Melbourne coffee and Filipino food at the Power Plant Mall.
Tang also likes Tyler’s Cafe, which has branches in Katipunan, Quezon City and Salcedo Village, Makati City. “It’s a no-frills café that takes coffee seriously and serves an affordable but well-executed menu,” he says. “The ricotta pancakes are the bomb.”
We would be remiss if we didn’t include Tang’s own Yardstick Coffee on this list. There’s a very good reason why coffee shops all over Metro Manila trust Yardstick as their supplier for beans, machines and equipment.
Though Benitez’s Bo’s Coffee has dozens of branches all around the Philippines championing locally grown coffee (and chocolate and tea), he still enjoys getting a cup from Yardstick Coffee and Omotesando Koffee, an international chain with locations in Tokyo, Hong Kong, London and Singapore.
Rodriguez is a big fan of The Curator in Legaspi Village. “It’s one of the pioneers in the specialty coffee scene,” he says. “They’ve been very deliberate in how they brew and execute their coffee, and they’ve been pretty consistent for as long as I remember.” Aside from pouring great cups, The Curator also has a well-regarded bar.
He also appreciates the things happening at Exchange Alley Coffee House in Alabang, a posh neighborhood south of Metro Manila. “It’s run by Jonathan Choi, who has been in the coffee scene for a while now,” Rodriguez says. “Expect consistency and well-executed brews as well. A nice destination coffee place if you head out of the city.”
Back in town, he also points toward Caravan Black Coffee, one of the most popular coffee shops in the Manila business district of Bonifacio Global City. The café has become a favorite hangout for its amazing brews and equally satisfying pastries (the espresso cinnamon rolls are splendid). Recently, it also started offering low-ABV cocktails and bar bites starting at 5 p.m.
Peralta, who has visited countless coffee shops in the Philippines, highly recommends Commune. The Poblacion, Makati City, spot uses 100% Philippine coffee. This is a wonderful place to savor locally grown and processed options. Commune, founded by Rosario Juan in 2003, “pioneered the introduction of third-wave coffee championing Philippine coffee,” according to Peralta.
She suggests Papakape in Palanan, Makati City and Fort Santiago as well. “They innovatively craft unique coffee drinks using local ingredients paired with indigenous pastries, setting a trend for unconventional coffee experiences,” Peralta says.
Originating from a coffee-brewing orange Kombi van, Peralta also likes Kombibrew and its renowned Kahel Brew, which means “orange” in Filipino. She adds, “Their Turkish coffee at their second hideout in Parañaque City is also a must-try.”
And if you’re looking to complement your espresso with a satisfying meal, check out Brunch Bureau in Makati City and Alabang. While the brand hopes to have locally grown coffee soon, it’s the only shop in the Philippines serving Seven Seeds Coffee from Australia. Some of its branches are open as early as 7 a.m., giving you enough time to enjoy a good cup of joe with a delicious assortment of pan-Asian and Western comfort dishes done with a subtle Filipino twist.
