Where to get the best coffee in Manila (no, not Starbucks).

I love working in quiet spots; and nothing beats being basked in the strong aroma coffee and being surrounded by the soft banging of coffee pots from the counter. So I’ve listed my top choices for places to get a good cuppa. Definitely, Starbucks didn’t make my list. These places are listed based on where you are in Metro Manila, so you’ll be sure it’s just within your reach.

 

MAKATI CITY
Yardstick Coffee
Yardstick for the non-Makati residents or travellers is not easy to find. It’s tucked inside an old building in a small one-way street in the business district. But scouring through your map is definitely worth it. Upon entering this place, you’ll instantly love how wide open it is. The space is accented with bright colors, working tables for groups and a small counter for your orders. You’ll fall in love with how natural light steeps into the shop. Think of it as an industrial office space meets a kid’s playground. Best time to go is on weekends, when most of the suits and ties are still in bed.

This is where I get most of my cold brew coffee (Php 160) from. It’s light, cold and refreshing. Even less acidic than expected. Of course they also have the standard offerings: Flat white at Php 180, Espresso at Php 120, Macchiato at Php 140. Sandwiches range from P150 (Three Cheese) to Php 230 (Beef Tapa)

Yardstick also boasts of their workshops and coffee tasting classes. For the class schedules, you can check out their website.

Yardstick Coffee is located at the Ground Floor of Universal LMS Bldg., 106 Esteban Street Legaspi Village, Makati City

 
Commune Coffee
This shop is currently on the move, to a bigger space. Stay tuned!

But wherever they are moving, they’ll still serve great local blends for sure. Coffee prices go from Php 90 (Brewed) to Php 160 (Iced Mocha). Meals also hit the spot, as they are categorized into Meat & Poultry and Fish. Don’t miss the All Day Breakfast of course!

Did I mention Commune Coffee also turns into a bar at night? So awesome.

BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITY, TAGUIG
Kuppa Roastery & Cafe
Two words: Sunday Brunch. This quiet place is tucked away, among sky high condominiums, the Deutsche Bank building to the south and HSBC bank to the north in BGC. It’s quiet, yet alive. The place is small, yet you still get some privacy all to yourself. It’s perfect for couples and small groups to get their coffee fix while loading up on the latest gossip. Kuppa serves straightforward coffee, and great food.

Kuppa Roastery & Cafe is located at the Ground Floor, Commercenter Building, 4th Avenue Corner 31st Street, Bonifacio Global City, 1600 Taguig

 

ORTIGAS CENTER, PASIG CITY
Toby’s Estate
Toby’s Estate is a specialty coffee house founded by Toby Smith in Australia in 2011, to “provide an uncompromised coffee experience to the coffee-loving community”.

I’ve first heard of Toby’s Estate when I was still working a few blocks from their Makati branch. Its iconic white walls and industrial interior designs will strike you instantly. The cafe’s open wide space and uncluttered layout provides enough quiet and privacy to work. while tables are set apart so you can have uninterrupted conversations. The counter is big enough to hold long lines without spilling onto the main floor.

Toby’s menu has a wide selection of coffee, main entres, salads and the infamous Bucky’s brownies. Flat white at Php 150, add Php 10 for the iced variation, Cold Brews at Php 150.

They also have their own labeled espresso blends from Australia, Woolloomooloo, which has notes of spice, earth, cocoa and caramel and also, a Single Origin blend, Rodyk from Singapore, which has spicy and nutty flavours and aromas with a light sparkling acidity that adds a long, berry chocolatey finish.

Toby’s Estate is located at the following addresses:
Ortigas Center: Robinsons Cyberscape Beta Building, Ruby Road, Ortigas, Pasig City
Makati City: V Corporate Center Shop 6, 125 L.P. Leviste St. Salcedo Village, Makati City
Century City Mall: Shop 312, Century City Mall, Kalayaan Ave., Makati City
BGC: G/F EcoTower, 32nd St., 9th Ave. Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
SM Aura Mall: 3rd Level, SM Aura Premier

 

QUEZON CITY
Craft Coffee Revolution
This unpretentious coffee shop has its humble beginnings in a small corner in E. Rodriguez Avenue area in Quezon City, far from the the glitzy Makati city or Ortigas Center. Now, it already branched out to different parts of the city, catering to coffee lovers who like their coffee simple.

My favorite branch is along Esteban Abada St. in Loyola Heights, just because it’s across my alma mater, Ateneo de Manila University. There’s something about this particular branch that draws me in, maybe it’s the students studying and young couples that bring me back to my university life, far from the corporate junkies I now am very familiar with. This place is the best place to relax, enjoy a cuppa and, if you are a visitor, get lost in the city, and really think you’re a local.

Craft Coffee Revolutions stays true to its identity, maintaining the same wooden interiors to make it more homey, cozy, and comfortable for the customers. The ratio of customers per server is relatively small, which ensures that service is at its utmost best.

I love ordering the Truffle & Mushroom Pasta (Php 235). Price versus Quality: Latte at Php 140 and Cappucino at Php 120… Craft Coffee Revolution covers BOTH.

Craft Coffee Revolution is located at the following addresses:
E. Rodgriguez branch: 66 B Broadway Ave., Brgy. Mariana, 1112 Quezon City,
Katipunan branch: 88 Esteban Abada Street, Loyola Heights, Quezon City
Podium Mall: Ground Floor, Podium Mall, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Estancia Mall: Ground Floor, Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons, Orando Pasig City