I ordered lasagna and cheese pizza for take out. I picked it up and the lasagna came ice cold. The…read morecheese pizza had barely any marinara sauce on it. If you're looking for a good place for Italian food, this place might not be right for you.

I tried this place since it was recommended to me by a coffee conoisseur and le best friend. As a…read morecoffee place that focuses on the third wave coffee, I can't help but compare it to Coffee Empire. Maybe I picked some good coffee in the latter that I really so appreciate the nutty taste in the hand brewed Brazil Cerrado. But I'd say Kuppa is just as good as Coffee Empire. The place wasn't as grand as Coffee Empire but it's just apt for a coffee place. Oh they have this bell per table that you can ring when you need their service. I thought it was fancy. Haha. I didn't explore their bar/counter where the cakes were because they handed us the menu when we took our seats. I found it very accommodating. So I tried the V60 Ethiopian Yirgacheffe *high fives for the spelling!* which the barista said had a hint of red cherry in it. I couldn't distinguish that particular taste tho. But I loved the coffee! It was fine, smooth, and light and it looked kinda reddish black in light. So we ordered Wimpy's (open faced burger in gravy and cheese sauce) and it was a delight! Also had the Tiramisu which was super small but it was neat and just the right sweetness. Not fan of their frappes/cold drinks tho. We had the Mocha Java Drink and the Barista's Secret (which was like white chocolate). I found them very smooth. I prefer a rough-textured frappe and well, I haven't had a frappe in a month so maybe my judgment was not good. Anyway, hot coffee here is better. :) I think the prices for coffee was just right but I guess the other stuff in their menu was highly overpriced. I highly recommend this place if you're within the area. But maybe not, I don't want a bunch of people crowding up the place I want to go often (talk of hipster, haha).

Yardstick is the best coffee shop I've tried in Manila. Good coffee, nice staff, and the place is…read morerelaxing. I suggest to get their pour over coffee, and choose the Secret Stash beans (I forgot which one, but the one that has red grape note in it). Or any available beans they have, I believe are good!!!

We came to Yardstick Coffee for breakfast and coffee, and were so pleased as soon as we walked in…read more Yardstick Coffee is more than just a cafe. It's a showroom where you can see the baristas making all the different beverages with high-quality espresso machines, like La Marzocca in the center of the space. It's a great way for consumers to learn more about how their coffee is prepared and made, only using the best ingredients and tools. We ordered a Vanilla Flat White, Drip and a Butterscotch Waffle. The items were delivered to our table as they were finished, getting our drinks first. The drip was one of five brews that they had that day and was very, very good! It was a bold and dark roast, reaffirming those who drink drip coffee why it's always a solid choice. The Vanilla Flat White was made with Madagascar vanilla, espresso and foam from milk, and it was awesome! You could really taste that strong vanilla flavor without it being too sweet, which I liked. And once the Butterscotch Waffle came we were pleasantly surprised to find all that it came with! When I ordered it I figured it would be a waffle with some butterscotch sauce (I love butterscotch!), but it had two scoops of Madagascar vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, slices of banana that were flambeed with brown sugar, creating that butterscotch flavor! How cool is that? Glad we were sharing this waffle because the portion was more than what we could handle, but it was so tasty that we didn't want to stop. Loved the different, fresh ingredients used here, making a huge difference in flavor. I highly recommend trying a waffle here, even if you just plan to get coffee here! Ambiance of Yardstick Coffee is open, spacious and inviting. Since the baristas are making your beverage in the center of the room, you're invited to watch and learn how its done. There's also a separate room in the space where they host cupping classes! Gotta love that and would've taken advantage of one, had we been in Manila during one. For anyone who loves coffee, Yardstick Coffee is where to visit in Manila. It goes beyond coffee chains and customer service. It's a place where you can not only enjoy what you're consuming, but you can learn where products are from and how its made, giving you a better understanding of why a damn good cup of coffee matters.

I've been coming to Habitual Coffee for years now, and it still feels like my little secret hideout…read morein the city. Walked in last weekend during a crazy downpour, dripping wet, and the barista just smiled, handed me a towel to dry off, and asked what I felt like without any rush. Ended up with their single-origin pour-over--Ethiopian this time--and it was bright, juicy, and perfectly balanced, like every sip reminded me why I fell in love with coffee in the first place. Sat by the window watching the rain hammer Pasong Tamo, worked on my laptop for hours with zero pressure to leave. The space is still that perfect mix of raw concrete and warm light, never too crowded, always calm. Staff remembered my usual order even though it's been months since I last dropped by. Five stars, easily--still one of the most consistently great coffee experiences in Manila.

Went to this coffee place one morning and wanted to try their breakfast. Read somewhere that the…read moremust try is a dish with eggs but that morning only their grilled cheese sandwiches and French toast were available. I had a flat white. It's good but I would appreciate it more if they served it in a larger cup and charge P150 and not a small cup and charge P140. I had the fig grilled cheese and it was kind of plain, it's not bad, but just nothing exciting for me. I was kinda disappointed since I was so looking forward to trying this coffee shop.

I was looking for a good coffee shop after I had lunch at Kapitolyo and I think this was mentioned…read moreto me by a friend so I went here. I liked the warm feeling it gives off because of the yellow lighting but it wasn't hot inside. Loved the cabin like style from their wooden furniture. I like their chalkboards. The place reminded me of Sagada just cause. So they had like 6+ cake flavors. I was so excited about the Rainbow Cake! It had layers of different colors. I bought a slice of this, but it wasn't extraordinary. I actually would compare it's taste to a bakery down the street. Just the colors were nice. but I won't have it again. They also had a Belgian chocolate cake which really sparked my interest. I might go back there for that. They also had strawberry cheesecake (which looked fine), Decadence cake, Carrot cake, some overly priced cupcakes (php 95 per piece!), fudge brownies (they looked inviting), and they also have oatmeal cookies! I was surprised to see that they actually do pour overs (handcrafted coffee!) which is kind of rare now. (I only had tried one other handcrafted coffee before.) That was really cool. Their brew was perfect! I loved it! It had a hint of sweetness in it (I didn't put sugar or milk) and I thought it just tasted perfect. Btw all their beans are from Jakarta, Indonesia. I'd give them a 4 for this because I think their brews, though perfectly done, were limited. I tried their latte too but I think it had too much milk for the size of 8oz. I was disappointed in it. I didn't taste much of the coffee. So I just give them 3 for the latte. They offer cold drinks too and lattes with flavors. If only I lived nearby, I'd go there and try all they put in the menu. It's a good place to work! The seats are for 2-4 people so it's nice to be alone or with a friend in a place like this, not a bunch of people tho. Plus they play smooth acoustic covers of my type of songs (e.g. Last Kiss, Chasing Cars, Need You Now...) so yayyy! This is more of a 3.7 review overall for the ambience, cake, and the latte. Hoorah for the pour overs! Hope they have more handcrafted options!

This cafe firstly attracted me because of its cool façade. Some wooden details and the unmistakable…read morebicycle on the inside immediatly made me think about Poco Deli, a delicatessen just close to there. I decided to come inside and check if there was any relation between the places. Yep, there is, the barista told me. The owner's are the same. So, it's really nice to observe their "signatures" in every detail. The way I see it, the ambience is the highlight of Epic Cafe. As the name suggests, there's certainly a nostalgic atmosphere thanks mainly to the retro objects, such as an old telephone, some vinyl discs, the bikes and vintage cameras. The beverages they serve are also very good. I would totally recommend it for coffee lovers. We can notice Epic takes it seriously by taking a look on their big chalkboard . There they "teach" the customers about different kinds of coffee. I can say I've learnt a lot by reading it while enjoying my delicious salted caramel cappuccino. Staff really knows how to prepare a good coffee. So get advantage from that and ask for their signature Epic Cafe. I would say it's a perfect place to sit down with your computer or your Moleskin and just let ideas come while you drink coffee. 100% inspiring.

If Starbucks coffee is just affordable, I can go there every day before I go to work because the…read moreambiance and the coffee scent smells good--I don't know if they're using diffusers or just the effect of grinding fresh beans. I do love the flatbread. I don't need to buy the whole damn pizza to satisfy my cravings. Flatbread from Starbucks and a hot mocha latte will make my day.

December 4, 1997, the Philippines had its first taste of the Starbucks Experience with its very…read morefirst branch at the 6750 Ayala Building in Makati City. Starbucks has since won the hearts of the Filipinos, with over 200 branches and growing in Metro Manila alone, it's safe to say that they're here to stay. So what's next for Starbucks? Starbucks Reserve! Their premium line of stores that has been operating in the Philippines since early 2014. This branch marks the 7th Starbucks Reserve in Manila, located within a still developing mall in Circuit Makati, formerly the Santa Ana Race Track. So what's the difference with a regular Starbucks and the "Starbucks Reserve" store? The looks and interior are obviously upgraded. Premium materials and a better build to portray a more solid and refined look. They added elements that expound on their commitment to coffee and craft. They also differ from the normal stores by offering limited runs of certain items. Today we sampled their Mocha Ribbon Chip with Cookie Straw (185/195/205 PHP) a chocolatey drink with a fun way of drinking it through an edible straw, sadly they stopped offering it today. We also had their purple yam cheese cake a mild sweet cake that's just a smooth treat.

The coffee scene in Manila as really improved over the last ten years. Figaro's, Starbuck's, J.Co…read moreall compete for the Philippine peso with first world drinks at first world prices. Toby's Estate from Australia has thrown its hat into the ring as well, serving high end coffee to an increasingly coffee-hungry clientele. It serves the usual mix of drinks one sees at other high end coffee joints - drip, cold brew, macchiato, cappuccino and teas. It has also introduced single origin beans as well as pour-overs, something I had only had in Seattle and in the Bay Area. The barista making my Ethiopian pour-over was very friendly and patient. She explained each step of the pour-over process - what the ideal water temperature ought to be for the bloom and the eventual pour-over, how long each step is expected to take and so on. We also discussed the coffee scene in Manila. At the end of our chat, she comp-ed me a cold brew which made my stop at Toby's Estate even better. When I was growing up in Manila, Nescafe and Blend 45 were the main coffee choices with barako savored by the more fuddy duddy. Today, the coffee scene has improved greatly and Toby's, together with its brethren, will hopefully continue raising the bar.

I've been hearing and seeing a lot of things about Toby's Estate from my friends and on different…read moresocial media platforms. So when I spotted one of their branches while I was walking around SM Aura, my hunger emerged. I've been having jet lag lately and I still have so much to do so coffee would be the best answer to this little problem of mine. I approached the kiosk and noticed that they also serve my favorite brownies from Bucky's! Again, my tummy rumbled and told me, "EAT NOW OR ELSE." I quickly ordered an iced latte and of course an Original Bucky's Brownie. You can order for take away or for dine in which they have seats by the "bar" for or tables right in front of their kiosk. I chose to take a table. If you've read my other reviews, you'll know that I like to people watch and what better way to do that but with some coffee and brownies in a mall? So that's what I did, err, that's what I'm doing at the moment. People watching with my delicious brownie and my hand dripped coffee. I would think that this is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. If they had wifi here, I would probably get my laptop and do some work. Or maybe I can read a book. Or draw. Or paint. The possibilities are endless!

This is my new favorite Toby's Estate. I've been to the one in Salcedo Village a couple times and…read moremore frequently go to the one at Robinsons Cyberscape Beta in Ortigas. This branch, however, is the closest to me! The interiors are a lot more colorful than the other two locations, but still minimalistic and sharp. It's kind of like walking into an Urban Outfitters catalog. There's a lot of natural light, and after sunset, there is still plenty of bright, indirect light, making for a great workspace. The high ceilings, relatively quiet-for-a-coffeeshop volume, large tables, and cool temperature make for a great workspace! The staff here is also super friendly. I've sometimes felt snubbed by the staff at the locations in Makati and Ortigas but the people here are very helpful and do seem to enjoy their work. They also love students! The coffee, as usual, is great. I normally go for the Long Black (P120) or the secret menu Gibraltar (P140). Food isn't bad either! I enjoyed the Vongole pasta and their sausage roll isn't bad either. Greenhills has a ton of options for coffee along Missouri now, with Craft Coffee Revolution also about a block away down the street. If you're tired of the mainstay Starbucks that dominates the Metro, head over across the street and give this branch of Toby's a try. You won't be disappointed!

This has to be Toby's Estates most aesthetically pleasing branch to date and rightfully so, as this…read moreis their 10th branch in Metro Manila or their 6th full service store. Their triangular vaulted ceiling portrays a welcoming feeling of home, which make them all the more attractive. I have Toby's Estates coffee regularly at Shangri-La Fort, but in the hotel lobby lounge and not at their branch located on the ground floor retail area along the High Street Park, since I don't mind paying a slight premium for a much better overall experience. If not coffee I usually have a cup of their rich hot chocolate (140 PHP) that's visually appealing and smooth on the palate. I can't help, but appreciate their consistent latte art. Also on my table was a slice of their banana loaf (45 PHP), which is a great match for most hot drinks.

We stopped in one day to get some local, non-Starbucks coffee, and loved it that this place (in…read moreBGC) became our go-to during our visit to the Philippines. Probably went here every day that we were in Manila. Great place to chill and people watch, relax, and have great local coffee. Location is nice on Bonifacio High Street, so easy walk from our Shangri La The Fort hotel and elsewhere. Size is of a typical coffee shop with a few tables downstairs but there was a second level as well which I didn't get to check out, there was always space available in our experience and we went at all times of the day, even closing it out at night. Coffee is very good, although all I usually get is a black cold brew or just black local coffee. But the staff is great! Really. Everyone we came across during our visit here was nice, friendly, and patient. The way customer service should be. One night about 10 of us walked in, put a bunch of tables together, made a huge order, and stayed for a couple hours till closing. Staff couldn't have been nicer or more patient. Without skipping a beat they made our order with no problems and were just great about the whole thing. Smiles, the works. Glad this was our go-to.

Coffee was good but the cashier was incredibly rude. She ignored us when there were no customers in…read moreline and rolled her eyes when she finally took our order. We understand that everyone has a bad day but please don't take it out on the customers

This bakery became my go to place for sweets. The ensaymada and cheese rolls were my late mom's…read morefavorite and mine as well. i recently tried cinnamon rolls it was good as well. The sourdough bread was light and great for sandwiches. I have yet to try the brownies and lemon bars. I will though the next time i am home. i highly recommend.

Love this bakery and for the quality you get, it's completely worth the price. Nothing tastes like…read morethey skimped on ingredients or used any substitutes for the real thing. This branch is in a really convenient location and is maintained well. The people who work here are also super nice! I bought my birthday cake (the Purple Carousel chocolate cake) here, and they gave me an extra bag of sweets! My favorites are their: *Lemon bars - really great lemon flavor and have a tart, refreshing sweetness *Chocolate revel bars - probably the best I've had *Chocolate Campfire cake - very rich, but in this amazing way where you don't get tired of eating it! I've also had their: *Purple Carousel chocolate cake - classic chocolate cake with these chocolate wafers on top *Mini Pecan Pie - not the consistency I prefer in a pecan pie but the flavor was still very good *Mini Chocnut Pie - light, could use a stronger chocnut flavor, I really liked the crust though *Cookies - I love cookies so I usually get 1 or 2 with whatever else I'm buying that day, theirs are crispy on the edges and chewy on the inside *Quiche Tinapa - Liked this a lot and just ate mine chilled, but I think it would be better to warm it a little at home