Coffee is amazing, good service and cozy ambiance too.. but seems the place closed during the pandemic :(

Third Wave Coffee Shops have hit Metro Manila in a big way, and Magnum Opus Fine Coffees in BF Parañaque is one of its first advocates. The experience starts when you enter the rather small but cozy cafe. Yes, the smell of coffee fills the air, but it's different. It's more defined, subtle but richer, and it hits you like a velvet mallet. Now comes the ordering. Now Magnum Opus is NOT a place to order a latte and be done with it. No, no, no, you come here to experience coffee like you've never experienced it before. Take a seat at the counter and chat up the barista, who will be more than happy to chat you up as well. Take a leap of fate and ask for their recommendations, nay, an education in coffee. For true coffee aficionados, start with a basic pourover. No milk, no cream, no sugar, nothing but pure unadulterated coffee, curated from the best coffee sources the world has to offer. Sip it, let it swill and envelop your mouth like a lover's kiss, making you regret every single day you settled for Instant. If pure coffee is not your thing, or if you want to try some of their delectable concoctions, go right ahead and ask. They have a fantastic, unique menu, and if you're in the mood for something not on the menu, they can most probably whip it up anyway. But to get you started, ask for the Belgian Heartbreaker. You will thank me later. If you're the impatient type, this place is not for you because all the coffee there takes time to make. You might have to wait 10 - 15 minutes for your cup, an eternity for this Internet-hungry age. But if you're a true coffee lover, know that each cup is done with an artisan zeal and attention to detail. The best time to go to Magnum Opus is at night, where you can hang out outside the cafe, enjoy the clean air sadly missing from most parts of Metro Manila, and check out the traffic at the busy intersection of Aguirre and Elizalde Avenues. Also, check out the totally bitchin' TARDIS bathroom. read more

See all

If you find yourself in the South and in desperate need of great coffee, Magnum Opus is the place to visit. Owner Jonathan Choi is a bean-lover through and through, and it shows in the effort he makes to pull a perfect shot of espresso every time. Coffee is made as you order it, (no day-long percolator here!) so expect to wait a short while as your brew is prepared. To amuse yourself, have a stroll in the small outdoor area (smoking allowed) and check out the TARDIS-themed toilet sure to tickle the fancy of Doctor Who fans. Pour-overs are standard here, with optimal temperature and time followed to the T. Bean options are varied, as the owner sources from a variety of places worldwide. Some items aren't on the menu, so the best way is to ask what's available, or just tell him what you feel like having and give him the go-ahead to make something he thinks would suit you. As Magnum Opus shares its parking lot with multiple establishments in the same building, parking can often be an issue. If you aren't lucky enough to get an inner slot, double park behind another car and be prepared to move your vehicle if necessary. Not ideal, but definitely worth it for the level of coffee you will have. The vibe here is far from snooty, being more laid-back as befitting a place in the South. read more

Magnum Opus Fine Coffees - Drip method for brewing. - Cafes Near Me - Parañaque, NCR

I guess people are tired of their three-in-ones because craft coffees seem to be trending in Manila these days. One of the places I love is Magnum Opus, along BF bustling Aguirre street. To those not familiar with the area, the place is hard to miss because they've put up a big sign to help you find you way. The place is small and quaint and doesn't necessarily feel like the kind of coffee shop you'll sit and read in, but more like chat and work in. I personally like to sit at the bar because I enjoy watching the baristas craft my coffee. They've got machinery that I've heard the owner paid a whole lot for simply because it really is a hobby of his--I'm just glad he's sharing really good coffee to the rest of us who can't afford fancy paraphernalia. Their brew is strong, which is a bold move considering a lot of Filipinos like their coffee milky. But I guess that's not to take away from the quality of the beans. I however prefer the Flat White or their Latte for a bit of creaminess in my cup. The foam art is another thing that you should watch out for because it really shows off how artisanal this place is. Like I said, their coffee is strong, so order a slice of cheesecake for a punch of sweetness. read more

Magnum Opus Fine Coffees - Flat White - Cafes Near Me - Parañaque, NCR

See all

Magnum Opus is a third wave coffee shop along one of the major intersections of BF Homes. It's become one of my favorite haunts thanks to its homey atmosphere, the wonderful staff, free wifi, and better-than-great coffee. Owner Jon Choi definitely knows his coffee and he's always happy to surprise customers with some of his random and on-the-spot concoctions. In fact, if you're lucky and the staff are trying out some new recipes during your visit, they'll gladly give you free tastes! My favorites on the menu are the Piccolo Latte, the Flat White, and the Belgian Heartbreaker. You can also ask for a Dirty Heartbreaker (off the menu) - it's like the Belgian Heartbreaker, only topped with a shot of intense espresso. If nothing suites your mood, you could always ask one of their top-of-the-line baristas to surprise you with something new. On the food menu, without doubt, the Monte Cristo is king - a fluffy, double-decker sandwich with cheese, ham and cherry jam. Magnum Opus has already been making waves with their coffee, but this place has captured my heart for one big reason (one for the geeks out there!): their bathroom door is a TARDIS. :D A Doctor Who café! It can't get any better than that! read more

I have to admit that I was hesitant to patronize Magnum Opus. This is a place that sometimes refers to itself as a coffee "gallery," which sounds incredibly pretentious. If you've read some of my other reviews, you know that I hate feeling like I'm being manipulated into paying money for bad food (or drinks), and hoity-toity branding just makes me suspicious. HOWEVER, to my great delight, Magnum Opus actually delivers on its promises of fine coffee and an artisan-like attention to its drinks! It's a tiny little coffee shop on Aguirre avenue, and it's often packed. Though there were available tables when we paid it a visit, we chose to sit at the bar, so we could watch the baristas prepare coffees. The staff consists of young people--probably college kids--and they go about their jobs lightheartedly. That's not to say that they don't pay attention though; in fact, every cup of coffee that leaves the bar is virtually perfect in taste and presentation. I looooved the Belgian Heartbreak that I ordered (one of their bestsellers), though their desserts could be better (they were still pretty good cookies though). read more

I'm rarely in the South so when I do visit friends over there, I make sure to go visit the gems that the area has to offer. One of those gems is Magnum Opus Coffee. A coffee addict friend of mine swears by this place so I had quite high expectations about it. One of the first coffee shops specializing in serving third wave coffees, I was glad to finally have the chance to sample their stuff. I was with a group of people and since we all love coffee, we decided to try different things to be able to have a little sampling of what Magnum Opus has to offer. I ordered the Belgian Heartbreaker, which is a mocha espresso with freshly melted dark Belgian chocolate and steamed milk. A friend ordered the Draft Spro, which is a non-alcoholic drink that tastes like a stout beer with hints of coffee flavor, while the other one opted for a smile Piccolo Latte. The Belgian Heartbreaker I ordered was delicious, rich and hit the spot. The Draft Spro tasted like a stout indeed and it was an interesting drink. The Latte was simple yet superb. Magnum Opus truly hit all the right notes with its coffee. Now, how to get them to open a branch in Makati? read more

Ever had a Belgian heartbreaker? It's a bitter sweet concoction that is best served cold. What exactly am I talking about? It's the signature espresso coffee with Belgian Chocolate of Magnum Opus of course! If you manage to spot a bathroom that resembles Tardis (or a Police Box station if the Dr. Who reference slipped you) on the second floor of one of the white buildings along Aguirre, then you have found the place! As mentioned, the Belgian Heartbreak is a flagship drink for a reason. This will heavily appeal to chocolate and espresso lovers alike, albeit more on the former. It is richly thick with all that chocolatey goodness without making the drink too viscous for coffee drink. Perfectly measured and balanced, just the way I like my iced mocha, but this one is way, way better. Just like any other third wave these days, the place offers a ton of ways to serve your coffee. One of my friends almost didn't order a particular blend because she cutely mistook a 12 hour roast to be actually served 12 hours later. Thank God it didn't! Only took five minutes. Hilarity ensued. read more

Magnum Opus Fine Coffees - Cafes Near Me - Parañaque, NCR

See all

Do you think you know your coffee? Ya really think you know? Those were the things that echoed in my head as I sat on the stool of Magnum Opus. I wasn't so sure anymore as I stared at the barista preparing my coffee. He stood there checking the temperature of my cup as he proceeded to sniff and shake it gently with his fingers. I was flabbergasted. I really thought I knew a lot about coffee but in truth, I was only good at drinking copious amounts of it. The man that stood in front of me has evolved coffee preparation into an art form and I was beyond impressed. Welcome to Magnum Opus. A place where cream is unheard of and sugar is frowned upon. It is the anti-thesis of the biggest coffee shops in the country and perhaps is one of the few places in Manila where you can get really, really good coffee. There's always something new to discover about this place and it's giving caffeine freaks such as myself the opportunity to try some of the world's best beans. I suggest you come here with a friend that you like talking to as I guarantee you will be at it for hours on end, caffeinated and serene from all the cups you will ingest. read more