The smell of waffles coming fresh out the iron literally hits you the moment you walk in the door…read more And the door's a staircase away downstairs. Totally wicked, right? I caught up with a couple friends here one summer afternoon and we had their signature waffle sundae to share for dessert. It was surprisingly the first time I've ever had waffles a la mode (cue my "why didn't I think of that?" moment), and I'm glad the small café delivers big on this genius idea. The waffle was a good golden brown base - soft to the bite with a light crisp on the edges - and everything else piled on there, from the ice cream (usually vanilla, but we chose to get it with chocolate) to the whipped cream to the melted caramel drizzled on top, works well as a sweet team. Now this is one breakfast I'd love to rise and shine to.

I've had my fair share of field trips, whether for acads or org work, and usually I get back to…read moreschool at around 7pm already. I'm hungry, I'm tired, and in need of comfort food. So where do I go? I go get a second breakfast at Wicked Waffles, of course. I've been a fan of their tapa for quite a bit, but recently I've begun trying the waffles they're so raved for, and for good reason. I usually opt for a breakfast waffle if I have the time, particularly the sausage and cheese. If I'm in the mood for a quick snack, I grab a banana peanut butter waffle that doesn't take too long to prepare and fills me up just right. The ice cream waffle selections (I've heard good things about the red velvet) are the next on my to-try list for the place. The frappes are nothing extraordinary, but the variety gives it a plus.

On my seemingly endless conquest of Metro Manila coffeeshops, I blindly followed my friend to this…read morecoffeeshop in San Juan the day before our exam week starts. I wasn't expecting much but I was pleasantly surprised. Located above the Rustan's Supermarket on P. Guevarra, the café is quiet compared to the busy street below and gets tons of natural light from the building's all-glass facade. Great plus for me as it made the place have a very airy feel which went great with the painted concrete floors and industrial seating. The coffee was great too! I got their cold-brew coffee and it was a solid cup of cold-brew. Nothing out of the ordinary but it wasn't offensive. The price was great though! At least 30 pesos less than a comparable brew from one of the third wave stalwarts. They also have a lot of differently sourced beans to choose from, with even a Filipino Benguet option! So even though it might not have same pretentious or hipster vibes that we have come to expect from many of the other third wave purveyors here in Manila, I love how laidback this place is. You can definitely get a lot done here. Cash only!! There are ATMs downstairs though if you're in a pickle.

Backyard Coffee is a treat for coffee lovers like me. They offer single origin coffee beans and I…read morelove them! After eating out with my friends, we tried different drinks that they offer. My friends ordered Iced Mocha, Iced Black, Cold Brew, Strawberry Frappe and Ube cake. As for me and my posh friend, I ordered Sumatra while he ordered Civet coffee. Love the beans that they are using even for their regular coffee drinks. But let me describe my order. I love Sumatra because it is not that bold and not that bitter. It's a little sweet, a bit acidic and fruity in flavor. So if you are in San Juan area and looking for a different cafe or different drink of coffee, checkout Backyard Coffee and try their single origin coffee beans.

If wellness is your thing and you're okay with less than stellar parking, take a trip to Sugarleaf…read morein Makati! Their store is divided into two floors. The first floor acts as an organic minimart, where you can buy everything from sweets to soaps and shampoos. There are organic fresh fruit and veggies, frozen free range meat and poultry, and other vegetarian friendly fare. Kitchen equipment pans and juicers are for sale as well. The second floor of Sugarleaf is the dining area, where they use the very same organic products they sell downstairs. They have chilled fruit-based soups and gluten-free pancakes and waffles. A selection of salads is of course available, as well as a wide range of pita and Panini sandwiches. Because I have a sweet tooth, I gravitate more towards the desserts they have. They did their best to make their sweet creations a bit healthier by replacing refined white sugar with low glycemic options. Yes, I'm kidding myself.

Not everyone can have the luxury of having a pet in their homes. Luckily, Miao Cat Cafe has got you…read morecovered - well, for cats at least. With only 300 pesos and two hours of your time, you can now enjoy your everyday cafe experience with the help of more than twenty cats surrounding you, making your café experience a not so everyday one. As an Interior Design major, I was very impressed by what they've done to maximize the space of the café, more so make it cat-friendly. With chair legs wrapped with the material like that of a scratching post, comfy cat beds, various cat toys, and a small outdoor space they can also lounge around in, you can obviously tell that the cats are comfortable and very happy. The people manning the place were also great. Having to memorize all the names of the cats, their breed, their nature, and where they come from shows that they're very knowledgeable of not only keeping the place neat and tidy for the next wave of customers, but also show that they're knowledgeable of their furry work buddies as well. To sum it all up, Miao Cat Café is a great place to go to if you want to amp up your café game. With its efficient and beautifully done interior, minimal yet decent menu, and most especially its overwhelming number of cats, you're bound to have one of the best café experiences yet.

The best way that I could describe Miao Cat Cafe is that it's like a glorified petting zoo. Except…read morethat cats are the only animals, and you get to eat. The place is the perfect treat for kids and adults who love cats but aren't allowed to have them as pets for whatever reason (at our house, it's because of laziness-- mostly mine). The whole area is fitted like a feline playground: lots of pillows, carpets, toys, scratchable surfaces, and perches that are good for curling up in. Humans eat at low coffee tables, like in some Japanese restaurants. Go to Miao Cafe if you find it charming to have cats siddle up to you while you sip a latte. The place is really more about spending time with the resident cats, than it is about food so if you are just looking for a simple place to eat, then you will be better off someplace else. Grown-up visitors are charged with a P300 consumable fee which is good for one beverage (they have coffee, teas and shakes) and one dessert OR a pasta plate. Kids have a minimum charge of P150, which entitles them to one beverage. Keep in mind that the food is really just for snacking; unless you are willing to spend a thousand pesos on yourself alone, there's no way you're going to feel full. You can certainly order another cookie if you've already finished your first one, but it's a bit too expensive at P150. You'll have to book an appointment ahead of time, as they have limited seating and they also have hour-long breaks twice a day to save the cats from too much stress. Guests only get to stay for a maximum of two hours, which will definitely leave you wanting to go back for another visit. There are rules to follow, such as disinfecting your hands before playing with the cats (hand sanitizer is provided); do not disturb cats who are sleeping; changing into slippers before coming inside the cafe area; and never picking/carrying the cats for your own safety. It may not seem like a very exciting place to go to, but trust me, two hours will pass by just like a snap. It's amazing how being around the cats can be so relaxing and enjoyable. Just a word of caution though: the cafe area is not that big and so on weekends when it is at full occupancy, it can feel a little hectic and claustrophobic. Try to go on weekdays whenever possible, especially if it's your first time so that you can really enjoy the experience.

Who doesn't love desserts? I mean, ice cream and shakes never fail to make anyone happy. As for me,…read morea self proclaimed "sweet lover", Eskimo Bob definitely knows how to satisfy my craving for cold and sweet desserts. I usually go here with my officemates to unwind over milkshakes and smoothies. Our favorite among their wide array of selection is the Ultimate Big Bob. It's a big bowl with I think four scoops of ice cream, bananas, nuts, cherries and topped with whipped cream. This is just indeed, ultimate. It can satisfy a group of 3-4 people so it's really perfect for a barkada day out. And if you're a chocolate lover, they also have the Choco Creations Line - a combination of ice cream and your favorite chocolate brand (Reese's, Snickers, Ferrero, etc.) in one tall glass. Aside from their desserts, they also have main dishes and appetizers that are equally delicious and also worth trying out. But well, I think you'll be like me, eating the main but the dessert is already in mind.

Order taker is very snobish. She takes your order like she is not happy that you are there. Ordered…read morelonganisa meal and served hungarian sausage. The rice is not warm and fresh.

Conveniently located below our condo. People that works here are so cool. I visited from Las Vegas,…read moreNV and born here in Manila. Nice to see and experience a true and genuine hospitality of the Filipinos. Great coffee and muffins

By the name of the café, you may already have an idea that Usagi Café is somewhat Japanese-y. Aside…read morefrom its Japanese vibe, Usagi Café also has a homey feel that will make anyone feel comfortable. They offer Japanese coffee or what is called the Siphon, a must-try here at Usagi Café. For hungry customers, their menu also has a variety of America-Japanese fusion food to choose from. Their food is good enough to satisfy your hunger, plus it's at a very affordable price. The next time you drop by the South try out this hole-in-the-wall café if you want to escape from the ambience of the more popular cafés out there.

Studying here is great! They have outlets, they have books if you want a break from your textbooks…read moreand the place is filled with bright coloured couches/chairs. Makes me happy for sure. The food, coffee and other drinks are great too! I order the pesto pasta which I really enjoy. It is a lot of pasta. I try to just finish half and save some for later but I always end up finishing all of it. For me its just that good. The pesto flavour is on point. I usually order the iced mocha. However, when I feel I deserve something good i get a Hazelnut frappe. Oh my word. I love it, I love it. It reminds me of the hazelnut ice cream at Farmacy. I finish this frappe so fast. It's not too sweet so it doesn't overwhelm me. It is definitely a must try! It does get busy so try to go early in the day to get some good studying in. :)

The place is almost-perfect, both the interior & food are great…read more There were a lot of books you could borrow, I was expecting there were board games too but I didn't see any. Another thing that I noticed is the four-set dining table that was too small for four persons eating, I feel like it table can only accommodate 2 persons. The lighting of the 'Book and Borders Cafe' signage outside needs to get changed; if they turn it on at night, it doesn't look as nice. Nevertheless, this is a place I would take my friends to, I'm sure my schoolmates from MC will love it!