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.

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.

There is a lot of third wave coffee in Manila. This is a huge win for us coffee lovers, but it also…read moreups the ante for the purveyors of the coffee as well. Fortunately, Habitual Coffee holds its own. Situated on a super industrial part of Pasong Tamo (though gentrification is very real and will probably make its way here very soon), it's kind of out of the way compared to most third wave coffee spots. This is a good thing though! I've never had a problem finding a seat there. The set up is great too. Very industrial. I like the large amount of natural light and sparse feeling of the place. There's a lot of exposed concrete and metal, making the place very Instagram worthy. There are also outlets, wifi, and pretty large tables so getting some work done here is definitely possible. I just wish the seats were more supportive. The coffee is amazing! I believe Yardstick sourced a lot of their coffee while I was there. Their mocha and Americano are great. Not too bitter. The only downside I have is the clientele was a little snooty. The staff, however, was great.

This is my favorite Starbucks in all of Metro Manila. I spent countless mornings (and so much money…read morehaha) for two years at this Starbucks branch. It was my first stop before heading to my office, it's my first "good morning" of the day. Before I frequented this Starbucks, I would have a a "Starbucks Name," or a name that was easier for the baristas to spell. I was so sick of baristas spelling my name as "Osy," "Aussie," "Ossie," and other variations. But the Starbucks SB team deoesn't even have to ask me anymore, and even write a nice "Welcome Back" note when I've been gone for two weeks (usually to shed off all the fat I've gained from everyday visits). It's here that I understood and really experienced what the Starbucks brand is all about. That "culture of warmth and belonging," that sense of "being present" and "transparent," and holding themselves "accountable" for the service and quality of what they do that they claim in their Mission-Vision statement? The baristas at Starbucks SB embody it. When I left my old job at Ayala, leaving this Starbucks branch was one of the things I lamented. When I go to Ayala to visit my old office mates, I know I'm going to pass by this Starbucks branch again and say hello to the baristas.

The varieties here give me inspiration to write. The pastries and other plates are breathtaking and…read moremake me feel at home. World-class service if I would say. -K

This CB&TL is conveniently located in Glorietta Mall on 2F overlooking The Atrium. You can easily…read morespend an hour or so catching up with friends and enjoying the comforts of an indoor mall with air con. I prefer drinking Coffee Bean over the other coffee shop, for thier really delicious coffee as well as their friendly baristas. The variety of food and snacks in The Philippines is so different from back home. They don't have free wifi, so it's best to detach from the outside world for a moment. Their lines aren't super crazy long, and all their baristas are really friendly, 5 stars for this Coffee Bean!

Hot drinks served in glass mug, unlike Starbucks in a disposable cup…read more After dinner, we decided to have matcha tea and hot vanilla at this Coffee Bean greenbelt. Price is comparable with other known cafes. Wifi is free. Ask for the code when you pay the cashier for your order, Looking at their pastries, it's outer crust needs more color. Blueberry cheesecake looks yummy. It's past 11pm, it would be nice if they sell the Desserts half of its price instead of throwing them at the end of the day. No restroom, so you have to go out of the shop then go inside the mall. You can go down walking or ride the elevator. Not much of a coffee drinker, but I think Coffee Bean is nice place to hang out for hot and cold drinks. Starbucks is a bit crowded. You can take your drink and enjoy while it is hot or cold in the shades, located just in front of its main door.

One of the most recent additions to Maginhawa Street is Theo's a cozy and fun cafe in Central…read moreMaginhawa. It is found along the newer string of stores that occupy the space near the gym and the barangay hall. It has been open only for a few weeks, but it already has a steady following. The interiors are really cute and interesting. Downstairs, they have a few seating that prominently features a swing chair. Upstairs, you will find really woodsy interiors that remind you of being inside a small cabin. I love how cozy the place is. It just makes me want to settle down there with my computer or a book to read, and it would make just the perfect location to get some work done. What I also love about Theo's is the warm service that I always get from the hands-own owners who help out in the management of the place. Krystal (or however you spell her name) is always smiling and bubbly, and she always has great recommendations. I have been there several times to enjoy their cakes, which Krystal's husband apparently makes at home. I have tried their moist chocolate cake, which was superb (but not superb enough to beat my mom's secret recipe). I have also had their cinnamon buns to go, which was super nice, because it had the perfect amount of spice. I also love their cherry chocolate cake which is covered with white icing. The cakes are not that expensive, so you can always get more than one slice to indulge your sweet tooth. The coffee is so-so. I have to go back and experience more to actually have a fair opinion about their espresso.

Nice to see that there's almost always something new to check out in my backyard. Theo's was on the…read moreradar ever since I saw it on soft opening during one of my afternoon walks. And good on them opening amidst a cluster of milk tea places. I'd say that's a pretty interesting move but given the student population needing somewhere to hang out and work? I can see the need for another cafe. This one's pretty cut and dry. There's nothing that really stands out from the crowd here. It's a coffee place, it serves coffee, it has food and dessert. Pretty much what you'd expect from that kind of establishment. While I haven't tried any of the rice meals yet, I do have to agree that the cheesecake is exceptionally good. It isn't too sweet nor is it bland. It's a good balance of sweet with a nice texture that isn't cloying or nakakaumay. Definitely worth coming back for. First impression though was that it looks like a pretty small place so even if they've got a second floor, you might want to wait until peak hours are over to come in for coffee.

I've been a loyal customer of Blenz Coffee in SM Megamall for a long time now. I like the area…read morewhere the coffeeshop is located for its usually quiet ambience. For some reason, only a few people hang out in that part of the mall's The Atrium area. Every time I order my drink, I'd talk with the barista at the counter. At one time, I even suggested that they open a café in Salcedo Village in Makati. Well, I'm happy to say that they finally heeded my call and opened up a store in my area. I really hadn't noticed it until I visited the Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel at the Banco de Oro Corporate Building on HV de la Costa Street. At first glance, the coffee shop looked tiny because only the counter could be seen when one peeks through the shop's door. But there's actually a big sitting room at the back, separated by a wall. I estimate that around twenty people can fit comfortably inside the café. The best news is the fact that the place opens at 6:00am and closes at 2:00am every day during weekends. Though, it's a bummer that they're closed on weekends. My favorite, as always, is Blenz's Green Tea Matcha Latte but I can settle for Café Mocha using Dark Chocolate. The last time I visited the place, I had a latte and I tried the Salted Caramel Cheesecake. They were, as expected, good to my taste.

A spot for great coffee surrounded by books? That's a pretty good combination for a slow weekend…read moreafternoon, and i find that Illy Cafe at the ground floor of the giant National Bookstore in Glorietta is IT. First of all, good, fuss-free coffee is a must, and this cafe is named after the good italian gourmet coffee they serve. Second, while it's right smack in the middle of the sometimes chaotic book store, they have nice little nooks and tables where you can take a few leisurely minutes to browse through your book selection and decide which ones to get (if you're not getting all!). This is a much better spot for bibliophiles than, say, Starbucks in fully booked, in my opinion, for the sheer simplicity of the experience. Next time you happen to be in National, check out Illy Cafe Delizio at the ground floor. You may find yourself staying longer than you thought you had time for.

Cute and cozy Starbucks in the Intramuros area and built into an old City wall. Friendly baristas…read moreand delicious treats. Heavily policed as many tourists are here; keep your items close. The WiFi only works if your have a Philippines SIM card to get the access code. If you need to catch a cab I was advised by the barista to not grab one directly outside but head back across the street towards the 'red building' and grab one there.