The Best 100% Pinoy Coffee Shops

Posted by Ian Galliguez in Eat and Drink | 1 comment

There’s something about globalization that I just make a face at. Don’t get me wrong, I do appreciate the pros of globalization and all the help it’s been doing to provide for jobs and all that. But I think the best thing that came out of this globalization hoolabaloo is that it has made me more proud and active in promoting Filipino products, services and places.

In a world where we’re dominated by US-based coffee shops, DiscoverPH would like to present the 5 best 100% Pinoy coffee shops. Time for us to appreciate “kape”.

photo from penrice.com

1. CAFE CAPREAL -  Cafe Capreal only has one shop. One. That kinda defines exclusivity, doesn’t it. But exclusivity is actually not in the menu for Capreal Cafe – well, maybe not quite. Cafe Capreal does actually boast of its sugar-free pastries and coffee! Making it a one of a kind coffee shot for an exclusive market – the diabetics. Don’t worry, they have something for the non-diabetics and the non coffee drinkers as well. You have to try their aromatic and healthy Japanese green tea and the Chinese Jasmine Tea.

Although it is primarily a cafe, it also serves nice hot meals. On the menu that are must try are the fish in gata (I forget what they called them) and the jambalaya. Another great draw of the place is the very attentive and warm staff.

It used to be in Retiro but have now moved to Amoranto, making it more accessible to the office crowd and the nearby TV stations. Visit Capreal Cafe at 911C Amoranto St., Quezon City. Call them up at 7842818 or at 5261212. Operating hours are from 10 AM to 10 PM.

2. Cafe de Lipa – Since the 1880′s, Lipa has been providing the country with delicious coffee. The volcanic soil and the low temperature in Batangas partnered with coffee farming know-how fostered the growth of the kapeng barako. Rumor has it that the Queen of Spain (then) loved the coffee so much that she asked that Lipa be elevated as a city.

Cafe de Lipa is the Filipino coffee man’s COFFEE MAN. The family that owns the cafe (The Mercados) have been dealing coffee since 1974 so they know exactly what they’re talking about. Although the very first coffee shop opened in Batangas in 2006, they are now slowly building up to have more branches around the country. They have the barako coffee as the base but take on the different modern tastes and flavors. You can have a Perfezza (hot or cold) or a Celleto (ice blended). Also try their yummy tinapa and adobo pate with pandesal. A perfect Pinoy meal to go with your perfect Pinoy kape.

You can find Cafe de Lipa at these places:

Main Branch : 32 San Carlos drive, Mataas na Lupa, Lipa City, Batangas
Petron Star : Km. 80 along STAR Tollway Brgy. Tibig, Lipa City, Batangas
SM Lipa : Ayala Highway, Lipa City, Batangas
Teletech : Ground floor Robinsons Place Lipa, JP Laurel, Lipa City Batangas
Market! Market! : Ground floor, Station Square East commercial co. Market! Market!, Taguig City

3. Figaro – When I was in college, I would always hang out here. I loved their coffee and their chocolate cake. It has great coffee and a wonderful ambiance. If you a place to bring your date for that “getting to know you cup of coffee” thing, Figaro is the place to do it. It has a very warm and soft environment that encourages conversation without the seemingly happy baristas screaming your name along with all the complicated instructions you have with your drink.

That’s another thing. You don’t have to wait at the end of the counter for your drink. It gets served to your table – like a proper coffee place should – by a polite and genuinely happy server/barista. Order their trademark cappuccino and try their cakes with it (the carrot cake is divine and i don’t need to tell you how much I love the chocolate cake). They also have pastas, pastries and hot meals.

To find a Figaro cafe nearest you visit their website.

4. Blugre Coffee – It is said that Blugre is Davao’s best coffee cafe. I would say it is one of the best Pinoy coffee company simply because they specialize in Durian coffee. Actually, they specialize in Durian anything.

Opened in 1998 in Davao City, they now have three branches in Davao and one in General Santos. I came across Blugre coffee way back in 2001 when I hosted for a show in Davao and Blugre was one of the sponsors. I immediately had reservations with the durian coffee because I have never liked durian but I have to say, it did taste amazing! It was bold enough and had that extra thick creamy taste that coats your tongue.

A must try is their Durian larcepuccino (which is a gold cappuccino with durian) and the hot version of it, the Durian Gatchpuccino. Visit their website here to know more about them. If you’re visiting Davao, make sure to put this on your “to try” list.

5. Travel Cafe Philippines – This “hardcore” Pinoy coffee shop specializes in a Pinoy coffee variety that is said to be one of the most expensive coffees in the world. The Alamid or “Civic Cat Coffee” is known to cost as much as $600 per pound in the world market. It’s about 200 pesos for a small cup. With that price, you might want to make sure that you’re going to finish that entire cup and relish it.

The cafe itself is very active in promoting the Philippines, Philippine tourism, Filipino heritage, culture and food! You can see Alibata or Baybayin on the walls, telling stories in old Filipino writing.

Have a taste of Alamid coffee at Travel Cafe Philippines. Visit their branches at either thev2nd Flr. Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City
Telephone No: 729-2233/729-3366

TRAVEL CAFÉ PHILIPPINES SMX
Ground floor SMX Convention Center
MOA Pasay City
Telefax No: 556-4966