Makati is jam-packed with office buildings and shopping malls; it’s no doubt an exciting city, but sometimes you just need a place to hide out—especially when you need to catch up with a friend.
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Tilde Cafe
Location: 5417 Matilde, Poblacion
On the quieter side of Matilde in the Nokal section of Poblacion lies a bakery where everything is made in-house or grown by the owners' farmer friends. In an area that's known to be noisy, crowded, and always alive, Tilde serves as an oasis for those who crave a quiet moment. The menu is constantly changing based on what's available in the market and what the team thinks up. But you've got to try the sourdough, too. -
Hineleban
Location: Kalaayan Avenue, corner Rockwell Drive
It's not just about the delicious farm-to-cup coffee at Hineleban. This Makati cafe is all about the surf-bike lifestyle. Bike over to Backwell by BBZ, and enjoy world-class local coffee from farms that the HIneleban Foundation takes care of in Bukidnon, Mindanao.ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓ -
Happy Garden Cafe
Location: 56 Jupiter
If you're looking for a happy place for brunch or lunch that won't ruin your diet, this is the place for you. Happy Garden Cafe was put up by the people behind Bizu, and is, of course, serving up the same caliber of delicious meals. Take your pick from their menu of healthy and organic dishes, complete with vegetarian and vegan choices. If you have friends who need to satiate a sweet tooth, small pastries and desserts from Bizu are also available here.CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓watch now -
Bluesmith Coffee & Kitchen
Location: Greenbelt 3
Bluesmith first graced our social media feeds a few years ago with mouthwatering photos of treats that looked extremely sinful. Those, paired with the high ceilings and huge glass windows, made for the perfect brunch date formula. Bluesmith brings together specialty coffee and comfort food in a way that just works. This is apparent in the fact that they've since expanded to multiple branches across the metro, beyond their first one along Pasong Tamo.ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓ -
Commune Cafe + Bar
Location: 36 Polaris
As its name clearly states, Commune is all about bringing people together. The cafe has its own signature blend, a mix of Arabica and Robusta. They exclusively use local beans sourced from Mt. Matutum in South Cotabato, Mt. Kitanglad in Bukidnon, and from Sagada. Even the veggies they use are fresh and locally sourced!ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓ -
Aruga Cafe
Location: Waterfront Dr.
The reins of Aruga Cafe were handed to Mesclun, under Chef Katrina Arce Kuhn-Alcantara's leadership, in 2017. Since then, the menu has been revamped to feature various dishes that Chef Katrina has perfected in her years of culinary experience abroad (including her studies in Le Cordon Bleu). Its light and bright interiors make you forget you're in the middle of a busy shopping district.ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓ -
The Curator
Location: 134 Legaspi Street
The Curator is a tiny neighborhood shop that can't seat your whole barkada but can take you from coffee to cocktails in a matter of five steps. Spend the day watching the people of Legazpi Village walk by, and when you're tired of that, retire into the speakeasy nestled right inside.ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓ -
Bad Cafe
Location: Windsor Tower, Unit 101-A, 163 Legazpi Street
The brainchild of its proprietors, Bad Cafe (which stands for Brian And Dianne) is Makati's new kid on the block. The couple first met because of a passion for specialty coffee, and their relationship grew over the years. On their honeymoon in Italy, they finally decided to put up their own coffee place, and the rest is history. Apart from their specialty coffee, Bad Cafe also has a diverse menu that ranges from brunchy toast plates to pasta bowls.ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓ -
Yardstick Coffee
Location: Universal LMS Building, 106 Esteban, Legazpi Village
An oldie but a goodie, Yardstick Coffee has been around for the better part of the past decade. Behind all that they do is the desire to serve everyone a delicious cup of coffee. They've done that and more, offering the occasional workshop for coffee fanatics. Just because coffee is the core of Yardstick doesn't mean they don't offer delicious sweet treats—not to mention a winning ~aesthetic~ too.ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓ -
Antipodean
Location: 111 Paseo de Roxas
No menu is more overwhelming than Antipodean’s. It's an Australian and Kiwi menu, but dishes from all over the world (Morocco, Burma, Thailand) make appearances, too. Walls all around the dining area are coated in blackboard paint and covered with (we think) about a million food and drink options. A cafe experience is also about the food, and that is exactly where Antipodean goes above and beyond. It's also one of the few places where you can get Lamingtons in Manila—plus points for that!ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓
