Looking for the next best stop for your selfies or groupies? Here is a list of the top Instagrammable coffee shops in Metro Manila and other major cities in the Philippines:
1. Hills & Valleys Cafe
Hills & Valleys Cafe, a thriving Instagrammable coffee shop in Bulacan, is dedicated to providing an excellent coffee experience. They offer high-quality, affordable coffee, starting at Php90, in a comfortable environment designed for relaxation and socializing. The coffee shop provides free Wi-Fi, parking spaces, and a rewarding loyalty program for customers.
Nestled in San Jose Del Monte, Hills & Valleys Cafe stands out as the ultimate coffee destination with its meticulously designed setting and personalized coffee offerings, including bestsellers like Matcha and Spanish Latte.
Besides being a coffee lover’s haven, the cafe is ideal for meetings, mini-seminars, and quiet get-togethers, with comfortable seating spots designed to cater to diverse group sizes and occasions.
Hills & Valleys Cafe presents an Instagrammable haven where customers can capture unforgettable moments in a visually captivating ambiance. With the skillful craftsmanship of coffee shown as an art form, Hills & Valleys Cafe goes beyond serving coffee, providing an immersive, memorable, and aesthetically pleasing experience to coffee enthusiasts.
Boasting a commendable 4.7+ rating, Hills & Valleys Cafe attributes its success to the trust and positive feedback of its satisfied customers. Their feedback is invaluable in maintaining the cafe’s high-quality products and excellent customer service.
Their steadfast commitment is to provide all first-timers or regular visitors with a warm atmosphere, delectable drinks and food, and outstanding service. Hills & Valleys Cafe cherishes customer feedback and eagerly anticipates serving you on your next visit.
2. Wiltlover Cafe
Photo source: Jay Monis
Founded by coffee enthusiasts Mark and Sarah during the pandemic, Wiltlover Cafe initially took root in a residential community before transitioning to a commercial space. This unique coffee shop doubles as an event venue, offering Wiltlover Dried Fleurs for decoration.
At Wiltlover Cafe, expect a cup of coffee crafted with utmost precision. Their highly trained baristas bring unique personalities to their work. They pride themselves on using locally-sourced high-quality coffee beans and top-of-the-line espresso machines. Customers can enjoy these coffee delights amidst a cozy ambiance of dried fleurs.
The main branch, GF Robinsons Cybergate 3 Pioneer St. Mandaluyong City, operates from Monday to Saturday between 8:00 AM and 2:00 AM and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Their second location, at the 2nd Level Ayala Circuit Mall Makati near the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, operates from Monday to Thursday between 10:00 AM and 9:00 PM and from Friday to Sunday between 10:00 AM and 10:00 PM.
A third branch is located on the 2nd Floor of Ayala Fairview Terraces Quezon City, near Timezone, with the same operating hours as the second location. All locations welcome pets every day.
3. Escalera
Source: TripAdvisor
Escalera Secret Garden Café is an ideal location for those craving a café with aesthetic charm and a breathtaking view. Newly opened in Binangonan, Rizal, this outdoor café offers an al fresco setup and is perched on an elevated area, offering unimpeded views of the sunset, Laguna Lake, and the city skyline.
Featuring several flights of stairs, the Escalera Café provides visitors with a refreshing, open-air ambiance reminiscent of a Mediterranean summer house with its combination of marble, stone, wood, and steel elements. As the day turns into night, guests can appreciate the twinkling city lights of Metro Manila and the star-filled sky.
The café’s menu offers a variety of drinks, including coffee, ice-blended options, and non-caffeinated beverages. Various pasta, rice bowls, pizza, and breakfast options are available to satiate hunger.
Whether you’re meeting friends, seeking a tranquil spot for coffee, or even visiting after a Sunday mass, the unique ambiance and dining experience of Escalera Secret Garden Café will surely lure you back. Situated in a village by the ridges in Binangonan, it grants guests panoramic skyline views when dining outside.
Just be prepared for a bit of a stair workout, which may not be suitable for everyone. The breathtaking views, especially during sunset, and the soothing al fresco atmosphere are well worth the climb.
4. Because Coffee (BGC)
Source: Tammy米恩
Because Coffee, a cashless café by fashion brand Harlan + Holden, stands out. Located at the heart of BGC on 5th Avenue corner Bonifacio High Street, it’s known for its advanced coffee ordering service and sleek minimalist design. The café’s unique centerpiece is a glass-enclosed tree at the communal bar table.
The shop offers a serene place to destress and reflect on life. It is complemented by its efficient self-service counter, a digital app on Google Play, and the Apple App Store for convenient coffee ordering and pick-up.
Their cold house blend sea salt latte and iced loose-leaf almond milk tea with boba are particularly recommended. While their pastries may look dry, it’s suggested to pair the drinks with healthier snacks for an enhanced experience. It’s an ideal place for quick meetups or catching up on work, facilitated by an ambiance that inspires productivity.
Because Coffee by Harlan + Holden offers a visually pleasing experience and excellent customer service, making it a highlight in the trendy coffee scene.
5. La Cathedral Cafe
Source: Louis Rosales
La Cathedral Café is highlighted as a dreamy location where patrons can enjoy coffee or dining with a majestic view of the historic Manila Cathedral from the roof deck.
Positioned right behind the cathedral, this café-restaurant serves delicious coffee and a range of comfort foods like cakes. They offer a variety of hot teas, including Earl Grey, Green Tea, Chamomile, and Black Tea, priced at 105 pesos each. Cold options include the Very Strawberry and Mixed Berries teas and coffee-free frappuccinos priced between 145 and 170 pesos.
Unique frappe flavors like Salted Caramel, Butter Cookies, Dirty Matcha, and Peanut Caramel stand out in their offerings.
6. Odd Café
Odd Café, a creation of the creative team at Oddefy Agency. Located in Makati, this space impresses with its fun, playful vibe and is full of eye-catching details. The clean, spacious design is adorned with intriguing oddities collected by Via Villafuerte and her colleagues, including a color-changing wavy mirror and a bright orange couch, both of which have found fame on TikTok and Instagram.
The design of Odd Café is a result of deliberate planning and Villafuerte’s background in interior design. The rectangular and geometric space is softened by adding rounded, fluid furniture and other features. Visitors appreciate the café’s visual appeal, often coordinating their outfits with the café’s aesthetics.
Yet, Odd Café offers more than just an Instagram-worthy space. It stands out for its exclusively vegan menu, an initiative inspired by the owners’ dietary preferences. Despite the all-vegan offerings, they don’t want it to overshadow the café’s identity, aiming to surprise customers with delicious alternatives to dairy, like oat milk.
The cafe’s signature coffee drinks include unique combinations, balancing the preference for traditional black or espresso coffee with sweetened versions for those with a sweet tooth. Their top sellers have drinks inspired by French toast, Black Forest cake, and a cereal milk-based coffee priced around P220-P230.
Non-coffee drinkers can enjoy an array of iced teas sourced from a Vietnamese friend, including classic Peach Mango Tea, the Green Apple and Mint with a Green Tea base (GMT), and a fizzy concoction, Wow Grape, featuring soda water, grape juice, and black tea. The cafe offers 100% plant-based pastries from Green Bar, such as the Strawberry Lemon Cupcake and the Banana Cake, to accompany these drinks.
Odd Café in Makati offers a unique, playful space perfectly crafted for Instagram and TikTok moments while delighting visitors with its inventive, all-vegan menu.
7. Starbucks Reserve
Source: Mic Cbtu
Starbucks Reserve stands out as a unique offering in Metro Manila. Offering an “ultra-premium coffee experience,” Starbucks Reserve is not your average coffee shop. Born in Seattle, Washington, Starbucks Reserve is dedicated to showcasing rare small-lot coffees and cultivating a passion for coffee in an inviting and chic wooden interior.
Starbucks Reserve launched in the Philippines in 2014 and has grown to 12 stores in Metro Manila, the first of which opened at Power Plant Mall in December 2017. With seven small-lot coffees featuring various origins and flavor profiles, Starbucks Reserve takes customers on a journey from the farm to the cup, highlighting the stories of the farmers who produce these exclusive, exotic, and rare beans.
These unique coffee experiences extend to brewing methods like Pour-Over, Chemex, and Siphon, presented by Starbucks Coffee Masters. These black apron-clad baristas, trained and certified in manual brewing and storytelling, offer customers a chance to learn about the coffee’s process and origin while enjoying a cup.
Starbucks Reserve also offers a unique tasting experience reminiscent of a wine flight, allowing customers to appreciate the coffee’s body, acidity, and overall flavor. The offerings extend beyond just coffee, with an exclusive food menu and Starbucks Reserve merchandise available in elegant colors.
However, a visit to Starbucks Reserve is a smooth affair. It requires time and appreciation for the craft of coffee-making. This unique experience is available at select locations throughout Metro Manila, where you can enjoy Starbucks Reserve Coffees in espresso-based beverages and even experience the Black Eagle Espresso Machine, exclusive to Starbucks Reserve.
Read: Starbucks Drinks Philippines – 19 Must-Try Beverages
8. Wildflour Café + Bakery
Source: Neil Sauquillo
Wildflour Café + Bakery features as a prominent destination. Wildflour has established a strong reputation since 2012, becoming a popular bistro café and restaurant in Manila. It’s known for its diverse menu, influenced by the best international cuisines, and offers breakfast favorites, roast chicken, and rice bowls. The ingredients are locally sourced from high-quality markets and organic farms.
What sets Wildflour apart is its in-house bakery in each branch, offering a fresh array of bread, pastries, and desserts. Besides their sumptuous food, they also provide a wide range of beverages, including coffee, tea, juices, smoothies, and a broad selection of wines and spirits. The welcoming service and rustic charm add to its appeal, making it a must-visit spot on the Philippines food scene.
Wildflour has several branches, including San Juan, Taguig, and Makati, attracting a diverse clientele, including those working in commercial real estate and multi-unit buildings. The café is also known for its popular pastries, “pasalubong” (gifts or souvenirs), offering great value for money. This mix of food excellence, aesthetic charm, and a cozy atmosphere makes Wildflour a standout in Instagrammable coffee shops.
Instagrammable Coffee Shops FAQs
What makes a café Instagrammable?
To make a café Instagrammable, consider incorporating various lighting options. Unique and customized lighting features add charm and offer customers perfect photo opportunities. By using dimming options, you can create an ambiance that enhances the appearance of your restaurant, food, and diners, making them look fantastic for Instagram.
Creating an Instagrammable coffee shop involves thoughtful design, unique elements, and a keen understanding of what resonates with social media audiences. In the context of the Philippines, known for its warm people, beautiful landscapes, and rich culture, coffee shop owners can infuse local culture and aesthetics into their spaces to make them more appealing to Instagram.
Here are several factors that can make a coffee shop “Instagrammable”:
- Aesthetic Interior Design: Instagram is a highly visual platform, so your coffee shop must look appealing. The design should be both eye-catching and in line with current design trends. Natural light, unique furniture, and warm, welcoming colors help create an Instagrammable environment. Integrating elements of Filipino design, like traditional weave patterns or local artworks, can make the space even more interesting.
- Unique and Artistic Coffee Presentation: Attractively serving coffee is a surefire method of making it to your customer’s Instagram feed. Consider investing in latte art or unique serving ware. Creating a signature drink that is delicious and visually stunning can be a major draw.
- Instagrammable Corners: Establish specific spots in your shop specially designed for photo ops. This could be a beautifully painted wall, a cozy nook, or a neon sign with a catchy phrase. In the Philippine context, you could design a mural featuring local landmarks or cultural symbols or a wall filled with plants native to the Philippines.
- Outdoor Spaces: Given the beautiful weather and landscapes in the Philippines, outdoor seating or a garden area can make a coffee shop particularly Instagrammable. Overhead string lights, colorful flowers, and comfortable outdoor furniture can create a space perfect for a casual photo shoot.
- Local Cultural Elements: Show off the uniqueness of the Philippine culture. This could include anything from a local artisan’s work displayed on the walls to locally sourced coffee served in traditional Filipino cups. Sharing the story of these local elements can make a customer’s Instagram post even more engaging.
- Delicious Food: A coffee shop with food that tastes good and looks good is more likely to be featured on Instagram. Many coffee shops in the Philippines offer a variety of Filipino and international pastries that are not only delicious but also visually appealing.
What is the 7th most Instagrammable café in the world?
According to Instagram, Tania’s Teahouse in Dubai, UAE, is ranked as the 7th most Instagrammable café globally. With its trendy ambiance and charming pastel accents, it’s no wonder visitors flock to this cafe to capture picture-perfect moments for their feeds. Experience the allure of Tania’s Teahouse through Instagram-worthy photos and embrace the vibrant atmosphere in person.
What is the aesthetic of a coffee shop?
The aesthetic of a coffee shop, also known as a café, is characterized by warm or neutral color blends, calm settings, and warm lighting. It creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere for customers to relax and enjoy their coffee.
How do I market my coffee shop on Instagram?
To market your coffee shop franchise on Instagram, try these 8 strategies:
- Share high-quality photos of your coffee and cafe atmosphere.
- Use relevant hashtags to reach your target audience.
- Engage with your followers by responding to comments and messages.
- Collaborate with influencers or other local businesses for cross-promotion.
- Run contests or giveaways to increase engagement.
- Share behind-the-scenes content to give your followers a glimpse into your coffee-making process.
- Feature customer testimonials or user-generated content.
- Utilize Instagram Stories and IGTV for more interactive and long-form content.
