Catching the third wave

Over the years, people have found new ways for them to get their daily dose of caffeine. From starting out as packed grounds on grocery shelves to becoming concoctions brewed by your local shops, coffee has now once again been recreated to suit the needs and demands of the many.

Third wave coffee is coffee taken to a whole new level. It combines the science and the art of coffee to produce a brand new, artisan brew. Different people put their heart and soul into making these blends and creating their own personalized mix.

Manila, being the densest city in the country, houses a lot of these places that serve and define their own version of third wave coffee. But with so many new coffee shops sprouting all over the Metro, it might be hard to find a space that fits your palette and preference just right. Whether you like it on the rocks, scalding hot, or strong enough to keep you wired for hours, we spill the beans on where to spot the best cup of coffee by area.

Mandaluyong-Pasig

• Subspace Coffee – Inspired by the quaint and quirky personality of Seoul, this Korean coffee shop is one of the first specialty places in the city. The place is brimming with character: from upside-down chairs hanging from the ceiling, to toy robots on the shelves. The menu is just as colorful with drinks such as boasting purple potato latte and peanut butter coffee!
• EDSA Beverage Design Group – These guys make science out of coffee. Literally. EDSA BDG houses a laboratory complete with all the sleek, shiny equipment for experimenting with beans, cocoa, and even alcohol.
• Habitual Coffee – One of the newer kids on the block. This promising coffee shop is less intimidating than other third-wave coffee chains who scowl at the thought of corrupting coffee with milk. All drinks can be easily customizable to your liking, as they believe that coffee is a personal beverage and so should be taken however you wish.
• EPIC Coffee – Nestled in the heart of renowned food strip Kapitolyo village. This coffee shop surely lives up to its name. Entering the place is like being transported to grandpa’s house in the woods—comfy and vintage. Let the rustic bicycle decorations, vinyl player, and antiquated telephones speak for themselves.

Makati

• The Curator – Hidden inside a wine store, this hole-in-the-wall gem is a coffee shop by day and cocktail bar by night. Whether you need to unwind or stay awake, you are sure to find comfort in its warm lighting and bare concrete walls.
• Yardstick – Aside from their 12-hour brews, this neighborhood favorite is also known for their regular coffee workshops. Perfect for budding caffeine connoisseurs and enthusiasts alike. Don’t miss the secret swinging door that connects to their sister restaurant, Your Local.
• Toby’s Estate – Hailing all the way from Australia, this growing chain now has branches in Salcedo village and Century Mall. Come here for their worldwide best-seller, Toby’s hot chocolate.
• Commune – One of the pioneers of latte art, Commune is a cheerful hub where you can relax and enjoy your foam bear or dog coffee without the bustle of the crowd.
• Refinery – Though small in size, this cafe wears many hats. Breakfast? Have Dutch baby pancakes. Need a little recovery brunch? The hangover pasta should do the trick. Cocktails for breakfast? Refinery harbors no judgment. Also try their orange cappuccino and coconut coffee.
• Luna – Its brick walls and wooden furniture are sure to make you feel like a modern-day Ilustrado like Juan Luna, for whom the coffee shop is named after. Their drink selection is very Filipino in nature, with their white rabbit and flat tops “candyccinos” tasting a lot like childhood. They also have longganisa pan de sal, espresso bibingka, and kakanin shots.

Katipunan/Maginhawa

• Third District – Another newcomer in the third wave scene, they have an interesting food menu to go with their simple, yet delectable brews. How about a wings and waffle pancake made from yogurt batter to go with your morning au lait?
• Craft – Intimate and excellent for studying, this cozy space is also a record store!
• Barkin’ Blends – Not exactly a place for artisanal coffee, but for artisanal de-stressing in the form of cute, fluffy puppies. That’s right, you get to sip your drink in the comfort of furry friends who make Barkin’ Blends their home.
• Cool Beans Library Café – Consider this every book lover’s haven. They have an endless array of literature side-dishes to go with your drink. From comic books, Nancy Drew, Haruki Murakami, to National Geographic and Neil Gaiman, you’re sure to find a book that fits your fancy.
• Brew Up – This coffee shop inside UP Diliman combines visual aesthetics and quality on a budget. You can come in with a hundred peso bill and still come out satisfied. Barako for 80 bucks and a “Hamon Bautista” snack for 90! And yes, they still come in mason jars.

Tomas Morato

• Afters – Much like its name, it is precisely the perfect place to go after a meal for dessert, or after a long day for a comforting cup of joe. They have an extensive latte menu, from toffee nut, raspberry, coconut mocha, and salted caramel.

Paranaque

• Magnum Opus – Though all the way in the south, their Belgian Heartbreakers—a love affair between cream, ristretto, and rich, molten Belgian chocolate—is worth the Skyway toll and travel.

Whether you like it hot or cold, decaf or not, these coffee shops will be sure to give you the blend you want in the best way possible. Different shops have their own take, and for sure each cup—or mug—is a different experience. With the different locations, surely no blend is the same, either. With more of these stores popping up around the country and around the world, you can guarantee that you will be able to ride the third wave.