5 roadside coffee shops you shouldn’t miss on your next road trip
If there is one thing many of us can agree on, it is the fact that it is always coffee season here in the Philippines. It is a subculture that remains strong, owing to the fact that it continuously evolves to match the pace of our ever-changing preferences.
Take quaint roadside coffee stops, for example. As many regular coffee shops restricted access to their interiors, their express versions took over to satisfy our cravings by turning the niche into a full-blown trend. There is just something appealing about their no-nonsense setup—there are no big marketing tactics and flair, just the promise of a good drink that anyone can drop by to enjoy on the side of the road.
Check out some of these coffee spots you shouldn't miss the next time you go on a road trip.
1. Typica Coffee
Location: 72 E. Rodriguez Ave., Brgy. San Isidro, Taytay, Rizal
If Flower Ranch Cafe had its roots as a flower shop, Typica Coffee's version of the story is it’s a former sari-sari store before it became one of the most social media famous roadside cafes that it is now.
The Japanese-inspired cafe in Rizal offers the usual favorites you see from your regular coffee hunt like flatwhite, macchiato, horchata, and blended iced drinks, too. Other menu standouts include their Japanese fusion pastas and vegan desserts.
Check out their Facebook page here.
2. Flower Ranch Cafe
Location: Beacon Plaza, Shaw Blvd, 1556, Mandaluyong City
What started as a small community flower shop tucked in one of the streets of Mandaluyong has now transformed into one of the most aesthetic micro-cafes in the city after its owners took a trip to Seoul.
Inspired by the quaint and aesthetic cafes dotting Korea's capital city, the family behind Flower Ranch Cafe decided to expand their operations by adding local-inspired drinks. The shop's cafe offers a very curated menu of drinks that are all made from 100 percent single-origin beans sourced from Mt. Apo. We particularly love their Iced Espresso Tonic which gives an interesting twist to your regular iced coffee by using fizzy tonic water and a dash of lemon. Other than their handcrafted drinks, Flower Ranch still offers bouquet arrangements, dried flowers, and even aesthetic glassware, too. The shop offers takeout now via pickup.
Check out their Facebook page here.
3. Inarawan Cafe
Location: 2 Sampaguita Street, San Isidro II, Concepcion Uno, 1807, Marikina City
Take your coffee-loving heart on a trip around the country when you visit this roadside stop in Marikina. What Inarawan Cafe lacks in size, it definitely makes up for in its coffee selections, which include Benguet Arabica, Batangas Barako, Kalinga Robusta, and international-inspired flavors like Spanish Latte and French Vanilla Americano.
The place also offers refreshing fruit teas and your run-of-the-mill pastries that any regular-sized coffee shop offers. Make sure to give their Leche Flan Cheesecake a try when you visit!
Check out their Facebook page here.
4. Muni Coffee Ph
Location: National Highway, 4015 Kalayaan
Muni Coffee is literally a hole-in-the-wall shop located on the roadside of National Highway that offers crafted coffee and snacks. It hasn't been a year since the Japanese-inspired coffee shop in Kalayaan was established, but it’s already become such a big hit among motorists passing the highway and bikers who want to get quick refreshments in the middle of their trip. Manned by not more than three people at any one time, this quaint Laguna stop can serve up to 100 coffee lovers daily!
Muni Coffee uses fresh homegrown beans for all their handcrafted creations and is best known for their iced creations like the IC Caramel and IC Vanilla. Other than drinks, the shop also offers snacks like Grilled Nutella S'mores and our personal favorite, the Breakfast Bagels! Even better? Their menu is so affordable, you can almost get everything for less than 100 bucks.
Check out their Facebook page here.
5. Barrio Cafe
Location: F.T San Luis, Masaya, 4033 Bay, Laguna
There is something about Laguna that makes it such a good haven for coffee lovers. Here you can find Barrio Cafe, which is another shop that specializes in coffee, tea, and other homemade treats. Unlike Muni Coffee, which has a minimalist approach to their menu, Barrio Cafe offers more interesting twists to their handcrafted drinks with their bubble tea-inspired line, for example.
Their Rock Salt and Cheese collection is perfect for those who love Boba but prefer a more subtle and sophisticated taste to their icy sips. Coming close at second place is their matcha series, perfect for those who have a special place in their heart for this Asian flavor.
Barrio Cafe also offers a wide variety of snacks and rice bowls like tea-boiled egg and chicken wings. Craving for dessert? Don't miss out on their silky smooth cheesecakes which you can customize with your preferred toppings!
Check out their Facebook page here.