Everyone is one sip away from a good mood with good coffee. But with the market increasingly saturated with chains, there’s been an increase in shops that serve not just a great brew, but a unique experience.

Enter the aesthetic interiors and endearing appeal of some of the metro’s most eclectic inspirations for what tomorrow’s caffeine sources look like, in Alike’s list for next-gen coffee shops.

• ● Cultivate: A safe space for the coffee community

Nestled in the mountainous outskirts of Manila is a coffee stop that’s quickly becoming a go-to for bikers and weekend goers, as well as those who want to learn, are curious, and want to explore.

Cultivate coffee merges proprietor Simon Enriquez’ passion for art, his roots, and the coffee community, but providing a safe space for sharing, unfolding, and developing ideas. “Coffee is my tool for connection and creativity," shares Simon, "and Cultivate is the space that helps me give back to the community.”

The cafe's best-selling coffee is Simon Says, a short iced drink with a strong, sweet, rich, and creamy feel. It is best paired with their signature Banana Bread.

Cultivate is on the 3rd Floor Suburbia Building, Sumulong Highway, Palos Verdes, 1870 Antipolo. Visit their FB page @cultivate.antipolo.

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  ● Badass Shop + Cafe: A comfort zone and a place of inspiration

Badass Shop + Café was a longtime dream of its owners, Kim Lactao and Reese Lactao, who combined their love of coffee with the desire to give their products (Badass Tote Girl, a sister brand) a home.

With it’s minimalist and stylish interiors, the pair have created a cozy cafe close to the metro, growing it into a safe space for their customers to connect and enjoy great coffee with delicious snacks.

"We hope our café has been a comfort zone and a place of inspiration and creativity you can always return to. We can't wait to have more of you in the coming years. If anyone asks, we'll just be here," proclaims Badass on their Facebook page.

Best sellers include Signature Badass Coffee and Berry Latte for drinks, while Tuna Sandwich with Kale Chips, do it for food.

Badass is at Unit 207 Maxfill Commercial Center, Marcos Hwy, 1870 Antipolo, Philippines, Antipolo, Philippines. Visit their FB page @badassshopcafe and IG page @badass.shopcafe.

• ● Deuces Coffee: The pinkest neighborhood coffee

Deuces endeavors for people to fall in love with more than just their coffee. They serve crafted drinks, pastries, Japanese classics, and Filipino breakfast favorites all day. Aside from craft drinks, they offer roasting coffee beans and ready-to-grind beans. Just ask their baristas.

A recent crowd favorite is their Omu Chicken Soba –– their take on the popular Japanese noodle stir-fried dish, Yakisoba. Deuce's new summer flavors include Pink Horchata, Tropical Mango Iced Tea, Oolong Cream Soda, and Ginger Mint Soda. Other drink best-sellers are Matcha Latte and Espresso Tonics.

Deuces is easy to locate as it is the pinkest neighborhood coffee at 103 Perea St. Corner Dela Rosa St., Makati. It is open from 8 a.m. every day until 8 p.m. from Monday-Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sundays. Visit their FB page @deucescoffee and IG page @deuces.co.

• ● The Fat Seed Cafe + Roastery:  A unique food experience

The Fat Seed Cafe + Roastery serves not only palatable food and coffee, but an appetizingly vibrant interior. With a philosophy of ”great things growing from small seeds,” owner Bryant Dee aims to grow his concept into a foodie’s dream - with everything looking as good as it tastes.

Some of their best-sellers include the buttermilk fried chicken and ube waffles combo, signature pork chop, and Hotate Soy Cream Pasta. For drinks, its best-sellers include Hot Latte and Military Matcha.

Whether alone, on business, with friends, or with the family, this place is a must-try! They offer dine-in, outdoor seating, and curbside pick-up. The restaurant has branches in UP Town Center, Bonifacio Global City (BGC), and Greenbelt 3. Did we also mention it’s pet-friendly?

• ● Angkan Coffee Company: Proudly Filipino

There’s no better smell than freshly roasted coffee beans when you enter the Angkan Coffee branch. You can feel the relaxing atmosphere with its minimalist and impeccable aesthetic interiors.

Angkan's owner is Allue Hortaleza, a former Arabica PH partner. She dreamed of building a brand that is proudly Filipino. And now, it has become a reality with Angkan, known for its catchphrase, “Bringing you the best beans and brews from around the PH and around the world!”

They have a list of blends and single origins in their highlights. They have Pinoy pastries on the menu, too. Some of its best-sellers are Spanish latte coffee, Salted Caramel Latte, Angkan Calamansi, Matcha Latte, and Kouign Amann combo, and Signature Angkan Cafe Latte.

Fur babies are also welcome at the cafe. It has branches at W City Center, McKinley, Taguig; and Podium, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong.

• ●  Pocofino: An authentic Italian coffee experience

Say Ciao to true Italian taste as Pocofino regales you with Italy’s authentic coffee culture— down to the finest detail (hence the name, Poco meaning “small,” and fino meaning “fine.”)

Pocofino focuses on making small moments powerful, the way the tiniest coffee beans can brew the strongest cups of coffee, and how that same cup can turn one's whole day around.

Its best-selling coffee is the Pocofino Latte, a creamy signature drink. It is an Italian shot of espresso with a hint of vanilla. Next is Tre Latte, which is composed of layers of espresso and steamed milk resulting in a smooth, rich, velvety-textured drink.

In-store and online, you'll find that they carry multiple kinds of coffee, from whole beans to ground powder. They especially take pride in their Easy Serve Espresso (ESE) Pods, a compostable paper pod that produces the perfect Italian standard espresso shot.

Among their best-selling food items is the Panini Pesto Di Pollo with pesto, cheese, and chicken. Their current crowd-favorite pastry is a the Cheese Croissant - an offer your appetite can’t refuse.

Beviamo il caffè!

Pocofino has branches in BGC, Wack-Wack Mandaluyong, and in Greenhills Promenade.  For more information, visit their FB page @pocofinoph and IG page @pocofino.

• ● Wadoughs: Dough what makes you happy

It is said that the best partners are the ones who make us happy. In which case there’s a lot to fall in love with at Wadough’s dessert + coffee shop.

A product of passion, its owner Chef Wado Siman started baking cupcakes and selling them online in 2012. Since then, his customer base grew alongside his repertoire of recipes, applying baking techniques he learned over the years— combining and complementing flavors and textures with premium quality ingredients.

Its must-try brews are the Honeycomb Latte, Spanish Latte, and Red Velvet Latte; while it’s irresistible cakes are the Black Bottom Cake, Strawberry Shortcake, and Minimalist Cake.

Wadoughs takes pride in its recognitions over the years, which include The Clash: Search for the Next Great Dessert Master, 4^th placer (2014); Globe Pitch Tuesdays: Most Inspired Start-up grand winner (2015); Philippine Star Manila’s Best Dessert: 20-yolk Yema Cake (2015); and Philippine Daily Inquirer and Lifestyle Best Desserts: BB Cake (2019).

Wadoughs is open from 8:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. It is located at 154 Maginhawa St., Diliman, Quezon City. Visit their FB page @wadoughs and IG page @wadoughs.

—alike.com.ph

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