Coffee, Cocktails, and Cozy Spots to Explore in Manila
From breezy rooftop spots to quaint cafés tucked inside historic buildings, these places are perfect when you need a little time to slow down. You might want an iced latte on a warm afternoon, a cold beer while watching the sunset, or simply a comfortable place to sit and escape the noise for a while.
If you're spending the day around Ermita, Malate, Intramuros, or nearby historic areas, consider adding one of these spots to your itinerary. Sometimes, taking a break is just as enjoyable as exploring the city itself.
1. CAFE ROO
Tucked away in the heart of Ermita, Manila, Cafe Roo is a laid-back premium rooftop spot where you can grab an iced coffee or a cold beer and spend a few hours taking in the view. The open-air setup gives it a relaxed feel, making it easy to settle in after a busy day around the city.
For coffee, the Sea Salt Latte and iced Spanish Latte are good choices if you need a caffeine fix. If you're looking for something different, you can also try their iced matcha latte. Later in the day, the menu shifts nicely into craft beers and cocktails.
There is plenty of comfort food to go with your drink, including pizza, creamy pasta, and loaded fries. The seating also makes Cafe Roo a good place to hang out for a while. Grab a bean bag, bring a book, or open your laptop and get some work done using the outdoor outlets.
As the sun goes down, the string lights come on and give the rooftop a warm, casual atmosphere. It's a nice place for catching up with friends, having a few drinks, or taking photos with the Manila skyline in the background.
2. La Cathedral Cafe
Right beside Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, La Cathedral Cafe combines good food and drinks with one of the city's most recognizable historic backdrops.
The menu has a mix of Spanish and Filipino-inspired dishes, including Gambas, Truffle Cream Pasta, and Crispy Sisig. For drinks, you can go for a Matcha Frappe, Salted Caramel Mocha, or iced Spanish Latte. If you're only stopping by for coffee and dessert, the Ube Macapuno Cake is worth trying with a cup of espresso.
The location is a big part of the experience. After walking around Intramuros and exploring the old streets, the La Cathedral Café gives you a place to sit down and cool off. It's especially nice around sunset, when the light starts to change and the cathedral behind the café begins to glow. Once evening arrives, the hanging lights add a cozy feel to the space.
3. Sky Deck, The Bayleaf Intramuros
Located on top of The Bayleaf Hotel, Sky Deck View Bar is one of the better places in Intramuros for a wide view of the city. From the rooftop terrace, you can see parts of the historic district, the Intramuros Golf Course, and the Manila skyline.
The best time to visit is around sunset. The rooftop gives you a good view as the sky changes color and the city lights begin to come on.
There's plenty to eat as well. You can order Filipino favorites such as Bayleaf Bagnet, Sizzling Bulalo, and Kare-Kare, or keep things casual with pizza, quesadillas, and nachos. Drinks range from San Miguel Pale Pilsen and wine to cocktails.
If you don't have anywhere else to be, it's worth arriving a little before sunset and staying into the evening. On some weekends, there are acoustic live performances, and the outdoor seating makes it easy to sit back and enjoy the view.
4. Cafe Intramuros
Located along the corner of Calle Real and General Luna Street inside the Plaza San Luis Complex, Café Intramuros is one of the local cafes worth visiting while exploring the Walled City.
The café has al fresco seating facing San Agustin Church, so you can enjoy your drink while taking in the old Spanish-era buildings and cobblestone streets around you. It's a particularly pleasant spot when the weather is good, and you want to sit down for a while instead of continuing to walk through the heat.
For drinks, you can try an iced Spanish Latte, Matcha Frappe, or milk tea. If you're hungry, the menu includes Beef Salpicao, pasta, and rice meals. For something lighter, grab a slice of Blueberry Cheesecake or Mango Coconut Cake with your coffee.
It's a simple place to stop, but the location makes it memorable. Grab a seat, cool down, and watch the streets of Intramuros go by.
5. 1919 Grand Cafe
1919 Grand Cafe is located inside the historic 1920s HSBC building in Binondo. This café gives you a chance to take a break inside a beautiful old building with high ceilings, neoclassical details, and plenty of character.
The drinks menu has something for almost every kind of coffee drinker, from espresso and cappuccino. to cold brew, Spanish Latte, and Salted Caramel Macchiato. There are also frappes, milk tea, sparkling fruit drinks, loose-leaf tea, and hot chocolate if you're not in the mood for coffee.
Later in the day, the café takes on more of a dining and bar atmosphere, with cocktails, beers, and wine available alongside dinner.
It's a good spot to cap off your Binondo food trip when Manila's heat gets a little too much. Let the afternoon turn into evening and you might just find yourself staying long enough for cocktails and dinner.
6. Clock Tower Cafe
If you're exploring Manila City Hall and the surrounding historic district, the Clock Tower Cafe is an interesting place to add to your route. Located on the fourth floor of the Manila Clock Tower Museum at 659 Padre Burgos Ave., the café gives you a chance to sit above the busy streets and take a break from the heat.
Large windows offer views of the streets below, while the air-conditioned interior makes it a welcome stop after walking around downtown Manila.
For coffee, you can order an iced Spanish Latte, espresso, or one of their frappes. They also have light Filipino breakfast dishes, pastries, and iced tea if you're just looking for a quick snack.
The café works particularly well after visiting the museum. Once you've finished looking through the exhibits and old artifacts, you can grab a drink, find a seat near the windows, and take in the view before continuing your day.
7. blocleaf café
Located in Malate, blocleaf café sits in a much quieter neighborhood compared with some of Manila's busier cafés. It's a small, cozy space with warm wood accents, plenty of plants, and large windows that let in natural light.
The café is known for using locally sourced Philippine coffee beans and has a few drinks inspired by places around the area. The Ermita, for example, combines cold brew with sweet vanilla foam, while The Adriatico is a cookie butter latte with a richer, sweeter flavor.
Along with coffee, you can also find pastries, light snacks, and simple comfort food. It's the kind of café where you can stay for a while without feeling rushed.
If you're around Ermita and Malate and need somewhere quiet to read, work, or meet a friend, blocleaf is a good option.
Unwinding at City Garden Suites
City Garden Suites, along Mabini Street in Ermita, is a convenient place to wind down after a busy day around the Intramuros, Ermita, Malate, and other parts of Manila. Once you're back, you can relax in your room, order something to eat, or book a massage if you want to properly switch off.
You don't necessarily have to go back out for dinner, either. The hotel has its own Café Miranda, where you can find Filipino dishes and familiar international favorites.
The next morning, you can take your time over buffet breakfast before heading back out to explore. After a full day of Manila traffic, walking, sightseeing, and café hopping, having a comfortable place to return to can make a huge difference.