Over the course of quarantine, we’ve done everything we could to get our hands on our favorite café-inspired coffee drinks. We’ve woken up early to whip up fancy drinks using beans from local roasters, and called up the nearby coffee shop to get our hands on bottles of bold cold brews and milky lattes delivered.
But what can you do on days when you need to skip the coffee to run errands? Chances are, there’s a roadside café you can find along your route.
Kape Sina Una
Marcos Highway (Marilaque Road), Sitio Calumpang, Brgy. San Jose, Antipolo City
If you regularly drive through the Marikina-Infanta highway on the weekends, chances are you’ve probably heard of Kape Sina Una. The mobile coffee shop’s drinks are all priced under P100, and its menu includes Kapeng Barako from Batangas, Kalinga Brew from Cordillera, house blend Arabica and Hazelnut from Baguio.
Inarawan Café
2 Sampaguita St, San Isidro II, Concepcion Uno, Marikina City
Another coffee shop you might have found along the same highway is Inarawan Café. Thanks to the pandemic, the pop-up coffee shop along the highway has become a permanent coffee shop in Concepcion Uno—where coffee sourced from Batangas farms and a variety of breads and rice meals are served.
Typica Coffee
38 E. Rodriguez Avenue, Brgy. San Isidro, Taytay, Rizal
For people who follow social media accounts dedicated to coffee shops around the country, Typica Coffee might be a familiar name. Best known for transforming a sari-sari store into a Japanese-inspired coffee shop, Typica Coffee is serving standard brewed, mocha and caramel macchiato drinks—all priced under P100.
Muni Coffee
National Hwy., Brgy. Longos, Kalayaan, Laguna
When you’re driving along the streets of Laguna, a storefront that might catch your eye is Muni Coffee’s. Inspired by the act of “pagmumuni,” or pondering, Muni Coffee has a minimalist aesthetic and seating areas that let you take in the cozy scenery. The menu features craft coffee and espresso-based drinks that use beans sourced from Benguet.
Papakape
5641 Ampere St., Palanan, Makati City
Ever wondered what it’s like to drink ginger-infused coffee? If you find yourself along the streets of Makati, you might find the answer with Papakape. Aside from standard coffee drinks, the micro-café also has a variety of ginger-infused drinks on the menu. A specialty of theirs is the Kape Gingerccino, which is ginger-infused coffee topped with cocomilk froth and cinnamon.
Barrio Café
F.T. San Luis Ave., Bay, Laguna
Inspired by local coffee shops that have set up shop abroad, Barrio Café draws in customers through the use of Baybayin on their storefront. The coffee shop offers coffee and milk tea drinks priced under P120, as well as a selection of mini cheesecakes.
Slow Space Coffee Bar
Mazapan Sweets, 25 Santa Rosa – Tagaytay Rd 4120. Tagaytay City
So, you’re on a road trip to Tagaytay and you feel like you need a break. Keep an eye out for Slow Space Coffee Bar, a roadside coffee shop that works with local roasters for its brewed coffee and bottled drinks. The drinks can be paired with snacks like honey dalandan glazed donuts and rosemary and garlic focaccia.