Bookworms, These Cozy Cafes in Metro Manila Are Perfect For You

Recommended budget for two: PhP500

Book & Borders Cafe is a sanctuary for those who want a quiet, well-lit space while reading. And if you want to catch up with friends or family with books all around you, the cafe is also spacious enough for small gatherings.

When it comes to the menu, some of the cafe’s signature drinks are salted hot chocolate, iced coffee fudge, and hazelnut frappe. For something salty to complement your sweet drinks, they also have hearty meals like barbecue liempo (grilled pork belly) with rice, fried tuyo with kesong puti (salted dried fish white cheese) pasta, and seafood aligue (crab eggs).

Olympic Height branch: Ride an LRT-2 train to Araneta Center Cubao Terminal Station. Upon arriving at the station, walk past Isetann and Aurora Arcade outside Gateway Mall. Turn right to Gen. Romulo Avenue. Ride a jeepney heading to Libis and ask the driver to drop you off at Eastwood. Get off once you see Citibank Square. Olympic Heights is just a twelve-minute walk from Citibank Square. It is in front of RCBC.

McKinley Hill: Take the MRT to Ayala Station. Exit the station on the northbound side and walk to the jeepney terminal near the gas station. Ride a jeepney bound for Market! Market! and get off at the corner of Fifth Avenue and McKinley Road. From here, take a jeepney bound for FTI Gate 3 and get off at McKinley Hill. Walk to Tuscany Private Estates where Book & Borders is located.

Manhattan Parkview branch: Take the MRT and get off at Araneta-Cubao Station. Exit the station on the northbound side; you should see Jollibee Farmer’s Cubao when you get down the stairs. From there, turn right and walk along the left lane of General Roxas Avenue until you see Burger King. From Burger King, turn left, then turn right at the corner. Walk a few steps to arrive at Books and Borders Cafe.

Banawe Street: From EDSA, take the MRT and get off at Quezon Avenue at the southbound side, where McDonald’s is. Walk along Quezon Avenue until you reach Hi-Top Supermarket. Then, take the footbridge and wait for a jeepney headed to Espana, Quiapo, Welcome Rotonda, or Recto. Ask the driver to drop you off at Banawe. Landmarks to look out for are National Youth, Ma Mon Luk, Chowking, McDonald, and Mang Inasal. From there, take a tricycle to Book & Borders Cafe at Scout Alcaraz.

Location: Third floor, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati

Operating hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Recommended budget for two: PhP800

From the same group behind one of the country’s biggest bookstores comes PRESS by Fully Booked, a comfy spot to visit whenever you need to chill out. The cafe is a breath of fresh air with its lush plants and light colors. If you happen to forget to bring a book with you, check out the cafe’s the shelves, which features about a hundred book titles you can read while you dine in.

Some of the menu items to try are the pumpkin soup (PhP140) and mozzarella sticks (PhP350). If you’re health conscious, the chicken roulade (PhP320) is a tasty treat that won’t make you feel guilty. For refreshing drinks, take a sip of the press punch (PhP140) or grape shake (PhP180).

How to go to PRESS by Fully Booked: Ride the MRT-3 to Guadalupe Station. From Guadalupe Station, walk along EDSA then turn right to the service road next to Guadalupe Commercial Center To reach J.P Rizal Street. From there ride a jeepney with “Paco Taft Bukid” sign. Pay for the minimum fare and ask the driver to drop you off at Rockwell. The cafe is located on the third floor.

Location: 116 Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City

Operating hours: Monday to Saturday, 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM; Closed on Sundays

Recommended budget for two: PhP600

Known for their delicious grilled cheese, Local Edition Coffee and Tea is the go-to neighborhood cafe for busy bees and bookworms alike. A cozy spot for work and meeting new people, the cafe is also a sanctuary for those who want to chill. With its rustic interiors, wooden furniture, and burlap decors, the store is indeed a prime spot for a laid-back reading time.

Those who want something healthy in their belly can try the antipasto sandwich (PhP220). For a dose of caffeine, you can go for a soothing cup of tea or, even better, choose from the cafe’s selection of coffee—all sourced from the Philippines!

How to go to Local Edition Cafe: Ride the MRT train to Ayala Station. Walk towards Ayala Ave. and then ride a jeepney that will pass by Dela Rosa Street. Get off at the Dela Rosa pedestrian overpass near Pancake House. Walk along Perea Street until you get to Local Edition Coffee and Tea.

Location: 106-B Scout Gandia Street, Sacred Heart, Quezon City

Operating hours: Monday to Saturday, 11:00AM to 12MN ; Sunday, 3:00PM to 10:00PM

Recommended budget for two: PhP1,200

Tweedle Book Cafe is definitely a must-visit for bibliophiles. Upon entering the charming cafe, you’d immediately notice the bookshelves chock-full of interesting titles from different genres. Almost every corner features quirky references to famous books and authors. For instance, the ceiling includes names of great literary figures such as Shakespeare, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Tolstoy, Woolf, Austen, and the like. Fans of J.R.R Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings would appreciate the clocks that show references from the books.

An addition to the cafe’s appeal is its appetizing menu. For light snacks, you can choose from sausages, nachos, and hash bites. For something heavier, they have different variations of steak, pasta, pies, and rice bowls. Drinks to choose from are coffee, tea, hot chocolate, craft beer, and wine.

How to go to Tweedle Book Cafe: Ride the MRT and get off at Quezon Avenue Station. Exit at the southbound side. Walk to the tricycle terminal at Mother Ignacia and ask to be dropped off at Tweedle Book Cafe along Sct Gandia, near Tomas Morato. It is also beside Lan Kwai Fong Restaurant.

Recommended budget for two: PhP1,400

Neil’s Kitchen’s Muntinlupa branch is aesthetically pleasing not just on the outside but also inside with its mesmerizing and whimsical decors and trinkets. The cafe’s Glorietta branch is just as charming with its black and white motif. Overall, Neil’s Kitchen not only provides a visually appetizing ambiance but also a calm and relaxing atmosphere perfect for reading.

The cafe specializes in Filipino dishes and serves up classic favorites such as tokwa't baboy (tofu and pork, PhP250) and palabok (Filipino noodles topped with orange sauce, PhP350). One of their specialties also include sinigang paella with grilled pork belly (tamarind soup with grilled pork belly, PhP350).

Filinvest branch: From EDSA, ride any Alabang or South Gate bus. The bus route will end at Filinvest City in front of Crimson Hotel. From there you can ride a jeep that will pass along Filinvest Avenue. Tell the driver to drop you off at Westgate. Westgate is nearby Puregold Molito. Neil’s Kitchen can be found at the right side.

Glorietta branch: Ride the MRT to Ayala Station. Exit on the southbound side and enter SM. Glorietta is connected to this mall through a footbridge, so walk straight ahead until you spot a sign indicating that you’re in Glorietta. Neil’s Kitchen is located at the roofdeck.

Location: Warehouse 8-A, La Fuerza Plaza, 2241 Don Chino Roces, Makati City

Operating hours: :00 AM to 6:00 PM; Friday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM

The newest spot on this list, Kwago is a book bar, a library, a bookstore, bar, and events space. With its mission to help individuals discover new ideas, Kwago is filled with vast options for titles and literary pieces.

When you’re not too busy checking out the interesting zines and books, you can treat yourself to their literature-inspired cocktails such as Hemingway (whiskey, Campari, and vermouth). Besides featuring classic literature and popular books, Kwago also houses local self-published zines and hosts reading clubs, events, artist talks, and poetry readings.

How to go to Kwago, Makati: Ride the MRT to Magallanes Station. From the station, ride a jeepney that will pass by Chino Roces Avenue and get off at Makati Ford. Head straight until you reach La Fuerza Inc. then walk to the compound beside it. Warehouse 8-4 is inside the small compound, and Kwago is in it.

Overall, these cafes will not only make your reading experience better but they will also fill in your appetite.

Visit Yoorekka to discover more cozy cafes and restaurants in Metro Manila!