Specialty Coffee Journey
Progress from rigorous third-wave roasters to community cafes, tasting how Manila's coffee culture varies
Walkable Route
1.2 km through Makati's quietest neighborhoods, flat pedestrian-friendly terrain, easy to navigate
Educational Experience
Learn about single-origin beans, brewing methods, and how coffee integrates into Manila neighborhoods
Manila's specialty coffee culture mirrors the city itself--chaotic on the surface, but deeply intentional when you pay attention. Each cafe reflects a different approach to coffee, revealing how Manila embraces both rigor and community.
Yardstick Coffee
Start here because it's the most established and sets the tone for serious coffee. Yardstick has been central to Manila's third-wave coffee movement for over a decade. They're a roastery, espresso bar, and equipment supplier combined. The cafe itself is minimal--minimal design, minimal distractions--so the focus stays on coffee. They rotate at least five different single-origin coffees, and the baristas are knowledgeable without being pretentious. Order a pour-over or aeropress (they're known for both) and sit at the long wooden bar watching the baristas work. This is where you get calibrated to the quality level for the rest of the crawl. Allow 45 minutes.
Habitual Coffee
From Yardstick, walk east toward Salcedo Village (about 10 minutes). Habitual is smaller than Yardstick but equally serious about coffee. They're known for hand-brewed methods--specifically aeropress, which requires more technique and produces different flavor profiles than espresso. The space is quiet, with minimal seating. The aesthetic is 'coffee nerd' rather than 'Instagram cafe.' Order an aeropress pour-over and ask what origin they're using--the baristas will explain the beans' story (altitude, harvest method, processing). This is your education stop on the crawl. Allow 45 minutes.
Coffee Crawl Pro Tip: Order Small
The point of a crawl is experiencing different cafes, not consuming massive volumes of coffee. Order small cups (espresso, cortado, or short pour-over) at each stop so you stay caffeinated but not jittery. This also lets you taste each cafe's approach more clearly--quality over quantity.
Good Sh*t Coffee
From Habitual, head back west and slightly south into Poblacion (about 10 minutes walking). Good Sh*t Coffee has an aggressively casual name and lives up to it. The space is relaxed, with a mix of solo laptop workers and groups hanging out. They source quality beans but without the pretension of Yardstick. The pastries are excellent--locally made, seasonal, and reasonably priced. The vibe here is community-oriented; regulars recognize each other. Order a cappuccino and a pastry. Sit and observe how this cafe functions as neighborhood gathering space rather than pure coffee destination. This is your social stop. Allow 1 hour.
Elephant Grounds
This is the 'Instagram' stop. Elephant Grounds is more casual than Yardstick or Habitual, with thoughtful design and reasonable coffee. They have multiple locations (they started in BGC and expanded to Makati). The BGC location is walkable from Poblacion if you're willing to take a Grab ride or walk 20 minutes. The cafe is designed for lingering--good WiFi, comfortable seating, natural light. The coffee is solid but not as technically rigorous as the first two stops. The pastries are a collaboration with a local pastry chef and are excellent. This is where your crawl can transition into lunch or afternoon work mode. Allow 1-2 hours.
