When I think about Ortigas Center, I think of a district that strikes a good balance between downtown-busy and neighbourhood-cosy. Nestled between the borders of Quezon City, Pasig, and Mandaluyong, it’s one of those rare places in Metro Manila that serves as a “fair meeting place” among friends who live in various areas. But even luckier are those who actually live here; I mean, have you ever heard anyone complain that Ortigas is “too far”? Didn’t think so.
Anyway, going back to what I said about it being both bustling and chill — the same could be said about a handful of cafes in Ortigas. Many, if not all, cater to different types of city folks; whether it’s caffeine-dependent students, remotely working creatives, or on-the-go corporate people. That said, we’ve rounded up all the best spots in Ortigas for coffee, dessert, brunch, and more!
Note: While we do our best to stay accurate, some of these places might be temporarily closed due to the pandemic. Rest assured that they’re all still up and running, as of writing.
Also read: 50 Cafés & Stores Offering Coffee Delivery & Pick-up in Metro Manila
While this famous third wave coffee shop from Australia has several branches scattered around the metro, the one tucked away on Ruby Road is especially recommended for a peaceful time. Whether that’s for getting work done or simply getting some ‘me time,’ you’ll definitely appreciate the large, open space that never feels claustrophobic. The artsy murals and avant-garde furnishings are also more than enough to get your creative juices flowing!
Must-try food and drinks: Salmon & Cream Cheese Bagel, Tuna Melt Sandwich, Corned Beef & Hash, Flat White, Mocha, and Chai Latte
Location: G/F Robinsons Cyberscape Beta, Ruby Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig
Meanwhile, on the relatively bustling Emerald Avenue, you’ll find this quaint bakery-slash-cafe that serves artisan bread and pastries. Oh, and they have what’s arguably the best sulit kinda sourdough in town! All these are baked in-store, so you can expect the delightful aroma filling your nostrils as you step inside. And the best part? There are bite-size samples of several baked goodies on display — just so you’d know what to expect before grabbing a bag (or five).
Must-try food and drinks: Croissants, Honey Walnut Bread, Cinnamon Roll, Iced Mocha Mint, and Cold Brew
Location: Unit 101-A, G/F Emerald Mansion, F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
For more mouth-watering baked goodies ’round the neighbourhood, this retail bakery is another great option! Back in pre-pandemic times, it was open 24/7 — making it ideal for night owls in need of late-night coffee and snacks, as well as early birds looking for delish breakfast in the wee hours. Take your pick among their Korean speciality pastries and cakes that are baked fresh daily, along with some imported coffee and tea!
Must-try food: Sucio Choco Pastry, Macarons, Mini Cheese Cake, Cheese Tart, and Five Level Cake
Location: G/F Eton Emerald Lofts, Garnet Street corner F. Ortigas Jr Road, Ortigas, Pasig City
Also read: Is Staying in Coffee Shops All Day During These Times Still Worth It?
Thinking of putting your records on and telling everyone your favourite song? Then head over to this vinyl shop-slash-coffee shop that sort of feels frozen in time — if not for the fact that it’s smack dab in Mega Fashion Hall! Its name is an ode to American jazz artist Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, clearly showing off the owners’ love for ‘old-world music.’ Aside from both rare and new records, they also sell film cameras and other vintage collectables, which you can take your sweet time browsing through with a cuppa in hand!
Must-try food and drinks: Wagyu Burger, Satchmi Caprese, Vanilla Sundae Waffle, Cafe Latte, Macchiato, and Affogato
Location: 4/F Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, EDSA corner Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong
Hailing from the foodie haven that is Maginhawa Street in Quezon City, those who live and/or work in Ortigas were certainly delighted when this dessert shop opened a new branch! Their menu is a dream come true for anyone with a sweet tooth and/or a penchant for cute Insta-worthy treats that taste as good as they look. Top it all off with the store’s über-vibrant interiors and you’ll pretty much see why patrons keep coming back for more!
Must-try food and drinks: Choco Caramel Movie Snack, French Toast Cubes, Bacon-Sisig Truffle Carbonara, The Carnival, and Chocnut Cold Brew Mocha
Location: 4/F Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, EDSA corner Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong
Also read: 10 Coffee Shops in Quezon City That You Have to Visit
Here’s another well-loved dessert place that was first established in QC. This time, though, it’s all about feasting on one of the best doughnuts in town! Enjoy their wide array of unique and delicious flavours with a side of coffee… or maybe even rootbeer float for that ‘chilling in a retro diner’ feel. Feeling like dropping by during mealtimes? They also have brunch options to keep your tummy happy and full!
Must-try food and drinks: Nutella Doughnut, S’mores Doughnut, Ricotta Pancakes, Vanilla Milkshake, and Rootbeer Freeze
Location: Level 5 Main Wing, Shangri-La Plaza, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong
Ever since the much-awaited renovation of The Podium a few years back, we’ve seen an emergence of more enticing cafes in Ortigas! First up is this delightful spot that has both decadent French-inspired dishes and lovely flower arrangements. Most of the flowers and plants you’ll see aren’t the run-of-the-mill types, either. So, it’s almost like you’re dining at a secret garden that just so happens to have a view of the ever-busy Julia Vargas Avenue.
Must-try food and drinks: Scampi Escaper, Four Ever, Burn, Potcha, Porchetta, and Sakura Cooler
Location: G/F The Podium, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong
Clearly, we can’t talk about cafes in Ortigas without mentioning this Titas Who Brunch staple! While most of their gourmet dishes come at a rather hefty price, the (relatively) cheap yet delicious coffee and pastries totally make up for it. Oh, and they also have cocktails if a boozy meal is something you’re looking forward to. (Hey, we won’t judge!) Top that all off with their stylishly rustic ambience and you’ll easily see why it’s a consistent crowd favourite.
Must-try food and drinks: Cronuts, California Burger, Kimchi Fried Rice, Mushroom Bowl, Vietnamese Latte, Vanilla Almond Latte, and Golden Milk
Location: G/F The Podium, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong
Wondering where to get the best matcha in town? Look no further than this legacy brand from Uji, Kyoto that has been around for over 160 years! Apart from the high-quality traditional tea, they also boast a wide selection of match-infused desserts; from cakes and pastries, to soft-serve ice cream. Their cosy Japanese ryokan-inspired interiors don’t hurt, either!
Must-try food and drinks: Yuzu O-Matcha, Strawberry Matcha Latte, Tsujiri Float with Matcha Soft Serve, and Matcha Lava
Location: 2/F The Podium, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong
Clearly, there are more must-visit dessert cafes in Ortigas that hail from the Land of the Rising Sun! This concept by the popular milk brand is your best bet for both sweet treats, as well as savoury fusion comfort food. The latter is actually exclusive to the Philippines; essentially, innovative twists to crowd fave Japanese dishes that’ll probably keep you coming back for more.
Must-try food: Milk Pie, Cow Cow Ice, Creme Brûlée Pancake, 12 Hour Short-Rib Sandwich, and Salmon Teriyaki Gratin
Location: G/F East Wing, Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons, Oranbo, Pasig
Up next is the only Starbucks Reserve located on this side of the metro. It also happens to be the global coffee chain’s 400th store in the country — and man, they sure went all out! The sophisticated wood-centric interiors are every bit awe-inspiring, topped off with a spacious layout and warm lighting for that right amount of familiarity. Overall, the ambience is perfect for all occasions; whether you’re hanging out solo, catching up with friends, or learning more about the brewing methods for their single-origin blends!
Must-try drinks: Vanilla Bean Latte, Shakerato Bianco, Smoked Butterscotch Latte, House Affogato, and Cold Brew Float
Location: G/F Expansion Wing, Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons, Oranbo, Pasig
Also read: 15 Beautiful Starbucks Branches for Coffee Lovers Around the World
Just like the previous item, UCC 3rd Wave Clockwork is also a speciality concept by an international cafe chain. And as with most ‘hipster’ coffee shops in Ortigas, it has cosy industrial interiors that definitely set the tone for both productive weekdays and laid-back weekends! Meanwhile, their coffee menu features beans sourced from various parts of the globe (including the PH). There’s also a wide array of hearty comfort dishes that makes it an ideal pick regardless of what time of the day. Oh, and did we mention that they also serve cocktails at night?
Must-try food and drinks: Japanese Pancake, Crabby Fatty Omurice, Ouvo y Negra, Kori Kohi, Manukapuccino, and UCC Special Blend
Location: G/F Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons, Oranbo, Pasig
Also read: 16 Best Cafés in Metro Manila to Check off Your Bucket List [UPDATED 2021]
Looking for other cafés and coffee shops beyond Ortigas? Well, you’re in luck, because we’ve also got recommendations for other spots like Tagaytay, Antipolo, Pampanga, Baguio, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro. What can we say — we love ourselves some good ol’ coffee and brunch, no matter where we are in the archipelago!
Or would you rather make your own coffee at home? Here are some of the essentials as well as fun recipes you might wanna bookmark.
Featured image credit: Satchmi | Official Facebook Page
Facebook image credit: Ça Va Crêperie & Floral Atelier | Official Facebook Page
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