Bowerbird Coffee Opens in Cagayan de Oro

Washed with muted navy walls and adorned with thriving plants, this quaint café in Cagayan de Oro brings to mind the charm of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Once a humble pop-up coffee catering service, Bowerbird Coffee has now found its permanent home at 62 Justo Ramonal Street — where guests can enjoy freshly brewed coffee in a serene al fresco setting.

“Our inspiration was drawn from hole-in-the-wall coffee shops of other Asian countries,” Co-Owner Che Roa tells TripZilla Philippines. “We wanted a lot of natural light and greens for that relaxing yet organic feel. We upcycled a lot of old stuff from our homes instead of buying new things. The vibe we wanted to give is one that is inviting and not intimidating — a small coffee oasis in the middle of this bustling city.”

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Where ideas hatched

Unlike other cafés that soared quickly, Bowerbird Coffee began as a humble pop-up at Centrio Ayala Mall in March 2017.

“Our goal then was to introduce the coffee catering concept for weddings,” Che shares. “At first people were hesitant, because popular options then were wine or cocktail bars, and even dessert tables, but not a coffee cart. We didn’t give up on the idea because we saw potential in our business. We’ve been catering weddings and other events for almost four years now.”

With more coffee lovers returning for their signature brews, Bowerbird Coffee finally spread its wings and opened its permanent space on 20 Oct 2020, marking a new chapter for their growing community of coffee enthusiasts.

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On best-sellers for every customer

goes by their slogan, Creativity and Passion in a Cup. “It is all in the art and science of bringing out the best of the bean in every cup we serve,” Che explains. Their menu is clearly well-thought-out, with each item telling a story of its own.

Take the Spanish latte, for example. Che reveals that they first discovered this when her partner, JR Caballero, worked as a barista in Kuwait. “We tested the recipe but found it rather too sweet. So, we adjusted the ratio to balance the coffee, milk, and sweetness. Eventually, it became one of our popular drinks throughout the years, especially for those who want their coffee nice and sweet.”

From there, Che and JR came up with the White Brew — “a hit for those who like it sweet but are keeping an eye on their sugar intake!” Leveraging on the raw flavours of the beans, White Brew has no sugar or artificial sweeteners, yet tastes “naturally sweet and velvety with a white chocolate note.”

Finally, Che talks about the Cortado: “a 4oz drink consisting of just double restrito and a small amount of milk, for those who actually want to ‘taste the coffee’ in their coffee.”

“There is nothing fancy about our drink selection,” Che admits. “We are often criticised for the lack of fluff and whipped cream. But, that’s the very essence of the coffee culture that we want to share in our little corner of the city.”

Beyond beans and beverages

Inspired by their love for coffee, Che and JR wanted to create a space where people could slow down and connect over a good cup of joe. From the start, their vision for Bowerbird Coffee was to be homey and relaxed — and quite literally, it is, as it sits right below a residence.

Unlike many cafés in the metropolis that draw in hurried crowds, Bowerbird Coffee offers a calm refuge for those who simply want to unwind or enjoy meaningful conversations. “We’ve had feedback from customers saying they feel like they are away from the city. Ironically, our shop is located in the middle of the city!”

And while their cosy atmosphere already charms guests, it’s their genuine hospitality that makes people come back. “We’re a small shop and we are so passionate about sharing our coffee philosophy with others. We make it a point to engage with our customers — be it small talk on the day’s weather or a chat about how their coffee was made. At Bowerbird Coffee, you can feel and see the culture we’re building. We connect people because of coffee.”

Also read: 50 Cafés & Stores Offering Coffee Delivery & Pick-up in Metro Manila

Opening hours

Bowerbird Coffee is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 8pm, and on Sundays from 1pm to 8pm. With limited parking space, the café also offers drive-through or pick-up options — simply order via 09179405478. For updates, check out their Facebook or Instagram pages.

All images credited to Ph | Official Facebook Page