Metro Manila is easily the most diverse region in the Philippines. You have old-world structures in Intramuros, avant-garde skyscrapers and malls in Taguig and nature lover-friendly parks in Quezon City. But if there’s one thing many Manileños can agree on, it’s the fact that picture-perfect spots are everywhere in the region. And a lot of the times, you can simply find them in these Instagram-worthy cafes in Metro Manila.
Also read: 20 Instagram-Worthy Spots in Metro Manila
1. Coffee Project, Timog
If there’s one thing that the Coffee Project takes seriously, it’s their aesthetic. Carefully crafted murals grace its walls; purposely hand-picked furniture embellish the area. It’s no wonder that millennials love dropping by this café! This Coffee Project branch in Timog is especially a crowd-favourite — it’s spacious yet cosy, vibrant amid the mellow ambience.
Address: 32 Eugenio Lopez Dr, Diliman, Quezon City, 1103 Metro Manila
2. Starbucks, Macapagal Boulevard or Mother Ignacia
Allow me to start this list with my personal favourites, the Starbucks branches along Macapagal Boulevard in Parañaque and right next to the Pinoy Big Brother House (hello reality TV fanatics!) in Quezon City. These spacious stores boast of consistent glass doors and windows that give their respective areas generous natural lighting. You may even get a chance to have a few Kapamilya stars join you in the frame every now and then if you happen to visit the latter!
Address: Mother Ignacia Avenue corner Eugenio Lopez Drive, South Triangle, Quezon City and 9 Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Parañaque City
3. The Cheesecake Fairy, Evia Lifestyle Center
The Cheesecake Fairy in Las Piñas blends the unique charm of the outdoors and modern life. There’s a wide selection of pasta, sandwiches and, of course, cheesecakes that make a great snack and prop for your Instagram post. The cafe is also known for its adorable animal coffee foams that can definitely rock a shot on their own.
Address: 2/F Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari Road, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas
4. The Curator Coffee & Cocktails, Legaspi Village
Coffee all day, cocktails all night — this is what you can expect at The Curator. One of Asia’s 50 Best Bars in 2017, the cafe has an industrial look ideal for hipsters — plain concrete walls, wooden stools and even exposed pipes! This also another place to get those fascinating latte art that will go well on your Instagram feed any time.
Address: 134 Legazpi Street Corner C. Palanca Street, Makati City
5. Vanilla Cupcake Bakery, Alabang Town Center
Too many colours in one place might not sound like such a good idea at first, but Vanilla Cupcake Bakery in Alabang Town Center proves that it can be done. The entire space is like a life-size version of a dainty dollhouse. Instead of confusion, the variety of colours are soothing to the eyes. For your perfect pose, try sitting in any of the chairs next to a wall or window and channel the inner King or Queen in you. Their other branches around the region are just as adorable too!
Address: 2255, Corte De Las Palmas, Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa City
6. Buku-Buku Kafe, Las Piñas
Owned by a mother-daughter-son trio, the Buku-Buku Cafe branch in Las Piñas appeals to both culinary and visual art lovers. Inspired by industrial spaces, the cafe features wooden tables and books hanging from the ceiling. If those aren’t enough, there’s also a giant mural and vintage photos decorating the staircase wall of the store.
Address: Upper Ground Level SM Southmall, Almanza Uno, Las Piñas City
7. Alice Tea Salon, The Pearl Place
You can’t talk about Alice Tea Salon without first mentioning its famed double red doors based on the Alice in Wonderland movie. Although they don’t actually serve regular coffee here, the store has often been referred to as a “cafe”. They have tea-infused lattes, smoothies and even milkshakes. Its chessboard floor and neon lights definitely give the place a true whimsical feel!
Address: Ground Floor, The Pearl Place, Pearl Drive Corner Gold Loop, Pasig City
8. UKE Box Caffe, Araneta Center
UKE Box Caffe is more than just a cafe with ukeleles displayed in it. The other part is that it’s also a store selling the instrument and a workshop venue for learning how to play it! You can just imagine how varied the scenes here are every day. Pose by the wall decorated with colourful ukeleles, or just on your seat while holding your own ‘selfie coffee’.
Address: G/F of Manhattan Parkview, Araneta Center, Quezon City
9. Coffee Project, South Triangle
There’s a huge dilemma customers have when visiting the Coffee Project in Eugenio Lopez Drive. Do they make the most out of their stay by capturing the shop’s interiors from every corner? Or do they put their phones away to simply appreciate the beauty surrounding them with their bare eyes? As for me, I’d go for both! From garden flowers, chandeliers and brick walls — there’s no doubt this is one of the most Instagram-worthy cafes in Metro Manila!
Address: 32 Eugenio Lopez Drive, Diliman, Quezon City
10. Sunnies Cafe, Bonifacio High Street
Right from its opening in 2016, Sunnies Cafe made a tremendous buzz on Instagram for its LA-themed charm, as well as the fact that it’s owned by prominent public figures. It quickly and consistently became every IG-loving ‘It’ girls’ go-to hangout place in BGC mainly because of its pastel walls, marble tables and food presentations. But even if you haven’t dined here (yet), you can always head to the side of the cafe to take a snap with the Sunnies Cafe logo for a quick OOTD shot.
Address: B3 Unit 748 Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
11. Writer’s Block, Alley at the Karrivin Plaza
Although smaller than most cafes, Writer’s Block offers big Instagram photo opportunities to its customers. Its minimalist and well-organised interiors will help you achieve a rather subtle vibe in your photos instead of the typical posed and forced kind.
Address: The Alley at Karrivin, Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Chino Roces Ave, Makati City
12. Le Petit Souffle, Century City Mall
Ever saw those adorable French-style cafes during one of your visits in Tokyo? The motif behind Le Petit Souffle is basically the same. Entering the cafe, you’ll instantly take notice of all the yellow hues inside — from chairs, French window decorations on the wall and the lighting. The cafe is also adorned almost everywhere with plants, a definite mood booster for any photo.
Address: 3rd Floor Century City Mall, Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City
13. Coffee Tea & Symphony, Vicente Cordero
Away from the cafe-dominated Makati, Taguig and Quezon City, Coffee Tea & Symphony in Valenzuela is an incredibly underrated yet promising place for Instagrammers. The cafe is practically a kid’s playground with all the playful and sometimes abstract designs throughout. Just make sure to keep your photoshoot as quiet as possible as the place is also frequented by students or out-of-office workers.
Address: 168 Vicente Cordero St, Valenzuela City
Also read: 10 Unique Themed Cafes in Metro Manila Worth Checking Out
With these Instagram-worthy cafes in Metro Manila, you now know that chasing those IG feed goals is definitely possible even without renting a photo studio or travelling far from the city!
