A Taste of Cafe de Lipa in BGC

Overall Experience: 8 out of 10

The coffee shop scene had seen countless shops promoting Single Origin beans from other countries, but the Philippines is not getting left behind. We have scene Bo's Coffee's rise as a one of the top Second Wave coffee shops promoting Philippine coffee. But in the middle of BGC, a branch of Cafe de Lipa also promoted Philippine coffee especially Batangas' famous Kapeng Barako.

Interior of Cafe de Lipa

Located in Market Market, Cafe de Lipa has a warm home feel interior. They have a variety of furniture from huge sofas that gave privacy, to simple chair and table for studying, and to a long table perfect for meetings and huge barkada hang outs. Despite of having a high ceiling, the use of yellow light made the space feel warm and cozy. The only thing I have concern was their AC, when the place goes jam pack, it is literally very warm. Nonetheless, if only few people are in, the place has a nice relaxing and calming vibes - perfect with their hot strong drinks. 

Cashier Counter and Display Case

Cafe de Lipa embodies a Filipino style cafe from their drinks to their food. They offer Filipino coffee and their own style of drinks without alienating traditional coffee drinkers. They have the traditional latte, cappuccino, and flat white, but their line of brewed coffee is extensive where you can choose different coffee beans from own roasted Barako Joe to Batangas Excelsa and Benguet Arabica. They have their own specialties such as Double Double (a Filipino take on Tim Hortons' Double Double?), Tablea Chocolate, and interestingly Filipino Latte. In their display case, they also have bars that has Filipino take such as tablea bars, dulce de leche bars, and pili nut bar.

Filipino Latte and Tablea Revel Bar

My choice was their Filipino Latte (Php 115) and a their tablea revel bar (Php 55).

Their Filipino Latte makes me feel at home. Forget the colorful coffee cups from which artisinal coffee shops serve their drinks, Cafe de Lipa serves theirs in a mug just like what I have in home. Topped with a thin layer of milk foam, the latte has a heavy body from the steamed milk and coffee (I think they used the same beans from their kapeng barako) giving it a nice bitter taste with a kick. The coffee, the home-feel, and the deem light ambiance truly warms my heart.

On the other hand, their tablea bar is a nice pair to the strong Filipino Latte. Sweet and chocolaty, the bar melt in the mouth. And when match with a sip of Filipino Latte, their taste complements each other as the sweetness of the bar tempers the bitterness of the drink, while the coffee removes the sweetness that sticks to the tongue.

Cafe de Lipa is a showcase of a Filipino-style cafe. From their drinks to their food, their interesting menu makes one visit not enough. I hope next time to catch pili nut bar and try their loose leaf tea which they serve in a nice tea pot. Plus, with matching relaxing warm ambiance, no wonder it is full pack in weekends. Cafe de Lipa translates Filipino taste into a cafe, however I will return not just because of nationalistic reasons but for the reason that the experience they offer is worth it.