Coffee Shops to Check Out at Bangkal, Makati

 What I love about living in the city is that there is always something new to check out. Some new attraction, mall, restaurant,s and coffee shops. Speaking of coffee shops, I've noticed recently a few cafes that have been popping up in the neighborhood of Bangkal, Makati. 

Bangkal has been known for thrift shopping because of the many thrift stores you'll find there. But now I'm thinking there may be a new thing coming up for this particular neighborhood and that's the coffee shops. As a coffee drinker and someone who likes hanging out at cafes, I thought I scoped out some of these coffee shops. 

Cafe 1911

This is the latest coffee shop I visited located along Captain M. Reyes Street. It's hard not to notice this new cafe whether you're walking by or looking out the window while riding the jeepney. It rocks an all-white interior.  

I think it looks simple and nice especially on a bright and sunny day.  I read it's a Korean-inspired cafe so I invited my cousin who loves Korean stuff to go with me.

According to what's posted on their wall, Cafe 1911 is built as a tribute to the owners' fathers who are now just a memory. They hope that through the cafe, they'll be able to share that same feeling of joy and love that has filled their life's cups.

Aside from coffee, the shop carries non-coffee drinks such as Iced-C Tea and Passion Fruit Juice, pastries and pasta on their menu. We tried their coffee and some pastries. 

 

It's good coffee and delicious pastries indeed. 

Cafe Seventy Six 

Cafe Seventy Six with its white painted wall stands out in a street that's lined up with houses. I discovered this coffee shop while walking around the neighborhood. I've been a regular customer of this cafe since then. 

They have quite a number of selections for drinks, but not a lot for food. They do have my favorite Jammin' Jamaica patties so that's a plus on my book! 

I like the white and brown colors they have here. Looks warm and inviting to stay at. Try their banoffee latte! That's my fave! Also not to be missed is their affogato. The barista told us about it and even encouraged us to take a video of the espresso being poured on the ice cream because you know, it's the day and age of sharing on social media.  

Cafe Seventy Six's beginnings started in 2019 when a group of friends came up with the idea to open a coffee shop. The following year, 2020, that idea came to fruition. They originally were set to open a cafe in Legaspi Village, Makati but then the pandemic and series of lockdowns happened. When they pivoted, they started online, catering to take-outs and deliveries only until a year later, when finally they were able to put up their cafe in Bangkal, Makati. 

Convenience Coffee Shop

I found out about Convenience Coffee Shop via Instagram. I then asked my cousin to check it out with me. Unlike the first two cafes though, it was a bit harder to find this coffee shop. I recall my cousin and I reached the end of Apolinario street, Bangkal, almost at the highway but we didn't see it. Turned out, that we'd already walked past it. It was already early evening and the cafe was closed. It doesn't stand out like Cafe 1911 or Cafe Seventy Six. Convenience Coffee Shop blends in. 

You can buy this shirt at Convenience Coffee Shop 

Though they don't they have a lot of coffee drinks and food selection (I think they're still building up their menu),  I've also been a regular customer. Though quite far from where I live, I love staying here, sitting outside even when the heat of the afternoon sun hits my spot. I brought a friend here once and we spent an afternoon just chatting away for hours until it was time to go because the cafe was closing. 

Sometimes, I bring a book to read or I borrow one of their magazines. They have quite a magazine selection! And I'm not just talking about back issues of the Good Housekeeping. Sometimes, I just sit there, quietly drinking my coffee. 

When I'm in need of a breather from the craziness of work and life, I go here. They even have a sign that encourages it. Sit down, slow down, drink coffee. 

Bonus

There's another coffee shop in Bangkal, Makati that's sure to be a hit among fans of BTS. Read about my visit to Rkive Cafe. 

BTS Themed Neighborhood Coffee Shop: Rkive Cafe

Boybands... A singing and dancing group act that makes all the girls swoon and scream in delight as they also willingly hand in their money to watch concerts and buy various merchandise in support and love for their favorite boys. I'm only too familiar with this as I was once a fan girl when American boyband, Backstreet Boys, were all the craze. Fast forward to today and the boyband is still taking the world by storm with BTS on the helm. Unless you're living under a rock, I'm sure you've heard of them and their songs. 

BTS is a K-Pop group from South Korea and the name is an acronym for the Korean phrase Bangtan Sonyeodan (Bullet Proof Boyscouts). They're a global phenomenon with fans from all over the globe referred to as Army or Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth. According to what I read, the fandom name basically means they'll always be together with BTS. 

Meet my cousin, Mae. She's an ARMY. 

 

BTS Themed Coffee Shop 

The BTS fandom is so great that not only has so much merchandise been created on these cute Korean guys, it's even inspired coffee shops. One such coffee shop is Rkive Cafe, located in Bangkal, Makati. 

I first spotted this place because of its balcony and instantly got an inkling that it was either a restaurant or a coffee shop. Later on, when I shared this discovery with my cousin, Mae, she told me it was a coffee shop called Rkive. And not just another coffee shop! But a BTS themed one! 

I love checking out coffee shops. And because she's an Army, I knew my cousin was the right person to take with me to check out the place. 

It's a small place but it's popular among BTS Army. A reservation is required for those who want to dine in. If you want to visit this place, keep an eye out when they post about their reservation registration announcement on Rkive's Facebook page.    

A Look Inside Rkive Cafe 

As soon as you go inside the cafe, you'll be greeted by life size standees of BTS. 

For fans of these boys, it's a must to take a photo beside their favorite K-Pop group. I know my cousin couldn't get enough of having her photo taken beside them. 

Every corner you turn at Rkive is filled with BTS decor from artworks to photos of the boys to Tiny Tans. It's like looking at a fan girl's room actually! Reminds me of the days I used to have a room full of magazines, posters and photos of Backstreet Boys. 

 

You can even buy small BTS merch at Rkive. 

BTS Recommended Reads  

You know what's interesting about this BTS phenomenon? They've even made it to the booklovers community! Their leader, Namjoon, likes to read. So at Rkive, there are also a bunch of books on display available for your reading pleasure. 

Mae told me The Midnight Library in particular is a BTS recommended read. That book's in my to-be-read list too.

Don't feel like reading? And honestly why would you read when you'd most likely be busy fangirling over the decor? You can also skim through the BTS coffee table books available in the cafe. 

The Food at Rkive 

We visited in the afternoon so snacks were in order aside from drinks. 

We ordered cheese mandu (Php165) and potato pizza waffle (Php125). For drinks I had the white chocolate latte (Php110) while Mae had the Borahae (Php95).  

While both snacks taste good, we couldn't finish the cheese (pork) mandu. Umay after a while.  The potato pizza waffle, on the other hand, oh yummy! It's definitely my favorite of the two snacks we ordered. 

 

The Borahae drink is a butterfly pea tea based with passionfruit juice and jam. Mae enjoyed this sweet drink. 

Overall, it was a nice experience at Rkive Cafe. My cousin, an ARMY, definitely enjoyed it more with all the photos she took of her "bebes" as she lovingly calls these boys. Drop by Rkive Cafe and indulge your Army self. 

Rkive Cafe

Lucban Street

Bangkal, Makati City 

Open 12NN - 9PM (except Tuesday and Wednesday) 

 

  

The Coffee Shop in Makati that Serves Interesting Coffees

 

In San Antonio, Makati is a coffee shop called The Black Bean hidden in Eton West End Square. My friend, Mai and I decided to visit, after seeing the photos of the nice interiors from Preview. Yes, we're the kind of folks who like IG-worthy interiors. Reservations are required for this coffee shop. 

The Black Bean PH has two branches, the other located in BF Homes Paranaque, and turns out, the photos of that branch were the ones showcased in the article. We realized that when we got there because the Makati branch is smaller. 

Inside The Black Bean 

Black Bean sports off white and brown colors with touches of green courtesy of the plants displayed inside. It's rocking an industrial look for its space. It's definitely far from the photos we saw but it's got a charm of its own.  

We went here for brunch and there were only two other customers in the cafe when we got there. I think the fact that it's in a mall that's hardly got other retail businesses helps with that cozy ambiance. So if you want to relax or work in peace, you can do that here. You won't be disturbed. 

What We Ordered

Mai ordered the Longganizsa Duo from the Breakfast Bowls while I tried one of their mains, Chicken Parmigiana with a side order of rice. Its two kinds of longganisa are sweet and garlicky Filipino style from Imus, Cavite. Mai liked the big serving and found it delicious.  

Longganisa Duo, Php270.00

Chicken Parmigiana, Php350 

My chicken parmigiana didn't come with rice so I ordered one. Just like Mai's, my orders had a big serving - yes including the rice which I wasn't able to take a photo of anymore. Too excited to eat! I also liked my chicken parmigiana. Even though it had a hint of spice, which I'm usually not crazy about, I was able to finish this off. 

The One of a Kind Coffees

Mai also wanted to try The Black Bean because of their unique coffees. 

Mai ordered the meringue cappuccino. When she showed a photo of this to me, I initially thought it was dessert. But yeah, it's coffee! Looks good, doesn't it?  

 

Meringue Cappuccino, Php220 

She certainly thought it was good. No need for sugar in the cappuccino. The meringue already brings on the sweetness. 

Hey Love! XX, Php220

As for me, well, I was initially going to try their Spanish Latte but I certainly thought their Coffee Temptations selection was worth a try. So I ordered Hey Love! XX, which is cream cheese foam and iced black coffee. I love cream cheese - that's what sold this coffee to me. Didn't disappoint! 

Verdict

Overall we enjoyed our stay at The Black Bean. If I lived nearby this area, I'd certainly be back because of the ambiance and good food. If you want to read up about The Black Bean Cafe, check out this article from Spot.ph.