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If you’re the type to get some work done in the company of strangers and a cup of good coffee, carry on. You have science to back you up on this. It has been proven that working in cozy cafes increases one’s creativity and productivity because of the pleasant buzz it generates.
While there are a lot of nice coffee shops in every corner of the metro, we shortlisted five of the best we know that are laptop-friendly, offer great coffee and a steady stream of Internet, and accept cashless payments via GCash Scan to Pay, which could be a lifesaver when you’re in a rush to get some work done and the cashier takes forever looking for change so early in the morning.
HABITUAL COFFEE
Working at this third wave coffee shop can be habit-forming, thanks to their excellent single-origin espresso served Aeropress style. Add to that the minimalist interiors that radiate calm and quiet, ample sockets and fast and free WiFi connection. Get the Frozen Flat White for that extra jolt you need to boost your productivity.
Habitual Coffee has branches in Salcedo Village, Makati City; Uptown Place Mall, BGC, Taguig City; and Ayala Malls Vertis North, Quezon City.
STARBUCKS
Aside from its wide selection of caffeinated and non-caffeinated beverages, its comfy couches, long tables, good music and the buzz of coffee machines always make you want to stay longer after all the hours spent working or studying. While it can get crowded on certain days, you don’t need to endure long lines at the counter as you can pay for your coffee and food via barcode using the GCash app. Starbucks has new QR scanners that scan the QR code generated by your GCash app and automatically deduct the amount from your GCash account. You don’t even have to input anything like in usual QR transactions. The bonus? Sometimes, you get freebies, too, if you use GCash!
Starbucks has 373 licensed stores nationwide, and over 60 of them are in Metro Manila. If you prefer a quieter space, check out the Starbucks Reserve branches.
KUPPA ROASTERY & CAFE
An old family business from Bacolod, this quaint shop offers coffee from handpicked beans they roast two to three times a week in their own machine. Its interiors—a blend of modern and vintage—give a warm and cozy vibe conducive for reading, working and long conversations with friends. Free WiFi and All-Day Breakfast dishes are a come-on for those in need of a nice workspace. Be sure to get a table near a power outlet if you plan to stay long. If you like a drink or two while you work, the café also brews their own original beer.
Kuppa Roastery & Cafe is at Commercenter Building, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.
ZOO COFFEE
Beating a deadline in the company of cute stuffed pandas, giant gorillas and tigers at this Korean-inspired café will give you downright good vibes. Readily available power outlets, a reliable WiFi and a cup of Cinnamon Cold Brew Latte will also help you get your work done in no time. If you’re a fan of Korean desserts, pair up your drink with honeybread, waffle or bingsu (shaved iced dessert). For non-coffee drinkers, they have hot or iced red ginseng honey tea. All these you can enjoy with the ease of GCash Scan to Pay.
Zoo Coffee has branches at G/F Alphaland Makati Place, Ayala Avenue Extension Cor. Malugay Street, Bel-Air Makati City; Lower Ground Floor, Building A, SM Megamall, Ortigas; Urban Turf, Level 2 Ayala Malls Vertis North, Quezon City; Tuscany, Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Hill, Taguig City; and Ground Level, Newport City, Pasay City.
COFFEE PROJECT
If you are fond of taking selfies in between work, or simply taking pictures of your workspace, this café is the right place for you. Every corner is Instagram heaven—it will make your friends wish they went to work in cafes, too, instead of those blue office cubicles. This garden-themed coffee shop looks like it’s especially made for remote workers and freelancers: it has ample electric sockets, reliable Internet connection and homey interiors. They also offer a wide range of hearty meals—from sandwiches, tortilla pizzas, pastas and salads—that will go with your hot or iced coffee drink when the tummy growls in the middle of all your work.
Coffee Project has 22 branches all over Metro Manila.
