LOOK: % Arabica Opens Its Newest and Largest Store in BGC

% Arabica Manila BGC Roasters 
G/F Shangri-La at the Fort, 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City
Instagram: www.instagram.com/arabica_ph
Open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Sundays to Thursdays), 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. (Fridays and Saturdays)

(SPOT.ph) It's only been a little over a month since we spotted another branch of the returning cult-favorite coffee shop, % Arabica. Located along the busy Bonifacio High Street, this new branch was seen by most as the answer to the never-ending queue at % Arabica Manila BGC in MITSUKOSHI Mall. On November 18, the board-up becomes a reality as % Arabica Manila BGC Roasters officially opens its doors to the public. Surprise, surprise, folks! This isn't just any ol' branch of the chain. It's the largest in the country.

Also read:
Get Ready for Out-of-This-World Coffee at the New % Arabica in BGC
The SPOT.ph Guide to Coffee

Here's what to expect from % Arabica Manila BGC Roasters:

On the ground floor of Shangri-La at the Fort, right beside the newly opened luxury eyewear brand Gentle Monster—a sister company of the % Arabica Manila brand—stands the newly minted 50-seater % Arabica Manila BGC Roasters. It is open from 7 a.m. every day until 10 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and until 12 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Noticeably, this new branch is bigger than the existing % Arabica in MITSUKOSHI BGC. It sports two separate doorways for entering and exiting, each clad in its own % Arabica branding, and with more seating options all around, including a limited number of booths for coffee runs with friends.

You might feel a slight unease at this coffee shop. The store is clad in the signature minimalist white interiors similar to the MITSUKOSHI branch. But unlike the first store, which was more restrained, entering the new branch felt like entering a giant throne room. A flight of stairs leads you to the counter, with white solo chairs are mounted on the sides. The whole experience emphasizes that you are a loyal subject approaching your King— % Arabica—asking for sustenance and support: coffee.

But all this uncertainty fades away as you approach your barista. You'll start to notice that despite growing in size, not much has changed in the menu. Whether you're team OG Spanish Latte (P225/eight ounces Hot, P250/12 ounces Hot, P250/12 ounces Iced)  or team Kyoto Latte (P225/eight ounces Hot, P250/12 ounces Hot, P250/12 ounces Iced), a Matcha fan, or just a plain ol' coffee connoisseur, all your % Arabica favorites are available here—including the pastries. 

Once you get over the initial unease of a new store, you start to notice the details that feel closer to home. The familiar paper cups, the espresso machines, the grinder—all the tools of the trade laid out right in front of you. 

What sets % Arabica Manila BGC Roastery apart from other branches

More than a place for your daily cup of joe, this new branch is all about the roastery. The focal point of the interior is the gigantic machine looming above the main bar. 

In an interview with SPOT.ph, The Khoffee Group Chief Operating Officer Koko Tamura explains that this machine is where all the coffee roasting magic happens. As the flagship % Arabica store, all coffee beans for the chain—whether your standard blend or the bespoke packs you can purchase for personal consumption—are mainly roasted here fresh. In a poetic way, you can think of the machine as the anchor, the reminder that this is where the magic happens. In case you missed it, this is the branch. 

What's next for % Arabica Manila

With the biggest branch all set up, we asked Tamura what's next for % Arabica Manila. According to Tamura, it's all about growth and moving forward. In the foreseeable future, % Arabica fans expect to see new pastries and other menu offerings come out soon. But more than new menu items, Tamura teases that we should be on the lookout for even more branches around the Metro in the coming year, stating that "these new branches are already in the works." If that's got you excited, well, Tamura says there's more to expect from the brand as they move forward, even quite possibly sipping on your favorite cups of %Arabica coffee outside the Metro in the next couple of years. 

Also read: 10 Cafés In and Around Maginhawa Perfect for a Productive Day Out

Hey, Spotters! Check us out on Viber to join our Community and subscribe to our Chatbot.