At Dear Darling, Coffee, Cocktails, and Comfort Fare Are Served With Love

Dear Darling
Citigold Plaza, 175 Katipunan Avenue, Bayanihan, Quezon City
Contact: 0967-304-8440
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dear.darling.ph
Open from 7 a.m. until 12 a.m. (Sunday to Thursday); 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. (Friday to Saturday)

(SPOT.ph) Katipunan has long been home to a wide selection of quaint cafes, lunch spots, and vibrant speakeasy bars that make it the place to be. Right there along Katipunan Avenue, near the calm residential areas of Saint Ignatius and Blue Ridge, you'll find Dear Darling—the charming combination of all three.

Starting out with a humble vision of a sausage stand, Dear Darling has turned into a full-service café and restaurant, offering a far broader menu and experience than initially imagined. It’s designed to be everything to everyone—whether you're craving a morning coffee, a leisurely brunch, or evening cocktails.

The founders like to say, “This menu is our way of sharing the love with you, our guests, for your brunch and beyond cravings.” That love is palpable in every detail of the restaurant—from the playfulness of the interiors to the thoughtfulness of the menu. The space is inclusive too: friendly for babies, pets, and equipped with PWD facilities so that everyone feels welcome.

Step inside to find a light, sunny ambiance filled with pastel yellow, pink, and orange that is highly inspired by Wes Anderson movies. It’s a happy third space that welcomes patrons to stay and savor the experience of being there. 

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Take a look inside Dear Darling

Comfort food

The restaurant offers a variety of dishes that appeal to everyone from students on a budget to those seeking a quality dining experience with loved ones. Many of the ingredients in pasta and sandwiches are even made from scratch to ensure freshness and consistency for every plate.

For a cozy dose of comfort, sans the frills, consider the Chicken Parmesan Bites (P380) or the Spaghetti Pesto (P330).

The Chicken Parmesan Bites are a perfect mix of saucy and savory, topped off with just enough melted cheese to make each bite a gooey treat. On the other hand, the freshness of the in-house preparation shines through with the Spaghetti Pesto. Both are great for sharing.

For those who enjoy a heartier meal, the Skillet Barbeque Pork (P380) is recommended. The char adds a delightful edge to the tender, juicy meat that comes apart easily with every bite.

A personal favorite is the Salmon Nori (P680) served with cauliflower rice. The salmon is seasoned with nori and furikake—small ingredients that really elevate the dish to the top of our list. The cauliflower rice is a clever base, letting the salmon’s rich flavors shine more prominently.

Coffee

The coffee selection at Dear Darling stands out for its creativity, particularly the Orange Coffee (P180). The drink is exactly how it sounds—but it’s a surprisingly effective combination of dark coffee with a fresh orange twist.

For a refreshing midday treat, consider the Hong Kong Milk Tea (P180), which is a sweeter variant of the usual boba tea. Alternatively, the Coconut Vanilla Latte (P200) offers a familiar coffee flavor with a delicate twist of coconut for a subtle tropical hint.

Skipping the caffeine? No worries—Dear Darling has got you covered, too. For a light but satisfying companion to a lazy afternoon, don't pass up on the Lotus Biscoff Chocolate (P220). It's perfect for when you crave that sweet finish but could do without that post-meal heaviness.

Cocktails

Upstairs, the ambiance shifts to accommodate the evening crowd with a cocktail bar that offers a more subdued but equally stylish environment. This area is perfect for winding down after a busy day or starting a night out with friends. Can’t wait until late at night to start on drinks? Just head on upstairs for cocktails starting at 5 p.m.

The drinks menu at Dear Darling alone is worth visiting—and it’s not just because it’s creatively presented like a vinyl record. Each signature cocktail is inspired by and named after a song, with visual elements crafted to complement the title.

Let's start with the best-seller: Dancing in the Moonlight (P350). This lavender-colored treat has a playful jelly ace floating as a moon. As for the taste, the flavors are bold—think gummy bears melted into a drink. It's fizzy too, making it feel like you’re sipping on sparkling stars with a twist of lychee and raspberry for a fruity kick.

All I Need (P400) is Dear Darling’s take on sangria. There’s a tanginess that hits first, followed by a warm rush of spices. It’s familiar yet adventurous, a great pick if you’re looking to try something new but not too out there.

Another worthy contender is Sweet Disposition (P350). It takes the familiar flavors of amaretto sour into something new with fruit caviar on top. It’s easy on the palate but memorable enough to keep you coming back for more. Meanwhile, the sweet melon base of Location Unknown (P350) is complemented with a creamy texture and a refreshing fizz, a perfect showcase of the bartender’s skill in blending flavors seamlessly.

Beyond serving food and drinks, Dear Darling actively fosters a sense of community by hosting a variety of events like flower arrangement workshops, trivia nights, and matcha appreciation workshops, to name a few. This spot is designed to hold up to 80 people comfortably, making it a spacious venue for just about any gathering. 

Café coloring club became such a hit that it’s now turned into a recurring event every Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Dear Darling wants to be everything, everywhere, all at once—and we’ll allow it because it works. Neither food nor drink is compromised for the sake of the other. It hasn’t even been a year since Dear Darling opened its doors yet it’s already cultivated a loyal following. Patrons flock here not just to fill themselves, but because Dear Darling has become a go-to third space that genuinely looks after its community, making everyone feel as cared for as they are catered to.

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