(SPOT.ph) We frequent cafes for different reasons. At the most basic, it’s for a quick hit of caffeine to fuel our day ahead. Other times, cafes are a social hub for weekend brunches or post-dinner dates with friends. Many seek refuge within their walls to focus on work or study sessions, while coffee aficionados enjoy sampling the unique roasts. And then there are those who savor the opportunity to linger in an aesthetically pleasing environment.
Let’s be clear: Whatever your reason is for visiting cafes, it’s fine. It’s not unusual to brush off beauty and style as less important than function and taste of the coffee, but Kristian “Kris” Cruz—known as @kris.from.brooklyn on Instagram and TikTok—passionately disagrees. “Part of human nature is aesthetics,” the photographer and content creator says firmly. “Part of the human soul is energy, ambiance, comfort, beauty. We should stop equating good aesthetics with bad coffee. We all like beautiful things. It is our God-given nature. So both are important.”
Meet Kris, an introvert photographer on the hunt for beautiful spaces
If you’ve ever come across Kris’ content on your FYP, you'd know he means exactly what he says. His page is dedicated to “beautiful travels by beautiful introverts,” featuring lovely cafes, restaurants, and other spaces. Part of his page is reviewing the food and coffee, too, but everything is set against a backdrop of a lush indoor space or an artfully composed flatlay.
A film graduate from the University of the Philippines, Kris migrated to New York in 2002 for a shot at the American Dream. Like so many other Filipinos, he worked a corporate job to survive; not just to support himself but also his parents. At the back of his mind was always a desire to pursue his dream of becoming a photographer. Finally, he took the leap and joined a photography competition held by Lufthansa. At the time, he didn’t have the budget for a professional kit; instead, he borrowed his brother’s iPhone 5—but to his own surprise, Kris was named one of five winners, defeating 8,000 professionals with a DSLR with his iPhone-shot photo.
“It changed my life,” he says, recounting his prize: a trip to South Africa and a luxurious experience that was so far removed from his everyday life. “I think it was a message from God or the universe to still be a photographer.” As a portfolio, he created an Instagram page with eye-catching images, all of them captured using an iPhone.
From the beginning, Kris committed to only using a phone to take photos; he’s adamant that great photos can come from any phone (yes, not just iPhone). And it’s true, using a phone camera didn’t hold Kris back. He was once tapped by Apple Global for a project and became one of the first Filipinos featured on the Apple Instagram account. Another one of his snapshots—a striking one of a boatman in India—later won the Best Travel Photo in the prestigious iPhone Photo Awards. (Ironically, despite his experience with global brands, local brands have—to this day—never taken notice of him, Kris notes.)
He currently shoots with an iPhone 12 Pro Max. “I only shoot with an iPhone but don’t feel pressured to always get a new one. Creativity over equipment.”
But Kris is now more famous for his cafe finds. Strangers would message him for coffee shop recommendations. Which brought about a realization: “What you automatically do and share with little effort, that’s who you are right now. I believe in authenticity.”
And so it was from his own fascination with beautiful cafes and delightful food that the @kris.from.brooklyn TikTok was born in 2023. Although his TikTok page had a slow start, it was when he began injecting more of himself that people began to take notice: his face, his voice, and his brand of quiet content. “During the pandemic, I found most content noisy, angry, negative, toxic," he explains. "I couldn’t find a safe mental place for myself on TikTok. So I created the kind of quiet content I couldn’t see. And I didn’t expect it would resonate with so many people.”
His eye for beauty led him to aesthetically pleasing spaces, and cafe culture promised plenty. And although there were a lot of beautiful cafes in New York, Kris says Filipinos tend to be even bolder when it comes to design. “I haven’t been back [in the United States] since the pandemic, but the aesthetics of the cafes here have exceeded the US.”
With a keen understanding of how aesthetics can enhance the cafe experience, Kris has become a trusted guide for those seeking the most visually stunning cafes in Metro Manila. Here, he shares with us the captivating spaces that have captured his attention in Quezon City. If you’re like Kris, who basks in the harmony of beauty and function of coffee shops, then this is as good a place as any to start:
Beautiful coffee shops in Quezon City, as shared by @kris.from.brooklyn
Having followed Kris for some time, we noticed many of the cafes on his account are located in Quezon City, so we asked Kris for a list of his most beautiful cafes in QC. According to him, this collection of cafes are unique in their aesthetic. "My list prioritized uniqueness of space design and concept," he explains.
Post Ceremony
A not-so-secret secret tucked in a nondescript building, Post Ceremony is an aesthete's wonderland. Behind the cafe is Proudrad Photography Studio, which specializes in weddings, so maybe it's not surprising the coffee shop was put together with a professional's eye for art and design. Post Ceremony was originally a studio; it still is—it just doubles as a coffee shop on regular hours, too. Whenever there's a shoot, the collapsible chairs simply get folded up and tucked away.
There's soft music and an animated film silently playing on our visit. Dim lighting and neon backlights set a dreamy atmosphere, illuminating the eclectic artworks that are periodically rotated by the owner. (This is one of the reasons it's always worth coming back, along with the signature coffee drinks that are as original as the interiors.) Everything in Post Ceremony feels bold and vibrant yet intimate—an all-day chill party.
Post Ceremony is located at Victoria de Morato, Scout Borromeo St. corner Tomas Morato Ave., Quezon City
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