The Coffee Academics
109 C. Palanca Street, Legazpi Village, Makati
0929-675-5340
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TCAmanila/
Open from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. (Monday to Sunday)
(SPOT.ph) Manila’s coffee culture has gotten a boost with new cafés opening around the Metro even in the middle of the pandemic. Among the highly anticipated establishments is popular Hong Kong spot The Coffee Academics—so coffee heads were sure in for a treat when they opened their first Philippine outpost in BGC earlier this 2021! If you’re closer to the Makati area—or just looking for a bigger, brighter space where you can get your fix—you’ll be happy to know that the coffee shop has just opened their new café right at the heart of Legazpi Village.
Also read: Hong Kong’s The Coffee Academics Is Now in BGC and the Lattes Are Unlike Any Other You’ve Tried
Coffee heads, The Coffee Academics' new cafe in Makati is a must-visit:
If you’re serious about your coffee, you would be happy to know that The Coffee Academics—or TCA, as it’s fondly called—sources only the top five percent of special Arabica coffee and its house favorites have gotten awards and recognition, too. Apart from curating a one-of-a-kind coffee house experience, it practices sustainable sourcing and gives back as well.
“While we source the top quality beans globally, we also make a conscious effort to give back to these coffee communities and non-profit institutions worldwide,” shares Loraine Consunji, General Manager of The Coffee Academics. Expect to get the same brews in the local outpost as with the other coffee hubs in Hong Kong, Singapore, Mainland China, Macau, and Indonesia. On the other hand, their food menu includes a mix of both familiar and new dishes. “You’ll come for the best specialty coffee, and stay for the food.”
Whether or not you’re into coffee, you’ll fall in love with this new dine-in destination that juxtaposes industrial-chic sensibilities against a laid-back, tropical vibe. The black tabletops, exposed ceilings, cement walls, and flooring are softened by the touches of greenery around the area. Predominantly displayed on the counter is a La Marzocco espresso machine allowing you to watch the baristas in action. Just beside the merch area, you’ll find a corner with a bright neon light sign saying “Brewing Perspectives”—and all together, these make for an IG-worthy backdrop as you sip on your cuppa.
Start your day one with one of their pour-overs made with single-origin beans, like the El Salvador (P190). These beans are considered to be of the highest grade (SHG, a.k.a. Strictly High Grown) as they are grown in Finca Los Andes, El Salvador—right at the heart of a volcano. Its varietal is bourbon, and the resulting sips deliver tasting notes of macadamia, caramel, and dried apricot. You'll know just how much TCA treats coffee making like its own exact science since this is served in a glass beaker! Your best bet is to drink this as is to fully experience its robust flavor profile.
Pair your coffee with The Academics Breakfast (P480), part of the OG menu that features savory-sweet honey-cured bacon, meaty ol’ bockwurst sausage, seared mushrooms and tomatoes, baked pork and local beans, sourdough toast, and eggs. What adds excitement to this dish is the serving of crab fat butter that will wake you up with its intense briny flavor. Go ahead, spread it on your sourdough slice and relish how creamy, umami, and chewy worlds come together.
On the more one-of-a-kind end of the spectrum is the Eggs Royale Bibingka (P420), TCA’s version of eggs benedict where the customary biscuits are replaced with bibingka and the ham is changed to young pork tocino. These are topped with poached eggs that are doused with dalandan hollandaise sauce, and plated with salad greens on the side. The result? A surprising fusion of flavors, with the runny egg adding richness to the sweet pork slices and cheese-topped bibingka. Make sure to get a little bit of everything in each bite! It could pass as a dish for sharing as the portions are generous—but you’re free to polish off your plate solo. We totally get it.
Another local innovation is the Filipino Fried Chicken & Spaghetti (P395), the restaurant’s take on the country’s most famous pairing that both kids and kids-at-heart love. You get a substantial serving of spaghetti in sweet Filipino-style bolognese sauce, topped with a melted cheese blanket and double-fried boneless chicken. Unlike many other versions, this dish has just the right amount of sweetness, melding perfectly with the hint of tanginess from the tomato sauce. Before digging in, make sure to break through the cheese blanket and let it coat the pasta strands well—that way, you get a rich, creamy texture that’s bound to make you go “Mmmm.”
Now that dine-in is back, you can stay after eating and linger with a drink or two—we suggest you take your pick from their wide assortment of classic concoctions and creative lattes. Tea lovers would appreciate the Matcha Latte (P210/hot or iced) that’s made with 100% pure Uji green tea frothed with soymilk or your choice of milk. There’s also a beverage called Steam (P155/iced), or iced steamed espresso using their house blend that features a mix of three different beans: Columbia, Brazil and Ethiopia. In this smooth and silky brew, the sugars in the coffee are emulsified to create a frothy texture and velvety mouthfeel.
But a must-try for those with adventurous palates is the Agave (P220/iced), a latte that gets its natural sweetness from Mexican agave nectar. It’s then sprinkled with black pepper, giving you a spiced profile toward the finish. We know, we know—black pepper isn’t exactly the first thing you’d think to add to your coffee, but trust us on this one. This cold pick-me-up bridges sweet and zesty worlds, making for a drinking experience like no other.
What you can’t leave without tasting are TCA’s signature Coffee Conettes. Picture a waffle cone coated with local chocolate inside and filled with your choice of coffee drink, and then perfectly finished with latte art. You can’t get this anywhere—which is why it’s probably the most Instagrammable item on the menu. We tried the version filled with Mocha (P250)—a.k.a. their take on the classic drink, with a warm espresso shot topped with textured milk and dark cocoa. You’ll want to carefully sip the liquid before you munch on the cone; a chocolatey surprise awaits you toward the bottom.
You can expect to see more dishes and coffee cocktails on The Coffee Academics’ Makati menu in the coming months, but there’s plenty to look forward to even now that they’ve just opened. With a wide range of eats in a cozy space, it’s a great spot to hang out in just about any time of the day. And then, of course, you’ve got their stellar sips that both casual coffee fans and serious enthusiasts would appreciate. The local specialty-coffee scene is steadily growing, and we couldn’t be happier that The Coffee Academics’ Makati outpost came just at the right time.
Photos by Hans Fausto
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