Vera Café in Sta. Cruz Manila: Inspired by Studio Ghibli and a Simpler Time

(SPOT.ph) Many cafés these days conjure entire worlds in tiny spaces, but not Vera Café Manila. This coffee shop in Sta. Cruz—a three-minute walk from UST in Dapitan and quite near Dangwa— is quite a big one, enough to contain the magic of its inspiration and hold space for its owners’ vision. The mostly teal-colored café can seat anywhere from 80 to 100 people, and is even adding another section that can accommodate around 50 more guests.

Vera Café’s look was inspired by the gorgeously crafted films of Studio Ghibli, the Japanese animation studio founded by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki in 1985, a world of magic, fantasy, and coming-of-age journeys. But while it clearly borrows elements from Ghibli, “VERA wasn’t really meant to be a Studio Ghibli–themed café,” says Joie de Vera who personally designed the café with her co-founder and partner Teo Ventura.

“What fascinates us most is the feeling Ghibli films capture, and how we can relate to it. Growing up in the ’90s, life felt a little slower, and ordinary moments felt magical... like a warm meal, the smell of coffee, or visiting your relatives’ home in the countryside. That’s the same feeling we wanted to preserve and hopefully share with everyone who walks in: a sense of warmth, nostalgia, and home. And if someone leaves with that feeling, then I think we’ve done what we set out to do.”

The presence of Ghibli characters Jiji, Totoro and Calcifer peeking out of shelves and counter tops aside, the goal is still to make people feel at home—and next to having comfy surroundings, de Vera knows it’s through the coffee and other drinks they will accomplish this. They serve espresso-based brews, ceremonial matcha, and flower and fruit teas served in charming tea pots over a candle warmer. “There’s just something about sharing a warm pot of tea that naturally brings people together,” says de Vera. See also serves Tsokolate de Batirol. “It’s very nostalgic and very Pinoy...the kind of drink that feels more like an experience than just a beverage.”

As for the food, de Vera tells Spot they will be serving some soon, it’s just that their kitchen is still waiting for some finishing touches. They will be adopting the same food menu as their main branch in Isabela, which lists comfort foods like roast chicken, pastas, sandwiches and cakes. “Simple, home-cooked meals prepared with love: mindful and satisfying.”

De Vera was already a barista before putting up Vera Café in Santiago City, Isabela. She once worked for Caffè Dolce in Banawe whose owners also own the building Vera Café now occupies in Sta. Cruz called BeneDORM. Why Sta. Cruz? “Part of the opportunity came through our partnership with Benedorm. But beyond that, we genuinely felt that VERA belonged in a place like U-Belt. Thousands of students come every year to study, often living away from their families for the first time. We don’t really want VERA to be just somewhere to eat, drink, or study. We hope it becomes a place where they can feel a sense of comfort and home in the middle of a busy city.”

Vera Cafe is located at the Ground Floor of BeneDORM, 1308 Gelinos Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.