Kapitolyo's Hidden Gems: Global Flavors, Nostalgic Treasures, Cool New Cafés

(SPOT.ph) It’s a charming character of residential neighborhoods transforming into hubs of leisure and activity: each time you turn a corner, discovery awaits—a house turned restaurant serving an heirloom recipe, a whimsical shop filled with knick-knacks created by artistic residents of the community. Pasig’s Kapitolyo is no different. Several years back, there was talk it was going to be the next Poblacion, the metro’s latest hip dining and nightlife destination, but with the low-key allure of unhurried surroundings. And then the pandemic happened, pushing many businesses that pinned their hopes on that promise to close. 

But things, it seems, are picking up again: with cafes leading the revival, thanks to their winsome concepts, quirky decor, and serious brews. They’re waking up Kapitolyo’s side streets and building communities that can only benefit neighboring establishments. Meanwhile, the older, independent restaurants—Warung Kapitolyo, Haru, and Cafe Juanita among others, they who have stood the test of time by doing things differently and doing it with love—continue to lend this urban village once lined with narra trees a kind of distinguished elegance and homey charm. They're the ones who make sure it never loses the two things that separate neighborhoods like it from the rest: heart and soul.

Welcome to Kapitolyo of 2025. Surprises await at every corner but here are 12 that have earned our stamps of approval.

Also read: 10 Fun Things to Do In and Around Kapitolyo, Pasig City

The Hidden Gems of Kapitolyo

Haru Sushi Bar & Restaurant

If you’d like a little break from your oh-so-minimalist Japanese dining spots, we urge you to step into the maximalist wonderland that is Haru. Filled with all kinds of Japanese antiques, decor, and various collectibles—from dolls to teapots, masks to cameras—there’s always something to engage the eye in this house-turned-restaurant created by Boy Vasquez. (Vasquez’s life is just as rich—hacienda-raised and gifted enough to be in med school at 14, he would later become an OB-GYN and work with the legendary Dr. Manahan at Makati Med for years before going into solo practice—but we’ll reserve the rest for another feature.)

Meanwhile, don’t let Haru’s visual spectacle lead you to think it’s all flash, no substance. They serve a deeply satisfying Sukiyaki (P1,342), and their Ebi Tempura (P438) is always expertly fried. Start with an order of their fresh and plump Salmon Sashimi (P695)—served like a piece of Japanese theater—and you’re set. Divided into areas big and small, the restaurant is made for both big groups and occasions that call for a little intimacy. We know friends who bring their dates here, and friends who escape to the bar at the back when the day calls for a little alone time—and a pot of hearty Sukiyaki.

Haru Sushi Bar & Restaurant is at 21 W Capitol Drive, Pasig. Open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Sunday. For more information, check out Haru Sushi Bar & Restaurant's Facebook page.

Cafe Juanita

Years before restaurants designed their spaces and food for social media, Cafe Juanita was Instagram-ready. It’s one of three food haunts Dr. Vasquez founded in the area—so, yeah, little wonder there. Starting as a jewel box of a dining spot next to SoHo, the predecessor of Haru, it has the same maximalist vibe, except here it’s a mix of Filipino and Thai, reflecting most of the offerings on its menu. Here, entries like Pad Thai and Pad See Ew share the same page as Pancit Luglug, Tortang Talong, and Ampalaya ni Doc—this last one the owner’s personal recipe of bitter gourd sautéed and then sprinkled with crispy catfish flakes on top.

Named after the retired doctor’s mother, Cafe Juanita started with Kare-Kare as Dish no. 1, and it’s still among the dishes the restaurant takes the most pride in. What makes it a standout is its luscious, peanuty sauce with toasted rice, its use of oxtail, and the housemade bagoong it’s served with. There’s also the divine Fried Lapu-lapu with Green Mango Slaw (P707/half, P1,265/whole)—clean tasting, lightly breaded, well seasoned grouper fish evenly fried and then topped with fresh mango bits that add just the right amount of brightness to the dish, along with the Thai-style fish sauce served on the side.

A longtime favorite is the Bagnet Salad, where everyone’s preferred pork from the North mingles with the fruity, fresh notes of a tomato and cilantro salsa, and that earthy taste and pungent kick of bagoong Balayan.

Cafe Juanita boasts quite an extensive menu, there’s bound to be something you’ll enjoy no matter the cuisine you’re in the mood for (there’s even Carbonara on the list, and a Mediterranean section!). On our recent visit, Doc introduced us to the Juanita Spring Rolls which you can enjoy wrapped in fresh lettuce or just by its gorgeous, delicious self: shrimp and pork meat wrapped in crispy fried rice paper the Doc likely hand-carried from Vietnam. Best for starters but also a meal in itself.

Cafe Juanita is at 19 W Capitol Drive, Pasig. Open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Sunday. For more information, check out Cafe Juanita's Facebook page.

Kainan AuGusto

If Cafe Juanita was named after Dr Vasquez’s mother, Kainan AuGusto is named after his dad. It’s also likely where Doc’s earliest training in the kitchen as an observant young boy in Nueva Ecija would be most connected to, because it boasts a menu filled with humble Filipino household favorites.

In fact, Doc put up Kainan AuGusto precisely for the laborers around Kapitolyo—but they stopped coming after he spruced up the place, and after seeing its other frequent diners, some of whom were various congressmen and public officials who enjoyed AuGusto’s Filipino fare, which reminded them of the dishes they grew up with.

Kainan AuGusto is not exactly a carinderia: it’s a “sosyal na carinderia,” a tag it proudly owns up to. While there’s a turo-turo display of the day’s offerings, all modestly priced, from Chicken Adobo (P95) and Chicken Afritada (P95) to Menudo (P115), Ginisang Pechay (P45) and Lechon Paksiw (P155), it also boasts a Beef Kaldereta with a P350 price tag—yet it’s the kainan’s bestseller. And while Doc’s antiques and other Asian decor also dot its interiors, there’s no air-conditioning here—but there’s enough breeze from the fans and cool air from outside to make your lunch a pleasant experience.

For recommendations: We loved the Tortang Talong (P65) and the Sarciadong Isda (P95), served just the way we remember having them at home; and don’t forget the Beef Kaldereta, of course—but only if within your budget.

Kainan AuGusto is at 42 East Capitol Drive Kapitolyo, Pasig. Open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Sunday. For more information, check out Kainan AuGusto's Facebook page.

Saan Saan

Saan Saan is a local artisanal candle brand that’s been on every candle collector's radar since 2018. What started as a cult favorite at weekend bazaars and pop-up markets has finally found its permanent home in Kapitolyo by the end of 2022.

Nestled beside the entrance of the neighborhood institution Ace Hotel and Suites, Saan Saan's A Sense of Place is a beautifully designed studio-store-workshop hybrid that was brought to life by Arts Serrano of One Zero Design Co. The space plays on a mix of natural elements: wood furniture and shelves, and textured concrete floor and walls, all bathed in soft morning light and the smell of a lit incense by the entrance.

It’s an olfactory playground as much as it is a retail space where you can explore Saan Saan's well-curated range of scents—from signature candles to incense and diffusers. Bestsellers come from the classic collection, namely the No. 03 Patchouli at the Temple (price starts at P550), No. 10 Kung Tag-araw (price starts at P550), and No. 33 Teahouse (price starts at P550). One of our favorites is No. 05 Anluwagian (P1,650/candle, P1,350/incense) from The Workshop Series. Its notes of pine balsam, oud, patchouli, and green fig can transport you to a forest with towering pine trees, specifically during the first few minutes of heavy rain after a humid afternoon.

Saan Saan is located at G/F, Ace Hotel and Suites United, corner Brixton Street, Pasig. Open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Sunday. For more information, check out Saan Saan's website.

The Beach House

The Beach House is a brainchild of Sarah Tirona, but after meeting Jelito de Leon and Kenneth Surat during a business trip in Indonesia, the boys eventually became co-founders of this cool, creative space, with Jelito in charge of coffee and Kenneth in charge of the quirky interiors.

Their mutual love for coffee, travel, and all things sustainable is the foundation of The Beach House: a three-story building filled with all the charming things they've scoured online marketplaces for—from pre-owned furniture to framed artworks. Of particular interest are the photowalls, which feel like an intimate look into the trio's visual diaries from their travels around the world.

On the ground floor, you’ll find The Beach House's coffee shop—home to two cafe non-negotiables: the Spanish Latte (P185) and the Salted Caramel Latte (P185), which pair perfectly with either their Kouign Amann (P160) or the Ube Croissant (P160). If you're in the mood for adventure, you can ask the barista in charge for an off-menu drink—this will depend on who's behind the counter that day, but chances are you'll get something as unexpected as coffee with strawberry milk.

Move a little further in and you'll find a wooden shelf of products from Beach Born—Sarah’s own sustainable hair and skincare line—plus a rack of secondhand clothing, all for sale. Head up to the second floor and you’ll find more seating, a mini shop of anik-anik, a gigantic crocheted plushie of the male reproductive organ (not for sale, unfortunately), and a refillery station where you can replenish your empty bottles with your favorite Beach Born product. On the third floor is a listening room slash bar, similar to the ones popular in Japan—an idea of Sarah's husband, Dennis Sy, who collects vinyl records.

The Beach House is at 11 C E Capitol Dr, Pasig. Open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Sunday. For more information, check out The Beach House's Instagram.

Wabi Sabi

Co-founder Pau Javier spent a good 14 years in production and advertising before she let it all go to fully focus on opening Wabi Sabi pottery studio, which she co-owns with sister, Gabi Javier. It all started when Gabi introduced Pau to the world of pottery with this pitch: "Ate, Seth Rogen does pottery." And that was all it took for older sister to say, "Okay, let's go."

After years of honing their skills on the potter's wheel, Pau and Gabi opened Wabi Sabi’s first studio in 2020, originally based in San Juan and working out of multiple container vans. They eventually had to open in a bigger space before finding the perfect spot: On the fourth floor of the Hallare Building, at the intersection of East Capitol Drive and Santa Rosa Street, which is where they hold base now.

Upon seeing the spacious room with floor-to-ceiling windows that let in a lot of natural light—something crucial to creative workspaces, it's easy to understand why the sisters finally made the crossover from San Juan to Kapitolyo. "This was completely bare when we found it. No partitions at all, pero ang ganda ng windows," shares Pau. "When we saw the space, there was an instant spark because of the natural light going, and it just had good energy." Even the location and price point met their requirements. "Everything was just so perfect. Why was my mind so closed to [just staying in] San Juan?"

On weekends when Wabi Sabi is at its busiest, the space is filled with students enrolled in one of its fun pottery workshops—there's one for anik-anik, mug-making, and wheel-throwing. While waiting, students and visitors can hang out at Wabi Sabi's own coffee shop that whisks up a great Matcha Latte (P230)—ceremonial-grade matcha served in Wabi Sabi ceramics, of course. Should you want your own Antok or Octomug (the designs that made Wabi Sabi popular), you can check out their rack of ceramics on sale.

Wabi Sabi Studio and Wabi Sabi Cafe are at 4F, Hallare Building, 10 East Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo, Pasig. Open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Sunday. For more information, check out Wabi Sabi's website.

1C Coffee

The first time we heard of 1C Coffee, it was from a SPOT.ph list of recommendations by biker and storyteller Buji Babiera, who said it’s popular among cyclists and the biking community—“because it understands the needs of these customers.” The need for great coffee, for ample parking, and dapat walang judgmental no matter how you look after a long ride. 1C checks all these boxes, no doubt, because its owners and baristas are bikers, too.

Tucked inside San Francisco Street in Kapitolyo, just behind the stretch of East Capitol Drive, 1C Coffee indeed boasts an easy, come-as-you-are vibe—not least because of its casually decorated interior filled with furniture that looks like they were randomly picked from different segunda mano markets. And yet, together, they help form the cafe’s welcoming atmosphere.

Sit back on one of their vintage chairs while nursing a good ol’ Americano (P120) or Sea Salt Honey (P170). For something more refreshing, opt for the sweet and citrusy Lemon & Kumquat (P160). But if you want something jolting and refreshing at the same time, photographer and biker and 1C regular Jilson Tiu gets the Lemonspresso (P200). Except when he’s coming from a 100-km ride and happens to end up in Kapitolyo, then that calls for a Pakbull (P190)—iced cold tea infused with Red Bull, just to give him that extra boost for the ride home.

1C Coffee is at 6 San Francisco Street, Bgy.. Kapitolyo, Pasig City. Open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Monday to Wednesday), 8 a.m to 9 p.m. (Thursday to Friday), 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Saturday), and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Sunday). For more information, check out 1C Coffee's Instagram page.

Lao Taipei

Taiwan has become a staple destination for Filipinos of late, and so there couldn’t have been a better time for Lao Tai Pei to arrive in the local dining scene. It may have arrived during the height of the pandemic—in 2020, no less—but word spread fast about this new kid in town, at least in the Kapitolyo area where it was born. The good feedback increased in number, and the lines outside the restaurant got longer, forcing the establishment to move twice in a matter of five years, just to accommodate customers (the original restaurant could only sit 20).

If you still think Lao Tai Pei is a franchise from Taiwan, think again. It may have that “imported” taste, but it was really founded in the Philippines by a guy named Kai who loves to cook and whose folks also love to cook—because Kai got his recipes from them, Pri Anacleto, Marketing and Operations Manager, told SPOT.ph. Proof of the “authentic” taste is its sizable Taiwanese following, but the majority of its customers are really Pinoys. Pinoys who have naturally fallen in love with the familiar but transportive flavors Lao Tai Pei offers, plus its friendly prices. Its bestsellers are the Popcorn Chicken (P260), the Oyster Omelette (P320), the Custard Bun (P200), and, of course, the Taiwan Beef Noodle Soup (starts at P220), and the Pork Xiao Long Bao (P279).

In the beginning, the people behind Lao Tai Pei wanted to keep it a Kapitolyo thing, because it was born there and its loyalists are residents. That’s why even if it’s moved twice, it just found new addresses within the area. But it seems the thought of expansion has been difficult to resist. After opening its first branch outside of its home base last year—the one in White Plains, QC—it’s expected to open three more before the year's end.

Lao Taipei is at 12 C E Capitol Drive, Pasig. Open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Monday to Thursday), and 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. (Friday to Sunday). For more information, check out Lao Taipei's Instagram page.

Khandan

There's a reason why Pakistani and Indian cuisine might have their list of similarities—and that's all because of their countries' proximity to each other. At Khandan, a hidden Pakistani restaurant in a nondescript emerald green building in Kapitolyo, they dishes commonly found in Lahore City, where Khandan's Chef Mohammad Sahjid Khan grew up before migrating to the Philippines.

Most of the dishes on the Khandan menu are deeply personal to Khan, like the Chicken Karahi (P338), his late father's specialty. It took the chef quite some time to work it into his restaurant's repertoire. This dish, so obviously made with warmth (not just because of its piquant ingredients), may be best described to Pinoys as "adobong tuyo," with a sauce that's made with mustard oil, ghee, tomatoes, and a medley of spices.

Other dishes we recommend are the Chicken Biryani (P229), Beef Biryani (P239), and the Chicken and Beef Kebab Combi with Biryani Rice (P259)—all of which are Khandan's bestsellers when he first started operations in Cavite during the pandemic. Wipe your plate clean of their delicious sauces with Khandan's flaky Paratha (P59/piece), take sips of Sweet Lassi (P99) in between, and then end your meal with the Gulab Jamun (P69).

Khan's parents played a huge role with regards his love for food. "When we were young, my father gave us competitions sa bahay. Whatever we have sa kitchen, we make something out of it," he shares with a poignant smile. "This [food] is the only legacy I have from my father and mother, wala kasi kaming minana. I wanted to continue it until makarating sa mga anak ko."

Khandan is at 6 Santa Clara Street, Pasig. Open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Saturday. For more information, check out Khandan Kapitolyo - Kebab Biryani House's Facebook page.

Warung Kapitolyo

Anyone looking for a not-your-usual Asian fare and a fine spot to have a leisurely lunch will be delighted with this nearly 10-year-old restaurant run by sisters Tess and Lou Doctora. Hidden in quiet East Capitol Drive, Warung Kapitolyo is an oasis in the heart of the city, offering hearty and flavorful Indonesian staples from Gado-gado (P245) to Nasi Goreng (P245) in a refined setting: a spacious 60s-style bungalow dotted with just the right amount of Balinese touches.

It all started with a kiosk (or “warung”) at the Legaspi Sunday Market, where the sweet and tender Sate Ayam (P245) remains a fast seller. In Kapitolyo, Tess and Lou continue to convince local palates that Indonesian food goes beyond spicy. We recommend their soothing (maybe even healing) Soto Ayam (P245), a yellow soup with turmeric, vermicelli noodles, and chicken and rice cake strips; as well as the Bakmi Goreng (P255), a savory stir-fried noodle dish which you could have with a milder spiciness (but we suggest you go for the real spicy one just for kicks). The noodles here are thick but they’re flavorful and bouncy, you’ll finish an entire order on your own—it doesn’t hurt that the noodles are made in-house daily.

The sisters love to cook and clearly run their operation with a personal touch (they’re not Doctoras for nothing). You may even chance upon one of them stopping by each table and having a conversation with guests like they’ve been coming here for years. And it’s very likely they have.

Warung Kapitolyo is at 83 E Capitol Dr, Pasig. Open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Tuesday to Thursday); 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Saturday to Sunday). For more information, check out Warung Kapitolyo's Instagram page.

St. Patrick's Pub

St. Patrick's Pub is Kapitolyo's one and only Irish-themed pub which opened 11 years ago. It has dimly lit interiors with Instagrammable neon signages that stand out in every room. Those in the know will lead you to a hidden area on the second floor, where behind a sliding shelf emblazoned with a "Soup of the day: COCKTAILS" sign on the wall hide bottles and bottles of liquor. 

St. Patrick's Pub may have kicked things off with a menu straight out of an Irish pub playbook—think fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and proper pints of Guinness—but co-owner Patrick Garcia admits the crowd, a mix of millennials and Gen Zs, eventually craved something closer to home. So in came the Filipino bar chow such as sizzling Salpicao, punchy Gambas, and a perfectly crispy Crispy Tokwa.

These are the kind of dishes that demand ice-cold beer—served in a frosty mug, of course. But if you're not a beer drinker, St. Patrick's Pub does have a signature cocktail called St. Paddy's Irish Maiden (P270), the ever-classic, can-do-no-wrong Amaretto Sour (P280), and the deceptively innocent Dark and Stormy (P280) that's served in a Martini glass: sweet on the tongue but sneaks up on you halfway through.

St. Patrick's Pub is at 24D E Capitol Drive, Pasig. Open from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. (Monday to Thursday), 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. (Friday and Saturday), and from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. (Sunday). For more information, check out St. Patrick's Instagram page.

Molly's Donuts & Asian Cafe Eats Cafe

Molly's Donuts & Asian Cafe Eats is a doughnut shop-cafe-restaurant you can find within the Pioneer Center Supermarket compound—perfectly right beside its sibling brand Mad Mark's Creamery.

The best doughnut on the menu is the Roasted Brown Butter (P95), a brioche doughnut coated in a mixture of slow-roasted butter, white chocolate, and 100% natural cacao butter. For its salty-sweet counterpart, the Molly's Bacon Bomb (P95) has a caramel glaze and studded with crunchy bacon bits. Pair either with the cafe's Dirrrty Horchata (P210), a dairy-free, cinnamon-spiced concoction that uses oat milk, roasted brown sugar, and a shot of espresso to give you the “duhrrr-ty” experience it’s named for, or go for the Spanish Latte (P170), which is made with homemade caramel—because who doesn't love people putting in the extra effort?

In a country that somehow settles for subpar-to-average doughnuts, you can spend a little more for Molly's brioche doughnut and not regret the splurge—this we can assure you. The only thing you'll probably regret? Not ordering more.

Molly's Donuts & Asian Cafe Eats Cafe is at GF, Pioneer Center Supermarket, Pioneer Street corner United Street, Pasig. Open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Sunday. For more information, check out Molly's Donuts & Asian Cafe Eats' Instagram page.

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