Apologue Coffee & Pastry — Restaurant in Manila

It was such a hot day wandering around Binondo, and the streets were packed with people. We decided to avoid the crowd and ended up spotting this café. It was actually on our list of places to try since we saw Erwan Heussaff feature it, so we figured, why not?

From the outside, it had this Japanese café vibe—clean and inviting, with see-through glass and wooden panels. Once we stepped in, we were surprised by how spacious it was. The counter where you place your orders is on the left, and the menu is super easy to see.

Even though the café was packed, it still felt cool, relaxed, and not cramped at all. I loved how well the space was designed. We found a cozy spot toward the back, near some merchandise and the restroom. Honestly, it felt like sitting in a proper dining area at home—wide wooden tables, soft lighting, and minimal decor. Even the ceilings had this curved detail that gave the place a softer touch. Despite sharing the space with others, it felt private enough to work, journal, or just chill. Oh, and there’s a charging station, which is always a win.

Now, the coffee. I got an iced Americano, and it did not disappoint—it wasn’t acidic or overly bitter, just perfect with the cakes we ordered. The tres leches was an absolute treat, the ube colored ensaymada didn’t taste anything like ube, and the tiramisu wasn’t bad, though I wish the cake in it had been a bit more moist. We also tried the tablea latte, and wow—it was so good and unique. You don’t find that in a lot of places.

The restroom was clean, and the servers were really friendly, which added to the whole experience. Overall, I loved this spot. I’d definitely come back—maybe bring my journal and hang out for a...

We visited Binondo, the oldest Chinatown, which is famous for its amazing food. This time, we tried something new - @apologueph . Our friends told us about this cool new cafe, and we just had to check it out!

Our Order: Matcha Latte: PHP180 Black Sesame Latte: PHP210 Dirty Peach Cream Latte: PHP240 Carrot Walnut Cake: PHP250

Presentation: We went on a weekend afternoon, so it was a bit busy. The drinks looked awesome, perfect for Instagram! The layers in the drinks were visible. The cake looked yummy but seemed a bit sweet.

Flavor: Matcha Latte (My order): It had a great balance of matcha and creamy milk. Black Sesame Latte (Allana’s choice): Tasted like roasted sesame with a touch of coffee and milk. It had a strong, unique flavor. Dirty Peach Cream Latte (Rox’s choice): Tasted like a peach cream cake mixed with coffee. It was sweet and sour, with a surprising coffee kick. Carrot Walnut Cake (For sharing): Super sweet, with a hint of powdered sugar.

Verdict: I’ll definitely come back, especially to try the Binondo Latte. If you’re in Binondo, you should visit Apologue Coffee & Pastry. Great drinks and decent service!

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Apologue is a classy coffee shop that "aims to celebrate Binondo and it's story." Located along Benavidez St, this place is attracts a trendy crowd that appreciate delicious coffee and some great art.

The interior is beautifully decorated with a modern take on Spanish architectural influence. The walls are decorated with art featured by local artists. At the time of our visit, the exhibit featured photographs by Anson Yu (who also happened to be present there, too). This place also sells tote bags, t-shirts, and an art journal.

They offer an assortment of beverages like your classic Americano and flat White coffee. We also got to try the Spanish Latte and the Black Sesame Latte, esp since they are unique flavors we haven't had before. As for their pastries, they had great options like a white chocolate matcha cookie, strawberry tres leches, and an ube cheese tart. Everything we had was delicious and fresh. The service is exceptional, esp as they quickly accommodated our large party upon entry.

Things to note: -ceiling is pretty low towards the back -the restroom is a pretty tight space -very limited parking outside

We highly recommend checking Apologue for an...