Elsewhere Cafe — Restaurant in Manila

A hole in the wall located on the 3rd floor of some building just across La Salle-Taft and near Benilde. Food and beverages were mid, nothing to write home about even the presentation are meh. Hindi lasang ulit. The service could definitely have more improvement. The staffs there lacked warmth and hospitality of other establishments that would make you come back at least once even if their food is bad. All of them are nonchalant and very NPC-ish which I didn’t appreciate. Their only redeeming factor was some wall decoration with vinyl records and the trinket shop, maybe also the photo booth but I didn’t try it because I was alone. They have a vinyl player but they don’t use it and still use some speaker for the music, like what’s the point of the hip ambience if you’re not going to maximize your resources. Moreover, the trinket shop was pretty and hippy, loved the mirror kineme and mga pandagdag na mga palawit and kung anik aniks to my bag. It was a bit pricey though. I’m also disappointed because the aesthetic tv where you can see yourself through the projection of an old video camera was turned off. Yeah, that just added to the ick factor to my experience. I came alone expecting I would find somewhere I could escape but this was not it, kumbaga hip and cool in theory but loud and chaotic (not the good kind) in practice. The place was filled with kinda posh, “rich kids” (which they sound but didn’t look like, no offense. Oh, may disclaimer ha) and the place, the vibe, the energy, it just didn’t vibe nor align with me. Sa madaling salita, it ain’t for me. If you still want to try it, at least bring a friend. It’s not solo patron friendly. I could pretend to be like them (the other patrons) but just the thought of being disingenuous with myself already disgusts me. If you have an introverted personality who wants a calm, peaceful, and unpretentious environment, I’d recommend another place. I was also suppose to check out their other branch, “Somewhere Café” near UST, but after my experience here, I don’t see that...

Eclectic interior that is subdued. Lights are just bright enough to lit up the place but not to hurt your eyes. This is more of a hang-out spot rather than a study spot (for those looking for cafes as a study area). There's a decal/keychain/sticker shop that features independent artists and a photo booth. It's a place that can definitely keep your eyes busy.

I love how the cafe is tucked away inside this small unamusing building, it really adds to the charm. It's located on the 3rd floor and the entrance is to the left of the Domino's. It's quite spacious and can accommodate groups of 10's. There are tables for smaller groups and solo people.

The coffee was great and doesn't feel overpriced. They had interesting blends like the taho coffee which arnibal that tastes exactly like the ones that come with taho and small pearls. They also had a lot of options for snacks...

Best thing about this place is their vibe and decor. Mismatch chairs, vinyls, photo booths, and a stationary store. I had their Elsewhere latte but didn’t like it much. Also tried their Beef Gyudon, it’s ok and serving size is good. Their prices are mid to above average. They accept cash or gcash (no credit card). Could get a bit busy, especially with university students. I came here many times before (always on a weekend) but they were always busy and full, probably because it’s near a university. There are some outlets for charging. Not sure if they have wifi. Overall, a good hangout place with ok coffee and food. Fun to take pictures and a chill place to catch-up...