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Bukas Cafe is a cozy Filipino cafe that's better for take away rather than eating inside. The indoor space is limited and it is first come, first serve. When I visited on a Sunday afternoon, there was a steady turnover of customers and a line was always forming. If you're planning on visiting with a large group of people this isn't the spot. They're opened from Wednesday through Sunday from 9am to 3pm. For food, we tried both the Chicken and Pork Adobo Jalapeno Melt, which are served with jalapeño chips. The sandwiches were very filling. Each melt comes with your choice of chicken or pork, mozzarella, pickled onions, jalapeños, all on sourdough bread and served with garlic dip. Also tried the drinks such as the Berry Much and Ube Eclipse. I tried those since they were caffeine free. The Berry Much was made with strawberry jam which makes it standout. Both have cream on top which they ask you to try before mixing it around in your drinks. Overall, Bukas is a small but welcoming cafe. It serves as a great spot for someone who went a quick in and out spot.
We came to Bukas Café at 9am on a Saturday and there was already a short line of people. The café has limited seating and it did fill up within 20min of opening. The Adobo Jalapeno Melt ($14) comes with option of chicken or pork, a side of jalapeno chips, adobo drippings and aoli creamy sauce. We ordered both to try. They were good, but if you want more flavor then go for the pork. I'm not a coffee lover, but the tea I wanted was not available when I went, so I might not be able to appreciate the drinks as I should. The staff recommended that you sip from the top before mixing the drinks so you can taste the cream. The Bukas Na ($6.50) is topped with coconut salt imported from the Philippines. The Ube Eclipse ($6.50) had a purple yam nutty flavor. Note that getting the drinks cold is an additional $1. Space is cozy, but felt lively.
I walked in on a Sunday afternoon and the line wasn't too bad. They have many unique drinks. I tried the Ube Eclipse and Champorada. They recommended trying the cream before mixing the drinks. They were nice and sweet. The coffee in them was good. It can get pricey though. I wanted to try the flan pastry but they didn't have any at the time. They also sell Devoción coffee. There are a decent amount of seats. It can get hot in there.
I would give this a 4.5 but I'll say it closer to a 5. Only negative points was the bukas na latte which had a super presentation when they grate the asin tibuok on it but the drink itself was mid. But...the adobo jalapeño cheese melt white different I'm still thinking about it here in California. The desserts were ok and I think I picked the ones that were ok, cuz there were a few of them that looked better. I recommend hitting this place up when in Queens!
Very cozy and tasty Filipino cafe! Had the pandan pastry, adobo sandwich, and bukas na latte. The salt on the bukas latte was very interesting. I hadn't seen that used before, but I thought it paired well with the latte. The adobo sandwich was tasty as well, especially with the white sauce that it came with. It became quite heavy after a few bites. The pandan pastry was really tasty! Service was fast and friendly but lines get super long. Prepare to wait in line for a couple of minutes (10-15 min). Best for small groups (up to 3) but I've seen large groups come here and just chill/stand.
Stopped by for lunch on a Sunday and it was pretty busy the whole time. The inside is pretty cozy and small, so it's best suited for small groups of 2-3 max. There was a consistent line of about 5-8 people the entire time we were there. We waited probably about 10 minutes to place an order, and all the seats were taken but we managed to grab a table right as another couple was leaving. They currently have two sandwiches on their food menu - a jalapeno adobo melt and pimiento melt. For the jalapeno adobo melt, you can choose either chicken or pork (I chose pork) and it comes with a side of garlic aioli and extra adobo juice. It was tasty! The pimiento melt was more like a grilled cheese, but came with a side of condensed milk for dipping. Of the two, I liked the jalapeno adobo melt more. The drink menu has a lot of interesting looking espresso and latte drinks on it. I tried the Ube Eclipse, which was a fun blend of espresso, ube cream, and milk. I'd come back to try more of their drinks. They have a standard coffee menu too, with coffee from Devocion. There is also a display case by the register with Filipino pastries like pandesal and mochi from The Boiis co. One ask for the owner if you're reading this: please put a copy of the menu in the window / by the door so people can look while they're waiting on line!
This is an amazing café the food drinks and pastries are all great! The drinks were all a hit too, and my favorites were the Ube latte and their signature latte. The pastries were great too. My favorite was the mango mango pastry, and the Ube cookie with cornflakes. The service was extremely friendly and the atmosphere inside was great too. I really like the retro phone in the corner playing music. This place is definitely worth checking out and I highly recommend!
YAY for Filipino Cafe!!! I was really excited to try this spot in Elmhurst! There's a wide selection of drinks that include Filipino ingredients like ube, kalamansi syrup, sikwate cream, and different salts, making them really unique. My partner and I tried two of the signature house lattes: bukas na and ube eclipse. The ube eclipse was really nice and the cream didn't overpower the drink with sweetness, and still allowed the coffee flavor to come through. The bukas na was really cool! The owner came over to the table and grated this artisanal tultul salt over the drink, from an actual block of salt. She also let us try the salt by itself. Sure enough, it tasted salty, but also had such interesting undertones that I haven't had before! There's only a few food options, including several sandwiches, and pastries that they outsource from other local Filipino bakers, per the owner. We shared the adobo jalapeno melt (you can choose either chicken or pork option). It reminded me of a french dip because it comes with adobo jus on the side for dipping, and the sandwich itself has this great crunch. You just know we downed that sandwich QUICK. As it is located in Elmhurst, the prices are refreshingly affordable (the lattes are only $5.50!! which you just cannot find in Manhattan these days). Bukas Cafe is a really nice space, and it has very friendly owners that were very passionate when speaking about their cafe and intentional menu items as we were looking through their menu.
Bukas Cafe is a new Filipino spot in Elmhurst and it's already a huge hit in the neighborhood. My overall experience was a 4.5, rounded up to 5 for Yelp. The drinks were absolutely amazing, and the service was incredibly friendly and personal. That said, it does feel like they're still getting their bearings as a new business that's experiencing big success right off the bat. I stopped in on a Sunday around noon and the place was packed. The cafe is pretty small and there was a constant flow of people coming in, with a line out the door. Every seat was taken the entire time I was there. The owner was handling the register and making drinks, with one other person working on food. You could tell she was doing her best to keep things moving. Because the cafe and kitchen are directly behind the counter and the ventilation wasn't very strong, the inside did have a strong aroma that got smokey at times. It's not a big deal but just something to be mindful of, if you plan on sitting inside, your clothes will probably absorb the food and oil scents. It took about 40 minutes from the time I arrived to get my two drinks. I was debating between getting them hot or iced and while the owner recommended them iced, they actually ran out of ice. Both drinks were amazing hot though, so I didn't mind. You can really tell that each drink is a labor of love, from the coffee to the foam and toppings. For the bukas na, the owner came to the table and scraped tultul salt from the Philippines fresh from a block. The personal touch felt very meaningful and honestly made the wait feel worth it. The bukas na was my favorite--the perfect balance of light sweetness with a little saltiness, topped with cold foam. The ube eclipse was a close second, with a rich ube flavor that wasn't overpowered by sweetness. I also tried the caramel coconut donut, which was pretty good. It was a bit heavy, but the filling was very tasty. Overall, amazing drinks, warm and personal service, and clearly a lot of care put into what they're making. Be prepared for a wait and a packed space, but it's easy to see why Bukas Cafe is already so popular.
This place was absolutely amazing!! I had to wait on a line that went out the door on a Saturday rainy morning, but the wait was well worth it because i had one of the best ube lattes of my life!! It was the perfect amount of nuttiness, creaminess, and espresso. I also got the pork adobo jalapeño melt, which was amazing! It came with a garlic aioli sauce and a pork adobo oil sauce which was soo good. It was a lot of food so i packed the rest to go. It was packed indoors but the staff was still super attentive. I just wish there were more chairs like chairs along the big table near the door beside i was standing and eating for most of the time. But I will definitely be back.
I discovered Bukas Cafe from an IG video by Jan Vincent Gonzales and I was ready to be disappointed as we sometimes are by IG reviews. However that was not the case I absolutely loved Bukas Cafe and WILL be going back soon! The ambience is great people laughing good vibes and energy. The employees are VERY kind and attentive with an emphasis on hospitality. They made excellent recommendations and treat the coffee service as if it's an experience by telling you about your items flavor profile. There is limited seating and it was a bit warm inside but nothing that would keep me from returning and bringing friends wit My order was taken by the co-owner Anna and I really appreciated her making sure I understood what I was ordering. I I ordered 3 items - 1. Adobo Jalapeno Melt - I wasn't sure if I wanted Chicken or Pork and asked Anna for help and she said she really loves chicken so I want with that 9.5/10 It comes with adobo drippings and a garlic sauce both delicious but I wish the containers were full. 2. Sweet Salty You - she took the time to make sure I understood this was an espresso shot size Bev and not a large "latte" size drink I think that's so kind because some places wouldn't take the time to make sure you understand. 10/10 3. DXB Days - WOW I couldn't decide between this and the Ube (bc I LOVE ube) but I also am a huge cardamom fan. Anna reminded me finding a cardamom drink is hard so try that! I don't know if this was made with store bought syrup or if they make it in house but I don't even care because it was so delicious from the first sip to the last drop. It was so well balanced and not overly sweet 10/10. For this Cafe being on the newer side they've got their service, timing & menu figured out. Amazing service cannot recommend enough!
Really glad I checked this place out just opened in Elmhurst and I stopped in on my way to Lidl. The vibe inside is super chill. Lots of plants, nice light, good music. Feels like a place you'd hang for a while, but it's pretty busy right now (good reasons). Sandos are legit. Don't sleep on the spicy chicken one and def don't skip the dipping sauces.
2 months ago
Had the Camporado drink and the three cheeses it was so good. The staff is so nice and friendly. While I was here I felt like I was at my cousin's place back in batangas The feel of the place is cozy. It does get crowed because of their viral success but it's so good seeing a spot that feels familiar taking Filipino flavors in a progressive direction. read more
I have been on the hunt for ube anything lately and came across Bukas Cafe on social media. They are closed Monday/Tuesday and open the rest of the week. Visited first thing Saturday morning. They are located off a main road, residential parking everywhere around and easy to find at that early time on a weekend. I walked up a few minutes before 9 am and there were already 6 - 8 people waiting outside. They opened shop at 9 on the dot, staff were very friendly and welcoming. The inside is very very quaint, some seating areas but not many. I tried the ube eclipse, ube butter mochi, and ube crinkle. Paid just over $20. The butter mochi - $5 - was surprisingly small, and while decent texture, I wouldn't run back for it again. The ube crinkle cookie - $6 - was delicious and the staff had mentioned they tend to sell out of them early in the day; I definitely see why. The iced ube eclipse drink - $7.50 - comes in one size and O MY! If you love ube, this is the 'it' drink. The ube cold foam is out of this world, the amount of espresso is perfect, I think they use ube milk too. It is so rich in flavor and texture that I had it over two days. If I find myself in Elmhurst and Bukas is open, I am absolutely coming back for another drink. They offer other Filipino drinks, treats, and sandwiches. I would recommend! read more
Came on a heat wave morning so while I understand it was during a heat wave, they had 2 ACs running and it was still hot. Most people had their portable hand fan running - so this did take away from the experience. I ordered the ube latte with no coffee and it was delicious. My boyfriend had a unique one that came with the shaved salt from a stone - unique but wasn't amazing. Tried the pimento grilled cheese - love that it came with a side of condensed milk because it was a great salt and sweet combo. Will love to come back and try their pastries. read more
Bukas Cafe is a cozy Filipino cafe that's better for take away rather than eating inside. The indoor space is limited and it is first come, first serve. When I visited on a Sunday afternoon, there was a steady turnover of customers and a line was always forming. If you're planning on visiting with a large group of people this isn't the spot. They're opened from Wednesday through Sunday from 9am to 3pm. For food, we tried both the Chicken and Pork Adobo Jalapeno Melt, which are served with jalapeño chips. The sandwiches were very filling. Each melt comes with your choice of chicken or pork, mozzarella, pickled onions, jalapeños, all on sourdough bread and served with garlic dip. Also tried the drinks such as the Berry Much and Ube Eclipse. I tried those since they were caffeine free. The Berry Much was made with strawberry jam which makes it standout. Both have cream on top which they ask you to try before mixing it around in your drinks. Overall, Bukas is a small but welcoming cafe. It serves as a great spot for someone who went a quick in and out spot. read more
We came to Bukas Café at 9am on a Saturday and there was already a short line of people. The café has limited seating and it did fill up within 20min of opening. The Adobo Jalapeno Melt ($14) comes with option of chicken or pork, a side of jalapeno chips, adobo drippings and aoli creamy sauce. We ordered both to try. They were good, but if you want more flavor then go for the pork. I'm not a coffee lover, but the tea I wanted was not available when I went, so I might not be able to appreciate the drinks as I should. The staff recommended that you sip from the top before mixing the drinks so you can taste the cream. The Bukas Na ($6.50) is topped with coconut salt imported from the Philippines. The Ube Eclipse ($6.50) had a purple yam nutty flavor. Note that getting the drinks cold is an additional $1. Space is cozy, but felt lively. read more
30 days ago
I walked in on a Sunday afternoon and the line wasn't too bad. They have many unique drinks. I tried the Ube Eclipse and Champorada. They recommended trying the cream before mixing the drinks. They were nice and sweet. The coffee in them was good. It can get pricey though. I wanted to try the flan pastry but they didn't have any at the time. They also sell Devoción coffee. There are a decent amount of seats. It can get hot in there. read more
I would give this a 4.5 but I'll say it closer to a 5. Only negative points was the bukas na latte which had a super presentation when they grate the asin tibuok on it but the drink itself was mid. But...the adobo jalapeño cheese melt white different I'm still thinking about it here in California. The desserts were ok and I think I picked the ones that were ok, cuz there were a few of them that looked better. I recommend hitting this place up when in Queens! read more
Very cozy and tasty Filipino cafe! Had the pandan pastry, adobo sandwich, and bukas na latte. The salt on the bukas latte was very interesting. I hadn't seen that used before, but I thought it paired well with the latte. The adobo sandwich was tasty as well, especially with the white sauce that it came with. It became quite heavy after a few bites. The pandan pastry was really tasty! Service was fast and friendly but lines get super long. Prepare to wait in line for a couple of minutes (10-15 min). Best for small groups (up to 3) but I've seen large groups come here and just chill/stand. read more
4 months ago
Stopped by for lunch on a Sunday and it was pretty busy the whole time. The inside is pretty cozy and small, so it's best suited for small groups of 2-3 max. There was a consistent line of about 5-8 people the entire time we were there. We waited probably about 10 minutes to place an order, and all the seats were taken but we managed to grab a table right as another couple was leaving. They currently have two sandwiches on their food menu - a jalapeno adobo melt and pimiento melt. For the jalapeno adobo melt, you can choose either chicken or pork (I chose pork) and it comes with a side of garlic aioli and extra adobo juice. It was tasty! The pimiento melt was more like a grilled cheese, but came with a side of condensed milk for dipping. Of the two, I liked the jalapeno adobo melt more. The drink menu has a lot of interesting looking espresso and latte drinks on it. I tried the Ube Eclipse, which was a fun blend of espresso, ube cream, and milk. I'd come back to try more of their drinks. They have a standard coffee menu too, with coffee from Devocion. There is also a display case by the register with Filipino pastries like pandesal and mochi from The Boiis co. One ask for the owner if you're reading this: please put a copy of the menu in the window / by the door so people can look while they're waiting on line! read more
This is an amazing café the food drinks and pastries are all great! The drinks were all a hit too, and my favorites were the Ube latte and their signature latte. The pastries were great too. My favorite was the mango mango pastry, and the Ube cookie with cornflakes. The service was extremely friendly and the atmosphere inside was great too. I really like the retro phone in the corner playing music. This place is definitely worth checking out and I highly recommend! read more
YAY for Filipino Cafe!!! I was really excited to try this spot in Elmhurst! There's a wide selection of drinks that include Filipino ingredients like ube, kalamansi syrup, sikwate cream, and different salts, making them really unique. My partner and I tried two of the signature house lattes: bukas na and ube eclipse. The ube eclipse was really nice and the cream didn't overpower the drink with sweetness, and still allowed the coffee flavor to come through. The bukas na was really cool! The owner came over to the table and grated this artisanal tultul salt over the drink, from an actual block of salt. She also let us try the salt by itself. Sure enough, it tasted salty, but also had such interesting undertones that I haven't had before! There's only a few food options, including several sandwiches, and pastries that they outsource from other local Filipino bakers, per the owner. We shared the adobo jalapeno melt (you can choose either chicken or pork option). It reminded me of a french dip because it comes with adobo jus on the side for dipping, and the sandwich itself has this great crunch. You just know we downed that sandwich QUICK. As it is located in Elmhurst, the prices are refreshingly affordable (the lattes are only $5.50!! which you just cannot find in Manhattan these days). Bukas Cafe is a really nice space, and it has very friendly owners that were very passionate when speaking about their cafe and intentional menu items as we were looking through their menu. read more
6 months ago
Bukas Cafe is a new Filipino spot in Elmhurst and it's already a huge hit in the neighborhood. My overall experience was a 4.5, rounded up to 5 for Yelp. The drinks were absolutely amazing, and the service was incredibly friendly and personal. That said, it does feel like they're still getting their bearings as a new business that's experiencing big success right off the bat. I stopped in on a Sunday around noon and the place was packed. The cafe is pretty small and there was a constant flow of people coming in, with a line out the door. Every seat was taken the entire time I was there. The owner was handling the register and making drinks, with one other person working on food. You could tell she was doing her best to keep things moving. Because the cafe and kitchen are directly behind the counter and the ventilation wasn't very strong, the inside did have a strong aroma that got smokey at times. It's not a big deal but just something to be mindful of, if you plan on sitting inside, your clothes will probably absorb the food and oil scents. It took about 40 minutes from the time I arrived to get my two drinks. I was debating between getting them hot or iced and while the owner recommended them iced, they actually ran out of ice. Both drinks were amazing hot though, so I didn't mind. You can really tell that each drink is a labor of love, from the coffee to the foam and toppings. For the bukas na, the owner came to the table and scraped tultul salt from the Philippines fresh from a block. The personal touch felt very meaningful and honestly made the wait feel worth it. The bukas na was my favorite--the perfect balance of light sweetness with a little saltiness, topped with cold foam. The ube eclipse was a close second, with a rich ube flavor that wasn't overpowered by sweetness. I also tried the caramel coconut donut, which was pretty good. It was a bit heavy, but the filling was very tasty. Overall, amazing drinks, warm and personal service, and clearly a lot of care put into what they're making. Be prepared for a wait and a packed space, but it's easy to see why Bukas Cafe is already so popular. read more
3 months ago
This place was absolutely amazing!! I had to wait on a line that went out the door on a Saturday rainy morning, but the wait was well worth it because i had one of the best ube lattes of my life!! It was the perfect amount of nuttiness, creaminess, and espresso. I also got the pork adobo jalapeño melt, which was amazing! It came with a garlic aioli sauce and a pork adobo oil sauce which was soo good. It was a lot of food so i packed the rest to go. It was packed indoors but the staff was still super attentive. I just wish there were more chairs like chairs along the big table near the door beside i was standing and eating for most of the time. But I will definitely be back. read more
2 months ago
2 months ago
I discovered Bukas Cafe from an IG video by Jan Vincent Gonzales and I was ready to be disappointed as we sometimes are by IG reviews. However that was not the case I absolutely loved Bukas Cafe and WILL be going back soon! The ambience is great people laughing good vibes and energy. The employees are VERY kind and attentive with an emphasis on hospitality. They made excellent recommendations and treat the coffee service as if it's an experience by telling you about your items flavor profile. There is limited seating and it was a bit warm inside but nothing that would keep me from returning and bringing friends wit My order was taken by the co-owner Anna and I really appreciated her making sure I understood what I was ordering. I I ordered 3 items - 1. Adobo Jalapeno Melt - I wasn't sure if I wanted Chicken or Pork and asked Anna for help and she said she really loves chicken so I want with that 9.5/10 It comes with adobo drippings and a garlic sauce both delicious but I wish the containers were full. 2. Sweet Salty You - she took the time to make sure I understood this was an espresso shot size Bev and not a large "latte" size drink I think that's so kind because some places wouldn't take the time to make sure you understand. 10/10 3. DXB Days - WOW I couldn't decide between this and the Ube (bc I LOVE ube) but I also am a huge cardamom fan. Anna reminded me finding a cardamom drink is hard so try that! I don't know if this was made with store bought syrup or if they make it in house but I don't even care because it was so delicious from the first sip to the last drop. It was so well balanced and not overly sweet 10/10. For this Cafe being on the newer side they've got their service, timing & menu figured out. Amazing service cannot recommend enough! read more
5 months ago
Really glad I checked this place out just opened in Elmhurst and I stopped in on my way to Lidl. The vibe inside is super chill. Lots of plants, nice light, good music. Feels like a place you'd hang for a while, but it's pretty busy right now (good reasons). Sandos are legit. Don't sleep on the spicy chicken one and def don't skip the dipping sauces. read more
3 months ago
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6 months ago
New coffee spot in Elmhurst! This Filipino owned café stays true to its roots and serves a variety of Filipino themed drinks and food. The place is medium small and seating is limited, but the employees work efficiently and are very courteous! I got the Bukas latte that came with some shaved coconut salt and it tasted heavenly! read more
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More info about Bukas Cafe
56-14 Van Horn St
Elmhurst, NY 11373
Elmhurst
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2 months ago
Bukas Cafe - coffee - Updated August 2026
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