One of the most recent additions to Maginhawa Street is Theo's a cozy and fun cafe in Central…read moreMaginhawa. It is found along the newer string of stores that occupy the space near the gym and the barangay hall. It has been open only for a few weeks, but it already has a steady following. The interiors are really cute and interesting. Downstairs, they have a few seating that prominently features a swing chair. Upstairs, you will find really woodsy interiors that remind you of being inside a small cabin. I love how cozy the place is. It just makes me want to settle down there with my computer or a book to read, and it would make just the perfect location to get some work done. What I also love about Theo's is the warm service that I always get from the hands-own owners who help out in the management of the place. Krystal (or however you spell her name) is always smiling and bubbly, and she always has great recommendations. I have been there several times to enjoy their cakes, which Krystal's husband apparently makes at home. I have tried their moist chocolate cake, which was superb (but not superb enough to beat my mom's secret recipe). I have also had their cinnamon buns to go, which was super nice, because it had the perfect amount of spice. I also love their cherry chocolate cake which is covered with white icing. The cakes are not that expensive, so you can always get more than one slice to indulge your sweet tooth. The coffee is so-so. I have to go back and experience more to actually have a fair opinion about their espresso.

Nice to see that there's almost always something new to check out in my backyard. Theo's was on the…read moreradar ever since I saw it on soft opening during one of my afternoon walks. And good on them opening amidst a cluster of milk tea places. I'd say that's a pretty interesting move but given the student population needing somewhere to hang out and work? I can see the need for another cafe. This one's pretty cut and dry. There's nothing that really stands out from the crowd here. It's a coffee place, it serves coffee, it has food and dessert. Pretty much what you'd expect from that kind of establishment. While I haven't tried any of the rice meals yet, I do have to agree that the cheesecake is exceptionally good. It isn't too sweet nor is it bland. It's a good balance of sweet with a nice texture that isn't cloying or nakakaumay. Definitely worth coming back for. First impression though was that it looks like a pretty small place so even if they've got a second floor, you might want to wait until peak hours are over to come in for coffee.

Comfiest cafe I've ever been!! Couldn't contain my excitement when I was about to enter the cafe…read more Printed photos greeted me, they even have a tree full of pictures of their customers who were having a good time in the cafe. The place was comfy not because there were couches everywhere but because you've-got-the-entire-floor-to-yourselves-with-comfy-pillows type of comfy. The place is not a typical tables and chairs cafe, what you'll see are sort of cabins with throw pillows that's enough for you and your friends to fit in. The place is also perfect if you have gadgets (wifi availability!), you can easily plug it on the wall socket if you ran out of battery. And every cabin has one. How generous, right? The place is great and cozy, the concept was superb. However, if you're planning for a quiet Me Time in the cafe, you might get distracted with other customers, they tend to get really noisy. The Main Event Travel Caramel Frappe Caramel Macchiato Blueberry Cheesecake I was told that Blueberry cheesecake was their best-seller so I've tried it, although it was great, it didn't stand out from other blueberry cheesecake I've tried. The coffees were just right, too. One thing that I love about this place? It's very Instagram-friendly!! We were billed less than P600 for 2. Inclusive of service charge.

Lasallian old-timers will remember Cafe Noriter above the Tapa King at the corner of Taft Avenue…read moreand Estrada St. Even older-timers might remember the pool hall there too where people used to sit and watch the Oblation Run offshoot when the Bar Exams were still held in DLSU. Or was that just me? Getting back on track and away from bouncing balls, the owner of Cafe Noriter opened a new place in the building right beside in, in Archer's Nook Dormitory. Lasallians, this is the building with the Yellow Cab and Army Navy. Take the stairs to the second floor and you'll see a very Korean coffee place, with a very Korean owner greeting you at the door, and very Korean pop music playing on low in the background. The restaurant itself is THE dream for students with extra-long breaks between classes. Like the old Noriter, it features double-deck loft-type nooks filled with the most comfortable marshmallow pillows you can imagine. I've fallen asleep on these pillows and I'm proud of it. Oh wait, I'm not. Remember that very Korean owner by the door? He's also very gorgeous and he carries a camera with him, and he takes a photo of every guest after they've settled in, which he posts on Facebook and on the main wall. Ladies (and men, I don't know) take note and prepare accordingly. The prices are a bit steep, but let's face it, you'll probably only order one slice of cake (if you do, try the blueberry cheesecake -- it's heavenly) and stay there for hours on end. Can't blame you. I've done that countless times.

Upon venturing into the streets of Maginhawa to look for new and undiscovered restaurants, my…read morefriends and I decided to look for a place where we could just stay away from the sun. The Sweet Spot, a cozy-looking and rustic café, is just what we have been looking for. The whole shop is well-lit making it a suitable place for school or work-related tasks and it has two-floors that could easily accommodate more than fifty customers. While waiting for your order, you can even borrow books or newly-published magazines that may pique your interest. They also offer a variety of food; unlike most coffee shops, they serve entrees. Ordering took less than a minute. My friends and I ordered a piece of Grilled Chicken with Fruit Salsa and Pineapple and Bell Pepper Pilaf. The hint of spiciness from the Bell Pepper Pilaf and the tang from the Fruit Salsa with chunks of Pineapples gave the whole dish a balanced flavor; everything was just heavenly. Even after you finish your meal, you can't just help but stay there for a while and appreciate the warm and cozy atmosphere that you wouldn't feel anywhere else in Maginhawa.

Ever dreamt of your own trendy loft in a beautiful city? I do. A lot. And while that dream is yet…read moreto become a reality, maybe you could make do with The Sweet Spot in 189 Maginhawa, at least for the loft part anyway. PROS: Beautifully wonderful interiors with high ceilings, expansive floor space, and cute decors. I could settle down there, really; Book nooks are always a good point for any establishment, and this one has a nice selection; This is the perfect lounging space for friends to meet and catch up, or for winding down date night with a SO; They occasionally hold calligraphy lessons there. CONS: Food-wise, there has been more than one time where they don't seem to have particular menu items available; The green tea latte seemed to have a mysterious aftertaste; I had their turtle pie, and it was a sticky disappointment. TL;DR: Ambiance can take you a long way even if you have mediocre food and The Sweet Spot gets that.

Great place to grab a cup of coffee or a drink. I had the best Buko pandan latte here. They also…read moreserve pastries here. I enjoyed the view from the top as there's additional seating upstairs. Staff were friendly. I purchased a bag of coffee to take home as well. They have additional merchandise like tote bags.

Mango latte with graham crackers was excellent. The mango bits were more than ample. Sitting at…read moretheir rooftop as Saturday turns from day to night right next to all the tangled electrical wiring is nothing short of the Idyllic experience in Poblacion.

we came here for NYE since it was the only place that as able to accommodate us and boy im so glad…read morewe did. the menu has a variety of options. my husband had the bicol express, kids had lasagna and i had the shrimp pasta. my order came out first and my kids wanted to try it. for sure i thought they wouldn't like it but they ended up finishing most of it since their lasagna was taking a bit (which we were informed ahead of time). they loved the shrimp pasta so much we had to order another one. yes it was that good! the bicol express was also good and so was the lasagna. the service was great. considering we were the last group seated on NYE, we didn't feel rushed at all. but of course we were also being conscious since we didn't want to be "those customers".

Food was the best. Especially the chicken adobo with braised pork. Service was on top and beautiful…read moreambience.

Visited this place for the first time. Was initially thinking of having a sweet bun + coffee for…read morebreakfast, was surprised to learn that this place didn't have any! Ordered hot food instead and it was (again) surprisingly good. Oat Latte/Cappuccino were also very good (there are very few baristas who can foam Oat Milk well). We chose to sit at the 2nd floor and service was still very good (we were the only customers upstairs). Only complain I have against this place is that they only have 1 shared toilet which I believe can be a challenge since this place is really big. Will definitely visit this place again, highly recommended!

We love the ambiance, service and of course the coffee. Our go to place for breakfast and coffee.read more

Still one of my escape place. Still very relaxing and the staff was very accomodating…read more We have tried different food. A. Timesquare: nachos, ground beef w/mayo and bbq sauce. It was ok taste the bbq sauce is kinda off for my taste. B. Cheesy fries: curvy fries it was seasoned well with bacon and drizzled with cheese C. Burger and fries: meaty flavor not greasy and it has a delicious taste that is not too heavy..

Cute little hidden cafe in located in Noveleta. From the outside looking in you'd think that the…read moreplace was sketch but once you go through the green door you will not be disappointed! Service was friendly and on point and the decor was really cute! Menu and food had cute names and tasted great. They also give large portions for such a low price! Will definitely be back!

Been wanting to visit this restaurant but I rarely go around the area. It's can be quiet spot to…read morework alone or to Brunch with friends. They serve mostly comfort food and I went for the truffle pasta. Ended the meal with Creme Brulee and a cup of Coffee. Service is commendable and safety protocols is being implemented.

This is my newest go-to hang out spot. The vibe in Flossom is so fresh and the place is overflowing…read morewith positive energy. The bright windows and skylight, pastel floor to ceiling murals, and flower blossoms on the walls and tables make the perfect backdrop to your usual Sunday brunch or client meeting. It's the perfect place for when you want to catch up with friends or spend time with family. It's also great for days when you want to enjoy some quiet time alone. The food here tastes great and the servings are generous. I usually order the spicy shrimp pasta, honey chorizo pasta, or the trashcan nachos. Did I mention it's also super IG worthy? If you're in the mood for all day breakfast, oozing cheesy yummies, or just some coffee and cake in the afternoon, this place is your best bet. The service is genuinely accommodating and I'm here so often that the servers already know me. You can trust me on this, you'll have a great time (and lots of great pictures!) at Flossom.