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A Cup of Iloilo City
Iloilo
Immerse in Iloilo City’s social sphere by joining locals in their favorite pastime—drinking coffee. As social creatures, Ilonggos (locals of Iloilo) love to converge and engage in conversation (and gossip) over rich, steamy cups of sweet native coffee, proven by the abundance of cafes in the area. Watch elderly men reminisce about the past, middle-aged women talking about their children, and students looking towards the future as you take a seat in Iloilo City’s favorite coffee shops!
Through the alleys of La Paz Public Market, you’ll find the mug-covered walls of Madge Cafe. Known for its native Arabica coffee, the coffee shop has catered Ilonggos insatiable craving for caffeine since 1951. Choose between strong, regular, or mild blends to pair with a plate of Puto (steamed rice cake) or Ibos (sticky rice cake). Watch the baristas expertly mix your drinks—using the same recipe that locals have enjoyed since the joint opened—through a “culador” (Ilonggo term for a flannel sieve used to filter coffee beans) as you join the diverse mix of life savoring Madge Cafe’s sweet cup of joe.
- +63 33 501 6673
Lapaz Public Market, Rizal Street corner Huervana Street, La Paz, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines
- https://www.facebook.com/madgecafeatriaofficialpage/
Amidst the busy traffic of Benigno Aquino Avenue, Monkey Grounds Coffee provides a serene haven for caffeine-enthused commuters. Sample their range of vegetarian-friendly sandwiches, pasta dishes, and pastries as you sip on blends of different coffee beans and refreshing juices. Delight in occasional jam sessions and poetry nights sponsored by Monkey Grounds Coffee. The joint’s industrial interiors illuminated by bright fairy lights provide the perfect backdrop to appreciate Iloilo City’s creative community.
- +63 33 323 3438
Diversion Road, Barangay San Rafael, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines
- http://www.facebook.com/monkeygrounds/
A play on the Dutch word “koffie” (coffee) and “cafeteria,” Koffieteria serves single-origin javas for travelers at Iloilo International Airport. Aside from classic brews, the cafe has ice-blended beverages, non-caffeinated refreshments, and signature drinks. Try out Koffieteria’s trademark Dinagyang Brew, a butterscotch-flavored hand brewed concoction of native beans made using a V60 drip. Arriving or leaving Iloilo, drop by Koffieteria for a quick caffeine fix enjoyed over views of hustling tourists, family reunions, and hopeful goodbyes. Grab a bottle of their cold brew, too, for coffee on-the-go!
- +63 33 522 6973
Iloilo International Airport, Cabatuan, Iloilo, Philippines
- https://www.facebook.com/koffieteria/
Since opening in 2004, Coffee Break has mushroomed into multiple branches across the city to serve premium beverages and pastries to Ilonggos. Head over to their Smallville branch to join students buried in books, old-timers engrossed in conversation, and families having dessert. Quench your tropical heat-induced thirst by indulging in Coffee Break’s extensive selection of frappuccinos, best partnered with a slice of Chocolate Mousse cake!
- +63 33 326 6915
Smallville Complex, Glicerio Pison Avenue, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines
- https://coffeebreak.ph/
Since the 1960’s, New Deleonian Kapehan has satisfied Ilonggos with cheap, rich, and reliable cups of joe. As you’re seated on the rustic cafe on the outskirts of Central Public Market, you’ll hardly realize that you’re actually seated beside a local politician, prominent socialite, or famous media man—all loyal patrons of the “carinderia” (eatery). For a more unique experience, order your coffee to go and get it in a recycled tin can!
43 Iznart Street, Barangay Nonoy, City Proper, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines
Operated by local tour company Panay Tours Specialists, Inc. (PTSI), Cafe Panay doubles as a restaurant and a souvenir shop. Taste classic Ilonggo favorites like Fried Ibus (fried sticky rice cakes), Pansit Molo ni Mayang (pork dumpling soup), and Tabagak Aglio Olio (sun-dried herring) as you marvel at ancestral house-inspired interiors. Scan through the Cafe Panay shelves to find native food products and locally-made trinkets, and get a glimpse of the region’s culture.
- +63 33 320 6820
Ground Floor, Festive Walk Parade, Iloilo Business Park, Airport Road, Mandurriao, Iloilo City Iloilo, Philippines
- https://www.facebook.com/CafePanay/
Observe the comings and goings of Iloilo’s youth at GREG’s Coffee House. Situated across University of San Agustin, the coffee shop becomes a respite on busy school days. Their dependable selection of coffee drinks and home-baked goodies have kept high schoolers, undergraduates, and postgraduate students alert and enthusiastic to ace their classes.
- +63 920 914 5887
Ground Floor, Manfred's Place, Gen. Luna Street, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines
- http://www.facebook.com/Cofee.gregs/
Famous for their breakfast buffet, The Promenade at Days Hotel gives you an amazing view of Iloilo City over a delicious cup of coffee. Rub elbows with Ilonggo’s elite (and a few tourists) as you gaze into the busy urban streets below. During Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival, The Promenade at Days Hotel affords you one of the best views of the street dances!
- +63 33 337 3297
Days Hotel Iloilo, 4th Level, The Atrium, Gen. Luna Street, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines
- https://www.dayshotel.com.ph/the-promenade/
Commune with fellow health buffs at Barista Grounds Fit Cafe (BGFC)! Scan through the menu for an assortment of healthy food and drinks. Promoting a zero-deprivation lifestyle, BGFC keeps your diet in-check with customized fruit smoothies and calorie-counted dishes. BGFC is the perfect break after days of Batchoy (pork noodle soup), Lechon Manok (roast chicken), and KBL (abbreviation for Kadios, Baboy, Langka, a soup made of pigeon peas, pork, and jackfruit).
- +63 33 332 2207
Ground Floor, Unit Retail 3, Startek Building, Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City Mandurriao, Iloilo, Philippines
- http://www.facebook.com/baristagrounds.fitcafe/
Savor the taste of the province at LoCo (short for Local Coffee), a small kiosk at Food Park, Molo brewing locally-sourced, skillfully roasted caffeine beverages. With an advocacy to support and sustain Iloilo’s own, LoCo obtains their beans from provincial farms, building relationships with local harvesters. Help keep Iloilo’s prosperous coffee community alive by getting a cup of LoCo’s refreshing and sweet signature Cold Brew Coffee!
- +63 33 327 2048
Food Park, San Jose Street, Barangay San Pedro, Molo, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines
- https://www.localcoffeeph.com/
Sink into the luxurious black sofas of Seventy N Coffee and Drinkery for a laid back afternoon over yummy mugs of java. Find some stomach space and savor the restaurant’s hearty Rack of Ribs, Beef Salpicao, or Four-Cheese Pizza. Stay through the evening and witness the transformation of Seventy N Coffee and Drinkery from a cafe to a gastropub. Soak in the vibrant party scene of Iloilo as you are entertained by an energetic DJ in-between rounds of cocktails.
- +63 33 332 2913
70-N Jalandoni Street, Jaro, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines
- https://www.facebook.com/SeventyNIloilo
After a nice stroll along Molo Plaza, have a refreshing drink of iced coffee at Cafe Et Al. The small kiosk sponsored by the area’s Association of Barangay Captains serves delectable budget-friendly native coffee drinks. Pair your beverage with bread for a perfect afternoon “merienda” (snack) under the giant narra tree.
Molo Plaza, Molo, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines
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