Once a morning brew that wakes us up to the day, coffee is now dominating cities around the world, day and night. while it may not be a modern discovery, the massive, upgraded resurgence of the coffee culture has completely permeated modern society that it has become more personal, a passion, and even a lifestyle.

Coffee shops sprang up across cities that, of late, we judge the vibrancy of a city by how plentiful the outlets of coffee houses it hosted. More often than not, coffee shops are markers of local gentrification; it sustains a bustling city. Not only are they trendy social hubs for great conversations, but they have also gained increased acceptability for professional meetings. Deals are best closed over a cup of joe.

Coffee is a more tenable social lubricant that encourages discussions, as well as stimulates creative thinking. The slow and crafted coffee culture evokes the artistry and creativity of both mavens and fans through a mindful coffee experience from pouring to sipping.

In Cebu, international coffee brands mushroom in the metro. Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf opened at least five stores last year in a robust expansion effort. Local Cebu designer Vito Selma is showcased in its forest wood-themed interiors at the Light Site Parc.

Starbucks Philippines offers drive thru services at its Axis Entertainment Avenue branch. It has also progressively offered new coffee trends, like the cold brew and even the coffee planner craze.

Cebu’s very own Bo’s Coffee features Philippine homegrown Arabica beans from Filipino farmers north and south of the country, while Coffee Dream highlights local Robusta beans from the coffee farms of Tuburan, Cebu.

The number of coffee shops opening in Cebu grows exponentially. More are offering not just the typical hot brew, but also other coffee inspirations and activities promotion coffee appreciation. These are five coffee shops in Cebu that are distinct in their hipster aesthetics, and culture-forward events and initiatives.

Cardinal Coffee

photography by Gia Mayola

Coffee comes in many different guises. Mostly, it can either be milky lattes, or intense concoctions like americanos and espressos. however you like your coffee, Cardinal Coffee has a perfect pair for itóit was first known as a successful bakery before it became a coffee shop. Cardinal Coffeeís Cheese Roll is one of the trending souvenir food items from Cebu.

Savory breads and pastries like their hearty chicken quiche and light-as-a-cloud cheese rolls go along very well with their more intense coffee. The milky variants purvey complimentary flavors more to sweet food, like their Yema Cake and Boston Cream Pie Cake.

Don Jose Avila St. corner Don Gil GarciaSt., Capitol Site, Cebu City
Open from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM on
Monday to Thursdays, and 7:00 AM to
12:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays

Linear Coffee Roasters

photography by Gia Mayola

Linear Coffee Roasters is a small specialty coffee shop with a big passion to evangelize their love for their beans. Once you are here, you are not just up for some special blends, but also for a quick coffee appreciation session with their devoted baristas. They double as personal coffee guides, eager to unravel the coffee preparation from harvest to cup.

Like anything else, the capacity to appreciate coffee is only limited by the profundity of knowledge a coffeephile has acquired.

BIG Hotel, Parkmall Drive
Open from 9:00AM to 6PM everyday except Mondays and Thursdays
12:00PM to 6:00PM on Mondays
7:00AM to 6:00PM on Thursdays

Coffee Prince Cebu

photography by Gia Mayola

Coffee Prince is a leader in introducing Korean-inspired coffee shops in Cebu. Since they opened in August 2014, they have gained loyal customers and expanded the refurbished old house that they occupied by providing an equally lovely patio and a terrace for alfresco dining. The picturesque area is complemented by their regular soulful events like the Poetry Night and Jam Sessions, and for their more competitive patrons, Coffee Prince also holds Slogos Night.

0246 Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City
Open from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM everyday

Bicester Cafe

photography by Tristan Laput

Coffee is mostly associated with breakfast. Bicester Cafe cleverly makes breakfast available all day so that you can enjoy your coffee and breakfast, heavy or light, anytime without the trouble of waking up early in the morning. Bicester Cafe encapsulates the clean and bright high street vibe of Bicester Village in London, with a twist of neon lights.

Mahogany Place Arcade, Pope John Paul II Ave.,
Mabolo, Cebu City
Open from 7:00 Am to 10:00 PM on Mondays to
Saturdays, and 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Sundays

Drip and Draft

photography by Nath Ybañez

There is a place where the upper meets the downer, and it is called Drip and Draft. It’s a hybrid store that offers both healthier specialty coffee beans—high grade single-origin coffee from Rwanda, Panama and Nicaragua—and locally crafted beers on tap. Now on its new location, Drip and Draft has ample space, a bar, and bigger and longer tables for groups. The place is ideal for some beer nights when you just want the booze and not the loud music in bars.

Streetscape, Paseo Saturnino,
Banilad, Cebu City
Open from 7:00 AM to 12:00 on Sundays
to Mondays, and 7:00 AM to 2:00 AM on
Fridays and Saturdays