Kapitolyo Coffee Shops: Sip, Work, Chill
Kapitolyo coffee shops have become some of my favorite spots in Pasig. What used to be just a foodie neighborhood is now also a playground for coffee lovers, regardless if you’re a tito/tita looking for a chill hangout, a WFH warrior in need of WiFi, or someone who just wants to sip and people-watch while waiting for school pick-up (mej maraming pre-schools around the area).
I actually ended up coffee shop hopping in Kapitolyo by accident. Isla’s school is here, about 1.5 km from our house. Her class runs for two hours, which is just the right amount of time to get something done. At first, I thought I’d use those hours differently:
- Walk back home after drop-off, then walk again to fetch her para healthy daw.
- Bring my Brompton and bike around Kapitolyo after I drop off Isla to discover hidden gems and restaurants.
But reality hit: two hours isn’t enough for a full “healthy walk” plan, and if I biked around, I’d end up sweaty, especially since Isla’s classes are during the noontime and Kapitolyo has lots of uphill sections with no time to freshen up. So instead, I started ducking into nearby cafés with my laptop to work, write, or sometimes just people-watch. That’s how I slowly discovered Kapitolyo’s coffee shops, one cappuccino (or Spanish latte) at a time.
This blog isn’t a deep dive into tasting notes or fancy coffee talk. I’m not a coffee snob. To me, as long as it’s coffee, even if it’s shitty, I’ll drink it. HAHAHHA. So instead of reviews, here’s my roundup of Kapitolyo coffee shops I’ve tried so far (plus a few still on my list).
The Beachhouse
- Address: 11 C East Capitol Drive
- WiFi: Yes
- Parking: Free parking
- Payment Mode: Cash or GCash
- Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- FB: The Beachhouse
- IG: thebeachhousekapitolyo
- Vibe: Chill and artsy, with that slightly fancy Kapitolyo flair
- Best for: Creative millennials, Gen Z barkadas, and small private events
What I like: If I’m in the mood to people-watch, the ground floor is perfect. But when I need quiet focus time, I just head upstairs; the second floor feels tucked away and calm.
I end up here a lot since it’s literally right next door to Isla’s preschool. The WiFi is strong and reliable, which makes it my go-to when I have a deadline breathing down my neck. The crowd is mostly young and creative, and there’s something about that energy that rubs off on you; it makes you feel like you’re part of that scene, too. Lakas maka-bagets! The space itself is airy, stylish, and designed for lingering. And on my very first visit, I couldn’t stop humming because I knew every song on their playlist. It felt instantly familiar, like hanging out in a friend’s house who just happens to have great taste.
Coffee Industry
- Address: 28 East Capitol Drive
- WiFi: None (by design, so people talk to each other)
- Payment Mode: Cash or GCash
- Parking: Street parking
- Hours: Mon – Sat, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- FB: Coffee Industry Kapitolyo
- IG: coffeeindustry.kapitolyo
- Vibe: Tito/tita hangout meets underground DJ sesh
- Best for: Music enthusiasts, bikers, and anyone who enjoys real conversations
What I like: They serve rice meals! Not many Kapitolyo coffee shops do that, and I almost always end up with two cups of rice whenever I eat here.
It’s also perfect if I’m in the mood to unplug before school pick-up. The place is so cozy that two hours just slip by. You can tuck yourself into your own little bubble without ever feeling out of place. Kuya Jaime (the owner) and Ate Gina (the staff) have this natural instinct for balance: they know when to strike up a conversation and when to leave you to your laptop and quiet time. Honestly, if I ever had my own coffee shop, I’d want it to feel exactly like Coffee Industry. Good music, a touch of the outdoors (because biking, hiking, and the beach are my happy places), coffee right at the heart of it all, and a community of people who love those very same things.
Soul Good
- Address: 57 East Capitol Drive
- WiFi: Yes
- Parking: Free parking
- Payment Mode: Cash or GCash
- Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM
- FB: Soul Good
- IG: soulgood.ph
- Vibe: Always buzzing with meet-ups and conversations
- Best for: Young entrepreneurs, health-conscious regulars, and anyone looking for a work-friendly café with reliable WiFi
What I like: This has become our default go-to, mostly because of the parking. Half the time it’s just, “Saan tayo magkakape? Sa Soul Good na lang para hindi mahirap parking.” But beyond convenience, it’s also a solid pick. Healthy food, pretty interiors, and that cool digital ceiling that makes you feel like you’re outdoors.
It’s always buzzing with meetings and catch-ups, which says a lot about its crowd: young entrepreneurs and small groups who need a practical yet inspiring spot. Aside from coffee, they serve healthy chicken wraps, smoothies, and other light bites. Rowjie, for one, is especially hooked on their Sangsang (umami garlic chili sauce). He’s already bought two jars.
1C Coffee
- Address: 6 San Francisco Street
- WiFi: None
- Parking: Street parking
- Payment Mode: Cash or GCash
- Hours: Mon – Fri 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM | Sat & Sun 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- FB: 1C Coffee
- IG: ditosa1c
- Vibe: Sports + community + caffeine
- Best for: Runners, bikers, car/motor enthusiasts, yuppies
What I like: Honestly? People-watching. Haha. Since there’s no WiFi here (and Globe’s signal is pretty bad in this spot), it’s not really a “laptop café.” But that’s part of its charm. You just sit with your coffee, notice the people coming and going, and sometimes catch snippets of their conversations about running, biking, or some other outdoor adventure. It feels like a mini-community hub where everyone seems to know each other, so even if you come solo, you never really feel alone.
I actually got to know about this place through the owner of Coffee Industry, who mentioned it to us. And true enough, it carries that same welcoming vibe, but with its own flavor of community.
Wabi Café
- Address: 4th floor Hallare Building, 10 East Capitol Drive
- WiFi: Yes
- Parking: Free parking
- Payment Mode: Cash or GCash
- Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- FB: —
- IG: wabi.cafe
- Vibe: Earthy, creative, calming
- Best for: Tito/titas who like pottery and slow mornings
What I like: Wabi Café is easily one of my favorites, mostly because of its bright and airy ambiance. Thanks to its huge windows, natural light just floods the space, making it perfect for slow mornings or mid-day coffee breaks. The place is spacious, but still cozy enough that you feel like you’re just lounging on a sofa at home.
Beyond coffee, Wabi has this creative, artsy vibe. They regularly host pottery classes (there’s a pottery studio inside the café), so don’t be surprised if you see people shaping clay while you sip your latte. They also sell the famous, beautifully handcrafted Antok Mugs that I honestly thought would be just a few hundred pesos, only to find out each one costs around ₱4,000. Yes, I was shocked. Yes, they’re still on my wish list. Kahit isa lang sana. haha
LOOP Kapitolyo
- Address: 3 San Rafael Street
- WiFi: None
- Parking: Street parking
- Payment Mode: Cash or GCash
- Hours: Tue – Fri, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Sat & Sun, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- FB: —
- IG: loop_kapitolyo
I’ve only been to Loop once, so I can’t say much about the place from firsthand experience. When I went, it felt a bit gloomy since there was very little natural light. But to be fair, I only stayed on the ground floor. From what I’ve seen online, the second floor has bigger windows, so I’ll definitely hang out there the next time I visit.
What I do know is it sits right along a busy Kapitolyo street, so I wouldn’t really call it “hidden” the way some reviews do. Parking is also close to impossible, which makes it tough when we bring the car. And with no WiFi, it’s not exactly a work-friendly spot for me.
Online reviews describe it as a cozy, stylish café with minimalist decor, warm lighting, and light bites that are fresh and thoughtfully presented. Their cappuccino, in particular, gets good feedback for being smooth and well-balanced.
COLAB Cafe
- Address: The Vantage at Kapitolyo West Capitol Drive
- WiFi: Yes
- Parking: Pay parking
- Payment Mode: Cash, GCash, or Credit Card
- Hours: Mon – Fri, 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM | Sat, 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- FB: COLAB Cafe
- IG: colabcafeph
- Vibe: Coworking + coffee shop hybrid
- Best for: WFH folks, online meetings, freelancers
What I like: I can pay with my credit card (always a win!), and the space is huge, so there are plenty of seating options.
This is my go-to spot when I have actual deadlines to beat while waiting for Isla’s class. The WiFi is strong, and there are areas where you can really focus, though it can get a bit noisy with all the back-to-back Zoom calls happening around you. Still, it’s perfect for a solid, productive two-hour sprint.
Although parking is paid, it’s never really an issue since COLAB is located on the second floor of the Vantage condominium complex. There’s a Starbucks right below, but since they don’t have WiFi, COLAB is hands-down the better pick.
Arts and Beans
- Address: 23 West Capitol Drive
- WiFi: Yes
- Parking: Free parking
- Payment Mode: Cash or GCash
- Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- FB: Arts and Beans
- IG: artsandbeanscafe
- Vibe: Creative + wellness
- Best for: Anyone who loves being surrounded by art or wants a little creative spark with their coffee
What I like: Personally, I’m all about their grilled cheese! It’s huge, gooey, and filling enough to count as a proper lunch.
My kids (Ilog and Isla) adore this place because it sparks their creativity. Whether it’s sketching, doodling, or coming up with new animation ideas. I love how a simple coffee run turns into something that inspires them. “Nanay, can I also display my drawing here?” Ilog would always ask us if we could go to Arts and Beans so he could look at the gallery.
The café itself is visually entertaining, with art-filled walls and a playful atmosphere that makes it feel like a mini gallery. Every now and then, they also host small gatherings or artsy events, adding to that sense of community.
Caferista
- Address: 11 Brixton Street
- WiFi: Yes
- Parking: Free parking
- Payment Mode: Cash or GCash
- Hours: Mon – Fri, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM | Sat & Sun, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- FB: Caferista
- IG: caferista.brixton
- Vibe: Industrial-meets-rider hangout, with a steady flow of motorcycle enthusiasts dropping by
- Best for: Riders, Royal Enfield fans, or anyone who wants a chill spot with WiFi to park themselves for a bit
What I like: They’ve got WiFi (a lifesaver when I need to sneak in some quick work) and plenty of space to just sit back. The crowd is interesting, too. It seems like there are lots of motorcycle talk and gear, which gives the café a unique character compared to the other Kapitolyo coffee shops I’ve been to.
I’ve been to Caferista twice. Once back when COVID rules were still strict (we weren’t even allowed inside), and more recently with an iced cappuccino that was more “cold” than “iced”. LOL. Since it’s the farthest from Isla’s school, I don’t come here often, but I get why it’s a favorite spot for the motorcycle crowd because of its cool café-meets-garage vibe.
HAKID
- Address: Pasig Plaza, Unit 8, 1 Brixton Street
- WiFi: Yes
- Parking: Free parking
- Payment Mode: Cash or GCash
- Hours: Tues – Thurs, & Sun, 9:00 AM to 1:00 AM | Fri – Sat, 9:00 AM to 3:00 AM
- FB: HAKID
- IG: hakid.mnl
- Vibe:
- Best for:
What I like:
Blue Lane Coffee
- Address: Three Brixton Building, Brixton Street
- WiFi: Yes
- Parking: Free parking
- Payment Mode: Cash or GCash
- Hours: Weekdays, 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM (Coffee Menu 7-7) | Weekends, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- FB: Blue Lane Coffee
- IG: bluelanecoffeeph
- Vibe:
- Best for:
What I like:
On My Kapitolyo Coffee Shops List
Haven’t tried these yet, but they’re on my radar:
- Habagat – Opens at 12 noon (a bit late for school-run mornings)
- Couch Club – Opens at 11 am
- Altitude – Opens at 11 am; tried to enter at 11:03 am, but the barista wasn’t ready yet 😅
Here’s the thing: it’s magastos. Most of these cafés have a rule: at least one drink per person for a maximum of two hours, which makes sense. They’re businesses. But it adds up quickly if you’re doing it almost every day.
Funny enough, we recently bought a bean-to-cup espresso machine so we could stop spending on Starbucks. And it worked! We haven’t been to Starbucks in weeks already! We’ve saved. But those savings? They now go straight to my weekday caffeine purchases in Kapitolyo. LOOOOOOOL. Still, I tell myself it’s worth it. The change of scenery (I’m a WFH mother), the stories I get to overhear, and the chance to sneak in some writing while waiting for Isla.
Each café in Kapitolyo feels like a little pocket of its own world. There’s one for every mood. Whether you’re working, biking, making art, or simply sipping in peace, people-watching. And for me, it’s become part of my life for now: choosing which pocket of Kapitolyo I’ll spend my two hours in each day.
