This Newly Opened Cafe in BGC Looks Like It's Straight Out of Japan

This Newly Opened Cafe in BGC Looks Like It’s Straight Out of Japan

It's the stuff IG goals are made of.
by Cristina Morales | October 23, 2020

If you’re the kind of traveler who goes out of their way to visit beautiful cafes, there’s one cafe in Metro Manila that might be able to somewhat fill that void while you’re still unable to go abroad. Japanese cafe chain % Arabica recently opened its McKinley Hill location, and the stuff IG goals are made of.

% Arabica Manila 257 McKinley

The coffee chain’s third location in the Philippines, % Arabica Manila 257 McKinley will immediately catch your eye, with its glass façade and high illuminated ceiling.

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A post shared by % ΔRΔBICΔ (@arabica.journal) on Oct 10, 2020 at 3:53am PDT

Following the minimalist aesthetic of other % Arabica cafes, the store is brightly illuminated and characterized by clean lines and a predominantly white palette with wood accents.

The huge over-counter bean cellar is visible from the street.

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A post shared by % ΔRΔBICΔ Philippines (@arabica.ph) on Oct 7, 2020 at 1:30am PDT

But it’s the amphitheater-style seating that steals the show. With posing tables cascading down to the long island counter, this seating area takes its inspiration from the Banaue Rice Terraces.

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A post shared by Nicole Javier (@_nicolejavier) on Oct 19, 2020 at 3:38pm PDT

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What to order

% Arabica’s drinks range from Php 55 (for a Babyccino, which is a 4oz cappuccino drink) to Php 325 (for Chemex coffee, which is good for two cups). Their bestsellers include Iced Mocha (Php 210), Hot Mocha (Php190), and Hot Spanish Latte (Php 160).

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A post shared by % ΔRΔBICΔ Philippines (@arabica.ph) on Oct 14, 2020 at 1:46am PDT

How to get there

The cafe is located at the ground floor of 25/7 McKinley Building, 25th corner 7th Ave, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. It’s open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

To enforce social distancing, the cafe is currently only allowing 20 people at a time to enter the store.

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A post shared by 서은혜 (@stefani_mei) on Oct 8, 2020 at 11:46am PDT

% Arabica also has another location in BGC at the W City Centre, as well as a branch at The Podium in Mandaluyong.

Will you be visiting % Arabica’s newest cafe?