WHERE TO HAVE SNACKS IN MANILA with a LOCAL TOUCH

PLEASE DON'T INVADE MY PERSONAL SPAAAACCCEEEEE......This is what I shout out in my mind whenever I am in a crowded place. I am a natural claustrophobic. Sitting too close with people makes me feel so uncomfortable. Because of this, it affects my choice in choosing restaurants ESPECIALLY where I drink my cup of COFFEEEEE!!!

You know I adore coffees. But it sometimes bores me to drink it at home, so it is just smart to choose the right coffee shop to spend you're precious afternoons. I was in Manila for a vacation and of course sitting in coffee shops for a long chat is always part of the agenda. It just relaxes me doing so (I'm sure you can relate to me on this one my dear coffee drinkers)

Le Petit Cheree in Molito Alabang with my dear old professor in college

But what makes a coffee shop perfect for me is their vast selection of coffees or teas for that matter that offers some SPACE and PRIVACY among its customers (where people won't hear each other's businesses) and also some added bonus of a FREE wifi. I couldn't reiterate more the part "FREE" because most of the good things in life are free.haha  

Next it should have that "WOW" taste in my afternoon snack with a touch of some local flavor into it.

So where did a dear local girl like me from Manila spend her afternoon coffee break?

Tea Leaf in BF Paranaque along Aguirre street. 

    Do you know that it is becoming a fad in the Philippines to have this Bubba tea (pearl tea), that has all kinds of flavors and they offer some coffee flavored teas as well with a "black pearl" in it. I love the coffee shop because it offers a "FREE WIFI" (couldn't reiterate that more) and since it is not yet so popular, it is not overly crowded. Luckily it was just me and my mom who was there.haha

      But I love their Nutella bubba tea (CHOCO NUTELLA mixed with TEA plus black pearl) beautiful sweet nutty taste that is filling because of its black pearl in it.

      The place is very cozy and comfortable, if you like the homey feeling and that you need to have some wifi while sipping you're "unique" kind of tea then this is the perfect place for you.

       It won't strain your pocket because it has the same price as your Starbucks coffee, at least it includes the privacy and space that you need. 

TEA LEAF in BF Paranaque

If you have a sweet tooth like me and likes to have some sweet snacks and happens to be traveling in Manila my fervent suggestion is to try the Chocolate EH! at Fely J's and the local TURON in that same restaurant. 

Turon is a local delicacy made of fried banana spring roll but the one at FELY J's has a twist of UBE (purple yam) and Durian. 

While the Chocolate EH has been my constant favorite because in the Philippines we are known and proud of our local hot chocolate, that has a different taste from the imported hot chocolate. Its creamy, nutty, thick and less sweet. It comes in an espresso cup and I warn you that you might have a second cup which happens to me all the time. One cup will never enough.

It is a heavenly treat for me and I love spending my afternoon breaks to have my Chocolate EH and Turon.

FELY J's GREENBELT: 2nd level Greenbelt

Turon and Chocalate EH

Do you like FRENCH MACARON made in Paris? We also have our own version of a Macaron with a Filipino touch. I do encourage you to try it and pair it with your Americano coffee. My favorite flavors are PANDAN and UBE (PURPLE YAM). You can find the shop at SINFULLY by MAKATI SHANGRILA at Greenbelt 5 2nd level.

 I do prefer the purple yam french macaron though at Le PETIT CHEREE in MOLITO ALABANG 

FRENCH MACARON of SINFULLY by Makati Shangrila in Greenbelt 5

UBE AND PANDAN MACARON

Knowing where to go, where to eat is very important whenever you travel to get more of your experience. It is an added bonus when you know friends in a certain place but what if you don't? 

No don't "ask google" about it but engage with the people who lives there, because that is where you'll know best and might gain friends along the way.