Always on the lookout for a great place to have coffee, we chanced upon this quaint café right inside the old walls of Manila.
Starbucks, being a household name in coffee can be hardly called quaint; it’s like calling a Jollibee or McDonald’s  fastfood stores quaint. But their branch at Intramuros really lives up to the word.

Intramuros, literally translated means within the walls. The 8-foot thick, 22-foot high walls were built by the Spaniards in the 16th century as a line of defense against foreign invaders. These ramparts contained what was Manila back in the day. And nestled in one of these fortifications is the café of choice for most metropolitan people, Starbucks Coffee.

The café’s ceilings and walls were of adobe, curving from the floor to ceiling and back to floor again. Colorful coffee-related paintings hang on these bended walls. The illusion of a coffee house from bygone days, however, would have been complete if not for the modern furniture and the lighted food racks at the counter.

Ambience was very intimate, as the place was not that large. We visited on a sleepy Saturday afternoon and were surprised to get a table immediately. An hour later and the place was packed.

This is one of the best Starbucks branches I’ve been to, the Starbucks in Tagaytay a far second. It’s very different from the usual modern comfy design of their stores and I bet this place would look even lovelier at night. I wouldn’t mind spending an afternoon coffee here once a week, I’ll just leave out the whipped cream and lessen the sugar a bit for my frap.

 

 

 

Starbucks Coffee Intramuros
Address: Puerta Isabel II, 15-A Muralla St. cor. Magallanes Drive
Intramuros, Manila
Phone Number: (632) 527-4282