Across DLSU and adjacent CSB along Taft Avenue, Manila, Café Travel is a Korean-inspired coffee shop which attracts many customers, particularly students of nearby schools, as if serving truffle-stuffed unicorn trotters. Its competitive advantage has to be its unique atmosphere and cute appeal. It’s ideal for those seeking a good and quiet place to hang out for hours without the rush. We visited this “pop” venue after having lunch at Café Laya.
Review of Café Travel (Taft Avenue, Manila)
Ambiance: ★★★★☆
At Café Travel, white walls and tables are “decorated” with names, anecdotes, quotes, notes and random messages written by previous customers, making them seem like DIY art. I think the freedom for guests to write anything on the surfaces (even on the ceiling and air conditioner above) is a plus point for the café. The end result, as rowdy as it seems at a glance, brings both style and creativity to the room. Very cool! 😉
Soon though, there may be a lack of space to write on. I suggest that they put up a corkboard or hang a magnetic chalkboard, blackboard or whiteboard to ground the design instead. In this way, keeping old messages and replacing them with new ones will be easier.
Overall, the atmosphere has a great homey touch. The bright lighting looks adorable. With plenty of seating, Café Travel is a good place to study and chat with friends. Everyone has to take off his/her shoes and others have to go to the “second floor” using the stairs. Privacy is assured by walls that strategically segregate dining areas to sections per group of customers. Wi-Fi is accessible for free!
The only saddening thing was that air conditioning was poor and barely kept the room at a reasonable temperature. It was hot especially since we were seated right beside the window on a sunny day. We were sweating as if we were inside a sauna bath.
(Note: This spot in Archer s Nook was once where Zark’s Burgers stood. Now the branch of Zark’s Burgers in Taft Avenue has expanded and moved to a more accessible and visible location.)
Service: ★★★★★
Service was kind and thoughtful. The staff handed out the menu to us upon entrance. We took a moment to finalize our order and proceeded to the counter to pay. Waiting time was acceptable and our drinks and cake were served politely to our table.
Food: ★★★☆☆
Café Travel has a simple one-page menu, but there’s plenty of coffee-based drinks and cakes to choose from, making it almost impossible to decide which to get in a minute.
All drinks were super sweet. I bet that those with a sweet tooth will love every single sip and be instantly hooked! As for myself, I could not even finish one whole glass of the Travel Mocha alone. Fortunately, I have my sister to share it (the calories) with. 😛 We also tried a slice of cake which was moist and soft. The frosting was light but tasted rich and creamy as well as the strawberry that was struck in the middle.
Travel Chocolate Cookie (PhP 180)
Fresh Cream Strawberry (PhP 140)
Travel Green Tea (PhP 180)
Travel Mocha (PhP 180)
Price for Value: ★★★☆☆
Buzzed about for its ambiance and friendly vibe, Café Travel is a must-visit cafe where you can get your coffee fix without taking it too seriously. Never mind if there’s a long wait or there’s no seating available at Starbucks nearby. Prices are just about the same. Coffee purists may sniff but sugar hounds have to try their line-up of coffee-based drinks and a handful of pastries as well.
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