With the influx of cafes in the Philippines, shop owners will do their best to stand out--from beautiful interiors to fun gimmicks and add-ons.

And if you're looking for a new place to hang out, here are six cafes in Metro Manila and beyond that you can visit.

Gerbucks Preserve (Monumento, Caloocan City)

Gerbucks Preserve/Facebook 

"Flush those coffee cravings with us," says Gerbucks Preserve, a name that combines the owner's name, a well-known coffee chain, and the Tagalog slang for poop. 

Gerson Abad said he started the business in March 2024 for his children. Beyond the toilet seats and funny name, the cafe offers affordable yet good quality coffee and beverages. 

Afternoon Cafe + Space (San Agustin, Malabon City) 

Afternoon Cafe/Facebook 

Owned by Sofia and Sunil Malhi, Afternoon Cafe + Space in Malabon is a vintage, mid-century coffee shop that doubles as a co-working space. It shows the couple's love for furniture and coffee, and hopes to provide customers a "homey, warm, and cozy" experience. 

The furniture came from different places, with each piece telling its own story. While the couple did not have a specific theme for the interiors, they were pleased with the outcome as guests complimented not only the food and beverages, but also the overall feel of the cafe. 

Tucafe Playhouse (San Mateo, Rizal)

Tucafe Playhouse/Facebook 

Coffee, billiards, and board games? Tucafe Playhouse in San Mateo, Rizal has this and more. Launched by owner Lance Evangelista in 2023, it is said to be the first "coffee playhouse" in the country. 

The name of his concept is named after "tu cafe," which means "your coffee in Spanish." Evangelista wanted to share his and his partner's love for sports to their customers--and safe to say, he achieved this goal as they continue to get positive feedback from customers.

Kalyehon Cafe (Imus, Cavite) 

Kalyehon Cafe/Facebook 

Located in Imus, Cavite, Kalyehon Cafe merges the worlds of art and coffee. The business was started by Isis Buxani and his father, who is an artist, in 2022 as a passion project. 

Buxani said they wanted to bring art closer to their coffee-loving guests, noting that galleries are rare in provincial areas. 

Kape Kape Cafe (Bacoor, Cavite) 

Kape Kape Cafe/Facebook 

Still in Cavite is Kape Kape Cafe, a haven for bookworms and coffee lovers alike. Opened in 2021, it is said to be the first "library cafe" in Cavite. 

Co-owner Andi Ordiales said the library theme not only makes the cafe ideal as a co-working space, but also gives them the right to call the attention of customers who make too much noise. 

Kapeta (General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite) 

Kapeta/Facebook Another Cavite cafe is Kapeta, located General Mariano Alvarez. Co-owned by "Kuya" Lemuel, it blends coffee, nature, and arts and crafts and one of its main features is handmade spiderweb seating.

Lemuel said the idea for the theme of the coffee shop came from his partner, adding that the spiderweb seating was inspired by Charlie the Webmaster. He's happy that customers come back not just for the food and beverages, but also for the cafe's unique ambience.