8 Reasons Why You Should Visit Café Kitsuné Manila

Sunday brunch is a special occasion for many as it’s the only time of the week they get to go out of the house and break the autonomy of their everyday life. After working all week, there’s nothing better than a cozy brunch meal at a coffee shop with your best friends. Signature coffee or fruity cocktails paired with delectable pastries – what could be better?

Brunch cafés really are the go-to place to recharge and catch up on all the latest news about each other and we’ve found this newly opened spot in Manila that’s perfect for exactly that. Enter Café Kitsuné: a contemporary Japanese-French coffee shop that just opened its doors in The Podium at Ortigas Center. We couldn’t be more excited to list down all the reasons why this should be your next stop!

Café Kitsuné first opened its doors back in 2013 and was founded by Gildas Loac and Masaya Kuroki. They have since branched out to other cities like Paris, New York, Seoul, Shanghai, and Bangkok.

If you’ve been dreaming of flying to these locations, we suggest traveling to this part of Manila in the meantime. Take a seat at the brunch café and plan out your future trips while you sip on your freshly concocted beverage of choice. You’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to the high-fashion street where it all started and hopefully feel inspired to visit Café Kitsuné’s other international locations.

It goes without saying that you’re in for a unique coffee experience when you visit Café Kitsuné. That’s because they seek to deliver more with their signature brews made from single-origin Brazilian and Guatemalan coffee beans. Not only that, but the brand’s idea was to create a space that combines the simplicity of quaint coffee bars with the flair that Maison Kitsuné is known for.

You can get your standard Americanos, Cappuccinos, or Matcha Lattes here, but the standout on the menu is really the custom blend that’s infused with local flavors. Crafted beverages exclusive to the Manila store include the coconut and caramel latte, banana caramel latte, and mango latte that add a tropical touch to the earthy tones of their roasted beans. We can vouch that this is not your run-of-the-mill neighborhood brunch café.

Café Kitsuné Manila's menu includes several items from their international menu, such as their signature burger and croque-monsieur that’s a fusion of Japanese and French flavors to stay true to their roots. The still-growing menu also includes dishes inspired by local ingredients, like tuna tartare, seared, salmon, and chicken confit which we recommend for your brunch meal. There are even fizzy drinks to give you that extra buzz for the day.

There’s always room for dessert and Café Kitsuné’s pastry menu does not disappoint. In case you’re still not satiated from your brunch meal, order some of their eye-catching desserts like the quintessential hojicha cream puff, the delicate Paris-Brest choux, or the zesty Yuzu Macaron cake. For the cookie monsters, they’ve got the chocolate and caramel cookie that’s just the right amount of sweetness.

Upon entrance, you’ll notice a large open space with a beautiful high ceiling, allowing light to flood into the café and illuminating the white interiors and wooden details akin to Japandi style. And with how cleverly designed the space is, you might not immediately spot the kitchen that’s hidden in the middle of the brunch café. The interior design alone makes it worth the visit, especially for those who like to appreciate a well-thought-out layout.

From the signature red wall that features Café Kitsuné’s logo to the adorable fox-shaped cookie, everything you look at is Instagram-worthy. It sure helps that this brunch café has aesthetically pleasing food and interiors as it creates a pleasant café experience overall. And as already mentioned, the lighting is impeccable so you’re encouraged to take as many shots as you need.

The word Kitsuné, by the way, means fox in Japanese, which explains why it’s the brand’s mascot.

Did you know that Café Kitsune also sells merchandise? Even better news: they’re available at The Podium branch and you can cop them online, too. It’s not uncommon for coffee shops to sell merchandise but seeing that this brunch café was founded by a fashion house and record label company, it only makes sense that they also produce their own quality stuff. We’re eyeing the cute tote bag and matching mug.

Address: The Podium, Ground Level, 12 ADB Ave, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, 1550 Metro Manila

Contact: (02) 8659 6354

Opening Hours: 10am-9pm (Mon-Fri) & 10am-10pm (Sat-Sun)

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