elaineThe 7,107 islands of the Pearl of the Orient Seas boast of cultures, language, sounds, and sights that are as lively as its people
Let Them Eat Cake (Cookies, and Other Sweets)!
Philippines
The one where I show you places guaranteed to get your blood sugar spiking. 😉
Updated 2 years ago
The Peninsula Manila’s King Oscar Cake (pictured) was the most talked-about in our household. My parents would often order this as a gift for friends and family during special occasions. It’s a sansrival-like cake, only with meringue and yema for the layers topped with sliced almonds. If you haven’t tried it yet, this is your cue to indulge. 📷 by Philippine Primer/Website
- +63 2 8887 2888
Corner of Ayala and, Basement 1, Makati Ave, Makati, 1226 Metro Manila, Philippines
A discovery I made when I started working at Lemi, Sugarbee’s cakes are always yummy and moist. Their Salted Caramel Cake (pictured) is my favorite, topped with smooth chocolate frosting and salted caramel crystals. The Dulce De Leche is a good choice as well! 📷 by Sugarbee/Instagram
- +6328520557
4th Floor, Mega A Building, SM Megamall, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines
- https://www.facebook.com/SugarBeePH
When I first tried Big Al’s Chocolate Caramel Cake, I immediately thought “What sorcery is this?” Both their Decadent Chocolate Cake (pictured) and the Caramel are on all the lists of “Best Chocolate Cakes” in the metro—and for good reason. I guess it’s really better when it’s indescribable? This is currently on top of my own Best Cakes list. 😂 📷 by Big Al’s Cookie Jar/Instagram
1339 Lirio Street, Antipolo Valley Subdivision (formerly La Colina), Barangay Mambugan, Antipolo City, Rizal, Philippines
- https://www.facebook.com/bigalscookiejar
One of those shops that has a cake for everyone, even non-cake lovers! I recommend the Black Velvet (pictured) all the time, with its rich chocolate chiffon and cream cheese frosting—a surefire people pleaser! I also like their Caramel Vanilla Cake. 📷 by Cafe Mary Grace/Instagram
- +6324708097
Ground Floor, Ayala Malls Feliz, Marcos Highway, Barangay Dela Paz, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines
- https://www.marygracecafe.com/
Owned by a former colleague in publishing who I considerd one of my office moms, Taza Platito is close to my heart because it was part of our many celebrations at my previous work. These S’mores Cupcakes, in particular, are my absolute favorite on their menu. The moist chocolate cupcake, the graham crunch ganache, and the toasted marshmallow frosting are mmmmmmm. 😋 📷 by Taza Platito/Instagram
- +63 999 998 8901
12-A Scout Tobias Street corner Father Martinez Street, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
- https://www.facebook.com/taza.platito
Another go-to shop in the neighborhood, Purple Oven has some of the yummiest cakes and pastries around. (I believe they supply baked goods to Starbucks Philippines!) One Christmas, @caldefool and I decided to give away boxes of their Lemon Bars and Revel Bars as gifts. For cakes, I recommend their Honeycomb Crunch Cake or Classic Chocolate Cake! 📷 by Ruel Jaldo/Instagram
- +6326314221
Senta Condominium,, Legazpi Street, Legazpi Village, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
This year’s birthday cake is their Classic Ube Cake! The ube chiffon with the ube halaya icing is a Filipino classic translated perfectly into a cake! 📷 by Cara Mia/Instagram
- +63 2 7261 9084
CT 110, Building A SM Mega Mall, Doña Julia Vargas Ave, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, 1550 Metro Manila, Philippines
2
One of my favorite restaurants, Tokyo Bubble Tea, has an in-house Pastry Shop that makes yummy cakes and breads. My favorite is the Matcha Cappuccino Cake (pictured), layers of green tea chiffon and espresso mousse. So good! 🍵
210 President Carlos P. Garcia Ave, Project 4, Quezon City, 1800 Metro Manila, Philippines
Like Sprinkles, Cupcakes by Sonja began as a cupcake-only bakery that eventually birthed Cakeshop by Sonja. The Rainbow Fiesta cake (pictured above) is a colorful fluffy chiffon cake topped with marshmallow frosting and candy sprinkles that’s great for birthdays and parties. For on-the-go indulgence, however, I recommend their classic cupcakes in Red Velvet Vixen (with cream cheese frosting!) and Peppermint Patty. 📷 by Food Snaps by Don Predilla/Instagram
- +63 2 8633 5042
L1 , SM Megamall , EDSA Corner J.Vargas Avenue , 1550 Mandaluyong City , Metro Manila, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines
Another 2020 birthday cake is the cutest ever, thanks to @khent04, @coco_miranda, and @rald.agstn! 🐻 The Bear Cake (pictured) is a chocolate chiffon dome cake with light chocolate frosting between layers. It was my first time to try it—I thought it’d be too sweet, but it tastes really yummy. It’d go great with coffee! 📷 by Tous Le Jours Philippines/Instagram
- +63 2 7754 9966
Ground, Green Belt 5, Dela Rosa Street, Makati, 1209 Metro Manila, Philippines
One of those must-try-at-least-once cakes. Conti’s Mango Bravo (pictured) is an indulgent mix of mangoes, nuts, chocolate, and cream—all things Filipinos love—in one towering confection. I recommend this for really big celebrations! 📷 by Conti’s Bakeshop & Restaurant/Instagram
- +63 917 872 6132
224 Katipunan Ave, Subdivision, Quezon City, 1109 Metro Manila, Philippines
Something I rarely tell people about is the Smack Pie (pictured), a local iteration of the popular Momofuku Milk Bar Crack Pie by Christina Tossi, the reason being I don’t want to be the culprit for someone else’s addiction. Possibly a lot similar to the Crack Pie, the Smack Pie is really also like crack. I still recommend it, but you’ve been warned. 😝 📷 by Christian Catalan/Instagram
- +6329312337
39 Malingap, Teacher's Village, Lungsod Quezon, 1101 Kalakhang Maynila, Philippines
If not for coffee, go to Toby’s Estate for the Calamansi Pie (pictured)—our answer to the popular Key Lime Pies around. Sweet with a tangy twist! 📷 by Toby’s Estate Philippines/Instagram
- +6329508719
Ground Floor Senta Condominium, 140 Legazpi Street, Legazpi Village, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
- http://www.tobysestateph.com
One of the best Salted Caramel Cupcakes I’ve ever tried! It’s definitely more on the sweeter side, so eat with caution. I can’t take the sickeningly girly interiors of the cafe, but I’d endure sitting there until I finish my cupcake. 😂 📷 by KATHLEA/Instagram
1103, 147 Mo. Ignacia Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, 1103 Metro Manila, Philippines
Though Wildflour is widely popular for their Carrot Cake and Banana Cake, I personally recommend a slice of their Honey Cake during afternoon tea or after a meal! 🍰 📷 via Wildflour Cafe + Bakery/Instagram
- +6328339799
Frabelle Business Center, 111 Rada, Legaspi Village, Makati, 1229 Metro Manila
11F Frabelle Business Center, 111 Rada Street, Legaspi Village, Makati, 1229 Metro Manila, Philippines
Everyone knows where to go when they’re planning a NSFW party...and it’s here. Kink Cakes, as their name probably already suggests, makes everything from ________- to _________-shaped confections in your usual chocolate and vanilla flavors, but also banana, ube, and strawberry. They’re not just good at designing the cakes—they taste good, too! 📷 Kink Cakes/Instagram
- +6323724454
C - 12 Landsdale Arcade 86 B Timog Ave, St, cor Mo. Ignacia Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, 1103 Metro Manila, Philippines
I will someday make my way to Karrivin Plaza just to try a Poison Doughnut. I hear they’re awesome. 🍩 📷 by Poison Coffee & Doughnuts/Instagram
- +6327520327
Karrivin Plaza, 2316, Chino Roces Ave, Makati, 1630 Kalakhang Maynila, Philippines
Saved from @paulinerana, raved about by @cathycarat. They both say this is the best strawberry shortcake ever so...🍰 📷 by juleebeetch/Instagram
- +63 74 446 7082
Porta Vaga Mall, Session Rd, Baguio, 2600 Benguet, Philippines
I can’t believe I haven’t ever fully experienced my own Mo’ Cookie yet. Maybe I’ve bitten off of a friend’s cookie once, but I intend to go back for my own test run. 📷 by Mo’ Cookies/Instagram
Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
My favorite Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies at just ₱80 for 10 mini pieces. I don’t know about you, but I enjoy my sweets more when they’re fun-sized—just like me! 😜 📷 by Scout’s Honor/Instagram
- +63 2 7728 8902
276 Col. Bonny Serrano Ave, San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines
If you’ve ever heard of the famous Filipino halo-halo, this is a version of it you need to try. I’d like to think of it as the middle child in a family of halo-halo—low-key but deadly. 😉 📷 Discover MNL/Instagram
- +63 2 8815 1097
Ground Floor, Greenbelt 1, West Street, Ayala Center, Makati, 1200 Metro Manila, Philippines
New York’s world-famous Magnolia Bakery opened a branch here as M Bakery, bringing in their much talked-about Banana Pudding. I saw this #ManilaExclusive version with ChocNut and I’m sold. I’m not sure if it’s still available, but I wanna go. Who wants to go with me?! 📷 M Bakery PH/Instagram
- +6328479829
Lower Ground, Unit #23 5th Avenue corner 28th Street One Bonifacio High Street Mall, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines
One of the most popular in Metro Manila, Estrel’s is a made-to-order shop that specializes in Caramel Cakes. They’re popular for their beautifully created cakes—fluffy chiffon, smooth caramel icing, and signature rose decor. Order 3-4 days in advance for special occasions! They bake your cake on the day of pick-up, so it’s all well worth the extra effort. 📷 Wylette Datu/Instagram
- +63 2 8372 2965
54 Scout Tobias St, Diliman, Quezon City, 1103 Metro Manila, Philippines
Filed under: Things I’m Going to Try After Community Quarantine.
- +63 917 827 6788
One Bonifacio High Street Mall, 5th Ave, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines
Farmacy Ice Cream and Soda Fountain (Bonifacio Global City)
2 savesMakati City, Philippines • Recommendation •
Good ol’ Vanilla Bean ice cream sandwiched between two thick Chocolate Chip Cookies is heaven. Add Valrhona Crunchy Pearls for more yum!
- +6328873622
Ground Floor, Net Lima, 26th Street corner 4th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines
- http://www.wildflour.com.ph/farmacy
Their massive Chocolate Chip Cookies are 💣 AF. I normally like sharing, but I keep Mood’s cookies to myself. The dough-ey recipe with gooey chocolate chips is my current favorite!
Greenbelt Park Walkways, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
About Philippines
