Usually, when a coffee shop that looks amazing at first glance pops up suddenly in a bustling district such as Bonifacio Global City, one tends to be skeptical about the quality of the coffee and food that it serves. Having recently dined at the newly-opened Key Coffee, I can confidently say that it’s one of the rare cases when you get exactly what you come for and more—great coffee and even greater food, all served to you in a cozy and charming atmosphere.

Key Coffee, which is still on soft opening and located just outside Mitsukoshi Mall, is a recognizable name among coffee lovers as one of Japan’s oldest and still popular coffee roasters. Key Coffee doesn’t consider itself just a “coffee shop,” but rather a kissaten (a Japanese traditional tea shop), with vintage decor, soft lighting, intimate seating, and jazz music playing in the speakers to mimic the vibe of an authentic kissaten over the decades.

Key Coffee has a range of specialty coffee blends all carefully crafted and expertly prepared by their Filipino baristas who have been well-trained by Key Coffee’s head coffee master and coffee grader Fujita-san. Their signature beans were directly sourced from Indonesia too, and you can truly taste the quality and the smoothness of the blends especially when prepared for you via the pour-over method. (Note: I tried the Premium Blue Mountain Blend for this!)

Of course, the cafe also has a number of unique and modern coffee drinks that are not to be missed, such as the Sagada Lavender Honey Latte and Shoyu Caramel Popcorn Cappuccino.

Premium Blue Mountain Blend, prepared via pour-over method.

Sagada Lavender Honey Latte

While coffee is the main event when at Key Coffee, I’ve found that what truly makes you stay is their food—delicious, filling, and an exceptional fare of one-of-a-kind dishes created by chefs Jorge Mendez of Mōdan, Thirdy Dolatre of Hapag, and Alexa “Leky” Versoza of Apo Baking Society. Specializing in Western-influenced Japanese cuisine called YŌSHOKU, Key Coffee ups the ante by incorporating distinctly Filipino flavors and ingredients while still offering the traditional kissaten staples.

The following are just a few of my personal recommendations: Karaage & Waffles (dashi friend chicken and croissant waffle with miso butter and maple syrup, PHP 510), Crab Egg Scramble & Croissant (silky scrambled eggs, crab aligue sauce, ikura, aonori, and croissant slices, PHP 540), Chef Horje-san Truffle Egg Katsu Sando (silky tamago katsu, truffle cream, and shokupan toast, PHP 250), Air Flown Uni Tobiko French Toast (Japan air-flown uni, miso-milk French Toast, tobiko mayo, citrus-shoyu glaze, PHP 510), Salmon Tinapa Ikura Dip (cold dip, ikura, fresh fill, and sourdough melba toast, PHP 390), Lemon Wafu Tuna Kilaw Salad (fresh tuna citrus kinilaw, fresh salad, and wafu dressing, PHP 450), Chef Thirdy’s Gamet Okayu Bento (Japanese rice porridge enhanced with gamet seaweed from Ilocos, PHP 390), and Crab Ikura Udon (fresh handmade udon noodles with crab fat sauce, lump crab, and ikura, PHP 540).

Crab Egg Scramble & Croissant

Chef Horje-san Truffle Egg Katsu Sando

Air Flown Uni Tobiko French Toast

Salmon Tinapa Ikura Dip

Lemon Wafu Tuna Kilaw Salad

Chef Thirdy’s Gamet Okayu Bento

Crab Ikura Udon

As for dessert, indulge in their Mini Choux 3 Way, Leky’s Guava & Pomelo Mille Feuille, and Key Coffee Jelly. For the bread-lovers, the cafe’s very own bakeshop has a wide array of breads and pastries all made fresh by Chef Leky every day.

Mini Choux 3 Way

Leky’s Guava & Pomelo Mille Feuille

Key Coffee Jelly

Similar to traditional kissatens, Key Coffee also caters to the nightlife crowd, offering a variety of cocktails, highballs, espresso martinis, and beer. This branch even has a room filled with bottles of wine and sake that you can purchase and bring home or drink right away.

Key Coffee truly creates a memorable experience for anyone seeking a new place to relax, unwind, and savor a delicious cup of coffee in a warm and inviting atmosphere, and I’m certain to keep coming back!

More food recommendations below:

Chashu Mortadella Pizza

Chorizo Bolognese Spaghetti

Wagyu and Onsen Egg Donburi Bento Set

Kissa Wagyu Hambagu Steak & Rice

Kissa Scallop & Seafood Doria

Garlic Nori 3 Cheese Pizza

Matcha Strawberry Cake Roll

Croissants

(ALSO READ: Key Coffee’s Drip Coffee Method is a Wonderful Sight to See)

Key Coffee

(+63) 929 374 7890
Mitsukoshi Mall, 8th Ave. Corner 36th St., Grand Central Park, North, Taguig
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