We were delighted to visit Manila. The city is beautiful, and every store, restaurant, and café was worth noting the interior design choices. We were particularly inspired by the café interior design in the city. As we visited many cafes, we could experience various interior design styles, from modern to art deco. Additionally, we were inspired by the way that many played juxtaposition nature and industrial vibes. Here are some of our favorite café interior designs in Manila.

Harlan + Holden

Located in a garden plot in front of one of Manila’s most popular shopping malls, Harlan + Holden Greenhouse Café is surrounded by skyscrapers, bringing a little bit of nature and calmness to the rush of everyday life. The space features double-height glass windows lined with fig trees on one side and mint green curtains that match the upholstered sitting on the other. The thoroughly thought-out design is impeccably calming with the mixture of materials. The bar features stone and terrazzo, and the sofa features black and white tiles. Additionally, the furniture chosen kept in touch with the modern feel of the space by using cane furniture and minimalistic seating options.

Harlen + Holden was designed by GamFratesi, a design studio created in 2006 by Stine Gam and Enrico Fratesi. The studio takes inspiration from classic Danish furniture and craft tradition and the classic Italian intellectual and conceptual approach. Their design mixes traditional with the new and modern.

Omotesando Koffee Power Plant Mall

Omotesando Koffee’s first Philippine branch opened its doors in 2021 at the Power Plant Mall. Originally from Tokyo, the café has expanded to Hong Kong, Singapore, and London. Around the world, the café’s design takes an approach of less is more. As you walk in, juxtaposing the slate gray concrete walls with the light wood of the counters creates a cozy and modern atmosphere. The front of the café is simple. It is transparent, allowing customers to watch people outside while sipping their masterfully crafted coffee.

Bake House

Located at the lobby level of Shangri-La The Fort, Manila, Bake House is a cute pastry shop. As you walk into the café, you can feel the casual and relaxed vibe of the place. The interior plays with the warmth of wood, terracotta tones, and the cool-toned blue. All the tables have power outlets for continued productivity. The décor throughout the interior was carefully selected, including the plants hanging from the ceiling and baking utensils hanging from the walls. The front of the store is minimalistic and features a cute bicycle adorned with flowers and plants. The food is delicious, whether you want a sweet pastry, coffee, or a sandwich.

The Back Room Shangri-La

Since not everyone identifies as an early bird, we thought we should share a “cafe” nightowls we could enjoy. Opened in late 2018 within a hidden space of the Shangri-la at the Fort, the Back Room is a café at night. As you enter an unmarked passageway leading to a show-shine chair and vintage megaphone, you feel like you are traveling to a 1920s speakeasy: the interior features dark wood and a green leather wall. The bar counter is black marble, just like the flooring.

The Back Room’s interior design is inspired by art deco, which flourished in the U.S. and Europe during the 1920s and 1930s. This type of interior design combines modern styles with the craftsmanship and rich materials. It represented luxury, glamour, and exuberance. Interestingly, the Back Room exudes luxury and glamour with its wide variety of drinks and unique environment.

Manila’s café interior designs are truly unique and breathtaking. Whether you want to grab a quick coffee or enjoy an alcoholic beverage on a night out, the city is filled with amazing places to visit. We loved visiting these uniquely designed cafes that were so well thought through to bring meaning to the interior design that reflects the brand. Additionally, we loved to see the wide variety of styles, from the mixture of the greenery and minimalism of Harlan + Holden to the luxurious and dark interior of the Back Room. There is a place for everyone in Manila to enjoy and have fun. Red more on our blog.