Ani Cafe

Make sure to check their opening hours! They’re closed on Mondays, open from noon on Tuesdays, and from 9 AM on other days. When we arrived right at opening time, the indoor seats were immediately filled. There are terrace seats available, so if you’re okay with sitting outside, timing isn’t as critical. That said, about 1.5 hours after opening, the place started to clear out—so rather than going 30 minutes after opening, you might have a smoother experience if you aim for 1.5 hours later. The fried chicken (karaage) was especially delicious—possibly even better than what I’ve had in Japan! They also use shiso (perilla leaf) as a topping in many of their dishes, so if you’re a shiso lover like me, you’ll be in heaven.

Finally got to checkout the much hyped Comuna compound along Pablo Ocampo in Makati. Tried out Ani Café together with my doggo (hooray they are pet friendly!). It was just after opening time so the joint was not full. Had a Long Black which was quite good! Paired it with a Longganisa Bruschetta, which was good but not great. First time to try cream cheese topped with Longganisa, found the pairing a bit odd. Don't get me wrong, nothing negative about it. Just wasn't what I was expecting. The place has a cool and chill vibe, type of place where I wouldn't mind killing time. Seats aren't that comfy though, I believe this was done on purpose. For a small place they would want to maximize their customer turnover. Service was friendly and not intrusive. Will definitely come back and try their other food items. Hopefully their menu will be expanded when I return.

Cute and cozy cafe! Love how tiny it is actually. Para kang nasa Studio Ghibli film tho, dahil medyo maliit nga siya, hindi s'ya that suitable for a big friend group tho they have two large tables inside. 'Yung iba, for a pair or solo lang talaga. Loved their squid ink pasta so much, it has a little smokey flavor on it, and I liked it. Their karaage poppers were really good too but it gets a little umay if you ate too much—better share it with a friend if you want to try. Also, I absolutely loved their mushroom bruschetta. I'd come back here if I can!!!! :)

Limited choice of coffee but nonetheless their coffee is great. The ensaymada is a “must-order”. Their pasta is mediocre. We tried every pasta on the menu. The place is small but can seat a group of 6 indoors. They have an alfresco area but the tables are wobbly and tiny. They serve water in shot glasses which is slightly a hassle to refill on every gulp.

We tried the cherry tomato bruschetta and squid ink pasta, paired with a spanish latte and flat white. While the food wasn’t something we’d rave about, the coffee definitely stood out. I especially appreciated the Spanish latte — smooth, balanced, and not overly sweet with condensed milk like what you often get elsewhere. The place has a nice vibe, though the space is on the smaller side and the seating could be more comfortable. That said, it’s still the kind of spot I’d happily hang out in with friends. What really makes this café shine is the staff. They were genuinely friendly and welcoming, which adds so much to the experience. Many coffee shops forget how important that warmth and unpretentious atmosphere is, but this one gets it right. 5 stars from me for the great service and coffee.

Food was great! I specially love their cherry tomato bruschetta! I also love their anihaw chicken sticks! As for coffee, i ordered their spanish latte and it was as expected. I wish the serving could be bigger though considering the price. As for atmosphere, I couldn’t give it a 5 because by the time we went, the cafe was packed and we couldn’t move freely going to and from the outdoor area, and we had to ask seated guests to move their chairs so we could pass. Planning to come by perhaps on an off peak time to appreciate the ambience more.

Ani Cafe is a great choice for good food, and a tranquil setting, thanks to its beautiful nature views that create a peaceful and calming atmosphere. The Mushroom Pasta is flavorful, while the Grey Oat Latte and Spanish Latte are recommended drinks. However, the Chicken Anihaw Stick could use improvement on its tenderness to match the quality of the rest of the menu.

The place was packed when we went, ended up sitting outside and the fans weren’t really effective so you definitely feel the humidity. The drinks are okay, matcha somewhat on the pricier side at ₱275, but I wish they had more coffee and refreshments options. Food is decent but on the pricier side, the karaage and spicy garlic cold noodles are a must try. Service is good and staff are friendly. Best to come on weekdays at off hours to enjoy the cafe a bit more.