Cebu is a home to so many coffee shops that, in my opinion, pre-covid and even nowadays, every two months or so there seems to be a new coffee place somewhere (or milk tea shop, alternatively). While big known "brands" like Starbucks, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Bo's, Seattle's Best, among others, are found almost anywhere here in the city, small local shops tend to pop up like mushrooms as well - and they seem to not get intimidated by the aforementioned "giants" of the industry. While yes, it's good to visit well-known shops for their "famous GOOD coffee", I also love to discover local ones because they're much quieter (no crowd, yay!), their coffee beans are a surprise to me (I like when it's challenging a routine), and I get to support small Cebuano local businesses.
Last week during my one-weekday-Me-time schedule, I chose to re-visit Neighborhood Café. I've been in the coffee house once before, with my girlfriends. That's when I knew they serve FREAKIN' TASTY, creamy and affordable milkshakes - one of the best in town, if I may be humble to say so. I was cravin' for some milkshake goodness - so off I went.
One of the things I appreciated about the place is its interior - while most of the "trendy places" go for minimalist all white interior, Neighborhood chose a homey vibe. Theyre sticking up with their name, don't you think? It's not just the looks that feel like home, but the "vibin'" inside the coffeeshop! ✨ The staff also were friendly. They kept on wearing smiles on their faces.
When I got inside, it's quite cozy - this place has a knack to it, the kind you can hang out 'til your mum calls you home because it's almost midnight and you're spending way too much time doing your dreaded research paper lol. Kidding aside, I felt a sense of calm inside the place. Truly. So I "comfied" up and ordered one strawberry milkshake and a slice of their chocolate cake. Yeah - it's a Sweet Tooth kind of day.
I already told you they have GREAT milkshake. But wait, there's more - they actually have homemade ice cream on their shakes that's why the taste is distinctively theirs. (I'd come back anytime to have another milkshake there; just saying). It's priced affordably, too. Each fruit-based milkshake is at PHP 160.00 only. The strawberries are REAL and not just the powder ones some stores sell - YIPEE! 🍓
What surprised me during my coffee date was the huge slice of cake. It was gigantic - in fact, I had to take the half home because I couldn't finish it anymore haha. Did I tell you it tastes like not-too-sugary ice - cream-goodness?! Hell yeah. It was good, not to mention cheap. Each slice is only PHP 130 and I bet my ass it's good for two people. 😅
One of the things I love about "lowkey" and not so "hyped up" coffee houses is this: the items on their menu are affordable, cheap and there are others that they're practically giving away - but of good (great) quality. Aside from that, since there are few patrons, the staff can seem personal and very much available to assist the dining customers. You can comfortably be seated and make the most of your coffee time! ☕️
I like this spot by the window.
It's a HUGE piece of tasty cake!
The child-in-me goes heart-eyes over these lol.
"Love yourself there. It's an art, this business of dining alone. Why is it important to get comfortable being by yourself? So that later, when someone comes along to fill the space beside you, you'll know for sure whether you're choosing to be with someone out of love or loneliness. These are very different, and only the girl who knows herself can implicitly learn the difference. Sometimes you have to be alone in order to find out who you are without anybody telling you. Sometimes you have to be alone so you can learn the sound of your own voice." -Tricia Lott Williford
This chapter had my mind blown. The universe orchestrated it out perfectly that I had to be there the exact time I came upon reading this part of the book. As Chandler Bing would put it, "Can it be more perfect?". To be honest I had goosebumps when I stumbled on this page, and let out a little "wow" under my breath. As I was there, reading my book and sipping my milkshake, in a cozy café with a pretty view from my window, an author from another part of the world was encouraging me with my Me-Time moments. And I couldn't thank her enough for this message - how it overwhelmed my heart in wonders and sense of excitement.
The Art of Dining Alone | The Confident Girl Enjoys Her Own Company 💖
*Isn't this road just pretty? 🌺 This is the view close by Neighborhood Café. I know - it looks straight romantic. 😍 You get inspired before grabbing your coffee, or milkshake. *wink
I now have a new go-to coffeehouse. There are still lots of items in their menu I want to try. I've heard they're famous for their pancakes - so I'll get one when I do come back and visit. I tried their iced peppermint mocha last weekend, by the way - and it was GOOD. This café kept on surprising me, I reckon. And I am definitely up for more. Happy first of March coffee lovers of the world! 🖤
‘Til the next post, hivers! Remember that you are loved beyond borders and beyond time & space. Okay? Okay. 💛❤️
Ciao for now! 🤗🥰
This original article is written by Jong, the blogger behind writetowander.com. All photos are hers, too. The quote from a book in this blog post is properly credited for.
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