METRO MANILA | Starbucks Intramuros

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Waiting for Coffee at Starbucks Intramuros

Always on the lookout for a great place to have coffee, we chanced upon this quaint café right inside the old walls of Manila.
The Curved Wall / Ceiling of Starbucks IntramurosStarbucks, being a household name in coffee can be hardly called quaint; it’s like calling a Jollibee or McDonald’s  fastfood stores quaint. But their branch at Intramuros really lives up to the word.

Intramuros, literally translated means within the walls. The 8-foot thick, 22-foot high walls were built by the Spaniards in the 16th century as a line of defense against foreign invaders. These ramparts contained what was Manila back in the day. And nestled in one of these fortifications is the café of choice for most metropolitan people, Starbucks Coffee.


The café’s ceilings and walls were of adobe, curving from the floor to ceiling and back to floor again. Colorful coffee-related paintings hang on these bended walls. The illusion of a coffee house from bygone days, however, would have been complete if not for the modern furniture and the lighted food racks at the counter.

Ambience was very intimate, as the place was not that large. We visited on a sleepy Saturday afternoon and were surprised to get a table immediately. An hour later and the place was packed.

This is one of the best Starbucks branches I’ve been to, the Starbucks in Tagaytay a far second. It’s very different from the usual modern comfy design of their stores and I bet this place would look even lovelier at night. I wouldn’t mind spending an afternoon coffee here once a week, I’ll just leave out the whipped cream and lessen the sugar a bit for my frap.

 

Dark Mocha Frap at Starbucks Intramuros A Cozy Nook at Starbucks Intramuros The Cavernous Walls of Starbucks IntramurosStarbucks Intramuros Facade Orders Ready at Starbucks Intramuros

 

Click to view location on Google Maps

Starbucks Coffee Intramuros
Address: Puerta Isabel II, 15-A Muralla St. cor. Magallanes Drive
Intramuros, Manila
Phone Number: (632) 527-4282

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16 comments

  1. ohh! I miss Starbucks (Even if the place is only a few steps away from my school)

    At night it's nice to have coffee outside :D

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  2. The ceilings and walls are indeed nice. It makes having a coffee here an experience. World of Vhincci

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  3. I love starbucks. Caramel Frappe has always been my favorite.

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  4. Nice shots you got there! This is the Starbucks branch with the best interiors in my opinion.

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  5. Oh I've been here! And you're right it IS lovelier at night. :-) Gets a little crowded though. :-)

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  6. I really like it when establishments adjust themselves to preserve the charm of a place. great job to starbucks for doing this! :D

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  7. John
    Dapat ma try ko nga minsan sa gabi =)

    Vhincci, Ed
    Indeed it does, kudos to starbucks for that

    Robert
    Mine's their dark mocha =)

    Marjorie
    I do consider it too to be the best one =)

    Manila Girl
    It's a bit loose now that classes are off =)

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  8. I saw this location back in 2007. A friend from Manila told me that it used to be a dungeon during the Spanish era. Can anyone confirm this?

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  9. Fetus
    Thanks!

    Rick
    Hmmm, I'm not really sure. I searched a bit for its history before but didn't see anything about it. I'll ask the staff next time we have coffee there =)

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  10. Saw this post from your year end report. Wow! I never knew that Starbucks in Intramuros looks like this. It's pretty neat! :D

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  11. Heritage councils should really consider preserving the charm and antiquity of Intramuros by relocating Starbucks elsewhere. The Starbuck sign is nothing but a distraction for those who truly want to experience the rich history our country. Intramuros is not a shopping center, or a mall. It should be treated as a historical landmark and be respected.

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    Replies
    1. While I agree with you Edward, we also have to bear in mind that the place also needs to generate income. And one of the best way to do this without really compromising the history of the area is through adaptive reuse.

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  12. Is this Starbucks still open?

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    Replies
    1. Yes, as of July 2020, Starbucks Intramuros in Muralla is still open.

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