Pampanga is one of the most popular destinations for adventures and food trips near Manila. While restaurants that serve traditional Kapampangan cuisine will always be the top draw, there’s also been a rise in the number of coffee shops, reflecting the growing coffee culture in the area.
Visitors who want to burn some calories—or those who need a caffeine jolt after bingeing on sisig—can add Jungle Base Grounds to their list of dining spots in Pampanga.
Located in San Fernando, a couple of hours’ drive from Metro Manila, this chill coffee hangout is hidden within a large warehouse complex with a fitness hub. If you’re in the mood for some cardio, the vast compound has a gym, badminton courts, a basketball court, a boxing area, an obstacle course and studios for classes.
You can still enjoy the place, minus the workout, by dropping by for coffee. The cafe’s sprawling grounds can accommodate a lot of customers, and the free parking areas around the perimeter make it a good choice for road trippers.
While you can get to the cafe directly from the parking area, you can also walk to the far end of the badminton courts to access the cafe’s secret entrance behind a colorful bookshelf. The main cafe’s dining space is welcoming, with large floor-to-ceiling windows creating a bright and cheerful atmosphere.
The indoor area looks suitable for studying or working with outlets and WiFi, though it was pretty crowded when we arrived since we visited on a Saturday. On lazy weekends, it’s a place you won’t mind lingering all afternoon, especially when it’s too hot to do anything else.
The alfresco area is spacious and relaxing, with tall trees providing shade and industrial fans providing extra breeze for hot summer days. Tables are set around the garden next to a mini playground for young kids and a paved area that doubles as a skating rink. There’s a sandy area to play beach volleyball and a garden with a mini bahay kubo and hammocks that practically invite you to take an afternoon nap.
The laid-back provincial vibe makes Jungle Base a great choice for catch-up sessions with friends. The open spaces and added amenities make it ideal for families with young kids or those traveling with pets on road trips.
Jungle Base’s menu offers a variety of the usual coffee options like Black Coffee, Spanish Latte, Mocha and Old Fashioned Caramel along with signature brews Sea Salt Honey (P170), Tres Leches (P180) and Cinnamon Muscovado (P180). Non-coffee beverages such as Mango Milk, Strawberry Milk, Matcha, Chocolate, Iced Tea and colorful signature coolers like Dusk, Sunset, and Grounds for P160 each. They even have a Puppycino (P40) for furbabies with a choice of dog treats or cat treats.
Having just come from a heavy lunch, most of us just ordered coffee and coolers. I ordered the Sea Salt Cream Latte (P180), one of the newest items on their beverage menu, which offered a good balance between salty and sweet flavors with an espresso base.
Some friends ordered cakes and desserts for sharing including a delicious Carrot Cake (P145) and Salted Caramel Brownies (P105), which paired well with coffee. Everyone was satisfied with the drinks, though one friend said the Dusk Cooler was on the sweet side since it contained jam.
Heavier meals are also available for those who want to have lunch or dinner here and enjoy coffee or tea afterwards. The café serves a range of dishes from appetizers and salads to breakfast items, including rice bowls, sandwiches, pasta, and desserts. Some dishes on their menu include Skillet Artichoke and Cheese (their take on Shakshuka for P280), Chicken Iberico with Fried Rice (P290), Salmon Toast with side Salad (P390), and Pesto Chicken Pasta (P260).
Aside from the good coffee and fitness center, the grounds make the place even more noteworthy. Jungle Base is located in a former private sanctuary from the 70s, and the whole area feels like a nature-inspired farm escape.
As we strolled around the grounds, we came across vine-covered walkways, a secluded swimming pool surrounded by koi ponds, a stone structure that must have housed resort rooms in the past, swings hanging from towering balete trees, and a farm area.
With all the different nooks, the compound serves as a venue for an evolving local community of creatives to recharge and reconnect. Based on their social media pages, Jungle Base frequently hosts creative events, workshops, fairs and pop-ups throughout the year to make weekends more fun for locals and tourists alike.
Parking here was a breeze compared to some other spots in Angeles City. Aside from the 4 separate parking areas for cars, I spotted a dedicated parking area for motorcycles and bike racks near the main entrance as well.
At the entrance near the parking area is Jungle Base Commons, another large warehouse that hosts a couple more trendy food and beverage container van stalls sitting inside a repurposed badminton court.
In case you want to enjoy cocktails or comfort food before driving home, you can also check out the cocktail bar Brew Bar and Niku Niku, which serves burgers and Japanese rice bowls, within the same compound.
Jungle Base Grounds may be a bit hidden, but it’s worth hunting down, especially if you already happen to be in Pampanga or are looking for a new place to visit.
Jungle Base Grounds is located at MacArthur Highway cor. Marlboro Rd., Brgy. Telabastagan, San Fernando, Pampanga 2000. The coffee shop is open from 10:00 am to 10:00 am from Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Mondays. Check out their Holy Week schedule here.
