In case you missed the news, a portion of Roxas Boulevard along Manila Bay is now car-free every Sunday, allowing the public to freely bike, skate, run, jog, walk, and exercise in a safe environment. Residents of Manila and other parts of the metro can do physical activities with their families including children, along the northbound and southbound lanes of Roxas Boulevard from Padre Burgos Circle to Quirino Avenue from 5am to 9am on Sundays.
One of the goals of making this street partially car-free is to encourage the public to appreciate the historical and cultural significance of Roxas Boulevard and nearby sites as well as the natural beauty of Manila Bay.
If you don’t live in the area but want to try biking along Roxas Boulevard soon, you might as well swing by Intramuros and Fort Santiago. Some streets around Intramuros, including General Luna were also recently pedestrianized and the historic quarter is a good place to hunt down bike-friendly cafes for your post-ride hangouts.
Papa Kape, located inside the grounds of Fort Santiago offers a good spot for cyclists who want an uncrowded place to park bikes safely and relax in comfort within the historic enclave. It’s easy to miss this cafe unless you’re actively seeking it out, as it’s tucked in one corner at the tail end of the fort near the dungeons. The bike-friendly cafe that opened in 2023 is housed in Aljibe de la Fuerza, a 400-year-old water cistern that was originally constructed to supply fresh water to the residence of the Commander of Fort Santiago. The water cistern played a vital role in history and its structure managed to survive the bombings during World War II that left many parts of Intramuros in ruins.
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The former water tower is now adaptively being reused into a cozy air-conditioned cafe for tourists. The cafe’s main indoor space is pretty small, with just two dining tables, a shelf display of local brews from Iloilo, and the counter where all the coffee-concocting magic takes place. In case you’re dining with a larger group, there are more tables right outside in the cafe’s outdoor alfresco area. Adding to the charm of the cafe is their resident cat Tiago, a very distinguished-looking tuxedo cat who seems to own the place.
Papa Kape’s standard coffees include espresso, americano, cafe latte, cappuccino, mocha, white mocha, chocolate, condensada evaporada, and tres leches, ranging in price from P100 to P200 per glass. They also serve a range of teas for non coffee-drinkers.
The cafe serves a few notable signature blends that infuse local flavors into drinks with a twist.
The Kape Cervesa, which combines espresso, ginger, and premium malt beer was a bit too experimental for my taste. But if you want something refreshing, I recommend the Black Gulaman Americano, which combines espresso, pandan arnibal, grass jelly, and basil seeds.
Other signature drinks include Tahoat (espresso, oat milk, soy curds, tapioca pearls), Bibingkaccino (espresso, coconut milk froth, & torched queso) and Mango Sampaloc Ice Tea (mango, tamarind, black tea). While the drinks are a bit pricier at P200 a pop, they’re a good option for international tourists, cyclist groups, and coffee enthusiasts looking for something unique.
They don’t serve full meals, but the cafe does offer a few small bites - mainly bread, pastries and native delicacies like Tablea Cupcake (P75), Red Bean Suman (P75) and Kesong Puti Pretzel (P60) that you can pair as snacks or dessert to go with your coffee.
Since it opened, Papa Kape has become a popular spot for cyclists to hunt down coffee rides because of its somewhat hidden location and secure bike parking area with proper bike racks right next to the cafe, which is still a rarity in many restaurants in Manila. The cafe is also a pet-friendly hangout with shady outdoor areas under trees, so it’s a good option for families sightseeing with furbabies. The cafe is open daily from 9am to 9pm, making it a good destination for morning coffee rides, after-lunch hangouts to escape the heat, and night rides. If you happen to visit Intramuros and want a cozy coffee spot, it’s worth checking out.
Papa Kape, Fort Santiago, 18 Sta. Clara St, Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila City, Philippines. Open daily from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. Fort Santiago Entrance Fee: Adults (P75), Students, Seniors & PWD (P50).
More photos of Papa Kape in Intramuros, Manila City:
