Café 32nd Street [Review]

Menarco Tower, 32nd Street, BGC

(August 30, 2025)

RATING: ❤️❤️❤️/5

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I’ve been wanting to visit this café for a month now. The simplicity of their name and the location makes me curious. Situated right in the middle of 32nd Street in BGC, I initially wondered if they could still attract enough customers. Turns out, that wasn’t a problem at all. My first few attempts to drop by, the place was packed, mostly with Gen-Z crowds. During one visit, they even had an event going on, and I thought it was the perfect venue since the surrounding area stays relatively quiet despite being just across from a major road. Thankfully, you don’t hear the traffic from inside.

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🏢DESIGN

The café’s interior is clean, minimalist, and modern. The menu board at the counter highlights their newest items in a sleek font which is easy to read without being in your face. The food displayed at the right side of the counter were attractive in the eyes and will surely tempt you to buy.

The entire space is comfortably cold (which I personally love). As for their seats, you can choose between standard chairs or cozy single couches, both equally comfortable. Unfortunately, they don't have restroom available.

I also appreciated the small station for essentials like tissues and creamers, making everything easily accessible. Another unique feature is a designated photo corner complete with studio lights, perfect if you want to capture Instagram-worthy shots that feel like a mini-photoshoot.

Power sockets are also available for those who bring their laptops with them.

😋 TASTE

Their latté hit the sweet spot for me, it was smooth, balanced, and flavorful. I paid an extra ₱50 for almond milk, half-expecting it to water down the drink, but to my surprise, it still packed a strong, satisfying coffee taste. Definitely worth it.

🧭 LOCATION

Admittedly, the spot isn’t the most convenient. On foot, you’ll need to cross several walkways since it’s positioned right in the middle of one of BGC’s busiest roads. If you’re driving, parking isn’t available directly out front, you’ll have to maneuver at the back of the building where this shop is located. However, I believe that if you have great products it would still attract people regardless of location. So for now, this spot works, but if they want to reach a wider audience, relocating closer to High Street or 5th Avenue might be ideal.

💸 PRICE & SERVICE

Their latté costs ₱180 plus ₱50 for almond milk which is slightly on the expensive side, but justified by the cozy ambiance and overall experience that I had.

On the other hand, one area for improvement would be their customer service. When I entered, no one greeted or acknowledged me—not a huge deal, but worth noting. Some staff seemed shy or perhaps inexperienced, though I did notice they greeted other customers. Consistency in customer service would definitely elevate the experience further.

📋CONCLUSION

I’ve tried many posh-looking cafés where the aesthetics overshadow the actual coffee quality. Café 32nd Street is a refreshing exception. While it has the upscale vibe, they’ve managed to deliver excellent coffee that stands as the true highlight. The price feels reasonable considering both the product and the atmosphere. If you’re looking for a café that balances style with substance, this is worth a visit.

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