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Featured art by Bhernn Saenz. With images from ST. ALi.

MANILA, Philippines —ST. ALi Coffee, a pioneer in the specialty coffee space and a brand synonymous with Melbourne’s famous laneway coffee culture, makes its way to Manila, opening its doors to a community of coffee lovers as the brand continues to expand their presence internationally. Opening their first store in the Philippines at OPUS Mall, Bridgetowne Estate in Quezon City, ST. ALi Coffee seeks to uplift the local coffee scene with dedication to craftsmanship and community.

A Tradition of Specialty Coffee

Founded in the heart of South Melbourne in 2005, the proudly independent coffee roaster has been a trailblazer in Australia’s coffee revolution. Today, they now operate in four countries, including the Philippines, and roasts close to 1.5m tonne of coffee beans annually. ST. ALi has grown into a global coffee icon, with a focus on ethical sourcing and the art of roasting, spreading Melbourne’s coffee culture far and wide.

The iconic brand is committed to democratizing specialty coffee by making it accessible worldwide. “At ST. ALi, coffee is more than just a drink—it’s a craft,” shares Lachlan Ward, CEO at ST. ALi. “We’re proudly Melbourne-born and -bred, and driven to share our passion for coffee and hospitality worldwide. We’re excited to bring the ST. ALi experience to coffee lovers in the Philippines, representing Australian coffee on the global stage.”

(L-R) Stewart Ong, Butter & Salt Group Inc. President and ST. ALi PH Franchisee; Lachlan Ward, ST. ALi CEO; Candy Lu, Butter & Salt Group Inc. Owner and ST. ALi PH Franchisee; Atty. Thomas De Castro, Quezon City District 4 Action Officer; Faraday Go, Robinsons Land Corporation Executive Vice President and Business Unit General Manager at ST. ALi Manila’s Grand Opening at Opus Mall, Bridgetowne, Quezon City. Image courtesy of ST. ALi.

Thought and Innovation in Every Cup

Using coffee as the medium, ST. ALi partners with other industry leaders, pushing the boundaries of what coffee can be—and the endless possibilities that come with each cup. From designing next-wave signature drinks to experimenting with diverse brewing techniques, ST. ALi is at the forefront of specialty coffee, exploring the newest processes and technologies.

Alex Wang, ST. ALi Head Barista, reveals, “We’re on a relentless quest to source the world’s best coffee. Wherever possible, we deal with producers directly—partnering with truly remarkable humans who share our obsession with perfection.” Complementing the Filipinos’ obsession with great coffee, he adds, “All coffee is roasted fresh to order at our roastery in Port Melbourne, where our team of skilled roasters meticulously fine-tune each batch, ensuring consistency and quality for our blends.”

Matchamansi, a vibrant and tangy matcha tonic. Image courtesy of ST. ALi.

ST. ALi brings its Barista Signatures like the Barista Breakfast (flat white, espresso & filter), Winter Freddo (Orthodox espresso, peanut butter chocolate, cold milk, cold milk foam, shaved chocolate), and Apple-Gato (Vanilla ice cream, house-made apple puree, Orthodox espresso, granola garnish). Choose from other Signature Coffee Beverages like Coco Mingle (espresso, chocolate cream, coconut water), Matcha Calamansi (tonic, Japanese matcha, calamansi), and ST. ALi Iced Matcha (refreshing chilled matcha).

Savory Fan Favorites

ALi takes pride in serving coffee, complemented by a carefully crafted menu. “We believe that coffee is best enjoyed with great food. Our dishes are made with the finest ingredients, locally sourced whenever possible, to deliver quality and flavor in every bite,” notes Greg McFarland, ST. ALi Head Chef.

Standout food items that are sure to become your favorites include some of ST. ALi’s signature dishes: Avo Toast, a modern twist on a beloved Australian classic; Chilli Scrambled Eggs, a perfect blend of creamy and spicy; and ST. ALi’s famous burger, The Royale, which brings a premium twist to the traditional burger.

(From left) ALi Granola – mango curd & passionfruit; Coconut Rice Pudding – creamy coconut rice pudding with a hint of vanilla; and Hummus Breakfast – poached eggs, parsley pesto, crispy chickpeas, curry leaves, ST. ALi chili oil, baguette. Image courtesy of ST. ALi.

A Culture of Community

The abundance of cafés all over the Philippines—from independent coffee roasters to third-wave coffee shops—crowded with coffee enthusiasts all day, is proof that Filipinos love their coffee. “Melbourne is known as one of the coffee capitals of the world, famous for its vibrant coffee culture, and that’s where we discovered ST. ALi,” says Stewart Ong, a local franchisee of ST. ALi. “I knew that Filipinos, with their unmatched love for great coffee, needed to experience these expert flavors. We’re excited to bring the very first ST. ALi Coffee to Manila at OPUS Mall in Quezon City.”

Image courtesy of ST. ALi.

ALi has built a thriving community of coffee lovers through its lively café atmosphere, collaborative events, and a commitment to nurturing creativity. “We’re all about creating spaces where people can escape reality for a bit–where time stands still, allowing them to savor their coffee while watching the world go by,” shares Ward. “Our team features some of the best chefs and baristas from around the globe, all dedicated to crafting a memorable experience for everyone who walks through our doors.”

Discover Melbourne’s very own ST. ALi Coffee and explore their lineup of signature drinks and fan-favorite bites, now open on the Ground Floor of OPUS Mall, Bridgetowne Destination Estate in Quezon City.

Categories: Food & Drinks, Recent Stories, Source

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