The Creative Dork

As much as I like the familiarity of Starbucks and CBTL’s coffee, coziness, and sometimes cute baristas, none of them has peaked my interest like Café Noriter. The moment you take a peek through their glass doors, you’ll know you’re in for a treat.

Located along Taft Avenue in front of DLSU (above Tapa King), the Korean-themed coffee shop offers a creative and cozy space for students who are looking for an alternative and more affordable place to get their caffeine fix. Because of its quirky interior, lots of students have been raving about the place since its opening. There are several elevated spaces where customers can sit on the matted wooden floor while gulping down their drinks. Ever since I saw photos of the place from my friend who went there over a year ago, I instantly wanted to visit.

The word ‘Noriter’ means playground in Korea which perfectly explains the playfulness of the place. The decorations give this coffee shop tons of personality and the customers even get a hand in contributing the designs. Back when it was still new, customers were allowed to draw on paper cups and have them displayed around the shop, graffiti were also allowed on the wooden walls and floors. But due to some immature and attention-deficit kids writing obscenities, vandalism has been prohibited.

As for the coffee, Café Noriter offers world class coffee at very competitive prices. I got the Iced Café Latte and was satisfied with its perfect blend. I was also able to taste their Green Tea Blended Cream that my friend, Lou, ordered and it was the best effin’ Green Tea frappe I’ve ever tasted! As in super. As in I wanna go back there right now and have one.

But unlike its more popular peers, Café Noriter doesn’t offer a lot of pastries or snacks. They have a few sandwiches and cakes but that’s about it. Because I wasn’t able to grab lunch that day, I opted to get a Tuna Sandwich. For P100.00, I initially thought it was a bit overpriced but then found it worth every peso due to its home-cooked vibe and a perfect blend of coleslaw and tuna. It also had pickles in it but I hate pickles so I removed it. And it’s nakakabusog! Sulit na sandwich unlike the ones in other coffee shops.

They also have the Noriter Halo-halo for P390.00 which is something I need to order next time I go there. I heard that it’s served on a very big bowl, thus the price.

I guess the only negative comment I have for this place is that it’s too far away from where I live. Had it been opened during my college days when I was still living in Burgundy Transpacific Tower, I probably would’ve spent most of my time here. The place has that perfect ambience for artists to just sketch away the afternoon. I wish I could drop by this place on a daily basis. The only other branch they have is in Dumaguete. Yeah, like wtf right?

This goes straight to my top ten tambayan places for the year! I love love love Café Noriter! I’ll have to go back here next week!

UPDATE: So I went back to Cafe Noriter a week later and ordered their Honeybread. It is now one of my favorite desserts ever! I initially told my friends that it’s for sharing kasi the serving was pretty big, but after my first bite I told them to keep their forks away from it! Sorry, it’s all mine. I definitely recommend it to everyone who will have their quick bite at Cafe Noriter.

Honeybread. Sex on a plate!