At Likha Art Cafe in Hudson Valley, NY, Filipino flavors, coffee, and art collide

Photos from Likha Art Cafe/Facebook

Freshly baked pandesal soaked in really good coffee in an environment filled with art? Yes please.

But no, we’re not just talking about a pipe dream. Likha Art Cafe at 363 Elwood Ave., Hawthorne, New York, is as real as it gets.

Just when the four Batangueño owners felt kind of stuck in their daily grind, according to an interview, little did they know that their new coffee shop venture (built after mastering the art of blending coffee and Filipino-inspired pastries) would be the culmination of their American dream.

Their offerings are all instant classics: a mouthwatering mini ube flan cake, ube pandesal with cheese, a pan de coco that gives a taste of home with every bite, and a mini sans rival dessert cake that delivers good news to your taste buds. Wash it all down with their beverages (we love the ube latte), and you’re guaranteed to get that warm, nostalgic feeling.

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If ube isn’t high on your list (which is a mighty surprise, honestly), go for the iced chai tea latte or the turmeric latte for a healthier kick—then pair it with a soft chocolate chip cookie. You won’t regret it, according to this satisfied customer on Yelp.

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Likha Art Cafe is a feast for the eyes and soul

But Likha Art Cafe isn’t all about pastries and caffeine; it’s also a visual haven, too. With its bright space adorned with plants and artworks, you can’t just sit down here and sip pretty without actually feasting on the visual display.

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From Rommel Rico’s paintings and Erwin Ong’s hand-painted bilingual Filipino greeting cards (complete with English translations) to Loreta Macaraig’s quilling artworks and her husband Ruben Macaraig’s pieces (who actually uses his art to heal from the scars of being a 9/11 survivor), the venue is a collective art experience.

As you sit amid these works of art, you’ll not only find yourself back in the Philippines but also immersed in a world of creativity and nostalgia. Likha Art Cafe only opened on July 14 and yet this quaint gem has already earned a five-star rating on Yelp, and we bet it’s just the beginning.

Whether it’s for a quiet morning coffee or a pastry-filled afternoon, let’s soak those pandesals in coffee and say, “Ala eh, kasarap!”