New Jersey is getting its first Filipino coffee shop—leche flan latte included
Photos from Ayala Coffee/Facebook
Good coffee always feels like a sip of sunshine. But what if it comes with ube, Milo, and a dose of Pinoy kwentuhan? An elevated coffee experience. That’s exactly what this soon-to-open cafe in New Jersey aims to do.
With beginnings at community pop-ups, Ayala Coffee looks to boost the Jersey java scene with its planned opening in Spring 2024 at Union’s downtown.
If you think Ayala Coffee is just your average cafe in New Jersey, think again. The menu of the first Filipino cafe in the Garden State offers blends powered by leche flan, ube, and buko pandan.
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Elsewhere, their Milo banana cold brew will take you back to your childhood while the lychee iced green tea is a refreshing choice on hot days.
Pair these with “bibingka cookies”—coconut snickerdoodle cookies with a salted egg custard cream—from Fil-Am-owned microbakery Pito Provisions (@bakedbypito on Instagram) for a heightened Filipino experience.
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Culture and sustainability at Ayala Coffee
Aside from their Pinoy dessert-driven coffees, their dedication to the Filipino community and sustainability is notable. Their coffee beans are sourced from Benguet, a region in northern Philippines where various farming communities produce some of the country’s best beans. They also pay these farmers above average compared to other coffee-producing countries like Colombia and Brazil.
Sustainability-wise, Ayala Coffee composts beans and recycles coffee grinds for fertilization. They also use eco-friendly straws and cups and steer clear of using too many ingredients to avoid waste.
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Beyond coffee, the shop has become a “third place” for the Filipino community in New Jersey. According to owners Matthew Reyes and Trixie Jose, it’s a place where Filipinos from all walks of life share their love for Pinoy flavors and make lasting memories.
You may also like: At Likha Art Cafe in Hudson Valley, NY, Filipino flavors, coffee, and art collide
Where did it all start?
Both New Jersey natives from immigrant families, Reyes and Jose were inspired by a thriving Filipino coffee shop in Seattle.
“We walked in and I felt like it was our dreams coming to fruition right in front of us. And on top of that, there were so many non-Filipinos coming in and out too, enjoying the drinks and the food. That was a pivotal moment for us because it kind of made us realize like, ‘OK, this can actually be a thing,” Jose said in an interview.
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Adding to this motivation was when Jose’s grandmother caught COVID-19 in 2020. Though she fought the battle triumphantly, it was a wake-up call to how life is short and dreams should be pursued when there’s still a chance. Jose left her accountancy job and partnered with Reyes, then in 2021, their first pop-up was born.
They named it Ayala Coffee as a tribute to Jose’s grandmother, who is originally from Ayala Heights in Quezon City, Philippines.
Community, culture, plus good coffee? Something to look forward to.
