When was the last time you went to a coffee shop to relax? Cafes can really be great places to get things done, but we tend to overlook that they’re also an escape. Elephant Grounds challenges that notion of productivity as main focus with its natural light filled interior and plentiful plants.

Already famous in Hong Kong, they recently opened their doors to the public in Metro Manila last June. The new location, at the ground floor of One Bonifacio High Street in BGC, gives you access to both the mall and the park, making their place an ideal spot to chill out. The menu is curated by executive chef Nicco Santos, famous for top-rated restaurants like Your Local and Hey Handsome. Elephant Grounds offers a wide selection of coffee and tea, which you can pair with their Asian-inspired brunch dishes. We’re fond of the prawn paste chicken but if you’re looking for a healthier option, the Thai shrimp salad is a perfect alternative.

They’re also well known for their homemade ice cream selection, so grabbing a scoop is definitely a must. We recommend the high societea ice cream sandwich, which is an earl grey flavored ice cream with bits of biscoff sandwiched between two chocolate chip cookies.

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