Kapihan

Kapihan is an artisanal Filipino café in Battersea run by two brothers who have swapped the corporate world for the coffee world. Applying European techniques to Southeast Asian staples, Kapihan (meaning coffee house in Tagalog) serves brews plus freshly baked sweet and savoury Filipino pastries to eat in or take away. Its beans are sourced directly from small, independent coffee farms dotted around the 7,000-plus islands of the Philippines. And its minimalist interiors are a subtle nod to the stilt houses indigenous to the Philippines, with smooth, sweeping woods and natural light streaming through its floor-to-ceiling windows.

From the signature brews, the Spanish Latte, made with the special blend coffee, was velvety, sweet and delicious. The Barako, a Filipino black-coffee staple, had a hint of spice. A comforting Palawan Honey Latte was expertly executed, milky and slightly honey-sweet. And the filter coffee was light and mildly earthy, with a tea-like consistency.

As for the food, there was the pan de asado, a sweetish but savoury loaf, its squidgy body filled with umami chicken. The pan de adobo was another highlight: a soft and comforting pillowy bun packed with delicately savoury pork chunks. Also unmissable was the dessert version: pan de coco, a light and airy pandan-infused brioche with a sweet young-coconut cream filling.

Kapihan stands out as a quietly confident passion project bringing a slice of the Philippines to the London coffee scene.

BY: GEETA DHAR