As a believer of serendipity and seeker of peace and quiet, Kismet Café has really taken my interest as I’ve heard about it. Reflecting its namesake, Kismet Café is something that is found by fate as it is tucked in a corner along Kalayaan Ave., Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City. Who would have thought that there would be a serene and soothing café at a place surrounded by the towering buildings, noisy streets, and busy people?

Kismet café started its operation on the last quarter of 2015 when brothers Dante and Goppal decided to have a café that they want to manage full-time. Initially, they wanted to name it “Kaefir”, a probiotic drink since they wanted to serve in a healthy manner of cooking. Everything they serve is vegan, no meat and dairy! However, the term also means unbeliever or disbeliever in Arabic and they do not want to associate with such word. Therefore, as believers themselves, they decided to name their café to its opposite, a word which means fate and destiny. And since their mom has always wanted a café name “Kismet”, Kismet Café was born serving just the coffee and the pastries. But as they miss the food they grew-up eating, they started serving the food they missed when they were living in California.

Being a family business, the brothers wanted to keep it simple with firsthand management. They kept the café small to preserve the serenity of the place for people seeking relaxation in the busy Metro. They wanted a café experience where people can talk, study, and relax with a cup of coffee. Their mother did the interesting interiors with colorful murals and handmade decorations from different countries such as India, Israel, Philippines, etc. showcasing different cultures. Aside from the interiors, they wanted to promote local products of the Philippines.

They serve TSaalaya Tea by Kamir Ocampo. They also use local coffee beans such as those from Hinelaban, Mindanao – internationally known coffee as they compete and won awards and Mt. Atok Arabica from Benguet – known for its nutty, sweet, and fruity tones over rich smooth flavors. Thus, people keep on coming back not just for the ambiance but for the great drinks as well.

To highlight the capabilities of our local tea and coffee, they serve their drinks in different variants with a local barista blend. We have tried their Latte and Capuccino with milk (only non-vegan that they serve), Espresso, and Soy Milk Iced Latte and they are a perfect variety for however you want to do your café hang-out. Whether you want to cool yourself from the scorching heat or warm up from the cold rain, these drinks are perfect for you. You can also read books from a bookshelf in the cafe while enjoying your choice of beverage.

 Good news to all health-conscious individuals! Despite our busy schedule with no time to prepare food, we can now eat scrumptious vegan food in just one stop. Digging in to their menu,

 Their bestselling Carne Asada Burrito (Mexicali Vegan Burritos) are a must-try. With its large Filipino breakfast-styled serving, you are sure to have a filling meal without the guilt of eating too much.

If you want a not-so-heavy meal, their Peanut Butter Banana Pancakes are perfect breakfast, or snack if that’s how you want it. It’s thick and fluffy layers paired with the peanut butter and banana toppings will make you crave for more. But worry not, they’re healthy, so it’s okay to indulge!

For those who love a touch of spice in their meal, Jalapeno Con Queso (Grilled Cheese), is a perfect choice! It is filled with jalapenos and cashew cheese, the best “fake-cheese” according to their patrons. The creamy cheese balances the spiciness of the jalapenos so it’s heaven with every bite.  It is served with tomato soup perfect for a slurp or dip, your choice!

Want to enjoy a sandwich but could not afford to eat with fatty mayonnaise? Try their Healthy Hummus Sandwich served with tomato soup! The nutritious and flavorful hummus spread goes along fully well with our favorite sandwich fixings – bread, vegetable, and vegan meat!

For those who prefer Filipino-style meals? Their Vegan Filipino Breakfast radiates Filipino in all its signature ingredients – vegan tapsilog with fried banana (saba) and atchara. It’s perfect for our palate as we all craved for rice once in our lives anyways!

Perfect for a healthy barkada hangout, their Vegan Nachos and heart-shaped Vegan Doughnuts are great to dig in as you enjoy the company of each other. The doughnuts are so soft but not too sweet, just like how I like my pastries. The nachos stay crispy and appetizing even after exposure to air for a long time so you can take time bonding with friends.

Despite some offers on franchising to expand their business, they wanted to keep Kismet Café personal as they already treat it as a part of the family. Amongst all the offers, they decided to open and self-manage the next branch of Kismet Café in La Union as they were awed and fell in love with the place

For those who are craving for healthy food in this rainy weather, worry not as these healthy meals from a California-style health-conscious café and wellness store can be delivered to your doorsteps through Food Panda.

Follow Kismet Cafe’ on their Social Media Pages below:

Facebook: Kismet Cafe’

Instagram: Kismet Cafe’

Address: MBA Condominium, 5022 Kalayaan Ave, Bgy Poblacion, Makati, 1210 Metro Manila

Contact Number: (02) 896 7720

Hours of Operation: Mondays to Fridays, 6AM to 9PM, Saturday and Sunday, 9AM to 6PM