ODD Café, as its name suggests, does things differently. This not-so-ordinary coffee shop is the perfect place for people looking for plant-based cuisine, a pet-friendly space, or a place to just enjoy a peaceful café experience.

Located at the heart of Salcedo Village in Makati City, Odd Café is a fun, vibrant place that satisfies both the eyes and the tummies. 

This hidden gem has an irresistible and interesting menu especially for those who don’t consume animal products. 

It started out in May last year as a passion project of its owner Via Villafuerte, who wanted to have a place with only plant-based offerings.

“Odd Cafe started a little bit [differently] and I think that’s also the reason why [the name] Odd Cafe is very fitting. It was really just a passion project that started. Now it [has become] a thing,” Villafuerte told republicasia.

“The idea for the cafe is really rooted [in] making sure that whatever we will come up with is plant-based,” she said.

Odd Café was also inspired by the marketing agency Oddefy, which she owns and spearheads. It is located in the same space as the coffee shop on the seventh floor of the Finman Centre Building.

With the opening of the cafe, the office is now a multi-purpose space, she noted. 

“It’s still here along with the coffee shop, so it’s kind of like [being] born out of the use of the space and at the same time having that AHA moment that you can have a cool marketing agency office that has a coffee shop in it,” she said.

100% vegan, 0% guilt

Customers in Odd Cafe do not need to pay extra charges for plant-based milks because oat and soy milk are the default in most of the shop’s refreshments.

The food it serves is plant-based as well. 

“All of our offerings are actually vegan-friendly. They’re vegan and it’s really something that we’re passionate about,” she said. 

“That’s the reason why [at] Odd Cafe, people get surprised whenever they realize that whatever they’re drinking or whatever they’re eating from here are all plant-based,” she added.  

But aside from offering vegan-friendly food and drinks, she also said she made sure that the cafe’s customers would enjoy a good cup of coffee.  

“Aside from being plant-based coffee, it has to be great coffee,” she said.

Odd Café also wanted to break the stereotype that because it’s vegan, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will taste good, she added.

In photos: Brownie with ice cream and Pita Pizza 

The coffee beans

According to Villafuerte, the beans that Odd Café uses come from Bodega Roasters and are specifically roasted for the coffee shop.

The mix is composed of Arabica beans that come from Sultan Kudarat and Excelsa from Mount Banahaw.

This coffee mixture is used to produce most of Odd Café’s bestsellers, including French Kiss, Odd Quake, Cereal Killer, and Tokyo Cloud.

In photos: French Kiss and Odd Quake

In photos: Cereal Killer and Tokyo Cloud

Hip-retro aesthetic, work- and pet-friendly space

Odd Café ‘s interiors offer a pleasant blend of hippy and retro designs that create an ideal atmosphere for cafe aficionados and creatives.

But the aesthetics aren’t just what sets the space apart from its competitors. Since it has free wi-fi available for patrons, this is also a perfect place for individuals who want to work remotely. 

“A lot of our weekday goers tend to work from here because of the peace, quiet. And they really can concentrate,” Villafuerte said.

Odd Café also has space for events such as birthday parties, bazaars, and other occasions. 

In photos: Odd Café’s Odd Space that customers can rent out for their special events.

It is pet-friendly as well. Coffee shop goers can bring their pets along with them and enjoy the café’s eclectic atmosphere.

Photo courtesy: Odd Café on Instagram (@oddcafeph) 

Rates

Odd Café’s prices range from P100 for the classics (espresso, long black, latte, flat white, cappuccino, macchiato) to P230 for its signature drinks.

“I understand it’s not the [cheapest] cup of coffee but it really is because of the quality that it has and the fact that everything we serve is plant based as well,” Villafuerte said.

Odd Café is open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. 

The coffee shop recently launched its chilldown session every Friday and Saturday, where it offers cocktail drinks to patrons and with its closing time extending until midnight.

In photos: Odd Martini and Red Cosmos