Coffee Beats by Life

Coffee has the power to lift moods, give us a surge of energy, or, for some, be part of their rest and relaxation. But let me raise you one better. Coffee with a view of greenery and mountainside fresh air is quite unbeatable. Only about an hour's drive from Metro Manila, you can find Coffee Beats in Santo Tomas, Batangas. 

Sometimes it’s nice to get away from the city for a few hours, and this place is easily accessible, especially if you have a car. An hour’s drive, spent mostly on the expressway, so there’s barely any traffic. Once you exit at Santo Tomas, it’s only a few minutes to drive up the hills to reach this secret hideaway. They open from 10 a.m to 10 p.m, which means if you happen to get off work early or have a few hours to kill in the evening, you can always make your way here to enjoy either the sunset or just the fresh air with a good cup of coffee.

Since coffee is in the name, it’s probably best that we dive into their coffee menu and options first. For hot coffee, they have all of the usual options, such as Cappuccino, Flat White, Americano, Mocha, and a non-coffee option, but well-loved all the same, Hot Chocolate. The iced coffee menu is where things get interesting. Of course, they have the iced versions of the hot coffees available, but they also have a few intriguing options, such as the Coconut Latte, which I thoroughly enjoyed and would order again. The coconut was not too overpowering, and the flavors went really well together. Refreshing and comforting all at the same time, and complemented the green view that had coconut trees sticking out here and there. They also have something called Buttersky, which I think is similar to a Spanish latte, with a dash of cinnamon on top. There were quite a few on the menu that I was unable to try, but I will definitely explore them next time. The Vanilla Blue Mocha, Coco Infusion, and Citrus Burst Coffee are on my hit list for my next visit. 

If you’re not a big coffee drinker, that is not a problem. They also have many non-coffee options in their Ice Blended and Over Iced sections of the menu. From a Strawberry Swirl and Oreo Cookie Cream, to a Mango Sprite Iced tea, and Lemongrass Punch, I’m sure you’ll find something tasty to drink. 

Now that we’ve covered the drinks, it’s time to talk about the food. Although the menu is small, it is decent enough for a cafe in what feels like the middle of nowhere. I was actually surprised by the quality of the food. When you live in the city for so long, you get used to the prices of eating out, and sometimes, but not always, low prices can indicate low quality. However, Coffee Beats is an exception. The low prices are just the cherry on top since everything we ordered was great. Everything was fresh, cooked well, and the portions were more than enough for one person. 

They have dishes that are both light and heavy, and even have a few options for sharing or pica-pica. There’s something for whatever mood you’re in. We started off with some salads. We decided to get the Sesame Shrimp Salad and the Traditional Caesar Salad. I personally enjoyed the sesame salad better. The dressing was citrusy, and the shrimp was slightly charred, which made for a pleasing combination. For the sharing plates, I did notice that they were mostly seafood options, aside from a plate of fries. They have Tempura, Calamari, and Fish and Chips, which we ordered. Again, I was surprised by the quality. The batter was golden brown and crispy, the fish perfectly soft and flaky on the inside, and the portion size was enough for two people. If you don’t eat seafood, then it’s probably best to stick to the main dishes, sandwiches, and salad options. For sandwiches and burgers, they have a Clubhouse Sandwich, Spicy Tuna Melt, Flame Grilled Beef Burger, Classic Chicken Bun, and a Cheese Melt, which I think all come with a side of fries. 

For the main dishes, they have a decent selection with a Salisbury Steak, Garlic Herb Cream Pork, Sesame Soy Beef Stir-fry, Soy Glazed Braised Pork Belly, Citrus Chicken, Classic Fried Chicken, and Peanut Chicken Stew. All of those filling options for a low price that could probably rival your regular fast food chain options. At least at Coffee Beats, you know you’re eating real food (with a side of vegetables), and with a wonderful view too! 

Last but not least by any means, we have the dessert menu to go through. Although they do have a list of cakes on the menu, I found that it’s best to ask one of the servers what cakes are available for the day. When I asked, the options for that day included Tiramisu, Coffee Cake, Blueberry Cheesecake, Biscoff Cheesecake, Chocolate Cake, and Red Velvet Cake. We decided to stick to the coffee theme and order a slice of Coffee Cake and Tiramisu. Both were moist and decadent but not in an overwhelming way, and would probably pair best with a hot cup of coffee. 

Overall, Coffee Beats made for a great weekend brunch spot. I did notice, however, that there are some seating options that have electrical outlets near them. I guess if you work remote, you could probably bring your laptop and work outside in the fresh air for a few hours for a fraction of the price you would spend in a cafe in Metro Manila. I was not able to inquire if they had their own wifi, but I did notice that my signal for mobile data was clear and fast, which, when surrounded by hills in a provincial area, is actually quite impressive. 

The staff was also lovely and attentive. Everything was served in a timely manner with a warm smile. It’s clear that the team works as one and is well coordinated. When it comes to paying, they do accept card payments, which is convenient if you are the type not to carry cash around. And lastly, if you plan to go on the weekend, don’t be surprised if there’s a bit of a waiting time, or if you can’t choose where you’d like to sit. I stayed for a few hours to enjoy the scenery, and there were families, groups, and couples that came and went. There was a constant stream of customers, and for good reason. If you are driving, they do have designated parking spots, but only a few. However, in the case that all the designated parking spots are filled, I’m sure that the kind guard up front could help you find alternative parking spaces. 

If you check social media, you’ll probably find that they trend every now and again, and they deserve every bit of recognition. Bring your friends and family to Coffee Beats by Life, and enjoy a cup of coffee, some nibbles, destress, and bask in nature for a couple of hours.