Kapé, the unusual Filipino coffee shop in Paris

Kapé is the name of the Filipino coffee shop opened by Jessica and Aurélie Véchot, who already run Bobi, the Filipino restaurant in the 11th arrondissement. It's the perfect place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and discover flavours from other parts of the world. Open every day except Monday and Tuesday, the spot is ideal for lovers of coffee and exotic cuisine.

On arrival, you discover a large room punctuated by a large central table, above which sits a light fixture made up of lotus flowers in capiz (pearly shell) petals. The decor, by architectural duo Mur.Mur, blends raw materials and light colors. With its large bay window, the space is luminous and at one with the kitchen area.

A small serving tray reveals the dishes to be discovered as soon as you enter, which is a very good idea, given how little we know about the country's gourmet specialties.

The menu - a la carte:

The menu is an invitation to discovery. Signature drinks, such as theUbefoggato (with a scoop of ice cream) or the Latte Ube, are original creations that blend coffee with Ube, a purple yam emblematic of the Philippines. These colorful beverages are color-free and totally natural. There are also infusions of Malunggay (Moringa) and Gumamela (Hibiscus), renowned for their medicinal virtues.

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Filipino cuisine is revealed through a menu combining tradition and revisitation. You can taste :

• Pandesal: Bread rolls served with homemade jam and Isigny crème fraîche, or butter with garlic confit and chicharon.
• Ube Crinkle: Cookie with a dense, soft center, remarkable for its violet color and unique vanilla-hazelnut flavor.
• Silvanas: Sandwich cookie with Filipino chocolate mousseline cream, sandwiched between two cashew nut dacquoises.
• Puto: Fermented rice pastry, steamed in banana leaves, served with coconut jam.
• Soft serve au Ube: Homemade lactose-free purple ice cream with coconut milk.
• Adobo Dip: Traditional dish revisited, featuring potato bun, marinated chicken, garlic confit, arugula and atsara. A vegetarian version with jackfruit is also available.

Kapé, meaning "coffee" in Tagalog, is a window onto the culinary richness of the Philippines. Jessica and Aurélie, by blending tradition and modernity, offer a unique experience to be discovered in Paris.

During our visit, we really enjoyed tasting their signature Latte Ube violet. In its oat milk version, it had sweet notes of coconut and yam, a wonderful discovery. The pandesal rolls, typical of the Philippines, are a must-try, accompanied by garlic butter in the savory version or jam in the sweet version.

And don't miss the putos, dense steamed breads with a kind of coconut jam. For the less adventurous, try the famous Philippine chocolate brownie. You can also enjoy lunch here, with chicken or vegetarian buns, or rice porridges with chicken, egg and ginger.

Kapé is open Wednesday to Friday from 8.30am to 4pm and weekends from 9am to 5pm, at 17, rue de Malte in the 11th arrondissement. It's a must for anyone wishing to explore the flavors of Southeast Asia, in a warm and welcoming setting in the heart of Paris.