Melbourne’s St. Ali Coffee opens in the Philippines

Their signature Feels Good espresso blend exemplifies these values: a fully traceable, 100 per cent organic blend that changes with the seasons, bringing you coffee that assures peak flavour. As the roaster’s most dynamic blend, the Feels Good blend also demonstrates its knack for innovation, challenging the team to think outside the box. Recently, it’s taken shape in a 60-40 Colombian-Indian blend from Tolima and Chikmalagur, introducing intriguing notes of molasses and black pepper while lowering their carbon footprint by leveraging sources closer to their home down under. 

But the secret to great coffee doesn’t stop there. Wang continues, “All coffee is roasted fresh to order at our roastery in Port Melbourne, where our team of skilled roasters meticulously fine-tune each batch, ensuring consistency and quality for our blends.” Then, comes the brewing. Utilising their signature blends like Feels Good and Orthodox (with notes of apple jam, fudge, and milk chocolate), plus a rotating selection of single-origin coffees that are sure to captivate the coffee geeks among us, the St. Ali team has designed an impressive range of both classic and unconventional coffee drinks, all brewed with the utmost care.

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“St. Ali is known for its unwavering dedication to exceptional coffee quality, innovative blends, vibrant café culture, and a truly unique company atmosphere,” shares Wang. “For me, excellent coffee is about balance and precision—from sourcing exceptional beans to roasting with care and brewing with consistency. Each step in the process matters and the goal is to create a cup that tells a story and delights the drinker.”

At their first Philippine outpost, guests can sample signature drinks such as the Winter Freddo, a milky blend of Orthodox espresso, peanut butter chocolate and shaved chocolate, which you can make boozy with coffee liqueur, as well as the B-a-n-a-n-a Paradiso with banana curd, vanilla ice cream, and Orthodox espresso. Of course, your classic cups of coffee are available too, while those after a more immersive coffee experience might like to try their tasting flight or three espressos, or the barista breakfast which features coffee served three ways (flat white, espresso, and filter), highlighting the coffee’s nuances while illuminating the differences between each style. Additionally, St. Ali at Opus Mall offers non-coffee beverages such as a Milo shake, a matcha-calamansi tonic, and even a selection of cocktails, wine, and Engkanto beer.

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The international coffee authority is also known for its playful takes on brunch fare, and promises to uphold this reputation in the Philippines as well. “St. Ali is renowned for its vibrant and innovative approach to modern Australian cuisine,” says executive chef Greg McFarland. Unbound by any one cuisine, St. Ali’s contemporary cuisine draws from Australian, Asian, and even Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences, crafting a truly unique food programme.

“The menu is characterised by its creative twists on classic dishes, with a strong emphasis on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients,” adds McFarland. “The ethos driving our menus is a focus on quality ingredients, freshness, sustainability, and artistry, aiming to surprise and delight guests with flavours and textures that push the boundaries of traditional café fare.”

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On the menu are timeless classics such as the avo toast with Parmesan and St. Ali’s signature chilli oil, the chilli scrambled eggs with crème fraîche, and the Royale Wagyu burger. Looking for something a bit more adventurous? Try My Mexican Cousin: a St. Ali classic since 2005 with corn fritters, crispy halloumi, fresh sweetcorn salsa, poached eggs, and mixed greens, which McFarland believes is best enjoyed with a flat white or cappuccino.

For a taste of Japan, consider the Tokyo omelette filled with smoked eel, pickled enoki mushrooms, nori, and bonito butter, and pair it with a matcha latte, which McFarland says “add a touch of earthiness that complements the Japanese ingredients.” Tuck into the short-rib burger featuring 24-hour braised short rib marinated in St. Ali coffee and vegemite, stacked in a buttery brioche bun with caramelised kimchi and garlic aioli—a hearty meal that calls for a dark beer or a deep red wine.

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St. Ali’s expansion to the Philippines is spearheaded by Stewart Ong, president of Butter & Salt Group Inc—the same franchisee who brought in the world-famous Magnolia Bakery (registered locally as M Bakery) in 2018 and Korean egg sandwich sensation Eggdrop, which opened last December. “I first came across St. Ali in 2019 during a trip to Melbourne,” Ong recalls. “Melbourne is famous for its coffee and brunch culture and offers some of the best coffees in the world. Melbourne is even said to have more cafés per person than any other city on the planet.” 

It was love at first sip—inspired by the brand’s commitment to excellent coffee as well as the Philippines’ burgeoning café culture, Ong approached St. Ali owner, Salvatore Malatesta, and the rest was history. “Expanding to the Philippines felt like a natural step for St. Ali”, chimes Wang. “The growing appreciation for speciality coffee in the region aligns with our mission to bring exceptional coffee experiences to new audiences. The Philippines also has a rich history in coffee production, making it an exciting opportunity to connect with local culture and contribute to its emerging speciality coffee scene.”

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Inviting guests to visit St. Ali at Opus Mall, Ong remarks: “What sets St. Ali apart is the unique experience of Melbourne’s speciality coffee culture, which we are bringing to Manila. We aim to make great coffee fun and accessible. Our company’s goal is to bring the best brands of the world to the Philippines, and when it comes to coffee, St. Ali Coffee is definitely one of the best.” Stay tuned as St. Ali gears up to open its second branch at BGC in the near future.

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