If you bother to get out of Ayala Center and venture around the CBD, Makati’s most charmful neighborhood (when there’s no heavy congestion) is Legazpi Village, a mixed residential-commercial area known for the Sunday market, diverse dining options, and (some) well-preserved Brutalist and midcentury modern buildings.

One such building is Dna Angela’s Garden in C. Palanca St., a commercial condominium that houses a favorite cafe of mine: Panco.

Panco Cafe first opened in 2022 with the goal of bringing Melbourne’s coffee culture to Manila, but grew to be runner’s and cyclist’s hangout spot for a good breakfast, especially when Car-Free Ayala was launched in September 2023.

I’ve been going here since February 2023, at the height of our protests against Ayala’s decision of removing the bike lanes along Ayala Avenue. Today, it’s my default go-to place in Makati for breakfast or early lunch when I’m out doing errands (or if I feel like working remotely).

The place is bright and cheerful with well-spaced tables that can sit as much as eight to ten people at a time. The interiors don’t feel claustrophobic by any means, but I usually dine al fresco to take in the goings-on in the street, hoping to see friends walking, running or cycling by.

They also sell coffee sourced from Melbourne, so if you want to do your own pour over at home, you’ll find a healthy selection of beans and grounds here.

How to Get to Panco

Panco is located along C.Palanca, which is a one-way street coming from Dela Rosa. If you’re cycling from Paseo de Roxas or Makati Ave., just turn left into Dela Rosa then make another left into C. Palanca. You won’t miss it: Its deep blue signage is unmistakable.

If you need additional landmarks, the cafe sits across Ginza Gyu and Brunch Bureau.

Bike Parking Situation

Panco is one of the few restaurants in Legazpi Village with bike parking, but there’s a catch.

There’s a bike stand that can fit around five bikes, but you have to climb a short flight of stairs. So if your bike is too heavy for you to carry, you can either ask for help or (unfortunately) find somewhere to park. You could try to leaning it on the wall by the sidewalk if you’re doing takeout, but I haven’t seen anyone do it yet, so up to you.

Update as of 2025.11.19: The bike rack in Dña Angela’s Garden is no longer there, so you can only lean your bikes in that area. There’s no explanation why the bike rack is gone.

Always Something New to Try

My friend, Mark, and I wanted to have our usual girl breakfast and instinctively went to Panco. We have our favorites, but we decided to try something else.

My usuals depend on how hungry I am, so if I’m hankering for something filling, I’d order either a Special Inasal or a Classic Lechon Kawali. If I just want something light, my go-to dish is their Veggie Hash Salad (with shrimp for protein). I pair these with their Dirty Mocha as my source of caffeine, and I’m good for the rest of the morning.

But I wanted to deviate from my standard orders, so I tried their Bibingka Salted Egg French Toast, which had a harmonious blend of sweet-salty flavors, thanks to the syrup mixing with the salted egg and cheese. The bread is creamy-soft, crisp around the crust, and melts in your mouth. I wasn’t in the mood for coffee, so I ordered their Strawberry Lychee with sparkling water to add a bit more sweetness.

Just a side note: The French toast might feel heavy for some diners–it took me a while to finish the plate–but it fills you up for a few good hours.

Mark has his own usuals, too, but also decided on the Vegan Longanisa Pesto Pasta, which he said was flavorful but not overpowering. He had the Citrus Brew for his coffee that balances the savoriness of the pasta.

If you’re interested in Panco’s other dishes, you can take a look at their menu.

Modern Yet Familiar Dishes Served with Good Coffee

With so many establishments around that are open by the time you finish running or cycling in Car-Free Ayala, why choose Panco?

For me, it’s the comfort. The dishes, while modern in presentation, still have that familiar feeling. Having breakfast here feels like a reward after doing a 20k loop or a 10k dash. The coffee delicious; the food just right.

Also, hello, bike parking? Yes, please!

About Best By Bike

Best By Bike is a blog series dedicated to discovering bike-friendly cafés and restaurants around Metro Manila.

If you own or manage a bike-friendly café or restaurant and want to be featured, I’d love to hear from you! Submit your establishment for a feature.