A family-run café is bringing a taste of their Filipino heritage to Battersea.

Kapihan, which translates to ‘Coffee House’ in Tagalog, is nestled in a corner of Parkgate Road.

Serving South Asian brews and sweet and savoury pastries, the Motley family hope to showcase the flavours of the 7,000 islands that make up the Philippines.

Siblings David, Nigel Motley and Rosemary Motley and partner Plams Motley aim to demonstrate the “warm and hospitable” nature of Filipinos in their stretch of South West London.

Kapihan Interiors

Kapihan Interiors

Brothers David and Nigel Motley said:

“Our Mum told us stories of how our Lolo Ruperto would sit outside every morning with a strong cup of barako coffee and warm pandesal.

“As we got older, our curiosity of reliving this story became special, something we wanted to tell to others as we went on our own journey of discovery.”

Coffee and Tinapay

Coffee and Tinapay

Kapihan was founded in 2019 and began as Kape & Pan at a kiosk in SOAS University.

Although cafe culture is on hold at present Kapihan is operating a takeaway service throughout the nation’s third lockdown.

Residents can get their caffeine and pastry fix by pre-ordering for collection on a Saturday.

Coffee with notes of jackfruit, peaches or liquorice is available, as well as alternatives such as Golden Milk, Filipino Hot Chocolate and a Rooibos latte.

Food comes hot from the oven at 8am, by Head Baker Rosemary Motley.

Using classic Filipino ingredients and European techniques, creations such as Sourdough Pandesal, a trendy take on the staple bread roll, can be purchased.

Oozing lava egg muffin

Oozing lava egg muffin

Rosemary Motley said:

“We wanted to create a menu that truly exhibits the unique Filipino Panaderia staples, each bake is rich in taste and showcases the distinctive flavours of the Philippines”.

You can find out more about Kapihan here.

13A Parkgate Rd, Battersea, London SW11 4NL