Baliktanaw Café Marikina: Café, Family, and History in One Place
If you are searching for a unique vintage café in Marikina, Baliktanaw Café Marikina offers more than just coffee—it tells a story of family, heritage, and nostalgia. Located near the historic Our Lady of the Abandoned Church, this charming coffee shop in Marikina City combines vintage aesthetics, Filipino comfort food, specialty coffee, and heartfelt family history.
Today, Baliktanaw Café Marikina has become one of the most interesting hidden café destinations in Marikina, attracting visitors who appreciate cozy interiors, creative dishes, and meaningful stories behind local establishments.
The History Behind Baliktanaw Café Marikina
Before becoming Baliktanaw Café Marikina, the property had several chapters in its history. The building was once a dental clinic before it was transformed into a restaurant called Casaño. At one point, a television program from ABS-CBN reportedly used the fictional name “Marcelo’s” to refer to the establishment, which later caused confusion in online listings such as Google Maps.
Despite these earlier ventures, the restaurant operations did not last long. Eventually, the Reyes family acquired the property after being captivated by its vintage charm and classic architecture. The eldest sibling, Celeste Reyes, who has a deep appreciation for vintage homes and antique furniture, saw great potential in preserving the property’s character.
Originally, the family intended to renovate the house as their personal residence while maintaining its old-world aesthetic. However, inspiration struck when the youngest sibling suggested converting the al fresco area into a coffee shop.
That idea became the beginning of Baliktanaw Café Marikina.
With the help of social media promotion and word-of-mouth recommendations, the café gradually gained attention from locals and visitors. What started as a small café space eventually expanded to indoor dining, followed by the addition of pasta dishes and pastries. By May 2025, the café introduced an all-day breakfast menu, further solidifying its reputation as a must-visit café in Marikina City.
What’s in a name?
The name Baliktanaw Café Marikina carries deep meaning.
“Baliktanaw” is a Filipino word that means to look back or reminisce, perfectly reflecting the café’s vision of family, nostalgia, and shared memories.
The concept is inspired by the simple yet timeless moment when families gather around the dining table, sharing stories and remembering the past while enjoying a meal together.
The café is owned and managed by the Reyes family of Marikina:
- Reynaldo De Guzman Reyes – Father
- Vivian Natividad Reyes – Mother
- Celeste Natividad Reyes – Eldest sibling
- Ronald Allan Natividad Reyes – Second sibling
- Ray Angelo Natividad Reyes – Third sibling
- Camille Natividad Reyes – Youngest sibling
Their vision was to create a Marikina café where guests feel like they are dining in a nostalgic family home rather than a typical commercial restaurant.
Ambiance/Art Inspiration of Resto Interior:
One of the defining features of Baliktanaw Café Marikina is its carefully curated vintage interior design.
Inspired by an old-soul appreciation for classic aesthetics, the café was designed to feel like a cozy ancestral home where guests can relax, enjoy coffee, and spend meaningful time with family and friends.
Every element inside the café reflects this nostalgic theme:
- Vintage-inspired lighting fixtures
- Antique-style tables and chairs
- Carefully chosen decorative accents
- Warm and welcoming dining spaces
Even the smallest design details were personally selected by the owner to maintain the café’s authentic vintage atmosphere, making Baliktanaw Café Marikina one of the most unique cafés in Marikina City.
Resto Format:
Currently, Baliktanaw Café Marikina offers a comfortable dine-in experience for guests who want to enjoy their meals in the café’s cozy setting.
In the future, the café also plans to expand into online ordering and delivery services, making their menu accessible to more customers across Marikina and nearby areas.
Price Range:
100 to 400 PHP
This pricing makes the café an excellent choice for students, families, and café enthusiasts looking for affordable dining in Marikina City.
Specialties:
Visitors to Baliktanaw Café Marikina can enjoy a diverse menu featuring Filipino comfort food, specialty coffee, pastries, and unique signature dishes.
Signature Tapa Series
One of the café’s best-selling menu categories is the Tapa Series, featuring unique meat selections such as:
- Horse tapa
- Wild boar tapa
- Deer tapa
These meats are locally sourced from a farm in Batangas, ensuring freshness and quality.
Sikreto ni Ate
Another intriguing menu item is “Sikreto ni Ate.”
This dish features Filipino-style food served in a clay pot with three cups of rice. The concept behind it is simple: customers must order it to discover the secret themselves, making it a fun and memorable dining experience.
Popular Pastries
Dessert lovers visiting Baliktanaw Café Marikina should not miss the café’s pastries, including:
- Biscoff Cheesecake (one of the café’s most popular desserts)
Specialty Coffee and Drinks
The café also offers a variety of classic and specialty coffee drinks, including:
- Takipsilim – Salted Caramel Coffee
- Noong Araw – Spanish Latte
- Kanela De Crema – Cinnamon Latte
- Fresa De Crema – Strawberry Milk
- Classic Latte and Cappuccino
These drinks complement the café’s nostalgic theme while giving visitors flavorful and creative beverage options.
Other item selections from The Menu of Baliktanaw Café!
Location:
Baliktanaw Café is at 172 J.P. Rizal St., Barangay San Roque, Marikina City 1801 (A few meters away from Our Lady of the Abandoned Church and Sunday’s Breakfast)
For details and queries, you may contact:
- baliktanawcoffee@gmail.com
- 0921 464 3893 – Odie Rodrigo (Store Supervisor)
- 0977 797 2857 – Dexter Loredo (OIC/Manager)
Why Baliktanaw Café Marikina Is a Must-Visit Café
There are many cafés in Marikina City, but Baliktanaw Café Marikina stands out because it combines:
✔ Vintage home-style ambiance
✔ Family-inspired storytelling
✔ Unique Filipino dishes
✔ Specialty coffee and desserts
✔ Cozy dining near a historic landmark
For anyone searching for the best café in Marikina with character and history, Baliktanaw Café Marikina offers an experience that goes beyond food and coffee—it invites guests to pause, reminisce, and reconnect.