There are things we identify the British with: the Union Jack, the Big Ben, that red telephone box, fish and chips, tea, William Shakespeare, Sting, The Beatles, Jude Law and Tom Hiddleston.

We love Brits for these and more but we’ve never quite appreciated them for their coffee, maybe because we don’t know what we’re missing.

By opening its flagship store in the Philippines, Costa Coffee has given us more reasons to fall in love with British culture.

Let’s start with the handcrafted drinks, prepared by professionally trained baristas.

The signature Flat White is made with a shot of Cortissimo and topped with textured milk. The Cortissimo is ideal for those who prefer stronger tasting coffee but with less caffeine. The Flat White’s full-bodied flavor is just right despite it being the strongest on the menu. Its smooth velvety texture glides into your mouth. The Flat White is available only in Primo—the smallest—size.

There’s also Cappuccino, Latte, Café Caramella and Mocha which are all made with Mocha Italia espresso, a Costa Coffee exclusive. Hot drinks come with latte art of your choice: floret, tulip, rose or heart.

If you’re looking for something sweeter yet more refreshing, check out Costa Coffee’s selection of Frostino and Coolers. The Tiramisu Frostino and Double Chocolate Cookie Mocha Frostino take their cue from dessert favorites while the Coffee Cream Frostino balances caramel-hazelnut goodness with berry-fruity flavor.

Cream-based, caffeine-free options for kids include the Strawberry Pavlova and Caramel Shortbread. If you want something fruitier, try the Watermelon Rose, Lychee Blossom, or Hibiscus Strawberry Cooler.

Costa Coffee also serves freshly prepared sandwiches and rolls, freshly baked pastries and cakes. The Mozzarella Prosciutto and Beef Pastrami and Gherkins on Baguette are for the meantime exclusively available at the flagship store. They are made with So Moelleux baguette from France, a softer variety that doesn’t become hard even when it hasn’t been heated.

For the health-conscious, there’s the Chicken Jalapeno Wrap and the Tuna, Egg & Sweet Corn Wrap. All suppliers are audited under Costa Coffee international standards and sandwiches are delivered almost every day.

Pastries, such as the Honey Bacon Croissant, are baked and flown in from France regularly, ensuring that you get the same quality of pastries that you can find in any Costa Coffee shop anywhere in the world.

Sweet endings are made possible through a variety of cakes and desserts such as the British Carrot Cake and Classic Red Velvet Cake. The no-bake Original London Cheesecake is a must-try. It is made from shortbread instead of the usual graham; sour cream instead of cream cheese. The Brookie, a combination of brownie and chocolate cookie dough, is another favorite.

Costa Coffee’s flagship store is a haven for coffee lovers and foodies, as well as anyone who’s knackered after a long day at work and needs a place to relax. Instead of the usual Union Jack-inspired interiors, the 135-sq m store boasts of elegant wood furnishings and a more laid-back ambience, with splashes of British pop culture.

It’s a lovely alternative to the crowded coffee shops we’ve grown accustomed to. If you love London and all things Brit, you will definitely dig the red telephone box right outside the shop.

Costa Coffee’s flagship store is at G/F, Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas Ave., Quezon City.