Caf​​e Siriusdan is defined by craft and travel | Lifestyle.INQ

OCTOBER 27, 2022

Cafe Siriusdan: A Mandaluyong cafe built by a love for travel and craft
Photos by JT Fernandez

Tucked within the streets of Mandaluyong is Cafe Siriusdan, a paradise for wanderlusts and café aficionados alike

We all seek certain things when we travel. If it’s not to catch a long-awaited Taylor Swift concert, for some, it’s to visit all the tourist attractions a place is known for. Other times, it’s to explore the destination’s finest culinary offerings. But for Cyrus Cañares, it’s cafés.

[READ: For Cyrus Cañares, his brand Travelfund by Siriusdan is but a means to an end]

cafe siriusdan
Café Siriusdan at 492 Halcon, Mandaluyong
cafe siriusdan
The café is housed inside an old apartment beside Cañares’ furniture studio

“I travel by coffee shop,” says the multimedia creative-turned-entrepreneur. Cañares, once a soap opera writer, began his furniture brand Travelfund by Siriusdan to finance his overseas journeys. He previously owned Wowa Kitchen x Café and while it closed in 2017, owning a cafe was always in the cards for Cañares. “As a writer, tambay kami ng coffee shop. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do.”

cafe siriusdan interior
A professed cinephile, Cañares decorated the café with memorabilia from the Wong Kar-wai classic
cafe siriusdan table and chairs
Fabrics taken from Cañares’ travels are scattered throughout the space

Located at 492 Halcon, Mandaluyong in an old apartment connected to his furniture studio, Caf​​é Siriusdan is filled with thrifted pieces, leftovers from previous house constructions, and textiles from his local travels.

In an Instagram post, Cañares shares that he keeps the changes to the existing space as minimal as possible. During our conversation, he pointed to the table with the poster of Wong Kar-wai’s “In the Mood for Love.” He explains that the area was once a bathroom—hence the tiled finish—and that the chairs were taken from an old theater.

cafe chair and table
Cañares explains that renovations to the existing space were kept to a minimum
cafe siriusdan bookshelf
Pass the time with the café’s selection of books and board games

Cañares, evidently from his furniture label, has a taste for what is both vintage and colorful. Elsewhere in the space is a shelf containing books from his personal collection and various board games to pass the time with. From mismatched pieces and multicultural influences to oddly colored floors and walls, no singular corner looks similar to the other.

“I wanted the shop to stay true to my aesthetic and also the way I live, which is laidback and very much retro.”

Cafe Siriusdan Arancio drink
Arancio
Cafe Siriusdan Himalayan pink salt caramel latte
Himalayan pink salt caramel latte

The cafe’s selection of drinks directly takes after Cañares’ tastes. The Himalayan pink salt caramel latte is his favorite drink while the muscovado latte was inspired by his efforts of trying to cut down on white sugar. Other than that, the menu also features an arancio-based beverage that complements the bitter espresso with a citrusy touch.

Chocolate chip cookies
Chocolate chip cookies
Banana bread
Banana bread

Caf​​é Siriusdan’s food menu is specially prepared by Cañares’ sister Joyce, who also owns the pastry shop Yummy Bakes. The sweet and savory selection includes chocolate chip cookies and chocolate cake as well as truffle egg and chicken pesto sandwiches that pair well with the lattes and espressos.

Cyrus and Joyce Cañares
Cyrus and Joyce Cañares

Moving forward, Cañares wishes to feature more Filipino recipes and ingredients on their menu. Part of it includes hopefully substituting the Himalayan salt with Bohol’s asin tibuok. He also intends to have food offerings that reflect his travel history; that is, featuring his favorite drinks and bites from all over the world.

In the end, all he wants for Caf​​é Siriusdan is to be an “offline coffee shop where people can sit down, read a book, and listen to vinyl music while you crochet or doodle.” 

Perhaps he has done just that.

Caf​​é Siriusdan is open from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. from Mondays to Saturdays and 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays.

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