Tucked Away in the City: Libo Café

Coffee aroma at the door — quite literally.
Libo Café roasts their beans right out front, filling the alley with a rich, inviting scent.
Not exactly a planned coffee stop, but with its close proximity to the office, it made for a perfect impromptu meeting spot. The name “Libo” even brings to mind libro, the Spanish word for “book” — a thoughtful touch.

While some describe this café as having a modern industrial aesthetic,
I find it feels much more local and down-to-earth.
It’s cozy, unpretentious, and both the flavors and prices are refreshingly accessible—
making it a go-to for everyone from office workers to students.

Even though I arrived early, the place was already buzzing with people chatting and working on business meetings. The seating options inside are quite varied—

The menu cover design is quite simple. Considering it’s in a popular area, even tucked away in a small alley, you can still enjoy a hand drip coffee for around $100—
which honestly surprised me in a good way.

These freshly baked English scones come in limited daily quantities, offering just the right portion to savor every bite.

This rich, velvety cheesecake is crafted in small batches daily. With its smooth texture and perfectly balanced sweetness, it’s a classic indulgence that melts in your mouth.

This tiramisu is irresistibly smooth and creamy, with layers of mascarpone, chocolate, and a hint of liqueur coming together in perfect harmony.

High-quality coffee beans require proper storage to preserve their full flavor. Sensitive to environmental factors, they have a relatively short peak freshness window—so timing and care make all the difference. However, with proper storage, coffee beans can retain their high quality and rich flavor for longer—ensuring every cup stays fresh and satisfying.

Oxygen is the main culprit behind coffee bean deterioration. Reducing the amount of air in packaging helps slow down oxidation. While storing coffee beans in the freezer is often recommended to preserve freshness, there are important caveats:

Temperature control is key, but:

1. Coffee beans easily absorb odors from surrounding foods, which can lead to off-flavors in your brew.

2. No packaging material is completely odor-proof, so even well-sealed bags may not fully protect the beans.

3. For best results, store your beans in airtight, odor-resistant containers, and avoid frequent temperature changes.

Let’s leave the technical details to the pros—we’re here to relax and savor. I went with the black sesame latte on my first visit.

The iced caramel macchiato was just as delightful! Coffee is an everyday comfort—but when you slow down and truly savor its layers of flavor, that’s when you experience its purest essence.