The Nook: Little Hogwarts in Maginhawa

“When you have seen as much of life as I have, you will not underestimate the power of obsessive love.”

- Albus Dumbledore

If it’s not madness, it’s not true love. So muggles be prepared. I’m sure you’ll fall under the magical spell of Harry once again, the moment you enter the wizarding world of The Nook in Maginhawa.

The Nook is the first Harry Potter-themed café in the Philippines. The concept was born from the rich and creative imagination of young entrepreneur Nicole Guanio, who is a die-hard HP fan. What a shame though that this enchanted place is just as small as a nook, when it truly deserves to be as vast and spacious as the Quidditch field. But even so, I’d still go here anytime of the day and have a beer. I mean butter beer.

Good wizards drink good beer

Read first the Ministry of Magic Regulations

The two-story café is cozy and charming. It has a bookshelf guarded by Hedwig’s army, lovely murals of Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade, and the Forbidden Forest, low wooden tables ideal for tambay, and a hammock for relaxing.

Ate Janel showing me their wand collection.

When it comes to customer service, she’s A+.

It’s wonderful that there are HP books available for those who want to relive or re-read the life of Harry. But I think the Percy Jackson, Twilight and Divergent series that are also on display should be locked up in Azkaban or somewhere hehe.

The merienda viands of the café are not only affordable but also quite interesting.

Pentagonal box of frog chocolates – sorry not for sale

Potato cheese wedges

Bacon wrapped chicken

Butter beer

Make sure to order their #1 bestseller drink - the butter beer, a frothy sweet, non-alcoholic drink inspired from the book. It tastes heavenly. Pag nainom siguro ito ni Voldemort, babait sya.   

Also, don’t miss to take a peek at the secret cupboard under the stairs. I got a little sad upon seeing the recreated Harry’s tiny room at the Dursley’s.

There’s a quote on the wall lifted from my other favorite book. 

Though I wish it was a line from the book, like the emotional conversation of Dumbledore and Snape about Lily “After all this time?” "Always" or Luna Lovegood’s advice to Harry “Things we lose have a way of coming back to us in the end, if not always in the way we expect.”

Is there a parallel universe where it was

Harry and Hermione who ended up together?

Overall, I immensely enjoyed my borrowed time at The Nook.  For the first time, I was able to wear Harry’s robe and scarf, and feel that I was really part of Gryffindor. 

A book is a dream you hold on your hands

Truly, happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only knows where to find the right beer.

The Nook: Coffee+Books

#164 A Maginhawa St.

Sikatuna Village, Quezon City