Metro Manila is in the middle of a cookie renaissance. What was once a humble snack has become a litmus test for craftsmanship and indulgence — an edible emblem of how serious we’ve become about desserts. From couture-style crisp cookies to gooey, nostalgic classics, the city is brimming with options worth queuing up for.
This is your definitive order guide, ranking Manila’s best cookies — styled Tatler/Vogue-style, indulgent but sharp, because yes, even cookies deserve the editorial treatment.
The Benchmark: 50Shades
If Manila’s cookie scene has a couture moment, it’s 50Shades. Baked to order, these cookies are crisp-edged with molten, fudgy centers, layered with two types of chocolate and a whisper of espresso. Sweet but never cloying, indulgent without being heavy, 50Shades sets the gold standard. Every other cookie is measured against it.
Comfort Elevated: Oh Fudge & Kukidō
Oh Fudge is the city’s take on tradition perfected: thick, chewy, chocolate-rich with a hint of coffee. It’s dependable, indulgent, and the kind of cookie that never lets you down.
Kukidō, by contrast, leans into gooey nostalgia. Its soft-baked body and balanced chocolate distribution feel like comfort food dressed up for the runway. It’s warm, cozy, but sophisticated enough to command attention.
The Refined Newcomer: Goods From Scratch
Crisp, thin, and brimming with dark chocolate and high-quality salt, Goods From Scratch is restraint reimagined. Less sweet than its peers, but elevated by impeccable balance, it’s the minimalist cookie for those who want purity over excess.
Classic Cookie Style: The Manila Baker, Mo’s Cookies & Munch Perfect
Here we find the heritage-driven takes — cookies that could anchor any bakery counter.
- The Manila Baker perfects the brown butter classic: chewy at the center, crunchy at the edge, layered with rich chocolate.
- Mo’s Cookies, a cult favorite, leans salty-sweet with large chocolate chunks and a lighter, crispier base.
- Munch Perfect sharpens the chocolate focus with a crisp bite and darker notes, offering a slightly bolder, more grown-up profile.
These are the cookies you come back to time and again — the ones that feel timeless.
For Salt Lovers: Hella Good Cookies & Manlolo’s
Salt is the great divider of Manila’s cookie world.
- Hella Good pushes boundaries with a crisp-chewy profile and the saltiest bite in the lineup. For some, it’s addictive; for others, overpowering.
- Manlolo’s strikes the balance: moist, thicker, lighter on sweetness, with enough salt to intrigue but never overwhelm.
If you like boldness, these two are your battleground.
The Sweet & Distinct: The Kind Cookie & Cookie Cartel
The Kind Cookie is indulgence turned up to eleven — thick, moist, chocolate-heavy, with milky sweetness that overwhelms some but delights true sugar devotees.
Meanwhile, Cookie Cartel heads in the opposite direction: light-bodied, coffee-leaning, speckled with sugar grains. Not chocolate-forward, but distinct in flavor and style.
Quick Reference Guide: Full Cookie Comparison
Here’s the side-by-side breakdown of Manila’s cookies — sweetness, texture, and overall impression. Bookmark this before your next order.
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| Cookie | Chocolate | Texture | Flavor Profile | Sweetness | Overall Impression |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50Shades | Two types, espresso hint | Crisp outside, fudgy half-baked center | Balanced, rich, indulgent | Balanced–Sweet | Indulgent benchmark for all others |
| Oh Fudge | Good quality, mild coffee | Thick and chewy | Strong, well-rounded | Sweet | Reliable, satisfying |
| Kukidō | Well-distributed, good quality | Gooey, soft, freshly baked | Sweet but balanced | Balanced–Sweet | Comforting, nostalgic |
| Goods From Scratch | Dark chocolate, less sweet | Thin, crisp outside | Salty depth, refined balance | Balanced–Mild | Minimalist, high-quality |
| The Manila Baker | Rich chocolate | Chewy inside, crunchy edges | Brown butter depth | Balanced | Classic, consistent |
| Mo’s Cookies | Large chunks | Crispy, lighter body | Salty, brown butter depth | Sweet | Bold, indulgent |
| Munch Perfect | Darker, generous | Crispy exterior | Bold chocolate | Balanced–Sweet | Chocolate-forward |
| Hella Good Cookies | Mild chocolate | Crisp outside, chewy middle | Salty, uneven | Salty–Sweet | Polarizing bite |
| Manlolo’s | Good chocolate, lots of salt | Thicker, moist | Salty balance, lighter | Balanced–Mild | Refined salt cookie |
| The Kind Cookie | Heavy, overpowering | Moist, thick | Milky sweetness | Very sweet | Too sweet for balance |
| Cookie Cartel | Minimal, coffee-like | Light, grainy | Distinct, not chocolatey | Balanced | Unique personality |
| Harlan | Dark chocolate + macadamia | Very crumbly | Nutty-chocolate | Balanced–Sweet | Niche appeal, poor texture |
| Wildflour | Good chocolate | Thick, moist | Very sweet, metallic | Very sweet | Strong texture, flawed taste |
| Ben’s Cookies | Faint, weak | Pancakelike, dry | Plain | Mild–Low | Lacks impact |
| Scout’s Honor | Even spread, weak flavor | Chewy, firm | Forgettable | Balanced–Mild | Solid but unmemorable |
| DC Delights | Weak chocolate | Odd, eggy | Milky, too sweet | Mild | Poor balance |
| Starbucks | Minimal | Dry, flour-heavy | Sugar-dominated | Bland–Low | Weakest overall |
The Bottom of the Jar
Not every cookie earns couture status. Harlan, though nutty with macadamias, crumbles too easily. Wildflour overshoots with sweetness, even metallic notes. Ben’s Cookies, despite its global fame, feels flat here. Scout’s Honor remains forgettable, while DC Delights leans too eggy. As for Starbucks — the global chain’s version is simply too dry, too flour-heavy, to matter in Manila’s scene.
The Verdict
Manila’s cookie obsession reflects more than sugar cravings — it mirrors a city evolving in taste, detail, and culinary ambition. Whether you prefer couture minimalism, gooey nostalgia, or bold salt experiments, there’s a cookie here that matches your style.
Consider this guide your stylish cheat sheet for where to order next. After all, in Manila, even cookies deserve to be eaten like fashion statements.
