I first heard about The Coffee Library from my father-in-law — he kept talking about how amazing their Tuna Steak was. So during our trip to San Juan, La Union (ElYu), we spotted their branch near a 7-Eleven. The café looked inviting, but parking was tight, so we skipped it.
On our way back, his kumpare mentioned another branch in San Fernando, tucked beside a SeaOil gas station. We got lucky with parking after lunch, so we finally gave it a go.
What We Ordered:
- Cheese Burger (₱270)
- Tuna Steak (₱300)
- Baby Back Ribs (₱315)
- Creamy Shrimp & Tuna Pasta (₱280)
- Vietnamese Caphe Sua Da – Iced Milk Coffee (₱145)
The Coffee Library: 🍔 Cheese Burger
This burger didn’t feel like your usual fast-food kind — the patty was thick, juicy, and had a light char that gave it a smoky edge. The bun was soft but sturdy, not overly airy, and it balanced the meat well. What stood out? The white onions — they had a natural sweetness and umami that played perfectly with the crisp lettuce and tomatoes. Plus, there was a savory-sweet sauce (maybe from the meat juices?) that gave it that extra “what-is-this-it’s-so-good” flavor.
The Coffee Library: 🍖 Baby Back Ribs
The meat was fall-off-the-bone in some parts, though a few bites near the bone needed extra effort. It was well-marinated with a rich, slightly smoky-sweet BBQ glaze. What really surprised me was the side salad — a refreshing mix of sweet mangoes, tangy strawberries, crisp lettuce, sesame seeds, raisins, and a tropical mango dressing. It felt like a mini “fresh” dessert on the side.
The Coffee Library: 🍝 Creamy Shrimp and Tuna Pasta
This dish nailed the balance — creamy but not cloying (no “umay”), with a subtle seafood flavor from both shrimp and tuna. The shrimp brought that briny sweetness, while the tuna added depth. A little chili on top will give it a nice kick. I expected it to be heavy, but it was surprisingly light and flavorful from start to finish.
The Coffee Library: 🐟 Tuna Steak
No fishy smell at all — even without lemon! The tuna was tender, moist inside, and had a clean, mild ocean flavor. The seasoning was simple, letting the freshness of the tuna shine. I now understand why both my father-in-law and his kumpare were raving about this dish.
The Coffee Library: ☕ Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Caphe Sua Da)
I had high hopes since I missed the one I tried in Vietnam. This one had that sweetened condensed milk richness, but the coffee wasn’t as bold or intense as I remembered. It leaned more on the sweet-milky side than the deep roasted flavor. Still refreshing, though the cup felt a bit small for the price.
✅ Final Verdict: The Coffee Library is worth the stop. Great flavors, decent prices, and a few standout dishes that are truly memorable. I’d happily go back to explore more from their menu — and maybe order that Tuna Steak again for myself.
My eatsperience 