According to the team at Darlo eatery Takam, the Tagalog word “adhika” means dream or purpose. Theirs is to showcase the diversity of Filipino cuisine, which they’re reaching at with this fast-casual cafe in Rushcutters Bay.  

For brekkie, that could mean pan-seared beef tapa, which arrives on a wooden tray together with individual dishes of pickles, sauce, dressed leaves, rice and a fried egg. Or caramelised crumpets with whipped cream, banana halaya (jam) and red currant jelly.

In Filipino style, the drinks lean sweet. Lattes – purple ube, Milo or leche flan, using leftovers from Takam – come hot or cold. We also love the fluffy, dreamlike green-and-purple ube matcha.

The space is homey with wood-panelling, chequerboard flooring and shelves decked out with trinkets like welcoming maneki-neko cats. Plus it’s small, seating just 10 inside and 10 outside.