Photo credit: Julia Ong

A ubeng ube latte and mango matcha latte sit on a table. Ube is a vibrant purple yam originally from the Philippines, known for its sweet, nutty and vanilla-pistachio flavor, and is widely used in Filipino desserts. However, Boondocks Coffee Roasters uses ube extract as a base in many of their Filipino-inspired matcha and coffee drinks.

The moment I entered Boondocks Coffee Roasters in Westwood Village, a full color wheel of coffee spread across the counter greeted me. From soft, milky lavender cold foams to glowing green pandan coconut milk and bright, sunny mango syrup, each cup is its own miniature rainbow.

Boondocks is tucked into a busy stretch of Westwood Village, right next to the Mediterranean chain restaurant CAVA, across from Broxton Bar and just a short walk from the University of California, Los Angeles. Being on the same street as the Westwood Village Farmers Market, there are students and locals studying at tables and getting their morning coffee. However, the cafe itself still feels more casual than some of the bigger-name coffee spots nearby.

Coincidentally, it shares a name with the animated series “The Boondocks,” but the café’s name, “Boondocks,” is derived from the Filipino word bundók, meaning “mountain,” as displayed in on a sign in the shop. The term historically referred to rural, mountainous areas and became embedded in Filipino and American vocabulary during the Philippine-American War. For the café, the name signals both geography and heritage, anchoring the brand in Filipino culture rather than pop culture coincidence.

According to a sign inside, Boondocks started as a small pop-up before becoming a permanent, family-run café. The menu includes mainly Filipino-inspired drinks, which immediately sets it apart from any other standard coffee shop in Westwood.

I decided to try the salted latik latte, one of their most popular drinks, and it ended up being the highlight of my visit. Latik, which is made by slowly cooking coconut milk with brown sugar until it caramelizes, gives the drink a deep, toasty sweetness. Mixed with espresso and milk, and finished with a pinch of “asin tibuok,” a rare Filipino sea salt, it created a flavor that was sweet and slightly savory at the same time.

I expected it to be overwhelming, but it wasn’t at all. The espresso balances everything out, and the salt hones the coconut flavor instead of overpowering it. It is the kind of drink that sounds heavy on paper but is surprisingly easy to keep sipping.

I also tried the ubeng ube latte, which is probably the most visually recognizable drink on the menu. Its lavender color stands out immediately, but the flavor is what makes it interesting. Ube has a subtle sweetness that is less sugary than it looks, with a slightly earthy, almost vanilla taste. Compared to the latik latte, it’s a bit lighter and more mellow, which makes it a good option if you want something unique but not too intense.

Price-wise, Boondocks is pretty much in line with the rest of Westwood’s coffee shops. Their matcha drinks are around $7, while specialty lattes like the salted latik come in at about $8, similar to places like Ministry of Coffee. Also on the menu are more affordable coffee-shop basics, like a $5 cappuccinos, but drinks like cortados and lattes still sit in that mid-to-higher price range.

What stood out to me more than the pricing, though, was how unique the cafe feels. Boondocks focuses on beans sourced from lesser-known regions in the Philippines with an emphasis on maintaining traditional culinary practices. According to their website, they use direct trade to work with small-scale Filipino farmers, which helps ensure both quality coffee and fair pay.

They also prioritize beans grown at higher elevations, which tend to have more natural sweetness and complexity, a taste that is definitely detectable. As someone who does not like coffee, I noticed their espresso doesn’t have the heavy, bitter edge you get at some cafés. Instead, it tastes smoother, a little brighter, and it works well with the more unique flavors on the menu.

Boondocks Coffee Roasters has quickly become my go‑to neighborhood spot. It’s a place with its own identity: carefully crafted lattes, a quiet study corner and a menu blending Southeast Asian flavors and coffee. With Filipino‑inspired drinks, intentional coffee bean sourcing and beautifully decorated creations, Boondocks Coffee Roasters stands out in a part of Westwood already crowded with a multitude of coffee options