10 Hidden Busay Spots to Visit on Your Next Adventure

Ciary Manhit

Last updated 12 Mar 2024

Photo Credit (L-R): @charliescup, @stevenjohnpascua, and @limerlion on Instagram

Discover hidden Busay restaurants and spots to visit when planning out your next trip to the top of Cebu!

An adventure to the uphill roads of Busay is always a good idea when we need a break from the hustle and bustle of Metro Cebu. Some of the must-see sights and restaurants in Cebu can actually be found along the Transcentral Highway. While popular sights like Sirao Flower Gardens, Temple of Leah, and Adventure Cafe are flocked by tourists and locals, we’ve prepared a list of hidden gems around Busay that you may not have yet discovered!

10 Hidden Busay Spots to Visit

Fabio’s Pizza Kitchen
Buwakan ni Alejandra
Balay sa Busay
Top of Cebu
Serenity Mountain Cafe
Charlie’s Cafe
Liel’s Kitchen by Serenity Farm and Resort
21 Kilometers Coffee Farm
West 35 Eco Mountain Resort
Crate Cafe

1. Fabio’s Pizza Kitchen

A pizza, some bottles of beer, and the beauty of Busay’s mountains – who wouldn’t enjoy a break from the stress of the city at Fabio’s Pizza Kitchen? The cozy Italian restaurant treats guests to a great food selection and homey ambiance when they’re looking for a place to unwind at. The restaurant’s interior gives off a rustic feel – a sure photo opportunity for your Instagram feed. Order a side of their popular chicken wings along with your meal and no doubt your stomach will be filled!

Fabio’s Pizza Kitchen

Address: Veterans Drive Busay 6000 Cebu City
Opening hours: 12:00PM-8:00PM, Daily
Contact Details: 0905 353 4039, Official Fabio’s Kitchen Instagram, Official Fabio’s Kitchen Facebook

2. Buwakan ni Alejandra

With Busay favorites Sirao Gardens and Florentino’s on everyone’s Instagram feed, add a new colorful attraction to the mix – Buwakan ni Alejandra! The vibrant flower garden is not to miss if you’re planning to explore the hidden gems of Busay. Translated in Bisaya as “Alejandra’s Flower Garden'', the landmark is home to 200 species of flowers that you’ll be able to see up close. Not only will you get to enjoy the season’s flowers, but also see the growing buds that are waiting to bloom. It can get quite breezy in the garden, so if you’re the type to get cold quite easily, don’t forget to pack a jacket!

Buwakan ni Alejandra

Address: Transcentral Highway, Sitio Bunga Barangay Baas, Balamban, 6041 Cebu
Opening hours: 7:00AM-6:00PM, Daily
Entrance Fees: Adult- PHP 75, Child (Age 6-10)/Senior Citizen (Age 60+)/PWD- PHP 50
Contact Details: 09087689379, Official Buwakan ni Alejandra Facebook

3. Balay Sa Busay

Nothing fills our hearts and stomachs with warmth better than the flavors of our local Filipino cuisine. Balay Sa Busay is a must-eat restaurant in Cebu that offers scenic views of Busay mountain as a plus! The restaurant is designed with Filipino-inspired flourishes and interiors seen throughout the two-story eatery, and also features an open-air balcony for dining.

Order your favorite Cebuano and Filipino comfort dishes, all prepared with a modern twist and a mix of native ingredients that’ll make you feel even more at home. We recommend trying out the Paella-inspired Pinakbet Rice or Adobong Binisaya ni Bebe during your visit.

Balay Sa Busay

Address: Cebu Tops Road in Brgy. Busay, Cebu City
Opening hours: 11:00AM-9:00PM, Daily
Contact Details: (032) 354 7169, Official Balay Sa Busay Instagram, Official Balay Sa Busay Facebook

4. Top of Cebu

Situated around 2,000 feet above sea level, Top of Cebu is a recommended food stop when traveling up Busay’s mountain. The scenic restaurant overlooking Cebu city, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu serves up delicious Filipino cuisine with a modern twist. You can definitely visit it at any time of day, whether the sun is shining bright over the skyline or stars are shimmering over Cebu at night. Top of Cebu is located near the popular Tops Lookout, which you can head to before or after your meal.

Enjoy Filipino classic dishes like Pochero De Cebu and Crispy Pata with thirst quenchers like Buko Lychee shake on the side for a satisfying meal.

Top of Cebu

Address: Cebu Tops Rd, Cebu City, Cebu
Opening hours: 11:00AM-10:00PM, Daily
Contact Details: (032) 516 0718, 09062976016, 09432525244, Official Top of Cebu Instagram, Official Top of Cebu Facebook

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5. Serenity Mountain Cafe

For those looking for a getaway from the city, Serenity Mountain Cafe is a welcome break from the concrete buildings of the metro. One of the hidden gems nestled inside the Serenity Farm and Resort, the cafe offers visitors picturesque sights of Malubog and Sirao’s mountain skyline, which guests can enjoy over a hot cup of coffee and a variety of meals to choose from.

Save room for dessert and have a taste of the newest addition to the menu – the popular Basque Burnt Cheesecake and Glutinous Mango Roll. If you schedule your visit at the end of the day and you’ll get a chance to see the cafe turn into a fairytale-like scene, with colorful string lights brightening up the cafe.

Serenity Mountain Cafe

Address: Sitio Tiguib, Brgy. Malubog, Busay, Cebu City
Opening hours: 9:00AM-9:00PM, Daily
Contact Details: 0917 726 0775, Official Serenity Mountain Cafe Instagram, Official Serenity Mountain Cafe Facebook

6. Charlie’s Cup

Pet lovers rejoice because there’s definitely a place you can stop at if you’re traveling with your furry friend! Charlie’s Cup is a treehouse-style cafe hanging by the cliffs of Balamban, treating you to a one-of-a-kind Busay mountain view. The fur-friendly cafe holds a special place for pets as it was named after the owner’s pet corgi.

If you’re figuring out what to order, the cafe offers a wide variety of coffee drinks and a delectable all-day breakfast menu. We recommend pairing a cup of Americano with a filling order of Big Breakfast – made up of Spam, chorizo, two eggs, and rice. The cafe also has a small play area for kids to enjoy, a perfect rest stop for families exploring Busay.

Charlie’s Cup

Address: Transcentral Highway Sitio Inaad, Barangay, Cebu City
Opening hours: 9:00AM-6:30PM, Daily
Contact Details: 0917 328 1777, Official Charlie's Cup Facebook Official Charlie's Cup Instagram

7. Liel’s Kitchen by Serenity Farm and Resort

A stop at Liel’s Kitchen is the perfect chance to see the beauty of Busay while enjoying the flavors of modern Japanese cuisine. Located within Serenity Farm and Resort, the restaurant is known for its stunning panoramic view of the mountainside, which you can admire while seated on their thrilling “hanging beds''. Don’t miss out on the chance to order their popular maki rolls and tempura ice cream as you enjoy the sights!

Liel’s Kitchen by Serenity Farm and Resort

Address: Serenity Farm and Resort, Sitio Tiguib, Brgy Malubog 6000 Cebu City, Philippines
Entrance Fee: PHP 100 (Consumable, for both food and drinks)
Opening hours: 12:00PM-9:00PM, Daily
Contact Details: 0956 031 4799, Official Liel's Kitchen by Serenity Farm and Resort Facebook

8. 21 Kilometers Coffee

Named after its distance from the city, 21 Kilometers Coffee is a must-stop for coffee lovers heading up the Transcentral Highway. The cafe gained its popularity as a pitstop for bikers and riders exploring the mountaintop.

21 Kilometers Coffee offers a variety of coffee and fruit drinks that are deliciously paired with pastries and an all-day breakfast menu. Take a seat at the cafe’s veranda during your meal, and enjoy a view of Sudlon National Park’s mountains and the surrounding Central Cebu Protected Landscape.

21 Kilometers Coffee

Address: Cantipla 1 Tabunan, Cebu Transcentral Highway, Cebu City
Opening hours: 7:00AM-7:00PM, Daily
Contact Details: 0956 031 4799, Official 21 Kilometers Coffee Instagram, Official 21 Kilometers Coffee Farm Facebook

9. West 35 Eco Mountain Resort

A visit to West 35 Eco Mountain Resort is one you won’t forget! With a 360-degree view of Balamban Mountains, this Busay resort is located within the forestry of Gaas – the ultimate nature getaway.

West 35 Eco Mountain Resort offers a range of different experiences to enjoy, from staycations to active fun and dining. You can start off the visit with exciting zip line or wall climbing experiences, and then cool down your adrenaline rush at Haven Cafe. The resort is conveniently nearby popular attractions like Adventure Cafe and Buwakan ni Alejandra, which you can head to after!

West 35 Eco Mountain Resort

Address: Km 35 Transcentral Highway, Gaas Balamban, Cebu
Opening hours: 7:00AM-7:00PM, Daily
Fees: Entrance: PHP85, Zipline: PHP 175
Contact Details: 0923 159 0721/09773091218, Official West 35 Eco Mountain Resort Instagram, Official West 35 Eco Mountain Resort Facebook

10. Crate Cafe

Though a big number of cafes have set up shop on the uphill road to Busay, Crate Cafe makes it to the few on our list to visit. The small mountainside cafe, cleverly designed to look like a crate, allows guests to enjoy both a view of the mountains and Cebu city. Their menu is a coffee lover’s dream with a number of espresso-based drinks to try like crowd favorites Banana Coffee Caramel and Raspberry White Mocha blended drinks, both of which are deliciously paired with their selection of pastries.

Stay till the late afternoon and you’ll be able to enjoy the sunset over the city and mountain skyline – a perfect end to your adventure around Busay.

Crate Cafe

Address: Veteran’s Drive, Lower Busay 6000, Cebu City
Opening hours: Tuesday-Friday: 11:00AM-7:00PM, Saturday-Sunday: 11:00AM-8:00PM, Closed on Mondays
Contact Details: 0905 353 4041, Official Crate Cafe Instagram, Official Crate Cafe Facebook