Instagrammable cafes in Cebu abound, especially ones that serve a delicious cup of coffee, as well. Because here’s the thing:
Cebuanos – and Filipinos in general – LOVE a good cafe. You’ll find tea rooms, coffee shops, and general caffeination stations on almost every corner of the country.
Aside from serving great beverages and pastries, some of these cafes make great spots for Instagram grid-worthy photos that will make every major coffee chain devotee jealous.
Now, if you’re looking for an Instagrammable café that also serves a good cup of coffee, you should definitely check out Charlie’s Cup Cebu!
Chill with family and friends or have a date with your fur baby in the mountains in this rustic-themed pet-friendly roadside cafe on Transcentral Highway.
Charlie’s Cup is a relaxing place for adults to relax and a great place for your pets to meet some new friends.
Charlie’s Cup is located on the boundary of Cebu City and Balamban and is around 50 minutes away from the city.
Charlie’s Cup: Origin Story
Coffee lover? Nature lover? Pet lover? You can have the best of these worlds at Charlie’s Cup!
Named after the owner’s corgi, Charlie, Charlie’s Cup is a roadside nature cafe hanging by the cliffs of Balamban.
This treehouse-Esque chill destination has a great unobstructed view of the beautiful surrounding mountains and a very soothing breeze to complement the views.
“We try our best to support local suppliers and provide employment for people who lost their jobs recently,” said the cafe’s owner.
Charlie’s Cup isn’t just a chill place to hang out with family and friends. It’s a place where fur parents may gather as well to let their fur babies meet other pets and owners.
In fact, the cafe was actually named Charlie which is the treasured fur baby of the owner so rest assured that Charlie’s Cup is also designed with pets in mind.
Kids also have their own small corner where they can play and mingle with other kids. It’s open and very visible so parents can easily see if their kids are doing okay.
Charlie’s Cup Location. Locate along Cebu’s Transcentral Highway (locally known as “TCH”), Charlie’s Cup offers scenic views and a relaxing ambiance where customers can relax.
The place is surrounded by blooming flowers, plants of different kinds, and lacy white-edged clouds rolling in over the ever-blue skies and mountains.
Why Choose Charlie’s Cup? From a small private hut to a small kiosk with two decks offering a 150-seating capacity, Charlie’s Cup Balamban is furnished with wooden tables and chairs, earth-toned furniture, a little play nook for your little ones, brick-walled exterior, ample parking, a PWD-friendly restroom, and its trademark stairs painted with two Corgis.
All of these elements put together create a simple and rustic vibe that’s both pleasant and extremely comforting to the soul.
As the sun sets, Charlie’s Cafe offers a different kind of scenery that’s equally relaxing and charming.
At night time, the cafe illuminates the dark mountainside with lanterns that are hanging on the branches of the trees. It creates a different kind of charm but still makes the cafe relaxing and comforting.
Ultimately, Charlie’s Cup Busay is your go-to cafe if you like spending a portion of your time just staring at and appreciating mountain views and thinking about life.
They serve the typical cakes and coffee that every standard cafe has but the beautiful natural views of Cebu make it a must-visit.
Charlie’s Cafe also accepts private functions during weekdays, ideal for those who want to celebrate their special events in a scenic place.
Charlie’s Cup is open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM during weekdays and 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM on weekends.
How to Get There
Charlies Cup Cebu, don’t worry! Here’s a guide to help you get to the exact Charlie’s Cup location.
🕗 Operating Hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM from Monday to Thursday, and 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM from Friday to Sunday.
🌎 Exact Location: Barangay Tabunan, Cebu City
🚐 Via Commute: From the Ayala Center Cebu PUV Terminal, ride a v-hire going to Balamban. Then tell the driver to drop off at Charlie’s Cup in Brgy.
Tabunan (just before welcoming to Balamban Sign). The estimated fare is around P120 per head (one-way). UV bus route operates every day. Regular schedule hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
🚗 Via Private Vehicle: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Charlie’s Cup” in Cebu. Parking space is available upon arrival.
Charlie’s Cup Menu
Charlie’s Cup offers a wide menu of caffeinated drinks: You can get a Cappucino (Php 170), an Americano (Php 130), a classic Espresso (Php 100), and an Iced Latte (Php 170).
They also have various teas, such as Premium Hot Tea Selection (Php 150), Ferrero Milktea (Php 160 12oz; Php 170 16oz), and Peach Almond Iced Tea (Php 165), among others.
Plus, they also offer an all-day breakfast! You can enjoy a bowl of Champorado (Php 185) or stuff yourself full with their Big Breakfast (Php 355), which consists of Spam, chorizo bungkag, and rice (option 1) or Hungarian sausage, eggs, and danggit (option 2).
They also offer various other snacks and sweets, including Suman with Latik and Sikwate (Php 185), Red Velvet Cake (Php 185), Spam Fries (Php 275), Leche Flan (Php 125), Chorizo Burger (Php 265), Egg Drop (Php 165), and Choco Float (Php 200), among others.
Check out their full menu:
What People Say About Charlie’s Cup
Wondering what people are saying about Charlie’s Cup Cebu? Here are some reviews from people who visited the café!
“I super love the place The staff as well But in terms of food, they don’t have a lot of choices. I think this place would be better if you offer another set of food with Live Music.
All in all, I can still recommend this place. And – I love their coffee Malayo lng tlaga pero worth it nmn yung pagod.” – Rachel Navarro
“It was my first time in Charlie’s Cup. I went with my husband and kids because of the good reviews I’ve read about the place.
I’ve been very cautious with the places we go to since the pandemic started. I always make sure that we dine outdoors so air isn’t confined in the four walls of the area.
Charlie’s cup atmosphere is good and very welcoming. The view is breathtakingly beautiful. Cool al fresco weather and I loved that it’s just about 1 hour, an easy drive from the city.
Their menu’s pretty simple. My hubs got his Ferrero hot chocolate and the kids had milk teas. I super duper enjoyed my turmeric latte.
One of their staff suggested a bestseller, the suman latik, which is one of the Philippine delicacies. The staff is pleasant and friendly!
Some diners brought with them their pets, which are definitely allowed in Charlie’s. It’s a perfect place for a family brunch too, or an afternoon coffee date with your lover while your kids enjoy playtime within your sight.
Overall, Charlie’s cup is the place to be. No, no entrance fee, just order and enjoy the view!” – omgitsarlz
“The views and the vibe are very chill. But parking is a little hard. A lot of the food is unavailable and quite pricey; if it is.
I would have enjoyed my time there; if they had everything on the menu… If not this place is just hyped up by the views and not the food.” – Justin
“One of the more established cafes in this stretch. Charlie’s cup is the perfect place for friends or family to relax and enjoy the splendid scenery of mountains and valleys.
The wooden aesthetic utilizes balconies and porches well to maximize dining space and their menu is extensive with good food, drinks, and dessert.
The price is fair for the setting and food quality. A worthy pit-stop when driving through the ranges.” – Kai
“View is nice, IG worthy. But the food? So not worthy at all! I ordered their wrap and it was bland! There was no sauce at all.
It was so dry. The prices are also more expensive than most restos in Balamban. I would pay for that price if the food was also worth it.
My friend ordered Spanish sardines pasta: it seems like there was no sauce like they dumped the sardines into the pasta and just mixed it.
If you want to post photos for IG – maybe this can be a great stop but don’t order their food as I don’t think that will be satisfactory. The only food that I liked was their Champorado.
🤧 So def you can order this one. Lol.
Too overrated. I hope you hire a new cook and can come up with a different menu. Leave a suggestion box too where your customers can also leave comments for you.
Okay na unta ang location, but the food is so “blah”. Lacks creativity sad and presentation sa food. Paid 300+ for a simple pasta dish nga gibutang ra ug small plate.
We didn’t even take photos of the pasta as we were like “that’s it?” Overall, great place, cannot deny this. Improve your food choices.
Improve your food presentation. Improve your flavors. Improve your creativity. Hire a new cook.” – Marie Elle
“They have proper parking slots and helpful parking attendants (medyo curve ang road). I got a hot caramel macchiato and I liked it!
It tastes good and had a SUPER CUTE latte art. Their workers are very friendly naman and approachable (cashiers, baristas, milk tea area pips, and even the parking attendants).
The girl from their milk tea bar offered to take pictures for us and we really appreciate it na she took diff. angles and took a lot of shots! It’s a clean-as-you-go place.
Helpful na naay trash cans per area and naay butanganan para sa trays and used plates. And, of course, it’s a pet-friendly place. ” – Kim Louis
“Great ambiance on the nighttime. Service is great too as the staff was helpful when we visited. We had a senior that can barely walk and they assisted us to the glass room.
For curious visitors in the evening, One thing to note as it is an open space are the insects.” – Andrei
“What I like:
1. Good ambiance, nice view of the mountains and lake while sipping your coffee.
2. Pet friendly.
3. Internet wifi connection is fine in spite of the scarcity of phone signal, however, paid five pesos per hour.
4. Eco-friendly, they use wooden plates and forks.
What I don’t like:
1. Limited parking area considering the number of guests visiting the place. The parking is beside the road, its a bit stiff, be cautious of ascending/descending vehicles
2. Usually gets crowded on weekends and holidays, especially in the late afternoon
Overall: It was a nice experience being here, relaxing, and good ambiance, the food, and coffee were just okay, the staff was just okay, the view was spectacular and a pet-friendly cafe.
Tips:1. The cafe is just beside Lakeview. Visit Lakeview first to have good parking then later on to this Cafe.
2. The place usually gets crowded late afternoon, especially on weekends and holidays. If possible just go on weekdays.” – Jose Nelson
“Cute place to stay, with very instagrammable spots. Good getaway place for those who may want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city to see some green sceneries.
Best to visit during the day since the place is a bit remote and may not be very friendly after sunset. Food was okay, and they also have a wide selection of drinks/coolers from milk teas, to coffee, to juices.” – Jodie
“Went there on a Sunday at around 3:30 pm. A number of people were already coming in. We were able to park at the far end of the parking area since it was almost full.
The place is located on a curve road so parking and departing might be a challenge due to the fast motorcycles and cars passing by. We ordered a couple of items on the menu.
The Chorizo Bungkag Carbonara was delicious. So the rest of the food except for the White Rabbit signature drink was a little bland and tasted like the plain milk.
Maybe it was because of the ice melting. Also, I was a little sad when I saw that the Spam Fries were just literally Spam and then sliced to form “fries”.
I thought it was going to be potato fries with spam But the high point was the great view of the valley and mountains. They also have a mini playground for the kids. Plus the cold weather and the swings!” – Jemarie
“If you love the mountains, you’ll surely love this place. Charlie’s Cup is a well-built and aesthetic cafe. I loved how they preserved the trees and built their structures around them.
Can be quite pricey – but I guess you’re also paying for the place. It comes with a great view and you get lucky if you get to see the sea of clouds. I found their latte too bitter for my taste haha. Great place to disconnect and reconnect with friends.” – Angelyn
Charlie’s Cup: Contact Information and Social Media
Want to learn more about Charlie’s Cup? You can contact them or visit their social media pages!
- Opening hours: 00 AM to 6:00 PM (Monday to Thursday) | 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM (Friday to Sunday)
- Contact number: 0917-328-1777
- Email address: [email protected]
- Facebook Page: https://web.facebook.com/charliescupcebu
- Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/charliescup/?hl=en
Final Thoughts
With so many cafes to choose from in Cebu, it can take you a while before you find one you truly enjoy.
Sure, you can go the safe route and stop into a Starbucks, Bo’s, or Dunkin Donuts on the way to work, but there are plenty of others worth trying!
If you’re looking for a place that offers scenic views with good coffee, Charlie’s Cup is definitely a must-visit.
Located on the boundary of Cebu City and Balamban and around 50 minutes away from the city, Charlie’s Cup offers scenic views and a relaxing ambiance where customers can relax.
From a small private hut to a small kiosk with two decks offering a 150-seating capacity, Charlie’s Cup Balamban is furnished with wooden tables and chairs, earth-toned furniture, a little play nook for your little ones, brick-walled exterior, ample parking, a PWD-friendly restroom, and its trademark stairs painted with two Corgis.
All of these elements put together create a simple and rustic vibe that’s both pleasant and extremely comforting to the soul.
Ultimately, Charlie’s Cup Busay is your go-to cafe if you like spending a portion of your time just staring at and appreciating mountain views and thinking about life.
They serve the typical cakes and coffee that every standard cafe has but the beautiful natural views of Cebu make it a must-visit.
