TheLoneRider
a seeker in search of Easter Eggs




Country > Philippines > Cebu > Cebu City
Date > 2015 > Jul
Activity > Restaurant Review

Restaurant Review
Abaca Baking Company Jul 17, 2015

Abaca Baking Company

Rating: star star star star star 5 stars (out of 5)
Website: Abaca Eats
Food Type: artisan crafted breads, baked goods (from-scratch), classic Western food, brewed coffee, latte, espresso
Location Google Map: Abaca Baking Company, Crossroads, Banilad Road, Cebu City, 6000 Cebu, Philippines

Accessible Price Point Entry
Every once in a while, a very good thing catches my attention. In Cebu, Abaca Baking Company did just that. It's a trendy all-day breakfast cafe in the fashionable Crossroads of Cebu - fresh baked croissants, fresh brewed coffee, friendly staff, and an accessible price point entry. Yes, you can go high-end and spend P400+ on a sandwich, as it caters to Cebu's well-heeled clientele, but for a budget backpacker like me, they also offer an easy way in - P60 brewed coffee with free refills and super-sized pan de sal for a reasonable P10. Yes, for as low as P70, you get Parisian cafe ambience, fast wifi, great food and professional service. That is what sets it apart from your usual high-brow latté brewery.

Setting Standards
The more I try other fashionable cafes, the more I appreciate Abaca Baking Company. Where other cafes give you watered-down P75 coffee, Abaca 's P60 brewed coffee (with refill) gives you full flavor - there's no comparison. Their croissant, pastries, and sandwiches are up to global standards - the kitchen guys know what they're doing. I never got a hint of any cost cutting either. Simply put, you get quality with everything they serve - even the budget entries. That says a lot about their commitment to standards.

Ferragamo Crowd
Breakfast is busy and bustling. You see what is obviously a homogenous gathering of Cebu's Ferragamo crowd. No bad seat either - Cebu's fashionable and beautiful seem to like this place too.

Day-Old Bread
As a last hurrah, they sell day-old bread for a steal! P45/piece bagel sells for P50 for 5! I wish I was on my way home already and I would have gotten it for bagel French Toast the following day. Bang for the buck with value added - you can't beat that.

Ending Thoughts
Everything at this cafe works - they get it! The vibrant energy, stylish decor, the perky and knowledgeable staff, high speed wifi, climate control, clean washroom, affordable price-point entry, deep discount on day-old bread, etc. Flaws? I'm still looking for one :) Don't take my word for it, just stop by.

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit Yoga by Gigit | Learn English Learn English | Travel like a Nomad Nomad Travel Buddy | Donation Bank Donation Bank for TheLoneRider

Abaca Baking Company

Abaca Baking Company

Location: Crossroads, Banilad Road, Cebu City, 6000 Cebu
Tel: (032) 262 0969
Hours: Daily 7am to 10pm


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Reader Comments:

Bernadette Wan PacanaBernadette Wan Pacana
(July 18, 2015) I love ABC!

Aki MercedAki Merced
(July 18, 2015) My favorite when in Cebu! Biscuits and gravy, fast wifi and comfy chairs. I make it my office when I'm there.

More on Cebu City:

About Cebu City
  • Cebu City is the 2nd biggest city in the Philippine (next to Manila) - and it continues to build and expand. Traffic is getting bad. Decentralization is being developed with the SM Super Mall in the SRP south and the suburban towns in the north.
  • Boat from the airport to the city center - even without traffic, it takes about 4 rides to reach the city. But with Cebu's increasing traffic congestion, it has become a nightmare. Instead of taking the land route, take the water route - no traffic, fresher air and cheaper. From the airport, take the yellow multi-cab straight to the river port and take the ferry (there's only one destination) to the city. Take the 02B jeep and get off at UC near Jones - you're now on the city's main artery.
  • given its size and increasing congestion, Cebu really needs a mass railway system - something that is conspicuously lacking, but no one seems to complain about
  • Cebu is bursting at the seams on the yoga scene. There are about 20 yoga centers in the city - from yoga studios to gyms offering yoga and hotels jumping on the bandwagon
  • a trendy and safe place in Cebu where you can chillout for coffee and enjoy good eats would be at the Ayala Mall
  • there are other pocket-areas for trendy hangouts - Banila Town Center, Crossroads, Escario Plaza, La Vie, etc.
  • the tourist area where most of the budget hotels and restaurants are, are located within the Mango area, although it has a seedy belly feel. Kids may swarm on you pretending to be begging, but they could be picking your pocket or your backpack pockets - be careful
  • many pick-pockets in the Colon area - be careful
Cebu City Google Map

Google Map Cebu City, Philippines

tourist attractions in Cebu City tourist attractions
  • Tops in Cebu City Tops - hilltop offering panoramic view of the city
  • Taoist Temple in Cebu City Taoist Temple - temple on a hillslope in Lahug with panoramic view of the city
hotels in Cebu City hotel
  • Hostel Seven Cebu - newly opened, resto/bar, central location, solo/group travellers
    Juana Osmeña Street, Cebu City
  • S Hotel Cebu S Hotel & Residences - new hotel, luxury rooms, central location
    827 M. Velez corner Andres Abellana St.
cafes in Cebu City resto / cafe / bar
  • Fujinoya Fujinoya - new and refreshing twists to Western style desserts using Japanese techniques
    Wilson St., Lahug, Cebu City - tel. 888.6075
  • Bad Boys Wingz Bad Boys Wingz - Buffalo Wings, unique versions of sauces! Great service, accommodating staff, bad boys vibe
    Kasambagan, Cebu City | (032) 415 4811
yoga in Cebu City yoga
  • Love Yoga World Love Yoga World - yoga studio
    11/fl, Skyrise 2 Tower, IT Park, Lahug, Cebu City
  • Yoga Now Yoga Now - first Yoga and Wellness studio in Mactan offering daily Yoga Classes
    at The Yacht Club Mactan
mountain biking in Cebu City mountain biking
  • Cebu Mountain Bike Adventure Cebu Mountain Bike Adventure - MTB tours, bike sales and repairs. Bed and Breakfast + Resto Cafe + wifi
    1298-b V.Rama Ave, Guadalupe, Cebu City | 0942.959.7451
Cebu City to Ormoc by boat
  1. SUPERCAT - 3 hours, 5:30 am | 9:00 am | 12:30 pm | 4:00 pm
    Business Class: Regular 1500, Student 1,200, Senior/PWD 1,071
    Tourist (Aircon) & Economy (Non-aircon): Regular 1100, Student 880, Senior/PWD 785
  2. OCEANJET - 3 hours, 5:00 am | 6:00 am | 9:30 am | 12:00 pm |1:00 pm | 4:30 pm
    Open-Air (OA) 1100, Tourist Class (TC) 1100, Business Class (BC) 1600


Cebu City to Bantayan Island

The best and fastest way is by Ceres Bus at the North Bus Terminal, adjacent to SM City. The bus takes 4.5 hours going north until it reaches Hagnaya Port. From there, you pay the ferry company separately. The bus boards the ferry until it reaches Sante Fe Port (1.5 hours) in Bantayan Island. From Santa Fe, the bus goes to Bantayan Poblacion and then to Madridejos.

Ceres Bus - PHP 260 (to Santa Fe), 4.5 hours to Hagnaya Port + 1.5 hours by ferry.

Schedule: according to the dispatcher, trips begin at 6 pm (this arrives Hagnaya around 10:30 pm but the first ferry leaves at 1 am...that's a 2.5-hour wait at the port), leaving every hour until 1 pm the following day (I speculate that 1 pm is the last trip to avoid rush hour traffic along Consolacion). This doesn't match the ferry schedule so the bus simply waits until a ferry departs. e.g. the 6 pm trip arrives 10:30 pm and waits for the 1 am ferry. The last trip, 1 pm, arrives 5:30 pm, in time for the ferry's last trip.

Bus arrives at terminal 30 mins before departure. Luggages are P150/pc if no passenger.

Alternatively, you can get off the bus at Hagnaya Port and take the ferry independently. There are 2 ferry companies:

Super Shuttle Ferry
PHP 359 + 25 Terminal fee, 1.5 hours


ferry, Hagnaya Port to Bantayan Island

Island Shipping
PHP 350 + 25 Terminal fee, 1.5 hours


ferry, Hagnaya Port to Bantayan Island

Cebu City to Dumaguete

Cebu City to Dumaguete by Boat

  1. George and Peter Lines - Mon/Thur/Sat/Sun 10pm, (035)225.4337, 0922.557.1023
  2. Oceanjet - via Tagbilaran, daily 6am, dumticketing@oceanjet.net, 0918.898.2188
  3. Cokaliong - Mon/Tue/Wed/Thur/Fri/Sat 7pm, Sun 12pm, 6 hours, (035)225.3599

Cebu City to Dumaguete via Liloan (bus, boat, jeep, tricycle)

  1. Cebu City South Terminal - take the southbound Ceres bus to Liloan, P200, 5 hours
  2. Liloan - the bus drops you off at the Liloan Port where you board the Fastcraft to Sibulan, Negros Oriental, P62, 30 mins
  3. Sibulan - at the Sibulan Port, the jeeps wait for Fastcraft passengers to take them to the public market in Dumaguete, P12, 30 mins.
  4. Public Market - at the market, you can take any tricycle to your hotel, P8 for short trips
Cebu City to Tagbilaran, Bohol

Cebu City to Tagbilaran, Bohol

  1. Weesam Express - Pier 4, departs 9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 6:30 PM, 2 hours
    one way: Economy (aircon) P500.00, Economy (non-aircon) P400.00, First Class P600.00
    round trip promo (at least 2 days advance booking): Economy (aircon) P600, Economy(non-aircon) P500, First Class P1200
    round trip promo (1 day or on the day booking): Economy (aircon) P800, Economy (non-aircon) P700, First Class P1200
  2. Ocean Jet - Pier 1, departs 6-7-8-9:20-10:40-11:40AM, 1-2-4:20-6:35PM, 2 hours
    Open Air / Tourist Class P800, Business Class P1000
    +63 932 8734 885 / +63 922 8572 300
  3. SuperCat (2GO) - Pier 1, departs 08:15-13:30-15:10-18:00-19:40
    P 500.00
    +63 32 233 7000
  4. Lite Ferries - Pier 1, departs daily 12:30pm, 10:00pm and 1:00pm (Mon, Wed, Sat)
    Standard (Lying) Php 150, Tourist (Lying Aircon) Php 340
    +63 977.822.5483 / +63 998.999.5483 / +63 925.347.5483 / (032)255-1721 to 26 / (032)414-9001 to 03
    info@liteferries.com.ph / www.liteferry.com
Cebu City to Siquijor by Boat, via Tagbilaran

Cebu City to Siquijor, via Tagbilaran

  1. Lite Ferries - Pier 1, departs M/W/SAT at 1:00pm, 10 hours, economy Php 649 (through barkota.com), layover in Tagbilaran 5:45pm-8:00pm, arrives Larena Port, Siquijor at 11:00pm
    +63 977.822.5483 / +63 998.999.5483 / +63 925.347.5483 / (032)255-1721 to 26 / (032)414-9001 to 03
    info@liteferries.com / www.liteferry.com
  2. Ocean Jet - Pier 1, departs daily at 1pm, 5 hours
    Open Air P1600
    +63 932 8734 885 / +63 922 8572 300


Cebu City to Siquijor by Bus, via Liloan (Santander) (as of Jan 2023)

Sugbo Urban
There is only one bus plying this route - Sugbo Urban. Tourist class coach, a/c, comfortable, Sun-Fri (these dates keep changing). P420 for bus, P275 for ferry to Liloan. Leaves Cebu City (South Bus Terminal) at 8 pm (Sundays 1 am), heads south to Liloan (Santander), takes the ferry to Larena Port, Siquijor, docks around 5 am, makes a clockwise roundtrip around Siquijor Island - Larena, Enrique Villanueva, Maria, Lazi (stops at Lazi market for breakfast and leaves 6:50 am), San Juan, Siquijor (arrives 8am, P50 from Lazi to Siquijor Poblacion) and catches the 1pm ferry at Larena Port for Liloan, Cebu and resumes its land route. Arrives Cebu City 10 pm.

Sugbo Urban is the cheapest and most convenient way because when it reaches Larena Port (Siquijor), it continues its trip around the island (clockwise) along the circumferential road, passing through - Enrique Villanueva, Maria, Lazi, San Juan, Siquijor...and back to Larena. It spares you the cost of hiring a tricycle or habal-habal which charges exhorbitant fares. Besides, it's a long trip to the other side of the island to be taking by tricycle.

This is also the slowest. The bus arrives Liloan Port around 12:30 am but the ferry leaves 2:30 am (2 hours of waiting time). The ferry trip is a slow 4 hours (this should only take 1.5 hours with Montenegro or Alesson), arriving Larena around 6:30 am. This 4 hour voyage offers no comfortable sleeping - you stay upright on your seat or sleep on the floor on a cardboard. The boat waiting/voyage takes 6 hours. Altogether, the entire trip takes 11.5 hours until the bus reaches Lazi.


Sugbo Urban

Sugbo Urban

Cebu City to Camotes Island

Cebu City to Camotes Islands

  1. via Poro - from Pier One in Cebu City, take the Ocean Jet for Poro, 2 hours, daily trip - 6am and 3pm (0936.823.8762 |0956.270.6610 | 0999.889.9999).
  2. via Consuelo - from Cebu City, take the northbound bus passing through Danao and get off at the Danao Port. At the Port, take a Jomalia Shipping boat for Consuelo (San Francisco, Camotes), P220/pax, a/c, 2 hours, daily trip - 5:30am, 7:00am (special trip), 8:30am, 12:00 noon (express), 2:30pm, 5:30pm and 9:00pm (express, Fri/Sat/Sun only).

Camotes Islands to Cebu City

  1. Poro - Cebu City (fastest and most direct) - go to Poro and take the 8am or 5pm Ocean Jet to Pier One in Cebu City, P380/pax/aircon, 2 hours
  2. Consuelo - Danao - Cebu City - go to Consuelo (San Francisco) and take the Jomalia Shipping boat to Danao, P220/pax, a/c, 2 hours, daily trip - 5:30am, 7:00am (special trip), 8:30am, 12:00 noon (express), 2:30pm, 5:30pm and 9:00pm (express, Fri/Sat/Sun only). From Danao, take the Ceres Bus to Cebu City

Blogs Cebu Blogs
Cebu City CEBU CITY

2024

  • Segue to Cebu October 26-28, 2024
  • Cebu for an R&R June 25 - July 1, 2024
  • Theosophical Society: Life Hacking using Spirituality June 29, 2024
  • Life Hacking using Yogic Principles at RE:FIT June 29, 2024
  • Revisiting Chu Un Temple June 27, 2024
  • Siddhi-Activation Workshop March 22, 2024
  • Cebu City for the Workshop March 20-23 / March 26 - April 1, 2024
  • Cebu City for the Siddhi Workshop Feb 2-5, 2024
  • 2022

  • 2022: A Year in Review Dec 31, 2022
  • Dec Snapshots Dec 31, 2022
  • UP-Ateneo-La Salle Talk Dec 30, 2022
  • Smart Politics Dec 29, 2022
  • Dawata Yoga Studio Celebrates 1st Anniversary Dec 28, 2022
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  • Snorkeling in Mactan with Mikko's Merry Band Dec 11, 2022
  • Life-Hacking Using Yogic Principles at Dawata Yoga Studio Dec 9, 2022
  • Cebu City Peoplescape Dec 4, 2022
  • Fitness in Cebu Oct 3 - Dec 4, 2022
  • Food in Cebu Dec 4, 2022
  • Nov Snapshots Nov 30, 2022
  • Pranayama for Mikko's Marathon Nov 27, 2022
  • Moderating the Theosophical Society Meeting with Yoga of Emotions Nov 26, 2022
  • Yoga with Jason Nov 23, 2022
  • Yoga Classes in Cebu Nov 23, 2022
  • Life-Hacking Using Yogic Principles at Hostel 7 Cebu Nov 19, 2022
  • Icebath at Hostel 7 Cebu Nov 12, 2022
  • Underwear Talk Nov 9, 2022
  • October Snapshots Oct 31, 2022
  • TOPS Farewell Party Oct 21, 2022
  • Cebu City Base: Hostel 7 Cebu Oct 13 - Dec 4, 2022
  • Manila - Cebu City: from Touch-down to my Hotel Oct 13, 2022
  • 2017

  • 5 Nights in Cebu City at Hostel Seven Cebu Sep 2-7, 2017
  • Karma Yoga at S Hotel, Cebu Jul 5-7, 2017
  • Life Coaching for a Competition Dancer Jul 5, 2017
  • Back to Cebu: Life Coaching and Jeanne Jul 3-10, 2017
  • Thank You Cebu Jun 12, 2017
  • Lazarus Jun 12, 2017
  • Palm Grass Hotel Food Tasting Jun 10, 2017
  • Qube Gallery's Ako Si Sabel / Balay-Balay Art Exhibit Jun 8, 2017
  • Ambushed By SM Seaside Jun 1, 2017
  • Cebu Living May 4-31, 2017
  • Conducting Yoga, Pranayama and Meditation Classes in Cebu May 26, 2017
  • Rangoli Workshop with Yasha Dabas May 26, 2017
  • Rosti with Fish Fillet on Tomato Puree May 17, 2017
  • Downhill Riding with Cebu MTB Adventure May 13, 2017
  • Healing Yoga by Nonie Fernando at The Detox Bar May 12, 2017
  • Be-In Gathering at Jeanne's May 9, 2017
  • Detox Bar Lunch May 9, 2017
  • Barakki May 7, 2017
  • Ashtanga Primary Series Yoga in Cebu May 5, 2017
  • 3-Night Cebu Stopover Apr 6-9, 2017
  • Coming Back to Cebu City Jan 27-Feb 6, 2017
  • Celebrating Friendship in Cebu City Jan 27-Feb 6, 2017
  • 2015

  • Goodbye Cebu...Daghang Salamat! Dec 20, 2015
  • Into the Realm of Jiu-jitsu Dec 5, 2015
  • Vegetarian Food at Cherry's the SPICE Nov 21, 2015
  • Shadow Fragments by Leopoldo Aguilar at Qube Gallery Nov 17, 2015
  • Yoga Adjustment and Alignment Nov 11, 2015
  • Smoked Salmon-Belly Pizza on BBQ Sauce Nov 8, 2015
  • Meditation Basics Nov 7, 2015
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  • The Benevolent Cebu City Oct 28, 2015
  • Vegetarian Cooking Demo with Chef Sharon at Studio 108 Oct 24, 2015
  • Yogathering 2 Oct 3-4, 2015
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  • Re-purposing a Broken Umbrella Aug 27, 2015
  • Body Combat Aerobic Workout Sequence Aug 24, 2015
  • Handstand Clinic at Surya Nanda Yoga Studio Aug 23, 2015
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  • Abaca Baking Company Jul 17, 2015
  • Getting Deeper into Yoga Jul 12, 2015
  • Cebu Yoga at Studio 108 Jun 30, 2015
  • Back to Surya Nanda Yoga, Cebu Jun 18-28, 2015
  • 2014

  • Thank You Cebu, til the Next Time Oct 21, 2013 - May 15, 2014
  • Teaching Yoga May 9, 2014
  • Yoga Dance with Jaya Indra at Dragonfly Yoga Studio May 9, 2014
  • Aqua Yoga with Jeanne Torrefranca at Dragonfly Pool May 4, 2014
  • i-Yoga with Ayee Domingo at Dragonfly Yoga Studio Apr 27, 2014
  • Burning Man on PechaKucha Night at GILT, Cebu Apr 22, 2014
  • Leveling Up: Veer-Yoga with the YogiVeers Apr 11, 2014
  • Kundalini Yoga with Rebecca Youngdahl Lombardi Mar 28, 2014
  • SUP Yoga with Jeanne Torrefranca at Plantation Bay Mar 23, 2014
  • Kitchie Nadal Rocks Cebu City Mar 20-21, 2014
  • U Trade Hosts Online Trading Forum with Tony Herbosa and Roy Reyes Mar 6, 2014
  • Test Driving the 420D BMW Coupe Mar 6, 2014
  • Yoga Immersion with Veer (Vaibhav Rana) Mar 5, 2014
  • Pechakucha Mar 4, 2014
  • Jeanne's Community Outreach Program Mar 2, 2014
  • U Trade's Coming Out Party Feb 27, 2014
  • La Creperie Paris Opens its Doors in Cebu City Feb 22, 2014
  • Cebu Hiatus Feb 22, 2014
  • Joan Hyman Yoga Workshop by YogaHub Feb 18, 2014
  • Idiot on a Jet Plane Feb 15, 2014
  • Demystefying Ashtanga Yoga Feb 13, 2014
  • Abundance in Cebu (Part 2) Feb 11, 2014
  • Shifting Yoga Paradigm Feb 10, 2014
  • Gayatri Mantra Jan 21, 2014
  • Crossroads in Cebu Jan 20, 2014
  • Deepening My Yoga Practice in Cebu Jan 12, 2014
  • New Year Yoga at Dragonfly Yoga Studio Jan 1, 2014
  • Fab People: Vaibhav Rana (Veer) Jan 1, 2014
  • 2013

  • Fab People: Jeanne Torrefranca (Yogini) Dec 25, 2013
  • Coffee Review: Himalayan Java Coffee Dec. 18, 2013
  • YogaHub - Real People, Real Yoga Dec 18, 2013
  • 108 Sun Salutations for Typhoon Yolanda Victims Dec 15, 2013
  • 2-day Yoga Mountain Retreat at Rancho Cancio Nov 30 - Dec 1, 2013
  • Cebu Yoga Immersion Nov 14, 2013
  • Human Neti Pot Oct 23, 2013
  • Car-Talk Cebu City Style Oct 23, 2013
  • 2012

  • Back to Cebu for the Web Workshop Oct 3-18, 2012
  • Abundance in Cebu Jul 19, 2012
  • Theosophical Buffet Breakfast at Parklane Hotel July 15, 2012
  • Parklane Hotel Talk Jul 2, 2012
  • Seekers' Lair Jun 25, 2012
  • Yoga at Cordova Reef, Cebu Beach Resort May 6-7, 2012
  • Vipassana Meditation Course Part 4: Getting Established in the Technique (sit) Apr 25 - May 6, 2012

  • More on Cebu Province:

    Suggested Destinations in Cebu
    1. Camotes Islands - caves, beaches
    2. Cebu City - rich in culture and history, 2nd largest city in the Philippines
    3. Moalboal - amazing coral reef system, sardine bowl, deep drop-off for freediving
    4. Oslob - Butanding (whale shark) watching
    5. Bantayan Island - long stretch of fine white sand beach, Virgin Island for snorkeling
    6. Malapascua Island - divers' paradise for seeing the rare Thresher Shark
    7. Cantabaco Cave - Toledo
    8. Barile Waterfalls - Barile
    9. Whale Shark Tour - Oslob
    10. Carcar - chicharon and lechon in public market
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