Dainty and pretty can best describe the small Cebu pastry shop called Phoebe’s Cupcakery. I learned of this place when my sister who loves pretty, dainty, chic and colorful things asked if I know this small café and if I do, that we go there to check it out.
Last Sunday while my sister was enjoying their last hours in Bantayan Island for their team’s weekend getaway, I on the other hand was with two of my favorite people, Titus and Doi. We had an impromptu ‘Sunday for the Tummy’, an unplanned road trip and food trip in the city. When our trio meet it’s usually for food trips, we love foods what can I say hehehe.
The first stop to satisfy our day’s craving is this really cute pastry café that serves cupcakes in Banilad. But our original choice that afternoon was to visit the sandwich restaurant which Cebuanos refer to as 10 Dove Street inside Sto Nino Village in Talamban. Unfortunately, when we arrived there we were greeted with a ‘Closed’ sign. Doi remarked it’s a Sunday and Sunday is by appointment only in 10 Dove St. On hindsight, before leaving the house I should have checked Penfires’ old post on this restaurant-with-no name so we can call ahead and ask if they are open. Tsk. Lesson: read old posts hehe
Leaving Dove St, we were thinking of where to go instead. Suggestions floats in the air from Lantaw in Busay, Nang Nasing in V. Rama, Clay Pot, Manggahan, Larsian BBQ, Talisay Lechon, lots more.
Doi mentioned something about a hole in the wall café that serves Japanese cake somewhere around Talamban. We really don’t know where it is nor its name but since we were on a leisurely road trip hunting foodie havens in Cebu City, we can afford detours. I also suggested Phoebe’s Cupcakery since days before I was checking their Facebook page and their cupcakes looks utterly delicious. At that time, I don’t know the name of this pastry shop nor do I know where Phoebe’s is really located. I have a vague idea that it’s near Foodland / Maria Luisa Road but I was not sure. All I said to my foodie companions is ‘it really looks nice there and they serve cupcakes’. Heheh.
Anyhow so we made our way to what turned out to be a Japanese café named ‘Café Egao’ and found it without trouble as it was beside the road. We got a bit excited since they serve Japanese cakes and we want to try them. But when we entered this small café, the smell of cigarettes assailed our senses, it was so bad that we have to rush out of their café and did not even bother checking their menu.
Back on the road, I again reminded them of this ‘cupcake place’. We decided to go ahead to Maria Luisa in the hope that it is really there and not located somewhere else. As we cruised by Paseo Saturnina Road, all our eyes were drawn to the left side of the road as that’s where we saw lots of cafes and restaurants. We reached the guard house of this subdivision without finding Phoebe’s Cupcakery. Undeterred, we tried asking the guard if they know this café, restaurant, dining place that sells cupcake. The guard simply said you might be looking for that building with violet signage. We looked back and saw it. There it is – on the right side of the road. LOL. 
Finally we found Phoebe’s Cupcakery hehe. What I love about dessert shops and cafes is that they tend to smell really good and Phoebe’s is no exception.
Phoebe’s is a café that offers only a few tables for dine-in guests, making dining more intimate and cozy. The moment you step inside, you can’t help but smile. Everything seems to come together to create a lovely place for desserts and get-together among friends from the wallpaper of pink flowers behind the counter, the chocolate colored chandelier with old rose accents, the tiny flowers in the pots, the hand-painted menu, the white colored tables and chairs, the elaborately detailed tea cups and more. Of course the glass display case showing rows of tempting cupcake creations will not be missed as it is the centerpiece of the cafe. Phoebe’s Cupcakery pastel colors of violet and pink invites you to enjoy a moment of simple bliss.
I wonder if this pastry shop was jam-packed last Valentines Days with couples on dates? I won’t be surprised if it was, after all Phoebe’s Cupcakery is a good place to grab delicious dessert in Cebu for couples and barkadas too!
Cupcake Love For Our Sweet Tooth
We were the only customers during our visit so we took our sweet time looking at Phoebe’s menu and cupcake choices – Scarlette, Nuts for Nana, Cinnabunny, Violet, Cookie Monster and Choco Hazel. Choosing was hard since the little cup of cakes all look appetizing. 😛
Who doesn’t want to order looking at this pretty menu board eh?
A cupcake cost P55; you get to save if you buy their box of 6 that sells at P300. They also have warm brownie cup which is what I ordered at P90 per cup, the brownie comes in a heart-shaped cup, nice. Little touches like this brings wider smiles to customers’ faces. For drinks they have sodas, hot and cold coffees and blended beverages. I had a can of Coke while Doi have iced mocha and Titus, iced white choco.
I tasted a bit of the iced white choco drink of Titus; it’s just okay like a normal iced coffee with white choco flavor in other restaurants and pastry shops. Anyhow, you go to Phoebe’s for their bestsellers cupcakes and not for beverages.
We finally made up our mind and ordered two cupcakes plus the warm brownie cup (P90). We went for Nuts for Nana (P55) and Scarlette (P55), which is actually banana nutella cupcake and red velvet, the twist to the name makes it more delightful to the senses hehe. Finally, took our seats while waiting for our orders.
The base cakes of our chosen cupcakes were soft, moist and tasty. Scarlette is a beautiful deep red, moist velvety cake. On Nuts for Nana, my companions thought the base cake must have used more artificial flavorings than real banana but well, artificial flavorings or not, I love it! Taking little bites of the cupcakes was a gradual introduction to taste that is sinfully rich and good.
What really surprised me about the cupcakes though is their frosting. I am not a big fan of icings, frosting and toppings unless its chocolate based but for these cuppies from Phoebe’s, I simply love them. The frosted icings are dense and delicious and blended so well with their base cakes.
For the Scarlette cupcake frosting, it’s a harmonious blend of cream cheese with a hint of lemon and sweetness that is not overpowering at all! For the Nuts for Nana, the frosted icing mixed of luscious cream and nutella gives a nutty chocolaty flavor which was a great compliment to the banana cupcake. And the cute little red, pink and white hearts sprinkled on top of the frosting added more oomph to these mini cakes.
That’s it! I’m a convert! Love the cupcakes especially the frosting by Phoebe’s Cupcakery. Titus even went so far as to say next time I just order a cup of their frosting haha.
The warm brownie cup was also a good choice. The vanilla ice cream on top of a warm and moist brownie is really a good pairing. I want to learn how to bake a good brownie and make my own brownie ala mode or warm brownie cup. I wonder what’s Phoebe’s recipe for her warm brownie cup? =)
Look at Titus face and follow his eyes as it looks longingly at the spoon hahaha. No worries, I did let him have a taste of the warm brownie cup – eventually hehe.
For fairness sake, when it comes to warm brownie cup my vote still goes to La Marea’s own creation. But for cupcakes, its Phoebe’s no doubt. Case in point, the red velvet cupcake of La Marea pales in comparison with the Scarlette of Phoebe’s Cupcakery.
Happy Tastebuds at Phoebe’s Cupcakery!
Lots of things going for this small café tucked on the way to Maria Luisa, you get desserts that are made at home by someone who must love to bake delightful treats. Plus, you get to enjoy them in a lovely surrounding.
Do I recommend this cupcake place in Banilad? Delightfully, Yes! Phoebe’s Cupcakery is a girl’s bestfriend and for guys with sweet tooth too! These cupcakes are also great for take-outs, parties, pasalubong and as birthday gifts.
Though Phoebe’s was not our first choice to start our Sunday food trip, it turned out to be a wonderful one. Lovely, lovely indeed! I’ll be back for more cupcakes. If you are looking for awesome cupcakes in Cebu, check out Phoebe’s Cupcakery. =)
You can find Phoebe’s Cupcakery at Paseo Saturnino Maria Luisa Road Banilad, Cebu City.
Their store Hours is Tuesdays to Sundays from 2 pm to 10 pm.
Monday they are closed so don’t go there on a Monday!
You can check their Facebook page for more details.
p.s. Thanks to Doi of The Travelling Feet for the pics! 🙂
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haay. got super busog sa cupcakes and the drink i ordered! i want to try the violet cupcake next time 😉
hehe yah, the violet and cinabunny looks very promising too =)