Abli Cebu — Restaurant in Cebu City

I visited Abli for a second time. Upon arrival the hostess/waitress offered me a seat directly in front of the service sink for the bar. Initially, I found that a bit insulting, however, upon reflection I realized I should be thankful she hadn't offered me a seat next to the toilet. Anyways, I just sat down at the other end of the bar. So on to the food. I ordered the Chicken Inasal with Gulay for 320 pesos and white rice for 60. The dish looked a lot better than it tasted. The chicken was dry and the sauce was bland. The gulay was just a few green leaves which added color but not much taste. The portion size was on the stingy side of stingy. The presentation of the rice was not as nice as that of the main dish, it was just thrown in a bowl. The rice portion size was on the generous side of generous. The bill came with a 5% service charge, so almost 400 pesos for a disappointing and unsatisfying meal. This restaurant has a good concept of melding fine cuisine techniques and local dishes. I really wanted to like it, but in my humble opinion it does not show proper respect for its customers and it was a waste of my hard earned money...

While exploring the vibrant Capitol area, we stumbled upon Abli, a modern Filipino café that dares to reimagine the flavors we grew up with. The creativity is undeniable — their “morta” (murag torta) is a playful twist on the beloved Cebuano torta, layered with yema and topped with indulgent sweetness that makes every bite feel nostalgic yet new.

Located right across from the heritage favorite STK ta Bai, Abli stands out with its sleek interiors and warm, VIP-style service. The staff truly knows how to make guests feel special — attentive, courteous, and efficient.

But here’s where the charm falters: the prices. The food may be delicious, but it comes at a jaw-dropping cost. ₱150 for a torta, ₱520 for palabok without an egg, and ₱90 for a single empanada — it’s gourmet pricing that makes you pause mid-bite to check if there’s gold sprinkled somewhere.

Still, if you’re in for a culinary adventure that gives Filipino comfort food a luxurious spin — and you don’t mind paying the premium — Abli is worth a visit. But for everyday indulgence? Let’s just say it’s a treat best reserved for special occasions… or when your wallet...

Where Dreams Start Small… and Taste Like Quezo de Bola.. There’s this little spot near Capitol that’s been whispering my name for weeks, Abli. In Cebuano, it means open. And that’s exactly what it felt like walking into this cozy café: like a door swinging wide open to something quietly magical.

It was drizzling when we arrived, but nothing, absolutely nothing was going to stop us from tasting their Morta (murag torta, get it?) topped with indulgent Quezo de Bola. Paired with a hot cup of their lovingly brewed coffee, it was the kind of pairing that makes time slow down.

We ended up staying longer than we planned. Watching people trickle in and out, each one curious about the playful menu like Kuan, Hhhhmmba (yes, that’s really what it’s called), and more tongue-in-cheek surprises that made us grin.

Abli isn’t just a café. It’s a seed of a dream planted right here in the heart of Cebu. And if you ask me, this is one of those places destined to grow into something big. Because anything made with this much heart, flavor, and wit? It’s already blooming.

Go. Bring a friend. Order the Morta. Stay...