Balay Sa Busay — Restaurant in Cebu City

Balay sa busay

It was an unforgettable experience when we visited Bulay sa Busay recently. We have always wanted to try it here when the government was easing out on the community quarantine.

It’s just a few yards below Tops Observation Deck and Tops of Cebu Restaurant.

We went there for dinner but it was a Saturday, so I called the restaurant first for a reservation, expecting that there might be a surge of guests.

The receptionists gladly reserved us a table, but we were surprised when we arrived as there were only few guests who dinned in.

But it is expected though as we still have the pandemic.

Still it is a sigh of relief that economy has slowly been improving.

There is ample parking space when we got there so there is no problem with that.

We chose our favorite sizzling gambas which was a feast, I love how balanced it was seasoned, there is a hint of spiciness but not too much, it is creamy, the shrimp is still fresh and serving is generous, at least it was enough for us two.

I always wanted to try their Pomelo Salad, yup, you read it right, Pomelo salad. It’s just like your regular garden salad but with pomelo and it is surprisingly good. The cucumber, the onion slices, the calamansi squeeze, and generous drizzle of sesame seeds, they all blend well. This is my new favorite, and how and where on earth are they sourcing boongon in this time of year, let alone pandemic? Lol!

Of course, I had to go with garlic because plain is just well plain.

But I also had to try their signature sisig and boy I have seen photos of these on Google Maps where they serve this on a shovel, yup, shovel. It looks weird, but creative and interesting and well it works for me.

The sisig is a combo of pork and chicken, the pork is heavenly pure meat, no trimmings in there, but the chicken I say has those meat trimmings I think. Then the ever present egg joins the two. I say I am not a fan of the chicken part, the crispy pork part of the sisig is the winner.

We had to wash them all with good old Coke soda. And the backdraft of Cebu City while you are eating is such a treat. I will definitely come back here and still choose to dine in during the evening. Day view is better, but the night skyline is just mesmerizing. See you again...

Nestled atop the picturesque mountains of Cebu, Balay sa Busay is a hidden gem that offers not only delectable food but also breathtaking panoramic views of the city and surrounding landscapes. This restaurant has gained popularity for its fusion of traditional Filipino flavors with a modern twist. During my visit, I was eager to experience both the culinary delights and the stunning scenery that this place is renowned for.

Ambiance: The moment I arrived at Balay sa Busay, I was taken aback by the awe-inspiring scenery that greeted me. The restaurant's open-air layout allows diners to indulge in a unique dining experience surrounded by lush greenery and the city's twinkling lights below. The ambiance is relaxing, romantic, and perfect for special occasions or intimate gatherings. The sunset view was simply mesmerizing, and it created a soothing and tranquil atmosphere that complemented the meal perfectly.

Service: The staff at Balay sa Busay were welcoming and attentive throughout my dining experience. They promptly greeted me with warm smiles and provided helpful suggestions about their menu. The waiters were knowledgeable about the dishes, accommodating to special requests, and ensured that I had everything I needed to make my visit comfortable.

Cuisine: The menu at Balay sa Busay offered an exciting array of Filipino-inspired dishes with...

3☆ only because the service we received was not that good. We waited 30 minutes for the food which is okay but when we asked for the vinegar bowl, considering we ordered grilled foods should have been automatic, the waiter said wait because he is busy which I completely understand but instead of going back to the kitchen to give me the vinegar bowl, he went beside our table and start to pack take out items of the next table and there were a lot!!! So, I decided to go to the service area and asked, it took them exactly 9 minutes to give me the freakin' vinegar bowl!!! So yeah, view was amazing but what makes people come back to a certain business is not just the view because there are a lot of great view in this area, it's the service of the staff that makes the people go back. Food was okay, some great some not so good. Frozen ice tea is like 90% brown sugar mixed with black tea leaves, very bitter and super sweet and it is all foam, once it melts, leaves you half of the glass only. The rest was ok. Staff looked very tired already at 8:45pm Saturday night, I think needs more manning...