If you’ve lived in the Philippines for quite some time, you’ve probably learned the hard way that summer isn’t merely the season of fun and sun as it’s always made out to be. Especially in Cebu, where it’s scorching all day, summer is a game, and the key to winning it is to beat the heat to the punch.
Needless to say, that’s exactly what our local summer treats are for. Ice cold, creamy, and absolutely refreshing—we’ve listed 10 spots that know exactly how to play their part to keep you from melting.
Moonsky & Sunny
Photo: Facebook / Moonsky & Sunny
Brought to Cebu from Cagayan de Oro, Moonsky & Sunny is an artisanal ice cream brand that offers a wide array of flavors to work through any time of the day. With a selection that includes Amaretto, Calamansi, Dark Chocolate with Mandarin Oranges, to name a few, they’re sure to have something to fit whatever your taste.
Catch them at SM Seaside, SM JMall, or Sugbo Mercado IT Park.
Kakka Dairy Bar
Photo: Facebook / Kakka Dairy Bar
Named after pastry chef and owner Karla Tan’s childhood nickname, Kakka pairs its cold confections with creativity. With ice cream flavors like black sesame, toasted rice, and cereal milk complemented by their colorful interiors designed by local art duo Happy Garaje, it’s the place that gives you a taste of sweet summer fun.
Grab your fix at IT Park or Ayala Center Cebu.
Yogurt House
Photo: Facebook / Cebu Yogurt House
Yogurt House at IT Park is the froyo spot for people who take their toppings seriously. Featuring a large assortment of fruits, nuts, candy, and drizzles, skimping has no place here. They also serve yogurt drinks for when you want your froyo fix in liquid form, and fruit sandos that are quenching in their own juicy way.
Tsoko
Photo: Facebook / Tsoko Specialty Drinks
Known for their iconic pop-top cans, Tsoko serves up hybrid dessert drinks that are famous for being thick, decadent, and layered with fresh ingredients from the Carbon Market. Among their best-selling items are their Ube Lava and Cheesy Mango-Pie, refreshing both in concept and in sensation.
Catch them at Sugbo Mercado IT Park, SM City Cebu, or The Barracks at Carbon.
Soy Boy
Everybody loves taho, but warm pudding might not be everyone’s cup of tea under this summer heat. This is why Soy Boy serves their taho chilled. Light, silky, and served much colder than it is traditionally—they make a serious case for the treat to be enjoyed no matter the temp.
Mid Summer
Photo: Facebook / Mid Summer Shaved Ice
If you like your summer treats cloud-like and not too sweet, Mid Summer is just the move. They specialize in Taiwanese-style shaved ice that’s so fine it melts instantly, topped with everything from fresh fruits to pearls and taro.
The kind of treat you don’t have to think about when you want something light and crisp, you can find them at The Esplanade, Salinas Drive.
Ice Monkees
Photo: Facebook / Ice Monkees
Bringing a slice of New York street culture to the local scene, Ice Monkees serves up Cebu’s first real taste of Italian ice—an egg-free, dairy-free treat made up of fruit-forward flavors and an ultra-fine icy texture. Quite comparable to ice pops (only amped up), this makes them a light and vibrant choice for those who want a frosty hit without the heaviness of cream.
Experience them yourself at Escario Central, CityMall, or SM City Cebu.
Pùlpp
Everyone knows your roster can’t be complete without at least one healthy sweet summer treat. Introducing Pùlpp Smoothies—a local shop that specializes in functional power drinks. Offering real, organic, fruit-forward smoothies that cool you down and keep you energized, it’s a deliciously refreshing way to get that all-natural stamina boost your body needs under this heat.
Ally Mango
Photo: Facebook / Ally Mango
Nothing says summer in the Philippines more than mangoes, and Ally Mango serves them exactly like the main event that they are. Taking Cebu’s finest harvest, they blend them into their own version of a thick, decadent, tropical shake piled high with ice cream, graham crackers, and sago. Though simple and familiar, it’s a guaranteed tropical hit for a good reason, and you can get your fix at Sugbo Mercado IT Park, Ayala Center, and IL Corso.
Swirl
Photo: Facebook / Swirl Creamery + Coffee
At Swirl Creamery + Coffee, the gelato is simple by design. Handcrafted in-house and in small batches, each scoop is made with quality ingredients that are just impossible to miss in their flavors. Clean, rich, and hits just right on a summer afternoon—you can visit them at Streetscape Cebu.
