Dessert Places in Cebu: 8 Specialties that you must try at Zucre

Zucre Pastry Shop, 2nd Floor City Times Square, Mandaue City, Best cheesecake in Cebu
When it comes to quick meals and desserts, one of my personal go-to places is Zucre Pastry Shop.The modest dessert place is located at the  2nd Floor of the bustling City Times Square in Mandaue City.  It is being managed by a young entrepreneur who intends to be one of the best cake makers in the metropolis in the years to come. I have been to Zucre several times already and I have listed my 8 favorite specialties of the cake shop/cafe.

Eight Excellent Specialties at Zucre Pastry Sop

Zucre Pastry Shop, 2nd Floor City Times Square, Mandaue City, Best cheesecake in Cebu

8. Red Velvet Cheesecake (Php 90) - After browsing at their menu and display, I knew that the place prides itself for making delicious cheesecakes. One great example is their Red Velvet Cheesecake. Red Velvet cake plus cheesecake is really a formidable combination. This is just a start because you will be seeing more cheesecakes on this list.

Zucre Pastry Shop, 2nd Floor City Times Square, Mandaue City, Best cheesecake in Cebu
 7. Pancit Palabok (Php 90) - I do not think that there is another cafe in Metro Cebu that offers Pancit Palabok. I like that they are offering something different than the usual cafes that just sell overpriced sweet drinks and mediocre food. At Zucre, you can actually hang out or do some cramming while eating good food.

Zucre Pastry Shop, 2nd Floor City Times Square, Mandaue City, Best cheesecake in Cebu
 6. Oreo Nutella Cheesecake (Php 120) - Owner Charmaine Bontia studied at the International Culinary Arts Academy in Cebu.   I was not surprised that Zucre also puts a premium on how their desserts look.  Most of their dishes are presented to be Intagram-ready or Insta-worthy. One of the items that could generate a ton of likes in Instagram would be the well-plated Oreo Nutella Cheesecake.

Zucre Pastry Shop, 2nd Floor City Times Square, Mandaue City, Best cheesecake in Cebu
 5. Fried Ice Cream (Php 85)- The Fried Ice Cream comes to you as a flaming ice cream-filled pancake ball.  Kids would probably love this.  Who does not love Ice cream anyway? The presentation is a big plus.  The menu at Zucre Pastry Shop is not as long as the other dessert shops, but it is full of interesting and somewhat unique offerings.

Zucre Pastry Shop, 2nd Floor City Times Square, Mandaue City, Best cheesecake in Cebu
 4. Brownie-Layered Cheesecake (Php 90) - This is one of the highly recommended cakes by Zucre owner Charmaine Bontia along with the Moist Chocolate Cake, and Blueberry Cheesecake. The BLC is made of Zucre's delicious cheesecake sandwiched in between two layers of semi-sweet, moist brownies. The cake is topped with more brownies and then drizzled with caramel and chocolate glaze.

Zucre Pastry Shop, 2nd Floor City Times Square, Mandaue City, Best cheesecake in Cebu
 3. Lasagna (Php 90)- My friend +Nezte Virtudazo says that this is a Kalami Cebu-worthy dish. Considering it is made in a cake place and priced below 100 pesos, indeed, Zucre's lasagna is a bargain. Their version of lasagna is cheesy with fragrant hints of taco powder.  It is an awesome pasta dish to be eaten on a rainy afternoon while waiting for your next class or appointment.  It achieves a Kalami Cebu hat trick of being yummy, #foodporn-worthy, and affordable. The lasagna is definitely a winner for me.

Zucre Pastry Shop, 2nd Floor City Times Square, Mandaue City, Best cheesecake in Cebu
 2. Slurpee (Php 95) - It is not your 7-11 slurpee.  Zucre's slurpee is a decadent marriage of sago-gulaman, and mango con yelo.  It uses fresh milk as its base and it is topped with a scoop of ice cream.  The saccharine and calorie-rich drink can easily make you feel so good after a few sips.  I will take this over a frappe anytime.

Zucre Pastry Shop, 2nd Floor City Times Square, Mandaue City, Best cheesecake in Cebu
 1. Blueberry Cheesecake (Php 85)- I asked Charmaine what I should I order at Zucre if I can only order one dessert.  Without much hesitation, she answered, "Blueberry Cheesecake".  I even teased her if she can say that her blueberry cheesecake is the best in Cebu. Well, she said "Yes!".  My expectations just shot through the roof. I decided to order a slice. 

At first I was a bit skeptical because the longest side of the slice was just about 4 inches long. Their "best" cake, though, surpassed my expectations. The cake may be a bit small, but it was topped with a great amount of blueberry and a Zucre chocolate button. The cheesecake was a joy in the mouth.  It was creamy and the acidity or sourness was mild. The graham crust was sugary and had a good aroma. It was a very balanced dessert and very pleasant to eat.  You can probably finish a whole pie of Zucre's Blueberry Cheesecake if you are absent-minded.
Zucre Pastry Shop, 2nd Floor City Times Square, Mandaue City, Best cheesecake in Cebu
I thoroughly enjoyed the cheesecake, but I have to ask an opinion from a Blueberry Cheesecake fanatic to validate my observation. Luckily I found one in Angela Madura. She concurs and she truly believes that Zucre's Blueberry Cheesecake is the best  blueberry cheesecake that she ever tasted. You should try it and tell me what you think.

Charmaine Bontia

Charmaine Bontia, Best dessert shop in Mandaue

Zucre Pastry Shop, 2nd Floor City Times Square, Mandaue City, Best cheesecake in Cebu
I only listed 8 of my favorites there, but if ever you visit Zucre, you will surely enjoy their other offerings like the colorful Rainbow Cake, the 10-peso mini-cupcakes, bud-bud/mango/sikwate, hot bread, and many others.

3 Good Things About Zucre

Aside from the tempting offerings, here are 3 good things about Zucre Pastry Shop:

Affordability

It is rare to find a place that serves affordable food and drinks at a very chic and casual sitting. Brewed coffee is only 50 pesos while the frappes are only at 90 pesos. Your 10 pesos can actually buy something yummy at Zucre. Save for the Oreo Nutella Cheesecake, the cake slices are priced below 100 pesos.  

Wifi

Wifi connection at Zucre is decent. The password is "kitkatcheesecake". Zucre is a great alternative to the cafes that serve very expensive coffee and cakes.  Zucre is a great place for a meeting, work, study, and even a casual date.  The Wifi allows you to be to be connected to the rest of the world while enjoying some delicious cakes.  It also makes it easier for you to post your latest #DOTD or #Foodgasm post on Instagram.

Parking

Parking is never a problem at City Times Square. There is ample space especially when the sun is still up. It might be busier at night, but there are more parking spaces at the back of City Times Square. For non-drivers, the closest jeepney terminal is just a few steps away at Parkmall.

Now you know why Zucre Pastry Shop has been my favorite cafe/dessert place/meeting place/snack place/ workplace/ reading place in Mandaue.  I recommend that you try it there and tell me what you think.  

Let say you want to order a Rainbow Birthday Cake for your best friend, Zucre can actually take care of that.  To order a personalized  cake,  you may call Ms. Charmaine Bontia at 0917-882-0067 or 032-2390792.  


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