If you are looking for a beautiful café to chill while enjoying a cup of hot brewed coffee, then Café Sabel is a perfect option for you. This café is located inside BenCab Museum in Tuba, Benguet and its picturesque scenery will surely give you an awesome experience.
Post Updated: November 15, 2020 – we added the travel update from the local government of Benguet. Stay safe as you travel!
As of November 15, 2020: Café Sabel and BenCab Museum is open only for the residents of Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay. We’ll keep this post updated once we receive news from the local government. For now, feel free to read this post and add it to your travel bucket list!
How to Go to Café Sabel
If you read our blog post about BenCab Museum then the directions going to this café is the same. The café is located at the ground floor of the museum and I think the position of the café is strategic and well-planned. You’ll be exploring the museum for at least 1-2 hours and then you’ll be relaxing in a café which offers good food and an amazing scenery.
Via Private Vehicle
If you have your own car, then I recommend Google Maps for navigation. Just put “Cafe Sabel” on the search box and follow the directions.
Via Public Transport
If you have extra cash or you are in a group, you may opt for a cab. The fare is a little bit pricey though, but you may share the expenses with your group. If you opt for a jeepney ride, which is a common form of transportation in the Philippines, then go to the Jeepney Terminal in Kayang Street. From there, take a jeep going to Asin Road and alight in the jeepney terminal in Asin. From the Jeepney Terminal in Asin, walk a few meters until you reach Bencab Museum.
Address: Ground Level, BenCab Museum, Km 6, Asin Road, Tuba, Benguet, Philippines
Cafe Hours: Open Tuesdays to Sundays 9AM to 6PM (Last Order at 5PM)
Close – Mondays, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day
Contact: (+6374) 442 7165
Café Sabel: Review and Experience
The café overlooks the museum’s green garden with forests and mountains in the background. With natural ventilation, the atmosphere is cool and comforting perfect to chill out after a tiring day. The air coming from the mountains is fresh which adds up a relaxing ambiance. Random Cordillera Designs and colorful furniture embellished the café. It’s a great place to indulge good food while enjoying the beauty of nature.
The Organic Farm
The café has an organic farm and the staff harvests ingredients in it daily to maintain optimal quality. Since the ingredients are organic, expect their meals will be both nutritious and palatable.
I tried BenCab’s Chicken Paprika for PHP 250 (USD 4.80), the pasta is al dente and the flavors are exploding in my mouth. The taste is truly supreme because of the spices and herbs. This is one of their bestsellers according to one of their staffs and I paired this delicious meal with a cup of hot chocolate. Their chocolate is not the usual kind of instant drink. Instead, it came from real chocolate, bitter and earthy, with an option to add some brown sugar to adjust the sweetness level according to your preferences.
Since they have their own organic farm, we also tried their Farm Fresh Green Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette for PHP 150 (USD 3.00). Strawberries are a local commodity in Benguet and pouring strawberry vinaigrette over their fresh green salad adds a unique twist on it.
The Garden
We enjoyed our stay in Café Sabel. While we were savoring our meals our eyes were also delighted because of the beautiful scenery with relaxing sounds of pouring water in the nearby river. The singing birds and the cool mountain winds brushing off our skin provided inner peace into our senses.
There’s also a duck pond in the middle of the garden with an islet wherein an Ifugao hut is placed. The theme is consistent in preserving the culture and heritage of the Cordillera. Although, there are sections in the garden restricted to visitors – like the path going to the nearby river. Nevertheless, the experience is still grand and enjoyable.
Summary
If you planned to visit Baguio City, make sure to include BenCab Museum on your itinerary and indulge with good food and nature in Café Sabel. This place offers delicious Filipino dishes and its ingredients are sourced in their own organic farm. The view is also an added treat and you can freely stroll around the garden. We recommend their pastas and salads, and you must also try their hot chocolate! Overall, our experience in the café is exemplary.
Don’t worry, there are a lot of other food places and cafes to try in and outside Baguio City. Check out our where to eat list in Baguio City here. This list will help you have a gastronomic journey in this amazing city!
This post is updated on November 15, 2020.
