Apart from being notable for its siomai (locally known as Siomai sa Tisa), Barangay Tisa, Cebu City is recently frequented by both locals and tourists for its neighboring halo-halo stores. As a great fan of halo-halo, I actually spent two weeks trying the best halo-halo specialties of these 4 stores, one at a time of course.  I compared them and had my taste-bud judged.

Disclaimer: Reviews here are based on my own opinion and experience so I’m not saying which one is best for me is also the best for you. We may differ in preferences on a halo-halo.

1. Sol’s Halo-Halo & Desserts

With its two branches, Sol’s Halo-Halo and Desserts seem to be a go-to halo-halo place in Cebu. It is owned by entrepreneur Cathy Uy and her partner and started its operation just a year ago. It soon clicked to Cebuanos that leads to the opening of its first branch at G/F Skyrise 1 IT Park on March 30, 2017. After 3 months, an interested entrepreneur contracted them for a franchise at Sign in Restobar in Carcar City. Initially, they serve halo-halo then added desserts like leche flan, macaroons, maja blanca, and broken glass in their menu. But as of the moment, it only serves its super yummy halo-halo that you can’t resist. It is available in regular serving (without ice cream) at P50 and in special serving (with a scoop of ube ice cream) at P60. The store opens from 4 PM to 11 PM, Mondays to Sundays. Ms. Cathy will be happy to entertain you should you want to franchise the business at 0917 322 9149.

Read my separate review of this shop at “Finally Found Sol’s Halo-Halo and Desserts: The Best Among the Rest.”

2. Monbis’

Like Sol’s, Monbis only serves halo-halo at P75 in one flavor and size. The store’s halo-halo is notable for its fine ice, corn chips, banana slices, buko (coconut) strips, Hershey’s syrup, and a scoop of ice cream. It actually has 2 operating stores in Tisa which opens from 6 PM to 12 Midnight from Monday to Sunday. You may contact Monbis at (032) 255-4439 for more inquiries.

3. Melton’s Halo-Halo

Other than halo-halo, Melton’s serves other menus like pizza, bakes, desserts, and other fast food selections such as tempura, batchoy and squid ball. Its halo-halo is of different variants. People come to visit any of its branches across Cebu with its delectable halo-halo as its main delight. Their halo-halo is rich of mixed fruits and the usual ingredients like gulaman and buko. The halo-halo is offered at P55 for special and P65 for super special serving. Melton’s operates from 3 PM to 11:30 PM from Mondays to Sundays.

4. Hans’ Halo-Halo

What makes Han’s Halo-Halo a go-to dessert place is its “make your own halo-halo” approach as you choose your own toppings. They will allow you to tick 6 from its 11 ingredients including leche flan, mongo, coconut, gulaman, sago, cornflakes, langka, ube, and nata de coco. Their halo-halo costs P65; just pay extra P45 if you want to add 5 more ingredients. It also offers fries, burger, hotdog, foot long, siopao, and siomai. Its owner, Hervin Lim, notes that although his business is not yet open for franchise, he has just opened it’s branch at ABC Arcade, Aznar Road in Urgello Street on September 25, 2017 after barely two months of business startup. It operates from 3 PM to 11 PM, Mondays to Sundays. For more inquiries, just contact them at 0912 100 7060.

very personal

If I were to assess these halo-halo servings, they all differ from each other in their own special ways. To keep things simple, here’s what to remember: If you want your halo-halo to have a very creamy, soft ice, then go for Sol’s; if you’re into different ingredients of your own choice then Han’ is the best; if you want to eat a few icy flakes then order it from Monbi’s, and if you want a nearly traditional one then treat yourself at Melton’s. So when it comes to choosing the best halo-halo, it all boils down to your preference.