Spontaneous Road Trip: First Stop, Chesanyama

It’s a long weekend and most of the resorts were fully booked. We were not able to book any resort or exclusive staycations. I guess I really need to plan days ahead.

Initially, for this long weekend we decided to just take a road trip, get dinner, then head home.

Since our road trip and dinner took us to Lapu Lapu City, so we decided to stay in my condominium then just hit the road home to Talisay City in the morning.

The next day, while looking for a place to eat, we thought of going to some of our saved places. My girlfriend and I usually save places or shops we find interesting in social media for us to visit the next time we go out.

One of which is Chesanyama, which is located in Brgy Adlaon, Cebu City. Have you been here? If not yet, then you definitely should.

In Chesanyama, you will enjoy the magnificent view of Cebu’s mountains, especially Mt. Manunggal, while devouring your sumptuous meal.


Their menu ranges from all-day breakfasts, special braai (or barbeque), pasta, sandwiches, sweets, and coffee.

I had the opportunity to ask the owner the meaning of Chesanyama. It was actually inspired from both African and Japanese meaning. For African inspiration, it is a Zulu term, "shisa nyama" meaning burnt meat, which is used to describe a place where they serve braais (similar to our barbeque). For the Japanese inspiration, it is from two words, “shisan” and “yama”. “Chisan” means products of the land or local production; “yama”, meaning mountain. Both inspired the owners because they serve braais and their products are locally produced.

Initially, they planned to name it Anibong, because of the presence of local ferns called "anibong". But they thought it is too local. Then other name ideas came like American or Spanish and nothing seems to fit to their branding. Until they came up with Chesenyama.

Now back to our story. So we ordered an all-day breakfast (since we haven’t eaten breakfast) and one of their special braais which is the Yama Pork Ham Barbecue.

Then for the desserts, we never missed to try their panna cota. Then finished it with coffees.

After spending some time in Chesanyama eating and chilling, we decided to visit another place in Brgy Adlaon. We noticed that place in the signages while going to Chesanyama and decided to look it up while waiting for our order. That place caught our attention because of its chill and relax environment.

So next stop, Adlawon Vacation Farm. Stay tuned for Part 2 of our spontaneous road trip. Here’s a teaser picture.

Photos are also featured in my Facebook page, Tan-awa Bai.
For more information of the place, you may also visit their facebook page, Chesanyama Cafe.