Best Restaurants in Cebu

The thriving tourism sector in Cebu has positive impact on Metro Cebu’s restaurant sector. More than 30 years ago, there were very few restaurants, mostly offering Chinese-influence cuisine. Nowadays, one can have a choice of local and international cuisine.

Here are some of Cebu City’s best restaurants:

20. Yakski Barbecue

Cebuanos really love barbecue, whether it’s pork, chicken or seafood. One BBQ joint is Yakski, which has attracted many BBQ lovers. Yakski, located at Don Mariano Cui St., Capitol Site, credits its “secret sauce” for its success. “When it comes to savoury barbecue, the best place for me is Yakski Barbecue,” says this blogger.

19. Larsian BBQ

First-time visitors to Cebu should take time to check out this popular barbecue strip. Compared to other restaurants, the prices of food at Larsian, a perennial favorite among locals, is very affordable. Head for Larsian and as this blogger says, “Be prepared to choke yourself with BBQ’d pork, chicken, and seafood! Larsian is a bazaar of eateries that’s the perfect place to experience Cebu’s best barbecue.”

18. Blu bar and grill

This restaurant located at the penthouse of Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, would be a good choice for couples wanting to have romantic dinner as it boasts of good food, the right ambience and a fantastic view. This is also a great place to hangout for friends. It is awarded by PhilippineTattler as one of the country’s Best Restaurants in 2012. A blogger also recommends the restaurant: “You can never go wrong with a scenic elevator that shoots straight up to a hotel roofdeck, revealing a cityscape view from every vantage point at 1,000 feet high. At Blu, you can chill and dine with friends and colleagues, or set the right mood for a romantic date.”

17. Casa Verde

In Cebu, when you say Casa Verde, what comes to mind is Brian’s ribs, its best-selling item on the menu. Branches at Ramos St., Asiatown I.T. Park, Ayala Center Cebu, SM Seaside City. “Casa Verde in Cebu is one of the places that serves good ribs. Fall off the bones, finger-lickin’ good type of ribs. They serve baked pork ribs smothered in a generous portion of sweet, tangy bbq sauce.”

16. Lantaw 2 Native Restaurant

What makes this restaurant, located at Sitio Garahe, Roosevelt Drive, Busay, Cebu City, a favorite among locals is the amazing view of Cebu City metropolis especially at night. Bloggedphilippines has this to say about the restaurant’s Filipino cuisine: “The food tasted great as far as a Filipino tongue is concerned, but I think even Western and other Asian people will also appreciate it. Couple that with the stunning view and the experience is perfect.”

15. German Haus

A taste of German cuisine such as German style whole chicken legs with spicy sauce and saurkraut with mashed potato and brown sauce, among others is what you get at German Haus, located at the 2nd floor of the Forum building, Archbishop Reyes Ave., Cebu City. A blogger married to an Austrian-German has this to say about the restaurant: “When it was served, they were in large portions just like how I remembered my schnitzel in Vienna. Food is good, price is reasonable for its size and the guy who took our order was nice. We were full and happy.”

14. Kuya J

Starting out as Ang Kan-anan ni Kuya J Corner, an eatery along Cebu City streets, Kuya J has now grown into a chain of restaurants offering Filipino cuisine, cooked and presented like fine dining cuisine. Its Cebu branches are located in Tojong Street, 15 N Escario St, Cebu City; SM City Cebu and SM Consolacion. One diner has this to say about Kuya J: “Kuya J’s not–so–secret secret? Good food. Affordable prices. We all love that, don’t we?.”

13. Maya Mexican Restaurant

This restaurant located at Crossroads Mall, Cebu City is owned by the Abaca Group. If you want Mexican food like tacos, enchiladas, nachos and baby back ribs cooked the Mexican way, then Maya is for you. This blogger raved over Maya: “So for me Maya is THE best restaurant in Cebu that I have experienced and def the best Mexican food I have ever had. Nothing beats awesome tasty food and to top it off – the staff are so friendly and they make you feel so comfortable.”

12. Phat Pho

Located at Crossroads, Banilad, Cebu City, the restaurant serves Vietnamese cuisine. This blogger has “confused feelings” over the food: “I hate you Phat Pho, you give me fat face! And a thin wallet. Can’t it be the other way around: thin face and fat wallet? But really, I hate you so much that I love you.”

11. Rico’s Lechon

Rico’s Lechon cooks roasted pig the traditional Cebu way, with garlic and leeks. It is the first to come up with “spicy” lechon. Rico’s Lechon has two branches – one in Panagdait, Mabolo and the other one at Mactan Promenade in Lapu-Lapu City. “I have tried several variants of lechon here in cebu, I still consider Rico’s lechon as the best. Now that they have a newly opened lechon house here in Cebu, it gives me more reason to consider them as the best.”

10. STK ta bai! at Paolito’s Seafood House

Located at #6 Orchid St, Capitol Site, Cebu City, STK Ta Bai offers seafood cuisine. Blogger Kelly Misa gushed over this restaurant, “The food is just amazing here. Seriously, I’ve never eaten in a restaurant where all the dishes were good. This was just incredible. It’s hard to believe their restaurant started from their garage.”

9. Circa 1900

This restaurant, which is housed in an over 100-year old house at Sanjercas Ville Ext. Rd, Cebu City, just across JY Square, Lahug, serves international cuisine but uses local products and some ingredients from their own backyard garden. The restaurant is open from 6 a.m. to 12 midnight. An Inquirer article has this to say about restaurant, “Must-try specialties include the banana-coconut cake with malunggay ice cream; vegetable paella cakes based on the Kapampangan chicken bringhe; and the crunchy, slow-roast pork belly with apple and fennel compote.”

8. Pizzeria Michelangelo

This restaurant serves pizza and other Italian cuisine. A client raved over its cuisine. “Leaves spread over makes the pizza phenomenal! The greens on top of the thin crust goodness makes the pizza thumping photogenic and so exciting to devour.” It has branches at Escario Centrale, N. Escario St., Cebu City and 1 Paseo Saturnino branch in Banilad, Cebu City.

7. AA BBQ

Starting out as a barbecue stand that eventually became a full scale restaurant in Salinas Drive, Lahug, Cebu City. Its eight other branches are located in A.S. Fortuna, Mandaue City; Andres Abellana St, Guadalupe; Plaza Independencia, Cebu City; Minglanilla, Cebu; Bulacao Pardo, Cebu City; North Reclamation, Mandaue City, Cebu; Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City; Max Patalinghug Jr. Ave, Gum-ob, Lapu-Lapu and Mango Square, General Maxilom Ave., Cebu City. A blog has this to say about AA: “Your trip to Cebu would not be complete without a visit to AA BBQ. It can certainly give you that down-to-earth yet delicious dining experience.”

6. Zubuchon

Zubuchon has been endorsed by Anthony Bourdain as the best roasted pig in the world. Here’s a review on the restaurant, “I shall jump straight to the best thing that I had in Cebu – Zubuchon lechon (whole roasted pig). All you need to know is Zubuchon has the best lechon. You MUST TRY it if you are in Cebu.” It has branches in One Mango Mall, Gen. Maxilom Ave., Cebu City and Escario Centrale, N. Escario St., Cebu City.

5. Café Laguna

Café Laguna and Laguna Garden Café located at Ayala Center Cebu, has become one of the favorite choices for those who love Filipino cuisine. It also has branches in SM City Cebu, North Reclamation Area and SM Seaside City in South Road Properties. Its awards include Philippine Tatler Dining Philippines Best Restaurants in 2012, 2014 and 2015 and TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2012 (). Here’s a review by Tatler: “Café Laguna, the perennial Cebuano favourite, serves a wide variety of authentic Filipino dishes. This is the definite must-visit place in Cebu if you are looking for comfort Filipino food to introduce Filipino cuisine to guests.”

4. Cafe Marco

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu has this gem of a restaurant that offers varied cuisine including local, Asian and Western. A blogger gushes over its cuisine: “I love the variety Cafe Marco’s menu has to offer. I felt the warmest welcome when I gazed with delight at the widest food choices. There were too many of those I “feel like” eating and of course – I ate ’til I dropped. (Sorry, it’s gluttony!)” ()

3. Feria

This is one of two restaurants at Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu that offers both local and international cuisine. Feria is one of the go-to places for fine dining. Here’s a review of the restaurant: “This is a personal favorite! Rivaling many of the hotel buffets in Cebu, Feria has many delightful dishes, but my favorite is their famous ice cream!”

2. Garden Café

Cebu City Marriot Hotel’s restaurant provides a welcome view of the gardens and an array of Filipino and international cuisine. Garden Café has been awarded TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2015. To a blogger, this is what going to the restaurant is: “Overall, dining in Garden Cafe is enjoyable because of the diverse food selections and the accommodating staff.”

1. Anzani New Mediterranean Cuisine

Located in Panorama Heights, Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City, the Anzani offers varied choices of gourmet dishes. It has been nominated and awarded by The International Award for Tourist, Hotel and Restaurant Industry as the “Most Outstanding Dining Destinations in South East Asia” and the seal of excellence as the “best of the best in the Philippines in mid-quarter 2011 presented by the Philippine Tatler Group” . It has received good reviews including this: “Bringing the best of the Mediterranean to Cebu island, Anzani presents fine dining in style with a cuisine largely focused on Italian dishes.”

Read Also: [TOP CHOICE 2016] Best Cebu Lechon Brands

With many restaurants offering diverse cuisine, Cebu City offers gastronomic delights to locals and visitors. The tourism and restaurant sectors enjoy a symbiotic relationship for just like any other tourist destinations, having very wide choices of food helps bring in tourists. So check out, Cebu City restaurants and embark on a gastronomic adventure.