Cebuanos are very proud of their local cuisine and so they should be. Whether it is tender calamari frittos that simply melt in your mouth, a tasty lechon manok (charcoal grilled chicken), or a grilled tuna belly garnished with calamansi juice, you will be spoiled for choice with the array and assortment of culinary delights on offer.
One should definitely experience some of the sugba or sinugba (barbecue) restaurants or stalls.
Right in the heart of Uptown district Cebu City is El Gecko Restobar. A popular haunt of expats and locals with great international food, the cheapest beer in town, 30 peso and fantastic people. Multi screen TVs playing music DVDs and very welcoming staff!!
Grills, Grills and More Grills
One that comes to mind is Tsibogs (prounouced - Chee boogs). Its famous, mouth-watering BBQ (to be washed down with lots of ice cold San Miguels...) will certainly keep you coming back. Another of the more famous is Larsians on Fuente Osmena – probably not the most hygienic place on earth but the food is good. Neo Neo on Mactan Island (just past the old bridge) is a clean, spacious and fun place to hang-out and enjoy high-quality grilled food. For those who love lechon baboy, (roast pig) most good grills serve it and the above establishments all
do.
I Want My Chicks For Free and My MTV...(a royalty cheque would be a bonus)
If you prefer fancier, more upscale dining, there are a number of modern international restaurants.
For the finest local seafood offerings and a location to die for, head straight for the Shangri-La on Mactan. Ponder: A chilled buttery chardonnay, coupled with fresh lobster - devine. Throw in a couple of million stars delightfully twinkling above you, the soft beats of some ultra chic lounge music, the gentle sound of the sea lapping at the rocks below and your partner's glowing smile; divine intervention...
An interesting establishment that has opened in Mactan Island is Vine City Wine Bar and Restaurant (032 342 8927). Situated on the main highway, 50 metres past Marina Mall heading towards the new bridge. Delightful staff serve simple but high quality (pastas, steaks, salads etc.) fare and a reasonable selection of wines. Tastefully decorated, this is just what the doctor prescribes; if you wish to chill out after a hectic day.
Now if you want some real upscale food, in a trendy outlet, head off to Olio. They have some super dishes. Try the scallop with caviar, or the aubergine with mozzerella and anchovies... mmm! Olio Bar and Restaurant, conveniently located at Crossroads, Banilad.
Ginza is another place where you will dine in style with food to match. This establishment is 26 years old and still counting. Stood the test of time with much aplomb and with the recently decorated interiors slides effortlessly into yet another gear. The food is contemporary Japanese. Signature dish is the Pork teppanyaki. Slithers of tender pork, served with a hybrid mayo wasabe sauce. Ginza: Old Banilad Road, Banilad, Cebu City (231 4612)
Just down the road from Olio, near the entrance to Maria Luisa Estate; just off Banilad Road is Guiseppe. This fantastic restaurant serves; in my humble opinion the very best pizzas in Cebu. In addition to the pizzas, you will find sumptuous pasta offerings with the freshest of fresh ingredients; home style Italian at its best. A laid back atmosphere radiates from this establishment. Run by ex: Shangri-La regional chef, Guiseppe's restaurant is a must do whilst in Cebu. Guiseppe's, Maria Luisa Park Road Cebu City. (343 9901)
If you have no time to dine in, and want something quick: there is always Davinci's Pizza in Mactan, famous for the white sauce pizza - err at least that's what they claim. (420 8888)
Hamburgers To Die For...
If a simple burger’s what’s your hungering for, fret not. Cebuanos more than proud of their tantalizing grills have come up with burgers that make the more common brands pale in comparison. Noteworthy are Flame it and Burger Joint. Don't go there thinking your in for a light snack. The Flame It 1/2 pounder - is just that. Half 1/2 a pound of magic primetime beef. Yep, primetime! The real deal; no Holyfield...Juicy and marinated for who knows how long and with who knows what, it is nothing but sensational for any burger lover. Burger Joint is a similar concept. Eat in both and you will shun going back to those "other" more famous international brands.
Another favorite of Mactan residents is the French cafe at Marina Mall, Cafe de France. Freshly baked pastries, some excellent clones of croque monsieur's, pig in a blanket, and an assortment of freshly baked pastry delights. As it is a cafe, one can wash down these delights with copious amounts of strong coffee. Definitely, a winning combination!
source: http://www.tripadvisor.com
THE TOP 24-HR RESTAURANTS IN CEBU
- CHOWKING FUENTE
If it's 3:30 AM and you need to feed, you'll prefer quick service and perky staff. Not only will the attendants be awake when you arrive; there will actually be other guests. A real 24-hr restaurant even if its fastfood. - CAFE FORTUNA
Located inside the casino in the Waterfront Lahug, you will be searched before you enter, and there will be a lot of second-hand smoke in the air. But they actually have a midnight buffet, and if you prefer a la carte, you can gamble while you wait. - HAN-NYA
The quality at this Japanese restaurant dips late at night, but it's still better than most places. Good location, too. - ABUHAN
This old favorite in the Kan-Irag hotel is a beloved source of pochero. Another place you can actually find other guests, though a lot of them will be GRO's with their customers. - ORANGE BRUTUS FUENTE
Again, if it's 3:30 AM and you're inebriated, you may actually appreciate a thawed, heated, and gravy-doused burger steak with rice. The cheapest way to get a hot meal at midnight.
NATIVE CEBUANO RESTAURANTS
- GOLDEN COWRY
233-4243 Salinas Drive, Lahug - LIGHTHOUSE
231-2487 Gaisano Country Mall - BARRIO FIESTA
232-0640 SM - PATIO ISABEL
231-6075 Old Banilad Road - LAGUNA GARDEN CAFE
233-8600 Cebu Business Park - LAMI-AH
341-1840 Basak, Lapu-Lapu, Mactan - MR A
232-5200 Busay
CHINESE RESTAURANTS IN CEBU
- THE CHING PALACE
417-2988 Salinas Drive, Lahug - OCEAN WOK
233-0196 Pacific Square, F Cabahug - EMPEROR'S BOWL
343-9880 A S Fortuna, near Hyundai - WHITE GOLD HOUSE
232-6891 Salinas Drive, Lahug - A TASTE OF MANDARIN
232-4845 Gaisano Country Mall - LUMPIA HOUSE
232-5031 Gaisano Country Mall - TIN GOW PALACE
232-6888 Waterfront Lahug - MAJESTIC [Fuente]
253-6287 General Maxillom Ave. - MAJESTIC [SM]
232-0720 SM - GRAND MAJESTIC
232-0990 Cebu Convention Center, Arch Reyes - HARBOUR CITY [AYALA]
231-6283 Ayala - HARBOUR CITY [SM]
232-0741 SM
JAPANESE RESTAURANTS
- YUMEYA KIHEI 234-2388 Pacific Square, F Cabahug St.
- KAISHU 495-2888 Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu
- SENRYU 234-2547 Salinas Drive, Lahug
- HAN-NYA 255-8536 Hotel Asia, Jose Avila St.
- RAI RAI KEN [AYALA] 232-2242 Ayala
- RAMEN KAMEKICHI 422-4288 F Cabahug St., Mabolo
KOREAN RESTAURANTS
- NOODLES HOUSE 231-8595 Juan Luna / F Cabahug
ITALIAN RESTAURANTS
- LA TEGOLA 345-6080 Foodland, Banilad
- IDEA ITALIA 232-4292 Paseo Marina, Ayala
- LA BUONA FORCHETTA 256-3398 Cecillia Bldg, Osmeña Blvd
- RED TOMATO 253-0801 Escario St.
CONTINENTAL & FUSION
- CHATEAU DE BUSAY 231-2000 Busay
- OLIO 232-3589 Crossroads, Banilad
- DARRAS + BOWLER coconut@skyinet.net Banilad Road
INTERNATIONAL CUISINE [AMERICAN, SPANISH, THAI, INDIAN]
- THE DESSERT FACTORY [Arch Reyes] 233-9977 Mahogany Court, Arch Reyes
- THE DESSERT FACTORY [Ayala] 233-2351 Ayala Entertainment Center
- DAVID'S 231-0157 F Cabahug St.
- EDDIE'S 254-8570 Mango, near Redemptorist
- KRUA THAI 233-9388 Crossroads, Banilad
- RASA MARINA 341-3096 Mactan Marina Mall, Lapu-Lapu
- MAHARAJA RESTAURANT 255-7278 Century Plaza, Lapu-Lapu
- PERSIAN PALATE [Ayala] 232-5898 3F, Ayala
- PERSIAN PALATE [Mango Square] 253-6745 Mango Square
source: wayblima.com
