Cebu City, a vibrant urban center in the Philippines, is renowned for its culinary scene, offering an array of dining experiences that cater to every palate. From traditional Filipino dishes to international cuisine, the restaurants in Cebu City provide a delightful exploration of flavors. Whether you’re looking for a cozy local eatery, a bustling street food stall, or a high-end dining experience, Cebu City’s diverse restaurant scene promises an exciting gastronomic journey, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of this dynamic island city.
TOP 10 Restaurants in Cebu City
1. Larsian BBQ
- Location: Fuento Osmena, Cebu City, 6000 (It’s next to Robinson Cybergate Shopping Mall and Chong Hau Hospital in the uptown area of Cebu.)
- Type: Grilled food, Street food
- Reservations: Not accepted
- Budget for one: starts at P200
- Open hours: 24 hours
- What to eat: Grilled Squid, Grilled Gizzards, Grilled Chicken skin, Grilled chicken intestines (isaw), Kinilaw (fresh fish preserved in vinegar)
- Insider info: Ask if the stalls have freebies, like free soup, sides, an entrees!
- Contact details:
Phone number: +63 9226205921
Facebook: @LarsianFuente
If you’re looking for a food adventure, you should definitely check out Larsian Barbeque’s hawker-style grilled dishes. Follow the scent of smoke and the occasional hungry local in Cebu, and you’ll discover this popular spot for delicious food. Dining here is straightforward and unpretentious.
When you visit, you can expect to find about 30 stalls selling barbeque on sticks, vendors enthusiastically calling out to get your attention, and the option to eat with your hands (although you can use utensils if you prefer). If you’re in the mood to try something new and experience authentic local flavors without spending too much, Larsian BBQ is a great choice!
2. Lantaw Floating Native Restaurant
- Location: Busay Hills, Bantayan Road, Cordova, Cebu
- Type: Filipino Cuisine
- Reservations: Accepted
- Budget for one: P350 to P400
- Open hours: 11am to 11pm
- What to eat: Baked scallops, Calamari, Kare-kare, Utan Bisaya soup, Crispy Pata, Grilled bangus
- Insider info: Eat here when it’s close to sunset for the perfect view!
- Contact details:
Phone number: +63 32 5110379, +63 9225751173, +63 32 5142959
Facebook: @LantawFloatingNativeRestaurant
If you appreciate romantic scenery and dining near the sea, then you should definitely visit the Lantaw Floating Native Restaurant in Cebu. It’s called “floating” because it’s perched on top of a mountain, and many consider it to be the best restaurant in Cebu.
Eating here is a delightful experience for your senses. You can enjoy a wide view of Busay Hills and its surroundings, including a glimpse of three nearby islands, all while sipping wine and savoring some of the finest Filipino dishes available at any restaurant.
3. 10,000 Roses Café
- Location: Sa Baybayon, Day-as Barangay Road, Cordova, Cebu
- Type: Korean, American, Café-style
- Reservations: Accepted
- Budget for one: P300 to P500
- Open hours: 10:30am to 10pm
- What to eat: Rague Pasta, Alio Olio pasta, Gorgonzola Pizza, Vanilla latte
- Insider info: Eat here at night for the best view of the 10,000 Roses garden!
- Contact details: Facebook: @10-000-Roses-Cafe-379098142446703
If you’re in the area around dusk, head over to the 10,000 Roses Café and witness the magical illumination of LED flowers! Take some Instagram-worthy photos and then treat yourself to delicious coffee and a slice or two of classic pizza. If you arrive too early for the LED roses to light up, don’t worry because you can still enjoy a fantastic view of the famous Cebu skyline.
What’s even better is that you might even make some new friends here, as this café is relatively new compared to its neighboring cafes and restaurants. Many locals in Cebu come to the 10,000 Roses café to experience what it has to offer.
4. Rico’s Lechon
- Location: No. 1 Paseo Saturnino, along Maria Luisa Road, Cebu City
- Type: Filipino
- Reservations: Not accepted
- Budget for one: starts at P350
- Open hours: 10am to 10pm
- What to eat: Garlicky squid balls, Spicy lechon, Lechon chicharon, Sizzling lechon sisig, Prichon, The Original lechon
- Insider info: Don’t ask for sauce! Cebuanos eat their lechon without any gravy or “sarsa” because the meat of the pork is already super flavorful.
- Contact details:
Phone number: +63 32 3440119
Facebook: @RicosLechonOFFICIAL
If you’re in the area around dusk, head over to the 10,000 Roses Café and witness the magical illumination of LED flowers! Take some Instagram-worthy photos and then treat yourself to delicious coffee and a slice or two of classic pizza. If you arrive too early for the LED roses to light up, don’t worry because you can still enjoy a fantastic view of the famous Cebu skyline.
What’s even better is that you might even make some new friends here, as this café is relatively new compared to its neighboring cafes and restaurants. Many locals in Cebu come to the 10,000 Roses café to experience what it has to offer.
5. Wheel’s Bar and Grill
- Location: Don Mariano Qui Street, Cebu City
- Type: Filipino, Asian, Mexican-inspired
- Reservations: Accepted
- Budget for one: P200 to P300
- Open hours: 11:30am to 1:30pm (Lunch), 6pm to 11pm (Dinner)
- What to eat: Kinilaw Tacos, Sisig with raw egg, Boneless Chicken n Gravy, Ginabot, Grilled pork belly, Grilled chicken, Humba, Larang
- Insider info: Call ahead if you want to avail of their Wagyu Beef, which is P1800 for 8 pieces. They might not have this on hand.
- Contact details:
Phone number: +63 9987934098
Facebook: @Wheelscebu
For a top-notch interior atmosphere, Wheel’s Bar and Grill is the place to be. Opened recently, it captures the essence of a motorcycle road trip adventure. It’s the perfect spot to unwind after a day full of sightseeing. Here, you can enjoy a bucket of San Miguel, relax, and have a good time with friends. At Wheel’s, there’s no fancy dining; instead, you’ll find elegance in the simplicity of classic Pinoy comfort food, all at affordable prices.
6. Sunburst Chicken
- Location: G/F Unit 1 One Mango Avenue, Gen. Maxilom Avenue, Cogon Ramos, Cebu City
- Type: American, Filipino
- Reservations: Not accepted
- Budget for one: P200
- Open hours: 7am to 12am
- What to eat: Chick n’ Crackers, Calamari, Fried Liver, Sunburst Fried chicken with Coleslaw, Classic 3 pcs. Sunburst chicken platter
- Contact details:
Phone number: +63 32 2322305
Forget about the famous Colonel, because in Cebu, Sunburst Fried Chicken is the true king of chicken. Starting in 1971, they began serving mouth-watering fried chicken meals. Originally from Iligan City, Mindanao, their Cebu outlets are franchises. Yet, the recipes have stayed mostly the same. For many Cebuanos, Sunburst is synonymous with great chicken. It might not be the healthiest choice, but it’s definitely a meal you’ll remember!
7. Siomai sa Tisa
- Location: 816 Katipunan St., Cebu City
- Type: Chinese, Filipino, Dimsum, Fast food
- Reservations: Not accepted
- Budget for one: P100
- Open hours: 24 hours
- What to eat: Classic Siomai meals
- Insider info: Order side dishes to complete the experience: puso and lumpia work best with this flavour profile.
For a genuine and simple treat, head to Siomai sa Tisa. This place is all about straightforward, delicious siomai without any elaborate presentation. They offer some of the best, pure pork siomai around, at just P6-7 each. The siomai tastes even better with a bit of chili, soy sauce, and a generous amount of calamansi juice on top. Another great thing about this area is that it’s bustling 24/7, thanks to its location near a busy Cebu I.T. district frequented by call center agents day and night.
8. Dolce
- Location: D’ Address, Panorama Heights, Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City
- Type: Café, Desserts, Coffee
- Reservations: Accepted
- Budget for one: P200 to P250
- Open hours: 7am to 1am (Sundays to Fridays), 7am to 2am (Saturdays)
- What to eat: Butterscotch brownies, Carbonara pasta, Fish burger, Ultimate Pork Chop, Dolce Omelette, Cebuano Breakfast, Pancake Stack, Java Chip blend, Wild Tribe Mocha blend
- Insider info: Dolce actually shares the same space as a flower shop and a n architectural design studio.
- Contact details:
Phone number: +63 32 5127263
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @DolceCafeCebu
Dolce, known for its modern design and late-night hours, stands out as a favorite cafe in Cebu for both locals and tourists. Created by Sarah Dychengco, it offers delicious desserts at great prices, along with hearty meals for anyone seeking a break in the bustling city. Inside, you can enjoy a quiet read or some thoughtful moments, or you can sit outside to watch people against the backdrop of Cebu’s city lights.
9. ETTA’S Eclectic Food + Drinks
- Location: Center Cebu,, 176 Archbishop Reyes Ave. Cebu Business Park, Cebu City
- Type: Filipino, Filipino-fusion, Southeast/East Asian
- Reservations: Accepted
- Budget for one: P400 to P550
- Open hours: 11am to 10pm
- What to eat: Salmon Bellysioso, Parmesan French Fries, Humba, Pancit Negra, Kawali Silog, Seafood Squash Soup, Boneless Bulalo, Tocino Pork Skewers, Lapu-Lapu with XO, Dinuguang Lechon Kawali, Pirit-Pirit chicken, Ginataang Kaldereta, Frozen Iced Tea
- Contact details:
Phone number: +63 32 4019012
Facebook: @EttasPH
If you’re looking for top-notch Fusion cuisine, ETTA’S Eclectic Food + Drink is the place to go. ETTA’S takes familiar Filipino dishes and adds exciting twists, introducing a range of new flavors that will surprise and delight your palate. The experience is an adventure, from browsing the menu to tasting the food. Despite their innovative culinary approach, taste is never compromised. The flavors are as impressive as the presentation. ETTA’S also boasts a stylish interior with open glass and wooden elements, making it a standout dining destination.
10. Yolk: Coffee and Breakfast
- Location: 80 Tres Borces St., Mabolo, Cebu City
- Type: Café, American, Filipino, Fusion
- Reservations: Accepted
- Budget for one: P350 to P400
- Open hours: 7am to 10pm
- What to eat: Chorizo and Eggs in Pan, Eggs Benny, Pumba Sandwich, Mighty BLT, Piccolo Latte, Americano, Cebu Omelette, Got Beef on Rice, Goodness in a Jar, Green with Envy, Rice to the Top
- Insider info: You can ask the chef to cook your eggs however you want! Runny, poached, steamed, hard boiled, fried, etc.
- Contact details:
Phone number: +63 32 2310411
Facebook: @YolkCafePH
Yolk: Coffee and Breakfast is a charming spot that combines the best of both worlds – delicious coffee and hearty breakfast options. Whether you’re in the mood for a freshly brewed cup of coffee to start your day or looking for a satisfying breakfast meal, Yolk offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere perfect for morning gatherings, casual brunches, or a peaceful start to your day. With a focus on quality ingredients and a cozy setting, it’s a go-to destination for coffee lovers and breakfast enthusiasts alike.
Bottom Line
Cebu City boasts a diverse and vibrant culinary scene, offering a rich array of dining experiences that cater to all tastes and preferences. From traditional Filipino fare at places like Siomai sa Tisa to innovative fusion cuisine at ETTA’s Eclectic Food + Drink, the city’s restaurants excel in both flavors and ambiance. Whether you’re seeking a cozy breakfast spot like Yolk: Coffee and Breakfast, or a lively evening destination like Wheel’s Bar and Grill, Cebu City has it all. The blend of local and international flavors, coupled with warm hospitality and unique settings, makes Cebu City a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts.
