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Not only is Cebu brimming with bars, live music and other entertainment opportunities, its major cities also boast of a growing selection of sophisticated establishments that serve a vast array of gastronomical delights. There are also many restaurants in Cebu serving Asian Fusion, European, and other Western food.

As for local food, Cebuanos have every right to be proud of their cuisine. Whether it is meat or seafood, Cebu restaurants have a great variety to offer. With Cebu’s amazing supply of fresh produce, especially seafood, restaurants here have a head start on the standard of the food and a huge price advantage.

While we don’t claim to be experts, we have traveled extensively around the world and had tried a lot of cuisine to be able to tell what tastes good and what doesn’t! In this page, we’ve listed suggestions for our guests to check out during their stay in Cebu. The choices range from a fifty-peso meal to top-notch establishments with tabs in excess of Php 3,000 per head. The average main course in a high-quality restaurant costs around Php 120 to Php 300, still a great value in any person’s language!

EXCELLENT RESTAURANTS IN CEBU FOR LESS!

Our favorites are:

Gustavian

This restaurant recently opened its doors in Mactan and had quickly established itself as one of the best dining experiences on the island. Many of our guests eat there regularly and are truly amazed at the incredible value and standout meals. The restaurant, which specializes in European cuisine, has stunning set menus (changed weekly) for around US$8 per head and a wide selection of imported beers and wines. And the best news is that Gustavian has a deli where you can buy any of their cheeses, cold cuts, fresh artisan breads, and other delicacies.

Nonki

This famous Japanese eatery also opened a new establishment. Dining in Nonki is a treat as anyone who has been there can attest. Nonki’s creativity and sumptuous seafood will have you singing praises in no time. The bill at about Php 200 to Php 400 per head will not leave your wallet in bad shape either!

UPSCALE DINING IN CEBU

Anzani (Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City)

This Mediterranean-inspired restaurant offers some of the finest dining in Cebu. You will not have a complaint about the quality and creativity of what you get for your buck. Anzani pretty much has no rival here in Cebu. The setting is also beautiful, overlooking the valley and Cebu’s skyline.

Anzani might be new to Cebu’s dining scene, but its owners are not. Chef Marco Anzani has 25 years of industry experience in 30 cities scattered in 18 countries. His lovely wife Kate earned a bachelor’s degree in restaurant management from Le Cordon Bleu. Chef Marco was noted by the New York Times as one of the pioneers of “New Mediterranean Cuisine.” What does all this mean? You are going to impress your date with a superb meal, decadent surroundings, and a great view. All these add up to a memorable experience. Not only will you adore the atmosphere but you will also enjoy aged US prime beef, incredible food combinations, and white truffles when in season—quite unique considering we are in Cebu.

A stunning four-course meal personally prepared by Chef Marco will set you back Php 2,000 to Php 4,000 per person, which is expensive in Cebu. But hey, you get what you pay for, and this same meal would cost a small fortune in most foreign countries!

Abaca (Mactan Island)

Another “must-go” restaurant in our list is Abaca, a 15-minute drive from Marina Mall/ Airport area. While the name (which originates from a local plant) doesn’t conjure any grand visions, the food and the location will.

Abaca is located a few hundred meters past the Hilton Hotel in Punta Engano in Mactan Island. A boutique establishment, you will be enchanted by your first impressions. After a leisurely walk down a path meandering through lush tropical landscape, you encounter the oasis of the evening—the main dining cabana.

Located by the beach, one can enjoy sipping a flute of champagne as you absorb the intimate setting and the outstanding hybrid Balinese-Thai interiors. The cuisine, concocted by Chef Jason Hyatt, takes on interesting names such as “Nightmare Broccoli,” and most menu items have PR story behind them. Rest assured, no nightmares to be had by the quality and presentation of the broccoli dish or any of the others we sampled on the menu.

A feature of the restaurant is their much-touted wood-fired oven, which is constructed by the chef/owner of the famed Giuseppe’s Sicilian restaurant. Needless to say, if you want a real pizza with that unique taste one can only achieve with the wood-fired oven, then look no further than Abaca. We are in love with Abaca’s lamb pizza. Our only caution here is the prices—think Php 1,000 to Php 3,000 per head and you’re on the right track.

Olio (Crossroads, Banilad)

Another trendy outlet that consistently serves delicious cuisine is Olio. We recommend the scallop with caviar or the aubergine with mozzarella and anchovies. Olio Bar and Restaurant is conveniently located at Crossroads in Banilad, Cebu City.

Maya (opened June 2009)

An upscale take on mexican food. Fantastic setting with a fabulous bar on the 2nd floor. A meal per head here will set you back around 400 pesos per head (less than US$10). Great value for the standard of food.

GRILLED FOOD DONE WITH A DIFFERENCE

You should definitely experience some of the sinugba (grilled food) while you’re in Cebu. Whether you’re craving for some grilled pork, chicken, fish or other seafood, Cebu restaurants have these and more. The cooler evenings of tropical Cebu fit like a glove with this type of eating experience. Famous Cebu grills are Tsibogs (pronounced Chee-bogs), Neo-Neo, and AA’s Barbecue.

These local restaurants have mouth-watering BBQ marinated in all sorts of local herbs and sauces. Washed down with ice-cold beer, Cebu grill restaurants will keep you coming back for more.

Another famous Cebuano food is the lechon baboy. What’s lechon? Think tasty crispy skin and tender marinated pork. If you haven’t tried this delectable signature grill dish, then you’ve never truly been to Cebu. People in other islands, even all the way from the capital city of Manila, rave about Cebu lechon. The famous Cebu lechon are those from the town of Carcar.

LET THE BEER AND WINE FLOW

Tap Room (Ma. Luisa Road, Banilad)

Essentially a sports bar watering hole, Tap Room boasts of a fine selection of international beers on tap and bottle. Given that it is in the same premises as Gustavian Restaurant (fantastic place for a top-notch feed), the food is also of a very high standard and great value for your peso. Most of the dishes can be shared with massive portions to say the least.

The Loft (IT Park, Cebu City)

Hauling in positive reviews is The Loft at I.T. Park, just off Banilad Road. This “resto-bar” (restaurant-bar for the uninitiated) seems to excel at both food and drinks.

You should definitely experience some of the sinugba (grilled food) while you’re in Cebu. Whether you’re craving for some grilled pork, chicken, fish or other seafood, Cebu restaurants have these and more. The cooler evenings of tropical Cebu fit like a glove with this type of eating experience. Famous Cebu grills are Tsibogs (pronounced Chee-bogs), Neo-Neo, and AA’s Barbecue. These local restaurants have mouth-watering BBQ marinated in all sorts of local herbs and sauces. Washed down with ice-cold beer, Cebu grill restaurants will keep you coming back for more.

Another famous Cebuano food is the lechon baboy. What’s lechon? Think tasty crispy skin and tender marinated pork. If you haven’t tried this delectable signature grill dish, then you’ve never truly been to Cebu. People in other islands, even all the way from the capital city of Manila, rave about Cebu lechon. The famous Cebu lechon (and of course chicharron) are those from the town of Carcar.