Restaurants
Cebu’s lechon is one of the most iconic local dishes in the Philippines. Its crunchy exterior and chewy meat make it an ideal meal for any time of the day. Only a few places on the island can make the perfect, world-renowned lechon, with the City of Carcar as the top go-to spot.
This southern Cebu town, which is about 40 kilometers away from Cebu City, has made some of the best lechon for decades. Visiting it is almost essential for those who want to try out this famous Filipino dish.
You probably went to a restaurant and ate there, but left wanting more. You ordered a meal you thought was going to make you full, but it just fell short. Maybe you need something more extreme, like a restaurant where you get to decide what to eat, what to pair with it, and how much you can put on your plate. Maybe you should try out some of Cebu’s best buffet restaurants. These are some of the most popular restaurants in Cebu where you can splurge and get your money’s worth. If you’re a foodie looking to try as many types of food as you like, then these are the places for you.
Anthony Bourdain declared Cebu’s roast pig the best in the world. Its crunchy skin and hefty meat is something every food enthusiast has to see and taste to believe. But among all the places to get it, which one reigns supreme?
Few would say that the juiciness of Mila’s in Talisay is the perfect party starter, while others enjoy dozens of versions in the island’s heritage city of Carcar.
For others, Rico’s Lechon takes the cake.
Pizza is not only a well-known food in Italy and most western countries; it is also a crowd favorite in Cebu, Philippines. With a variety of toppings and sauces, pizza is one of the most popular food items in the city. In fact, pizza parlors have become aplenty due to its popularity. The fact that pizza is one of those comfort foods that you can eat at any time of the day—whether it’s breakfast, lunch, snack time, dinner, or midnight snacks—makes it one of the most sought-after foods everywhere.
One of the things Cebu is known for is its stunning beaches. Many tourists have flocked to seaside areas such as Malapascua Island, Camotes, Bantayan Island, Oslob, and Cordova. Considering the island of Cebu is surrounded by seas, it’s not surprising that it also has a variety of seafood dishes. Cebuanos definitely love their seafood so much that almost all restaurants in Cebu include a seafood section on their menus.
But not all seafood restaurants are created equal, which means there are bound to be some that are better than the others. With that said, here are the best seafood restaurants in the Queen City of the South that should be in your Cebu itinerary.
Korean Food Restaurants in Cebu
Filipinos have adventurous palates. Our cuisine is a mixture of different influences, such as Indian, Spanish, Chinese, and American. These influences have different results among the archipelago’s different ethnic groups and tribes but have defined the Filipino cuisine.
There has been a recent addition to our already varied food options. Since the invasion of Korean dramas in 2003, the Filipinos’ admiration of the Korean culture has also begun. The Korean influence in the Philippines is not only limited to entertainment, fashion, and beauty trends but also to food. The prevalence of Korean food restaurants in the country is proof of the great impact of the Korean culture, especially in the restaurants in Cebu.
When talking about Cebu, one would also think about the food. Cebuanos are proud of their cuisine. In fact, Cebu’s hotels and other establishments related to the food industry often conduct expositions and culinary events that feature the different cuisine of Cebuanos—from larang (a seafood favorite) to lechon in Cebu (the “best pig ever” according to Anthony Bourdain).
The burger has become a Filipino favorite since it has been introduced to the country. In Cebu, there are burger shops in almost every corner, and each one has its own style and taste. Juicy patty, crispy lettuce, sweet tomatoes, and melted cheese between slightly toasted buns with sesame seeds—these and more can be enjoyed when you try these burgers in Cebu.
No matter how delicious Filipino cuisine is, Cebuanos are also open to try dishes from other countries. The fact they embraced Chinese food is testament of that. But there are some cuisines that were introduced through outside influences. For example, the Americans inadvertently introduced spaghetti because the US soldiers assigned here were craving some food from home.
After a night of heavy drinking and partying on the Cebu nightlife scene, it’s nice to unwind first and just rest your bones before you head home for the night. It wouldn’t even be a stretch if you find yourself hungry again. Whether you’re hungry or just want to take a breather, treat yourself to some homegrown comfort by sampling some of the late-night diners in Cebu island.
Food is an essential component of life. It’s not just something that a person enjoys, but anyone seeking the ambience of the restaurants in Cebu should make it a point to put some places to get a good meal on their Cebu tourist spots itinerary.
Cebu is a pretty big place with a lot of people, and there are many ways to travel in Cebu. Because of how big it is, a good bite to eat is going to be absolutely vital to experience it to its fullest; and the restaurants are among the best places to unwind in Cebu.