Here are some of the best fusion restaurants 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.
All in all, as long as the food is good, Cebuanos won’t care which country it’s from. Because of their adventurous palate, there are several Cebu restaurants that have satisfied the taste buds of the locals but also the tourists:
Ilaputi
This restaurant mainly serves a lot of Asian-inspired dishes, such as steamed fried rice topped with succulent angus beef or garlic-infused pork chop. However, they also have some European and Latin-inspired dishes as well. While the dishes are exotic, they also serve comfort food. Breakfast aficionados would be pleased with their assortment of breakfast dishes.
The only downside is Ilaputi is rather pricey considering it is a high-end restaurant. But if you have some cash to spare, it is definitely worth checking out.
Red Lizard Taqueria
Considering Mexican cuisine has taken the world by storm, it was only inevitable that it would make its way in Cebu. Red Lizard serves some authentic Mexican dishes, such as quesadillas, taquitos, and burritos. However, some of them are infused with some American flavor. For example, one of the ingredients in their coveted tacos is crispy bacon.
They also serve some authentic Mexican alcohol, so you should definitely try the cerveza. If you prefer something stronger, then you can always have a shot of mojito or margarita.
Lemongrass
As far as fusion restaurants go, Lemongrass certainly embodies the concept. Some of the scrumptious dishes they serve include tom yam (sour and spicy seafood soup) and of course pad thai. However, despite the foreign sounding names, it turns out Vietnamese and Thai cuisines are quite similar to the Philippines in that the dishes are either sweet, spicy, savory, or a combination of all three.
But there are also native Filipino dishes you can try here. The bagoong rice, in particular, is a crowd favorite.
Sushi Boy
Whether it was being colonized by Japan for four years or simply being big fans of anime and manga, Cebuanos are also big fans of Japanese food. Some of their favorites include ramen, sushi, and tempura.
It’s no wonder that Sushi Boy became a hit. But unlike other Japanese restaurants in the city, they are best known for their bento box, which you can customize.
The establishment also has great ambience. When you step in, you feel like you’re in an actual izakaya.
Café Bai
Cebuanos are particularly fond of eat-all-you-can style buffet. The idea of being able to go for second or third servings is quite appealing to them. And in Café Bai, you would surely keep coming back to their buffet tables because of the assortment of dishes they serve.
Located in Bai Hotel in Mandaue City, some of the cuisines they feature include Japanese, Italian, American, French, and, of course, Filipino. You could say that Café Bai is a terminal for quality international food.
Circa 1900
Not all restaurants highlight the skills of their chefs. But in Circa 1900, you get exactly that. The food is a perfect fusion of Italian, Southeast Asian, and Filipino flavors. All of these experimental dishes are thanks to the restaurant’s head chef, Steve Shrimski.
Your dining experience is further elevated by the fact that you can eat all this delicious food at a fully renovated Spanish-style ancestral house. It’s no wonder that Circa 1900 is considered one of the best fine dining restaurants in Cebu.
Located in Bai Hotel in Mandaue City, some of the cuisines they feature include Japanese, Italian, American, French, and, of course, Filipino. You could say that Café Bai is a terminal for quality international food.
Phat Pho
As mentioned earlier, Vietnamese food is pretty similar to Filipino dishes in terms of flavor. But they also have dishes that are quite exotic even by Filipino standards. For this reason, Phat Pho is slowly gaining the attention of Cebuanos.
The cold noodles are surprisingly quite popular among patrons. But this restaurant is also perfect for diners looking for healthier food. The fact that they mostly serve vegetable dishes draws health-buffs to this underrated diner. Who says fusion cooking can’t be good for you?
Your dining experience is further elevated by the fact that you can eat all this delicious food at a fully renovated Spanish-style ancestral house. It’s no wonder that Circa 1900 is considered one of the best fine dining restaurants in Cebu.
Located in Bai Hotel in Mandaue City, some of the cuisines they feature include Japanese, Italian, American, French, and, of course, Filipino. You could say that Café Bai is a terminal for quality international food.
La Vie Parisienne
One the most prominent families in Cebu, the Lhuilliers, are often regarded as unofficial ambassadors of France. While they are most well-known for owning a chain of pawnshops, out of all their business ventures, La Vie Parisienne is probably the only one that is most in touch with their French heritage.
The dining experience is remarkably European. At the store front, they offer a wide array of French pastries and desserts. But the restaurant is probably most known for their vast collection of European wine. And if you order a bottle, you have the option of including a platter of cheeses.
And if you want to experience the Cebu nightlife in a whole different way, make sure to lounge outside, where you (and your friends if you’re expecting company) can chill out in their teepee tents
Spice Fusion
A lot of fusion cuisine restaurants usually highlight Asian food simply because there are plenty of ways one can experiment with it. It also helps that Asian countries have similar influences and dishes. All it takes to experiment with them is to take one base dish and tweak some of the ingredients.
Spice Fusion does this quite well judging by the food on their menu. Their spring roll section alone includes more than 10 varieties. But this restaurant also makes sure to highlight regional dishes from certain countries. A few examples include Hainanese Chicken rice, Malay Chicken Curry, and Sze Chuan Pork Belly.
So if you are craving for the comforts of home, one of the things to do in Cebu is to dine in any of these restaurants. You’d also realize that there’s more to the Queen City of the South than meets the eye. More importantly, the presence of these fusion restaurants just proves that Cebu is a melting pot of cultures and flavors.
