An Expat’s 5 Favorite Restaurants in Cebu City
BY JONNY LIS ON
Whether you’re a foreigner completely new to the Philippines or a Cebuano who has spent your entire life on the island, you’re bound to find the growing selection of international and local restaurants in Cebu quite overwhelming.
Armed with my 2-year residence in Cebu, I put together a list of my favorite restaurants to help you out next time you find yourself in the Queen City of the South trying to figure out where to eat.
La Maison Rose, Gorordo Ave.
From my personal experience of visiting France, I can tell you that La Maison Rose is a 100% authentic French experience – the food, the wine, the macarons, the ambiance… c’est magnifique!
With a family history that can be traced back to their French national grand patriarch, it’s no surprise that this restaurant, also famously known as the Pink House, is owned and run by the well-known Lhuiller family.
It’s also right beside La Vie Parisienne, a fantastically-decorated outdoor wine bar and bakery, serving what’s possibly the best selection of wine and bread in the entire Philippines.
That’s not to say that you should only try the international restaurants in Cebu. As an expat with no experience of eating Filipino food before moving to the Philippines in 2012, I must admit that I have been pleasantly surprised by the local food here that I would certainly recommend Filipino restaurants to fellow foreigners.
Lantaw Native Restaurant, Cordova, Busay and SRP
I have eaten at many local establishments including Kuya J’s, Mesa Filipino Moderne and Gerry’s Grill, but my favorite has to be Lantaw Native Restaurant.
The food is wonderful at all three locations, but for an unparalleled view of Cebu City, you must visit theLantaw Restaurant in Busay. It’s not easy to get to if you don’t have your own means of transportation but due to its scenic location, it’s definitely worth a visit.
Not only is the restaurant perfectly situated at the top of the mountains but once you finally stop gazing and taking selfies with the view in the background, you’ll notice that the food is also excellent. Make sure to bring a jacket. Due to its altitude, it can get cold in the evenings!
Pizzeria Michelangelo, Banilad and Escario
In Cebu, you can’t step outside without seeing a pizza delivery bike going somewhere, so they’re obviously very popular. But what is the best pizza restaurant in Cebu? For me, it has to be Pizzeria Michelangelo. Also foreign-owned, Pizzeria Michelangelo is perhaps lesser known than local favorites such as Shakey’s, Yellow Cab and Alberto’s, but in my opinion, much more delicious.
Their chefs use fresh ingredients and make pizza and pasta impeccably well. And if you’re too lazy to leave the house, no need to worry as they also deliver.
Big Tom’s Charbroiled Burgers, Osmeña St.
One thing that frustrates me here is that there are so many delicious eateries in Cebu and yet I still see so many people stuffing their faces at McDonald’s and Jollibee! If you really want that juicy and delicious burger, the best place to go is Big Tom’s Charbroiled Burgers, what I would say is the king of burger restaurants in Cebu.
Located along Juana Osmeña street, Big Tom’s is unparalleled when it comes to the quality of its burgers. They use good quality cuts of beef (which are never frozen), guaranteed to fulfill your unhealthy food cravings.
Irie Gastropubliko, Asiatown IT Park
If you don’t know your way around Cebu, then both Ayala Terraces and IT Park are your best bets since they are also home to some of the best restaurants on the island, with my personal favorite being Irie Gastropubliko in IT Park.
Irie has everything you could want from a restaurant. In fact, I probably go here at least once a month. The interior is as modern as the food and I’ve had everything from their Umami Burger with Truffle Fries to Jambalaya to even the traditionally English Fish and Chips.
For the health conscious, they even have a low-calorie menu complete with healthy shakes. But if you want to pig out, their dish called the Fat Bast**d (bacon-greased seared pork chop with bacon, arugula salad, pepper-cranberry vinaigrette and garlic rice) might just suit you. They also boast a selection of rare imported beers and possess a well-stocked bar making it the perfect place to start your weekend.
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