7 Famous Local Restaurants in Cebu

Find out where locals dine for the famous Cebu lechon and tinolang mamsa!

by: Arrah Camillia Quistadio-Manticajon

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The culinary landscape of Cebu is endlessly exciting. Every month or so, a new restaurant or food
spot opens, keeping diners on their toes. But well after the initial buzz dies down, the restaurants
who thrive are those that have captured the Cebuano palates.

From the tried-and-true to the new favorites, here are some famous local restaurants you cant
miss when in Cebu.

1. Ricos Lechon

Ricos Lechon Promenade Mactan branch (Image: Ricos Lechon)

Cebu is famous for lechon (roast suckling pig), and one of the lechon places that locals and
tourists frequent is Ricos Lechon. Customers love their lechon for its crispy skin and well-
seasoned meat. Diners can have either original or spicy lechon, then eat it on its own or dip it in
their in-house condiment called Suka Lami, which translates to delicious vinegar. At Ricos there
is more than one way to enjoy lechon, from prichon or pritong (fried) lechon, to lechon
sisig, lechon paksiw, and more. These in addition to Filipino favorites like Bicol
express, calamares, pancit canton, and the like.

Read: Top 10 Best Lechon in the Philippines 2016

2. Laguna Garden Cafe

Faade of Laguna Garden Caf in Ayala Terraces (Image: Laguna Garden Caf)

For Filipino comfort food in a homey ambiance, Cebuanos turn to Laguna Garden Caf. What was
once a 10-table carinderia (eatery) in 1979 has turned into a business with eight brands under its
name. Laguna Garden is a full-service restaurant which specializes in Filipino cuisine, so one can
expect homegrown favorites like sinigang (sour soup), kare-kare (oxtail stew),
and chopsuey (stir-fried vegetables).

For birthdays and celebrations, they serve international cuisine through Laguna Catering. The
Laguna Group also owns Vietnamese restaurant Lemon Grass, Asian restaurant Ullis Streets of
Asia, and seafood spot Parilya.
Read 5 Popular Coffee Shops in Cebu

3. Majestic Restaurant

Faade of Laguna Garden Caf in Ayala Terraces (Image: Laguna Garden Caf)

The Chinese influence in Cebu is strong, and this has carried over to local food as well. One of the
big names in the restaurant scene is Majestic, which has been serving Chinese food for 29 years.
Their house specialty is pata tim (pork leg) with fried bread and their classic bestseller is pancit
canton (stir-fried noodles). Also noteworthy is their is no-ice halo-halo made with flavored
shaved ice. While their food prices are relatively affordable, they also have set menu packages
for the budget-conscious.

4. Isla Sugbu Seafood City

Fresh catch at Isla Sugbu Seafood City (Image: The Grand Convention Center of Cebu)

The island of Cebu is also known for sutukil, in which seafood is cooked in any of three
ways: sugba, tuwa, kilaw (grill, stew, raw). Most sutukil restaurants are open-air stalls in public
markets, but Isla Sugbu Seafood City aims to offer the sutukil experience in a modern setting.
Diners can pick from live seafood in tanks, or fresh catch laid in ice. Their wide selection of
seafood includes lobsters, crabs, shrimps, scallops, squid, prawns, salmon, tangigue (Spanish
mackerel), bangus (milkfish), and many more. They offer a paluto-all-you-can package which
allows customers to enjoy unlimited servings at a flat rate.

Read: From Php 5 to a Thousand: Taste of Cebu in Every Budget

5. Orange Karenderia
Orange Karenderia Parkmall branch (Image: Orange Karenderia)

A carinderia (eatery) has street-food connotations, but Orange Karenderia sits in a happy
medium between being a whole-in-the-wall joint and a fancy restaurant. The industrial chic
setting in this homegrown establishment is approachable and not too intimidating.

Orange Karenderia serves Cebuano food like linarang (sour and spicy fish soup), tinolang
dugso/mamsa (fish stew), and inon-unan (fish in vinegar), alongside exotic fare like crispy
tuna bihod (roe), bagaybay (tuna gonad). But they are best known for their crispy
tuna buntot (yellow fin tuna tail). Their non-seafood items are also worth trying, especially the
award-winning Betsys Chicken.

6. Casa Verde
Casa Verde Ranudo branch, now Lim Tian Teng Street

For meat lovers, one of the best places to get their fill of meaty goodness is Casa Verde. Though
they specialize in American cuisine, the Cebuano owners of this family-owned restaurant have
Spanish roots. Starting out as a small canteen in Ramos St. in 2002, Casa Verde has since
expanded to become a full-service restaurant with six branches in Cebu and Manila. Customers
keep coming back for Brians Ribs, a generous slab of baked pork ribs slathered with a smoky-
sweet sauce, with a side of rice, corn, and carrots.

7. Abaca Baking Company

Abaca Baking Company IT Park branch (Image: Abaca Baking Company)

A number of breakfast spots have emerged as of late in Cebu City. Leading the pack is Abaca
Baking Company. Opened in 2011, Abaca serves artisan breads, baked goods, and pastries which
are great for starting your day, or as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Their croissants, cinnamon
buns, bagels, and vegetable focaccia almost always sell out. For those with a sweet tooth, they
have chocolate truffles, lamingtons, and vanilla creme puffs. They also offer breakfast items like
pancakes, omelettes, and sandwiches.

Have you tried eating in these famous local restaurants in Cebu? Let us know in the comments
section below!

Click the store name links to see their exact addresses and contact numbers.