Maria Katrina Paras

Article (news)

Cebu Restaurants 2026

<p><strong>Cebu</strong> doesn&#x27;t just have a dining scene; it has a dining conviction. The city has long operated on the belief that good food isn&#x27;t a luxury; it&#x27;s a must. I still remember my first introduction to <em>puso, pungko-pungko</em>, and <em>tuslob bua</em>; an affirmation that unique and delicious fares are simply everywhere. From hole-in-the-wall <em>carinderias</em> that turned into culinary institutions to buzzy globetrotters who made a pit stop and never left, what Cebu is cooking is genuinely worth the airfare.</p><p>Whether you&#x27;re planning a long weekend in the city or crossing the bridge to Mactan, these four restaurants represent what&#x27;s happening right now in one of the Philippines&#x27; most exciting food cities.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/talesandfeelings/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Tales &amp; Feelings</strong></a></div><p><strong>Julian and Kim Prosevicius </strong>started with 18 seats on the second floor of the old Diaz Building on F. Ramos Street, with Julian behind the stove and Kim focused on guest experience, and it felt less like dining out and more like being invited into someone&#x27;s very elegant home. A move to the Amber Hotel in 2023 proved the magic had nothing to do with the size. Then came Astra Center.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1782811854622Tales &amp; Feelings Cebu.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Tales &amp; Feelings is all about guest experience, from start to finish.</span></span></span></div><p>Opened at the end of 2025 in Mandaue City, this is Tales &amp; Feelings with the space to become itself fully. The interiors are Kim’s vision—<strong>lavish but inviting, grand but intimate</strong>. Still, nothing announces the space quite like the octopus chandelier she made entirely by hand (with the help of her kids). The scale of it is the first thing that registers, then the details. We seriously couldn’t stop marveling.</p><p><strong>ORDER: </strong>Start with the <strong>beef tartare</strong>—black bean aioli, cured egg, mushroom ketchup, and sweet potato chips so light they shatter in a bite. The <strong>foie gras</strong>, torched with muscovado and plated with caramelized apples and port, is so good we had to order it twice. For something more delicate, the cured <strong>Hokkaido scallops with pomelo</strong>, <strong>Chinese iba, pipinito, and <em>siling </em></strong><em><strong>haba</strong></em> is a quietly brilliant thing; hyperlocal ingredients treated with precision and beauty (it’s a pretty plate). The<strong> burrata</strong> with aubergine, balsamic, and olives is the table&#x27;s easy yes.</p><p>For mains, the <strong>seafood risotto</strong> built around Sibonga shrimp, squid, clams, and burnt butter is the one dish that tells the full Tales &amp; Feelings story in a single bowl—global technique, unmistakably Cebuano soul. The <strong>Angus high-choice ribeye</strong> with chimichurri and mashed potatoes is exactly what a great steak should be: no theatrics, just execution.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:800px;display:block" width="800"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1782812039461Tales &amp; Feelings Cebu 2.jpg" style="width:800px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="800"/><span class="fr-inner">Beautiful plates and spectacular flavors come together. (L-R: Hokkaido scallops; foie gras; seafood risotto)</span></span></span></div><p>The cocktail list deserves its own conversation. <strong>The First Tide</strong> (danggit-infused gold rum, pineapple, Leyte wild honey, calamansi) is the aperitif Cebu didn&#x27;t know it needed. <strong>Slow Night in Bantayan</strong> (mango-infused brandy, coconut liquor, muscovado molasses) is an instant hit that I feel would tickle a broader market. But the<strong> Uni Extraction</strong> is the showstopper: sea urchin-washed golden tequila with homemade green chili liqueur, a savory drink that sounds like a dare and tastes like a revelation.</p><p><strong>BEST FOR:</strong> A date that needs an announcement. A celebration dinner. Anyone who believes a meal should have a beginning, middle, and end worth remembering.</p><div><em>Astra Lifestyle Center, A.S. Fortuna Street, Mandaue City. Open Tuesday to Sunday (open from 11 AM to 11 PM); reservations recommended, but walk-ins welcome.</em></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ilaputi/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Ilaputi</strong></a></div><p><strong>Jan Rodriguez</strong> came home from New Jersey after 9/11, found a small space across the University of San Carlos in Talamban, and opened an air-conditioned <em>carinderia</em> serving the kind of food he&#x27;d fallen in love with abroad. <strong>He named it Ilaputi: &quot;Ila&quot; meaning &quot;belonging to&quot; in Cebuano, &quot;Puti&quot; is his own nickname—the place that belongs to Puti. </strong>That was 2002, and what started as gourmet comfort food for college students has since grown into one of Cebu&#x27;s most enduring restaurant brands, with Jan still the food genius behind every dish on the menu.</p><p>The concept is <strong>Asian Soul Food</strong>: familiar flavors from across Southeast Asia, made from scratch with serious intention and genuinely generous portions. The space is modern and straight to the point. It always feels full of people who have been there before.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:800px;display:block" width="800"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1782812681888Ilaputi.png" style="width:800px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="800"/><span class="fr-inner">Generous portions, delicious soul food—that’s the Ilaputi trademark.</span></span></span></div><p><strong>ORDER: </strong>Start with the <strong>Gambas</strong>; succulent shrimp in garlic and olive oil with toast that exists solely to soak up what&#x27;s left in the pan. For something to warm the belly, order the<strong> mushroom soup</strong>: made to order with fresh shiitake and button mushrooms, cream, garlic, and onions, it&#x27;s the kind of thing that makes you reconsider every mushroom soup you&#x27;ve had before it (my sister says this is the best one she’s had, as a self-proclaimed mushroom soup connoisseur).</p><p>Then comes the meat, and Ilaputi takes carnivores seriously. The <strong>Dragon Chop </strong>is a grilled garlic pork chop served with garlic yogurt, black sesame tahini, herbed butter, raisin rice, and mango chutney—a plate that reads like a lot and delivers on every single promise. The <strong>Sticky Belly Char Siu</strong> goes further: five-spice pork belly, grilled and glazed with a special char siu sauce, served over garlic and ginger fried rice with bok choy, and tasting precisely as good as it sounds. For the table&#x27;s biggest plate, order the <strong>Southside Rib</strong>—braised for hours in beef stock, rubbed with the house spice blend, seared in butter, smothered in homemade guava barbecue sauce (a flavor my palate can’t forget), and finished with fried onions, minced peppers, and cilantro. It is a rib that has been thought about very carefully.</p><p>And then there is<strong> The Stroganov</strong>, which has been on this menu long enough to become a Cebu institution and remains, by any fair measure, the best beef stroganoff in the city. Served with garlic rice (not egg noodles, not mashed potato, garlic rice, which is exactly right), it is the dish you come back for. I know I would. </p><p><strong>BEST FOR:</strong> Large barkadas and big families. Long, loud Saturday lunches. Anyone who wants genuinely satisfying food without ceremony.</p><div><em>Axis at Vibo Place, N. Escario St., Kamputhaw. Open Tuesday to Sunday, walk-ins welcome.</em></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/liudynastycebu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Liu Dynasty</strong></a></div><p>Tucked into the lush grounds of <strong>Montebello Villa Hotel in Banilad</strong>, Liu Dynasty is the kind of restaurant that feels like a discovery (even though those who know about it have been going back devotedly). The founders are all about authenticity; they only use ingredients flown in from China (yes, from garlic to soy sauce, from tofu to meats). The interiors are upscale with modern-traditional twists, with the private rooms’ murals inspired by Chinese comic Lao Fu Z. They’re serious about their Chinese fare too, as they brought <strong>four chefs in from China</strong>—two wok specialists, a roasting and barbecue chef, and a dedicated dim sum chef—to ensure the food is the real thing, not a localized version of it.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:800px;display:block" width="800"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178281293929020260615_114223.jpg" style="width:800px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="800"/><span class="fr-inner">The interiors are upscale, inviting, and decorated with tasteful and modern art.</span></span></span></div><p><strong>ORDER:</strong> The dim sum selection alone justifies the visit. The <strong>shrimp dumplings (hakao)</strong>, the <strong>crab roe shaomai</strong>, and the <strong>Shanghai xiao long bao</strong> are all classic and delicious givens. The <strong>crispy pork belly</strong> is not to be missed for its perfect bite. From the larger dishes, the <strong>Peking Duck</strong> is the table&#x27;s main event, served twice. The first course is the sliced duck skin and meat served with thin pancakes, hoisin sauce, spring onions, and cucumber for wrapping. Then the kitchen takes the remaining duck meat, stir-fries it, and sends it out as a second dish. It&#x27;s a two-course presentation from a single duck, which is both a cooking tradition and honestly great value. The first course is the showpiece; the second is the kitchen, making sure nothing goes to waste in the most delicious way possible.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178281301392820260615_122415.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">The Shanghai Room is playfully painted with Lao Fu Z-inspired murals, also offering private diningso guests can savor one of the country&#x27;s top-rated authentic Cantonese cuisines.</span></span></span></div><p><strong>TIP: </strong>Ask about their special dish of the day. I just got a taste of the most delicious <strong>abalone sotanghon</strong> I’ve ever had. It was so fresh, umami, and delicate. I cannot forget it. For sweet cravings, there’s nothing a perfectly crisp and chewy <strong>buchi </strong>couldn’t satisfy, and the <strong>osmanthus jelly </strong>was once for royalty, now available for everyone as a light, unique dessert.</p><p><strong>BEST FOR: </strong>Family reunion lunches. Business dinners where the food needs to do some of the talking. Cebuano-Chinese food purists and anyone who considers dim sum a love language.</p><div><em>Montebello Villa Hotel, Montebello Drive, Gov. M. Cuenco Avenue, Cebu City. Open daily, 11 AM–2 PM and 5 PM–10 PM; for reservations, call (0920) 2196054.</em></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/gordonramsaystreetburgerph/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Street Burger by Gordon Ramsay</strong></a></div><p>The celebrated <strong>British chef</strong> came to Manila in January 2025, called the <strong>Philippines &quot;the Sleeping Beauty of Asia,&quot;</strong> and opened three restaurants here in rapid succession. Street Burger arrived in Cebu in July 2025, alongside <strong>Gordon Ramsay Fish &amp; Chips</strong> at <strong>The Mactan Newtown&#x27;s Belmont Hotel in Lapu-Lapu City</strong>—the brand&#x27;s Southeast Asian debut and the first time both concepts opened jointly in a single location anywhere in the world.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1782813194929Street Burger by Gordon Ramsay.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">From burgers to desserts, Street Burger by Gordon Ramsay is a Mactan must-try.</span></span></span></div><p>The restaurant is a <strong>modern American diner</strong> done with confidence: smashed patties, bold graphics, no reservations. But the reason to make the trip is the <strong>Lechon Burger</strong>—a Philippine exclusive built specifically for this branch, stacking locally sourced Cebu lechon and crispy lechon skin on a smashed beef patty with jalapeños, house pickles, and a smoky barbecue sauce that affirms Luzon-style lechon. Someone on this team did their research, and it shows in every bite.</p><p><strong>ORDER:</strong> The <strong>Lechon Burger</strong>, obviously, which will not be available anywhere else in the world. The <strong>Mexican Smash</strong> was an instant favorite. The <strong>Hotter Than Hell Spicy Wings</strong> are a side you will not regret. For something sweet to pair with the savories, go for the <strong>Orange Creamsicle milkshake</strong> and the <strong>Sticky Toffee Pudding</strong>. </p><p><strong>BEST FOR:</strong> Tourists who want to experience Cebu lechon in the most unexpected format possible. Families with kids who need a crowd-pleasing option. Beachside takeaway, because The Mactan Newtown Beach is right there, and it would be a shame not to.</p><div><em>Ground Floor, Belmont Hotel, The Mactan Newtown, Newtown Boulevard, Lapu-Lapu City. Open Daily, 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM; no reservations required.</em></div><div><br/></div><p>Let these four restaurants show you what gastronomy in Cebu is all about. And trust me, this is just the beginning. <em>Mangaon ta!</em></p>

A Foodie's Guide to Restaurants Worth Flying to Cebu For

People

Fashion

Beauty

Wellness

Travel

Culture

Living

Food

Weddings

Travel

A Foodie's Guide to Restaurants Worth Flying to Cebu For

Danah Gutierrez

Published June 30, 2026 06:00 PM PHT

|

Updated June 30, 2026 06:04 PM PHT

Read More:

Travel

Food

Cebu

Cebu Restaurants

Where to eat in Cebu

Tales & Feelings Cebu

Street Burger by Gordon Ramsay

Ilaputi

Liu Dynasty

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Metro.Style is your go-to destination for all things chic and stylish—featuring the latest in fashion, beauty, lifestyle, celebrity news, and inspiring stories. It's your curated guide to living your best life.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.