Philippines has never been far from my thoughts since my trip to Manila last year. I made a promise to visit the beautiful country again, so I jumped at the chance when I managed to get cheap flights for a short getaway to Cebu.

Cebu – one of the most developed provinces in the country – is a province in the Philippines which consists of the main Cebu Island and 167 surrounding islands. Alongside Boracay, it is also a top tourist destination in Philippines.

Here’s my list of 10 things to eat in Cebu Philippines.

Travelling is just an excuse for me to eat more.

#10 Zubuchon – Best Lechon in Cebu

I shall jump straight to the best thing that I had in Cebu – Zubuchon lechon (whole roasted pig). All you need to know is Zubuchon has the best lechon. You MUST TRY it if you are in Cebu.

Besides the famous lechon (P240 half kilo or SGD$7/P450 for 1kg or SGD$13.2), we also had the equally good Lechon Sisig (P190). Zubuchon has other dishes like Lechon Crispy Pata (P450 or SGD$13), Roasted Pork Belly (P380 or SGD$11) and Slow-Cooked Pork Belly (P220 or SGD$6.5) on the menu.

Note: Zubuchon is no longer at Banilad Town Center.

Zubuchon Lechon
One Mango Mall
General Maxilom Ave, Cebu City
+63 32 2395697

#9 Brownie Cup from La Marea

“Go to La Marea and eat all the desserts there,” my friend Trixie told me.

La Marea is a dessert place in Cebu that has a range of cakes and pastries at affordable prices. We went there twice during our stay in Cebu and tried quite a few desserts. Of course, there were hits and misses. Just make sure you try the warm Brownie Cup (P100 or SGD$3) which comes in flavours like chocolate, apple crumble, blueberry, and white chocolate.

The Walk, I.T. Park
Lahug, Cebu City

Banilad Cross Road Cebu City
+63 32 4162919

#8 Cheap and good food from Mooon Cafe

I was reading some of the Cebu food blogs to research on places to eat, and some of them raved about the food at Mooon Cafe (it’s spelled with three Os). I think a few reviews even went out on a limb to call it the best restaurant in Cebu.

It is not hard to understand why Mooon cafe is so popular. They serve decent food at affordable prices, and it has an electrifying atmosphere. However, the food is not consistent. We were there during the first night, and we really enjoyed the Mexican Baby Back Ribs (P198 or SGD$5.8) and Mooon Steak (P176 or SGD$5). But when we went back for lunch again, the same baby ribs was lacking in flavour and the Pork Chops (P158 or SGD$4.6) was too salty.

That said, Mooon Cafe is still a nice place to have dinner when you are in Cebu.

The Terraces, Ayala Center
Cebu City Philippines

The Walk Asiatown, I.T. Park
Lahug Cebu City

42 E. Osmeña St Guadalupe
Tel: +63 32 4159779

#7 Ribs and Burgers from Casa Verde

For the best pork ribs in Cebu, go to Casa Verde. Their menu has a wide range of offerings like Burgers (P180 or SGD$5.2), sandwiches (P158 or SGD$4.6), chicken (P170 or SGD$5), seafood (P178 or SGD$5.2) and of course, the best seller pork ribs (P198 or SGD$5.8).

The Terraces at Ayala
Tel:+63 32 2338885

The Walk at IT Park
Tel: +63 32 4123336

#6 Eat Chicken Inasal before leaving Philippines

It is a must to eat chicken inasal when you are in Philippines. With 408 branches all over the country, Mang Inasal – Philippines fastest growing barbecue fast food chain – is probably the most accessible option for chicken inasal.

Ground floor SM Cebu City

#5 Cebu street food: Larsian BBQ

Cebu Larsian BBQ is the answer most people reply when you ask them what to eat in Cebu. Larsian is like our hawker centre with rows of stalls that serve BBQ meat and seafood. I don’t have the exact address, just tell the taxi Larsian near Near Chong Hua Hospital.

If you are looking for street food in Cebu, Larsian is probably the place to go.

#4 Eat more Lechon at CnT Lechon

There’s no such thing as too much lechon. Besides Zubuchon, CnT Lechon is another place that is famous for the roast pig.

Food Court
4th Level Ayala Mall

1377 Rama Ave, Guadalupe
Cebu City
Tel: +63 32 2544249

#3 One of the best restaurants in Cebu – A Cafe

A Cafe by the Abaca group is easily one of my favourite restaurants in Cebu. We loved it so much that we actually went there for dinner twice. Definitely a must-visit in Cebu.

The menu is fairly small: it serves all day breakfast items like Eggs Benedict (P335 or SGD$9.8) and Blueberry Pancakes (P295 or SGD$8.6); there are lighter options like fresh Salad, Soup, and Sandwiches as well as main courses like Steak Frites (P795 or SGD$23), Angus Buger (P445 or SGD$13) and Herb Roasted Half Chicken (P525 or SGD$15.4)

crossroads, banilad
Cebu City, Philippines
Tel: +63 32 5055692

#2 Maya Mexican Restaurant

A restaurant that has consistently been voted as one of the best restaurants in Cebu, Maya Mexican restaurant (also under the Abaca group) is the place to go for good Mexican food.

Crossroads, banilad
Cebu city, philippines
Tel: +63 32 2389552

#1 The most awesome brownies from Goldilocks

No one leaves Philippines without getting brownies from Goldilocks.

For more travelling tips, read my list of 10 Things to do in Manila Philippines