7 Famous Local Restaurants in Cebu That Captured Cebuanos Palate

Famous for: Lechon, Filipino dishes

Cebu is famous for lechon (roast suckling pig), and one of the lechon places that locals and tourists frequent is Rico’s Lechon. Customers love the lechon at this famous restaurant in Cebu 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 this local restaurant in Cebu, there is more than one way to enjoy lechon, from prichon or pritong (fried) lechon, to lechon sisig, lechon paksiw, and more. These are in addition to Filipino favorites like Bicol Express, calamares, pancit canton, and the like.

Famous for: Kare-kare, Filipino dishes

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

This best local restaurant in Cebu serves international cuisines for birthdays and celebrations. The Laguna Group doesn’t only own this local restaurant in Cebu and owns Vietnamese restaurant Lemon Grass, Asian restaurant Ulli’s Streets of Asia, and seafood spot Parilya.

Famous for: Chinese dishes

The Chinese influence in Cebu is strong and has also carried over to local food. One of the big names in the restaurant scene is Majesti, which has served Chinese food for 29 years. The house specialty of this local restaurant in Cebu is pata tim (pork leg) with fried bread, and their classic bestseller is pancit canton (stir-fried noodles). Also noteworthy at this famous restaurant in Cebu is the 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.

Famous for: Paluto service, unlimited seafood

The island of Cebu is also known for sutukil, in which seafood is cooked in three ways: sugba, tuwa, kilaw (grilled, stew, raw). Most sutukil local restaurants in Cebu 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 on the ice at this famous restaurant in Cebu. Their wide selection of seafood includes lobsters, crabs, shrimps, scallops, squid, prawns, salmon, tangigue (Spanish mackerel), bangus (milkfish), and many more. This local restaurant in Cebu offers a paluto-all-you-can package which allows customers to enjoy unlimited servings at a flat rate.

Famous for: Betsy’s Kitchen, Filipino dishes

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 local restaurant in Cebu. The chic industrial setting in this homegrown establishment is approachable.

Orange Karenderia is one of the best local restaurants in Cebu that 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 this famous restaurant in Cebu is best known for its crispy tuna buntot (yellowfin tuna tail). The non-seafood items are also worth trying at this local restaurant in Cebu, especially the award-winning Betsy’s Chicken.

Famous for: American cuisine

Casa Verde is one of the best places to get their fill of meaty goodness for meat lovers. Though they specialize in American cuisine, the Cebuano owners of this family-owned restaurant have Spanish roots. This local restaurant in Cebu started 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 Brian’s Ribs, a generous slab of baked pork ribs slathered with a smoky-sweet sauce, with a side of rice, corn, and carrots.

Famous for: Bread, breakfast spot

Several breakfast spots have emerged as of late in Cebu City. Leading the pack is Abaca Baking Company, a local restaurant in Cebu. Opened in 2011, Abaca serves artisan pieces of bread, 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. This famous restaurant in Cebu also offers breakfast items like pancakes, omelets, and sandwiches.

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