Cebu has a number of great places where you can relax and unwind after work.
Image: @l_oan / Unsplash
Living in the city may give us a lot of opportunities you normally cannot find in the rural areas. But there are times when you feel the need to unwind and take a break from the hectic city life. While a vacation on another island may be ideal, you may not want to go through the whole process of filing a leave of absence and planning your trip well. You may also not want to deal with all this stress just to relax for a few hours after work. But fret not since Cebu has a number of local places to unwind after work that will surely do the trick.
So the next time you need to decompress, consider the following list for places to unwind after work in Cebu:
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1. Top of Cebu
Location: Busay, Cebu City
Travel time: 30 to 40 minutes from Ayala Center Cebu
Recommended budget for two: PhP1,600
An impressive view of Cebu awaits guests at Top of Cebu.
Image: Top of Cebu
Looking for a place where you have a panoramic view of Cebu while having dinner? You may want to check out Top of Cebu. Located beside the famous Tops Lookout in Busay, the restaurant offers a wide variety of local and international dishes on its menu. These include the salted egg Calamares, sizzling bangus (milkfish), and USDA Beef Short Plate. But the main selling point of the restaurant is its amazing view of the Queen City of the South. You can even lounge at the restaurant with a cold brew in one hand while taking in the view.
Tip: If you go up to Top of Cebu before sundown, you will be treated to a breathtaking view of the sun setting over the horizon.
How to get there: From Ayala Center Cebu, you can get on a jeepney headed for JY Square Discovery Mall in Lahug. You can get on a motorcycle-for-hire at the mall going to Top of Cebu.
2. Anzani Restaurant
Location: Nivel Hills, Panorama Heights, Lahug, Cebu City
Travel time: 15 to 20 minutes from Ayala Center Cebu
Recommended budget for two: PhP2,800
The homey atmosphere enhances the feeling of relaxation at Anzani Restaurant.
Image: Anzani Restaurant
For a homey place to hang out at the end of the day, you may want to consider visiting Anzani Restaurant. The restaurant is situated on Nivel Hills before you reach Marco Polo Hotel. Fun fact: It was also nominated for the Southeast Asia Michelin in 2013. The intricate decoration at the place gives it a unique yet cozy ambiance. The restaurant serves authentic Mediterranean dishes made using local and international ingredients, as well. Among the more notable dishes at the restaurant are the salt crusted sea bass, Moroccan spiced organic chicken breast fillet, and Angus beef T-bone steak.
Tip: If you want to enjoy an intimate evening with close family and friends, you may want to reserve the wine cellar which offers a bit of exclusivity and privacy.
How to get there: From Ayala Center Cebu, you can get on a taxi and tell the driver to bring you to Anzani Restaurant, which is located on Nivel Hills. It is on the left side of the road before you reach Marco Polo Hotel.
3. La Vie Parisienne
Location: 371 Gorordo Avenue, Lahug, Cebu City
Travel time: 10 to 15 minutes from Ayala Center Cebu
Recommended budget for two: PhP750
The relaxing ambiance only gets better after the lights start to glow at La Vie Parisienne.
Image: La Vie Parisienne
Aside from offering French pastries, deli products, and wines, La Vie Parisienne also offers guests a place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life without actually leaving the city. Located along a busy thoroughfare, the garden area of the place provides a cozy ambiance where you can rest and rejuvenate after a whole day at work. The restaurant offers a good variety of pasta, pizza, and pastries. In addition, they also have a wide selection of local and international wines at their wine cellar.
Tip: You may want to book ahead of time if you want to stay at the wine cellar since this Instagram-worthy nook is one of the more popular places to stay at La Vie Parisienne.
How to get there: From Ayala Center Cebu, you can get on a jeepney headed for Lahug. Make sure to tell the driver to let you off at La Vie Parisienne.
4. Delice Recipes
Location: The Top Property, Busay, Cebu City
Travel time: 30 to 35 minutes from Ayala Center Cebu
Recommended budget for two: PhP1,550
Delice Recipes is another restaurant that can be found in Busay.
Image: Delice Recipes
Another place where you can have an impressive view of the Cebu skyline at night is Delice Recipes. Located close to Tops Lookout in Busay, the place offers a remarkable view of Cebu, which only gets better when the city light come one. Their menu features a variety of Mediterranean dishes that can make tickle your taste buds in all the right ways. Some of their notable dishes include their filet mignon, tenderloin steak, and roasted salmon.
Tip: It is advisable to call ahead of time if you are planning to visit the place on weekends to get the best seats in the house.
How to get there: From Ayala Center Cebu, you can get on a jeepney headed for JY Square Discovery Mall in Lahug. You can get on a motorcycle-for-hire at the mall going to Delice Recipes.
5. Circa 1900 Casa Uno
Location: Sanjercasvil Road, Lahug, Cebu City
Travel time: 10 to 15 minutes from Ayala Center Cebu
Recommended budget for two: PhP1,700
The classic feel adds to the Old Cebu charm of the Circa 1900.
Image: Circa 1900
If you are looking for a place with an old Cebu charm to spend some chill-out time after work, you may want to include Circa 1900 Casa Uno as one of your options. This old colonial home, that was the ancestral house of the Castillo family, features a restaurant, piano bar, and a function area. Located in the middle of uptown Cebu, the restaurant offers a good selection of international dishes that use local ingredients. Some of its notable menu items include the Ube Ravioli filled with shredded pork lechon (roasted suckling pig) & apple, Cocodobo cream sauce and Fresh Squid Ink Pasta with Shrimp Scampi, Lemon Juicem Basil, Cherry Tomato, and Olive Oil.
Tip: A late afternoon walk to the restaurant may be a good way to work up an appetite.
How to get there: From Ayala Center Cebu, you can get on a jeepney headed for Lahug and get off at JY Square Discovery Mall. You have the option of walking along Sanjercasvil Road or getting on a motorcycle-for-hire to Circa 1900 Casa Uno.
6. Mr. A Bar and Restaurant
Location: Lower Busay Heights, Cebu City
Travel time: 15 to 20 minutes from Ayala Center Cebu
Recommended budget for two: PhP1,200
The view at Mr. A Bar and Restaurant is impressive both at sunup and sundown.
Image: Mr. A Bar & Restaurant
Mr. A Bar and Restaurant is the fourth place on this list where you can enjoy a remarkable view of Cebu at night. Situated in Lower Busay Heights, the restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The restaurant also offers a wide array of Filipino and international dishes, including the Mr. A sisig (sizzling dish made of chopped, boiled, and grilled pig head parts), crispy pata (deep-fried pork trotters or knuckles), and tenderloin steak.
Tip: It’s best to visit Mr. A Bar and Restaurant when the weather is clear so you can hang out in the Alfresco area of the restaurant.
How to get there: From Ayala Center Cebu, you can get on a jeepney headed for JY Square Discovery Mall in Lahug. You can get on a motorcycle-for-hire at the mall going to Mr. A’s Bar and Restaurant.
7. Scape Skydeck
Location: Roof Deck, Azon Residences, M.L. Quezon National Highway, Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City
Travel time: 30 to 35 minutes from Ayala Center Cebu
Recommended budget for two: PhP1,400
The chic décor really adds to the comforting atmosphere at Scape Skydeck.
Image: Scape Skydeck
Aside from Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City also has places where you can take a break after a long day at work. One of these places is Scape Skydeck. Located on the roof deck of Azon Residences, the place offers a marvelous view of the Mactan Channel and the Marcelo Fernan Bridge. Its chic décor and posh furniture service to enhance the whole dining experience. The menu features a fusion of international and local flavors, which is inspired by the love of travel and food by its owners. Some of the noteworthy dishes on their menu are their five spice pizza, sliders (cheeseburger with pulled pork and roast beef), and smoked baby back ribs.
Tip: A good time to visit the place is just before sundown as the lights on the Marcelo Fernan Bridge start to glow.
How to get there: From Ayala Center Cebu, you can get on a taxi to Scape Skydeck.
Visit Yoorekka for more places to be in Cebu City.
Which of these spots in Metro Cebu have you visited to unwind after a hectic day at work?
