The GMA News TV infotainment show “Ang Pinaka” recently travelled south to check out the yummiest restaurants in Cebu City. Hosts Rovilson Fernandez, Maey Bautista, and Betong discovered that the Queen City of the South has more to offer than just lechon. In Cebu City, you get to experience not only the usual Filipino fare but also Viennese, Spanish, and Italian cuisines.
—Bernice Sibucao/PF, GMA News Online
If you’re planning to visit Cebu City soon, check out the restaurants listed below to make your visit down south one delicious food trip:
10. Larsian
Larsian is a street food arcade which serves grilled meat and seafood. The famous barbecue arcade started out in 1970s with only 17 stalls, but has today has over 42 stalls.
The best-seller at Larsian is their signature pork barbecue. Other must-try dishes include their paa ng manok, pecho ng manok, bituka ng manok, balunbalunan ng manok, chicken skin, grilled Marlin, and grilled bangus.
If you want to take a bite out of the best barbecue in town, you can find Larsian at Fuente Osmeña, Capitol Site, Cebu City.
9. Vienna Kaffeehaus
The owners of Vienna Kaffeehaus are not exactly from Vienna but they grew up loving Vienna so much they decided to start a business that would introduce the Viennese culture to Cebu.
Vienna Kaffeehaus’ best-seller is a dish called The Britoune, or deep fried chicken flavored with spices from Vienna. Their chicken cordon bleu is also a recommended dish. Instead of the chicken meat being wrapped in ham and cheese, Vienna Kaffeehaus’ cordon bleu is wrapped in bacon.
If a lot of you are eating out in Vienna Kaffeehaus, do order their Bower Plate. The meal is comprised of big servings of chicken, sausage, and porkchop.
For a taste of Vienna, visit Vienna Kaffeehaus at Ground Flr. Ford’s Inn Hotel, AS Fortuna St. Cor. Banilad Road, Cebu City.
8. Pino Filipino Cuisine Restaurant
Pino Filipino Cuisine Restaurant gets its unique name from a mashup of the words “Filipino” (referring to Filipino food) and “pino” (the Filipino word for “fine”), signifying the restaurant’s dedication to serving the best Filipino cuisine in an upscale, fine dining setting.
Recommended dishes at Pino Filipino Cuisine Restaurant are their scallops flavored with wine and cheese, chicken binakol, kalderetang baka, and crispy pata. The ultimate must-try, however, is their pork amigo ribs. The pork is cooked for 29 hours to make the meat extra soft, and then made flavorful with the restaurant’s homemade barbecue sauce.
Check out Pino Filipino Cuisine Restaurant at Upscale Wilson St. in Lahug, Cebu City.
7. Bellini
Bellini is an al fresco champagne cocktail bar and resto that offers a breathtaking view of Cebu. First-timers at Bellini must definitely try their Pizzarolla, a brick oven-cooked pizza roll filled with anchovies, black olives, mozzarella and tomato sauce.
Other recommended dishes include their crispy squid marinated with beer and Mediterranean cheese platter. The Bellini experience won’t be complete, however, without getting a taste of the Bellini Drink, one of the best sparkling wines from Italy spiked with peach syrup.
You can find Bellini at Panorama Heights, overlooking Nivel Hills in Lahug, Cebu City.
6. Abaseria Deli and Cafe
Abaseria is popular among locals and tourists because of its authentic Filipino dishes. But known for more than its food, Abaseria is also a boutique store that sells clothes, jewelry, arts and crafts, and furniture. The restaurant gets its name from the Spanish word for “sari-sari”, which perfectly describes its diverse offerings.
A visit to Abaseria is not complete without a taste of their adobong bangus belly, crispy roast pork, ginataang monggo, chili adobong talong, and salted fish bacalao style.
If you want to shop and dine in one go, drop by at Abaseria Deli and Cafe at Villa Aurora, Kasambangan, Cebu City.
