Impress Your Cebuana Girlfriend By Taking Her Out to These Places
Anytime is always a good time to treat your girlfriend someplace nice. And if it’s a Cebuana that you’re looking to impress, you can never go wrong with food.
Filipinos love a good meal. They’re always looking for the next big restaurant for them to try out with the people closest to them. After all, nothing brings Filipinos closer than enjoying good food.
Cebu offers a wide variety of cuisines that satisfies every foodie’s palate. You have traditional Filipino food, Chinese food, seafood, and even international cuisines.
There are a lot of places for you to go around, even if you feel like your girlfriend’s been there already. Here are a few of my personal recommendations:
Chixboy
When you live in a place as beautiful as Cebu, you’d want to dine with a view too. Chixboy delivers exactly that.
Chixboy is a restaurant located in the mountains of Busay. They are most known for their Filipino-style barbecue, luring in tourists and locals alike who are eager to try something new.
Those who frequent this al fresco dining spot usually opt for the Chixboy classics: Filipino-style pork barbecue, chicken inasal (grilled chicken), and baked scallops. They also serve Halo-Halo for those who are looking to flush all the grease with dairy.
As if your stomach can’t get full enough, your eyes are sure to feast on the serene and scenic landscapes.
Chixboy also boasts a panoramic view of the city. On one side, you can see luscious greens and tranquil mountains. But as you look further, you get to witness a unique perspective of the metropolitan areas of Cebu.
The view gets even better when the sun goes down. The whole place just lights up like it’s the Fourth of July. It’s a literal breath of fresh air from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday: 11 AM — 10 PM
Friday to Sunday: 11 AM — 11 PM
Circa 1900
Pre-colonial houses are fairly rare to see in the Philippines nowadays. Fortunately for some, they have been repurposed and turned into museums or restaurants.
Circa 1900 was among these houses. It has been restored and repurposed into a restaurant that specializes in Filipino fusion dishes.
This place manages to pull off a modern-meets vintage atmosphere perfectly well.
Circa 1900 a compound composed of two ancestral homes: Casa Uno and Casa Dos.
For a full dining experience, it’s best to go with Casa Uno. This is where the main restaurant is located.
Casa Dos, on the other hand, is perfect for those who are looking to enjoy a drink. They also have a wide selection of wines for you and your girlfriend to enjoy with your meal.
If you are looking to appreciate classic Filipino architecture, then Circa 1900 is your best bet.
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday: 10 AM — 9 PM
Dungawan Bistro
Located in the Barangay Tisa, this discreet restaurant offers a serene and scenic place for you and your girlfriend to enjoy your food.
The name Dungawan comes from the Cebuano word “dungaw” which means to look outside your window. It’s pretty accurate considering the view that the restaurant offers you.
The route to this restaurant is a bit complex, which is why it’s a bit of a hidden gem for al fresco diners. But surely, the trip will all be worth it when you get to try out their signature dish — calamares (squid).
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday: 10 AM — 9 PM
Paolito’s STK Ta Bai!
Have you ever tried Sutukil before?
Sutukil is a proudly Cebuano-originated style of cooking that simultaneously serves Sugba (grill), Tuwa (stew), and Kilaw (cooked raw with vinegar).
For a best-ever first-time experience, Paolito’s STK Ta Bai! is surely the best option.
This restaurant is adorned with various memorabilia of the past, so you’re sure to get a feel of what it’s like to dine in true local style. Not to mention, this restaurant is pretty accessible. There are various two of Paolito’s STK Ta Bai! in SM.
So whenever you and your girlfriend are feeling like eating Sutukil, Paolito’s is just right around the corner.
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday: 10 AM — 9 PM
Sugbo Mercado
Are you and your girlfriend having difficulties in deciding which restaurant to go to? Why not go to a food park instead?
You’re just in luck — food parks are popping like mushrooms in Cebu, and for a good reason.
You don’t need to bother figuring out which restaurant you want to go to. You just waltz in, get a feel of what you want to try out, and go for it.
Sigbo Mercado is never one to disappoint when it comes to your food choices. There are about 3 branches of Sugbo Mercado in Cebu — one in Ayala Roads, one in IT park, and one in SM Seaside.
Every single one of them offers a unique kind of experience, so be sure to try all three branches out with your girlfriend.
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 4 PM — 12 AM
Vikings
A buffet is sure to sweep any Filipina off her feet. An international buffet, on the other hand, will have your girlfriend ascending into the heavens singing hallelujah.
Filipinos love eat-all-you-can. They’re a practical choice for those who want to try all different kinds of dishes for the price of one.
You can find this restaurant on the second floor of SM Cebu. This makes it convenient for you to get a well-deserved meal after a tiring stroll around the mall.
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday: 11 AM — 2:30 PM, 5 PM — 9 PM
Werpa Food Park
With food parks being all the rage in Cebu, it’s quite easy for you to find one within a one-mile radius.
Compared to the likes of Sugbo Mercado, Werpa food park is relatively new in comparison. Still, it doesn’t fail to pique the curiosity of food lovers.
Personally, I think Werpa food park is by far the most gimmicky food park I’ve ever seen — in a good way. It’s fun, it’s colorful, and it makes you feel right at home.
As for the food selection, well, they offer you a little bit of everything. You can find both local and international cuisine here. It’s a fresh new experience for those who haven’t tried food parks yet.
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday: 11 AM — 10 PM
Found a Place You Like?
You can never run short on good places to eat here in Cebu. You can even ask your Cebuana girlfriend for some recommendations — she’s sure to know all the good spots.
You can always leave it to Cebuanos to know how to prepare an absolutely delicious meal. No matter what you eat or what restaurant you go to, you’re guaranteed to dine like royalty in Cebu.
