Danao Coco Palms Resort

Perched high above Cebu amid lush jungle, this open-sided terrace restaurant commands views as far as the sea. With stone floors, faux-rattan chairs and warm lighting, the setting feels secluded yet welcoming. A nearby courtyard café adds charm. The well-drilled team serves refined Filipino fare with regional soul. Shrimp kinilaw with kimchi, chicken skin nachos and the signature Lasa crispy pata are vibrant updates on tradition – all well worth trying.

Opened as a jewellery export business in 1999, Abaseria evolved into a café and is now a welcoming restaurant. A nostalgic atmosphere reigns in the space, which is decorated with local crafts and souvenirs – you feel like you're at a distant relative's. Home-cooked dishes such as sinigang pasayan, fish with tofu in black bean sauce, and Humba stew are made for sharing. Popular desserts include choco durian and mango float, and the coffee is a highlight.

At this stylish spot led by a globe-trotting British chef, gourmet European cuisine meets tropical-island warmth. The menu focuses on pork – confit pork belly is a signature dish – and the small plates are conducive to sharing. European recipes are reworked with modern techniques for extra finesse. The wood-and-brick interior has cosy pub charm, from the terrace to the kitchen counter and the sleek, sociable bar.

Since 2023, this unpretentious restaurant has been winning fans with Filipino, family-style fare crafted with clear devotion. Wooden tables and photo-lined walls of classic dishes make for a casual feel. Try the signature stewed beef noodle soup, pares batchoy, the refreshingly tangy sinigang na hipon (tamarind broth with prawns), or seared stuffed bangus, a delicate milkfish dish. Staff are friendly, and an illustrated menu makes sharing effortless.

For 60 years, this market-side eatery has been loved for one thing: linarang, a sour fish soup made with fresh porcupine fish simmered over wood fire. The broth is tangy, rich and slightly oily, with tender fish and deep flavour. Enjoy it on rice before noon when it's at its freshest.

For a seaside dining experience, Lantaw ranks high, with open-air and outdoor seating areas offering sweeping sea views. The atmosphere is relaxed yet vibrant, especially at peak hours. A must-try is the chicken bacolod – tender, smoky and full of char-grilled flavour, it pairs perfectly with the fragrant rice. Whether or not you come for a celebration, the cheerful staff, music and birthday dance performances add a festive, memorable experience.

Within the grounds of the Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort, DIP boasts ocean views and designer interiors that blend exotic flair and modern elegance. Herringbone parquet, mosaic walls and rattan chairs make for a refined yet unpretentious atmosphere. The Nikkei menu highlights dishes such as ceviche hiramasa & hotate tiradito and the 16 hour cochinillo lechal confit. Service is charming and professional; cocktails and a modest wine list round off the occasion.