LIST: Crowd-favorite places to eat, create, and unwind in Cebu City

No trip feels complete without a visit to a local cafe, and in Cebu, Tightrope Coffee is a stop for coffee lovers.

Tightrope Coffee takes pride in its massive, stainless steel bar right at the heart of the cafe. With no high barriers in place, you’ll be provided with an unobstructed view of the baristas at work, and you may even learn a thing or two about how to make your own latte art.

The cafe serves a variety of drinks, such as Espresso Tonic (P200), Spanish Latte (P190), Mont Blanc (P220), Matcha Latte (P210), Hot Chocolate (P180), and more, but one of the highlights is their Himalayan Latte (P220). Creamy, smooth, and finished with a subtle touch of salt, the drink strikes the perfect balance between sweetness and bold espresso.

Drinks aren’t the only things they specialize in. Tightrope Coffee also has breakfast and pasta offerings such as French Toast (P420), Beef Tapa (P530), Chicken Parmesan (P490), among others. For mains, they have Torikatsu (P420), Bagnet (P420), Chicken Sandwich (P390), and more. 

While a little on the pricey side, the hearty serving sizes of their rice meals more than make up for it.

You can finish your visit with their selection of desserts. We recommend the Basque Burnt Cheesecake (P280) as its reach and creamy goodness will instantly explode in your mouth.

Tightrope is located at Unit 01 G/F, One Paseo Bldg No. 1 Paseo Saturnino, Banilad, Cebu City.

Sal's Kitchen

If you’re in the mood for an al fresco setting, Sal’s Kitchen is the perfect stop, where juicy burgers and a laid-back atmosphere come together for a filling experience.

Sal’s channels the casual, street-style appeal of a food truck in a cozy diner space. It first opened in 2018 by owner Mile Sala, who initially worked in finance for several years before moving back to his hometown in Cebu to do what he loves doing the most: creating comfort food that brings people together.

Their menu is headlined by burgers, chili dogs, and tacos, all of which will satisfy both your taste buds and your appetite through their indulgent flavors.

“With my food in general, specifically the burgers, I try to use the best available quality protein as much as possible for my price points. And it's been like that from the start,” Sala told L!fe. “That's really been the emphasis. I understand the place doesn't look fancy, but I think our customers come back because we've been quite consistent over the years.”

For your first visit, you definitely wouldn’t want to miss their Cheeseburger Deluxe (P260), a flavor-packed burger layered with juicy beef, melted cheese, and all the classic fixings that make every bite deeply satisfying. If you want some thick, savory fries into the mix, order their Cheeseburger Loaded Fries (P330).

One dish that you can share with your friends and family is the Shrimp Poppers (P270 for five pieces, P520 for 10 pieces), which adds a crispy seafood variety to the table. For tacos, their Pork Pibil Taco (P250) is definitely not to be missed.

Sal’s Kitchen is located at 24 P. Almendras Street, Mabolo, Cebu City.

AA BBQ

To get a taste of the best of what Cebu has to offer when it comes to Filipino cuisine, head on over to AA BBQ.

The restaurant has been winning over diners with grilled comfort food since 1998. Initially starting as a simple barbecue stand, they have since expanded their menu to include fresh seafood delights, savory chicken dishes, and other grilled specialties.

AA BBQ stays true to its humble roots, offering a spacious, open-air environment. The interior is simple and functional, featuring long wooden tables and basic seating.

What’s special about the restaurant is their paluto service. Customers are free to choose their dishes at the frontline area where fresh seafood, meat, and more are displayed and decide on the way these would be cooked.

One of their must-try appetizers is their Baked Scallops (P190). You can also opt for their Calamares (price may vary), a crispy classic that pairs perfectly with the restaurant’s grilled mains and rice dishes.

Among their best-sellers are the Pork Sisig (P250), Lechon Kawali (P400) and Crispy Pata (price may vary) for those craving a classic Pinoy feast.

Other items in their menu that are definitely worth trying include Beef Kare-Kare (P350), Chopsuey (P180), Chicken Leg BBQ (price may vary), Kinilaw (P280), and Chorizo (P70).

AA BBQ is located along Andres Abellana Street, Guadalupe, Cebu City.

Tavolata

To end your food trip on a high note, you can treat yourself and your group to a fine dining experience at Tavolata. The restaurant has been a staple in Cebu for Italian cuisine since 2012, serving fresh pastas, hand-tossed pizzas, and thoughtfully curated dishes in an elegant setting that makes every meal feel like an occasion.

The moment you walk in, you’ll be greeted by an impressive industrial-chic interior that feels both grand and cozy. The high, dark ceilings are decorated with dozens of minimalist pendant lights, creating a warm, starry effect throughout the dining area.

Just as impressive is Tavolata’s menu, which aims to authentic Italian flavors using only the finest ingredients, sourced both locally and internationally.

For instance, their Fettuccine Bolognese (P775) is a must-order, made with prime beef and pork bolognese, San Marzano tomatoes and parmesan. Another standout is their Rigatoni Alla Vodka (P775), a rich and creamy pasta dish that perfectly balances slow cooked tomato with aromatic chili, vodka, and a touch of cream.

Pizza lovers will find plenty to enjoy in their Margherita (P725), where creamy fior di latte, fragrant basil, and rich olive oil come together on a perfectly hand-tossed crust, as well as their Diavola (P775), topped with Caribbean sausage, chili, and pepperoncini.

If you want to try something else, you can order their Whole Roasted Seabass (P1,995) that’s served with pepperonata, chili, grilled lemon, and dressed French beans salad. Their Whole Organic Chicken (P1,850) also makes for a satisfying main course, beautifully roasted with salsa verde, olives, and herbed gnocchi.

Don’t forget to end on a sweet note with desserts such as the Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée (P575), featuring a perfectly caramelized sugar crust, and their Warm Chocolate Torte (P575), served with crunchy walnuts and velvety crème anglaise.

Tavolata is located at A. S. Fortuna Street, Design Center of Cebu, Mandaue, Cebu City.

Montebello Villa Hotel

A vacation isn’t only about where you eat—it’s also about where you pause, breathe, and recharge. In Cebu, Montebello Villa Hotel offers exactly that kind of escape, combining old-world charm with a peaceful resort atmosphere right in the city.

Surrounded by vibrant nature, shaded walkways, and Spanish-inspired architecture, this expansive three-hectare hacienda instantly makes you feel like you’ve discovered a quiet sanctuary tucked away from the rush of urban life.

Apart from their rooms, luxurious pools, and fitness gym, one of the highlights of staying here is their lush garden—a perfect setting for slowing down, stretching, and reconnecting with yourself. But even on less sunny days, you can still find your zen indoors through their spacious glass house that still gives you a panoramic view of the greenery.

As someone who has never tried Pilates, I was excited to finally see what all the fuss was about and why many do it religiously.

The first few stretches during the warm-up were gentle, easing me into the movements without feeling overwhelmed. As the sessions progressed, the stretches admittedly became more challenging, testing my balance, flexibility, and focus. However, each movement was guided with care by our instructor, Sofia Baroud of Movement with Sof, allowing me to push my limits without strain.

Baroud highlighted how Pilates is “so great for your core.”

“You really build a strong core from Pilates if you do it consecutively and consistently. Also, it's great for posture and great for your mind. It's only one hour out of your day, but it's super good for your mental health,” she said.

On what beginners can expect for their first time, she said that it’s all about “slow and controlled movements, a lot of emphasis on proper breath work, and core movements.”

“I would recommend incorporating Pilates maybe two to three times first. If you can do two times a week first and then gradually build up from there,” Baroud said.

Montebello Villa Hotel has partnered with Movement with Sof to offer Pilates sessions at their space. You can reach out to Movement with Sof on their Instagram account for the schedule and availability.

Montebello Villa Hotel is located along Montebello Drive, Gov. M. Cuenco Avenue, Cebu City.

Cebu Making Space

A trip becomes even more memorable when you immerse yourself in the culture of the place you’re visiting and doing something productive. At Cebu Making Space, customers a chance to slow down and tap into their creative side. The space serves as a haven for crafters as it houses almost every kind of equipment needed to turn ideas into reality.

From 3D printing tools and sewing machines to painting materials and crafting stations, the place has everything to bring out the inner creative in you.

For more advanced projects, they have a workshop for woodworking, housing a wide range of hand tools, powertools, workbenches, and other supplies.

If you’re feeling thirsty from hours of crafting, you can grab refreshments at The Tea & Gallery, a cafe that doubles as a gallery where artists can showcase their work. They offer drinks such as green tea, oolong, coffee, milk tea, matcha latte, and more.

One activity that you can try out in their space is cyanotype printing. This is a camera-less photography process where you can produce prints without the need of locking yourself in a darkroom. Instead, it’s the complete opposite, as it uses sunlight to create beautiful blue-and-white prints.

The way it works is that you must place leaves, flowers, or other small objects on special paper, let it sit under the sun, and watch the design slowly appear after rinsing it with water.

What makes it so enjoyable is how easy it is even for beginners. There’s no pressure to make it perfect, and each print comes out differently, making every piece feel personal and unique.

Another stimulating activity that you can do is learning how to make the woven pouch used to cook pusô, a Filipino rice cake that’s a local favorite in Cebu. For P800, the staff at Making Space can show you how to twist and loop until you’ve woven your own pusô in a step-by-step process.

While you won’t be making a real pusô, you will use green and yellow felt strips instead of palm fronds.

You can book the activity on Klook. Each participant also received a free drink at their cafe.

Cebu Making Space is located on the third floor of Mango Square Mall in General Maxilom Avenue, Cebu City.

Disclaimer: The trip was made possible by Grab Philippines.