Food has always been a part of the culture of Cebuanos. This is evident in all the restaurants dotting the different parts of the metro. There are a good number of well-known restaurants that have satisfied the culinary cravings of both locals and expats. However, there are also some eating places that are not so well known but are popular for the dishes they serve. The popularity of these places is typically passed on by word-of-mouth.
This list shows seven hole-in-the-wall eating places in Cebu that you can visit for each day of the week.
This list shows seven hole-in-the-wall eating places in Cebu that you can visit for each day of the week.
Arano’s - Image Source: baktincorporation.com
Arano’s
Arano’s - Image Source: eatcebu.blogspot.com
If you want an authentic Spanish culinary experience, the best place to go to is Arano's. The restaurant is tucked away in the Fairlane Village in Guadalupe. The owner, Mr. Angel Ibarlucea y Arano, is a Spanish expat who first came to Cebu as a pelota player over five decades ago. The restaurant first opened its doors to hungry diners in 1992 and has been the destination of Cebuanos who want to have a taste of authentic Spanish cuisine. The restaurant itself was formerly a house that was converted into a restaurant. The dining area is located in the garden of the establishment.
Arano’s - Image Source: tenminutes.ph
While Señor Arano does not make any recommendations since he considers all the dishes delicious, the restaurant is home to one of the best paella in town. However, it is necessary to call at least two days before your visit if you want to taste the paella since they want to ensure fresh ingredients are used for the dish. In addition to the paella, the restaurant also has a host of other Spanish dishes including lengua, spicy caldereta, Gambas con Pasta and beef stew.
Arano’s - Image Source: travellingthephilippines.info
To get to Arano’s, drive through V. Rama Avenue until you reach Guadalupe Elementary School. Fairlane Village is located across the school. When you enter the village, take the first right until you reach a small green gate. Arano’s right beside this green gate. Arano’s is open from 6:00 PM until 10:00 PM from Monday to Saturday. You can contact them through (032) 256-1934.
Doming’s Ngohiong- Image Source: en.yelp.com.ph
Doming’s Ngohiong
Doming’s Ngohiong- Image Source: caloycebu.blogspot.com
Right beside Arano’s is another hole-in-the-wall eating place, Doming’s. Doming’s, similar to Arano’s, is a house-turned-eating place. Cebuanos agree that the ngohiong it serves is among, if not, the best in the city. Its popularity has reached a level where it may run out of stock by 1:00 PM. A good number of its customers have been coming back to eat here almost every day. The taste of the ngohiong offered by Doming’s is enhanced by its sauce. It is best paired with puso or the famous hanging rice.
Doming’s Ngohiong- Image Source: cebuislandlive.com
Aside from ngohiong, Doming’s also offer has chicken as well as batikon and atay or chicken gizzard and liver. Doming’s is open for lunch from Monday to Friday.
Tatang’s Extra Crispy Boneless Lechon - Image Source: www.facebook.com/peter.parcon
Tatang’s Extra Crispy Boneless Lechon
Tatang’s Extra Crispy Boneless Lechon - Image Source: www.facebook.com/peter.parcon
When making a list about food in Cebu, it is never complete without lechon. One hole-in-the-wall lechon place in Cebu is Tatang’s Extra Crispy Boneless lechon. The main branch of Tatang’s is located along Wilson Street in Lahug, right across the Pino Restaurant. Since this branch focuses on take-outs, the eating area is rather cozy. They offer spicy lechon belly as well as other variations of their main offering, including lechon wraps, lechon flakes and lechon sisig, among others. The lechon belly of Tatang’s was recognized by the first Best of Cebu of Sun Star Weekend as the best for 2013.
Tatang’s Extra Crispy Boneless Lechon - Image Source: www.facebook.com/peter.parcon
Tatang’s is just a stone’s throw away from JY Square and is open every day from 11:00 AM until 10:00 PM. You can get in touch with them through (032) 316-4719 or (032) 406-3873.
King of Chicken - Image Source: www.facebook.com/peter.parcon
King of Chicken
King of Chicken - Image Source: www.facebook.com/peter.parcon
For If you are looking for a restaurant offering healthy yet delicious cuisine, you check out the King of Chicken. The King of Chicken is a sit-down restaurant offering delectable dishes at a reasonable price. The store had its humble beginnings as a small store along Urgello Street, Cebu City. The original store offered deep-fried chicken and became an instant hit in the neighborhood. It is still in operation and is now named Bok-Bok by the King of Chicken.
King of Chicken - Image Source: www.facebook.com/peter.parcon
From simply offering appetizing chicken, its menu has expanded to offer fish, beef and vegetables dishes along with fresh fruits for the health-conscious Cebuano. Among its best-sellers are the steamed boneless bangus and tossed green salad. The store has a number of loyal customers and has become popular among doctors and nurses working at a nearby hospital along with office workers from surrounding establishments. One interesting thing to take note of at the King of Chicken, the restaurant does not offer any pork dishes.
The King of Chicken is open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM from Monday to Saturday. It is located along Osmeña Boulevard, just a few meters away from Cebu Doctor’s Hospital.
Mingnan Chinese Cuisine - Image Source: www.facebook.com/peter.parcon
Mingnan Chinese Cuisine
Mingnan Chinese Cuisine - Image Source: www.facebook.com/peter.parcon
The Chinese influence in Cebu is manifested in the love of Cebuanos for Chinese food. While there are numerous Chinese restaurants in Cebu, there are a few select eating places where you can have the feel and taste of a typical Hong Kong restaurant, one of which is Mingnan Chinese Cuisine. This hole-in-the wall restaurant is located in the downtown area of Cebu close to the Santo Niño Church.
Mingnan Chinese Cuisine - Image Source: www.facebook.com/peter.parcon
The food is not only mouth-watering it is also reasonably-priced. In fact, a set meal composed of two viands and rice costs only P50. Aside from the ready to order food items found on the counter, you can also order other Chinese dishes from the waitresses in the restaurant, including lomi, dumplings and beef guisado.
Mingnan Chinese Cuisine - Image Source: www.facebook.com/peter.parcon
The restaurant may not be easy to find since it is located along a side street in the downtown area. But, with the Santo Niño Church as a reference point, you can go down two blocks towards Gaisano Metro Colon and turn right into a side street. Mingnan Chinese Cuisine is on the right side of the road. Mingnan Chinese Cuisine is open from 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM. You can get in touch with them through (032) 511-8400.
Pareng Vic’s Carenderia - Image Source: dinneratsixthirty.com
Pareng Vic’s Carenderia
Pareng Vic’s Carenderia - Image Source: dinneratsixthirty.com
Also called the High Blood Station, Pareng Vic’s Carenderia is a small diner located in the heart of the Mabolo area. It’s called the High Blood Station due to the food items on its menu. Among its offerings are chicharon bulaklak, tungol, ginabot and other deep-fried treats that may cause your blood pressure to go up.
Pareng Vic’s Carenderia - Image Source: bestofcebu.sunstar.com.ph
It attracts people from all walks of life, including car-riding customers who just drive their way for lunch or dinner. While the prices of the food on the menu of Pareng Vic’s Carenderia are not the same as a neighborhood carenderia, they are still reasonable and comparable to a number of diners in the city.
Pareng Vic’s Carenderia - Image Source: gmanetwork.com
Pareng Vic’s Carenderia is located along L. Tudtud Street, Mabolo and is open until the early hours in the morning.
The Burrow - Image Source: www.facebook.com/burrowlounge
Burrow Lounge
The Burrow Unlimited Chicken Wings - Image Source: www.facebook.com/burrowlounge
The Burrow Lounge offers unlimited chicken wings for only P199. This restaurant is located between JY Square and Tatang’s Extra Crispy Boneless Lechon at the ground floor of the Tsai Hotel & Residences building. Similar to Tatang’s the Burrow Lounge has a limited seating capacity. Due to this, the place is typically packed during dinner and if you are not there early, you will have to wait for several minutes before you are seated.
The Burrow - Image Source: www.facebook.com/burrowlounge
The P199 price for their unlimited chicken wings already includes unlimited rice. The place offers four flavors of their chicken wings: Classic, Chili, Asian Barbecue and Mild Terriyaki. While the Burrow Lounge has other items on its menu, their chicken wings are what makes people wait for some time before they are seated.
The Burrow Menu- Image Source: kalamicebu.com
The Burrow Lounge is open for lunch from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and dinner from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM from Tuesday to Sunday.
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