Best of Cebu Committee
Cebu’s annual celebration of excellence is here!
SunStar Cebu rolls out the 2024 Best of Cebu list of awardees, featuring the city’s notable establishments, services and experiences.
From Aug. 3 to 10, 2025, the SunStar Lifestyle section will feature the awardees across all categories.
Want to know who made the cut? See the 2024 Best of Cebu list below!
Best Korean Chicken: Chosun Chicken
Address: Multiple locations across Cebu
Chosun Chicken is Cebu’s very own fried chicken favorite, with its classic offerings of golden, crispy chicken available in several flavors that will transport you to the Land of the Morning Calm: Soy Garlic, Yangnyeom and Gochu. Each piece is double-fried, so you’re guaranteed an extra-crispy skin and flavorful, juicy meat.
Best Mexican Joint: La Lucha Taqueria
Address: Mango Square, Juana Osmeña St., Cebu City
When the craving for bold, vibrant flavors strikes, La Lucha Taqueria delivers with its satisfying take on Mexican street food. Its menu offers a flavorful spread that keeps diners coming back. Whether you’re dropping by to fix a nacho craving or exploring the full range of offerings, La Lucha Taqueria serves up a casual yet irresistible dining experience that captures the spirit of Mexican comfort food.
Best Music Shop: Music Lab
Address: Mango Square Mall, Juana Osmeña St., Cebu City
For many musicians, the journey begins with their first instrument — and for countless aspiring artists in Cebu, that journey has started at Music Lab. Known for its wide selection of musical instruments and equipment from some of the industry’s most respected brands, Music Lab caters to artists at every stage. The store is a go-to destination for those pursuing their musical craft.
Best Live Music Place: Fiddler’s Bar and Grill Cebu
Address: F. Ramos St., Cebu City
Cebu has long been a hotbed of musical talent, and Fiddler’s Bar and Grill Cebu serves as one of its most dynamic stages. Steeped in rock ’n’ roll culture, the place pays homage to musical legends with an atmosphere that offers an experience where great music and good food come together. It’s for those with a deep appreciation for live rock and the culture that surrounds it.
Best Siopao: Sacred Heart Center
Address: D. Jakosalem St., Cebu City
Sacred Heart Center’s siopao stands out for its soft, pillowy bun and generous fillings. The asado is sweet and savory, while the bola-bola is rich and well-seasoned — both wrapped in a dough that’s steamed to just the right texture. Made with consistency and care, these buns are a longtime favorite for those seeking a traditional siopao done well.
Best Shoe Cleaning Services: Sneaker Doctor
Address: F. Ramos St., Cebu City
The Sneaker Doctor knows shoes inside out — literally. They specialize in reviving well-loved pairs through expert-level cleaning and restoration, offering everything from basic cleans to full transformations for clogs, loafers, sneakers and more. People who care about their shoes will appreciate how the smallest scuffs vanish and soles go from yellow to bright, among other things.
Best Breakfast Buffet: Abaca Baking Company (Baseline Center)
Address: Juana Osmeña St., Cebu City
Abaca Baking Company at Baseline Center earns its title for a morning spread that satisfies both sweet and savory cravings. Known for its artisanal baked goods and relaxed café ambiance, it offers a thoughtful mix of Filipino and American breakfast classics — from Beef Tapa and Bangus to the ABC Omelette and American Breakfast Platter.
Best Club: Barrio Bar & Lounge
Address: Queensland Manor Condo, Rahmann St., Cebu City
Under the gilded, strobing lights of Barrio Bar & Lounge, you will find yourself enjoying a night of pure bliss. With its resplendent ambiance, Barrio is surely worthy of its recognition as Cebu’s top spot for an unforgettable clubbing scene. Barrio seamlessly blends local Cebuano color with cosmopolitan flair, marking itself as a microcosm of the city’s ever-pulsing nightlife.
Best Grilled Tuna Panga: Raul’s Filipino Restaurant
Address: A. Climaco St., Cebu City
Grilled tuna panga is deceptively simple but getting it right takes precision. It’s a delicate cut that demands balance: properly sourced, carefully seasoned and expertly grilled to let the natural flavor of the fish shine with minimal flair. At Raul’s Filipino Restaurant, consistency and value come through in every serving, making it a standout in a city that knows its seafood.
Best Crossfit Gym: CrossFit Subtero
Address: Multiple locations across Cebu
Named Best CrossFit Gym in the Best of Cebu, CrossFit Subtero delivers a fitness experience that goes beyond the conventional gym setup. With high-quality equipment, varied programming and a results-driven approach, each session is designed to challenge and build. Members are supported by a community that values strength, resilience and progress.
Best Chicken Sandwich: Don John Chicken Sandwich
Address: 8a Nichols Heights, Guadalupe, Cebu City
Don John’s Hot Chicken delivers crisp, juicy chicken sandwiches that don’t skimp on flavor — or size. Each hefty sandwich features a plump, well-seasoned chicken thigh, perfectly fried and tucked in a soft bun with just the right amount of heat. With its bold flavor, generous portions and satisfying crunch, Don John’s has set the bar high for chicken sandwiches in Cebu.
Best Leather Restoration: Elysee
Address: Baseline Center, Juana Osmeña St., Cebu City
In an era marked by a noticeable increase in the demand for luxury items and related services in Cebu, Elysee has established itself by offering a range of services primarily focused on the care and restoration of luxury items, particularly designer bags and shoes. The Cebu-based company aims to meet specific service standards within this evolving segment of the market.
Best Skin and Facial Care Clinic: Beauty Affair Face and Slimming Hub
Address: Multiple locations across Cebu
Beauty Affair Face and Slimming Hub stands out for expert-led treatments that blend science, care and aesthetics. From non-surgical enhancements to trusted skin solutions, the clinic delivers high-impact results with little to no downtime. Its experienced team is trained to assess and enhance one’s best features — subtle, refined and confidence-boosting.
Best Shawarma: Shawarma Gourmet
Address: Multiple locations across Cebu
An authentic Lebanese restaurant that brings the vibrant soul of Middle Eastern street food to the table, Shawarma Gourmet is known for its mastery in crafting shawarma the traditional way. Thinly sliced cuts of marinated beef or chicken are slow-roasted, their edges crisped and caramelized to perfection.
Best Co-working Space: Nest Workspaces
Address: Basement 1, Horizons 101 Condominium, General Maxilom Ave., Cebu City
With the steady rise of remote working setups, co-working spaces have been a haven for digital nomads. Nest Workspaces stands out as Cebu’s go-to destination for freelancers and professionals of all kinds looking for a space that will cater to their work setups away from the traditional four walls of an office. Nest Workspaces offers flexible options from daily passes to monthly memberships.