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!
Restaurant of the Year: Sialo
Address: 7A Pres. Laurel St., Kasambagan, Cebu City
Sialo has emerged as Cebu’s most daring stage for modernist Filipino cuisine. This 16-seater restaurant defies convention with every course, aiming to deliver a multisensory dining experience both cerebral and deeply rooted in local flavors. Sialo offers specially curated tasting menus that reflect culinary audacity without losing sight of Filipino soul.
Best Lechon: CnT
Address: Multiple locations across Cebu
Few dishes spark debate like Cebu’s famed lechon — but CnT Lechon consistently rises above the rest. Serving hundreds of customers daily is no easy feat, yet CnT maintains the balance that matters: crisp skin, tender meat and bold, herb-infused flavor packed with umami. Loyal patrons already know — this is the lechon that speaks for Cebu.
Best Seafood Restaurant: PARR’T BELLE
Address: Multiple locations across Cebu
When you are on a culinary hunt for the freshest catch, Parr’t Belle is the first place in Cebu you should circle on your list. This spot is an institution, offering a wide range of seafood selections cooked to your preference. Customers have different stations to visit, whether they choose to have their food grilled (sugba), stewed (tinuwa), or in the form of ceviche (kilaw).
Best New York-Style Pizzeria: Tony’s Pizza
Address: 32 Pres. Quirino St., Kasambagan, Cebu City
Tony’s Pizza serves up authentic New York-style pizza — crisp-edged, thin-crust slices that fold just right. Known for its thin, foldable crust with crisp edges, each pizza balances texture and flavor. Signature options include the OG Cheese, Pepperoni, Italian Sausage and Peppers, Mushroom and a Pizza of the Week. The house-made hot honey sauce is also a must-try.
Best Sisig: FIRST 5 Sports Lounge & Cafe
Address: Bonifacio District, F. Cabahug St., Cebu City
Sizzling sisig is hard to mess up, which is why many have earned loyal followings with their own take. At First 5 Sports Lounge & Cafe, a Cebu watering hole known for its bar chow, its local spin on the Pampangeño classic stands out for its well-balanced ratio of ingredients, even doneness with just the right char.
Best Dimsum: Luy’s Classic Tea House
Address: APM Mall, Andres Soriano Ave., Cebu City
The dimsum selections at Luy’s Classic Tea House stay true to tradition while impressing the modern dumpling enthusiast. From buns to bites, every item reflects careful preparation and taste. This restaurant has mastered consistency and familiarity in its menu; a comforting dim sum place with variety that keeps things simple and well-executed.
Best Department Store: The SM Store
Address: Multiple locations across Cebu
Its wide product range, accessible layout and dependable customer service make The SM Store an easy pick. Whether people are shopping for clothes, appliances or essentials, this department store maintains a reputation for reliability. Its continuous efforts to adapt to customer needs — like launching its SM Store Personal Shopper — secured them this award.
Best Churros: Tablea Chocolate Cafe
Address: Multiple locations across Cebu
Tablea Chocolate Cafe serves churros that strike the perfect balance: crispy on the outside, soft within and dusted in just enough cinnamon sugar. Each piece is made fresh to order and best paired with its signature thick tablea chocolate dip. Not too sweet and always satisfying, these churros are consistently well-executed.
Best Spa: Cheeva Spa
Address: Multiple locations across Cebu
Cheeva was recognized for its calm atmosphere, attentive therapists, and thoughtful services. Whether for relaxation or recovery, the spa delivers a consistent experience rooted in trust and quality. Each session is carefully tailored by the staff, creating a space where guests can truly slow down and recharge.
Best Lasagna: Corner Bakery
Address: #44 President Roxas St., Villa Aurora Kasambagan, Cebu City
Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food, a rich Italian classic. It is served with layers of savory sauce folded into sheets of pasta, slathered with a creamy béchamel sauce and cheese. Corner Bakery, a long-running favorite in this category, does it justice, combining creamy and hearty textures into one golden, comforting dish.
Best Crispy Pata: Kuya J
Address: Multiple locations across Cebu
There’s more than one way to do Crispy Pata, but Kuya J has found a version that resonates. Named Best Crispy Pata in SunStar’s Best of Cebu 2024, the crisp exterior, tender meat and balanced seasoning offer a satisfying take on a classic — one that reflects the comforting flavors of Filipino cuisine in every bite.
Best Meat Shop: Enzo’s Meat Shop
Address: Multiple locations across Cebu
Enzo’s Meat Shop offers reliable meat cuts, displays attention to hygiene and establishes strong customer rapport. Its items range from premium cuts to everyday picks, always delivered with freshness. Overall, the quality meat selection and in-store experience are great for home cooks and grill enthusiasts alike.
Best Fried Chicken: Sunburst Fried Chicken
Address: Multiple locations across Cebu
Sunburst Fried Chicken remains a beloved Cebuano institution thanks to its signature golden, crispy skin and juicy, flavorful meat. For generations, families have returned for the same distinct flavor that defined their childhoods. Consistent quality, nostalgic charm and comfort food appeal keep Sunburst firmly in place as the go-to for fried chicken in the city.
Best Coffee Shop: Tightrope Coffee
Address: Multiple locations across Cebu
Precision and passion pour through every cup at Tightrope Coffee. With a Modbar front and center, a rotating lineup of specialty beans, and expertly brewed filter options, it’s a haven for those who take coffee seriously — minus the pretension. With several branches across the city, each location offers its own charm. And when the coffee is this good, everyone finds their place.
Best Supermarket: The Marketplace at Robinsons Galleria Cebu
Address: Robinsons Galleria Cebu, General Maxilom Ave., Cebu City
The Marketplace at Robinsons Galleria Cebu is known for its clean layout, curated product mix and consistently fresh produce. Designed to make everyday shopping more enjoyable, the store stands out for its attention to customer experience. With a wide range of essentials and niche finds, The Marketplace offers a smooth and pleasant shopping routine.