Now in its 10th year, SunStar’s Best of Cebu is back with a vengeance.
Local businesses are slowly returning to form, allowing the Best of Cebu team to add more categories under lifestyle and travel, beauty and wellness, and shopping. From 78 awardees in 2021, SunStar’s Best of Cebu lists 118 winners for 2022.
From Jan. 23 to 29, SunStar’s Best of Cebu 2022 winners will be featured in the Lifestyle section of SunStar Cebu.
These winners went through a stringent selection and judging process conducted by the Best of Cebu committee and an esteemed panel of judges. If there’s one thing we learned going through this batch of awardees, it’s that anyone can have what it takes to win Best of Cebu.
Here are some of the winners:
Best Buffet: Café bai at bai Hotel Cebu
The buffet at Café bai in bai Hotel Cebu contains an affordable smorgasbord of great food. The buffet spread features more than 20 different food stations, each containing exquisite flavors and delectable dishes across various cuisines. Café bai is located on the second floor of bai Hotel Cebu, Ouano Ave., North Reclamation Area.
Best Filipino Restaurant: Paolito’s
Formerly STK ta bai, Paolito’s perfectly preserves the ancient Cebuano legacy of sugba, tuwa and kilaw—also known as sutukil or STK—through its mouth-watering servings of grilled seafood and piping hot soup. Paolito’s elevates the sutukil experience by providing an array of fresh dishes for anyone who wants to experience Cebu’s food scene. Paolito’s is located on the third floor of SM Seaside City Cebu’s city wing.
Best Mexican Restaurant: Pueblo Mexicano
Pueblo Mexicano serves its food with rich and authentic spices that range from mild to fiery hot. Anyone who’s looking for authenticity will enjoy Pueblo’s Veracruzana fish, Chipotle Gambas, and fresh Margaritas. Pueblo Mexicano is located at Banilad Town Centre, Gov. M. Cuenco Ave., Cebu City.
Best Unlimited Chicken Wings: Burrow
Burrow is consistent in providing high-quality chicken wings that are full of flavor. Burrow has can’t-miss sauces like Asian BBQ, Classic, Chili, Garlic Parmesan and Mild Teriyaki. Chicken lovers are guaranteed to enjoy the unlimited chicken wings at Burrow, located in Lahug, Parkmall and SM Consolacion.
Best Chicken Sandwich: Benjie’s Chicken Sandwich
Benjie’s Chicken Sandwiches have the perfect ratio of tenderness and crispiness, balanced with the delicate texture of its buns. With a melange of savory, saucy, and slightly spicy chicken sandwiches, the must-try picks are Spicy Honey Butter, Benjie’s Original, Crispy Tikka and Buffalo Ranch. Benjie’s Chicken Sandwich is located at Don Ramon Aboitiz Street, Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City.
Best Ginabot: Smiley Larsian by the Sea
Cebuanos take their street food seriously and this includes ginabot—deep-fried pork ruffle fat doused in your dipping sauce of choice. Something about the symphony of crunch when you take a bite is almost enough to satisfy your cravings. Enjoy the joys of crispy fried ginabot at Smiley Larsian by the Sea located at IL Corso Lifemalls, South Road Properties.
Best Local Bacon: King’s Bacon
King’s offers a honeycured bacon that is traditionally cured, rubbed with special spices, naturally smoked over hardwood chips, and sliced thinly to create salty strips of pork heaven. It also offers regular bacon for patrons who prefer their own blend of flavors.
Best Pizza: La Bella Pizza Bistro
Located at The Gallery on Juan Luna Ave., Mabolo, La Bella Pizza Bistro offers authentic Neapolitan pizzas that entice the senses and satisfy all pizza cravings. From the classic Margherita to the featured La Bella Napoli, pizzas from the La Bella Pizza Bistro are guaranteed to impress.
Best Shawarma: Shawarma Gourmet
Shawarma Gourmet is an authentic Lebanese restaurant that is located in Escario Central Mall, Cebu City. Its shawarmas taste divine, with the perfect blend of garlic sauces, meat, pickles, and fries—it’s an authentic Middle-Eastern experience with every bite.
Best Nail Bar: Ozen Premium Nail/Lash Studio
Ozen Premium Nail/Lash Studio definitely “nailed” it in the nail pampering game. Its nail services include nail art, gel and acrylic extensions, and nail cleaning. It is located on the ground floor of Banilad Town Center, Gov. M. Cuenco Avenue.
Best Yoga Studio: Dawata Wellness
Immerse yourself in the mental, physical, and spiritual practice of yoga with the help of Dawata Wellness. It hosts various classes every day, headed by well-known yogis in Cebu. Its name comes from the Cebuano word, “dawat,” which means “to accept.” Dawata Wellness is located at the ground floor of Zenith Central along the Luzon Avenue of Cebu Business Park.
Best Catering Service: Quest Hotel
When it comes to planning a special event, food can make or break the occasion. With a reputation for providing delicious and visually stunning dishes, Quest Hotel can cater to a range of events, from intimate dinner parties to large corporate events; Quest’s catering service is sure to impress. Quest Hotel is located at Archbishop Reyes Ave., Cebu City
Best Online Payment: GCash
GCash’s secure, user-friendly, e-wallet platform has revolutionized online payments in the Philippines and given the rise of homegrown businesses in Cebu, paying online has never been easier.
Best Pet Grooming Services: Pretty Bubble Dog
When it comes to grooming your furry friend, it’s important to find a service that is not only professional but also provides a loving and caring touch. Pretty Bubble Dog offers a range of grooming services for all fur-babies, including haircuts, baths, nail trims, and more. Visit it at One Paseo Cebu, Paseo Saturnino, Cebu City.
Best Storage Facility: Storagetown
Storagetown is a state-of-the-art self-storage facility that is both secure and convenient. Its storage units come in various sizes, from 1.8 sqm to 90 sqm units. Located in Aniceto Seno, Mandaue City, Storagetown is an ideal location to store items that are cluttering up your home.
Best Pizza: La Bella Pizza Bistro
Located at The Gallery on Juan Luna Ave., Mabolo, La Bella Pizza Bistro offers authentic Neapolitan pizzas that entice the senses and satisfy all pizza cravings. From the classic Margherita to the featured La Bella Napoli, pizzas from the La Bella Pizza Bistro are guaranteed to impress.
Best Shawarma: Shawarma Gourmet
Shawarma Gourmet is an authentic Lebanese restaurant that is located in Escario Central Mall, Cebu City. Its shawarmas taste divine, with the perfect blend of garlic sauces, meat, pickles, and fries—it’s an authentic Middle-Eastern experience with every bite.
Best Nail Bar: Ozen Premium Nail/Lash Studio
Ozen Premium Nail/Lash Studio definitely “nailed” it in the nail pampering game. Its nail services include nail art, gel and acrylic extensions, and nail cleaning. It is located on the ground floor of Banilad Town Center, Gov. M. Cuenco Avenue.
Best Yoga Studio: Dawata Wellness
Immerse yourself in the mental, physical, and spiritual practice of yoga with the help of Dawata Wellness. It hosts various classes every day, headed by well-known yogis in Cebu. Its name comes from the Cebuano word, “dawat,” which means “to accept.” Dawata Wellness is located at the ground floor of Zenith Central along the Luzon Avenue of Cebu Business Park.
Best Catering Service: Quest Hotel
When it comes to planning a special event, food can make or break the occasion. With a reputation for providing delicious and visually stunning dishes, Quest Hotel can cater to a range of events, from intimate dinner parties to large corporate events; Quest’s catering service is sure to impress. Quest Hotel is located at Archbishop Reyes Ave., Cebu City
Best Online Payment: GCash
GCash’s secure, user-friendly, e-wallet platform has revolutionized online payments in the Philippines and given the rise of homegrown businesses in Cebu, paying online has never been easier.
Best Pet Grooming Services:
Pretty Bubble Dog When it comes to grooming your furry friend, it’s important to find a service that is not only professional but also provides a loving and caring touch. Pretty Bubble Dog offers a range of grooming services for all fur-babies, including haircuts, baths, nail trims, and more. Visit it at One Paseo Cebu, Paseo Saturnino, Cebu City.
Best Storage Facility: Storagetown
Storagetown is a state-of-the-art self-storage facility that is both secure and convenient. Its storage units come in various sizes, from 1.8 sqm to 90 sqm units. Located in Aniceto Seno, Mandaue City, Storagetown is an ideal location to store items that are cluttering up your home.
More winners will be announced in the upcoming days.
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