Cebu’s dining scene is having a major glow-up. From Taiwanese dim sum to Japanese soufflé pancakes, from Italian pastas to local-favorite cafés going mall-big — the city’s food map is rapidly expanding. Whether you’re a foodie, a barkada ready for a food crawl, or just craving something new, here are 13 recently opened or newly expanded spots in Cebu that deserve a seat at your table!
Lugang Café at SM Seaside City Cebu
Lugang Café launched its first branch in the Visayas on April 2, 2025 — bringing authentic Taiwanese flavors to Cebu’s south side. Expect their signature xiao long bao, three-cup chicken, and cozy interiors ideal for group dinners or chill nights out. This move marks a big step that Cebu foodies no longer need to fly to Manila for Lugang’s dim sum — not, it’s right here in the Visayas.
CIBO Italian Restaurant at SM City Cebu (and other branches)
CIBO keeps growing in Cebu. In late 2025, it opened a new branch at SM City Cebu; its fourth store in the city. Known for “real modern Italian” fare, CIBO offers a welcome mix of cozy ambiance and hearty pasta, pizza, and steak dishes — a good fit for everything from barkada dinners to family meals.
Hoshino Coffee at SM JMall Cebu
Japanese café culture touches down in Cebu! Hoshino Coffee, which is known for its hand-drip brews and soft soufflé pancakes, recently opened its first Cebu branch at SM JMall as part of a broader 2025 rollout. Perfect for brunch dates or calm coffee afternoons — especially for those who love a mellow but classy café vibe.
Yakiniku Like at SM JMall Cebu
For solo diners or friends craving quick Japanese-style grilling, Yakiniku Like brings that solo-grill experience to Cebu. Light interiors, fast service, and quality meat — it’s ideal for those who just want “good food now” moments. A great pick for lunch breaks or late dinners when you want something hearty but hassle-free.
Twist & Buckle at SM JMall Cebu
This isn’t just any dessert or snack bar. Twist & Buckle is Michelin-recognized from 2023 to 2025, and has landed in Cebu as part of SM’s large 2025 culinary rollout. If you’re craving for churros, gourmet snacks, and Instagram-perfect comfort food, this is the one to keep an eye on. A fun treat for barkada hangs or after-movie desserts.
Ooma at SM City Cebu
A part of the 2025 expansion by major restaurant groups, Ooma is one of the soon-to-open spots expected to add fresh Japanese/Asian-fusion flavor to Cebu’s food map. It’s a brand worth watching, and it could become a new go-to for modern, fun dining experiences.
Manam at SM City Cebu
Another buzz-worthy entry in the 2025 dining expansion. Manam is known for its reimagined Filipino comfort food; a nostalgic yet modern take on everyday favorites. Good bet for readers who love Filipino flavors but want a contemporary dining experience.
Wolfgang’s Steakhouse is expected at SM City Cebu soon
For premium dining lovers, the famous Wolfgang’s Steakhouse that is known for their dry-aged beef and fine steakhouse vibes is among the anticipated new additions in Cebu’s 2025 restaurant wave. This could be a new hotspot for birthdays, celebrations, and nights when you want something “extra”.
Nagi Izakaya at SM City Cebu
A modern take on Japanese pub-style dining, Nagi Izakaya rounds out the 2025 list of firsts for Cebu; offering fun and possibly more laid-back spots for group dinners, drinks, and comfort food. Good for friends looking for a chill night out with good food and drinks.
Tavolata at SM Malls
A homegrown Italian restaurant making its debut in SM Cebu this 2025 that’s a nice bridge between familiar homestyle comfort and dining convenience. A solid option for readers who love pizza, pasta, or cozy Italian-style dinners without leaving Cebu
Starbucks at SM City Cebu
Not just another café, this Starbucks store introduces a “first-in-the-Philippines” concept design, blending modern Filipino aesthetic with the global coffeehouse vibe. A unique twist for Cebu’s café-culture lovers. This is perfect for coffee lovers, study sessions, or quick meetups.
(Bonus) Hawker Chan / Tim Ho Wan as a part of the broader 2025 dining expansion wave
Though not brand-new, both Michelin-starred hawker stall Hawker Chan and famous dim sum spot Tim Ho Wan are part of the recent wave of global, Michelin-recognized names expanding or already operating in Cebu malls, contributing to the “food renaissance” vibe in the city. They remain evergreen favorites, and their presence solidifies Cebu’s status as a growing foodie hub in Visayas.
But what is really happening in Cebu’s Dining Scene?
Mall-driven expansions lead the wave
Most of these new cafés and restos are located inside large mall complexes like SM Seaside, SM City Cebu, and SM JMall. This shows that mall culture like convenience, parking, air-conditioning, and easy access remain a big driver of Cebu’s food evolution.
A strong mix of local + global flavors
Cebu’s food map is not just local comfort or old favorites; it’s now a cosmopolitan mix: Taiwanese dim sum, Japanese grills, Italian pasta, churros, and modern Filipino comfort food. For a city that has always had great local food, this adds more variety and flavor.
Something for everyone
Whether you’re a solo diner, family, barkada, couple on a date, there’s a spot for everyone. From quick solo meals (Yakinuki Like), brunch spots (Hoshino, ABACA), premium dining (CIBO), to desert hangouts (Twist & Buckle), the options are wider than ever.
Opportunity for content creators and influencers
This wave is gold. Photo-friendly interiors, trending global flavors, and new speed mean high engagement potential (food reviews, guides, “first-visit” features, and food crawl content).
