Exploring Cebu City

One of the must-visit spots in Cebu City is the Temple of Leah. It’s a bit far from the city center, so renting a car or motorcycle is a smart move to make the most of your time. We made the mistake of commuting and walking on our first days, which ate up a lot of time. If your budget allows, I highly recommend renting a vehicle upon arrival for convenience.

For the best experience, visit the Temple of Leah around sunset—the view is stunning, and it stays open later than other attractions nearby. When we arrived around 4 PM on a weekday, it was already bustling with tourists.

Dining at Ristorante Teodorico

After exploring the temple, we grabbed a meal at Ristorante Teodorico, located in the semi-basement of the temple. While there’s no view from the restaurant, it’s a cozy spot with elegant chandeliers, plenty of plants, and an open-air setting.

Here’s what we ordered:

• Lumpiang Shanghai (P250) – 16 crispy spring rolls, perfect for sharing.

• Carbonara (P350) with two slices of toasted garlic bread– Good flavor but a bit too saucy, making it mushy over time.

• Pancit (P220) – Lightly sauced, well-balanced flavors with generous vegetables.

• Honey Lemon Tea (P220) – Similar to the ones sold at S&R, a bit too sweet for my taste.

The food is reasonably priced for the location, and the servings (except for the pasta) are great for sharing.

Cebu Lechon at The Barracks

Cebu is famous for its lechon, so we had to stop by The Barracks for another round. We ordered 1kg of Cebu Lechon (P320), and while the free taste came with crispy skin, the actual order wasn’t as crispy. Still, the vinegar dip made up for it.

Lapu-Lapu City Eats

We stayed at Pacific Cebu Resort, located on the quieter side of Lapu-Lapu City. Of course, we had to try their in-house Bloom’s Bar and Café. It’s a bit on the pricey side, but the food quality and ambiance made it worth it.

Here’s what we tried:

• Margarita Pizza (P450) – Thin and crispy, simple but flavorful

• Gnocchi Formagie Pasta (P520) – Soft potato dumplings in white sauce, surprisingly filling

• Squid Calamari (P540) – Crunchy on the outside, soft and fresh inside, served with Marinara Sauce and Roasted Garlic Aioli

Their service was excellent, and the peaceful ambiance made us want to come back. I’m not sure if they offer buffet breakfast on all Sundays since we experienced it during our stay.

Local Food Stop: Mica’s Turo-Turo

For an affordable local food experience, we stopped by Mica’s Turo-Turo along the highway. It’s easy to spot with the number of motorcycles parked outside. The food was budget-friendly and flavorful. My favorite? Their grilled chorizo—juicy and smoky, a must-try! They often serve freshly cooked dishes on batches so we’re lucky to have hot- served viands.

Final Thoughts

Our Cebu trip was a great mix of sightseeing and food adventures. Next time, we hope to bring family along to explore more beaches and hidden gems. If you have any questions about car rentals or food spots, feel free to comment below. Happy travels!

P.S. some photos of Bloom’s Bar and Café Menu and our view at Pacific Cebu Resort 😘.

This is the 3rd pool since there’s a main pool and diving pool. No photos taken, sorry.