CEBU CITY, Philippines, October 30, 2026 — Cebu’s diverse food scene has earned another international spotlight after 20 restaurants across the province were included in the 2027 MICHELIN Guide Philippines selection.
The latest list, released on October 29, features establishments in Cebu City, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu City and other parts of the province. It spans everything from traditional Filipino favourites and lechon restaurants to resort dining and contemporary international cuisine.
Seven Cebu establishments received the MICHELIN Bib Gourmand distinction, while 13 were included in the MICHELIN Selected category, according to SunStar Cebu’s published list. SunStar Publishing Inc.+1
The recognition comes as the MICHELIN Guide enters its second year in the Philippines, giving local restaurants another opportunity to reach diners who use the internationally recognised guide when exploring food destinations.
Seven Cebu Restaurants Receive Bib Gourmand Recognition
The Bib Gourmand distinction recognises restaurants offering good-quality cooking at moderate prices. It is separate from a MICHELIN Star, which recognises a different level of culinary distinction.
The seven Cebu restaurants on the 2027 Bib Gourmand list are:
- Tatang’s Lechon — Wilson Street, Apas, Lahug, Cebu City
- Kalipay — 109 R. Duterte Street, Banawa, Cebu City
- Esmen — 10 F. Rallos Street, Pasil, Cebu City
- Ato-ah — 38 Park Avenue, Cebu City
- The Pig & Palm — MSY Tower, Pescadores Road, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City
- Abaseria Deli & Cafe — Villa Aurora Tennis Court, 32 President Quirino Street, Kasambagan, Cebu City
- Lasa — Near Roosevelt Drive, Busay, Cebu City
The selection brings together different dining experiences, from Cebuano favourites to contemporary restaurant concepts.
Tatang’s Lechon, for example, represents the province’s celebrated lechon tradition, while The Pig & Palm offers a different style of dining in Cebu Business Park. SunStar Publishing Inc.+1
13 Cebu Restaurants Make the MICHELIN-Selected List
Another 13 establishments earned a place in the MICHELIN-Selected category, which recognises restaurants whose cooking inspectors recommend exploring.
The Cebu restaurants listed by SunStar are:
- ABLI — A. Climaco Street, Cebu City
- COCO — Punta Engaño Road, Lapu-Lapu City
- DIP — Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort, Lapu-Lapu City
- Enye by Chele Gonzalez — Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City
- Lantaw Compostela — Guiwanon, Compostela
- Kamakura — E.C. Building, Greenhills Road, Casuntingan, Mandaue City
- House of Lechon — Acacia and Tojong streets, Cebu City
- Maya — Crossroads Mall, Banilad Road, Cebu City
- Socarrat — Faustina Building, Bonifacio District, Cebu City
- Sialo — 7A President Laurel Street, Cebu City
- Kokeek’s Manokan — Governor Cuenco Avenue, Cebu City
- Playa — Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City
- Kumedor — Red Coco Town, Lapu-Lapu City
The range of restaurants reflects the variety of Cebu’s dining scene, from local comfort food and traditional Filipino cooking to Japanese cuisine and resort-based dining. SunStar Publishing Inc.
What the 2027 Michelin Guide Recognition Means
Not every restaurant included in the MICHELIN Guide receives a star.
The guide uses different distinctions to recognise establishments:
- MICHELIN Stars: Awarded for outstanding cooking, with one, two or three stars representing different levels of culinary distinction.
- Bib Gourmand: Recognises good-quality cooking at moderate prices.
- MICHELIN Selected: Identifies restaurants recommended by inspectors for their quality cooking, even without a star or Bib Gourmand distinction.
For the 2027 Philippine edition, the guide recognised 127 establishments across Manila and its environs, Cebu, Pampanga and Cavite. These comprised 10 Michelin-starred restaurants, 31 Bib Gourmand establishments and 86 MICHELIN-Selected restaurants. MICHELIN Guide+1
Importantly, Cebu’s 2027 recognition list does not include a Michelin-starred restaurant. Its establishments appear in the Bib Gourmand and MICHELIN-Selected categories.
Cebu’s Food and Tourism Industries Could Benefit
The recognition arrives as Cebu continues to attract domestic and international visitors.
Tourism figures previously reported by WWC ONE MEDIA showed that Cebu welcomed more than 1.08 million visitors during the first eight months of 2026, with foreign arrivals recording particularly strong growth.
That expanding visitor market creates opportunities for restaurants, hotels, resorts, tour operators and other businesses that serve travellers.
Food tourism can also encourage visitors to explore beyond familiar attractions, discover regional specialties and spend more time in local communities.
WWC ONE MEDIA previously examined Cebu’s tourism arrivals surpassing one million as foreign visitors increased, highlighting the potential economic value of attracting more international travellers.
The growing interest in Cebu as a dining destination is also reflected in the arrival of international culinary concepts and visiting chefs. Earlier, Chef Lee Man Sing returned to Cebu with a limited-time menu at Mott 32, illustrating how the province’s restaurant market continues to attract international culinary talent.
Meanwhile, the expansion of tourism businesses across Central Visayas is another part of the picture. Tourism accreditations in Central Visayas increased by 25%, reflecting the wider development of the region’s hospitality industry.
A Bigger Spotlight on Cebuano Food
The latest selection places both established dining destinations and local food businesses in front of an international audience.
For Cebu, the significance goes beyond recognition for individual restaurants. Its inclusion highlights the province’s ability to offer a range of food experiences rooted in local traditions while also embracing international influences.
The Bib Gourmand selections are particularly notable because they recognise restaurants offering quality food at moderate prices, giving the guide’s readers options beyond luxury dining.
For local diners, the list also offers an opportunity to rediscover familiar establishments through a new lens.
With 20 Cebu restaurants now recognised in the MICHELIN Guide Philippines 2027, could the province become an even bigger destination for international food travellers — and which local restaurant will be the next to earn a Michelin Star?
