Mactan is a funny mix of hole in the walls and five star restaurants. One minute you are in a fancy resort ordering the juiciest pecking duck, the next you are elbow to elbow on a bench ripping on the best lumpia ever. The secret restaurants around Mactan reflect just that.
Here are the food places hiding in Mactan’s nook and crannies:
Bella’s Bites
Tucked between stalls of bootleg DVDs in Marina Mall is a little hangout called Bella’s Bites. This little nook packs a punch, offering Italian goodies made from organic ingredients. I mean, really? Gnocchi and pasta in the middle of DVD and RTW stores? Sounds fun to me. They even offer soups of the day and smoothies. Nothing like a slice of peace and quiet in the middle of the hustle and bustle.
Location: Marina Mall, Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City
Contact: 0917 720 0289
Photo from Scape Skydeck Facebook Page
Scape Skydeck
Scape is the new kid in town and it’s quietly making waves. There aren’t a lot of high rises in the island. Not only does it offer amazing views of the Mactan channel, but it also offers equally scrumptious food. Good for groups who want hang out and catch up. Food options are great and the atmosphere is chill, it’s like you’re in a different city altogether.
Location: Azon Residences, Pusok Lapu-Lapu City
Hours: 5:00PM – 12:00AM
Contact: (032) 4940898
Photo by Karen Quijano
Lumpia ni Senyang
Lumpia ni Senyang is neither a restaurant nor a secret to Mactan islanders, but it is quite foreign to many city folk. It is arguably Mactan’s longest-standing hole in the wall; it’s been a local favorite for roughly 25 years now. What makes the patrons come back for more? The signature lumpia and killer hot sauce. You have to try for yourself. Who knows, Nang Senyang might even put your face on their hall of fame.
Location: R dela Serna St., Poblacion Lapu-Lapu City
Photo from Meximama Facebook Page
Meximama
Meximama is proving to be the little Mexican resto that could. Once quietly tucked away in one corner of a strip mall in Mactan, it now has a branch in Mactan Newtown’s Al Fresco and in Mabolo, Cebu City, where you can enjoy better seating. Patrons swear by its yummy burritos and tacos. The chimichanga is just about bursting with yummy beans and rice. About time Mactan had its very own Mexican flavors.
Location: Marina Mall, Pusok Lapu-Lapu City | Mactan Newtown’s Al Fresco | Second Floor, The Ridges Building, F. Cabahug Street, Mabolo, Cebu
Hours: 10:00AM – 10:00PM
Contact: 0908 768 6974
Photo from Penfires.com
The OSG
We’ve heard really good rumors about The Oriental Spice Gourmet. Talks of their curry and other Southeast Asian goodies have been spoken in closed doors. Clearly, we want to keep it to ourselves, because of the unique tastes one can’t normally find in the island. So we posted it on this list just for you, might as well add it to your food crawl list.
Location: Maximo V. Patalinghug Jr. Avenue, Lapu-Lapu City
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 11AM to 8PM.
Contact: (032) 406 0814
Photo from Civet Coffee Facebook Page
Civet Coffee
Tucked away in Mactan Newtown, Civet Coffee is one of the latest additions to Mactan’s growing number of cafes. This joint offers unique brews from locally sourced coffee beans and great desserts. If you’re feeling fancy, you can try their specialty Civet Coffee— which has 30% of the most expensive coffee brew in the world. It’s a great place to hang out with friends who want a comfy night in the island.
Location: (1) Shangs Island Town Center, Datag, Maribago LLC (2) Manulife Building, Mactan New Town LLC Cebu, 6015 Lapu-Lapu City
Contact: (032) 340 972
