Arts & Culture
The nine best places to have breakfast in Cebu
Start the day right! Cebu has a lot to offer in terms of breakfast, so there’s no reason to skip the most important meal of the day.

Breakfast is severely underrated – and it shouldn’t be! As the first meal of the day, it’s also the most important one, designed to fuel you for the rest of the day ahead. But with most people’s busy schedules and active lifestyles, breakfast tends to be pushed aside, replaced instead with brunch (or just plain lunch, if we’re being honest).
Skipping breakfast is a habit that should be done away with, and there are so many restaurants in Cebu offering amazing meals that’ll entice you to actually start your day right. Here are Zee Lifestyle‘s top picks.
ABACA BAKING COMPANY

The selection of fresh breads and pastries from Abaca Baking Company (Photography by Jessica McYorker/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, April 2015)
If there’s one restaurant synonymous to breakfast in Cebu, it’s definitely Abaca Baking Company. The scent of freshly baked bread and pastries easily makes this a favorite early morning destination, although for a more filling meal, we highly recommend the ABC Breakfast Skillet, with eggs, bacon, and sausages–and that’s only some of it!
Crossroads Mall / Ayala Center Cebu / Robinsons Cybergate / Robinsons Galleria / Paseo Arcenas
Facebook
- Eats in Cebu: Abaca Baking Company (via zeelifestylecebu.com)
THE PIG & PALM

Avocado and poached eggs on toast (Photography by Patty Taboada/Zee Lifestyle)
Run by Michelin-star chef Jason Atherton, The Pig & Palm was bound to be a popular addition to the local dining scene, and it certainly did not disappoint in that aspect. While it draws the crowd in the evenings, the restaurant also boasts of a wonderful breakfast menu. The avocado and poached egg on toast is a must-try.
MSY Tower, Cebu Business Park | Facebook
- The five must-try dishes at The Pig & Palm (via zeelifestylecebu.com)
CAFE MARCO

Cafe Marco (Photo: Facebook)
If you want a breakfast of champions, the morning buffet at Cafe Marco is the way to go. The extensive selection of international fare and local favorites will definitely fill you up. Besides, we’ll take any excuse to have malicious cookies, which are best paired with coffee.
Marco Polo Plaza Cebu | Facebook
CAFE SARREE

Salmon Eggs Benedict and Angus Beef Tapa from Cafe Sarree (Photo: Facebook)
Three words: Angus. Beef. Tapa. That’s right, this well loved Filipino breakfast is given an international spin with the use of Angus beef, and it’s a specialty you can have at Cafe Sarree. The quaint and charming ambiance will also make you linger long past the last bite.
Escario Central / Ayala Center Cebu | Facebook
TYMAD BISTRO

Tymad Bistro’s bestselling crepe (Photo: Facebook)
Crepes for breakfast? Not the crepes you had in mind, for sure. This little bistro in Banilad takes pride in their Crepe Complete, an ensemble of a dish with Emmental cheese, ham, and eggs sunny side up–and with good reason. It’s so good, it’ll make for one of your most memorable breakfasts ever.
Paseo Saturnino, Ma. Luisa Road, Banilad | Facebook
BIRDSEED BREAKFAST CLUB + CAFE

Birdseed Breakfast Club’s Eggs Benedict (Photography by Nath Ybañez/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, April 2016)
Our website has already dubbed Birdseed as the place to have the best Eggs Benedict in city. The bacon is homemade, the yolk is rich and thick, the English muffin is flavorful with the wilted spinach, and the hollandaise is served quite generously. It’s hard to top that.
Axis Entertainment Avenue, Escario | Facebook
- Here’s where you’ll find the best Eggs Benedict in Cebu (via zeelifestylecebu.com)
CANVAS BISTRO BAR GALLERY

Going bananas at Canvas Bistro Bar Gallery (Photo: Facebook)
Modern Australian cuisine restaurant Canvas gives a twist to pancakes with their fluffy banana buckwheat version, with grilled ham, brie and scrambled eggs. Besides, who doesn’t love pancakes? We know we do!
One Paseo, Ma. Luisa Road, Banilad | Facebook
CAMDEN CAFE

Cherry tomatoes, black beans, chickpeas, onions, bell pepper, garbanzos, corn, jalapeno and lime make up Camden’s Ensalada Obregon (Photo: Facebook)
Along with its Instagram-worthy interiors, the best thing about Camden is that you can chomp on your favorite breakfast dishes all day. With regards to our New Year’s resolution, we recommend Ensalada Obregon for a hearty and nutritious fill.
Rosal St., Cebu City | Facebook
YOLK COFFEE AND BREAKFAST

Chorizo and Egg in a Pan (Photography by Christine Cueto/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, March 2015)
What’s breakfast without a cup of good coffee? Yolk, tucked in one of Mabolo’s quieter streets, is one of the few bistros that specialize in third wave coffee that’s freshly roasted. It’s the perfect pair to Yolk’s extensive menu of egg-based dishes, our favorite being the Chorizo and Eggs in a Pan.
Tres Borces St., Mabolo | Facebook
Arts & Culture
Art Fair Philippines 2025: A Celebration of Creativity

by Emcee Go
Art Fair Philippines 2025 transformed the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City into a dynamic showcase of contemporary and modern art. From February 21 to 23, art enthusiasts and collectors were treated to an eclectic mix of visual masterpieces, interactive installations, and thought-provoking exhibits.
This year’s fair features an impressive lineup of local and international galleries, including renowned names like Leon Gallery, Metro Gallery, Orange Project, J Studio and from Cebu, Qube Gallery.

Francis Dravigny’s woven artworks was one of the two featured artists at Qube Gallery’s well curated exhibition.

Qube Gallery’s Mariz Holopainen in front of Sio Montera’s abstracts.
Arts & Culture
Cebuano Pride: The National Museum of Cebu

Pride of Cebu
By Eva Gullas
photos courtesy of DOT

Cebu City Tourism’s Neil Odjigue, Cembeth Hortillano and CCTC Chairperson Joy Pesquera

Museum Director Jeremy Barns, Maryanne Arculli, Andronik Aboitiz and wife Doreen, Amanda Luym

Some of the abstract art from the New York collection

Writer Eva Gullas beside Elmer Borlongan’s Battle of Mactan
Arts & Culture
The Uncommon Traditions that Mexicans and Filipinos share when celebrating the Day of the Dead.

Dia de los Muertos
By Allain Dumon Fonte
The 2nd of November is All Soul’s Day, a holiday that is very important to many Filipinos to remember our loved ones who passed on. This is also widely celebrated in Mexico as “Dia De los Muertos” or in English, “The Day of the Dead”. And Mexicans celebrate the 2nd of November grander than they celebrate Christmas. Well, you can witness it from the Disney movie, “Coco”.
As All Soul’s Day or Dia de los Muertos is about to end, here are some interesting traditions and superstitions that Filipinos and Mexicans share:
1. IT IS NOT ON THE 31st OF OCTOBER
Dia de los Muertos or All Soul’s Day is not practiced on October 31st or on the Hallow’s Eve as many other western cultures practice; but we celebrate it on the 2nd of November. We celebrate November 1st as All Saint’s Day or the Day of the Holy, while in Mexico they call it Dia de los Innocentes or Dia de los Angelitos to commemorate the children who died too early in life.
2. THE RITUAL
Both in Mexico and in the Philippines, we visit the grave of our loved ones and we clean it well. This is a ritual to honour their resting places and to let them know that they are never forgotten.
3. FLOWERS INVITE SPIRITS
In Mexico, they believe that the scent of flowers attract spirits. So the flower offerings are invitation to their dead loved ones to visit the living families. While in the Philippines, we believe that flowers offered to the dead exalt the souls and somehow fill in the sadness that we feel when missing our dead loved ones.
Most of the time, Filipinos choose all-white flowers to offer because white is the absence of colour, which means the absence of Joy and happiness. White also symbolises purity of soul which we hope our dead loved ones will attain as they journey to heaven. While in Mexico, they have the yellow Mexican marigolds as the official flowers of the dead that will guide them in their journey to the afterlife.
4. THE LEGEND OF THE MONARCH BUTTERFLIES
Both cultures believe that monarch butterflies are dead loved ones who visit us and show their appreciation that we have not forgotten them. A presence of monarch butterflies also means that our dead loved ones are always there guiding us and looking after us.
5. A PICNIC IN THE GRAVEYARD
Spending a night at the graveyard and picnicking with the rest of the family may sound very creepy to many; but to both Filipino and Mexican cultures, picnicking and spending a night at the cemetery is a must to show our love to our dearly departed. It is the only time in the year that families gather and tell stories of the dead loved ones and how colourful or how great their lives were.
6. FOOD FOR THE DEAD
In Mexico, they have what they call “ofrendas” or an altar where the pictures of their dead loved ones are displayed and offered with flowers, candles, and their favourite food. Very similar to the Filipino culture of cooking the favourite food of our dead loved ones and everyone in the family enjoys the food for dinner.
My family tradition involves me driving all the way to Colon street and buy that famous Snow Sheen’s “pancit canton”. This is my granddad’s favourite snack. Sadly, the old Visayan Restaurant is no longer there. My late uncle and my late grandpa love their sweet ad and sour fish. We also set up an “ofrenda” on their graveyard and eat their favourite food while picnicking in the cemetery. We do not spend a night in the cemetery; but while we are picnicking there, we usually play the songs of Pilita Corrales and Susan Fuentes that my late grandpa used to listen every afternoon while enjoying his coffee, pan de sal, and pancit canton.
What about your family traditions? Share your thoughts by commenting to this article.
MODEL: Michael Joseph Mortola Enriquez & Alexis Wingfield
PHOTOGRAPHER: Gianne Paolo Anciano
HMUA/DESIGNER: Hazel Ocaba
STYLING: GPA Lifestyle + Clothing
-
Prime Target1 week ago
Laurie Boquiren–A Dynamic Force in Cebu’s Business and Creative Industries
-
inside2 weeks ago
Butch Carungay’s 50th in Neverland
-
Design2 weeks ago
Bulgari’s Serpenti Collection: A Timeless Homage to the Year of the Snake
-
QuickFx1 week ago
Visayas Art Fair 2025 Features Gil Maningo
-
Arts & Culture1 week ago
Art Fair Philippines 2025: A Celebration of Creativity
-
Design1 week ago
Kenneth Cobonpue Opens His BGC Store
-
Fashion3 days ago
Ravens, Runways, and Revelations: A Glimpse of Amato
-
Fashion2 weeks ago
Lucky Colors of 2025: Harness the Energies of Emerald Green & Carmine Red for Success
You must be logged in to post a comment Login