But more than its magnificent scenery, pristine beaches and the welcoming warmth of Cebuanos, Cebu remains a magnet for tourists because of its delectable food. A culinary melting pot, Cebu offers hundreds of delicious ways to make a visit memorable, from the popular sinugba (grilled foods) to the world-famous Cebu lechon.
Luckily for foodies looking for a one of kind gastronomic adventure in the Queen City of the South, there’s a place in Cebu where they can find all the best and delectable Cebuano flavors all in one place – Mactan Alfresco.
Nestled at Megaworld’s sprawling Mactan Newtown township in Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan Alfesco is a covered dining strip patterned after Singapore’s famed hawker centers. The 350-seater food strip is designed to showcase the best authentic Cebuano cooking and cuisine—from the a delicious variety of sinugba to Filipino favorites like skewered chicken, fish, shrimp, Cebu’s famous chorizo and the freshest seafood.
One of the unique features of Mactan Alfresco is the large communal outdoor grill or ihawan, which is the perfect way to cook Cebu’s bounty of land and sea. Guests can choose from an array of freshly cooked food choices “turo-turo” style or choose fresh meat and seafood and have it cooked according to their preference. Each viand is partnered with “puso” or rice wrapped in triangular buri leaves which one eats with their bare hands.
And no trip to Cebu will be complete without sinking teeth to its culinary pride – the lechon. At Mactan Alfresco, diners can enjoy ‘the world’s best pig’ (as Anthony Bourdain puts it) in the most delectable and freshest of ways with its ‘Lechon Pit’. Six Lechon Pits are on hand to thrill guests who can now experience lechon roasting on the premises and enjoy the freshest lechon!
Foodies and diners will have their hands full choosing from 11 of Cebu’s finest dining establishments. Among the dining establishments worth exploring is Choobi Choobi, where diners can delight in its specialty the Shrimp in a Bag, one pound of fresh shrimp which comes with corn on the bob and sauce options like Butter Garlic, Cajun, Sauteed in Garlic and Spicy Gata. Other house specialties include Choobi Pata, Lola Pepang’s Fried Manok and even a Fried Herbed Spring Duck, a free range duck fried with secret herbs and spices.
A menu filled with delicious sizzling dishes awaits guests at Mama Linda Inato BBQ Haus. From Sizzling Gambas, Beef, Pork, Squid, Seafood and even Chicken Feet, diners can easily satisfy their cravings for grilled food and fresh seafood. They also have Crab ala King in Chili Sauce, Garlic Shrimp and Garlic Crab, Sweet & Spicy Sugpo, Steamed Lapu-Lapu and Crispy Pata.
Those who want a bit more of Filipino flavors can visit Manang Sayong and indulge in authentic Pinoy gastronomy such as Pochero, Sinuglaw (a delicious combination of grilled meat and ceviche), along with a variety of seafood, pork, beef and chicken dishes.
Cebuano favorites and equally delectable exotic dishes abound at Orange Karenderia, a Mandaue-based eatery known for its bestsellers Betsy’s Garlic Chicken, their crispy Tuna Buntot or Pork Barbecue.
Oyster Bay Seafood Restaurant, one of Mandaue’s finest dining destinations known for its wide selection of live and fresh fish, crabs and lobster dishes, offers a perfect stop for seafood-lovers. Dishes such as the Halaan Soup and their Oysterbay Crab are easy favorites, and then there are Filipino and Chinese favorites like lechon kawali, bicol express, Pata tim and more to try. For first-timers, they can pick from any of delectable set menus that can easily fit their budgets.
Another perfect stop for hungry travellers is Muvanz Pocherohan and Seafoods, where they can discover the distinct taste of the gastronomy of the Island of Bantayan. Aside from a great grilled seafood selection, diners can surely delight in their Pochero (beef marrow stew), their rich Scallops (saltwater clam cooked with cream and butter) and sizzling squid.
Homegrown Cebuano brand Conching’s is also worth taking a visit as they are among the few places that offer a taste of native Cebu chicken or “Manok Bisaya”, which is best enjoyed grilled.
And what’s a trip to Cebu without lechon? At Mactan Alfresco, one will never run out of choices. They can get their lechon fix from Cebu’s no.1 lechon-maker Cebu AyerLechon, or try lechon belly, which comes in spicy and regular flavour from Cebu’s Original Lechon Belly, or have delicious lechon paksiw and dinuguan at Anna’s Lechon.
Aside from Cebuano staples, visitors at Mactan Alfresco can also enjoy the flavors of Mexico at Meximama, which offers Mexican favorites such as Taco Carnitas, the Costillas de Cerdo or Pork Ribs and for a sweet finish, their Churros con Chocolate.
Mactan Alfresco is conveniently placed near the main entrance of Mactan Newtown, the country’s first “Live-Work-Play-Learn” lifestyle township with its own beachfront located in Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan.
Bringing to life the “Play” aspect of Mactan Newtown is the Plaza Magellan, a Megaworld Lifestyle Mall that will face the historical Mactan Shrine. Aside from housing the finest shopping, dining and entertainment choices, the planned three level retail and commercial hub will feature a Spanish galleon flanked by Spanish steps and arches – reminiscent of the Spanish era in the Philippines.
]]>Megaworld, the country’s leader and pioneer in developing integrated urban townships, is set to bring new life to the Mactan food scene as it opens the Mactan Alfresco, an exciting new dining concept, at The Mactan Newtown.
Inspired by the popular Singaporean hawker center, Mactan Alfresco is a covered food strip designed to showcase authentic Cebuano cooking and cuisine.
The Mactan Newtown Alfresco
“Mactan Alfresco is envisioned to help boost the local food tourism of Cebu by showcasing the region’s most exciting food, delicacies and dishes in an “al fresco” setting inspired by Singapore’s famous hawker-type food halls. With the growing BPO population, and soon residential population as well as the influx of tourists because of its close access to hotels and resorts, The Mactan Newtown is expected to experience growing commercial and retail demand. Thus, we are continously expanding our food and retail offerings to respond to the anticipated market demand,” explains Noli D. Hernandez, president, Megaworld Cebu Properties, Inc.
With a 350-person seating capacity, crowds can enjoy delicious grilled items from stalls which will offer Filipino favorites like skewered chicken, fish, shrimp, Cebu’s famous chorizo and the freshest seafood.
Among the features of Mactan Alfresco is the large communal outdoor grill or ihawan, which is the perfect way to cook Cebu’s bounty of land and sea. Guests can choose from an array of freshly cooked food choices “turo-turo” style or choose fresh meat and seafood and have have it cooked or “paluto” according to their preference. Each viand is partnered with “puso” or rice wrapped in triangular buri and banana leaves which one eats with their bare hands.
Among the dining establishments already open are Choobi Choobi, whose specialty is its Shrimp in a Bag, one pound of fresh shrimp which comes with corn on the cob and sauce options like Butter Garlic, Cajun, Sauteed in Garlic and Spicy Gata. Guests can also order Chilean Mussels in a Bag, Singaporen Style Salted Egg Shrimp, seafood delicacies like Scampi Baby Lobster, Giant Bamboo Clams and Lobsterfish and other favorites from the ocean like Stuffed Grilled Squid and Big Eye Tuna Belly.
Choobi Choobi’s Shrimp in a Bag (Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, May 2015)
Other house specialties include Choobi Pata, Lola Pepang’s Fried Manok and even a Fried Herbed Spring Duck, a free range duck fried with secret herbs and spices.
Meanwhile, Mama Linda Inato BBQ Haus menu is full of sizzling dishes including Sizzling Gambas, Beef, Pork, Squid, Seafood and even Chicken Feet. They also have Crab ala King in Chili Sauce, Garlic Shrimp and Garlic Crab, Sweet & Spicy Sugpo, Steamed Lapu-Lapu and Crispy Pata.
Also offering Filipino favorites is Manang Sayong, with Barbecued Chicken, Pork, Liver, Native Chorizo and Dried Pusit. Guests can also order grilled or ihaw-ihaw fish Anduhaw and Molmol, Lapu-Lapu and Squid.
Fans of Orange Karenderia can also enjoy their delicious dishes at Mactan Alfresco. Guests can enjoy the Betsy’s Garlic Chicken in Orange, Tuna Buntot or for the more adventurous diner, the Crispy Tuna Bihod or Tuna Roe.
For a taste of native Cebu chicken or “Manok Bisaya”, homegrown Cebuano brand Conching’s is also opening at Mactan Alfresco.
Mexican is also on the menu at Mactan Alfresco with Meximama, who combines a casual dining experience with authentic Mexican flavors. A group of friends can share their Nachos en Salsa Roja, then dive into other delectable offerings like the Chuletas, a Mexican marinated pork chop with mango jalapeno and pineapple salsa, or try their tacos, burritos, quesadillas and fresh flour tortillas.
Tacos from Meximama (Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, May 2015)
For a sweet finish, guests can order the Meximama Tres Leche Flan or their Churros which come with both chocolate and dulce de leche sauces.
And what’s a trip to Cebu without lechon? Guests can order delectable lechon from Cebu’s Original Lechon Belly, Ana’s Lechon and Ayer’s Lechon. Also on the horizon for Mactan Alfresco are the lechon pits where guests can soon experience lechon roasting on the premises.
“The Mactan Alfresco aims to bring the best of Cebuano cuisine to locals and tourists alike, helping to expand the food tourism industry in Mactan. With a mix of establishments that offers dishes that Cebu is famous for and the communal grill where you can see your food being cooked, Mactan Alfresco’s dining experience will be a feast for the senses,” said Kevin L. Tan, First Vice President and Head of Commercial Division, Megaworld.
At the opening of the Mactan Alfresco: Megaworld Cebu Properties, Inc. President Noli D. Hernandez, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, Megaworld’s First Vice-President and Head of Commercial Division Kevin L. Tan, and Megaworld’s Vice-President for Visayas Operations Virgilio Carsido, Jr. (Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, May 2015)
The Mactan Alfresco is conveniently located near the main entrance of The Mactan Newtown, the country’s first “Live-Work-Play-Learn” lifestyle township with its own beachfront located in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. Megaworld has allocated P30-billion to develop the township within the next five years.
Among the exciting features of The Mactan Newtown is the development of its 11-hectare beachfront property which soon be home to a beach club as well as boutique and resort hotels in which residential condominiums residents and BPO companies will have access to.
There are 10 luxury residential towers on the pipeline, at least seven office towers, and five business and leisure hotels, including the 18-storey The Mactan Belmont Luxury Hotel and 18-storey Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown.
Bringing to life the “Play” aspect of Mactan Newtown is the Plaza Magellan, a Megaworld Lifestyle Mall that will soon rise in front of the historic Mactan Shrine. Aside from housing the finest shopping, dining and entertainment choices, the planned three level retail and commercial hub will feature a Spanish galleon flanked by Spanish steps and arches – reminiscent of the Spanish era in the Philippines.
MACTAN ALFRESCO
M.L. Quezon National Highway
Lapu-Lapu City, 6015
Open from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.