When January arrives, Cebu comes alive with movement, music, and unmistakable Sinulog energy. Between the parades, preparations, and everyday routines, food remains a subtle thread that brings people together, with foodpanda helping locals reconnect with familiar flavors as the festivities draw near.
Together with my Cebu Bloggers Society buddies and FoodPanda team, let us show you around the top homegrown food brands across Cebu as we do the Panda Plates Cebu campaign during the Sinulog season with FoodPanda! And to help diners in Cebu enjoy the season with ease, foodpanda is offering Sinulog-exclusive deals from January 15 to 21, with free delivery and 50% off for new users via NEWPANDA, and 30% off for Pro users using SINULOGPRO.
Celebrating Cebuano Icons and Everyday Favorites
No Sinulog celebration is complete without lechon—arguably Cebu’s most beloved culinary icon. Cebu’s Tasty Lechon continues to draw crowds with its crispy skin and flavorful meat, standing as a symbol of Cebuano pride and tradition. Known for both its classic lechon and its crowd-favorite spicy variant, the restaurant proves that lechon is not just for festivals but for everyday moments as well.
Cebu’s Tasty Lechon also offers value meals paired with puso, Cebu’s iconic hanging rice made from steamed rice wrapped in woven coconut leaves, making it compact, flavorful, and easy to enjoy on the go.
Beyond these Cebuano staples, many locals also turn to bold flavors from other local favorites. Shawarma cravings often lead to Jafar’s, which serves Middle Eastern–inspired wraps, rice bowls, burritos, and fresh salads.
Since opening in 2019, the brand has grown from a humble kiosk into a familiar name among food lovers, with high-demand periods like Sinulog requiring businesses to adapt quickly to changing customer needs.
“During Sinulog, the volume of orders and foot traffic can get overwhelming for our physical stores,” shared Julie Pagobo, Marketing Specialist of Jafar’s. “Having foodpanda allows us to extend our reach and manage orders more efficiently, helping us serve more customers during the busiest days.”
The ABC: Abaca Baking Company
This cafe is one of my personal cafe choice that I can recommend to people with visiting in Cebu City, most especially in Ayala Center Cebu branh as the ambiance of the place is so cozy and aesthetic.
Beyond savory dishes, Cebu’s food scene also thrives in its café culture. Abaca Baking Company, proudly owned and operated by The Abaca Group, offers a wide selection of artisanal breads, signature pastries, all-day brunch plates, and specialty coffee.
Among its popular offerings is the Campfire Latte, a cozy signature drink combining espresso, chocolate syrup, milk, and marshmallows- my personal favorite here!
After coffee and brunch, the experience continues with Good Habits, a café built around the idea that enjoying coffee is always a good habit. Founded in 2022, Good Habits has since grown to six branches, becoming a familiar stop for Cebu’s coffee lovers.
“foodpanda is a platform we can rely on—it’s always available, and it helps us be more accessible,” shared Rick Dylan Ostrea, one of the owners of Good Habits. “Our customers can simply open the app and order without having to go to the store. It’s just one click away.”
Good Habits cafe is definitely on my list now whenever I wanted to hang around or order a coffee in the comfort of my home through the Foodpanda app!
Rounding out Cebu’s everyday favorites is Alberto’s Pizza, a brand that began as a small pizza store near Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center. Known for its affordability and consistent quality, Alberto’s has become a go-to for budget-friendly comfort food, especially during busy seasons when convenience matters most.
We have ordered our boxes of my local-fave-pizza through the Foodpanda app using its "pick-up" feature, very convenient during the busy streets of Cebu that day!
Bringing Sinulog Celebrations Closer Through Digital Access
While Sinulog draws thousands of locals and visitors into the streets, some choose to celebrate in smaller, more intimate ways—at home, with family, or among friends. For those who want to keep the festivities going without cooking, local favorites are just a few taps away. For those running errands or navigating crowded streets, pick-up options offer a way to enjoy good food without waiting in long lines. In these moments, digital access helps make celebrating easier, more flexible, and more inclusive.
By supporting local restaurants through digital platforms, Cebuano food businesses are able to extend their reach during high-demand periods, serve more customers, and maintain visibility—even amid the intensity of festival season.
As the festivities draw near, foodpanda continues to support local businesses by making everyday favorites easier to enjoy ahead of the busiest days. Celebrate the season with Cebu’s local food favorites—available on foodpanda!
About FoodPanda:
foodpanda Philippines currently operates in 150 cities and municipalities across the Philippines and is continuously expanding. foodpanda is a subsidiary under Delivery Hero, a worldwide leader of the food delivery industry. For more information, visit www.foodpanda.ph.
Through the foodpanda website or via the new iOS and Android apps, customers can enter their address and view a curated list of restaurants and shops serving their neighborhood. Once they have found their choice, they can place an order in the comfort of their home or office, paying online through foodpanda’s secure platform or via cash-on-delivery The order is then carefully prepared by the restaurant or shop, picked up by the foodpanda rider and delivered straight to their doorstep.