Sea-View Restaurants in Cebu You’ll Want to Try

Ask anyone who has eaten by the water in Cebu and they’ll tell you: meals just taste better with salt air and a glowing horizon. I have chased sunsets along Mactan Channel, tucked into seafood on breezy boardwalks, and savored slow breakfasts as waves tapped the shore. If you want to plan your own sea-view food crawl, here are the places and tips I wish I had from day one.

Why Cebu is perfect for sea-view dining

Cebu sits at the heart of the Visayas, ringed by sandy coastlines and dotted with resort islands, so you have options—city convenience in Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu, boardwalk sunsets down south, and island-hopping eats further afield. Sea breezes run almost year-round, and from November to May, golden-hour skies can be spectacular. If you time dinner for 30–45 minutes before sunset, you’ll usually catch the best colors; check exact times for the day via Cebu sunset times.

For first-timers, base yourself in Cebu City or Lapu-Lapu (Mactan) for quick access to the airport and an easy lineup of sea-facing restaurants. Planning island extensions? I’ll flag my favorite scenic stops in the north (Bantayan, Malapascua) and east (Camotes).

For more logistics on ferries, transport, and neighborhood bases across the region, see the official resources from Visit Central Visayas (DOT Region 7).

Top sea-view restaurants in Mactan and Cebu City

Here’s where I usually bring visiting friends when they ask for dinner with a breeze and a skyline/sunset backdrop.

Azure Beach Club (Crimson Resort, Mactan)

If your idea of heaven is charcoal-grilled seafood and Asian plates served steps from the sea, Azure nails it. I like to arrive before sunset, grab a cocktail, and watch the sky color-switch behind the palm fronds. Dress code is resort casual; do call ahead if you want a front-row table by the water.

Shangri-La Mactan seaside outlets (Cowrie Cove/Breeze)

Postcard setting with polished service. Sea-to-table picks, plus enough non-seafood options for picky eaters. Prices are premium, but you’re paying for the ambience and the crash of waves as background music.

Marina Seaview Restaurant (Cebu Yacht Club, Lapu-Lapu)

Laid-back and great at sunset with boats bobbing in the marina. The seafood platters are shareable; I usually add a grilled squid and a cold beer to keep it simple.

10,000 Roses Cafe (Cordova)

A crowd favorite for night views and photos, with a coastal boardwalk feel. I treat this as a dessert/coffee stop after an early dinner nearby, so the crowds thin out and the LED roses glow.

Scape Skydeck (Mactan Channel views)

Technically a rooftop, but the sea views over the Mactan Channel are fantastic. If you’re in Cebu City and don’t want to cross bridges during rush hour, come late—city lights and the channel shimmer are worth it.

Tip: Rideshare wait times spike around sunset. If you’re hopping between spots, plan a short walkable sequence or book a car an hour earlier than you think you need.

Northern Cebu coastal eats with a view

Heading north out of Cebu City, coastal towns thin the crowds and slow the tempo. Food is simpler and the views get big and quiet.

Liloan to Danao boardwalks

Sea breezes, fish grills, and sunset walks—these towns keep it easy. I like to time an early dinner and then stroll the boardwalk as the lights come on. Expect basic seafood, barbecue, and halo-halo stalls with sea views.

Catmon and Carmen

Coastal resorts with in-house restaurants look right onto the water. Think sinugba (grilled), kinilaw (ceviche), and soups like tinola or sinigang to pair with the breeze. I usually ask what fish came in that morning and order simply grilled with calamansi and soy.

San Remigio and Tabuelan

Further north, you’re rewarded with long, shallow beaches perfect for lazy breakfasts by the shore. Coffee, pan de sal, and the sound of water lapping: it’s the slowest—and possibly the best—way to start a Cebu day.

Getting there: Buses run regularly from the Cebu North Bus Terminal; travel times vary (1.5–4.5 hours depending on your stop). For groups, renting a van for a day lets you string several seaside stops together without backtracking.

Southern Cebu scenic dining spots

South of Cebu City, the coastal highway keeps you close to the water for much of the ride, which means spontaneous food stops with views.

Naga Boardwalk and Park

Weekends can get lively with families and joggers. Grab grilled seafood or barbecue, snag a table, and let the kids run while you soak in the view. Night lights along the boardwalk make it an easy, low-budget date spot.

San Fernando and Carcar coast

Fewer tourists, more local plates. Sit by the water and order lechon Carcar-style with puso (hanging rice) or go for scallops and shrimp when available. For an afternoon cool-down, add a halo-halo or buko juice.

Argao, Alcoy, and Oslob

Argao has charming shoreline cafes; Alcoy’s beaches are bright and open; and Oslob offers relaxed seaside lunches after morning whale shark tours. I keep a small dry bag for salty swims between meals—you’ll pass plenty of swim-now-eat-later opportunities.

Moalboal beachfront

Sunsets over Panagsama can be dazzling. Beachfront spots lean casual: burgers, pizzas, and seafood with your toes in the sand. If you like a pre-dinner swim, the famous sardine run is just meters from shore along Panagsama Beach.

Getting there: Take a bus from the South Bus Terminal or rent a car. Traffic lightens the earlier you leave Cebu City. I plan a late lunch on arrival, a nap, then an unhurried golden-hour dinner.

Island escapes: Bantayan, Malapascua, and Camotes

These islands put you closest to the water, often with restaurants opening straight onto the beach.

Bantayan Island (Santa Fe)

Beachfront grills and all-day breakfast cafes dot the shore. I love lazy brunches—garlic rice, danggit (local dried fish), eggs, and brewed coffee—with waves for company. Dinners trend social: seafood platters, cold beers, and live music.

Malapascua (Bounty Beach)

After a morning dive, I go straight for kinilaw and grilled fish at a beachfront restaurant. Sunset here is slow and gold; bring a light jacket if you plan to linger with a cocktail after dark.

Camotes Islands

Quieter than Bantayan and Malapascua, Camotes rewards you with simple seaside eateries and clear water right off many resorts. Think comfort food, fresh mango shakes, and a hammock nap after lunch.

Travel notes: These islands require ferries and some overland transfers. If you only have a weekend, pick one island and savor it instead of trying to hop all three.

Best time to visit, reservations, and money-saving tips

Here’s how I plan my sea-view meals to land the best seats without blowing the budget.

Best time to visit

• Dry season (Nov–May) for calmer seas, blazing sunsets, and fewer rain delays.
• Weekdays for easier reservations; weekends for lively boardwalk vibes.
• Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunset for front-row seats and softer light for photos; verify times via Cebu sunset times.

Reservations and seating strategy

• Message resorts and popular restaurants 1–3 days ahead for sunset seating; ask for sea-facing tables.
• In casual boardwalk areas, arrive early and be flexible—best views go first.
• Wind and spray happen: bring a light layer, and avoid placing phones right at the table edge.

Budget tips

• Mix premium resort dinners with boardwalk grills and island canteens.
• Split seafood platters or order family-style to sample more.
• If you drink, happy-hour windows at resorts can save a lot on cocktails.

Food safety and etiquette

• Ask staff about catch-of-the-day and cooking times during peak hours.
• Dispose of trash properly—coastal winds carry plastics straight to the water.
• Be mindful of drones and loudspeakers at sunset; share the view.

Travel resources: Area updates and new boardwalks pop up often—scan Visit Central Visayas (DOT Region 7) before your trip for current events near the coast.

A relaxed 3-day sea-view dining itinerary

Here’s a simple, no-rush plan that I’ve done with friends. Swap days if you’re based farther south or north.

Day 1: Mactan channel sunsets

1. Lunch: Marina Seaview (Cebu Yacht Club) for an easy arrival meal.
2. Golden hour: Grab a coffee and walk the marina.
3. Dinner: Azure Beach Club or a seaside outlet at Shangri-La Mactan for the classic resort-sunset combo.
4. Nightcap: 10,000 Roses Cafe for photos and a dessert stop.

Day 2: South Cebu boardwalk + beach

1. Morning: Road trip to Naga Boardwalk; stretch your legs and grab snacks.
2. Lunch: Casual seafood in San Fernando or Carcar by the coast.
3. Afternoon swim: Continue to Moalboal for quick dips; shower off and change.
4. Sunset dinner: Beachfront in Moalboal—keep it simple and barefoot.

Day 3: Island day trip or north coast

1. Option A: Bantayan or Malapascua — early ferry, beachfront lunch, sunset dinner, back the next morning (or stay longer if you can).
2. Option B: Danao–Catmon coast — boardwalk bites, grilled fish, and scenic coffee breaks by the water.

If you crave more context and logistics around these stops, bookmark our detailed Cebu travel guide to layer sea-view meals onto your broader itinerary.