6 Must-Visit Restaurants in Cagayan de Oro

 

What better way to welcome guests than to serve them with good food? The Land of Golden Friendship surely knows how to warm hearts and satisfy taste buds. The charming ambiance of the Kagay-anon restaurants and the flavorful recipes on each menu will make you excited to own a Cagayan de Oro house and lot for sale.

Here are six restaurants in CDO that will bring you on a culinary journey. You can find meat, poultry, seafood and more with their endless collection of delectable delicacies.

 

Bigby’s Cafe and Restaurant

Address: Rosario Strip, Limketkai Drive
Contact: (088) 857 5511
Open: Daily, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

A restaurant formed by three friends—Henrik-Yu, Joanna Lim-Yu and Catherine Genabe—Bigby’s concept is one for the family. The restaurant is a mix of fine-dining and casual eats. The interior has souvenir items from various countries. There are trivia and sketches on the walls as well as decorative ceiling lights. Overall, it has a cozy ambiance, making you feel like you haven’t left home.

Bigby’s is popular with locals and tourist for mouthwatering dishes in huge servings. Family and friends will surely enjoy sharing their best-selling platters. The Belly Buster (P595) is a combination of grilled baby back ribs, rodeo chops and smoked pork belly in barbeque sauce. The serving includes garlic rice, buttered vegetables, and crispy onion rings. The Fisherman’s Platter (P645) has a heap of crispy fish fillet, squiggly rings, and grilled shrimps. It comes with two dips, rice and side dishes of veggies. Meanwhile, the Food Trip Platter (P389) is a mix of Bigby’s appetizers. It has Tijuana Quesadillas, Dippy-Doodle-Doo, Chili Flappers and BBQ fries. The Chili Flappers is the restaurant’s version of spicy chicken wings.

 

Boy Zugba

Address: Corrales Avenue, Barangay 27
Contact: (088) 880 5555
Open: Daily, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Boy Zugba is another creation from the owners of Bigby’s with the concept centering on Filipino street eats. The restaurant has an accent wall that features a comic strip while the rest of the place shows hugot lines that can put anyone in a good mood.

The restaurant serves ‘sugba’ or grilled dishes familiar to the local palate. Its menu features the Kusina Bisaya (Visayan cuisine) so expect to find varieties of typical eats such as chicken barbeque. It also has group meals or Boodle Bundles fresh and cooked each day. There are three bundles ideal for large groups:

• Meat Me At Da Sea (P1599) = Calmares, Kinilaw, Pork Barbeque, Chicken Inasal, Pork Liempo, Cheezy Chorizo, Krispy Kangkong, Itlog Maalat, Mangga’t Bagoong, and Kropek
• I Sea Food (P1299) = Binukadkad na isda, Calamares, Krispy Kangkong, Kinilaw with Lato and Tinuhog na Pansat
• Karne-vorous (P899) = Cheezy Chorizo, Pork Barbeque, Pork Liempo, Krispy Kangkong

All Boodle Bundles includes a heaping of plain rice ideal for five people.

 

Cucina Higala

Address: 222 Capistrano Street
Contact: 09177946118
Open: Daily, 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.

“Cucina” is the Spanish term for the kitchen while “Higala” is a Visayan term for friends. CDO is known as the “City of Golden Friendship” hence the name and the ambiance of the restaurant. Cucina Higala will remind you of a typical Spanish colonial Filipino home while the food takes on the renditions of various local cuisine.

According to Jan Uy, part-owner of the restaurant, Cucina Higala aims to support local producers and suppliers of Northern Mindanao. The restaurant uses fresh produce from farmers in the area while supporting the artists by providing a space that celebrates and encourages their talent.

Here are some of the items on the menu that uses fresh and local ingredients:

• Callos (P370)
• Humba de Oro (P290)
• Kare-Kare (P360)
• Kinilaw (P250)
• Sinuglaw (P270)
• Surol (P240)
• Wagyu Beef Brisket Rendang (P380)
• Sizzling Binaki with Caramel Sauce (P160)

 

Circa 1850 Eatery

Address: Ground Floor Red Planet Hotel, Claro M. Recto Avenue
Contact: (088) 852 1850
Open: Daily, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. | 5:30 p.m – 10:30 p.m.

Circa 1850 is the place to go if you want a “deliciously natural” experience. The restaurant comes from the creators of Sentro 1850, Rene Sia and Eric Yap. It serves meals using organic produce from local farmers.

The cozy eatery has a combination of comfort food and healthy dishes on the menu. There are recipes with bacon and grilled meat drenched in sauces with pasta, sandwiches, and salads. It also has fresh juices, blended drinks, coffee, tea and desserts that help wash off the flavors from each meal. The Soft-Shell Salad (P320) is highly-recommended by hearty eaters of the West paired with a choice of grilled steak.

 

High Ridge

Address: Bontula Upper Macasandig
Contact: 09437085492
Open: Daily, 4 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Davao’s Jack Ridge inspired the concept of CDO’s High Ridge. High Ridge is a restaurant on the highest point of the city. You can have a 360-degree view of CDO after enjoying the local and international inspired dishes. At the same time, you get to enjoy a view of the stars at night when the sky is clear. Enjoy the breeze from the natural environment for only P100, consumable at the restaurant.

The rustic design and refreshing greenery of the restaurant are ideal for romantic dates and family gatherings. The Watermelon Spritzer (P89) is a suitable thirst quencher for those who are not fond of alcohol. Meanwhile, a slice of High Ridge’s Chocolate Cracked Lava Cake (P209) and Blueberry Cheesecake (P169) adds sweetness to the moment. Their menu offers affordable dishes for the exquisite taste buds.

 

Panagatan

Address: Zone 3, Butuan – Cagayan de Oro – Iligan Rd, Opol
Contact: (088) 275 4487
Open: Daily, 10 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Panagatan is Opol’s famous seafood restaurant located in Centrio Mall. The word is a Cebuano term that means ‘fishing ground’ or ‘fish catching site.’ The restaurant has a view of Macalajar Bay, and part of it is on the water. It allows the patrons to enjoy the salty breeze while indulging in music acts and performances. It also resembles a giant nipa hut, which adds to the identity and feeling of being back to the roots of the Filipino culture.
People come to Pangatan to enjoy the fresh picks from the sea. The restaurant’s menu consists of baked, fried, grilled and soup variants.

Must-try dishes are:

• Baked Scallops (P160)
• Kilawin na Tuna (P185)
• Fried Hito (P95 per 100 grams)
• Seafood Tinola (P175)
• Sinigang na Lapu-Lapu (P175)
• Halaan Soup (P135)
• Grilled Squid – comes in two sizes: Large (P190) and XL (P200)

They also have classic desserts such as Buko Halo-Halo and Mango Tapioca.

Enjoy the fresh breeze of CDO at High Ridge or Panagatan. Health and eco-conscious people are sure to enjoy the meals at Cucina Higala and Circa 1850. Large crowds can celebrate at Bigby’s and Boy Zugba. There are no limitations on eating spots when in Cagayan de Oro.