by Kei Bee

Who says P200 won’t get you far or full in the city? Escario Street is home to Filipino and Asian favorites that locals have patronized for years. P200 can get you a full meal or heavy merienda at three of our picks. These foodie stations are only a few meters apart, so it’s an easy food trip.

Once a food booth in Sugbo Mercado, Banana Pancake Trail became so popular that it transitioned to a brick-and-mortar restaurant on Escario. Reminiscing about their Southeast Asian backpacking trip, the owners behind BPT decided to create a menu named after a famous traveler route. Aside from their famous Pad Thai, the Roti Gluay (P149) is a bestseller; call ahead to reserve to be sure it’s not out of stock by the time you arrive. Other tasty, affordable items include the chicken satay (P129) and lemongrass grilled chicken banh mi (P199).

Tucked away in the hotel district sits an Indonesian-Dutch spot called Cribs. One of their interesting appetizers is Perkedel. To make these, the kitchen mixes mashed potatoes with herbs, coats them in egg batter, and deep-fries them. These are served with a side of sweet chili sauce for dipping. Other top sellers include Nasi Goreng (Chicken: P175 / Shrimp: P200) and Mee Goreng (Tofu: P170 / Chicken: P200).

Inside Golden Peak Hotel, the coffeeshop turns out empanadas that feel like they’ve been part of Cebu’s merienda culture for decades. Handmade daily and fried with aromatics, each piece (P45) has a richness that explains why people order them by the box (P525 for 12). The torta (P53/piece, P300/box of 6) is another steady favorite: buttery, lightly sweet, and topped with shredded cheese.

Escario may not be the city’s flashiest food destination, but that’s exactly why it works for this P200 Eats series. It’s a reminder that Cebu’s best flavors often sit in plain sight-quiet, dependable, and ready to surprise anyone willing to take a short walk and a small budget.