Looking for your next food trip in Cagayan de Oro? From authentic Mindanao flavors and classic Filipino comfort food to creative dishes and fresh seafood, CDO has plenty of restaurants worth discovering.

Whether you're bringing the family out for dinner, meeting up with friends, entertaining visitors, or simply looking for somewhere new to eat, these five restaurants offer something different.

Here are 5 restaurants in Cagayan de Oro worth adding to your food-trip list.

1. Cucina Higala — A Taste of Mindanao on Your Plate

If you want to experience the flavors of Mindanao while dining in Cagayan de Oro, Cucina Higala is one of the restaurants to put at the top of your list.

Located along Capistrano Street, the restaurant is known for showcasing Filipino cuisine with a strong focus on regional and Mindanao flavors. Instead of simply serving familiar Filipino dishes, Cucina Higala gives diners an opportunity to discover food traditions from different parts of the region.

Some of the dishes worth trying include Humba de Oro, Suwan-Suwan, Beef Rendang, and Chicken Piyaparan.

The restaurant also makes a good choice when you're introducing CDO food to friends or relatives visiting from another city. The experience goes beyond simply having a meal—it gives visitors a taste of the region's culinary identity.

Why visit: Regional and Mindanao-inspired Filipino cuisine

Must try: Humba de Oro, Suwan-Suwan, Beef Rendang, Chicken Piyaparan

Best for: Family dinners, celebrations, food trips, and visitors from out of town

Budget: Around ₱500–₱1,000+ per person, depending on what you order.

CDO Today food-trip verdict: If you want to start your CDO food adventure with something distinctly Filipino and Mindanaoan, this is a strong place to begin.

2. Kagay-anon Restaurant — Classic Flavors That Feel Like CDO

Some restaurants are worth visiting because of their food. Others are worth visiting because they represent something about the place itself.

Kagay-anon Restaurant falls into the latter category.

With a name that directly connects it to the people of Cagayan de Oro, the restaurant is a natural choice for anyone looking for Filipino dishes and local flavors.

Expect familiar favorites such as sinuglaw, kinilaw, grilled tuna belly, native chicken, crispy pata, and other Filipino dishes that work particularly well for sharing.

It's also a practical choice for groups because you can order several dishes for everyone to share, making the meal feel more like a traditional Filipino gathering.

Why visit: Classic Filipino and local flavors

Must try: Sinuglaw, Kinilaw, Grilled Tuna Belly, Native Chicken Adobo

Best for: Family meals, group dining, and introducing visitors to local food

Budget: Approximately ₱400–₱800+ per person, depending on the dishes and group size.

CDO Today food-trip verdict: For a meal that feels closer to the traditional Filipino dining experience, Kagay-anon deserves a place on the list.

3. Fat Chef — Filipino Food With a Creative Twist

What happens when familiar Filipino flavors are given a creative makeover?

That's part of what makes Fat Chef Restaurant an interesting stop for a CDO food trip.

Located along General A. Luna Street, Fat Chef puts its own spin on Filipino dishes. The menu features combinations and presentations that make familiar flavors feel a little different.

Among the dishes that stand out are Sizzling Sinigang with Signature Gravy, Chicken Inasal sa Gata, Crispy Sinigang Mushroom, Talong Kinilaw, and Pinakbet sa Gata.

It's the kind of restaurant to consider when you don't necessarily want another ordinary Filipino meal. You want something familiar—but with a surprise.

Why visit: Creative takes on Filipino food

Must try: Sizzling Sinigang, Chicken Inasal sa Gata, Mama's Pork Adobo, Crispy Sinigang Mushroom

Best for: Casual dates, friends, family dinners, and adventurous foodies

Budget: Around ₱500–₱1,000 per person.

CDO Today food-trip verdict: If you've eaten your way through the usual Filipino favorites and want to try something different, Fat Chef is worth exploring.

4. Bigby's Cafe & Restaurant — When the Barkada Is Hungry

Sometimes you don't need complicated food. You just need good food, big servings, and a place where everyone can sit down and eat together.

That's where Bigby's Cafe & Restaurant comes in.

Bigby's is a homegrown CDO restaurant brand that has become a familiar choice for families, friends, and groups looking for hearty comfort food.

The menu offers plenty of options, including its popular Rack-A-Bye Baby ribs, Bigby's Riblets, Mojo Chicken Q, Porky Steak, and pasta dishes.

It's particularly convenient for group dining because there is something for different cravings, whether you're in the mood for meat, chicken, pasta, or other comfort-food favorites.

Why visit: Hearty food, generous servings, and group-friendly dining

Must try: Rack-A-Bye Baby, Bigby's Riblets, Mojo Chicken Q, Creole Pasta

Best for: Barkada gatherings, family meals, casual dates, and celebrations

Budget: Around ₱400–₱800+ per person, depending on what you order.

CDO Today food-trip verdict: When the entire barkada is hungry and everyone wants something different, Bigby's is an easy choice.

5. Redtail Shrimps & More — For the Seafood Cravings

If your idea of a perfect food trip involves shrimp, crabs, mussels, and other seafood, then Redtail Shrimps & More deserves a spot on your list.

The restaurant has built its identity around seafood, making it a popular option for groups looking to share a feast.

Among its offerings are shrimp, crabs, mussels, Shrabs, and Fisherman's Catch, along with Filipino and Asian-inspired dishes.

One of the best things about a seafood restaurant is the sharing experience. Instead of ordering one dish for yourself, you can get several different seafood options for the table and turn dinner into a proper group food trip.

Why visit: Seafood-focused menu and group dining

Must try: Shrimp, Shrabs, Fisherman's Catch, Sinuglaw, Crispy Shrimp

Best for: Seafood lovers, family dinners, birthdays, and barkada gatherings

Budget: Around ₱500–₱1,000+ per person, depending on the seafood you order and the size of your group.

CDO Today food-trip verdict: When the craving is seafood, Redtail is one of the CDO restaurants worth considering.

So, Which One Should You Try First?

The best part about Cagayan de Oro's food scene is that you don't have to look for one restaurant that does everything.

Each of these places offers a different reason to visit:

Want Mindanao flavors?
Go for Cucina Higala.

Want classic Filipino and local flavors?
Try Kagay-anon Restaurant.

Want Filipino food with a creative twist?
Check out Fat Chef.

Eating with the whole barkada?
Bigby's is a good option.

Seafood craving?
Head to Redtail Shrimps & More.

And of course, this is only the beginning. Cagayan de Oro has plenty more restaurants, cafés, roadside food spots, hidden gems, and homegrown businesses waiting to be discovered.

Your Turn: What's Your Favorite CDO Restaurant?

These five restaurants are a starting point for your next CDO food trip—but we know there are plenty more places worth discovering.

What restaurant in Cagayan de Oro would you recommend to someone visiting the city for the first time?

Tell us in the comments. Your recommendation could become part of the next CDO Today Food Discovery.

Eat local. Discover CDO.

Childhood is a time of rapid transformations. In a blink of an eye, little ones are hitting new milestones at an astonishing pace. To support this rapid development, they need age-appropriate nutritional support to keep up with their growing bodies.

However, children are creatures of habit. For parents who have tried swapping a child's favorite milk for a new one, the results can be unpredictable, ranging from taste adaptation to a flat-out refusal to drink.

So, how do parents switch a child's nutritional drink without the drama? The secret lies in choosing the right ingredients and making the switch slowly and steadily.

The "First Ingredient" Rule

If parents are going to put in the effort to switch a child's milk, the new choice must offer a clear nutritional advantage. Today, health-conscious parents are looking beyond basic vitamins and minerals, paying more attention to the ingredient list.

The biggest game-changer in child nutrition is finding a milk formula that lists fresh milk as the very first ingredient.

Many milk formulas rely heavily on conventionally processed, reconstituted milk powders. Formulas that start with fresh milk as the primary ingredient preserve more of the natural, heat-sensitive nutrients. 

A fresh milk foundation for your child delivers a fresh, creamytaste that picky eaters readily accept.

This demand for fresher, easily digestible options is why milk formulations like FEIHE AceKid Activegro and AceKid 3+ with Lactoferrin can be additional choices for mindful parents. Both options lead with fresh milk as their first ingredient without any added sugars, locking in natural goodness and helping prevent negative consequences of added sugar. Furthermore, AceKid 3+ with Lactoferrin, offers an immunity-boosting protein that helps reduce respiratory tract infections and diarrhea, plus helps absorb iron, helping prevent iron-deficiency anemia. All these benefits can be achieved together with proper diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Whether parents are looking to support physical development or immunity support, the foundation in FEIHE's products remain close to natural and fresh.

The Seven-Day Mixing Trick

Even with a highly digestible fresh milk formula, nutrition experts agree that parents should never quit the old milk cold turkey. Some children need time to adjust to a new milk formula with more age-appropriate proteins and other nutrients.

The tried and tested method is a phased approach over a week. Parents can simply mix the old and the new milk in the same glass, slowly changing the ratio each day.

A standard seven-day transition schedule looks like this:

Days 1 to 2: 3 parts old milk + 1 part new milk

Days 3 to 4: Half old milk + half new milk

Days 5 to 6: 1 part old milk + 3 parts new milk

Day 7: 100% new milk

3 Quick Tips for a Smooth Switch

Keep the Temperature Consistent: If the child expects their milk served warm, ensuring the new mixture is served at that exact same temperature removes one extra variable for them to notice.

Trust the Process: It can take a few days for a child to fully acclimate. Giving the new milk time to settle allows the age-appropriate nutrients to go to work.

Changing a child’s nutritional drink is an important milestone. With a little patience, a gradual mixing schedule, and a milk formula that prioritizes fresh milk, parents can ensure the transition is a happy and healthy experience.

Try out AceKid Activegro and AceKid 3+ with Lactoferrin. Available in TikTok Shop, Shopee, and Lazada, and in leading stores in Visayas and Mindanao.

AceKid Activegro and AceKid 3+ with Lactoferrin are not breastmilk substitutes and are intended for children aged 3 years and above.
To be consumed as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — Steak Paraiso invites Kagay-anons and visitors to discover a steakhouse experience that combines premium-quality food, warm hospitality and a comfortable atmosphere for every occasion.

Steak Paraiso

Now with 2 convenient locations (Abrillo Furniture Door 2 SM Bypass Road in Uptown CDO and Ground Floor, North Concourse, Limketkai Mall), Steak Paraiso offers an inviting destination for family gatherings, romantic dates, business meetings and milestone celebrations. Although known for premium steaks, the restaurant maintains a relaxed and welcoming character, allowing guests to enjoy an elevated meal without feeling intimidated.

Diners can choose from several steak cuts and select portions according to their appetite and budget. For those seeking an exceptional experience, Steak Paraiso also serves Japanese A5 Wagyu, celebrated for its outstanding marbling, rich flavor and remarkable tenderness.

Among the restaurant’s bestsellers are the Kitayama prime rib steak, a satisfying choice for serious steak lovers; the slow-smoked smoked wagyu brisket; and generous BBQ platters (shareable), ideal for families and groups who want to sample different flavors around one table.

Steak Paraiso is not only a dinner destination. Its breakfast menu gives guests a flavorful reason to visit earlier in the day. Morning favorites include wagyu corned beef, wagyu beef tapa, salmon salpicao and banana pancake—excellent choices for family breakfasts, informal meetings or a leisurely start to the day.

The wider menu also offers smoked meats, pasta, soups, salads, sides and desserts, ensuring that steak enthusiasts and casual diners alike can find something to enjoy. With options at different price points, guests can visit for a premium Wagyu celebration, share a hearty platter or simply enjoy a comforting breakfast.

More than a steakhouse, Steak Paraiso aims to become part of the moments people remember: welcoming loved ones home, celebrating achievements, closing an important deal or sharing an unhurried meal with family and friends.

For premium steaks, comforting breakfasts and occasions worth celebrating, Steak Paraiso offers Cagayan de Oro a dining experience that is special, approachable and distinctly memorable.

Steak Paraiso — Where CDO Comes for Steak.

Reserve your table and make Steak Paraiso part of your Higalaay celebration. For inquiries/reservations, follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steakparaiso You can also call the following branches: Uptown Branch - (0968) 166 2674 Open Monday to Sunday, 11 AM to 9 PM / Limketkai Mall Branch - (0968) 166 2659 Open Monday to Sunday 6:30 AM to 9 PM (0968) 166 2659 

ABBA’s timeless music is coming to life in a whole new way this November as the Metropolitan Kagay-an Orchestra (MKO) brings the legendary Swedish pop group’s greatest hits to the concert stage in Cagayan de Oro City.

Dubbed “Thank You for the Music: A Metropolitan Kagay-an Orchestra Concert,” the special two-day production will be held on November 13 and 14, 2026, at the Capitol University Gloria Laureana San Pedro Rosales Mini Theater.

The concert will feature orchestral arrangements specially prepared for MKO, giving audiences a fresh and grand interpretation of some of ABBA’s most beloved classics.

ABBA Classics Meet the Orchestra

From Mamma Mia and Super Trouper to other unforgettable ABBA songs, the concert promises to transform familiar pop classics into a rich orchestral experience.

While MKO has already staged major performances in the past, this marks the first time the homegrown orchestra will dedicate an entire concert repertoire to the music of a single musical group.

ABBA makes for a fitting choice.

With songs that have remained popular across generations, ABBA's music continues to find new audiences decades after the group's biggest hits first took the world by storm. For many concertgoers, hearing these familiar songs performed by a full orchestra could offer an entirely different appreciation of the music.

A Celebration of Cagayan de Oro’s Homegrown Musicians

Leading the orchestra is Maestro Krenz B. Sabanal, MKO’s Head Conductor and Director.

The full orchestra will bring together homegrown musicians, combining emerging young talents with seasoned performers. Through its performances and community initiatives, MKO continues to create opportunities for local artists while making orchestral music more accessible to audiences in Cagayan de Oro.

The orchestra has also taken steps toward professionalizing the local orchestral community, including implementing a formal onboarding and contract-signing process for its members.

For MKO, the goal goes beyond putting on concerts—it is also about building a stronger community for musicians and setting a higher standard for collaborative music-making in the city.

Featuring Special Guest Performers

Adding even more excitement to the concert are guest performers Jessa Bernaldez, Gerikha Amper, and the Capitol University Glee Club.

Their performances, together with MKO’s orchestral interpretations of ABBA’s music, are expected to make Thank You for the Music a memorable musical experience for both longtime ABBA fans and those simply looking for something different to enjoy this November.

Five Shows Over Two Days

Music lovers will have several opportunities to catch the concert.

Thank You for the Music: A Metropolitan Kagay-an Orchestra Concert will be presented on:

November 13, 2026

• 10:00 AM
• 3:00 PM
• 7:00 PM

November 14, 2026

• 3:00 PM
• 7:00 PM

All performances will be held at the Capitol University Gloria Laureana San Pedro Rosales Mini Theater.

Tickets are priced at ₱350.

Those interested in attending can reserve their seats through the online reservation form: Reserve your seats here

For inquiries, corporate bookings, and seat selection, you may contact 0935-214-0231 (primary line) or 0907-900-3076 (secondary line).

You may also reach out through the Metropolitan Kagay-an Orchestra Facebook page.

A Musical Night to Remember

After spending the first half of 2026 performing at various local events and organizing community initiatives—including the Kwerdas Summer String Workshop at Carmen Art District—MKO is bringing the year to a grand musical finish with a tribute to one of pop music’s most iconic groups.

Whether you grew up listening to ABBA or simply know their songs from movies, radio, and pop culture, Thank You for the Music offers a chance to hear these classics in an entirely new setting.

So, get ready to sing along to familiar melodies, experience ABBA through the power of a live orchestra, and support Cagayan de Oro’s talented homegrown musicians.

Thank you for the music, indeed.

See you at the Capitol University Mini Theater on November 13 and 14, 2026!

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The much-anticipated World Travel Expo Year 10 officially opened at Ayala Malls Centrio, bringing together travel enthusiasts, tourism stakeholders, airlines, hotels, and tour operators for a three-day celebration of travel, discovery, and opportunity.

Now celebrating its tenth year, the World Travel Expo has become one of the region’s most recognized travel events, helping connect travelers with destinations and travel providers while encouraging more people to turn their travel dreams into reality.

The opening ceremony gathered exhibitors and visitors eager to explore a wide range of domestic and international travel opportunities, from affordable vacation packages and airline deals to hotel promotions and curated tour experiences.

A Decade of Connecting People to Destinations

During the opening program, Event Organizer Miles Caballero reflected on how the expo has evolved over the past decade.

According to Caballero, the original vision of the event was simple: create a space where people could discover destinations and directly connect with travel providers. While that purpose remains unchanged, the motivations of attendees have evolved over time.

Many visitors now arrive not only to gather information but to finally move forward with travel plans that have long been delayed.

“People do not stop wanting to travel. They delay it,” Caballero shared, noting that work commitments, family responsibilities, financial priorities, and daily routines often push travel plans further into the future.

The expo serves as a reminder that travel remains an important aspiration for many individuals and families, even when life gets busy.

More Than Just Travel Deals

This year’s expo showcases a diverse lineup of tourism offerings, including local destinations, international getaways, airline promotions, hotel accommodations, and customized travel packages designed for solo travelers, families, and groups.

Visitors are encouraged to look beyond the destination itself and consider factors such as timing, preparedness, and personal goals when planning their next journey.

Whether it's a long-awaited family vacation, a dream international trip, a business-related journey, or a quick weekend getaway, the event provides practical opportunities to make travel plans more accessible and achievable.

Tourism's Continuing Impact

Beyond the travel packages and promotional offers, the expo also highlights the broader value of tourism.

Travel continues to play a significant role in supporting local communities, generating employment, strengthening destination economies, and fostering cultural exchange between people from different regions and countries.

As the tourism industry continues to recover and expand, events like the World Travel Expo help strengthen partnerships between travelers and tourism providers while encouraging more people to explore new experiences.

Visit the Expo

Residents of Cagayan de Oro and travelers from neighboring provinces are invited to visit the expo and discover opportunities for their next adventure.

The World Travel Expo Year 10 runs from July 3 to July 5, 2026, at Ayala Malls Centrio in Cagayan de Oro City.

For many, the next destination may already be decided. The only thing left is choosing the date and finally making the trip happen.

Travel plans often begin as an idea. World Travel Expo Year 10 aims to help turn those ideas into actual journeys.

In 2018, a major infrastructure proposal was endorsed that had the potential to reshape transportation in Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental for decades to come. The Villanueva–Tagoloan–Cagayan de Oro–Opol Expressway Project (REXPRIP-6), along with the Opol–Laguindingan–Naawan Expressway Project (REXPRIP-7), was unanimously endorsed by the Cagayan de Oro City Development Council (CDC) during a full council meeting presided over by then Mayor Oscar Moreno.

At the time, the project was presented as a strategic solution to transportation constraints while also serving as a catalyst for economic growth in Northern Mindanao. Yet, nearly eight years later, there appears to be little public information regarding its progress, leaving many residents wondering whether the project remains part of the government’s long-term infrastructure agenda.

A Project with Transformative Potential

According to the proposal, the expressway would consist of a four-lane highway system incorporating at-grade roads, viaducts, causeways, interchanges, and ramps. The route would begin in Barangay San Martin in Villanueva, traverse Tagoloan and Cagayan de Oro City, and terminate in Opol, Misamis Oriental.

The second phase, REXPRIP-7, would extend from Opol to Naawan, creating a continuous corridor connecting the eastern and western sections of Misamis Oriental.

Had it materialized, the project could have become one of the most important transportation investments in Northern Mindanao, providing an alternative route for motorists and commercial vehicles traveling across the province.

Why the Expressway Still Makes Sense Today

Since 2018, Cagayan de Oro has continued to experience rapid growth. As the regional center of Northern Mindanao, the city attracts businesses, investors, tourists, and residents from neighboring provinces. This growth has inevitably increased the volume of vehicles using the city’s road network.

One reality that is often overlooked is that a significant percentage of vehicles passing through Cagayan de Oro are not actually headed to the city itself. Many cargo trucks, container vans, buses, and long-distance travelers simply use the city’s national highways as a transit route while traveling between the eastern and western municipalities of Misamis Oriental.

These vehicles enter the city’s road system not because they need to conduct business within Cagayan de Oro, but because there is currently no efficient bypass route that allows them to avoid the urban center altogether.

As a result, local commuters, businesses, and residents share road space with thousands of passing vehicles every day, contributing to traffic congestion along major corridors such as the Butuan-Cagayan de Oro-Iligan Road and other key highways within the city.

The Need for a Regional Bypass System

The proposed expressway would have addressed this challenge by creating a dedicated route for through traffic. Instead of entering the city, vehicles traveling from the eastern municipalities such as Villanueva and Tagoloan toward western destinations like Opol, El Salvador, Alubijid, Laguindingan, and Naawan could bypass the urban core entirely.

This would not only reduce traffic congestion but also improve travel efficiency, lower transportation costs, and enhance road safety.

For logistics companies and freight operators, shorter travel times mean reduced fuel consumption and improved delivery schedules. For residents, fewer heavy vehicles on city roads could translate into a smoother commuting experience and less congestion during peak hours.

More importantly, an expressway network would support future economic growth by improving connectivity between industrial zones, ports, airports, and commercial centers throughout Misamis Oriental.

Learning from Other Growing Cities

Many rapidly growing cities in the Philippines have invested in bypass roads, circumferential highways, and expressways to prevent regional traffic from overwhelming urban road networks. Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao have all pursued infrastructure projects designed to separate local traffic from long-distance transit traffic.

Cagayan de Oro faces a similar challenge. As Northern Mindanao’s economy continues to expand, relying solely on existing national highways may no longer be sustainable in the long term.

The concept behind the Villanueva–Tagoloan–CDO–Opol Expressway was forward-looking. It recognized that future growth would require additional transportation corridors capable of handling increasing traffic volumes while preserving mobility within the city itself.

The Public Deserves an Update

Nearly eight years after its endorsement, the lack of publicly available updates has left many questions unanswered.

Is the project still under consideration? Has it been deferred in favor of other infrastructure priorities? Are there revised plans currently being studied by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)? Or has the proposal been shelved altogether?

Given the project’s potential impact on transportation, logistics, and regional development, local stakeholders and residents deserve transparency regarding its status.

The traffic challenges faced by Cagayan de Oro today are significantly greater than they were in 2018. What was once viewed as a future solution may now be an immediate necessity.

Looking Ahead

The Villanueva–Tagoloan–CDO–Opol–Laguindingan corridor remains one of the most compelling infrastructure concepts ever proposed for Misamis Oriental. Its ability to divert through traffic away from the city, improve regional connectivity, and support economic growth makes it as relevant today as it was when it was first endorsed.

As Cagayan de Oro continues its transformation into one of Mindanao’s leading urban centers, long-term transportation planning will become increasingly important. Whether through this expressway project or a similar alternative, the region will eventually need a modern bypass system capable of accommodating future growth.

For now, however, one question remains: Whatever happened to the Villanueva–Tagoloan–CDO–Opol Expressway Project?

Do you have a talented little star at home? This could be their moment to shine!

SM City CDO Uptown is inviting young and talented kids to join SM Little Stars 2026, one of the country's most exciting kiddie talent search programs. This fun-filled event gives children the opportunity to showcase their talents, boost their confidence, and take their first step toward achieving their dreams.

Who Can Join?

The competition is open to children aged 4 to 7 years old (as of the screening date). Participants should be photogenic, charming, and talented in any of the following categories:

• Singing
• Dancing
• Other Special Talents

Whether your child loves performing on stage, singing their favorite songs, dancing to upbeat tunes, or showcasing a unique talent, SM Little Stars provides the perfect platform to let their personality and skills shine.

Audition Schedule

Parents and guardians can bring their aspiring little stars to the auditions at:

📍 Mall Atrium, Ground Level, SM City CDO Uptown

• June 7, 2026 (Sunday) – 1:00 PM
• June 21, 2026 (Sunday) – 1:00 PM

How to Register

Interested participants may register through the SM Malls Online App or visit the registration booth located in front of Bench at the Ground Level of SM City CDO Uptown.

This is a wonderful opportunity for children to gain valuable experience, build self-confidence, make new friends, and create unforgettable memories while having fun.

Don't miss the chance to see your little one sparkle on stage and become the next SM Little Star!

For updates and announcements, follow SM City CDO Uptown's official social media pages.

Max out the fun, talent, and adventure because your brightest moment starts here at SM City CDO Uptown!