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.
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