Circa 1900, Cebu: What to eat and visitor guide

History and context

The story behind Circa 1900

The Philippine Star (2018) reports that the Sanjercasvil area, named from the Sanson, Jereza, Castillo and Villa families, was once owned by those families. It says Casa Dos was used as Japanese command headquarters for the Visayas during World War II, and that General MacArthur favoured the house.

SunStar reported in 2014 that the restaurant opened that March in a restored whitewashed wooden colonial house, with a former horse stable turned into a function room.

Useful facts

Circa 1900 facts at a glance

Location

Sanjercasvil Road, off Gorordo Avenue, Lahug

Dining style

Sit-down restaurant in restored heritage houses

Price signal

Upper-mid; check the current menu

Signature order

Try: turmeric vegetable paella cake, maja blanca

Good for

Family lunch, quiet setting, heritage interest

Why it matters

Why Circa 1900 is worth your time

Cebu's food scene is often shown through lechon and street grills, which are hard going for vegetarians and older visitors. Circa 1900 offers something gentler: a seated meal in a restored house with a garden and a quiet setting, which suits a family with elders who want comfort over a crowd.

The building has history too. The Philippine Star reports that the Sanjercasvil area was once owned by four landed families, and that Casa Dos served as a Japanese command headquarters during World War II and was a place General MacArthur favoured. Whatever you order, the visit doubles as a look at old Cebu architecture.

Highlights

What not to miss

1. 01

   The restored houses

   Wooden colonial-era houses with vintage photographs and a veranda give the meal a sense of old Cebu.

2. 02

   Garden and greens

   An organic vegetable garden behind the houses supplies many of the greens, according to SunStar.

3. 03

   Vegetarian dishes by name

   Reports name a turmeric and vegetable paella cake and a wild mushroom ravioli; ask which are on the menu now.

Plan your visit

How to experience it

Circa 1900 occupies restored colonial-era houses, known as Casa Uno and Casa Dos, in the Sanjercasvil area of Lahug. Reports describe a sepia, old-Cebu look with vintage photographs, an organic vegetable garden at the back, and a piano bar that plays jazz and blues. Plan to sit down for a full meal rather than a quick bite.

The menu, as described by SunStar and the Philippine Star, mixes international cooking with Filipino ingredients. Dishes reported include a turmeric and vegetable paella cake, wild mushroom ravioli, and desserts such as maja blanca. Most of the mains named in those articles use meat or seafood, and one of the pastas pairs ube with shredded lechon, so vegetarians should ask for the current vegetarian dishes and order those by name.

Tell the staff if you avoid meat stock, fish sauce or shrimp paste, which are common in Filipino kitchens. Menus change over time, so treat the dishes above as examples and check what is on offer when you arrive. Strict Jain and pure-vegetarian diners will find it easier to eat elsewhere.

Know before you go

Timing, access and comfort

Area

Sanjercasvil Road (Sanjercas Ville Ext. Rd), off Gorordo Avenue, Lahug, Cebu City

Time needed

1.5 to 2 hours

Best time

Lunch or early dinner; confirm current hours

Walking level

Easy

Senior comfort

A house-style building with a veranda and garden seating, so expect some steps and wooden floors; ask for a ground-floor table on arrival. Take a taxi to the door, as Lahug roads are busy and hilly.

Tickets and access

No entry fee. Book ahead for larger family tables or evenings, since the venue also hosts functions, and call to confirm hours as earlier reports differ.

Plan it with

FAQs