Caverna
Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa, Buyong Road, Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City
Contact (Resort): +63(032)236-0888
Open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends
(SPOT.ph) It’s been a long time since we’ve seen something new in Cebu, at least in the architectural sense. So it’s no surprise that the revitalization of '90s favorite beach resort Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa is drawing a crowd—especially at its high-end restaurant Caverna. And hey, we totally get it! Why commit to a weekend staycation when a meal is a reasonable way to scope out the surroundings? We even hear they haven’t cut down a single tree since acquiring the property in order to preserve the greenery nature has to offer.
Also read: LOOK: Nustar Cebu's Swanky New Dining Spots Deserve the Buzz
The name Tambuli might be confusing to some, or completely foreign to others. At one point in time though, the general Cebuano population knew it as a number of resorts which shared the same name. Virtually all of them slowly fell off the cultural conversation table throughout the years—that is until the relaunch of Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa in 2019.
Caverna, the restaurant, is a much newer part of the resort, having only reopened in March 2022. If you're wondering if the refresh is still as worthy a visit as they once were, we lay down the goods for you below.
Tropical Retrofuturism in Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa
Okay, so let’s talk about the real reason why you’re interested in this place—its look. As the name suggests, it’s cavernous; “caverna” being Spanish for—you guessed it—cavern. It gives off retro vibes with its geometric design features while remaining kind of fluid and organic in their curvature. This is further highlighted by the use of stark white concrete, mirrored by equally bright white tablescapes, and contrasted by sinewy wooden panels. These details draw the eye through the space in wonderfully soft ways. At night, the wooden panels serve as lighting fixtures that emanate a soft glow.
However, if you’re in it for the ‘Gram, then Instagrammable daylight is still your best friend. The soft lighting is a mood, but we can’t guarantee it’ll show off your fit.
The restaurant opens up to the beach, the main reason the hotel is here in the first place, via incredibly generous walls of glass. Because of how decidedly retro the design is—think a '70s conversation pit meets '60s outer space fashions, but dressed in the Greek seaside colors of blue and white—it feels like an ultra-modern beach club.
Seaside Fare
Caverna serves Mediterranean fare, which makes sense from a beachy standpoint. If you grew up in Cebu then beach food can only be either of two things: freshly cooked sinugba (grilled food) for low-key family affairs or pizza—because let's be real, how else are you going to stretch out your budget at a pricey resort while with a big group? Naturally, Caverna falls on the latter.
And there's no need to worry about getting your money's worth here. The resort bagged Sunsar’s Best of Cebu’s Best Pizza in both 2020 and 2021. They recommend the Anchovy Pizza (P750). It has fresh tomatoes, pitted olives, marinated capers, and of course, anchovies.
But if you’re looking for a complete meal, their recommendations go something like this. To start, the Tomato Bruschetta (P550), oil-marinated tomatoes, artichoke hearts, Grana Padano, and fresh pesto on bread. For mains, match the seaside setting with the Seafood Risotto (P1,400) or the Truffle Prawn Carbonara (P1,000), which is served with prosciutto. And for dessert, the Chocolate Fondant (P600), a lava cake with salted caramel ice cream and candied nuts.
For more information, visit the Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa website, their Facebook page, or their Instagram page.