Living far away from the province’s (Cebu) capital, it makes me giddy when a new good restaurant spot opens. It used to be a rare occurrence for a chain restaurant to open outside Metro Cebu. But because of urban sprawl, Cebuano food brands are finally expanding into the neighboring towns.

The newest addition to this exodus is Pino Restaurant in Danao. Owned by the infamous Lhuilliers and known for its delicious Filipino cuisine.

What sets Pino Restaurant in Danao apart from others is its ancestral charm, highlighted by warm hardwood furniture and handwoven rattan accents, seamlessly paired with a touch of heritage found in its curated Filipino paintings and antique jars.

The restaurant’s indoor seating is intentionally un-air-conditioned, relying instead on wide-open doors and towering, high ceilings that keep the entire space naturally breezy.

Inside, the layout is arranged for every kind of gathering: there are huge, round wooden tables perfect for long family lunches, smaller intimate tables for couples and friends, and even a cozy rectangular table tucked away in a private corner—ideal for families seeking a bit of seclusion, though it sits close enough to the kitchen to catch the faint, lively chat of the staff at work.

Meanwhile, the roofed seating area facing the pool is perfect for small family gatherings and intimate celebrations, offering a comfortable, shaded spot right next to the water.

My favorite is the outside view, the scenic landscape with classic coconut trees, a few broad-leafed talisay trees, and young, still-growing African talisay.

Best of all, the entire dining layout is designed so beautifully that no matter where you choose to sit—indoors or out—you always have a clear, uninterrupted view of the sea

Pino Restaurant Danao Food

Babe and I are not picky eaters, but we are not particularly adventurous either. Once we find a place we love, we keep coming back. Our top priority is usually the ambiance, with the food coming in second. Funny for a restaurant article, right? Hehehe.

The dishes we ordered were mostly the same familiar favorites we usually have at other Filipino restaurants.

Chicken Inasal
I have been searching for the best chicken inasal, but so far, I have not found one that perfectly suits my taste. What sets Pino Restaurant’s chicken inasal apart is its smokier flavor. The chicken oil already added to the dish also has a distinct, familiar taste that I cannot pinpoint. I love that the chicken is tender and, most importantly, neither burnt nor overly salty.

Dinakdakan
My favorite dinakdakan is still the one from Gerarda’s Place in Tagbilaran, Bohol, but Pino Restaurant’s version is now my second favorite. All the ingredients, including the meat, are sliced slightly smaller than those in Gerarda’s dinakdakan, but the taste is just as good. The mayonnaise does not overpower the other flavors, while the cucumber adds extra crunch and freshness.

Fish Tinola
According to my husband, who is a fish tinola aficionado, this is “the best fish tinola in the area.” (Compostela & Danao) Unlike the versions served at some nearby restaurants, Pino’s fish tinola has more visible spices, and the broth is not as clear. They used snapper, locally known as katambak, on the day we visited.

Charcoal-Grilled Pork Belly
I had my fingers crossed the entire time, hoping the sauce would not be too sweet—and thankfully, it wasn’t. We loved the smoky flavor of the pork belly. It was juicy, well-cooked, and, once again, not burnt.

Vegetable Fried Rice
I had never heard of vegetable fried rice before. Since I have not eaten rice since 2017, I relied on my husband’s opinion of this dish. He said it was good and that he liked it a lot. Hahahaha.

I will add more dishes to this article as we try more of Pino Restaurant’s Filipino food during future visits with our family and friends.

Pino Restaurant Danao Dining Experience

We arrived 15 minutes before noon after being stuck at church for an hour because of the heavy rain. It was already lunchtime, and since Pino Restaurant in Danao was a relatively new dining spot, the restaurant was at full capacity. The receptionist could not say when the next table would become available, but I insisted that we were willing to wait. During the time I lived in Danao, I had always been curious about Las Palmas.

A couch in the middle of the reception area served as the waiting area. While waiting, I asked if we could look around, and the receptionist gladly said yes.

The staff might have overlooked it, but we spotted a good table for two in the outdoor seating area. I asked if it was available, and thankfully, it was. Babe and I finally had our table. We placed our orders first before walking around and taking in the sights.

Our waiter politely informed us several times that, due to the number of customers, our food might take 20 to 30 minutes to arrive. To our surprise, the first dish was served in just 15 minutes. The chicken inasal came first, followed by the dinakdakan. The fish tinola arrived about three minutes later, followed by the vegetable fried rice and, finally, the charcoal-grilled pork belly and the husband’s soda.

Overall, our dining experience was pleasant. The staff was friendly, polite, and attentive despite the busy lunch crowd. The food was delicious and suited our taste—flavorful without being overly salty or burnt.

To top it all off, the relaxing ambiance and scenic view made the experience even more memorable. Dining outdoors while overlooking the surroundings gave us a peaceful break from the busy restaurant and made the wait completely worthwhile.

Restaurant Name: Pino Restaurant – Danao
Opening Day & Hours – Everyday | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Location: Las Palmas, Sabang, Danao City (A little across CTU-Danao)
Contact No.: 0905 508 5805

Geemiz Rating
Ambiance: 5/5
Food: 4/5
Staff: 5/5
Parking: Yes
Free Wifi: No (Good 5G signal)

Discovering cafes and restaurants is something I genuinely enjoy, and sharing these finds is my way of helping others plan their next coffee or food adventure. If you’ve visited Pino Restaurant in Danao, let me know what you think in the comments below. I’d love to hear about your experience.

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