The Buffet at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu: One of the Top 3 Hotel Buffets in Cebu

What is Marco Polo Plaza Cebu?

Located on the elevated hills of Lahug in Cebu City, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu is one of the island’s most prestigious 5-star hotels. With panoramic views of the city, refined service, and consistently high-quality standards, it has earned the trust of both international travelers and business professionals alike.

For students coming to Cebu for English study, this hotel offers a perfect spot for a slightly luxurious weekend dinner or a well-deserved lunch treat.

Where is Marco Polo Plaza Cebu?

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu is situated on the northern hillside of Cebu City. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes by car from IT Park or JY Square Mall. Getting there is easy using ride-hailing apps like Grab.

Address: Cebu Veterans Drive, Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City
Access: Around 15 minutes by car from IT Park

Buffet Prices at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu

The buffet is primarily served at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Café Marco.

As of May 2025, the estimated prices are:

Breakfast Buffet: PHP 800–900
Lunch Buffet: PHP 1,300–1,500
Dinner Buffet: PHP 1,500–1,800

Please note that prices may be higher on weekends and public holidays.

What’s on the Buffet at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu?

Café Marco is widely known for its exceptional food quality. The buffet features a rich selection of international dishes, and the staff quickly replenishes the food to ensure freshness and variety throughout your meal.

Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect:

Filipino Dishes (e.g., Lechon, Adobo, Sinigang)
Japanese Cuisine (e.g., Sushi, Tempura, Miso Soup)
Chinese Favorites (e.g., Dim Sum, Stir-Fried Dishes)
Western Selections (e.g., Roast Beef, Pasta, Cheese Platters)
Desserts (e.g., Cakes, Gelato, Tropical Fruits)

The service is attentive and welcoming, and the restaurant caters well to both foreign tourists and long-term residents.

[Latest Update] My Buffet Experience at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu – May 2025

Originally, we were thinking of heading up to Tops Lookout for the evening. But as we were driving uphill from our home, we passed by Marco Polo Plaza Cebu. I turned to my wife and said, “How about we go here instead?” She gave the green light, so we decided to revisit the buffet at Marco Polo Plaza — it had been a while.

First, we parked our car in the hotel’s parking lot and headed inside. If you’re driving, make sure to ask for a parking validation ticket after dining at the restaurant.

At this point, it was 5:50 PM. We were hoping it might not be too crowded yet, but we found out that the buffet officially starts at 6:00 PM. So, we took a short stroll around the hotel while waiting.

The Swimming Pool at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu

I’ve been here a few times in the past, and while beachfront hotels are certainly nice, there’s something special about a mountaintop pool like the one at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu. It offers a different kind of relaxation.
I’m actually thinking about booking a weekend stay with my family in June to enjoy it together.

Since Marco Polo Plaza Cebu is located on a hillside, you can enjoy a scenic sea view like this. It was quite a spectacular sight.
While it doesn’t quite compare to the panoramic view from Tops Lookout, keep in mind—Tops doesn’t have a swimming pool. So in that sense, this place offers a unique blend of comfort and scenery.

As the clock struck six, it was finally time to enter the buffet at Marco Polo Plaza.

Buffet Price at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu

And now, the price…
PHP 1,688 per person.

If you compare this to prices outside the Philippines, it’s actually a great deal.
But within Cebu, it’s on the expensive side.

To give you an idea—high-end restaurants in Cebu, such as Japanese establishments, often start at around PHP 500 per person, and even semi-luxury places rarely exceed PHP 1,000.

So PHP 1,688 (around 30 USD) is a pretty premium price in the local context.
That said, it also raises expectations — and rightly so.

What’s on the Buffet at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu

Here’s the salad station.

This section was more focused on Asian cuisine, particularly Japanese and Chinese dishes. They even had shrimp tempura.

There was also a small appetizer section that included sushi.

Here’s the main dish section. There were a variety of dishes, including lechon.

This is the dessert station.

Tasting the Buffet at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu

Oh yes, I tried a bit of everything.
The salmon sushi would probably score about 2 out of 10 by Japanese standards—but aside from that, the overall quality of the food was impressively high.

When it comes to sushi, I feel that Shangri-La offers better quality.
That said, the buffet at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu can definitely be considered one of the top 3 buffets in Cebu.

Together with Shangri-La and JPark Island, Marco Polo’s buffet stands out for its international-level quality and variety.

Surprisingly, there was even a chef making fresh takoyaki right in front of us.

For some reason, a left-handed chef—who seemed to be either Chinese or Korean—was tirelessly making takoyaki the whole time.

I gave it a try—and honestly, the sauce was a bit too sweet for my taste.
As for the takoyaki itself, I’d give the chef a 7 out of 10 for the way it was cooked—it was nicely done.
But due to the overly sweet sauce, my overall rating would be 5 out of 10.

Final Thoughts: Is the Buffet at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu Worth It?

After spending an evening at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, I can confidently say that this buffet offers one of the most memorable dining experiences in the city. From the moment you arrive—driving up the hillside road with the city sprawling below—to the attentive service and the panoramic views from the restaurant, everything feels just a bit more refined.

The buffet starts at 6:00 PM, and we arrived just ten minutes before that. While we waited, we explored the elegant hotel interior and enjoyed the calm, relaxed atmosphere. When it was finally time to eat, the variety and presentation of the dishes did not disappoint.

There was a well-organized salad station, a section dedicated to Asian cuisine with Japanese sushi, Chinese dim sum, and even shrimp tempura, and a main course area featuring Filipino favorites like lechon, alongside roast beef, pasta, and cheese platters.

In the dessert section, a wide range of cakes, gelato, and fresh tropical fruits were beautifully laid out. But what truly stood out—at least for me—was the takoyaki station. Yes, they had an actual chef, possibly Chinese or Korean and notably left-handed, cooking fresh takoyaki nonstop. Naturally, I had to try it.

While I appreciated the texture and effort (I’d give the cooking itself a solid 7 out of 10), the sauce was a bit too sweet for my palate, which brought the overall takoyaki rating down to a 5 out of 10. Still, it added a fun, unexpected twist to the whole experience.

The price was PHP 1,688 per person (about USD 30). From an international perspective, that’s quite reasonable for a five-star hotel buffet. But within Cebu, where you can enjoy a high-end Japanese meal for PHP 500–1,000, it’s definitely on the higher end. That said, the quality largely justifies the price.

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu might not beat the breathtaking view from Tops Lookout, but it has something that Tops doesn’t: a swimming pool and a buffet you can actually indulge in. With both comfort and class, it strikes a unique balance.

So, if you’re staying in Cebu for an extended time—perhaps as a language student—and looking for a well-deserved break or a special meal, the buffet at Marco Polo Plaza is more than just food. It’s an experience. Among Cebu’s top-tier buffets, alongside Shangri-La and JPark Island, Marco Polo absolutely earns its place.

Hours & Reservation Information

The buffet at Café Marco, located inside Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, is available daily:

Breakfast Buffet: 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Lunch Buffet: 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Dinner Buffet: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Reservations are highly recommended, especially for dinner on weekends or holidays, as it can get quite busy. You can make a reservation by calling the hotel directly or through their website:

📞 Phone: +63 32 253 1111
🌐 Website: www.marcopolohotels.com

Walk-ins are also welcome, but seating may be limited during peak hours.

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