Tin Gow — Restaurant in Cebu City

When I told my friends I was having lunch at Tin Gow, they told me that I should go somewhere else. The place was expensive and the food was not so good. So I came with some prejudices when my cousin invited us for her birthday lunch. It was an 11 course meal which she customized and ordered in advance for three tables. First came the dried scallop soup with vegetable green which looked plain and simple, but it surprisingly impressed my taste buds. That first impression got me excited for the dishes that were to follow: Shrimp salad, crispy roasted chicken, steamed Lapulapu fish, Sweet and sour pork, Dim sum sampler platter, braised beef, the birthday pancit, Stir fried green beans, and finally fried rice with fried anchovies. For dessert, it was Japanese fried eggroll with cream cheese and seaweed, and sesame balls. Even I was amazed by my appetite at this table. I loved every single dish. Well prepared, delicious, properly textured and well presented. I was looking forward to their Peking duck which was not available because of the pandemic. I learned they import their Peking duck from Hongkong. I guess that will be a good reason to go back. I will definitely proclaim Tin Gow as one of the best, if not the best Chinese restaurant in Cebu. I believe good restaurant food is knowing what to order and what you’re ordering. Prior visits aid in making that decision. Knowing the chef and talking to them also helps. This was definitely a gastronomically memorable...

FB kept pushing advertisements of this restaurant to me, saying it’s THE BEST Chinese restaurant in town. Finally, my family decided to give it a try. We were so shocked at the food itself. The wraps of shrimp dumplings were glued to the steamer when I tried to pick one. Also the shape and form were look so cheap. I asked one waitress to take the dumplings back to the kitchen and ask the chef if it was the standard quality of this restaurant. And sadly it was. The shrimps inside were not fresh at all. We spit out after the first bite. Every dish looks so cheap and the taste is hardly the best. The sweet and sour pork has a lot of fat and didn’t taste like meat at all. The lumpia also tasted weird because we had no idea what was inside that looked so sticky like running nose. Even the rice was terrible. That’s the worst kind of rice I’ve ever eaten. I bet the rice is more than 2 years old. We were just upset because we were expecting a decent lunch but ended with a SCAM. It’s not about the bill. It’s just that I was cheated into this restaurant because of the ad. So we left a note that says “太难吃了” and left for good. Oh on our way home, I started to have stomachache because the food which I didn’t eat much was so...

Tin Gow at Waterfront Hotel Lahug is a true gem for authentic and elevated Chinese cuisine in Cebu. 🥢✨

From the elegant interiors to the impeccable service, everything about the dining experience feels refined and welcoming. The staff are attentive, knowledgeable, and happy to recommend dishes that suit your taste.

The food is simply outstanding — from the perfectly crafted dim sum to flavorful noodle and rice dishes, and the expertly prepared seafood and meats. Every bite bursts with authentic flavors, beautifully balanced seasoning, and top-quality ingredients. Portions are generous, making it perfect for both intimate dinners and family gatherings.

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving excellent Chinese food, Tin Gow delivers an unforgettable...