CEBU CITY, Philippines — What happens when authentic Visayan flavor meets high-powered digital infrastructure? A massive leap forward for the local food scene.

In a vibrant gathering of culinary minds, merchants and food entrepreneurs from across Central, Eastern, and Western Visayas convened in Cebu City for foodpanda’s CRAVE Partner Summit & Awards 2026. The central theme? Redefining how regional food businesses scale beyond their physical storefronts, optimize daily operations, and conquer new territories across provincial lines.

Far more than a standard industry meetup, the summit served as a springboard for homegrown restaurant owners looking to future-proof their operations. By unlocking foodpanda's suite of digital solutions—ranging from hyper-targeted marketing tools to real-time customer analytics and streamlined delivery networks—merchants are now equipped to capture growing demand from both neighborhood regulars and flocking tourists.

"Our mission is to actively power the growth of our merchant partners," shared Patricia Jacinto, Director for Growth and Marketing at foodpanda Philippines. "When Visayan restaurants combine their culinary expertise with foodpanda’s ecosystem and insights, they can respond faster to market shifts, drive higher order volumes, and sustainably scale their businesses beyond physical storefronts."

With local flavor leading the charge and technology paving the way, the future of Visayan dining is looking bigger, bolder, and better connected than ever.

Spotlight on the Best: Celebrating the Visayas’ Culinary Champions at CRAVE 2026

Great food builds a reputation, but smart technology creates a movement. At foodpanda’s CRAVE Partner Summit & Awards 2026, the spotlight shone brightly on the standout Visayan merchants who turned digital tools into impressive business milestones, expanding their reach and setting new benchmarks for regional growth.

Here are the standout brands that took home top honors across five major categories:

Pau-Pau’s Top of Table Recognizing market leaders and undisputed sales powerhouses.

• Alberto’s Pizza

• Sal’s Bar and Restaurant

• Dimsum Break

• Ribshack

• PorkHub

Pau-Pau’s Momentum Master Honoring brands that achieved massive year-on-year growth during the first half of 2026.

• Sisigan Sa Doctors

• Ma. Lina Catering Services

• The Original AA BBQ

• Sans Rival Cakes and Pastries

• Tiktilaok

Pau-Pau’s Brand Spotlight Celebrating creative marketing initiatives and strong platform synergy.

• Felisa’s Cafe & Restaurant

• Mom Rose

• Cebu’s Tasty Lechon

• Cribs

• Ram’s Pizza, Pasta and Milktea

• Metro Retail Supermarket

Operational Excellence Award Awarded to merchants demonstrating rock-solid service reliability, fast fulfillment, and flawless execution.

• Hybrid Coffee

• Somac Korean Restaurant

• Got Tea? Crafted Milk Tea

• Popcha Milktea Station

• Gabby’s Bistro

• Rose Pharmacy

People’s Palate Award Voted by the crowd—honoring customer favorites with high ratings and endless repeat orders.

• Hukad Everyday Filipino

• SAJ HUT

• Mango Magic

• Dapogan

• Wingers Unlimited