CEV: Ceviche & Kinilaw Shack

I had such a great experience at Cev that I am not really too sure where to start! The place is very quaint, clean and peaceful. The staff are very friendly and had a very welcoming vibe. We didn’t have a reservation but they still accomodated for us to eat. The Kinilaw is probably the best Kinilaw I have ever had, and I consider my mom’s kinilaw the best (Sorry Mom!). I didn’t think they could elevate kinilaw but wow I was proven wrong. Fish was fresh, an amazing balance if acidity and flavour! I could come back here 5 more times in my 3 Days in Siargao

BEST. Must try!! This is 10/10 food. Its so good. The flavors arent what you would expect and its just so delicious. The energy of the place is fantastic and the service is bomb. Make a reservation because they are always fully booked.

I enjoyed the food overall. The ceviche was delicious, which I didn’t expect since I’m not really a fan of kinilaw. It wasn’t fishy at all, and the sauce was very flavorful. We ordered the Santa Monica, General Luna, and some fried fish balls—everything tasted great. We also ordered the spicy mango smoothie, which was excellent. You could really taste the fresh mango juice. The food was a bit pricey, but considering the taste and quality, it was worth it. We came in as walk-ins, but we were informed that the restaurant usually accepts reservations. We were seated at one of their high tables and shared a long table with other customers, which was fine and didn’t bother us. The only downside for me was the staff’s attitude. Most of them didn’t seem very happy and came across as a bit aloof. There were hardly any smiles, which was disappointing, especially since we visited during their opening. I’ve been to other restaurants in Siargao where the staff were warm and welcoming, so this place felt less inviting in comparison.

I’d come back to this island just to taste this again. CEV makes use of top quality local ingredients. It’s fresh, acidic and creamy. Every bite explodes in your mouth. The drinks complement the food very well. There’s only 1 dessert option - hoping for more in the future. Be prepared to wait for a table if you haven’t made a reservation. PS: it’s worth the wait.

Tried CEV and loved it!! They mainly serve raw fish, and since it’s all catch-of-the-day, everything was super fresh. We tried both the specials and the regular dishes, even the non–best sellers were really good. I liked how creative the plates were too. Dessert felt like a homemade Twix bar and was worth it. Just make sure to reserve on Insta a week or two ahead because they’re always full. One of the best spots on the island for me. 5/5!

I've seen this place reviewed on many platforms, by many pros and non-pro food bloggers. Most of them had great reviews, hence my reason to try this spot. Street side parking only. No valet service here. Expect to wait in line for a table. Making a reservation for.bigger groups is highly recommended. I tried a couple of their famous items on their menu and I was not disappointed. Service was good and food was great. I will come back for sure to try their other items.

One of the most popular restaurants in Siargao for a reason. The service was friendly and efficient, I couldn’t believe the amount of customers they were serving and how they were the turning over the tables. The spring rolls with blue cheese sauce was delicious to the point I keep on thinking about them even weeks later. The Santa Fe was my favourite the flavours were balanced perfectly, it was refreshing and spicy. And the shrimps were cooked just right. Can’t wait to come back! Wish we had a restaurant like this back home ❤️

Definitely a must visit when you’re in siargao. To get this kind of ceviche in western countries you would probably pay triple the price? There is a waiting list so make sure you prepare ahead of time or come when it first opens. It’s very quick wait also we were 5th in line and got in in less than 20 minutes. There’s also chef recommendations if y out don’t know what to order!