by Anton Diaz, Founder, Our Awesome Planet
NuStar has truly come into its own, now offering a luxurious and enchanting experience that’s well worth flying in for—whether you’re from the Visayas, Mindanao, or visiting from Manila. On our first visit after their opening, the vision was ambitious, but the execution fell flat, with frequent management changes resulting in a rather lackluster experience. Now, however, they’ve embraced their Visayas-Mindanao identity, celebrating local talent, harnessing the richness of their terroir, and infusing everything with an authentic Cebuano warmth.
Here’s your 2025 Insider’s Guide to Food, Stay & Play for an unforgettable NuStar experience!
What’s New at NuSTAR?
About NuStar is an integrated resort and gaming destination in Cebu by the Gokongwei Group, a pioneer in the Visayas-Mindanao region. The premium mall surrounds the gaming floors, while the Fili Hotel—a proudly Filipino 5-star property developed by Robinsons Hotels and Resorts—offers a truly luxurious stay. The NuStar 6-star Hotel, currently open to VIP guests, is set to welcome the public in 2025.
(“NuStar” refers to the mall, the hotel, and the entire integrated resort.)
NuStar Christmas Tree. This was the most impressive tree lighting I’ve experienced, standing out from the routine ceremonies in Manila. NUSTAR Resort Cebu launched its holiday season with Mystical Holiday Magic and a memorable Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony featuring the Installation of Stars. Community changemakers, joined by Sistemang Pilipino scholars, placed stars symbolizing love, hope, peace, and joy on a magnificent tree adorned with enchanted butterflies. Situated in the Atrium, the heart of the gaming area near NUSTAR Rewards guest services, the Christmas tree became a radiant centerpiece. The evening concluded with a lively afterparty at Axis, featuring the exclusive premiere of the music video Balay ni Mayang, celebrating holiday cheer and Cebuano pride.
NUSTAR Rewards, the resort’s membership program, allows members to earn and use points across dining, accommodations, gaming, and shopping at NUSTAR’s partner establishments. With five tiers—Universe (50,000 points), Zodiaz (10,000 points), Sun (3,000 points), Sky (500 points), and Star (free entry)—members unlock increasingly exclusive perks, from event access to personalized privileges. The program launched with a cosmic-themed event featuring canapés, desserts, and Zodiac-themed membership cards. Membership is free for individuals 21 and older with a valid government ID.
Note: Enroll near the Christmas Tree to start earning points on all gaming and dining expenses.
The NUSTAR Mall is now open and fully leased. Level 1 features luxury retail brands like Louis Vuitton, Montblanc, Dior, and Versace, along with premium dining options such as Good Luck Hot Pot, Barcino, and Kazuwa Prime. Level 2 is dedicated to specialty shops and specialty dining, while Level 3 offers a food hall, amusement options, specialty services and Premier Cinema.
Check out https://www.facebook.com/themallnustarcebu for more information on the mall.
The FILI Hotel Experience
Welcome. We’ve stayed at Fili Hotel three times now, and this time I truly felt the hotel’s signature malasakit and magiliw—a brand of genuine care and warm service. I appreciated the intricate solihiya patterns in the Fili Lobby Lounge, the refined furniture by Vito Selma, and the textured masterpieces by Albea and vivid, expressive artworks by Casero that adorn the lobby walls. With its spacious, luxurious design, the hotel warmly embraces you in a true Filipino welcome, enhanced by friendly Cebuano smiles.
RM 1206. The Fili rooms are basic and not particularly exciting enough to fly out of Manila for. However, this time I appreciated the small luxury details, like the Duravit heated sensowash and the ability to screencast to the TV using an Apple device (no need to bring an HDMI cable). Plus, you can work while enjoying a view of the sea and Cebu City.
Hagod. The spa at Fili Hotel offers one of the best hilot massages we’ve experienced. My wife fell asleep during the session and felt completely relaxed afterward. I had some aches in my feet, which disappeared after the hilot. I appreciated the firm strokes and precise acupressure, which effectively eased tired muscles and released pockets of lamig in my back.
Fili Breakfast. We usually skip breakfast while intermittent fasting, but the Fili breakfast is irresistible. It offers a full array of danggit, fried squid, tapa, longganisa, various egg styles, and rice. The roving taho vendors add to its charm. Don’t miss the mini Spanish bread dipped in sikwate to complete your morning.
Tip: Fresh Cebu mangoes aren’t on the buffet—you’ll need to request them.
The Best Buffet in Cebu?!
The Fili Café buffet is impressively extensive, even on weekday nights, offering over 200 varieties. A Cebu native lechon is roasted every night, serving as the highlight of the buffet.
The Korean station is quite extensive, catering to the hotel’s primary international market. The Indian station offers authentic dishes to satisfy all your cravings. You can enjoy laksa at the soup station, indulge in a selection of Japanese sushi and sashimi, and find all your Filipino favorites at the buffet. The dessert station has Filipino halo-halo and local delicacies and small dessert bites so that you can pick and choose your sweet endings.
Their secret weapon in the buffet is Chef SK Afsar Rahaman, the Southeast Asian specialty chef who previously worked at Sofitel’s Spiral and has now relocated to Cebu to create the best buffet in the city. The Sunday buffet features premium items and seafood, including lobsters, making it perfect for a foodie celebration in Cebu.
Uniquely NuStar
Mott32. Despite the persistent rumors in Manila that Mott32 is closing, this is not true. It is the anchor restaurant of NUSTAR, franchised by the Gokongwei family. While some debate whether the restaurant is good or simply too expensive for upscale dates in Cebu, everyone agrees that the cocktails are excellent and the dinner ambiance is uniquely romantic, featuring beautiful lighting and a view of the sea. You visit for their Apple Wood Road Roasted 42-Day Peking Duck specialty, and you can judge for yourself if it’s worth it.
Read more: MOTT 32 CEBU @ NUSTAR // Is it Worth It?
IL PRIMO, the Italian steakhouse at NUSTAR, offers a decent Italian dining experience with good food, cocktails, and tiramisu, despite changes with their executive chef. However, it’s best to temper your expectations, as it doesn’t quite match Solaire’s Finestra in terms of ambiance or steak offerings, especially at Solaire North.
Read more: IL Primo Italian Steakhouse @ NUSTAR Resort
FINA. This is NUSTAR’s signature Filipino restaurant, catering to all your Filipino cravings with Visayan dishes like balbacua, inasal, and lechon, along with popular Filipino desserts. The food is good, but if you’re coming from Manila, you might hope for a broader selection of Cebuano and regional specialties.
XINTIANDI. This is one of our favorite Chinese restaurants in Pasig, now available 24/7 on the gaming floor for late-night dim sum cravings. It’s our go-to spot when we want something simple yet satisfying, like Chinese noodle soup with stewed beef tendon and brisket, steamed chicken feet with XO sauce, or classic sweet and sour pork.
Cebu Iconic Favorite
Abaca isn’t like Starbucks—it’s more like Wildflour but with a distinctly Cebuano soul. I’ve always admired the Jason Hyatt restaurant group for creating this iconic Cebuano brand way before Wildflour. When you’re at NUSTAR, you don’t want to leave the resort and waste time in traffic, so it’s great to have this Cebu favorite now conveniently located in the NUSTAR Mall.
Our favorite is the ABC Coffee, a triple ristretto latte, along with their signature cookie and egg tarts. Their coffee creations lean a bit sweet, and the soft serve is lower quality. I’d love to hang out here more for brunch and soak in the Cebu food vibe. I also appreciate their support for Cebuano artists, featured on their walls and take-out coffee cups.
NuStar Premium Dining
Good Luck Hot Pot. This was our most surprising hot pot experience at NUSTAR. Be sure to visit for lunch to catch the performances, including a face-changing magician act. I love how the entire restaurant feels like dining inside a Chinese theater, complete with all the good-luck vibes you need for an enjoyable gaming experience. For a fun touch, you can even dress up in a Chinese emperor or empress costume for photos and souvenirs.
We tried the Php 999/pax hot pot menu for lunch and appreciated that each person receives their own soup broth for hygiene. Go for the mushroom soup or tom yum if you like a bit of spice. We enjoyed mixing our own sauce, though you can also ask the staff to prepare for you. The highlights were the Angus beef slices and fresh seafood—clams, shrimp, and scallops—which are served only once, not unlimited. The mushrooms, tofu, and meatballs were good. The other meats aren’t premium, so you might want to upgrade for an extra touch of luck.
Kazuwa Prime. They are best known for their teppanyaki experience, especially for celebrating special occasions. The quality of the Japanese sushi, sashimi, and tempura is quite good, and they can pair it with their premium sake selection. Best to get the seats with a view of the sea.
Barcino Cebu. Enjoy a classic Barcino experience, featuring Spanish specialties like cochinillo, sangrias, Spanish wines, pintxos, and other pica pica dishes. If you’re from Manila, you may skip it in favor of other Spanish options, but it’s a great hangout spot for younger crowds to fuel up before a night out or a party.
Final Thoughts
NUSTAR has brought its luxurious entertainment vision to life, establishing itself as a premier gaming and dining destination in the Visayas. I was pleasantly surprised by the beautifully executed tree lighting ceremony, surpassing those in Manila. During our visit, we explored various dining options, with Fili Cafe’s dinner buffet and breakfast, Good Luck Hot Pot’s lunch with entertainment, and ABACA Cafe’s triple espresso latte, cookies, and egg tarts as standout favorites. Hagod Spa impressed us with its Hilot massages. Looking forward to the official opening of NUSTAR’s 6-star hotel!
Congratulations Kamae and the entire NuSTAR team!
From left to right: Katrina Mae de Jesus (Assistant Vice President for Business Development), Roel Constantino (General Manager for hotels), May Adolfo (General Manager, The Mall | NUSTAR), Trevor Hammond (Senior Vice President Integrated Resort and Gaming Operations), Alan Teo (Chief Operating Officer), ), Michael Krispli (Senior Vice President for Slot Machines), Churros Maranan (Chief Finance Officer), Rocky Laccay (Vice President for IT), Fabio Moretti (AVP, Electronic Gaming), Michael Canalda (Director, Engineering)
Live an Awesome Life with Christ,
Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: This article was written entirely by 100% human, with my own biases, opinions, and insights. It was then grammar-checked by AI.
P.S. Celebrating Christmas and New Year in Cebu? Discover the festive offerings at NUSTAR!
Fili Hotel NUSTAR Cebu Unveils Magical Festive Season Dining Experiences
Cebu City, Philippines — Fili Hotel at NUSTAR Cebu invites guests to celebrate the festive season with an exceptional array of dining experiences across its signature restaurants. From lavish buffets at Fili Café and traditional Filipino feasts at Fina to exclusive holiday menus at Xin Tian Di, Il Primo, and Mott32, each venue promises a unique and luxurious way to mark Christmas and New Year’s Eve. With festive dinners, specialty menus, and unforgettable celebrations, Fili Hotel guarantees a truly memorable holiday experience for all. The festive offerings will be available from November 29 to January 5.
The highlight of Fili Hotel’s festive offerings is the array of specialty menus available at its renowned restaurants, creating unique culinary moments that will elevate holiday gatherings. Guests are invited to explore a variety of holiday-themed experiences:
- Fili Café invites you to celebrate the festive season with grand buffets that showcase a delightful mix of local and international flavors. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, guests can indulge in a festive buffet at Php 2,900++ per person. For New Year’s Eve, the celebration becomes even more special, with a buffet priced at Php 3,200++ per person.
- At Fina, diners can indulge in traditional Filipino holiday dishes with the Noche Buena Feast, a sumptuous nine-course menu priced at Php 1,300++ per person, perfect for sharing with family and friends on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Xin Tian Di, Il Primo, Huangdi and Mott32 offer their own distinct culinary takes for those looking to celebrate in style. Specialty outlets’ 4- and 6-course festive menus start at Php 3,000++ per person, while Il Primo and Mott32 showcase premium Italian and Chinese dining options respectively, with prices starting at Php 3,500++.
Countdown to 2025
For Php 2,025 inclusive of taxes and service charge, guests gain access to the Boardwalk Countdown Party, complete with unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. From 10 PM until the countdown to 2025, enjoy a spectacular fireworks display, live music, delicious food, and party favors, all creating the perfect atmosphere for a memorable New Year celebration. Both the Boardwalk and Axis Entertainment and Sports Bar will host lively New Year’s Eve events, providing fun and festive venues to welcome 2025 in style. Unlimited drinks will be available from 10 PM to 1 AM, ensuring a fantastic night for all!
One thought on “NuStar’s Coming of Age: A 2025 Insider’s Guide to Food, Stay & Play”