Cebu Bar & Bistro: Bay Ridge's Continental Staple for Great Cocktails and All-Day Dining

Cebu Introduce

Introduction / Overview

For New Yorkers seeking a sophisticated yet genuinely local dining and nightlife experience outside of Manhattan’s bustle,

Cebu Bar & Bistro

stands as a long-established staple in Brooklyn's Bay Ridge neighborhood. Having served the community for over two decades, Cebu has successfully fused a friendly neighborhood feel with an elevated, "Manhattan chic" bistro atmosphere. It is widely recognized as a versatile spot—a Continental and New American eatery by day, and a buzzing bar and late-night destination after dark.

Cebu is more than just a restaurant; it’s a social hub. Locals and visitors alike flock here for the diverse and enjoyable menu, which encompasses everything from inventive small plates and classic American fare to a dedicated sushi bar. The atmosphere is consistently described as lively and spacious, attracting a multi-generational crowd throughout the day—from parents with toddlers for early suppers to "young guns" for late-night cocktails and snacks. The venue has a remarkable capacity to draw big crowds, which is why patrons often stress the importance of securing a

reservation ahead of time

, especially during peak hours, a testament to the fact that the food and service are highly-rated and worth the wait. While some reviews suggest certain staple dishes are merely 'alright,' the overall consensus is one of

excellent service

and

very good food

, with certain items like the

Fried Calamari

receiving exceptional praise.

Location and Accessibility

Cebu Bar & Bistro is ideally situated at

8801 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209, USA

, positioning it on one of Bay Ridge's most active commercial avenues. This location is easily accessible for residents across Southwest Brooklyn and beyond. 3rd Avenue is known for its plethora of dining and entertainment options, and Cebu holds a prominent corner spot, allowing it to offer both a bustling indoor bar and dining space, as well as highly coveted

Outdoor Dining

that's even heated in the colder New York months.

For those traveling via public transportation, the venue is conveniently near subway and bus stops, making it a simple trip from other Brooklyn neighborhoods or even Manhattan. The central Bay Ridge location makes it a favored meeting point. The spaciousness of the venue, including dedicated dining areas, a

40-foot main bar

, and a comfortable lounge with a fireplace (added during a significant 2009 expansion), ensures that while it gets packed, the experience remains comfortable. The availability of late-night dining options adds to its accessibility, as it caters to the schedules of night owls and industry professionals who need a quality meal well past midnight.

Services Offered

Cebu Bar & Bistro provides an extensive array of services that cover nearly every dining and social need, making it a true all-day, all-occasion venue:

Full Continental and New American Menu: Offering a diverse menu for lunch, dinner, and late-night, featuring everything from
Short Rib Steamed Buns
and
Jumbo Lump Blue Crab Cakes
to entrees like
Pan Seared Norwegian Salmon
and
NY Steak
.
Signature Brunch, Seven Days a Week: A rare find in the area, Cebu offers a comforting and extensive brunch menu every day of the week, with popular items including
Eggs Benedict
,
Challah French Toast
, and a full bar of morning cocktails like
Bloody Marys
and
Mimosas
.
Dedicated Sushi Bar: Adding a unique dimension to their Continental focus, Cebu features a dedicated Sushi Chef,
Jason Yu
, blending the art of traditional Japanese cuisine with their bold New American classics, with service available daily during dinner hours.
Creative Cocktail and Beverage Program: Known for its impressive bar, Cebu crafts inventive cocktails, such as
Modern Love
and
Spicy Ginger Margarita
, alongside a robust wine list, full beer selection, and popular choices like
Sangria
and the
Moscow Mule
.
Private Events and Catering: The venue is equipped to host events of all sizes, from intimate seated dinners to cocktail parties. They offer specialized spaces like the
Main Bar Room
,
The Lounge
with a fireplace, and the
Main Dining Room
, with full service event menus and offsite catering options.
Daily Specials and Promotions: The restaurant features a
Lunch Special
on weekdays from noon to 5 PM, which includes a select entrée and a complementary glass of wine, Prosecco, or beer for a fixed, reasonable price point.

Features / Highlights

Cebu Bar & Bistro boasts a number of distinctive features that solidify its status as a Bay Ridge destination:

A Local Staple with "Manhattan Chic" Aesthetics: Opened in 2001 by Bay Ridge natives, Cebu successfully introduced a sophisticated, big-city bistro style to the neighborhood, creating an atmosphere that is both trendy and welcoming. This blend of elegance and local comfort has made it a consistently
buzzing
spot.
Legendary Fried Calamari: A specific menu item that consistently receives rave reviews, described by one customer as the dish that "
blew my socks off
." This small plate has become a must-try neighborhood classic.
Late-Night Dining: Cebu remains one of the few places in the area to keep its kitchen open late, originally serving a
full menu until 3 AM
, catering to the night-owl crowd, including local restaurant workers and those enjoying the active Bay Ridge nightlife.
Year-Round Outdoor Dining: The restaurant features a patio with
Outdoor Dining
that is
heated in the colder months
, allowing New Yorkers to enjoy the lively 3rd Avenue street scene regardless of the season.
Full Sushi Program: The addition of an in-house sushi chef and a separate sushi menu demonstrates a commitment to culinary variety and quality, offering guests a refined alternative or complement to their New American selections.
Exceptional Service Reputation: Across multiple reviews, the service is consistently praised as "
excellent
" and "
on-the-ball
," ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience even when the restaurant is at its busiest, which is a key factor in its loyal following.

Contact Information

To secure a reservation, book a private event, or inquire about catering services at this Bay Ridge staple, please use the contact information below:

Address: 8801 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209, USA
Phone: (718) 492-5095

What is Worth Choosing

Cebu Bar & Bistro is worth choosing for New Yorkers who appreciate a venue that perfectly balances high-quality food and an energetic social scene without the hassle of a trip to Manhattan. It's an ideal choice for

versatile dining

—a spot where you can confidently hold a professional lunch, bring the family for a comforting dinner, or meet friends for late-night cocktails.

The biggest selling point is the combination of its

Seven-Day Brunch

and its robust

Creative Cocktail Program

. The opportunity to enjoy brunch staples like

Crab Cake Benedict

any day of the week, paired with one of their famous

Bloody Marys

, is a significant draw. Furthermore, you should not visit without trying the highly recommended

Fried Calamari

, which has achieved legendary status among local patrons. If you are planning an event, the dedicated event spaces—especially the cozy

Lounge with the fireplace

—offer sophisticated options that solidify its status as a full-service hospitality destination in South Brooklyn. Just remember the advice of the regulars: to ensure you get a table during peak evening and weekend hours, it is

highly recommended to make reservations

. Cebu is where Bay Ridge comes to eat, drink, and socialize with style.

Cebu Photos

Cebu Location

Cebu

New York Kings County Fort Hamilton 3rd Avenue

8801 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209, USA

Cebu Reviews

The food was very good. The service was excellent. I would definitely recommend it and I would definitely go back. It does get packed because all of the food was really good. I recommend make reservations ahead of time. Some of the pictures we ate the food already because it was that good. I didn’t even get a chance to take a picture.
September 21 · Lee Stat
Neighborhood specialty which is a big deal is quiet Bay Ridge. Food was alright, just mid. Best thing was the Calamari which blew my socks off but the overpriced burger, pizza and egg plate tasted like something I could have whipped up at home with a pot and a spoon.
September 21 · Kevin Z
I was feeling nostalgic last night so I decided to go to bay ridge for dinner. Once there I realized I wasn’t very hungry & was unsure of what I wanted to eat. So I decided to go to a restaurant I remembered having small portions & a diverse menu “Cebu”. The menu options may have changed a bit but they still had a variety of options & there was a key at the bottom of the menu explaining 1or 2 letter code’s behind some of the dishes gluten free, vegan etc. I went with the lobster fettuccine & since I wasn’t very hungry I skipped the appetizer especially since they were listed as shareable & I didn’t want to take anything to go (since I wasn’t sure what I would end up doing after dinner). I sat at the bar & the food was decent. Even though the bartender was busy he was professional & courteous, checking if everything was good and if I needed anything. The one major drawback had to be when I washed my hands in the restroom which happened to be unisex. It wreaked of urine. I know it was the bar section of a rather large restaurant but that was totally unexpected. I didn’t enter the main dinning area so I can’t comment on that but in addition to seating at the bar they had several booths for seating in the bar area which was decorated with nostalgic pictures.
August 03 · J B C
Dining at Cebu was an absolute pleasure from start to finish. The Thursday special—a tomahawk steak for two, complete with a bottle of wine, sides, and dessert—was an outstanding culinary experience. The steak was cooked to perfection, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Every element of the meal was thoughtfully prepared and delicious.The ambiance was just as impressive—elegant, spacious, and incredibly comfortable, creating the perfect setting for a relaxed yet refined evening. Service was attentive, professional, and warm throughout.A truly memorable experience that exceeded expectations. Cebu is a gem, and we can’t wait to return.
April 18 · Foodlover
I had such a wonderful experience dining here yesterday! The food was absolutely amazing—every dish was flavorful, fresh, and beautifully presented. On top of that, our server, Victoria, was outstanding. She was not only professional and attentive but also genuinely kind and helpful, which made the evening even more enjoyable.This restaurant is a true gem, and I’ll definitely be coming back. Highly recommend to anyone looking for great food and exceptional service!
September 19 · Nino Chikovani