Cebu food trip,

A Family Dinner During Undas 2026 in Cebu.

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Sometimes, the most memorable family dinners are the ones that happen just before a restaurant closes. Our Undas 2026 dining experience at Paolito's STK Ta Bai in SM Seaside City Cebu was one of those unexpected moments.

Undas, or All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, is a special time for Filipino families. It is traditionally a season for remembering departed loved ones, visiting cemeteries, and spending time with family. 

During Undas 2026, our family found ourselves at SM Seaside City Cebu, looking for a place to enjoy dinner together.

Since we enjoy seafood and Filipino dishes, we decided to dine at **Paolito's STK Ta Bai**, a restaurant known for its traditional Cebuano cooking and seafood specialties. What made our visit particularly memorable was our timing. We entered the restaurant just as the staff were taking their last orders for the evening. We were literally the last customers to be served!

Although we arrived close to closing time, we still managed to order our preferred dishes and enjoy our family dinner. And because the restaurant was already winding down for the night, taking photos and videos of the place was much easier.

Discovering Paolito's STK Ta Bai at SM Seaside City Cebu

Paolito's, also known as STK Ta Bai sa Paolito's Seafood House, is a Filipino restaurant recognized for serving traditional Cebuano dishes, particularly seafood prepared using local cooking methods. The restaurant's name is connected to the Cebuano culinary tradition called **STK or Sutukil**, which stands for:

- **Sugba** – Grilled seafood or meat

- **Tuwa** – Seafood cooked in broth or soup

- **Kilaw** – Raw seafood prepared with vinegar, citrus, and seasonings

These cooking methods have long been part of Cebu's food culture, especially in coastal communities where fresh seafood is widely enjoyed. Paolito's brings these familiar Filipino flavors into a restaurant setting where families and groups can share different dishes. The SM Seaside branch is located on the third floor, Sky Park, City Wing, behind the bowling center.

Although we often think of mall dining as fast food or international restaurant chains, Paolito's offers something different: a menu centered on traditional Filipino comfort food and Cebuano seafood favorites.

The Restaurant's Traditional Filipino Ambiance

One interesting feature of Paolito's is its nostalgic Filipino-inspired interior. Rather than following the minimalist style commonly seen in newer restaurants, Paolito's is known for its vintage charm. Its traditional wooden furnishings, antique-style decorations, and nostalgic displays create an atmosphere reminiscent of an old Filipino home.

The restaurant's overall character complements the food it serves. Its traditional décor makes sense for a dining establishment specializing in classic Filipino recipes. During our visit, the restaurant was already approaching closing time. Since we were the last customers, the dining area was no longer as busy as it would normally be during peak dinner hours.

For someone like me who enjoys documenting family outings, this was actually an advantage. I could take photographs and record videos of the restaurant's surroundings without having to navigate a crowded dining area. It was a nice opportunity to capture the place and preserve another family dining memory.

What We Ordered at Paolito's STK Ta Bai

For our family dinner, we selected four dishes and a refreshing pitcher of lemon and cucumber drink. Our orders included grilled tuna, sautéed mixed seafood, beef broccoli, and hot and spicy squid calamares. Each dish offered something different, giving our family a combination of seafood, vegetables, beef, and spicy flavors.

1. Grilled Tuna – For Our Son. Our son ordered grilled tuna, a fitting choice for a restaurant known for its Cebuano seafood specialties. Grilled tuna is one of the familiar dishes associated with Cebu's sugba tradition. Cooking tuna over a grill gives it a distinctive roasted character while allowing the natural flavor of the fish to remain the focus. Paolito's is particularly known for its tuna dishes, including Tuna Panga, or grilled tuna jaw, which is among its popular menu offerings. For seafood lovers who prefer grilled dishes rather than fried or heavily sauced preparations, tuna is an appealing choice.

2. Sautéed Mixed Seafood – For Me and My Husband. My husband and I ordered sautéed mixed seafood. We enjoy seafood dishes, so choosing a mixed seafood preparation seemed appropriate for our dinner. Mixed seafood dishes typically combine different seafood ingredients in one serving, making them an interesting option for people who enjoy variety. Sautéing seafood with seasonings and aromatics creates a savory dish that pairs naturally with rice. For us, it was a practical choice because we could share one seafood dish while enjoying the other meals ordered by our children.

3. Beef Broccoli – A Family Favorite. We also ordered beef broccoli to add a non-seafood option to our dinner. Beef broccoli is a familiar Asian-inspired dish combining beef and broccoli in a savory sauce. It provides a nice contrast to grilled fish and other seafood preparations. Having vegetables alongside our seafood and meat dishes also added variety to our family meal. Although Paolito's is particularly associated with traditional Cebuano seafood cooking, its menu includes beef and other meat dishes for customers who want more choices.

4. Hot and Spicy Squid Calamares – For Our Daughter. Our daughter selected the **Hot and Spicy Squid Calamares**. Calamares is a popular squid dish, usually prepared by coating squid rings in seasoned batter or breading before frying them. The hot and spicy version adds another dimension to the familiar dish, making it especially interesting for people who enjoy spicy food. Among our orders, this was the dish that brought a little heat to our dinner selection. It was also a good example of how Paolito's menu combines traditional seafood favorites with different flavor variations.

5. Lemon and Cucumber Pitcher – Our Family Beverage. For our drinks, we ordered one pitcher of lemon and cucumber beverage to share. Instead of ordering individual soft drinks, we preferred something refreshing to accompany our meal. Lemon and cucumber make an appealing combination, especially alongside savory seafood dishes. Ordering a pitcher was also convenient because we could share it as a family throughout dinner.

Our Waiting Time and the Restaurant Staff

Because we entered Paolito's just in time for their last call for orders, we were aware that the restaurant was preparing to close. Fortunately, we were still able to place our orders. Our meals were ready after approximately **10 to 20 minutes of waiting**, which was reasonable for our visit, considering the number of dishes we ordered. The staff were already nearing the end of their working day, yet they still accommodated our family's final orders. We appreciated being able to enjoy dinner even though we had arrived later than intended. Working in a restaurant can be demanding, especially during weekends, holidays, and closing hours. Staff members have to balance serving customers with preparing the establishment for the next business day.

Our experience reminded me of the importance of appreciating restaurant employees who continue attending to customers during those final minutes of service. Of course, when dining near closing time, it is always considerate to confirm whether the kitchen is still accepting orders.

Signature Dishes Worth Knowing at Paolito's

Although we ordered our own preferred meals, Paolito's is also known for several traditional Filipino specialties. Some of its recognized dishes include:

**Tuna Panga:** Grilled tuna jaw, a popular Cebuano seafood specialty known for its rich, flavorful meat.

**Baked Scallops:** Scallops prepared with savory toppings, often enjoyed as an appetizer or shared seafood dish.

**Kinilaw:** Fresh seafood prepared with vinegar, citrus, and aromatics, representing the kilaw tradition of Cebuano cooking.

**Shrimp Sinigang:** A comforting Filipino sour soup combining shrimp and vegetables.

**Pochero:** A hearty Filipino stew traditionally enjoyed as a filling family meal.

**Crispy Pata:** Deep-fried pork leg, commonly ordered for sharing during Filipino family gatherings.

These dishes help explain why Paolito's appeals to diners looking for traditional Cebuano flavors rather than ordinary mall food. For future visits, Tuna Panga, baked scallops, and kinilaw would be interesting additions to a family seafood feast.

Paolito's STK Ta Bai Location and Business Hours

If you're planning to visit Paolito's at SM Seaside City Cebu, here are the restaurant details.

**Restaurant:** Paolito's from the Kitchen of STK Ta Bai

**Location:** Third Floor, Sky Park, City Wing, SM Seaside City Cebu, behind the Bowling Center, South Road Properties, Cebu City, Philippines.

**Published Business Hours:** 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily.

Business hours may change during holidays, special mall schedules, or restaurant operations. Some online directories also list extended Friday and Saturday hours, so checking the restaurant's latest schedule before visiting is advisable.

Since our visit happened during Undas, arriving near closing time was a reminder that holiday dining schedules may not always follow the usual routine. For families planning dinner at Paolito's, visiting earlier in the evening would allow more time to explore the menu and enjoy a relaxed meal.

 Why Paolito's Is Worth Considering for Family Dining

One of the things I appreciate about Filipino restaurants is the tradition of sharing dishes. Rather than everyone ordering entirely separate meals, families can choose several dishes and enjoy different flavors together. Paolito's menu suits this kind of dining because it offers seafood, soups, vegetables, grilled specialties, and meat dishes. Its traditional atmosphere also adds character to the dining experience. For families who enjoy Cebuano food, the restaurant offers an opportunity to explore dishes associated with local cooking traditions. For visitors to Cebu, it can also be a convenient place to discover Filipino seafood specialties while spending time at SM Seaside City Cebu.

Our Undas 2026 dinner at Paolito's STK Ta Bai was another simple family dining experience worth remembering. We arrived just before the restaurant stopped accepting orders, became the last customers served that evening, and enjoyed a selection of grilled tuna, sautéed mixed seafood, beef broccoli, and hot and spicy squid calamares. Our shared lemon and cucumber pitcher completed our meal. The approximately 10-to-20-minute waiting time was manageable, and being the last customers gave us an unexpected opportunity to take photographs and videos of the restaurant's interior. What I appreciate most about these outings is the time we spend together as a family.

Not every dining experience needs to involve a grand celebration or an elaborate plan. Sometimes, simply finding a restaurant that can accommodate everyone, ordering dishes we enjoy, and sharing a meal together is enough. And this time, we made it just before closing! If you're looking for a Filipino seafood restaurant at SM Seaside City Cebu, **Paolito's STK Ta Bai** is one option to consider, particularly if you enjoy traditional Cebuano dishes and family-style dining.

Have you tried Paolito's STK Ta Bai in Cebu? What's your favorite dish from their menu? Share your recommendations in the comments!