When I hit Cebu I had one thing on my mind, lechon. Forget the beaches and sunsets; I was here for one thing, ROASTED PIG. And not just any pig, I was after the legendary lechon in Cebu. You know, the famous roasted pigs that will make even the most hardened health nuts rethink their desire to die for no apparent reason at 80. Lechon makes them just like the rest of us mere mortals.
Each bite of lechon is a revelation! Crispy skin giving way to fat and meat that melts in your mouth, all of it spiced to high heaven. Why do locals go mad over this? I was here to find out, clogged arteries be damned.
So armed with only my love of pork, I set out to see what all the “hype” was about. What I found was some mind numbingly delicious pork and a few that I wouldn’t eat again if you paid me. Let’s find out if Cebu’s lechon is really the stuff of legend.
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Table of Contents:
- Bourdain’s “Best Pig Ever” Claim
- Not All Lechon is Equal
- CnT Lechon
- House of Lechon
- Tess Lechon
- Matheo’s Lechon
- Honourable Mentions
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Bourdain’s “Best Pig Ever” Claim
Anthony Bourdain’s declaration of Cebu’s lechon as the “best pig ever” didn’t just spotlight a dish, it spotlighted an entire culinary tradition. While many associate this moment with Zubuchon, the reality is a bit different. The lechon Bourdain praised was prepared by Joel Binamira, a key figure in the local food scene and the future founder of Zubuchon, at a private event.
Binamira would go on to launch Zubuchon in late 2009 almost a full year after Bourdain’s visit. Zubuchon’s establishment was a direct response to the demand Bourdain’s endorsement created. And it would be led by the man who had fed Bourdain that heavenly pig.
Bourdain’s enthusiasm for Cebu’s lechon drew me to the island. His experience influenced my culinary journey, though I never tried Zubuchon myself. I sought out local recommendations to experience the breadth of Cebu’s lechon firsthand.
Where to Stay in Cebu
- Luxury Accommodations: – The Suite- Luxurious City Skyline – This luxurious 3-bedroom suite is located in the prestigious Marco Polo Residences, Cebu City. Relax in the jacuzzi, cook your favorite meals in the fully-equipped kitchen, and take advantage of all the hotel amenities available including pool, gym, billiard room and more.
- Mid-Range Accommodations: – Radisson Blu Cebu -Located in the heart of the city, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cebu, provides five-star accommodation for travelers just minutes away from Mactan International Airport and Cebu International Port. Experience sweeping views of the Mactan Channel and the city. Enjoy easy access to cultural attractions, bustling districts, and white-sand beaches.
- Budget Accommodations: – Nacho Hostel Cebu – The hostel consists of 46 wide and spacious rooms that can accommodate a total of 220 guests. Each room also comes with its own bathroom and air conditioner system ensuring your relaxation and privacy during your stay.
For more places to stay in Cebu:
Not All Lechon is Equal
While Cebu is known for its lechon, not every encounter is a pleasant one. While I won’t name the establishment, I did try two of Cebu city’s bigger establishments with absolutely awful results. I’m pretty sure the biggest in all of Cebu was selling several day old meat with rubbery skin. It was disgusting and goes into the vault of footage that nobody will ever see. I tried another of their locations with the same results.
So not every lechon spot in Cebu City is a winner. This reality shows that the best lechon doesn’t always come from the most popular joints. Talisay and Car Car are also known for great lechon, but they deserve their own spotlight, so we won’t dive into them here.
Right now, we’re sticking to Cebu City, in search of the perfect lechon.
Full video of My Quest to Find Cebu’s Best Lechon:
CnT Lechon
CnT Lechon is a fixture in Cebu City, drawing locals and tourists alike. This is another of the “big boys” in Cebu City that people immediately seek out when looking for lechon in Cebu.
I visited their Ayala mall location on my first visit to one of their locations and that visit appears in my YouTube video. This was the second of the two bigger establishments I mentioned earlier I visited that day.
CNT is praised for days when their lechon is spot on. Crispy skin and flavorful meat that epitomizes lechon in Cebu. However, the quality can fluctuate, like during this first visit. Because this location is within a mall they obviously don’t roast the pigs here, and I was surprised that being here so close to opening time, the skin was not very good. The meat had an almost overwhelming saltiness to it, but was still very juicy and flavorful. Overall the experience was good but would have been worlds better had the skin been crispy and the lechon less salty.
I did end up trying their SM location with much better results. Here I got the super crunchy skin that will tear your mouth part if you’re not careful. Still quite salty so I guess that is something you have to deal with when eating at CnT. A little puso (hanging rice) helps tremendously with balancing the saltiness.


House of Lechon
House of Lechon is another popular destination for lechon lovers in Cebu City. Not as big as CnT or the other crappy place but they are the best of the three. Their lechon is a Car Car style lechon which includes a richer, more garlicky flavor profile and is usually served with the pigs drippings. So when you go, fear not. The sauce served with it is not Mang Tomas, or liver sauce, it is indeed a homemade sauce made from the pig drippings and it’s delicious.
My visit to House of Lechon was driven by their reputation for consistency and a unique take on traditional lechon, of which I had only read about. The skin had the perfect crunch, and the meat was tender, not overly salty, which was nice after the morning I had thus far. Their attention to detail in preparation was evident, and I also tried their crispy Kangkong (water spinach). Maybe not the best call on my part considering I was now approaching almost a kilo of lechon for the morning. Yeah, I probably could have done without a deep fried version of a vegetable.
The only knock I have on House of Lechon is, for Cebu standards, it’s pricey. But of course all things are relative. You can still buy a kilo of lechon here at almost the same price as a 1/2 kilo in Luzon. Overall, I loved my experience here and House of Lechon should be on your must-try list when looking for lechon in Cebu



Read Next: The Ultimate Cebu Street Food Tour
Tess Lechon
My first encounter with Tess Lechon came highly recommended by a viewer, Yasmin. She told me about how it was her favourite lechon in the city and offered to meet me there and walk me through the dishes.
The lechon at Tess was everything it was chalked up to be. The skin was super crisp, and the meat was juicy and tender. The seasoning really stands out with Tess Lechon but it doesn’t overpower the natural pork taste.
Yasmin and the staff at Tess introduced me to a new dish as well. Here is where I had one of my now favourite Filipino dishes for the first time. Dinuguan! A Pork blood stew that has both pig meat and innards cooked down in it. I know it sounds bizarre, but trust me here. If you get the opportunity to try it, you absolutely should. Even better if you try it at Tess Lechon.
I ended up meeting the entire Tess Lechon family when they invited me to their roasting facilities to spend the day with them and learn all about making lechon in Cebu and to share a meal with them. You can read about that experience here: Cebu’s Tess Lechon



Matheo’s Lechon
This location will test If you’re serious about finding the best lechon in Cebu or not. Reason being is because it is in Talamban which is just north west of Cebu City. And it only happens on Sunday mornings for 4 or 5 hours. On the side of the road under a tent. Set an alarm super early because it starts at 5:00 am and will last until 9 or 10. Even earlier if it’s really busy and they run of pigs.
I had the great honor of attending Matheo’s with a local legend. Stanley on Media, a well known local vlogger that has more than likely eaten at every one of the thousands of lechon vendors on the island of Cebu. And with more than a million followers across social media his word on lechon is gospel. Matheo’s Lechon was his recommendation and I was thrilled, despite how early it was, to be able to try this.
At 5:00am sharp the first pig arrived and they began carving. The lechon here is other worldly. The first thing that jumps out at you is how fresh it is. From the aroma of the freshly roasted pig, to the perfect skin, to the flavorful meat and perfect seasoning. There is a massive difference in having a freshly roasted lechon as opposed to one that has been sitting under a warmer in sore for several hours.
Matteo’s is no joke. Stanly and I grabbed the very first serving of the day by 10 minutes after 5. At 5:25 the entire pig was gone and they were carving the second. According to Stanly, there will be anywhere from 5 – 8 whole pigs sold on Sunday mornings.



Honourable Mentions
I stayed in the Labangon area of Cebu City which provided me a unique opportunity to frequent local lechon stalls most tourists would never see. Two establishments, Mary’s Lechon and Alejo’s Lechon, became my regular go-tos due to their proximity and delicious lechon during my work night at home. Yes, I ate entirely too much pork during my in Cebu
Alejo’s Lechon
This spot will rival any lechon you will find in Cebu, I don’t care what anybody says. They mainly roast whole pigs for direct sale and very little is offered to general public. They have one tiny store front located on Katipunan St. that is open from 3:00pm -4:00pm Monday – Saturday for take away only. That’s it. The only reason this place didn’t end up in a video is because of my lack of Cebuano and their lack of English. Totally on me for not being more prepared before arriving in Cebu
Anyway, the lechon is fantastic, I don’t think I need to give you another run down about crispy skin, spices and juiciness. Just know that while it’s not easy to get it is definitely worth it. Locals love it and they have been serving the community for over 40 years. One thing to note. The Google Maps pin leads you to a pharmacy on the wrong side of the road. Keep going east another 150-200 metres and across the street you will find the humble stall with a sign only on the carving cart

Mary’s Lechon
Another small stall located on Katipunan St. just a short distance from Alejo’s. This is another banger with flavorful meat, great skin and seasoning. Cebu’s lechon game is unmatched and Mary’s lechon joins a long list of awesome lechon experiences
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Talisay and Car Car are extremely famous for their lechon and both are located South of Cebu City. But you can find it all over the island early sunday mornings along the highways heading to beaches, churches and markets. This is usually the best way to find really good lechon
Yes, lechon is available throughout the year in Cebu. It is a staple at celebrations and gatherings but can also be found daily at many restaurants and street vendors.
Look for vendors with high turnover, which generally indicates freshness. Also, the skin should be golden and crispy, and the aroma should be appetizing. Look for it while it’s still hot from the coals which will once gain mean getting there early, but it’s the flavour is so much more intense
You put it in your mouth and chew, dopey! All Kidding aside, usually with some puso to balance out any saltiness and a dipping sauce of vinegar, soy sauce and chili. Don’t let me come find you dipping lechon into a liver sauce.
Prices will vary depending where you are. Big name chains you can expect to pay ₱1000 ($20) and up per kilo. If you get out there on a Sunday morning you can get a kilo between ₱700-800 ($11- $15) as of year end 2024. For comparison I don’t think you can find a 1/2 kilo in Metro Manila for less than ₱800
Lechon in Cebu Conclusion
Cebu’s lechon stands as a cultural icon, essential for anyone visiting the island. With each bite, you taste history and local pride. Though some establishments may fit the description of rarely impressive, clearly overhyped standards, seeking out the perfect lechon is a rewarding part of the culinary adventure.
When you find the right place, the lechon is exceptional. The best examples feature crispy skin and succulent meat, epitomizing culinary craftsmanship. These are the moments that uphold Cebu’s fame in the lechon world.
Embark on your lechon journey with excitement and an open mind. The ideal meal could become the highlight of your time in Cebu. Have you tried lechon in Cebu? Share your experiences and favorite spots in the comments below, or connect with us on our social media channels!