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In a country made up of over 7000 islands, there are only a few specialities that can be thought of as “national dishes”. Lechon is one of those specialities, that plays a special role in the Filipino culture and traditions. Lechon is a Spanish word for suckling pig. It is a whole pig, roasted for several hours over charcoal. This dish is the culinary centerpiece for every celebration or fiesta. From weddings, birthday celebrations and Christmas, no festivity is complete without lechon. Cebu, the second largest city in the Philippines after Manila is famous for their mouthwatering lechon. The cooking style and distinctive taste makes it the Filipino’s favorite. The pigs are stuffed with seasonings such as garlic, onions, soy sauce, lemongrass, salt, and a variety of herbs. The pigs are roasted slowly and hand-turned over hot coals for hours, until the skin becomes crispy and the inside meat becomes tender and flavorful. In the Philippines, don’t miss a stop in Cebu for lechon, which Anthony Bourdain, American ex-chef and TV personality describes as “the best lechon ever”.
Here are the three best local restaurants in Cebu for lechon.
1- Zubuchon - “the best pig ever”
Zubuchon skyrocketed to fame after Anthony Bourdain called it the “best pig ever” in 2009. Ever since then, the Zubuchon brand has grown, serving average of 2,000 people a day and ranking 5th out of 547 restaurants in Cebu. 
2 - CnT Lechon - The Local’s Favorite
Before Zubuchon, CNT was Cebu’s favorite lechon provider. For many locals, CNT serves the best finger-licking roast pig goodness. If you ask your hotel or cab driver, CnT Lechon is probably the first place they will recommend. The owner, Norman Quijada, a Cebuano, built his empire roasting pigs since 1987. The name cames from the initials of his wife and daughter. He started his business small, selling lechons at home, to eventually more than six branches in Cebu. At the restaurants, be prepared to wait. The spaces are cramped and you’ll have to brace yourself for long queues. The lechon is meaty, less fatty, juicy and cheaper without sacrificing the taste. There is no such thing as too much lechon in Cebu. Besides Zubuchon, CnT Lechon is another place for the famous roast pig. 
3 - Rico’s Lechon - The Pioneer of Spicy Lechon
When it comes to spicy lechon in Cebu, there is only one word that comes to mind: Rico’s Lechon. The owner Enrico “Rico” Dionson started his business in 1997 as he was looking for a way to provide a better future for his family. He started out by giving samples to friends and clients who found the lechon too salty. That’s when he improved his recipe and began using the best quality products, giving birth to Rico’s Lechon – “Da Best Gyud.” Rico’s Lechon got its big break when the former President of the Philippines, Joseph Estrada discovered his lechon, through a common friend. He declared it as his favorite lechon and had Rico prepare dozens of the Filipino favorite at the Malacañang Palace. The business took off. Always an entrepreneur, Rico’s was the first to introduce the “Spicy Lechon” variety in the Philippines. The spiciness is infused in the meat but not the skin, so for those who aren’t fans of spicy food can still enjoy the crispy lechon skin. Rico’s uses local and organic pigs stuffed with leeks, lemongrass, tomato, vinegar, ginger, and other herbs and spices. The pigs are then spit-roasted over charcoal slowly for two to four hours. Today, you’ll find Rico’s Lechon at several locations throughout Cebu. 
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