5 Best Filipino Restaurants in Singapore: Lechon and More

Written by Sarah Ong | June 19, 2024

Image: Iskina Cebu Singapore

A lot of people recognize Filipino cuisine through the country’s famous lechon – a whole roasted pork dish. But this diversified cuisine is much more than just lechon. With a beautiful mix of its Austronesian origins and the influences from Spanish, American, Chinese, and Malay cuisine, Filipino food is an epic world to explore.

For the first start right in Singapore, you can use our list of the 5 best Filipino restaurants as a guideline to embark on your new culinary journey.

1. Lechon Republic

Image: Lechon Republic Singapore

Best for

Pork Lechon

Prices

S$10 - S$20 per pax

Address

275 Thomson Rd, #01-09 NOVENA REGENCY, Singapore 307645

Phone

+65 8526 0821

Opening hours

Tue - Sun: 11:00 - 20:30

Website

Lechon Republic

Read review

2. Iskina Cebu Singapore

Image: Iskina Cebu Singapore

Best for

Lechon (chargrilled pork)

Prices

S$15

Address

#01-27, 73A Ayer Rajah Crescent, Singapore 139957

Phone

+65 6728 0765

Opening hours

Mon & Tue: 11:30 - 21:30
Wed to Sat: 11:30 - 22:30

Read review

Specialized in serving lechon, Iskina Cebu Singapore is a must visit culinary destination for those who fell in love with this chargrilled pork dish. Previously located at Jing Ya Yuan Eating House, a coffee shop across Paya Lebar MRT station, Iskina Cebu now has its new home on Ayer Rajah Crescent.

Highlights:

The best place in Singapore to have lechon: Through Iskina Cebu, lechon (chargrilled pork) is introduced to Singaporeans and the home-sick Filipinos. As they say “take bite or take that flight” because without this Filipino eatery, people will have to fly to Cebu, Philippines in order to feast on an authentic crispy lechon. To have the dish at its best, lechon lovers should arrive in the place at 12:30 on weekends or 17:30 on weekdays when the roasted pig is just ready after 5 hours spun over the charcoal fire.
Watch the grillers as they roast a pig: Definitely this is not something vegetarians would want to see. But if you are a fan of pork-based dishes, seeing how the pigs are being grilled over a hot charcoal pit could be found fascinating. You can just imagine the juiciness in the meat as the flavourful marinade is being brushed all over the pig’s body for 5 hours of roasting!
Crunchy pork skin and tender meat: The best thing about Cebu roasted pork is the crunchiness and juiciness you can get from every bite. The marinade stays intact in the meat so don’t be surprised why the meat tastes heavenly. But some may not like the saltiness of the lechon so be sure to dip it into a sauce made of garlic, vinegar, spices, and herbs and pair your meal with a can of soda.
Lechon de Cebu set at S$10: Diners may choose to go with a la carte order (S$40 per kilogram) or set meal (S$10). Served with a bowl of white rice, the lechon set meal is generous enough to make its fans satisfied.

MENU: The menu has a la carte and set meal options but it is limited to a small variety of roasted pigs and chickens. The crowd’s favorites are the spicy belly lechon and Lechon de Cebu which are known for their ‘porkiness’ and crispy skin. A small set meal is available for solo diners at S$6 to S$10, while the lechon for sharing (1 to 1.5kg) is good for 2 to 3 persons. Whole-pig orders are also available pre-order.

ATMOSPHERE: Iskina Cebu Singapore has a festive mood with its traditional “banderitas” (banners) motif which will remind diners of Lechon Festival in Cebu. The restaurant is spacious enough to accommodate a flock of customers during early dinner on weekdays, but on weekends it is best to come over to the eatery 30 minutes before the lechon is ready by 12:30 to get the best seats.

RECOMMENDED DISHES:

Lechen de Cebu
Liempo
Spicy Bellychon
Inasal na Manok (Roasted Chicken)

NOTE: Online orders are available via the Iskina Cebu website

3. Inasal Restaurant

Image: Inasal

Best for

Chicken BBQ

Prices

$12 per pax

Address

304 Orchard Road, #04-49/50/51, Lucky Plaza, Singapore 238863

Phone

+65 6733 2752

Opening hours

Daily 10:00 – 20:30

Read review

4. Gerry’s Grill

Image: Gerry’s Grill

Best for

Grilled food

Prices

S$15 per pax

Address

Gerry’s Grill @ Starhub Centre
51 Cuppage Road, #01-12 Starhub Centre, Singapore 229469

Phone

+65 6720 1412

Opening hours

Daily 12:00 to 22:00

Read review

Gerry’s Grill will bring Filipinos closer to home. From the restaurant ambiance to its menu, everything is inspired by casual Filipino cuisine and hospitality. With two locations, Gerry’s Grill Singapore is aimed at catering to as many diners as possible who are looking for affordable Filipino food.

Highlights:

Grilled dishes marinated in traditional Filipino spices: Even back in the Philippines, Gerry’s Grill is widely known for its grilled pork and seafood. You wouldn’t probably leave the restaurant without having a taste on their Pork BBQ which is dressed in thick sweet and spicy sauce. Grilled Squid is soft and chewy to the mouth, you won’t have a hard time eating it the same with the Pork Liempo. Typical Filipino condiments are available so make sure to mix your own toyo-mansi (Soy sauce and Philippine lemon) sauce.
Superb a la carte menu: If you crave Filipino viand more than noodles and vegetables, Gerry’s Grill has Sisig, Grilled Chicken, Pork BBQ, Kare-Kareng Baka (Beef Stew with Peanut Butter), and the Chicken & Pork Adobo on ala carte. But a Filipino food dining experience wouldn’t be complete without rice, so a variety of rice (steamed, adobo, or garlic) is also available for less than S$2.
Pinaputok na Cream Dory: Price starts at S$11.95, this unique Filipino dish is a sure winner for Singaporeans and the Pinoys. The dory fish is wrapped and steamed in fresh banana leaves so it tastes scrumptious and looks healthy; a must for the health-conscious. To add flavour, fish is also topped with onion, leeks, and tomatoes.
Esplanade branch is open ‘til 2AM: Late diners may grab a quick dinner at Gerry’s Grill Esplanade. It is also perfect for those who might want to cap off their day with a few drinks.

MENU: The menu is small but it is enough to satisfy your cravings for popular Filipino dishes. There are a la carte and meal set options for those who are flying-solo and dining in group. Grilled dishes like Chicken Kebab, BBQ, Liempo, and Pusit are the mains of this restaurant, plus the Halo-Halo dessert on the side. For drinkers, there’s Kilawin, Crispy Pata, and Pork Sisig to accompany your beers and liqueurs.

RECOMMENDED DISHES:

Sinigang (Pork/Milk Fish in Tamarind Soup)
Grilled Chicken
Beef Caldereta (Beef stew)
Pansit Bihon (Noodle variant)
Bulanglang (Mixed Vegetables)
Halo-Halo (Snow ball with mixed fruits and sweets)

ATMOSPHERE: The welcoming presence of two Philippine flags lets you know that you’re going to embark on a journey through authentic Filipino cuisine. Wooden chairs, tables, and indoor plants will remind you of a local grill restaurant by the roadside. Tables are set up in four to six-seaters so both small and large groups of people can make themselves comfortable.

NOTES:

The restaurant gets cramped during dinner time.
Guests may book an early reservation.

ALL GERRY’S GRILL’S LOCATIONS
@ Starhub Centre
Address: 51 Cuppage Road, #01-12 Starhub Centre
Tel: (65) 67201412
Opening hours: Daily 12:00 to 22:00

@ Esplanade Mall
Address: 8 Raffles Avenue, Esplanade Mall, Makansutra Glutton Bay
Tel: (65) 97280426
Opening hours: Daily 17:00 to 2:00

5. Kabayan Filipino Restaurant

Image: Kabayan Filipino Restaurant

Loved for

Pocket-friend Filipino food right in Orchard

Prices

S$5-S$10 per dish

Address

#03-25 Lucky Plaza
304 Orchard Road, Singapore 238863

Phone

+65 67380921

Opening hours

Daily 09:00 - 21:00

Read review

Homey, warm, loud and cheap. Kabayan Filipino Restaurant is reminiscent of the typical carinderia (fast-food) in the Philippines. There’s a wide selection of usual dishes; from appetizers, mains, to desserts, all of which have decent taste and presentation. It is not surprising to see lots of Filipinos flock in here during weekends, so many that the restaurant tends to have a very loud environment. But this could also mean one thing; Kabayan serves good Filipino food.

Highlights:

Turo-turo (Self-service) restaurant: Head straight to the counter and point out which dishes you’d like to order. Sounds familiar, right? While this type of service isn’t truly unique, this is how most Filipinos roll in food courts and eateries so there is some sense of homey ambiance in the restaurant.
Dishes have strong flavour: Kabayan has experienced chefs at the helm in order to guarantee consistent Filipino taste in their dishes. Neither balanced nor smooth, the dishes have an intense flavour (garlicky, sour, sweet) and apparent texture which may not favour the palate or lifestyle of everyone. This is why it is advisable to pair your meal with a cup of rice, dessert, or vegetable side dishes.
Filipino breakfast favourites: Missing the fried rice, sunny side up egg, and meat combination for breakfast? Kabayan has got them all covered. Order TapSiLog (Tapa, Siningang, Itlog), one of the restaurant’s best-sellers. It is also served with slices of tomato and cucumber and pickled papaya salad.
Cheaper prices: As the name itself implies, Kabayan (fellow countryman) is a restaurant for the “masses”, with price ranges anywhere between S$5 and S$10 for a meal set. Both on-the-budget foodies and the thrifty ones will find this restaurant a great choice for lunch or dinner.
Offers catering service: A competitive catering service for your special occasions, Kabayan is more than ready to make any Filipino dish you’d ask for. Service includes dining ware and delivery/pick-up at restaurant.
Offers catering service: A competitive catering service for your special occasions, Kabayan is more than ready to make any Filipino dish you’d ask for. Service includes dining ware and delivery/pick-up at restaurant.

MENU: Kabayan has a comprehensive menu of Filipino viands available all-day. There are about 30 dishes prepared daily plus appetizers, desserts, and drinks. Customers can just pick amongst the dishes displayed on the counter and then take it from there. A traditional serving of rice, two viands, and a bottle of soft drink is the typical combination here.

RECOMMENDED DISHES:

Pork Sinigang (Pork in tamarind soup)
Lumpiang Shanghai (Fried spring rolls)
BBQ Rice Meal
Turon (Banana spring roll)
Custard Cake with Jackfruit Toppings
Menudo
Lechon Kawali with Mang Tomas Sauce
Crispy Pata (pork knuckles)
Leche Flan

ATMOSPHERE: While the atmosphere is friendly, the loud, chatting voices might distract a person who prefers the quiet and relaxing ambiance. If you’re a Filipino missing some interaction with fellow countrymen, then Kabayan is the right place to go. A cable TV is also available in the restaurant so everybody could watch GMA-Filipino channels.

NOTES: