Featured post

Holy Week Dining Guide

Looking for a delicious spot to visit during the Holy Week break? Here is our quick and easy Holy Week Dining Guide.

While we welcome the respite it offers, Holy Week can be challenging for those who are not observing abstinence and the religious traditions. More so for travelers and visitors in town. A lot of the usual dining spots and popular foodie destinations are closed. But worry not. We gotchu.

Davao Holy Week Dining Guide

Here are the restaurants open during Holy Week holidays from April 2 to April 4 (Holy Thursday – Black Saturday):

Alors: A Home Kitchen (food tray orders from the commisary only)
andMatcha
Bairrada Churasquerria
Chosun Chicken
Chung’s Kimchi
Classio Mobile Wood Fired Oven
Dani’s Palace
Fabian’s Pizza
Grateful Bread
Kindred Cafe
Made Simple
Mojicans Mexican Restaurant
Nonki (DGT only)
Oboza Compound: Tola, Huckleberry, Chiang Mai Superstar
Pilgrim Restaurant
Sitio Babak Korean Restaurant
Vegan Dinosaur

andMatcha

Starting our recommendations with our favorite matcha bar: &Matcha.

andMatcha Three Yards Hojicha and ereader

They craft rich and diverse matcha blends that cater to every taste. Keep an eye out for their seasonal offerings which include specialty matcha blends and regional matcha.

Their beautiful, minimalist interiors and picturesque locations are the perfect retreat for a quiet time this weekend. Whether you’re going alone or with family and friends, &matcha is a great matcha bar stop for the weekend. You can even bring a book to read or your journal.

Both their north and south branches are open during the Holy Week, Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday, April 2 -5, 2026.

North: Don Dionisio Complex, Cabaguio Avenue, Agdao, Davao City
South: Three Yards, Casiana Villa-Abrille Street (corner Tulip Drive), Juna Subdivision, Matina, Davao City

Chung’s Kimchi

Next on our list is one of our all-time favorite dining spots in Davao: Chung’s Kimchi. Whether you’re observing meat abstinence or not, they have a variety of Korean dishes you should try.

Holy Week Dining Guide Chung's Kimchi Bokkeumbap — Cheese Ttekbokki

Our favorites are the Cheese Tteokbokki, the Kimchi Bokkeumbap, and the Kimchi Jjigae. The Bokkeumbap is available with meatloaf or without. And the Jjigae may be ordered with tuna or pork.

Looking for meat dishes? We love their Beef Galbi Jjim, the Osam Bulgogi, and the Tangsuyuk.

And for those looking for halal food, they have halal options, as well. Just ask their servers.

Chung’s Kimchi is located along Sobrecarey Street in Obrero.

Chung's Kimchi

Casual Dining, Family Style

Sobrecarey Street, Obrero

09541620004

Social Accounts

Price Range

PhP100.00 - PhP1,000.00

Dani’s Palace Shawarma

We have had many shawarmas in our life but we think Dani’s Palace Shawarma is one of the best.

Their Shawarma is filled with tasty and savory beef (or chicken) and fresh vegetables wrapped in a light pita bread. And the garlic sauce is sublime. Smooth. Full of umami flavor.

Another dish we highly recommend is their Chicken Biryani.

The rice is aromatic, cooked well, and bursting with the flavor of spices. The chicken is juicy and flavorful. It is spicy, salty, a bit tangy, with a hint of smokiness. It comes with a Yogurt Sauce and a Spicy Sauce. The Yogurt Sauce is creamy and balances the spice well. But if you love spice, go for their Spicy Sauce to make the Biryani extra spicy.

Other favorites are the Kofta, the Hummus, and the Veggie Pizza.

Dani’s Palace recently opened their Maa Branch at Limaria right outside Le Jardin along Maa Road.

Dani's Palace Shawarma and Grill

Casual Dining

Limaria Le Jardin de Villa Abrille, Maa Road, Maa, Davao City, Davao del Sur 8000

09666949550

Social Accounts

Fabian’s Pizza

Here is a new entry in our Holy Week Dining Guide: Fabian’s Pizza.

We love almost everything in this pizzeria. We are glad they are open this week. Among their pizzas, our favorite is the Prosciutto Arugula. Salty prosciutto and fresh bitter arugula go well together.

Among their burgers, our favorite is the Blue Cheese Burger. Meaty, savory patty with a generous dollop of blue cheese sauce and fresh veggies all in between a pillowy brioche bun.

And an underrated dish on their menu which we love are their tacos. Perfectly seasoned beef, refreshing tatziki sauce, tomatoes, and herbs, on lightly grilled tortillas.

Fabian’s Pizza is located along Camia Street in Juna Subdivision, Matina.

Continue reading →

Featured post

Savory Flea Market Finds

1 Reply

2025 has been busy. We have been to many cafes, restaurants, and events. And more flea markets and pop up markets than we have ever been to. Sharing with you our favorite savory flea market finds from February to November 2025.

Favorite Savory Flea Market Finds

Here is a list of the most memorable, mouth-watering, and filling savory flea market finds we tried this year:

Andare Hoagie Rolls
Little Italy Pizzeria
Charkol Food Truck
Kaniii Slow Bar
Fresh Lock Seafoods
Bitoy’s Barbeque

Andare Hoagie Rolls

First on our list is Andare Hoagie Rolls.

They have a lean menu but each item is as delicious as the next. Choosing one to order is always a puzzle. Our top pick is Mortadella. Salty deli meat, fresh, crisp veggies, and savory and tangy sauce all in between crunchy, airy bread. Pastrami is for people who love spice in their meal. And we recommend their Eggplant Parmigiana if you are not craving meat.

One sandwich is good as a meal on its own. Or if you’re eating it as a snack, ask for it to be sliced in half and share with your flea market buddy.

View this post on Instagram

Follow them on Instagram @andarehoegierolls to know where they are popping up next,

Little Italy

Another delicious flea market find that’s great for sharing is Little Italy pizza.

They serve some of the best pizzas in Davao. Their menu varies from time to time. Our top two favorites are Truffle Pizza and Straciatella Pizza. One slice is only P125 and filling enough to be a meal. But we recommend buying one whole pizza and sharing it with your friends. You can even have a custom pizza with two flavors in one whole pie.

View this post on Instagram

Little Italy Pizzeria has branches at Lanang and Ecoland. Follow them on Instagram @littleitalypizzeria.davao to know more.

Charkol

Next, is a staple at Davao flea markets: Charkol Food Truck.

We love Charkol. From their Nori Fries to their Grilled Chicken, we rarely skip the chance to buy something from them. Our top favorite? Spicy and tangy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Blue Cheese Sauce. Superb.

When they are not at pop up markets, the Charkol Foodtruck is parked in Obrero. Follow them on Instagram @charkol_foodtruck for more information.

Kaniii

Next is a food booth that you will only see at select Davao flea markets. We love them and we highly recommend you give them a try.

SAVORY Flea Market Finds: Chicken Inasal Bowl by Kanii

Delicious Flea Market Finds: Chicken Teriyaki Bowl by Kanii

Kaniii Slow Bar is a cafe that specializes in cold brew and cold brew blends. Occasionally, they join pop up markets where they serve special menu items. Our favorites are their Inasal and Teriyaki Chicken Bowls. Their Tapa Tacos and Sisig Lumpia are also must-try dishes.

Of course, we cannot overlook their superb 12 Monkeys Cold Brew Coffee. And recently, we tried their Mont Blanc Cold Brew. And it was light and refreshing.

So on the rare occasion you do see their ubiquitous booth at a pop up market, order a savory meal or a refreshing cold brew.

Kaniii Slow Bar recently opened their shop in Talomo. Follow them @kaniii.sb on Instagram for more information.

Fresh Lock Seafoods

Here is another one you should not miss: Fresh Lock Seafoods.

It’s rare to find good seafood at pop up markets so we are always happy to see Fresh Lock. Their Ebi Fry is superb. As well as their Dragon Balls. Both are great as snack items. And both are even better with their Fried Rice.

It is one of our all-time favorites, the Fresh Lock Fried Rice. It is perfectly seasoned. And every serving is generous. We also love pairing it with beef and other dishes from other food purveyors.

If you want to cook up your own seafood dishes, you may also order shrimps and other fresh and frozen seafood from Fresh Lock. You may contact them via Instagram @freshlockseafoods to know more.

Bitoy’s

Finally, we recommend Bitoy’s Barbeque.

They have only joined one flea market event so far but we hope they join more. Their menu consists of Pork Barbeque, Chicken Barbeque, and Chicken Inasal. The Chicken Inasal is our favorite. Juicy and tasty.

In case you do not see them in pop up market anymore, you may order via their Instagram account @BitoysBBQ.

More Savory Flea Market Finds

We enjoy discovering new treats and dishes to try at every market event. Here are more savory flea market finds to try:

Jane’s Kitchen
Steaks and Butter
Bonbonz Dumplings

We are glad that homecooks, home bakers, and other small food businesses are reaching new diners via local flea markets and pop up markets. And we are always excited when we discover new favorites.

More Flea Market Favorites

Interested in knowing more of our favorites? Check out this list by Diyosa Life.

Beautiful Flea Market Finds

Support local. Shop local. Dine local.

We will post more of our favorites soon. And you can also see more of these brands and other local shops in the vlogs of our Editor Ria: Davao Diaries.

See all upcoming Davao Flea Markets in the My Davao City Events Calendar: mydavaocity.com/davao-events/.

For more information on Davao restaurants, cafes, matcha bars, and other Davao dining options, visit our Davao Food Directory.

Follow us on social media for more events and stories in Davao. Watch our adventures on Tiktok @MyDavaoCity and on Youtube @MyDavaoCityBlog. Our Facebook Page is at http://www.facebook.com/MyDavaoCity. We are @MyDavaoCity on Instagram.

Featured post

Pancit Molo and other February 2025 Favorites

1 Reply

We’re back with the best of February 2025. From a savory Pancit Molo by Recuerdo to sweet Bombolini by AB Bakery, we have selected our favorites from the past month.

Ready? Here are our favorites from February:

Pancit Molo by Recuerdo Filipino Cuisine,
Creamy Truffle Pasta by Paramount Coffee,
Kale Ceasar Wrap by Clean Cafe,
Biscoff Croffle by Wakeful Coffee, and
Bombolini by AB Bakery.

Pancit Molo by Recuerdo

First on our list is Pancit Molo by Recuerdo.

We love everything about this. The soup is garlicky and salty with just a hint of sweetness and tang. There is a good amount of dumplings with molo wrapper, tons of garlic bits and green onions. This is a great way to start your meal at Receurdo. We underestimated this and ordered only one cup of rice. But this (and the Inasal Skewers) was so good, we had to order another cup.

Recuerdo is located along Molave Street corner Mangga in Juna Subdivision.

Recuerdo Filipino Cuisine

Casual Dining, Family Style

500 Mangga corner Molave Street, Juna Subdivision, Matina, Davao City, 8000

09951140218

Social Accounts

Price Range

PhP100.00 - PhP1,050.00

Creamy Truffle Pasta by Paramount Coffee

Next on our favorites is Creamy Truffle Pasta by Paramount Coffee.

This one makes us happy. Most cafes in Davao barely serve savory dishes. So we are glad to see this and other savory dishes on Paramount’s menu. And we are happy to report that this Creamy Truffle Pasta is a must-try. The sauce is smooth and creamy with just the right amount of (what we assume to be) truffle oil. It has a generous amount of fresh mushrooms. All tossed in withproperly cooked pasta. It might not be the most picturesque, but it is definitely one of the best pasta dishes we have tried recently.

Paramount Coffee has branches in Lanang, along Mabini Street in Poblacion, and inside Riverfront Corporate City.

Continue reading →

Featured post

Chicken Biryani and other January 2025 Favorites

Leave a reply

Let us welcome 2025 with our favorite Chicken Biryani by Dani’s Palace and other favorites from January 2025.

Our top picks from what we tried last month are:

Fried Mandu by Chung’s Kimchi,
Spinach Croissant by Dulce Desserts,
Chicken Biryani by Dani’s Palace Shawarma and Grill,
Burnt Basque Cheesecake by Wood and Coffee, and
White Peak by Purge Coffee Roaster.

Fried Mandu by Chung’s Kimchi

First on our list is Fried Mandu.

We have been to Chung’s Kimchi many times and have tried their Steamed Mandu. It was ok for us. Light and a good contrast to their more flavorful and heavy dishes.

This time, we tried their Fried Mandu and we love it even more. The meat filling is flavorful and the dumpling is fried crisp but not greasy. The sauce it comes with is salty and a bit sour and sweet. The Fried Mandu is great on its own but the sauce also complements the flavors well.

Chung’s Kimchi is located along Sobrecary Street in Obrero.

Chung's Kimchi

Casual Dining, Family Style

Sobrecarey Street, Obrero

09541620004

Social Accounts

Price Range

PhP100.00 - PhP1,000.00

Spinach Croissant

Next on our list is Spinach Croissant by Dulce Desserts.

Dulce Desserts is one of our go-to cafes for meetups. They have a limited savory menu and this is our favorite from their savory offerings. The spinach filling is creamy but not too rich. It is seasoned lightly and goes well with the croissant shell. The pastry is flaky and buttery. This savory pastry is good as a snack or a light meal.

They are located at CT Drive along Tulip Drive (CVA Avenue) in Matina.

Featured

Dulce Desserts Davao

Cafe

CT Drive, CVA Avenue, Davao City, Davao del Sur 8000

+639178100260

Social Accounts

Price Range

PhP100.00 - PhP2,000.00

Chicken Biryani by Dani’s Palace

Last month’s absolute favorite is Chicken Biryani.

The Chicken Biryani is sublime. The rice is aromatic, cooked well, and bursting with the flavor of spices. The chicken is juicy and flavorful. It is spicy, salty, a bit tangy, with a hint of smokiness. The chicken and the rice go well with each other. The serving is large for 2-4 persons.

It comes with a Yogurt Sauce and a Spicy Sauce. The Yogurt Sauce is creamy and balances the spice well. But if you love spice, go for their Spicy Sauce to make the Biryani extra spicy.

We recommend ordering an extra side of our favorite Garlic Sauce. It is creamy and flavorful. It gives a different layer of flavor to the dish.

Dani’s Palace Shawarma and Grill is located at Limaria along Maa Road in Maa.

Dani's Palace Shawarma and Grill

Casual Dining

Limaria Le Jardin de Villa Abrille, Maa Road, Maa, Davao City, Davao del Sur 8000

09666949550

Social Accounts

Continue reading →

Explore South Davao

Leave a reply

There was a time when living in Davao’s South meant quiet days and serene nights. You have to travel downtown or up north for good eats and interesting finds. But things are getting interesting now. Let’s explore South Davao City and the many things, sights, and eats it has to offer.

Weekend Markets in South Davao

Perhaps the most exciting spots in South Davao are the weekend markets sprouting in the area.

South Davao Weekend Market: Love, 8000 Weekend Market at Three Yards — Love, 8000 Weekend Market at Three Yards

South Davao Weekend Market: AndiCrafts at Tio Noning's — Love, 8000 Weekend Market at Three Yards

These weekend markets have become all-in-one events. Local MSMEs introduce their products and services in community spaces accessible to many. Students, young professionals, and families visit these markets to shop, dine, and try new experiences. Even elder millennials and boomers go to these markets as an alternative to malls.

Two of the most popular weekend market spots are Three Yards and Tio Noning’s, both located in the Juna Subvision and Tulip Drive neighborhood. Away from the usual downtown event venues and closer to the southern residential areas.

And further down south, more venues are starting to host pop-up markets and other community events. Popular matcha spot Indahouse Cafe in Dumoy and even Gaisano Mall of Toril have hosted weekend markets.

South Davao Dining

And here are two things you are sure to find in those weekend markets: matcha and unique food finds. While, there are good matcha and delicious food finds all over Davao, weekend markets are where the new and underrated stuff can be found.

And here is the better news for residents of South Davao: there are a lot of great eats in the area. In and out of weekend markets.

Favorite Weekend Market Bites

We have previously shared our favorite flea market finds.

Savory Flea Market Finds

But we have more discoveries we want to share. Every week, we discover new and exciting delicious treats.

Weekend Market Favorite:
O Matcha Fuji Matcha with Dango — Fuji Matcha with Dango by O Matcha

Exploring South Davao: Bao Republic at the Weekend Market — Fuji Matcha with Dango by O Matcha

First, the hottest matcha pop up this year: O Matcha by Megumi. They serve matcha blends with sweet sticky Dango. This two in one treat is perfect for matcha lovers looking for new things to try.

Next, Bao Republic’s Pork Belly Bao. Unctuous savory belly strips with sour pickles and salty sauce, in between soft, pillowy bao. And served with crisp potato chips.

For pasta lovers, we recommend Truffle Cream Pasta with Fried Chicken. The perfect dish for umami lovers.

And finally, a go-to meal option at weekend markets: Lechon Kawali meal by Eggsthetic.

Related Link: S avory Flea Market Finds

More Foodie Stops in South Davao

Cafe Basilico is popular foodie destination in South Davao . While they have already opened a branch downtown, the main brand in Crossing Bayabas remains to be a top choice for foodies exploring the south. They are popular for their pasta dishes and pizza.

Lesser known but just as notable are Stella’s Cuisine, Knto Cinco, and Kaniii Slow Bar.

South Davao Eats: Kakanin by Stella's Cuisine — Kakanin by Stella’s Cuisine

South Davao Eats: Knto Cinco — Kakanin by Stella’s Cuisine

Stella’s Cuisine serves popular Filipino kakanin and snacks. Our favorites are their kutsinta, palitaw, and sapin-sapin. And of course, the binignit.

Continue reading →

Jollibee Christmas Treats 2025

Leave a reply

Happy holidays! Make your Christmas sweeter with Jollibee Christmas Treats.

Rocky Road Sundae

Indulge in a sweet treat any time of the day. Try the Jollibee Rocky Road Sundae made with KITKAT®. Smooth. Crunchy. Creamy. Chocolatey. A must-try for KitKat lovers.

Coffee and Coffee Floats

Order a cup of Iced Vanilla Coffee or Iced Caramel Coffee.

Both of these are sure to give you a good boost of caffeine and sugar.

And for those who want the best of both worlds, you may order a Float. Get an Iced Vanila Float or an Iced Caramel Float. Maybe both? Enjoy iced coffee topped with creamy vanilla sundae.

Each one promises to be the perfect cup to give you joy this season.

Enjoy Jollibee Christmas Treats

These festive treats offer rich textures and delicious flavors that feel like Christmas with every cup.

Pamie Cruz, Jollibee Marketing Director, explains “Filipino Christmas is known as the longest and happiest in the world, and Jollibee is proud to be part of the celebrations.” She adds “With the new Jollibee Christmas treats, we want to capture the spirit of the season by transforming everyday into joyful holiday moments.”

The Jollibee Christmas Treats are available for a limited time only in select Jollibee
stores nationwide. These are available for dine-in, take-out, and delivery. Order now via the Jollibee App, via Order.Jollibee.com, GrabFood, or foodpanda.

Do not forget to Like Jollibee Philippines on Facebook at fb.com/JollibeePhilippines for updates and information on Jollibee products. And subscribe to Jollibee Studios on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/jollibeedigital1 for more Jollibee content. Follow @jollibee on Twitter and Instagram for more updates.

Note: This article is based from PR materials sent to our Team. If you or your brand has presence and engagement in Davao, feel free to send us your press release and media advisories via email. Our email address is mydavaocity@gmail.com.

Mahi by Made Simple and other September 2024 Favorites [Davao Food Recommendations]

Leave a reply

We are sharing our favorites from the past year. Here is a look back at our favorite dishes from August and September 2024. A memorable Mahi by Made Simple and more dishes that we loved. Let us know if you like our August and September Favorites.

August & September Favorites

We did not go out much last August so we are sharing just one list for August and September 2024. Here were our favorites from those two months:

PANCIT LUGLUG by Pansititoy via Grab,
MAHI by Made Simple,
CANELE by Dulce Desserts, and
ORANGE DARK MOCHA by Spark Coffee.

It’s a mix of new things we tried when we dined out of the house and 2 things we loved at home.

Pancit Luglug

One of our favorite pancit dishes is homecooked Pancit Luglug (or Pancit Palabok). We found one that comes close to tasting like our homecooked favorite, Pancit Luglug by Pansititoy.

Pansititoy’s Pancit Luglug is tasty with the right ratio of sauce to noodles. Plus, a generous topping of meat, chicharon, and boiled eggs. The sauce is shrimpy without being nakakaumay. Salty and full of umami.

Pansititoy has branches around Davao City and they are available for delivery via Grab. So if you want pancit luglug that tastes homecooked, order from Pansititoy today.

Mahi by Made Simple

Next is Mahi by Made Simple.

September 2024 Favorite Made Simple Mahi — Mahi

Honestly, I do not know where to start with this. I ordered this because I wanted to eat a light fish dish. And it turned out better than expected.

The fish is cooked properly. Moist not dry. Tasty. Crispy skin. The sauce was velvety with just the right calamansi tanginess. This was a well-balanced, tasty dish that we all enjoyed.

Made Simple is located in CT Drive along Tulip Drive.

Continue reading →

Penshoppe Cozy Days Ahead Davao Event

1 Reply

Love the chilly days and nights of the ber months? Enjoy the weather in fashion with Penshoppe‘s new collection. Join the Penshoppe “Cozy Days Ahead” Davao event this October to see the new collection.

PENSHOPPE continues their campaign to embrace boldness and momentum. From Brighter Days Ahead to Full Speed Ahead, Penshoppe has dedicated 2025 to campaigns that inspire optimism and the drive to succeed. Now comes Cozy Days Ahead, with a collection that encourages slowing down and enjoying cozy moments.

Penshoppe Cozy Days Ahead Davao

The campaign kicks off with a Cozy Days Ahead event in Cagayan de Oro City.

And the next stop is here. The Penshoppe Cozy Days Ahead Davao event will be on October 25 and 26, 2025 at the Annex of SM City Davao. And slated to join are Penshoppe Ambassadors BINI and Julia Barretto.

See collection previews. Enjoy Club Penshoppe rewards and promos. Go around interactive booths and cozy lounges.

Make sure to download the Penshoppe app and register to join.

Continue reading →