Overwhelmed by the many new food spots in Davao? Let us take you on a CT Drive Food Trip featuring some of our favorite spots and dishes.
About CT Drive
Carlos Villa-Abrille Drive (also CVA Drive, formerly Tulip Drive) used to be a quiet space with a few residences and a handful of establishments. With the opening of The Compound, CT Drive, and several other commercial spaces, CVA Drive is now bustling with activity and a must-visit place for foodies.
Located along the CVA Drive is CT Drive, a food, drinks, and lifestyle destination.
MADE SIMPLE Davao offers a vegetable-forward dining experience. They serve Small Plates and Dishes for Sharing, mostly vegan dishes. Seafood and chicken options are available. Made Simple is best experienced with an open appreciation for their vegetable-forward dishes.
First, start your meal with an appetizer. We love their Enoki. The mushroom is crisp and tasty. And the dipping sauce perfectly complements the mushroom.
Then, enjoy a salad. The Figs and Mushroom Salad is delicious and filling. Just the right balance of flavors and textures.
You can opt for the Pulpo or Gambas for your entree. But we prefer feasting on their Burnt Tomatoes with chevre. Or enjoy the mind-bending Mushroom Scallops served with Pesto Butter.
They also serve wine and cocktails. We love the Whiskey Sour and the Basil Margarita.
We are fans of Lachi’s Sans Rival Atbp. And by we, I mean the entire My Davao City Team, Davao Bloggers, and basically most of the people I know. On this blog alone, we have posted about them several times. We hope you continue to patronize and love them, as we do. Here are some of our Lachi’s favorites which you might want to try.
Why We Love Them
Lachi’s Sans Rival Atbp is one of Davao’s most popular food stops. As the name suggests, their business began with their Sans Rival and has now grown into a thriving food business with 3 branches serving crowd favorite savory dishes and decadent yet affordable desserts and pastries.
What makes them stand out is the excellent quality of their food that has not changed over time. Every time you visit Lachi’s you can expect the same masterfully prepared homecooked meals. Nothing fancy. Just good old comfort food that will delight any diner.
And yes, their desserts are to die for. Each one is perfectly balanced. Nothing too sweet. Every component properly prepared.
Our Lachi’s Favorites
Number one in our list of Lachi’s favorites is their Laing.
Lachi’s famous Laing.
Our contributor Athina shares “I was never a fan of laing until I tasted Lachi’s famous laing. As somebody who is not a fan of vegetables, this specialty definitely changed my mind.” Almost everybody who has tried it will agree. Laing is great as a companion to their other savory dishes like the Lechon Kawali and the Pork Ribs. Or you can just eat it on its own with some steamed rice. A bit of warning though, you will definitely consume a lot of rice when you eat laing.
Here is great news for all. Laing bottles their laing and you can bring it home or gift as giveaway or pasalubong.
Bottled Laing
We have been buying their frozen laing in tubs and the bottled one is just as good. Lachi’s bottled Laing is available in both Mild and Spicy varieties. Buy one or more and make sure to satisfy that craving anytime you want. These are available at both their Marfori and Tulip Branches for just P170 a bottle.
Unforgettable Pork Ribs
As mentioned, Lachi’s serves great ribs aptly named “Unforgettable Grilled Pork Ribs.”
Lahci’s Unforgettable Grilled Pork Ribs
Our Managing Editor Olivia picks this as her favorite: “Unforgettable Grilled Pork Ribs is one of my all time favorite when dining at Lachis. It is soft and tasty too! Mapaparequest ka talaga ng extra rice.” And we are sure this is also on the list of a lot of people’s Lachi’s favorites. It sure is on the list of many of our friends.
The meat is tender and falls off the bones. You can just use your spoon and fork to take the juicy and flavorful meat. The taste is a good balance of salty and sweet with a bit of sour all tied together by the great smokey flavor of the grilling process.
You can order this at their Marfori branch as a packed hot meal with rice for only P200.
Asian Spicy Chicken
Another top recommendation to order at Lachi’s is the Asian Spicy Chicken.
Asian Spicy Chicken
I guess it can be said that Lachi’s is masterful in balancing flavors and textures. Their famous Asian Spicy Chicken is proof of that. Juicy on the inside. Crispy on the outside. With a sauce that is all at once spicy, sour, sweet, and salty. Superb. Our correspondent Renz recommends this.
Unfortunately, this dish is not available at Lachi’s right now. But let us keep our fingers crossed that the situation improves for Lachi’s and for everybody.
Pork Binagoongan
And here is a recommendation for all those whose heart belongs to Filipino cuisine.
Pork Binagoongan
Our Editor Ria picks the Pork Binagoongan as one of her current Lachi’s favorites. (Her list changes from time to time.) She loves how perfectly salty it is. Salty enough to demand at least 2 cups of rice but not too salty to be overwhelming. “You can still taste the tender pork even when it is drowned in more than enough bagoong.”
February 9 was Pizza Day so some of you might think this post is a bit late. Yes, it is. But everyday is a good day to have good pizza. If you agree, check out and bookmark this Guide to Davao Pizza Places. (Or maybe screencap, whatever works for you.)
From north to south, from P100 to P1000+, solo size to humungous 36″… we have all the Davao Pizza Spots here for you.
Barrio Bistro
One of Davao’s most popular homegrown pizza places is Barrio Bistro. Their popularity is due, primarily, to their multiple locations. And because of their Buy 1, Take 1 Promo.
Barrio Bistro Buy 1, Take 1 All Day Promo
What sets Barrio Bistro‘s Buy 1, Promo 1 apart is that the deal is available all day. Everyday. You can buy 2 12″ thin crust pizzas for as low as PhP355. Among all Davao pizza places, Barrio Bistro is the one we recommend for the best value for money offers.
They offer popular pizza flavors such as Pepperoni and Three Cheese, and more interesting ones such as Taco Mexicana and Chicken Fajitas.
Pizzas by Barrio Bistro
Their signature pizza Barrio Pizza is topped with Italian sausage, olives, mushrooms, and bell peppers. Flavors are also available with thick crust. Our Managing Editor Olivia counts Taco Mexicana as one of her favorite pizzas.
Looking for unique pizza flavors? Maybe one that would set your mouth on fire? Not literally, obviously. Check out Cafe Canary‘s Firecracker Pizza. It is a favorite of our correspondents Athina and Jexx.
Cafe Canary Firecracker Nachos Pizza. Photo by Athina Angliongto.Cafe Canary Ollie Sardines PizzaCafe Canary Salted Egg and Chorizo Helipop Pizza
Firecracker Nacho, Salted Egg & Chorizo, and Ollie Sardines are some of Cafe Canary’s unique pizza flavors. But if you want something classic, you can opt for Margharite Flamingo, All Cheese Cannonball, or Pepperoni Primo. All of their pizza flavors come in 12″ and solo sizes.
Cafe Canary offers pizza and pasta bundles so you get to enjoy their dishes with your favorite people. The Barkada Bundle includes 2 whole pizzas, 2 pasta dishes, Canary Wings, 1.5 L soda or juice, and one whole loaf of garlic bread. All for only PhP1,149. They also have a Family Bundle priced at only PhP749 and includes a pizza, 1 pasta dish, canary wings, garlic bread, and 1.5L drinks.
CAFE CANARY Address: Calachuchi Street corner Acacia Street, Juna Subdivision, Matina Contact Number: +63906-0627070 Business Hours: 10 am – 10 pm, Monday – Sunday Price Range: PhP170 – PhP220 Facebook Page: fb.com/cafecanaryDavaoph/ Instagram: @Cafe_Canary
Classio Mobile Wood Fired Oven
Looking for a unique pizza experience? Classio Mobile Wood Fired Oven might be what you are looking for. The business started as a food truck enterprise somewhere along the stretch of JP Laurel Avenue. After joining a number of food fairs and serving thousands of hungry diners at their JP Laurel spot, Classio now has a physical store.
They serve simple, no frill pizzas baked from their wood fired oven and straight to your table. My Davao City Editor Ria recommends Classio’s All Cheese Pizza and the Prosciutto Pizza.
Classio Mobile Wood Fired Oven’s Menu as of August 2018. Photo from the CMWFO FB Page.
What better way to enjoy a good videoke session than with delicious pizza? You can do just that at Davao’s most family KTV spot. K1 is not exactly a pizza place but they do serve good pizza.
Their pizza flavors vary from classic Pepperoni, Vegetarian, and Hawaiian to more unique flavors Spam, Bacon Cheeseburger, and Chicken Coleslaw. K1 pizzas are available in Regular and Large sizes. They also serve a humongous 36″ Monster Pizza available in Beef & Mushroom, Aloha, Eduardo’s Special, or Meat Lover’s. The Monster Pizza is priced at PhP1,399.
K1 FAMILY KTV AND CAFE Address: F. Torres Street Contact Number: +63917-1121688 Business Hours: 6 pm – 1 am, Tuesday – Sunday Price Range: PhP215 – PhP495 Facebook Page: fb.com/K1FamilyKtvCafeSpa/ Instagram: @K1Davao
Kalakoa Pizza and Coffee Hut
If you hate pineapples on your pizza, a Hawaiian themed pizza place might not attract you. But do not be fooled by its chill beach ambiance, Kalakoa serves more than just Hawaiian Pizza.
Kalakoa classifies their pizza into two: Regular and Premium. Regular Pizza flavors are Herbed Tuna, Herbed Mushroom, Cheese Supreme, Cheesy Garlic, Hawaiian (of course), and Carbonara. The 3 Premium Pizza Options are Ham and Pepperoni, All-Meat, and Supremo.
Their Supremo Pizza has quite a long list of toppings: ham, Hungarian sausage, pepperoni, bacon, tuna, pineapple, mushrooms, olives, onions, bell peppers, and fried garlic. All over a tomato sauce made from fresh tomatoes. Interesting, right?
So when you are at mall and looking for Davao pizza places to try, why not order from Kalakoa?
KALAKOA PIZZA AND COFFEE HUT Address: 3F Abreeza Ayala Mall, JP Laurel Avenue, Bajada Business Hours: 10 am – 9 pm, Monday – Sunday Branch: Matina Town Square, McArthur Highway, Matina Price Range: PhP315 – PhP435 Facebook Page: fb.com/kalakoacoffeehut Instagram: @kalakoa_dvo Delivery Service: via foodPanda
La Toscana Ristorante Italiano
Their name translates to Tuscany Italian Restaurant. Literally. For those who have never been to La Toscana, it might seem a bit intimidating. The ambiance seems too formal. Truth is there is no strict dress code here. If you are looking for an authentic Italian pizza, visit La Toscana. Even if you’re wearing casual clothes.
They have an extensive Italian cuisine menu with a page dedicated to Le Pizza.
La Toscana Le Pizze Menu
And yes, La Toscano has 3 convenient locations. If you are looking for Davao pizza places near you, you are sure to find at least one La Toscana nearby.
LA TOSCANA RISTORANTE ITALIANO Address: Tiongko Building, Arellano Street Contact Number: +6382-3056556 Branches: Citi Hardware Diversion Road Buhangin; Brgy. Buda, Marilog District Business Hours: 11 am – 10 pm, Monday – Sunday Price Range: PhP260 – PhP390
Lara Mia Cafe and Bistro
Tartufo Pizza and Salty Lovers Club Pizza by Lara Mia
Sisters Lara and Mia started their food business with their family’s heritage fudge recipe. From its success, they built a food establishment that offers sophisticated food for refined palates. But mind you, Lara Mia is not stuffy, expensive, or high brow.
They serve only 9 pizza flavors, but each one is interesting and undeniably delicious: Margherita, Prosciutto & Arugula, Amore (All-Meat), Breakfast Pizza, Napoli (Shrimps and Mushrooms), Pepperoni, Tartufo (Black Truffles), Quattro Formaggi, and Salty Lovers Club. Lara Mia pizzas only come in one size: 12″.
The Quattro Formaggi is a favorite of kids and adults, alike. If you want something more interesting, try the Prosciutto and Arugula and the Tartufo. All three are highly recommended by Ria.
They are conveniently located somewhere south but not too far from downtown. This is the place to be for a cozy, homey pizza session alone or with your friends. Plus, they have an Instagrammable place so do drop by.
LARA MIA CAFE and BISTRO Address: University Avenue corner Talisay Street, Juna Subdivision, Matina Contact Numbers: +6382-2981789, +63932-8283636 Business Hours: 11 am – 9 pm, Monday – Sunday Price Range: PhP280 – PhP370 Facebook Page: fb.com/LaraMiaFudge Instagram: @LaraMiaFudge
Munchtown Grill Davao
Needless to say, Munchtown specializes in grilled skewered meats. Obviously. But do serve good pizza so they deserve a spot in this list.
They serve 4 classic pizza flavors: Three Cheese, Hawaiian, Bacon and Mushrooom, and Pepperoni. Completing their pizza menu is heir specialty: the Munchtown Overload Pizza.
MUNCHTOWN GRILL DAVAO Business Hours: 11 am – 11 pm, Monday – Saturday Price Range: PhP195 – PhP320 Facebook Page: fb.com/Munchtown.Davao Instagram: @munchtown_dvo Delivery Service: via foodPanda
While Davao City is one of the country’s major urban centers, its night scene is very much chill compared to Cebu and Manila. Yep, chill is how we would best describe the local nightlife. One of the best spots for chillaxing is Zanzibar Davao.
First, if you haven’t been to the place, you might not find it at all. The bar is situated inside Batu House Cafe. It used to have no outdoor signage of the bar at all. (Luckily, now they have a signage already.) So it’s sort of a secret bar. It used to be such a quiet place, known only to a few. But now, more Davaoeños have discovered our favorite spot. And we suspect, its popularity will just grow in the coming months.
Zanzibar Davao is a nice, cozy place where you can just sit back and enjoy a bottle of beer for less than a hundred while spending quality time with old and new friends. They pipe in music at just the right volume that you can actually converse with your friends.
Davao Bloggers at Zanzibar Davao
Davao Bloggers love the place for its easy, relaxed vibe and their wide range of delicious cocktail drinks. They have so many drinks that it can become confusing and overwhelming for those visiting for the first time. Great thing is nothing is over PhP300. And their 30+ cocktails are categorized into five: Bold and Boozy, Sour, Fruity, Fizzy, and Sweet Confectionery.
Fruity Cocktails at Zanzibar Davao
Since we love the place so much, we each have our own favorites. Here’s our guide to our Davao Bloggers’ Favorite Cocktails at Zanzibar.
Let’s start with our most ordered drink, the Strawberry Basil Fresca.
Strawberry Basil Fresca
Menu Description: Like summer in Baguio! Refreshing and Cool! Vodka, Strawberries, Basil, and Lemon.
Clea Banal and Julie Alontaga both love this drink since they both like strawberries. It’s strong but remains sweet and refreshing. It might seem like a light drink, like a fizzy strawberry drink. Do not get deceived. The alcohol will hit you even before you finish one glass.
On our first cocktails night at Zanzibar, the girls tried Gin Pom.
Menu Description: Made using Davao’s Sweet Pomelo!
Back in the 1990s and early 2000s, Gin Pomelo was the most popular cocktail of college students and yuppies. It was sweet and fruity and gin was hella cheap. You could say Zanzibar’s Gin Pom brings us this classic favorite, but this time made with fresh pomelo juice. And the rim of glass has pink sugar, making it an Instagrammable drink.
For those who want something more refreshing, our editor-in-chief Ria Jose recommends Kalamansi Krush.
Kalamansi Krush Cocktail by Zanzibar Davao
Menu Description: A cocktail that highlights our own local lime! Gin, Calamansi, Cointreau, and Honey.
Like the other fruity cocktails of Zanzibar, this is deceivingly sweet and light. But becareful. It packs a punch. So do not take this and other items in the Fruity Cocktails menu lightly. They will give you a buzz.
Sweet Confectionery
If you want something sweet but not fruity, order the White Russian.
White Russian. Photo by Claudine Chua.
Menu Description: Creamy Coffee Cocktail! A boozy dessert!
For coffee lovers who also love alcohol, this is what Claudine Chua and Jeffrey Mondia would like you to try. It is a combination of milk, Kahlua and well, vodka. It is the best of both worlds, or three rather, as what Claudine says.
Note that Kahlua is basically rum and coffee. So you get two doses of liquor in one drink. And they serve it in such a quaint way, too. The vodka-infused milk is served in a jar labeled with the instruction “Pour Me” and the Kahlua is served in an Old Fashioned glass with ice. And you get to pour the milk over the Kahlua so you get to see the layers of booze, milk, and coffee swirling and mixing together creating a decadent (and very alcoholic) drink. After drinking, it has the aftertaste of coffee instead of the rum or vodka.
Roxanne Lacap mixing the White Russian
This cocktail is not just for the girls because guys love it too. “I am not a big fan of cocktails but I like the White Russian for its coffee flavor and it is like I am making an affogato.” Jeffrey shares.
Sours at Zanzibar Davao
If sweet is not your thing, give your palate something tangy, citrus, tart… everything sour.
Julie suggests the Amaretto Sour.
Amaretto Sour
Menu Description: Disarrono liqueur, hand-squeezed lemon juice, egg whites, all shaken violently.
It is just the right amount of tangy and bitter with just a hint of sweet. Unlike the fruity and sweet cocktails, you can easily taste the alchohol content in this one. Continue reading →
