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Shuga Beibi

December Favorites [Davao Food Recommendations]

Hello, 2025! Here is another favorites list from 2024. Our December Favorites is here. Mostly, our favorites from the holiday events we attended. And it is longer than usual. Plus, three coffee drinks we love.

December 2024 Favorites

Our top recommendations for December are:

  • Tomato and Basil Soup by Made Simple,
  • Kare-Kare by Romualdo’s,
  • Beef Caldereta by Chippens,
  • Mango Passion Fruit Kakiguri by Shuga Beibi,
  • Paris Brest by Dulce Desserts,
  • Sea Salt Latte by Club’s Bakery,
  • Spanish Latte by Priore Cafe, and
  • Kori-Kohi by Beans and Berry.

List is longer than usual and we have 3 coffee drinks on it.

Tomato and Basil Soup by Made Simple

We went back to Made Simple and we tried the soup.

December 2024 Faves Tomato and Basil Soup by Made Simple
Tomato and Basil Soup by Made Simple

The Tomato and Basil Soup is rich and flavorful. Tangy, a bit salty and creamy. It goes well with their bread. It is a good starter to your meal or could be an entire light meal on its own.

Made Simple is located at CT Drive along Tulip Drive.

Kare-Kare by Romualdo’s

Our next two recommendations are by two of our favorite caterers in Davao.

The Kare-Kare by Romualdo’s is a winner. Tender beef and oxtail and vegetables in a tasty rich peanut sauce. It is apparent that it is cooked with care with homecooked quality to it. Superb.

The team behind Romualdo’s recently opened their first restaurant, Recuerdo in Juna Subdivision.

Beef Caldereta by Chippens

Another favorite from the holiday events we attended is Beef Caldereta by Chippens.

Chippens is undoubtedly the most popular caterer in Davao. Oone of our favorites is their Beef Caldereta. The beef is tender and flavorful and the sauce is rich, savory, sour, and just a bit sweet and spicy. There is a perfect blend of flavors that make any occasion just a little bit more special.

Their Beef Caldereta is also available in their stores freshly cooked or frozen.

Special mention to their Lechon Baka which we also love.

Chippens is located at Roxas Avenue. You may also enjoy their Calderata at Salome’s Garden in Cabantian.

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Valentines Date in Davao 2024

Valentine’s Date in Davao

Happy Valentine’s Day! If you do not have your Valentines Date in Davao planned yet, we have prepared a list for you. This year, we are recommending spots that are a little bit out of the way and underrated. These are the perfect venues to spend quiet time with your partner or to have a nice bonding time with your family and friends.

Valentine’s Date in Davao Recommendations

Here are our 2024 recommendations for your Valentine’s Day Date:

  • Club’s Bakery in Matina Crossing
  • Wood and Coffee in Magtuod
  • Pilgrim Restaurant in Barangay Baganihan
  • Benjarong at D2 Dusit Thani in Lanang

Afternoon Coffee: Club’s Bakery

Our choice for a nice low-key afternoon coffee date is Club’s Bakery.

Valentines Date at Clubs Bakery Davao
Lemon Cruffin and Iced Spanish Latte

Club’s Bakery has a great selection of classic French pastries and some interesting novel items. And their coffee is superb.

We recommend their Pain Au Chocolat, the Fresh Blueberry Danish, and the Lemon Cruffin. Partner it with their Iced Spanish Latte. The yummy pastries and coffee make for a good, simple, and low-key but memorable afternoon coffee date.

If you want to extend your date a bit, they also serve savory dishes.

Read more: Club’s Bakery Davao

Art and Nature: Wood and Coffee

Enjoy both art and nature in just one date. Plus, good matcha. Wood and Coffee in Barangay Magtuod is less than an hour’s drive away from downtown.

Wood and Coffee Croffle and Matcha Green Tea Latte for your Valentines Date in Davao
Croffle and Matcha

Our contributor Andrew recommends their Sardines Pasta, Puttanesca Pasta, Concrete Matcha, Mugwort Latte, and Croffles. Enjoy these with your partner or with your friends while enjoying fresh air and gorgeous green scenery.

Located in the same homey building is the Gil Bumanlag Art Gallery that features avant-garde pieces. Enjoy a quiet Valentine’s Date away from the noise of downtown Davao.

Our Editor Ria picks this as her top option for a solo date with herself.

Wood and Coffee is also on Best Matcha in Davao list. Check it out if you and your partner are matcha lovers.

Read More: Wood and Coffee Davao

Away from the City: Pilgrim Restaurant

And even further away from the city is Pilgrim Restaurant.

This quaint restaurant is located at Barangay Baganihan, 80 kilometers away from downtown. But it is worth the trip. Cozy ambiance. Superb food. Our contributor Andrew recommends their Scallops, the Truffled Mushroom Gnocchi, and the Coq Au Vin.

People usually have a meal here en route to Bukidnon or if they are staying overnight in the area. But if you and your partner love long drives, this is worth the trip. Make sure to prepare a nice driving playlist and drive safe.

Read more: Pilgrim Restaurant Davao

Thai Cuisine: Benjarong at Dusit D2

And up north, we recommend Benjarong at Dusit D2.

If you are looking for a quiet place for your date, we recommend Dusit D2’s Thai restaurant, Benjarong. It’s pricey but we love it. Benjarong offers refined dishes but still with authentic taste. Ria recommends the Lab Kai and the Gung Sa Moon Prai. And their cocktails.

Plus, the entire restaurant is just exquisitely gorgeous with romantic low warm lighting.

Read more: Benjarong Davao

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