Araw ng Davao is one of the best times to visit Davao City.
With all the activities lined up by the local government as well as the private
sector; the city’s Charter Day is bound to fill a tourist’s itinerary. When one
wants to recharge or simply experience the best of Davao cuisine, it is easy to
get lost in the flurry of Davao food stops. For that purpose we have come up
with a food guide for the visiting foodie.
1.) Paella: This traditional Spanish rice dish is given
Davaoeno flair at Tiny Kitchen with their Paella Negra. Served in a traditional
paellera (the pan used to make paella which allows even cooking for the rice
and other ingredients), this heaping helping of perfectly-cooked rice blackened
with Squid Ink topped with Spanish Sausages, Vegetables, Fish, Squid, Shrimp,
and Shells fresh from Davao seas makes for a complete meal that excites the palate
and leaves you craving for more. Tiny Kitchen is located at F. Torres St corner
Mabini St.
2.) Siopao: Davao
serves some of the best Siopao in the country. As an on-the-go snack or as
pasalubong, these meat-filled buns give comfort to a hungry tummy. Kuilans and
Tevanj offer some of the best Siopao in Davao that is small in size, big in flavour,
and oh-so-addictive. For a baked (instead of steamed) take on Siopao, try
Bontee Toasted Siopao. Kuilans is located at #36 Lacson St Barrio Obrero Davao
City, #55 r. Castillo St Agdao Davao City, #24 Acacia St Juna Subdivision
Matina Davao City, and KM 18 48-A Barangay Tibungco Davao City. You may also
call them at (082) 2214105. Tevanj is located at Door #3 Tan Building R.
Castillo St Agdao Davao City. There are several branches of Bontee, some of the
most accessible ones may be found along Legaspi St and along SIR.
3.) Pizza: When craving for a slice of this savoury pie, the
must-go pizzeria for the local pizza lover is (and will probably always be) Picobbello
Ristorante Italiano. Located at the topmost floor of Gaisano South Citimall
along Illustre St, this warm resto provides great ambience. The wafting smell
of freshly-baked pizzas draws any passerby in. Picobello serves the classic
Pepperoni Pizza, Marinara, Quattro Formaggio, Quattro Stagioni, and the folded
pizzas—Calzone. Make sure to drop by Picobello between 2 to 5 in the afternoon
where they offer a free pizza for every purchased pie.
4.) Dimsum Diner: If you are craving for fast and fresh
Chinese food, you might want to check out the Davaoeno take on delicious dim sum.
This local fastfood chain is open 24 hours and serves filling Chinese-inspired
dishes with Filipino flair. With an expansive menu of Rice Toppings, Breakfast
Sets, Congee Creations, Noodle Offerings, other Chinese-style meat dishes and
Dim Sum, and their addictive Bulad (Salted Fish) Fried Rice; this chain is a
definite must-try. Dimsum Diner is located at Bajada, Market Basket Damosa, 3rd
Floor Gaisano Mall, Shoppesville Arcade
Guerrero St, Quirino St, Fairlanes Bowling Center F.Torres St, and along
McArthur Hi-way.
5.) Aling Foping’s Halo-halo:
When craving for a cool treat to beat the heat, Filipinos instinctively think
of the Halo-halo. This mixture of crushed ice, milk, preserved fruits and
beans, leche flan (custard), ube (purple yam) jam, tapioca balls, gelatine, and
a scoop, or two, of ice cream is served best at Aling Foping’s inside Matina
Town Square (MTS) along MacArthur Hi-way in Matina. What makes their Halo-halo
so special? They use purified water for the ice and shave it twice to create
superfine ice shavings. When mixed with milk and other ingredients, it congeals
to a consistency not unlike ice cream.
6.) Dinakdakan: If you are looking for some exotic fare,
Goat’s Eye (located at Matina Town Square along MacArthur Hiway in Matina) must
be your destination. They serve the popular Dinakdakan—an Ilocano dish of pig
ears and cheeks, onions, pig’s brain, and some citrus—with a Davaoeno twist.
This dish goes well with some beer or as a main dish with rice. Its citrusy
kick offset by the creaminess of the sauce and crunch of the pork makes this
dish explode in the palate.
7.) Osvaldo’s Cakes: This quaint shop is located inside the
Legaspi Suites Compound along Pelayo (formerly Legaspi) St in downtown Davao.
Osvaldo’s offers many different cakes, pies, and pastries but their Lemon
Pomelo Pie truly stands out. Although Davao City is popular for growing the
best Pomelos in the country, the fruit is rarely seen in pastries such as this.
With a smooth consistency and a tangy kick, this is definitely the most
exciting way to enjoy the Pomelo in Davao.
8.) Maja Blanca: Alright. So Maja Blanca isn’t exactly the
most exciting dessert (or snack?) in the Philippines. But Cellar de Oboza, a
Neo-Filipino resto at Rizal St corner Ponciano St has made it one of their
bestsellers by fusing it with a popular Western dessert: the cheesecake. Their
Maja Blanca Cheesecake provides a sensory overload as the creamy smoothness of
the cheesecake is contrasted by the grainy texture of the corn. The sweet and
salty taste of the whole dessert melds in your mouth. This makes for
unforgettable treat that is truly worth the trip. As a bonus, you could also
try many of Cellar’s different Neo-Filipino food offerings.
9.) Burgers: It may seem odd for tourists, but Davao City is
slowly becoming a hub for local burger brands that are big in size and bigger
in flavour. One of the favorites is Al’s & Robz Diner located along
Ponciano St near the City Hall that serves American-style burgers that come in
huge servings. They also serve really good strawberry milkshakes and a burger
that ca feed twelve. For a more European take on the classic burger, De
Boerderij may be your best bet. Located along MacArthur Hi-way in Matina, De
Boerderij serves up unique burger creations and ups the fun ante with quirky
dishes, hilarious menu humour, and a kitschy barnyard interior. Outkaz is the
best choice for affordable burgers that come in huge servings. Located along
Uyanguren St, this simple canteen is starting to make a name for itself as the
new player in the local burger scene. Gino’s Burger is the latest
toast-of-the-burger-town in Davao City. They offer crazy variations to the
traditional burger which include Taco Burgers, Giant Burgers, Baconmush Burgers,
Inferno Burgers, and Stuffed Burgers, all char-broiled to get juicy patties
that are perfectly-seasoned. Visit Gno’s Burger at Sobrecarey St Barrio Obrero.
10.) E.Y.’s Tuna Davao: Located at #49 Lacson St Barrio
Obrero, this simple joint boasts of the freshest and most budget-friendly
seafood fare in Davao City. Only two years old, E.Y.’s has already made a name
for one of the best seafood restos in the city. Try their Deep-Fried Crablets,
Bihod (Tuna Roe), Sizzling Bagaybay (Tuna Testicles), or grilled Panga (Tuna
Jowls). You could also buy Tuna Belly by the gram and have it cooked two ways:
grilled, and as a soup.
