Author Archives: Ria Jose

About Ria Jose

Professional Blogger. Social Media Strategist. Davao Bloggers Society Founding President. Aspiring Vlogger. Brand Ambassador. With over 10 blogs developed, you could say Ria has tried it all. Well, at least online. After more than 10 years as resident blogger and editor-in-chief of MyDavaoCity.com, she remains passionate and committed to sharing her hometown to the world.

Sinuglaw by Balik Bukid Farm and Kitchen

Recommended Davao Food for Araw ng Dabaw

Madayaw! Welcome to Davao. Is it your first time in Davao? Or maybe you live here or have been here before but looking for the best food spots to try this Araw ng Dabaw weekend. We have our list of our Top Davao Restaurants that represent the best of Davao cuisine.

Our Top Davao Restaurants

Davao has a great abundance of fruits and vegetables, seafood, poultry, and other meats. And it is home to a mix of peoples, cultures, and cuisines. So for Araw ng Dabaw, we have chosen five establishments that we feel best represent local produce, cuisine, and our culture.

We carefully picked these restaurants based on how well they represent Davao cuisine and our fresh produce. And we took into account their consistency in terms of taste and service.

This is our list of recommendations, in no particular order.

  • Balik Bukid
  • Lito’s Grill
  • Yellow Fin
  • Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps
  • ArtisAna Comfort Food

Balik Bukid

Our first recommendation for Araw ng Dabaw is Balik Bukid Farm + Kitchen.

“Balik Bukid” translates to “back to the farm.” And that’s what a meal at Balik Bukid feels and tastes like. The restaurant has a buhay kubo feel with quirky elements made of upcycled materials. We won’t spoil them for you but we especially love their menu.

We never recommend based on aesthetics alone, so trust us when we say their dishes are superb. They create their dishes to highlight the produce from their farm. The availability of their menu items usually depends on the availability of ingredients from the farm and from their handpicked suppliers.

Balik Bukid features regional dishes from Mindanao and other parts of the Philippines. These include Sinuglaw, Kesong Puti, Sinaing, and Kagikit. And for those with a sweet tooth, end your meal with their homemade ice cream.

Balik Bukid is located along Quimpo Boulevard.

See their Full Menu and Other Info: Balik Bukid

Lito’s Grill

Our second recommendation is an underrated one: Lito’s Grill.

Simple. Straightforward. No frills. Lito’s Grill is as homey as one can get. If you want good food prepared as your favorite tita would, Lito’s Grill is the place to visit.

There are many grill and barbeque restaurants in Davao. Many good ones, to be honest. But Lito’s Grill stands out for us for their consistency in delivering the same good quality over the years.

We recommend the Imbao Soup, the Native Chicken Barbeque, the Pork Belly in a Stick, and their much talked about Champorado.

They are located along Tulip Drive extension at the side of SM City Davao.

Yellow Fin Seafood

Next on our list is another Davao staple: Yellow Fin Seafood Restaurant.

Yellow Fin Seafood Restaurant has been around for several decades now and they still serve some of the best seafood dishes in Davao.

We recommend the Sizzling Seafood Platter, their Tuna Laing, and their Greaseless Fried Chicken. The last one is not seafood, but trust us. Their Fried Chicken is superb. Plus, their Halo-Halo is also really good.

Yellow Fin is also located along Quimpo Boulevard, beside Balik Bukid.

Boiling Crabs and Shrimps by Blue Posts

We cannot make a list of our top Davao restaurants without Boiling Crabs and Shrimps.

Blue Posts Boiling Crabs nd Shrimps

They are most popular for their fresh crabs and shrimps cooked with your choice of sauce. Butter Garlic and Sambal are our top choices. If you enjoy getting messy while feasting on crabs and shrimps, Boiling Crabs and Shrimps is worth every peso.

You must not miss out on their other offerings. We recommend the Pomelo Shrimp Salad and the Sinuglaw.

Boiling Crabs and Shrimps by Blue Posts is located along JP Laurel Avenue in Bajada and they have a branch at the Annex of SM City Davao.

ArtisAna Comfort Gourmet

Finally, we recommend ArtisAna Comfort Gourmet.

And for something more refined and elevated, we recommend ArtisAna Comfort Cuisine. They served a mix of Filipino and Spanish Cuisine. Local produce are greatly highlighted in their well-crafted dishes.

A little bit more pricey than our other recommendations, but worth every peso, as well. They have a more cozy, less frenetic ambiance compared to most other local restaurants.

ArtisAna is located along Araullo Street.

Full Menu and More Info: ArtisAna Comfort Gourmet

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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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Tikoy Davao

Where to Buy Tikoy in Davao

Gong Xi Fa Cai! Are you ready to celebrate the Lunar New Year? Do not forget to buy tikoy for your family and friends. Here are three recommendations for where to buy Tikoy in Davao.

Where to Buy Tikoy in Davao?

Our top three Tikoy stores are:

  • Star Bakehouse
  • Sy Bee Tin
  • Eatworks Tikoy

Star Bakehouse

Our Editor Ria loves tikoy by Davao Star Bakehouse and Hopia Factory, Inc. Their tikoy, mooncakes, hopia, and other treats are perfect for Lunar New Year and all year round.

Star Bakehouse is most popular for their various tikoy products. They have Ready to Eat Tikoy and Round Tikoy which you can fry and serve.

They also have mooncakes available in 4 variants: Pork, Ube, Mongo, and Red Mongo. Available in Singles and Boxes of 4 pieces. And also perfect for the Lunar New Year are their various Dice and Hopia treats. They are our personal favorites and we highly recommend them.

Davao Star Bakehouse is open Mondays to Saturdays, from 9 am to 5 pm. For delivery services, Davao Star recommends Cravings Delivery with rates as low as PhP39.

For pick ups, you may get your order at their Aurora Quezon shop. It is located near Fatima Church. The storefront is a Green Store right in front of White  Angel Laundry Shop.

Call them at +6382-2863767 or at +6382-2275302 to order. Their Facebook Page is at this link.

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Best Matcha in Davao City

Best Matcha in Davao City

Are you a matcha lover in search of the best cup? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s our list of the Best Matcha in Davao City:

Best Matcha in Davao: &Matcha

Our choice for the best matcha in Davao is &Matcha.

They use authentic ingredients, crafting rich and diverse matcha blends that cater to every taste. Keep an eye out for their seasonal offerings which include specialty matcha blends.

Their beautiful, minimalist interiors add to the experience.

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Holidays with Eden Cheese

Holidays with Eden Cheese

Happy New Year! How was your Christmas and New Year celebrations? We hope you had a fun and delicious holiday season. This 2024, we invite you to spend your holidays with Eden Cheese.

Related Link: Davao Business Stories

Make Memories with Eden Cheese

Turn holidays (and everyday) into special memories by serving creamy, cheesy, and delicious dishes that we usually associate with Christmas. Make your spaghetti better with our favorite cheese. It is the go-to cheese for many Filipino moms which gives their homemade spaghetti feel like home.

Cheese can make your spaghetti and other dishes better. Dishes can make more holidays — Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Easter Sunday, birthdays, and more — become more special and memorable.

Our favorite dishes to add Eden Cheese are Beef Caldereta (Ria’s favorite), Cheesy Baked Potatoes, Cheesy Pancakes, and Omelette. What are yours?

Want to learn more? Visit twistandmake.com/eden.

Share with us your favorites.

Follow us on social media for more information and recommendations for dining around Davao. Our Facebook Page is at http://www.facebook.com/MyDavaoCity. We are @MyDavaoCity on Instagram and @MyDavaoCity on Twitter.

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.

Big Bad Wolf Davao 2023

Big Bad Wolf Davao 2023

They are finally coming back to Davao. The World’s Biggest Book Sale will be in town in time for your holiday shopping. Big Bad Wolf Davao 2023 is happening from December 15 to 23. And we have all the details here for you.

Big Bad Wolf Davao 2023

For it’s third iteration, BBW Davao 2023 will be held at SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang. The organizers promise to bring over 2.5 million titles of different authors and genres. This is the last BBW event in the Philippines for 2023.

Big Bad Wolf Davao 2023

Most of the books during the events will be at low prices with exclusive discounts of up to 95%.

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