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.
At the heart of Watsons is their unwavering commitment to supporting women at every stage of their life. As Watsons Club 8 Years, they aim to uplift every Filipino woman.
The company recognizes the important role of women in every space they occupy and they aim to make lives easier for Filipino women. Watsons Pharmacists serve as Health Besties willing to listen, answer questions, and guide women toward choices that fit their needs.
This commitment to service is built on 185 years of A.S. Watsons’ experience in health and beauty retail. The company has a long-standing legacy of care that is evident in the way Watsons supports women today.
Watsons Club
Celebrating their 8th year anniversary Watsons Club has prepared surprises and many reasons for their members to feel gr8. Watsons Club makes everyday health, wellnessm beauty, and personal care more rewarding and exciting.
Look for Green Tags across Watsons stores to enjoy exclusive rewards for Watsons Club members.
And member can earn one eRaffle entrry for every P1,000 spent at Watsons. The prize at stake? A three days and two nights wellness retreat at COMO Shambhala Estate in Ubud, Bali.
Plus, 185 Watsons e-gift vouchers from Giftway are up for grabs.
More Member Benefits
Watsons Club members can earn 8X Watsons Club Points on weekends when they spend at least ?1,000 in a single receipt on eligible purchases at Watsons stores. Members can also get the same benefit when they purchase via the Watsons App or on watsons.com.ph.
Plus, Watsons Club members can enjoy 5% off vaccination services until October 21, 2026. Be proactive. Get vaccinated with Watsons.
Don’t miss out on these benefits and other services by Watsons. Visit the Watsons store nearest you.
Our October 2025 Favorites. Super late. Oops. But forgive us as we tackle our backlogs. We have pasta, hot pot, desserts, and a refreshing coffee concoction. Our top favorite? The Mixed Berries Cheesecake by Lachi’s. Of course.
Ready? Here are our favorites from February:
Garlic Alfredo Pasta by The Secret Garden Cafe
Beef Short Ribs with Kimchi Rice by Dulce Desserts
Hao TangHotpot
Cheesecake by Lachi’s Sansrival Atbp
Lemon Espresso Tonic by Cafe de Vivre
Garlic Alfredo Pasta
First, a pasta dish: Garlic Chicken Alfredo by The Secret Garden Cafe.
We love all sorts of pasta dishes and this one is definitely one we love. The pasta is al dente. The chicken is juicy and tasty. And nothing is drowing in sauce. The cream sauce is tasty and rich but not too thick nor too much. Just the right texture and amount.
The garlic is the best part of this because it cuts through the sauce and balances the flavor of everything. And the fresh basil on top adds freshness to the dish.
The Secret Garden Cafe is located in SM Village, Bangkal. We recommend calling or sending a message ahead to reserve a spot.
Second on this list is Beef Short Ribs with Kimchi Rice by Dulce Desserts.
Dulce Desserts opened at a new location just a stone throw’s away from their old location. Literally just a few meter away. Same street, same building, new and bigger spot. And of course, an expanded menu with savory dishes and more options.
We have tried a few of their savory dishes and the Beef Shortribs with Kimchi Rice is our favorite. Tender and savory beef with a hint of sweetness. Spicy, fluffy Kimchi Rice. Perfect cooked sunny side egg. The mix of flavors and textures is truly delightful.
Dulce Desserts is located at CT Drive in Tulip Drive, Matina.
Our friend ordered for us so we do not remember much of what we ordered but a few things stood out. First, the appetizer of Sweet Potato Chips. Thinly sliced, perfectly fried and seasoned sparsely. Second, the expansive sauce bar with way too many options. Our Editor Ria tried making her usual hotpot sauce and they had everything she loves. We also tried their own sauce mix as prepared by their servers and we recommend it to those who do not have their own favorite hotpot sauce mix yet.
We also love the Tomato Broth. Just the right mix of umami and sourness. All the meat we had looked fresh and tasted just right. The vegetables were crisp and fresh. And all the balls and dimsum tasted right. Nothing was frozen or limp in texture.
We recommend ordering the herbal tea. It cleanses the palate and gives a nice balance to the salty, spicy, umami flavors of the hotpot. And it is refreshing.
Hao Tang has a branch at Azuela High Street and at Sion Building in Juna Subdivision, Matina.
Cheesecake by Lachi’s
And we are back at our top favorite and most recommended Davao restaurant, Lachi’s Sans Rival Atbp.
We will probably never get tired of Lachi’s and we will never run out of stuff to recommend. While we love their signature sans rival, our Editor Ria’s first love at Lachi’s are their cheesecakes. It is always a treat to have cheesecake by Lachi’s. In this October trip to Lachi’s they surprised us with one of our favorites, a whole Lachi’s Cheesecake with a mix of berry toppings.
One fourth is Cherry, another fourth is Strawberry, and the half is Blueberry. The Our favorite is Cherry. The tartness is the perfect balance to the rich and creamy cheesecake. But having all three options in one cheesecake is a great idea for a dinner party with family and friends.
Other must-try cheesecakes by Lachi’s are the Triple Chocolate Cheesecake and the Matcha Cheesecake. The Durian Cheesecake is also a great dessert to try, even if you are not a durian lover.
Lachi’s Sans Rival Atbp is located at Poblacion Market Central along Bangoy Street.
Finally, our latest recommendation from October 2025 is Lemon Espresso Tonic by Cafe de Vivre.
We tried to accomplish the Davao Coffee Crawl but was just too busy. Luckily, we were able to try three spots and this one was our favorite. It is light and refreshing. It was tangy and a bit sweet. If you are a fan of citrus and coffee concoctions, this is a must-try.
Cafe de Vivre is located at the 3rd Floor of the Expansion Wing of Abreeza Ayala Mall along JP Laurel Avenue.
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.
Love, 8000 Weekend Market at Three YardsAndiCrafts at Tio Noning’s
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.
But we have more discoveries we want to share. Every week, we discover new and exciting delicious treats.
Fuji Matcha with Dango by O MatchaBao Republic at the Weekend MarketTruffle Cream Pasta with Fried Chicken by Jane’s KitchenLechon Kawali by Eggsthetic
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.
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.
Kakanin by Stella’s CuisineKnto CincoCold Brew by Kaniii
Stella’s Cuisine serves popular Filipino kakanin and snacks. Our favorites are their kutsinta, palitaw, and sapin-sapin. And of course, the binignit.
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.
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.
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.
We have had many shawarmas in our life but we think Dani’s Palace Shawarma is one of the best.
Chicken and Beef Shawarma by Dani’s Palace
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.
Here is a new entry in our Holy Week Dining Guide: Fabian’s Pizza.
Prosciutto Arugula PizzaBlue Cheese BurgerTacos
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
