Category Archives: Events

Explore South Davao

Weekend Markets in South Davao

Perhaps the most exciting spots in South Davao are the weekend markets sprouting in the area.

South Davao Weekend Market: Love, 8000 Weekend Market at Three Yards — Love, 8000 Weekend Market at Three Yards

South Davao Weekend Market: AndiCrafts at Tio Noning's — Love, 8000 Weekend Market at Three Yards

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.

Savory Flea Market Finds

But we have more discoveries we want to share. Every week, we discover new and exciting delicious treats.

Weekend Market Favorite:
O Matcha Fuji Matcha with Dango — Fuji Matcha with Dango by O Matcha

Exploring South Davao: Bao Republic at the Weekend Market — Fuji Matcha with Dango by O Matcha

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.

Related Link: S avory Flea Market Finds

More Foodie Stops in South Davao

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.

South Davao Eats: Kakanin by Stella's Cuisine — Kakanin by Stella’s Cuisine

South Davao Eats: Knto Cinco — Kakanin by Stella’s Cuisine

Stella’s Cuisine serves popular Filipino kakanin and snacks. Our favorites are their kutsinta, palitaw, and sapin-sapin. And of course, the binignit.

Continue reading →

Savory Flea Market Finds

1 Reply

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.

View this post on Instagram

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.

View this post on Instagram

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.

SAVORY Flea Market Finds: Chicken Inasal Bowl by Kanii

Delicious Flea Market Finds: Chicken Teriyaki Bowl by Kanii

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.

Beautiful Flea Market Finds

Support local. Shop local. Dine local.

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.

See all upcoming Davao Flea Markets in the My Davao City Events Calendar: mydavaocity.com/davao-events/.

For more information on Davao restaurants, cafes, matcha bars, and other Davao dining options, visit our Davao Food Directory.

Follow us on social media for more events and stories in Davao. Watch our adventures on Tiktok @MyDavaoCity and on Youtube @MyDavaoCityBlog. Our Facebook Page is at http://www.facebook.com/MyDavaoCity. We are @MyDavaoCity on Instagram.

Penshoppe Cozy Days Ahead Davao Event

1 Reply

Love the chilly days and nights of the ber months? Enjoy the weather in fashion with Penshoppe‘s new collection. Join the Penshoppe “Cozy Days Ahead” Davao event this October to see the new collection.

PENSHOPPE continues their campaign to embrace boldness and momentum. From Brighter Days Ahead to Full Speed Ahead, Penshoppe has dedicated 2025 to campaigns that inspire optimism and the drive to succeed. Now comes Cozy Days Ahead, with a collection that encourages slowing down and enjoying cozy moments.

Penshoppe Cozy Days Ahead Davao

The campaign kicks off with a Cozy Days Ahead event in Cagayan de Oro City.

And the next stop is here. The Penshoppe Cozy Days Ahead Davao event will be on October 25 and 26, 2025 at the Annex of SM City Davao. And slated to join are Penshoppe Ambassadors BINI and Julia Barretto.

See collection previews. Enjoy Club Penshoppe rewards and promos. Go around interactive booths and cozy lounges.

Make sure to download the Penshoppe app and register to join.

Continue reading →

Basic Mobile Photography with Janius Lee and Huawei

Basic Mobile Photography with Janius Lee

“Photography is about light,” Janius Lee emphasized several times during his talk about Basic Mobile Photography during the Roadshow program on September 13.

Basic Mobile Photography with Huawei XMage and Janius Lee

Janius Lee is a Davao-based photographer specializing in Food and Architecture Photography.

During the Basic Mobile Photography session at the Roadshow, Lee shared how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO all play a part in capturing the perfect photo. Lee took the Huawei Pura 80 mobile phones on his recent cafe hopping trips. He showcased the shots taken with the Pura 80 to demonstrate the basics of mobile photography.

Continue reading →

Galentines in Davao

1 Reply

Hi, Davao girls! Looking to spending the upcoming Valentine’s Day with your girl friends? We have the perfect spots and events for you to spend your Galentines in Davao. So gather your best gals and celebrate the season with good food, great coffee, and some interesting finds. Maybe a glass of wine or two, as well.

What is Galentines? It is an occasion to gather your favorite girl friends (single or otherwise) and celebrate friendship and each other’s successes. Most people celebrate it on February 13. We think you can celebrate it any day this February. Or the rest of the year. Why not?

Galentines in Davao

Here in Davao, we have a few spots which we think would be a great places for you and your gal pals to gather at.

Club’s Bakery North
Koop Cafe
Yesterdays Coffee + Bar

Plus, some events this February that you might be interested in:

Louis Mireille & Friends at Fika Cafe
The Love Club by Little Toast

Club’s Bakery North

One of our favorite food spots we discovered in 2024 is Club’s Bakery. And we are glad they have now expanded to a new branch.

We chose this as our first spot for Galentines because it is cozy and quiet. They have the perfect menu for a brunch date. Or an afternoon coffee date with your gal pals. We love their Sea Salt Cream Latte.

And of course, their various croissants.

Our Editor Ria picks their Double Cookie Croissant, the Lemon Cruffin, the Pain Au Chocolat, and the Strawberry Croissant as her personal picks.

Club’s Bakery North is located at Veloso Street in Obrero.

Koop Cafe

Next on our list is Koop Cafe.

Koop Cafe is another cozy cafe in the Obrero area. They are popular for their sweet crepes. But they also serve savory crepes, pasta and rice dishes. And of course, coffee.

Our favorites are the Tomato and Basil Pasta, the Blueberry and Cream Crepe, and the Mango Crunch Crepe. Their Spanish Latte is also really good.

Koop Cafe is located along Loyola Street in Obrero.

Continue reading →

Recommended Davao Food for Araw ng Dabaw

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.

Top Davao Restaurants Kagikit by Balik Bukid Farm + Kitchen — Pinakbet

“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.

Top Davao Restaurants: Tuna Kinilaw by Yellow Fin — Tuna Kinilaw

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.

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.

Crispy Pata Like No Other by ArtisAna Comfort Gourmet — Beef Pares

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

Continue reading →