Tag Archives: davao food

SAVORY Flea Market Finds: BITOY'S BBQ

Savory Flea Market Finds

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.

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.

September 2024 Favorite Made Simple Mahi

Mahi by Made Simple and other September 2024 Favorites [Davao Food Recommendations]

We are sharing our favorites from the past year. Here is a look back at our favorite dishes from August and September 2024. A memorable Mahi by Made Simple and more dishes that we loved. Let us know if you like our August and September Favorites.

August & September Favorites

We did not go out much last August so we are sharing just one list for August and September 2024. Here were our favorites from those two months:

  • PANCIT LUGLUG by Pansititoy via Grab,
  • MAHI by Made Simple,
  • CANELE by Dulce Desserts, and
  • ORANGE DARK MOCHA by Spark Coffee.

It’s a mix of new things we tried when we dined out of the house and 2 things we loved at home.

Pancit Luglug

One of our favorite pancit dishes is homecooked Pancit Luglug (or Pancit Palabok). We found one that comes close to tasting like our homecooked favorite, Pancit Luglug by Pansititoy.

Pansititoy’s Pancit Luglug is tasty with the right ratio of sauce to noodles. Plus, a generous topping of meat, chicharon, and boiled eggs. The sauce is shrimpy without being nakakaumay. Salty and full of umami.

Pansititoy has branches around Davao City and they are available for delivery via Grab. So if you want pancit luglug that tastes homecooked, order from Pansititoy today.

Mahi by Made Simple

Next is Mahi by Made Simple.

Honestly, I do not know where to start with this. I ordered this because I wanted to eat a light fish dish. And it turned out better than expected.

The fish is cooked properly. Moist not dry. Tasty. Crispy skin. The sauce was velvety with just the right calamansi tanginess. This was a well-balanced, tasty dish that we all enjoyed.

Made Simple is located in CT Drive along Tulip Drive.

Continue reading
Recuerdo Filipino Cuisine

Pancit Molo and other February 2025 Favorites

We’re back with the best of February 2025. From a savory Pancit Molo by Recuerdo to sweet Bombolini by AB Bakery, we have selected our favorites from the past month.

Ready? Here are our favorites from February:

  • Pancit Molo by Recuerdo Filipino Cuisine,
  • Creamy Truffle Pasta by Paramount Coffee,
  • Kale Ceasar Wrap by Clean Cafe,
  • Biscoff Croffle by Wakeful Coffee, and
  • Bombolini by AB Bakery.

Pancit Molo by Recuerdo

First on our list is Pancit Molo by Recuerdo.

Pancit Molo by Recuerdo Filipino Cuisine
Pancit Molo

We love everything about this. The soup is garlicky and salty with just a hint of sweetness and tang. There is a good amount of dumplings with molo wrapper, tons of garlic bits and green onions. This is a great way to start your meal at Receurdo. We underestimated this and ordered only one cup of rice. But this (and the Inasal Skewers) was so good, we had to order another cup.

Recuerdo is located along Molave Street corner Mangga in Juna Subdivision.

Recuerdo Filipino Cuisine
500 Mangga corner Molave Street, Juna Subdivision, Matina, Davao City, 8000
Social Accounts
Price Range
PhP100.00 - PhP1,050.00

Creamy Truffle Pasta by Paramount Coffee

Next on our favorites is Creamy Truffle Pasta by Paramount Coffee.

Creamy Truffle Pasta by Paramount Coffee featured with Pancit Molo as our February 2025 Favorites

This one makes us happy. Most cafes in Davao barely serve savory dishes. So we are glad to see this and other savory dishes on Paramount’s menu. And we are happy to report that this Creamy Truffle Pasta is a must-try. The sauce is smooth and creamy with just the right amount of (what we assume to be) truffle oil. It has a generous amount of fresh mushrooms. All tossed in withproperly cooked pasta. It might not be the most picturesque, but it is definitely one of the best pasta dishes we have tried recently.

Paramount Coffee has branches in Lanang, along Mabini Street in Poblacion, and inside Riverfront Corporate City.

Continue reading

Discover Samal this 2025

Start 2025 with an island getaway at nearby Samal. Discover Samal. Enjoy the tranquility, sights, and flavors that Discovery Samal Resort has to offer.

Book at Discovery Samal Resort

Have a restful getaway with a comfy bed and a glorious sight.

Discover Samal

Discovery Samal has 153 villas and suites. Book a room and wake up to a breathtaking view of the Davao Gulf.

Stroll by the beach. Take a dip in its pristine waters or swim in Discovery’s pool. Relax. Enjoy a massage. Chill. Or take advantage of the resort’s many amenities and have an active and fun-filled stay.

Overnight guests get to enjoy a sumptuous breakfast at The Shoreline restaurant. They also have a 10% discount at the resort’s restaurants and Samal Escape Spa treatments.

Indulge in Discovery’s Dining Delights

Aside from a scrumptuous breakfast at The Shoreline, there are many dining options around the resort.

Your Samal experience is not complete without tasting fresh seafood. Visit Morning Catch and enjoy seafood dishes by the beach club. They have a selection of fresh seafood: shrimps, crabs, scallops, and more. Choose what you like and have it prepared the way you want it.

Continue reading

Galentines in Davao

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
Chicken Biryani Dani's Palace Shawarma and Grill

Chicken Biryani and other January 2025 Favorites

Let us welcome 2025 with our favorite Chicken Biryani by Dani’s Palace and other favorites from January 2025.

Our top picks from what we tried last month are:

  • Fried Mandu by Chung’s Kimchi,
  • Spinach Croissant by Dulce Desserts,
  • Chicken Biryani by Dani’s Palace Shawarma and Grill,
  • Burnt Basque Cheesecake by Wood and Coffee, and
  • White Peak by Purge Coffee Roaster.

Fried Mandu by Chung’s Kimchi

First on our list is Fried Mandu.

We have been to Chung’s Kimchi many times and have tried their Steamed Mandu. It was ok for us. Light and a good contrast to their more flavorful and heavy dishes.

This time, we tried their Fried Mandu and we love it even more. The meat filling is flavorful and the dumpling is fried crisp but not greasy. The sauce it comes with is salty and a bit sour and sweet. The Fried Mandu is great on its own but the sauce also complements the flavors well.

Chung’s Kimchi is located along Sobrecary Street in Obrero.

Chung's Kimchi
Sobrecarey Street, Obrero
Social Accounts
Price Range
PhP100.00 - PhP1,000.00

Spinach Croissant

Next on our list is Spinach Croissant by Dulce Desserts.

Spinach Croissant by Dulce Desserts

Dulce Desserts is one of our go-to cafes for meetups. They have a limited savory menu and this is our favorite from their savory offerings. The spinach filling is creamy but not too rich. It is seasoned lightly and goes well with the croissant shell. The pastry is flaky and buttery. This savory pastry is good as a snack or a light meal.

They are located at CT Drive along Tulip Drive (CVA Avenue) in Matina.

Featured
Dulce Desserts Davao
CT Drive, CVA Avenue, Davao City, Davao del Sur 8000
Social Accounts
Price Range
PhP100.00 - PhP2,000.00

Chicken Biryani by Dani’s Palace

Last month’s absolute favorite is Chicken Biryani.

The Chicken Biryani is sublime. 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. The chicken and the rice go well with each other. The serving is large for 2-4 persons.

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.

We recommend ordering an extra side of our favorite Garlic Sauce. It is creamy and flavorful. It gives a different layer of flavor to the dish.

Dani’s Palace Shawarma and Grill is located at Limaria along Maa Road in Maa.

Dani's Palace Shawarma and Grill
Limaria Le Jardin de Villa Abrille, Maa Road, Maa, Davao City, Davao del Sur 8000
Social Accounts
Continue reading