Davao Must-Eats: Recommendations Of A True Davaoeña

Durian monument by national artist Kublai Milan at Davao Airport

It is Kadayawan season once again. It's that time of the year when both harvest and tourists are a bounty here in Davao City. The streets are swarmed with both locals and tourists walking around the city after sundown. Davao City recently attracted more tourists than ever because our new president was hailed from here. While some visited to speculate, a lot of people came here to experience the Duterte city and were never disappointed.

If you are here to celebrate Kadayawan with us, please feel free to enjoy the beach and the mountains. You might have already arranged your itinerary for your trip so I won't try to mess that up (I know, it's tedious and exciting to map out your itinerary ahead of time). But hey, you didn't just come here to take pictures. You have a tummy to fill and taste buds to satisfy. What's travelling without eating?

In that area, I wanna help you out. Below is a list of local favorites (in no particular order). If we locals love them, they must really be good. I also added a suggested budget to help you decide.

1. ELLEN'S TUNA QUEEN (DBP Village, Ma-a)

The name itself says their specialty is tuna. It's home cooking with a heart, I promise. I usually come here with my family when we are too tired to cook lunch or dinner. 

Must-try: Paksiw na Tuna Buntot, Tuna Sisig, Tuna Sinigang and Laing

Personal favorite: Nilagang Baka and Lechon Kawali

Budget: Php 120-200 per person

2. LACHI'S SANS RIVAL ATBP. (Marfori Heights)

I suggest you come here when it is off the usual meal time as the place has limited tables. They have rice dishes, some pasta and lots of good cakes.

Must-try: Unforgettable Pork Ribs, Laing Pasta and Durian Sansrival

Personal favorite: Elsie's Melt-in-your-mouth Roast Pork, Spicy Oriental Chicken and 5-layer Choco Torte

Budget: Php 150-250 per person

3. LUZ KINILAW (Quimpo Blvd.)

This place has been through a rough time when it was burned down a few years ago (fire was not their fault though). Other than their grilled specialties, they only have their kinilaw, soup of the day and sweet mangoes to offer.

Must-try: Grilled Tuna Panga, Tuna Belly, Bagaybay, Squid

Personal favorite: Everything

Budget: At least Php800 for a group of 4

4. DENCIA'S (Gen. Luna St.)

I grew up with this restaurant. I think everyone in Davao grew up with this restaurant. They serve family-size Filipino-Chinese dishes that is home to every Davaoeño. It is also a favorite place for breakfast and afternoon snacks because of their lugaw and arroz caldo.

Must-try: Roasted Chicken, Sweet & Sour Lapu-lapu, Kangkong with Shrimps and Fresh Lumpia

Personal favorite: Lumpia Shanghai and Bird's Nest Soup

Budget: Php 800-1,200 for a group of 4 / lugaw and arroz caldo at Php 60-80

5. ESPETADA - HOUSE OF THE HANGING CHICKEN (Sobrecarey St., Obrero)

This is probably the youngest restaurant on this list. It started out in a small humble space where you breathe the smoke from their grill, and then moved into a more comfortable location. You may choose sauce for your espetadas: not spicy, mild spicy and spicy. 

Must-try: The Espetadas (chicken, seafood or beef)

Personal favorite: Reyna Espetada and Cheesy Dip

Budget: Php150-250 per person

6. PENONG'S (branches everywhere)

Your hungry pangs can never go wrong with basic barbecue. Penong's has set the trend of unlimited rice that has challenged other barbecue places in town. You can also enjoy other Filipino specialties with your grilled food or a cup of fresh fruits to cap your meal.

Must-try: Chicken Barbecue, Pinakbet and Halo-halo

Personal favorite: Pork Sinigang, Esol (fried chicken tail) and Fresh Fruits

Budget: Php 120-200 per person

7. BULCACHONG (Gen. Luna St.)

When it's curfew hours already, it's Bulcachong time. Although they serve other simple dishes, people come here for their signature carabao (water buffalo) meat-based soup that will fill your tummy or give the alcohol you've had earlier in the night a good protein to work with. The fact that it is carabao meat may not entice you, but it's really just like beef. It's stewed to tenderness that it will just melt in your mouth. It's best when spicy so put in as much chili pepper as you can handle. A bowl of bulcachong can also be shared by two persons. Just ask for extra soup at no cost.

Note: They have indoor and open-air areas that serve the same food with a slight difference in price.

Budget: Php 80-100 per person

8. TINY KITCHEN (Torres St.)

Well, it literally was a tiny kitchen, but it has grown now to accommodate more customers. Let their Spanish cuisine mesmerize your senses and temporarily take you to Spain. Their pastry shop Dulce Vida is just on the other side and you can treat yourself to some cake and coffee or tea after your meal.

Must-try: Paella Negra and Gambas Al Ajillo

Personal favorite: Paella Valenciana and Sopa Blanco

Budget: Php 400 per person

9. CLAUDE'S LE CAFE DE VILLE (Rizal St.)

This fine dining French restaurant in Oboza ancestral house (second oldest house in Davao, if I'm not mistaken) is not for someone who is on a budget. Service is always with finesse from the moment you enter the door until you leave. Chef Claude Le Neindre personally greets and serves his customers to make sure everything is perfect.

Must-try: Watercress Soup and Steaks

Personal favorite: Beef Wellington (It's a Gordon Ramsay signature dish!) and Chocolate Treat Crepe ala Mode

Budget: Don't think of the price. Just enjoy the meal.


10. ALING FOPING'S HALO-HALO (Matina Town Square)

When you're done with your city tour for the day, dropping by Aling Foping's is a great idea. You design your own halo-halo by choosing what to 'halo' from their selection of traditional local ingredients. I personally do not like beans in mine so this set-up is perfect for me. What makes their halo-halo different is that they shave the ice as you order so they don't melt and stick back together, and then it's easy for you to mix in your cup.

Budget: Php 65 to 110 per person


BONUS: Bankerohan Public Market

I do not know the name of the store, but it is behind the fruit stalls in the middle of the market. (Don't worry. It's far from the meat section so it doesn't stink.) Just ask any vendor and they can show you where it is at. They are open 24/7, but most people flock here to fill and warm their tummies after-party or during breakfast. There is also a store next to it that serves native hot tablea and puto maya. Also, buy fresh fruits at their best prices while you're there at the market.

Must-try: Nilagang Baka and Lechon Kawali

Budget: Php 60-80


While there are a lot of other great places to eat in the city, these places on the list have been part of every Davaoeño. Whether for catching up with friends, celebrating a special occasion or simply satisfying our cravings, these places serve flavorss that are home to our palate. Whenever a Davaoeño leaves the city for a while, taking them to these places are always a treat.

The sights, the food, the people..  We hope you enjoy your visit to our city. Madayaw!