Best Restaurants in Davao and where to eat in Davao (Mindanao Food)
Something you can’t miss as well when visiting this city is Davao food, in which we will talk about in this blog post about awesome restaurants in Davao and where to eat in Davao!
If you can’t get enough of the beautiful regions in the Philippines, particularly in the northern part of the country, then we recommend you to go south and try Mindanao food!
This highly urbanized city in Davao del Sur province in Mindanao is known for many things, like Durian, Davao Crocodile Park, Mount Apo, and their famous Kadayawan Festival. Aside from that, several beautiful beaches in the Davao Region are accessible in Davao.
Read here: 10 Davao Tourist Spots you should visit next and A complete guide on how to get to Davao
Also read: Where to Stay in Davao City, Davao itinerary and Where to Stay in Samal Island, Davao
SIM CARD AT MANILA AIRPORT
I wouldn’t recommend you to buy a sim card at Manila airport. If you wish comfort you can buy eSim online and if you aren’t in a hurry just go around phone shops in the city and compare prices to buy the cheapest sim card in Manila. Read here Philippines sim card for tourist and best Philippines eSim
WHERE TO STAY IN THE PHILIPPINES
You can get accommodation starting from 800-1000 PHP (less than $20 USD) for a room in a guesthouse. Can you imagen if you are two of you traveling in the Philippines, it will be $10 USD each.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION WITH BOOKING AND AGODA!
BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE
You can read Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full Heymondo Travel Insurance Review
You can get Safetywing Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads valid for 28 days Safetywing for $50 USD per month with kids until 10 years old included
HOW TO GET TO DAVAO
Francisco Bangoy International Airport is the busiest airport in Southern Philippines, with a capacity to accommodate more than one million passengers annually.
From the airport, there are taxis that can take passengers into the city. Hotel pick-up can also be arranged. Another alternative is to hire or rent a car if you would like to drive around by yourself. Outside the airport you will find regular jeepneys to get to Davao City. From the airport, you can also ride Grab if you wish for more comfort.
DAILY BUDGET TRAVEL MINDANAO FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION
The cost of living in Davao City is low, you can get a jeepney ride for 10 PHP. There are meals in local places starting from 50-100 PHP for a meal in a local carinderia. If you go for restaurants in Davao prices are starting from 100-300 PHP per meal to try Mindanao food.
You can get accommodation starting from 1000 PHP. If you are looking for budget accommodation in Davao City you can also try AirBnB in Davao City starting from 800 PHP.
WHERE TO EAT IN DAVAO: 20 AWESOME RESTAURANTS IN DAVAO
1. BALIK BUKID FARM & KITCHEN
Balik Bukid Farm & Kitchen is one of the most-visited restaurants in Davao. Their customers love their food and it’s kid-friendly too. They serve tasty meals in great portions and if you are a Vegan, they also have Vegan options for you so that’s a plus. Locals and tourists love the native Filipino homey ambiance of this restaurant.
Balik Bukid Farm & Kitchen is located at Sandawa Plaza Brgy, 8000, Quimpo Blvd, Davao City, Davao del Sur.
2. LACHI’S
With a nice interior and great service, Lachi’s made it to our list of top restaurants in Davao to try Mindanao food. They serve a lot of varieties of Filipino dishes, desserts, cakes, and many more. If you are looking for a place to relax and find comfort in Davao, then Lachi’s is the place to go!
Lachi’s is located at Values School, Door 1-H, Ruby St, Poblacion District, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur.
3. BON APPETIT RESTAURANT
Bon Appetit Restaurant offers French dishes to their customers. You’ll fall in love with the French-inspired interior and vibes of the restaurant. Although their meals are kind of expensive, it is worth a try! Just make sure to manage your expectations on the amount of serving for each meal.
Bon Appetit Restaurant is located at Plaza Del Carmen, Poblacion District, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur.
4. THE VEGAN DINOSAUR
What makes The Vegan Dinosaur one of the best restaurants in Davao is how they cater to their customers. They have friendly staff and a relaxing casual interior, so it’s really a good place to relax while waiting for your food. Their dishes are so yummy that even non-Vegans would love to try them.
The Vegan Dinosaur is located at Door A, Values School, Ruby St, Poblacion District, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur.
5. DE BONTE KOE EUROPEAN RESTAURANT
Are you craving for European food? De Bonte Koe European Restaurant may be your best option. They offer northern European food that is close to if not the real thing. Like many restaurants in Davao, they have a nice interior so you wouldn’t mind waiting for your food while they prepare it. Plus, they serve top quality meats from abroad so you can experience the best food in Davao.
De Bonte Koe European Restaurant is located at Habana Compound, 29 J. Rizal Street, Poblacion, Dabaw, 8000 Lalawigan ng Davao del Sur.
6. THE GOOD FOOD CO.
The Good Food Co is one of the restaurants in Davao that you shouldn’t miss. For affordable and wide variety of dishes to try Mindanao food. You’re surely going to come back for more. They serve delicious pasta, rice meals, and many more.
Also, one of the things guests love about this restaurant is their cozy interior which makes it a good place to go if you want to relax in Davao.
The Good Food Co. is located at Matina Town Square, Row of Restaurants 3,, Matina, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur.
7. DAVAO MARINATUNA SEAFOODS AND MARKET RESTAURANT
One of the seafood restaurants in Davao that you should try is Davao Marituna. They serve fresh sumptuous seafood dishes and there’s a wide variety of options to choose from. It’s a great choice if you are in big groups, but you’ll also enjoy it alone or with just a few loved ones or friends.
Davao Marinatuna Seafoods and Market Restaurant is located at Km. 8 Bo. Pampanga, Sasa, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur.
8. MAA TO RO NATIVE RESTAURANT
Being a native restaurant that will surely give you a unique experience, Maa To Ro is one of the restaurants in Davao that you shouldn’t miss. This restaurant doesn’t just offer tasty Davao food and different Filipino food, but also a unique cultural experience.
The whole restaurant is designed as if it is a cultural place, not just a restaurant. Their coffee, blue rice, native chicken and palitaw are a must try!
Maa To Ro Native Restaurant is located at Purok, Orchids Street, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur.
9. FRESH CATCH
Just like what the name of this restaurant suggests, Fresh Catch serves the freshest catch in Davao. Their seafood like squid, tuna, crabs and shrimps which you can select from their cold station to be cooked however you like are highly recommended and a must-try during your trip to Davao.
Fresh Catch is located at The Peak, Gmall, Calinan District, Davao City, Davao del Sur.
10. SADIQ TUNA BARBEQUE & SEAFOODS
Looking for a good barbecue place in Davao? Look no more cause Sadiq Tuna Barbecue & Seafoods is here to satisfy your cravings. They serve fresh seafood barbecue and other Filipino dishes for affordable prices.
Sadiq Tuna Barbeque & Seafoods is located at Block 56, Door/Unit 2, Phase 1, Lot 24 Deca Homes Rd, Tugbok, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur.
MORE RESTAURANTS IN DAVAO TO EAT MINDANAO FOOD
11. REKADO FILIPINO COMFORT CUISINE
Rekado is one of the popular restaurants in Davao that you’ll regret missing. Their staff are highly commendable according to their customers. Their food is something you should try as well, especially the Native Chicken Binakol, Kare-Kare, Beef Caldereta and Durian Turon. Yum!
Rekado Filipino Comfort Cuisine is located at 1050 Emilio Jacinto Ext, Barangay. 11-B, Poblacion District, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur.
12. DAVAO DENCIA’S RESTAURANT
Davao Dencia’s is one of the must-visit restaurants in Davao if you want the authentic Filipino cuisine you’ve been longing for. Their restaurant has a homey vibe, so it is a really good place for family dinners or reunions of friends and loved ones. It is a kid-friendly establishment, too, so no worries if you’re bringing a little one with you.
Davao Dencia’s Restaurant is located at General Luna St, Poblacion District, Davao City, Davao del Sur.
13. BONDI&BOURKE DAVAO
One of the expensive restaurants in Davao is Bondi&Bourke. Although their food can be pricey, their portions are quite large and you’ll surely love their tasty meals. If you are looking for a fine dining restaurant in Davao, then you must visit Bondi&Bourke Davao. Don’t forget to try their Wagyu Beef, Ribs, and different types of cheeses.
Bondi&Bourke Davao is located at 1115 P Pelayo St, Poblacion District, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur.
14. YELLOW FIN SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
As their name suggests, this restaurant’s most popular dish is their Yellowfin Tuna. They offer savory Filipino dishes made of different varieties of fresh seafood. You must try their Grilled Panga, Deep fried Tuna Buntot, Tinolang Manok, and Fried Eggplant.
Yellow Fin Seafood Restaurant is located at Sandawa Plaza, Quimpo Blvd, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur.
15. JACK’S RIDGE
Going to Davao means having dinner or lunch at Jack’s Ridge. It’s one of the popular and best restaurants in Davao that you should try visiting next. Their restaurant has a nice ambiance and atmosphere, and their food is delish! Aside from this, Jack’s Ridge will give you a view of the city so it is also one of the most romantic restaurants in Davao.
Jack’s Ridge is located at 117 Shrine Hills Rd, Talomo, Davao City, Davao del Sur.
16. BLUE POST BOILING CRABS & SHRIMPS
Another seafood restaurant in Davao that you should try visiting is Blue Post Boiling Crabs & Shrimps. We recommend that you go here in groups because the portions of their seafood dishes are large (and expensive) enough for a big group of people. Although it’s a pricey option, it’s worth it because their seafood is cooked to perfection!
Blue Post Boiling Crabs & Shrimps is located at anang Business Park, Buhangin, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur.
17. VIKINGS LUXURY BUFFET
Having an appetite for a buffet dinner or lunch? Then you must consider visiting Vikings Luxury Buffet. They serve several dishes from different cuisines around the world like Asian, Filipino, European, American and many more.
They also have different varieties of desserts, drinks, and fresh fruits, meat, and seafood. One good thing is this buffet restaurant always has a promo for birthday celebrants, where the celebrant can eat for free on his/her birthday as long as he/she brings one full paying adult. What a catch, right?
Vikings Luxury Buffet SM Lanang Premier Branch is located at SM Lanang Premier, Upper Ground Level, The Fountain Court, J.P. Laurel Ave, Agdao, Davao City, Davao del Sur.
18. SEA GREEN CAFE + BOUTIQUE ROOMS
With an interior that looks simple yet relaxing, Sea Green Cafe + Boutique Rooms, it’s one of the restaurants in Davao that you should visit if you want to have a taste of a wide array of Asian and enhanced local delicacies. They serve these dishes for affordables prices too!
Sea Green Cafe + Boutique Rooms is located at 15 Emilio Jacinto Ext, Dona Vicenta Subd, Davao City, Davao del Sur.
19. CAFE TAVERA
Cafe Tavera doesn’t just give their customers high satisfaction for food, but to their service as well. They serve their sumptuous dishes with a smile on their faces, making it one of the awesome restaurants in Davao to go to.
They have a nice ambiance in their restaurant that will keep you relaxed while you wait for your food. You have to try their chicken meals, fresh fruit shakes, and Dragon Balls.
Cafe Tavera is located at Avanceña St, Barangay 9-A, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur.
20. DAVAO STREET FOOD AT THE LOCAL MARKETS
And lastly, the best way you can taste real Davao food is by engaging yourselves in night markets or local markets. We included this in our list of 20 awesome restaurants in Davao City because we know that you’ll love most of the street food. Who wouldn’t try it? It’s cheap and tasty!
You have to visit the popular Roxas Avenue Night Market to try Davao street food like grilled pork, grilled squid, buchi with different flavors, balut, dirty ice cream (locally known as sorbetes), fruits, lumpia, and many more! For less than a dollar, you’ll surely leave the market with a full tummy.
There you have it, guys! Which are your favorite restaurants in Davao and where to eat in Davao? Tell us more in the comments!
Did we miss your favorite restaurant in Davao? Let us know and we’ll add them to the blog.
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Happy travels!
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.