Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
downside they add “tax”, VAT, 10 percent ser
vice ch
arges,
and VAT on the service charges, to everything.
P9800
My Hotel
San Pedro St
T
082 222 2021,
W
myhotel
davao.com; map p.424.
The tiny, clean fan rooms with
communal bathrooms are among the best bargains in the
city, while the a/c rooms are more spacious and have
cable TV (P995). Friendly staff an
d a gr
eat value all-you-
can-eat buffet (P138) downstairs.
P250
Ponce Suites
Rd 3 at Rd 4, Doña Vicenta Village, Bajada
T
082 227 9070,
W
poncesuites.net; map p.422.
Yo u're
unlikely to have stayed in a budget hotel like this before
- every bit of public wall space is smothered in the exuberant
artwork of Kublai Millan (whose sculptures also decorate the
city). The rooms are more m
odest
, but all are en suite with
basic cable TV and free wi-fi.
P975
Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao
Km 7, Lanang
T
082 233 2881,
W
waterfronthotels.net; map p.422.
This plush resort-style hotel on the shore, 5km out of
town, has pretty a/c rooms, a large outdoor pool and
small beach area. It's the pick of the bunch if you've got
the bud
get and
are looking for relaxation and fresh sea
breezes.
P4000
EATING
Seafood (especially tuna) and fresh fruits such as
durian
(see p.423) take centre stage on Davao's enjoyable
eating
scene.
You can buy freshly chopped durian and all sorts of derivative products at the stalls run by the Magsaysay Fruit Vendors
Association on Magsaysay Park. Davao's best
restaurants
are scattered all over the city, but the safest bet for a cheap
meal are the
food courts
located in or around the shopping malls. The food is hygienic, variety is reasonable and most
dishes cost less than P70. The large car parking area outside Victoria Plaza Mall is good for Chinese and Korean restaurants;
the Bankerohan BBQ Plaza offers cheap
lechon
and barbecue meats from P17/plate; and Market Basket (daily 9am-8pm)
at Damosa Gateway is a great food court, with plenty of choices.
Ahfat Seafoods Plaza
Victoria Plaza Mall, J.P. Laurel
Ave (facing the car park behind the mall)
T
082 226
2688; map p.422.
Cheap Chinese food in three buildings,
all excellent quality; the original place is more like a
canteen, while
Ahfat III
offers dim sum from 7am to
4.30pm. Try the steamed shrimp, spicy spare ribs and
crab (dishes in each place average P160-200).
Daily
10am-11pm.
Café France
Rizal St
T
082 300 7322; map p.424.
Ta ke
a break from the heat of the streets in the a/c wooden
interior of this decent sandwich and coffee chain. The
farmer's ham, brie and raspberry baguette (P245) is
excellent. There are two other branches in Gaisano Mall.
Daily 7am-9pm.
★
★
Jack's Ridge Resort & Restaurant
Shrine Hills,
Matina
T
082 297 8831,
W
jacksridgedavao.com;
map p.422.
Just across from the Santo Niño shrine, this
complex is all about the views and cool breezes, and the
Filipino food in the main
Taklobo Restaurant
is delicious:
the
sinigang
,
lechon
, grilled tuna and barbecue chicken
are all superb. It often has live bands at night and is also a
great place for a beer or coffee. Take a taxi (P100).
Daily
11.30am-1.30pm & 4.30pm-midnight.
Java Jive
Quirino Ave
T
082 224 0272; map p.424.
This
new, locally owned café is already very popular for its
excellent coffees (including famous civet coffee, P310),
tasty sandwiches (P115-135) and yummy cakes. There's
free wi-fi and weekly live music (Fri-Mon 9pm-midnight).
Daily 24hr.
★
8
Claude's
143 Rizal St
T
082 222 4287,
W
claudes
cafedavao.com; map p.424.
Superb French and
Mediterranean restaurant in an elegant 1920s house that
was formerly the Mayor's residence and apparently once
played host to Manuel Roxas. Now owned and operated
by a French native, Claude Le Neindre, and his family, the
restaurant serves food that's as exquisite as the architec-
ture. The grilled blue marlin is outstanding (P285), and
there are a host of speciality dishes including foie gras,
mussels
marinière
(P395) and duck a la orange. Staff are
courteous and e
cient and there's live music on weekends.
Daily 11am-2.30pm & 6pm-late.
Hanoi & Tsuru
Camus St
T
082 284 1137; map p.424.
Sleek modern restaurant divided into two and serving two
different cuisines.
Hanoi
turns out authentic Vietnamese
food including
pho tai
(P250), while
Tsuru
, the city's best
Japanese restaurant, offers sushi,
ramen
(P285-350) and
sukiyaki
(from P295).
Daily 11am-2pm & 5-10pm.
Luz Kinilaw Place
Quezon Blvd near Magsaysay
Park
T
082 226 4612; map p.424.
Classic, no-frills
local favourite, with tuna, chicken and assorted seafood
flame-grilled on the street just outside and sumptuous
plates of squid and tuna served upstairs. Have a gut-
busting breakfast or get there early for lunch or dinner
to avoid a wait. Two can eat well here for P300.
Daily
6am-10pm.
Sarung Banggi
F. Torres St
T
082 221 5615; map
p.424.
Fun native-style dining, with waiting staff decked
out in tribal-style outfits. The imaginative menu offers
much more choice than most of the local grill restaurants.
Notable dishes include seafood soup with sour mango
and rice, Bicol Express with pork ribs and chilli and simple
grilled tuna or swordfish with lime.
Sun-Thurs 11am-
2pm & 5-10pm, Fri & Sat 11am-2pm & 5-11pm.
