5-Star Summer in the South: A 2026 Guide to Davao City
Are you ready for your next barkada trip?
by Ina Louise Manto | June 01, 2026
When the days start feeling longer, the sun seems to shine brighter, and you’re constantly craving something ice-cold, you know summer has officially clocked in. It’s the perfect season to finally book that barkada trip, and if you’re after a local destination that balances laid-back vibes with a little adventure, a couple of days in Davao is just the escape you need.
We explored the Crown Jewel of Mindanao. Beyond the usual tourist checklist, we uncovered spots that locals (and frequent visitors) actually rate. But before we dive in, how exactly can you plan an unforgettable summer escapade?
How to plan a 5-Star Summer in Davao
Photo by Ina Manto for WindowSeat.PH
Exploring Davao for the first time doesn’t have to be so intimidating. Whether you’re up for a solo trip or you’re spending a few days with your barkada and family, the Grab 5-Star Eats and Grab 5-Star Travel Guide is a nifty on-the-go reference that will help you build an itinerary of must-sees and must-tries.
For foodies, Grab 5-Star Eats helps you discover trusted and top-rated meals and restaurants that you can order from using GrabFood. Those featured are merchants with a minimum rating of 4.5 on GrabFood, strong review volume, and high scores in safety, quality, and operations.
Meanwhile, Grab 5-Star Travel Guide is a curated list of the top-rated, must-visit accommodations, hangout spots, and recreation centers in the local area.
You can never go wrong with choosing restaurants and experiences backed by millions of Grab user reviews and ratings from Google. Grab 5-Star Eats & Grab 5-Star Travel Guide serves as a trusted wayfinder for a worthwhile summer trip, ensuring users of the platform have a reliable list of credible eats and experiences worthy of their time and hard-earned pesos. Here’s everything we tried on our Davao trip.
Where to eat in Davao 2026
Eating your way through the city is one of the best ways to get acquainted with a new travel destination. While Davao already has a list of heritage restaurants you shouldn’t miss, Grab 5-Star Eats sheds light on new and upcoming cafes and restaurants with trusted reviews from fellow Pinoys. With just a few taps, you can use 5-Star Eats as your GrabFood guide to discover top-rated spots and order meals that real diners already love.
Knto Cinco
Locations: Carmelo Homes, Puan, and Crossroads Bldg., Corner Porras & Lapu-Lapu Street, Davao
Davao boasts of a thriving coffee culture, making it one of the best local destinations for cafe hopping. We kick-started our Davao coffee experience at Knto Cinco whose unique interiors will not only make you look twice, but also pull out your phones for the ‘Gram.
Knto Cinco blends brutalist design of limewash walls and exposed concrete with pops of colors and cute decor. The addition of a vintage video recorder projected on an old television gives a whiff of nostalgia and is easily one of the cafe’s picture-worthy corners.
At Knto Cinco, you’ll be treated to premium single-origin Mt. Apo Arabica coffee, authentic ceremonial-grade matcha, and comfort food. We were able to try their Nachos & Fries Overload (PHP 325), Truffata Truffle Pasta (PHP 289), Beef Stir-Fry with Onion Glaze (PHP 359), and Kurami Hojicha (PHP 220).
Non-coffee drinkers, don’t fret, as there are beverages for you too, such as cacao, strawberry latte, and refreshers. See the full menu here.
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Wynward Garden Bistro
Location: Chef’s Dalisay Organic Garden, Davao City
What do you get when you combine years in the kitchen with a deep background in plant science — Plant Pathology, Plant Biochemistry, Breeding and Genetic Engineering– and a passion for organic farming? At Wynward Garden Bistro, the answer is simple: a cozy, intimate space where loved ones can gather and indulge in filling farm-to-table dishes.
Dining at Rodelio Dalisay’s restaurant feels different in the best way. Beyond the cozy setting, there’s the assurance that what’s on your plate is fresh, nutrient-rich, and sustainably grown.
Dinner started with chicken parmesan wraps, mini chicken Waldorf sandwiches, and mushroom tartlets, followed by a heartwarming bowl of pumpkin soup.
Next was a fresh plate of mixed greens salad with house dressing, followed by a lovely pan-seared salmon with mango salsa as the main course.
In between servings of creamy pistachio mango ice cream, the owner, Mr. Rodelio Dalisay, shared the restaurant’s story – from hosting just one table to now accommodating up to 50 people. It turns out Grab also helped the bistro grow through Grab Quick Cash Loan, which gives eligible merchant-partners access to hassle-free business financing for working capital, daily operations, and expansion needs.
Dirty Sanchez
If you’re looking for a casual dining spot where you can gather with friends for a good time, try Dirty Sanchez. They not only serve a variety of Mexican and Filipino dishes, but they also have spaces where you can let loose and have fun.
What started as a small business in Siargao is now a thriving and trusted restaurant with multiple branches in Davao. That’s what grit and hard work can do for you, combined with excellent grub, customer service, and quality of food.
From left to right: Birria Dirty Fries (PHP 289), Crispy Pork Kare-Kare (PHP 329), Birria Taco, Tex-Mex Nachos (PHP 319)
Tex-Mex Burrito (PHP 309)
No wonder Dirty Sanchez did not disappoint during our visit: from their filling, flavorful dishes to their amazing music and fun games to try.
Katsu Country
Location: 1059 Emilio Jacinto Ext, Poblacion District, Davao City
When you find yourself craving Japanese food that will hit the spot, Katsu Country in the Poblacion District’s got you covered. Katsu Country specializes in well-crafted tonkatsu dishes – from your classic Pork Tenderloin Katsu Set (PHP 328) served with a side of cabbage and miso soup to Katsu on Sticks, which is a variety of meat and vegetable skewers fried to perfection.
We got to try their Katsu on Sticks, which comes with two dipping sauces, and Katsu Curry Pork (PHP 338).
No visit to Davao is complete without trying durian, which Katsu Country also serves. For dessert, we sampled their Exclusive Durian Toast (PHP 268), with a layer of durian yema on top and a serving of ice cream on the side. It’s easily one of the best desserts you can try in Davao. It’s even perfect for sharing and pairing with their milkshakes.
Things to do in Davao 2026
Beyond visiting popular tourist destinations, unique activities elevate a travel experience. Whether it’s a food or a historical tour, these activities help tourists learn about a destination in a new and exciting way. That’s the beauty of Grab 5-Star Travel Guide – a tool that lists all the activities you can try and easily get to by booking a GrabCar.
Coffee experience at Frogkaffee & Coffee Roastery
Location: Frogkaffee Arena, Ma-a, Tolomo, Davao City
There’s no better place to get acquainted with Davao’s coffee culture than visiting Frogkaffee & Coffee Roastery. It is not just a hub for a cup of coffee; you’ll stay longer for the coffee experience. You can learn about the entire coffee journey from bean to your cup, with their lineup of activities.
At Frogkaffee, we developed an appreciation for coffee as we tried a different coffee experience. From simply sending an order and witnessing how it’s made by baristas, the educational coffee cupping session makes visitors appreciate the craft of distinguishing different notes, fragrances, and aromas, and how to do it the right way.
Pour-over coffee demonstration
Brewing coffee through a Japanese Siphon
They offer a demonstration of different coffee brewing methods, such as a pour-over and the Japanese siphon, which honestly looked like the coolest science experiment.
In-house roastery
Frogkaffee is also equipped with the tech to roast coffee, which we also witnessed during our coffee session.
We ended the coffee experience with a cup of iced latte with activated charcoal, which is the first of its kind in the Philippines.
Malagos Garden Resort
Location: Baguio District, Calinan-Baguio-Cadalian Rd, Davao City
Aside from coffee, Davao is also rich in Cacao, which you can appreciate more when you visit Malagos Garden Resort. The 12-hectare property has several recreational areas, but we focused on the Malagos Chocolate Museum, which educates guests about the history of the award-winning chocolate.
At the end, we entered the fragrant Chocolate Laboratory, where we made our own chocolate. There, visitors can choose from a variety of dried fruits and nuts to add to their chocolate. The laboratory also features a flowing chocolate faucet – an endless supply of decadent liquid cacao, which you’ll use for the activity.
While we waited for our chocolate to settle in the freezer, we headed outdoors to try our hands at papier-mache painting. Malagos Garden Resort is surrounded by nature, and this outdoor activity turned out to be a relaxing experience. Who knew that painting as an adult could be this much fun?
Spending a day or two at Malagos Garden Resort is more ideal. Nonetheless, we were still able to squeeze in a bit of time to explore the Butterfly Sanctuary, which instantly makes you feel like you’ve just been transported to a whimsical place. Don’t forget to take photos with the blooms and interact with the delicate butterflies with caution.
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PickleTown
Location: Warehouse A1, Carmelite Rd, Belisario, Davao City
While Davao is known for thrilling outdoor adventures, such as snorkeling in Samal and hiking Mt. Apo, it also has spots where you can try a new sport, such as pickleball. Whether you’re someone who’s just looking for a sporty activity to try outside your hotel gym or don’t want to break your habit, PickleTown provides the venue for a friendly competition.
PickleTown is a premium indoor court for pickleball, and don’t worry if you’re a beginner. Our group was separated into different groups based on experience, and I joined the beginners group. I began the session doubtful if I’ll enjoy it, but with the guidance of the coaches, pickleball became a fun experience for this first-timer. Plus, equipment was already provided, and all we did was learn and have fun.
Uplifting communities through Grab 5-Star Eats and Grab 5-Star Travel Guide
Beyond excellent reviews and ratings, the core of Grab 5-Start Eats and Travel Guide is to uplift smaller businesses and give merchants greater visibility. It is high time to support MSMEs that offer guaranteed quality in services and goods, and you can do that with just a few taps on the Grab app.
Planning your next great summer adventure is easy with Grab. To find a city’s top-rated eats, simply head to GrabFood and click on “Grab 5-Star Eats.”
Meanwhile, Grab 5-Star Travel Guide may be accessed through GrabCar. You only need to scroll down and find the Grab 5-Star Travel Guide page, and start planning! Once you have decided on a destination, you can book a ride directly to it through GrabCar.
Support local merchants in your community and plan your summer adventures by downloading Grab on iOS or Android.
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