It’s no secret that the culinary scene in Mindanao is a hodge-podge of the old and the new—on the one hand, we have restaurants that offer Filipino comfort food that stem from old recipes passed down from one generation to the next, and on the other, the rise of new restaurants with a variety of cuisines that cater to both local and international palettes. Whether you like traditional home cooked meals or modern fusion dishes, their use of local ingredients to create tasty dishes make them truly distinct and truly Mindanaoan.
Here we take a look at the different restaurants that both locals and visitors in Cagayan De Oro and Davao have grown to love and enjoy—and definitely accessible in all SM branches (SM Lanang, SM City Davao, SM City CDO Uptown, and SM CDO Downtown) in Davao and Cagayan De Oro.
CAGAYAN DE ORO
Fat Chef Restaurant
A classic Filipino restaurant located at the SM City CDO Uptown North Wing, Fat Chef is a homegrown dining spot in the City that elevates Filipino flavor for a finer gastronomic experience. Imbued with the owners’ favorite personal recipes served during traditional family gatherings and get-togethers with friends.
These dishes include diverse comfort food and heritage cuisines with a twist; you will enjoy an authentic Filipino taste prepared with passion and the dedication to serve good food. One of their best offers is their version of Sizzling Sinigang on a hot plate garnished with vegetables. A modern take on a classic Filipino dish with an intense yet well-balanced flavor that will make you want to reach for another cup of rice!
Vamoose A Comer
Vamoose A Comer, or “Let’s Eat” in Spanish, is a Western European-Filipino fusion restaurant with Spanish recipe highlights coalesced with ingredients that suit the local palette. When in Vamoose, try their Paella Negra or also known as Arroz Negro or black paella. A dish cooked in a large, shallow pan called a paellera. It’s a popular Spanish dish made with seafood, rice, and squid ink – which gives a black color and perfect taste to the rice and has been used as a natural food coloring in Spain for centuries.
The Spanish influence and flavors are inspired by a restaurant called El Rincon (the Corner in Spanish) in Bacolod city during the 1980s. At home, recipes from relatives were served on special occasions. Conversations with savory and tasteful recipes are always the cornerstone for great memories. These moments are meant to be shared through Vamoose A Comer.
Hugo
Hugo Restaurant & Lounge is designed to make a great dining experience through its upscale cocktails, reimagined dishes, and classy interiors.
It is also recommended to try the best pasta renditions in the restaurant. Made only by the best culinary experts in the City, they promise a premium epicurean fusion of European and Asian Cuisines. One of their specialties is the Baby Back Platter slathered in the most delicious sticky barbecue sauce with a kick of garlic, tender, and juicy melt-in-your-mouth ribs! Finish up with a luxurious menu of the best concoctions and mixes for those who wish to unwind.
Belean Bakehouse
The house of the best croissant in uptown Cagayan de Oro, Belean Bakehouse, serves delicious pastries best for coffee or breakfast. Built through passion for creating best tasting and esthetically pleasing sweets, Belean continues to make new trends by releasing notable innovations like their bestselling 𝙗𝙞𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙩 𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙣𝙩 and our 𝙗𝙞𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙘𝙝𝙖 𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙣𝙩!
It is a sweet gift option for couples to enjoy. Every single one from their line-up of croissants has
been uniquely curated in a way that each one tastes different from the other. Since its launch, its version of Pain Au Chocolat, known as Chocolate Croissant, has been a frontrunner among all the variants. High-quality chocolate is used to ensure that the taste is as authentic as the ones sold in Europe. It is also heartwarming to try their Tuna Melt Croissant, a favorite of the majority that draws the crowd of parents and seniors to their store.
L Buono by Resto Freeno
Dining at L’ Buono by Resto Freeno is always a good idea – Good food. L’ Buono is a fusion restaurant that offers 60% Italian food and Asian cuisines, bringing these delectable cuisines for the Kagayanons to experience. Buono is an Italian word that means “good” when referring to food.
They specialize in Italian food, highlighting their Spinach and Scallop Pizza and Porcini Aglio.
Ribs and Bibs
Cagayan de Oro’s sumptuous barbecue and grill charm is Ribs and Bibs. The restaurant is conveniently located at the fifth level of SM CDO Downtown Premier. It features interesting photographs of the pre-20th century and early 1900s era of Cagayan de Oro and some famous personalities of the city’s colorful history.
The highlight of the menu are the house specialties: Daddy Back Ribs, Mommy Back Ribs, and Baby Back Ribs. One can order either to satisfy your own appetite or for sharing. The meat of the ribs is very tender and savory. The usual side dishes with the ribs are buttered vegetables, plain rice, grilled corn on the cob, coleslaw salad, sweet potato mash, tropical salsa, chili con carne, and java rice. They also serve excellent Pork steak, Beef burger steak, Mumsie’s Angus Roast Beef, and Angus Rib-Eye.
Fat Monk
If you are craving authentic Southeast Asian cuisine, Fat Monk Restaurant is the right place for you. Conquering the best flavors and cuisines, they offer the best Asian and Asian fusion dishes. Try their Tom Yam Kung Soup, a Thai hot and sour soup, is one of their best sellers since they serve more of Thailand’s best flavors. But one should also take advantage of their Fried Lapu Mango Sauce version, fried Lapu-Lapu layered with their sweet mango sauce. Also on their favorites list is Chicken Satay, Thai seasoned skewers, grilled chicken served with peanut sauce, and Butter Garlic Prawn, a Singaporean deep–fried prawn sautéed with garlic and butter.
Bugsay Seafood Restaurant
The restaurant was founded through the passion and hardwork of the owners. The menu is a collection of delicious seafood recipes that charmed their patrons with their delectable flavors and cuisines. It gained fame and eventually expanded in Cagayan de Oro City. One of their best dishes is their many versions of Kinilaw (ceviche) made with fish or sea urchin (tuyom). Customers are sure to enjoy the freshest catch from the sea. Some of their unique offerings are Adobong Saang (Spider Shell) and Adobong Pusit with Ata (Squid Ink). It is an incredible gourmet experience in Bugsay, something you will remember when in SM CDO Downtown.
DAVAO
Vanda, Park Inn by Radisson Davao
Experience the Dabawenyo culture with a feast at Vanda in Park Inn by Radisson Davao. They have a Boodle Fight package for only P3,950 (inclusive of taxes and service charge). The meal is good for 5 to 6 persons with still a lot more to bring home, making it worth the price. The boodle fight is available up to September 30.
The Burp Co.
The Burp Co. is located on the 2nd floor of SM City Davao and they offer a variety of desserts like Durian Pie, Blueberry Cheesecake, and Custard Cake. However, it’s their Buko Pie that takes center stage because of its creamy filling with the right amount of sweetness. Another must try is their version of Halo-Halo that has fresh mangoes, watermelon, banana and scoops of creamy Ube and Strawberry ice cream.
Purple Yam Homemade Cakes and Pastries
This cake stall offers Chocolate and Ube Cake in a variety of sizes. They are pasalubong-worthy—these delectable, sweet treats are best enjoyed with family and friends!
You can find all these restaurants (except Vanda at Park Inn) at SM Lanang, SM City Davao, SM City CDO Uptown, and SM CDO Downtown. For more information, visit www.smsupermalls.com.
ADVT.