It had been almost a decade. A whole decade. Somehow, when I thought about my last trip to Davao City, it felt like just a couple of years ago — until I actually sat down and counted. Almost ten years had quietly passed, and I had no idea.

So when the chance to go back came, I wasn’t just excited. I was ready. Ready to rediscover a city I once knew, and finally meet the new version of it that had been growing without me.

One of the things I love most about traveling is having the freedom to build my own itinerary — choosing where to go, in what order, and at what pace. And on this trip, I had a genuinely useful companion in planning it all: Grab’s 5-Star Eats and 5-Star Travel Guide.

What Is Grab 5-Star Eats?

Before we dive into the spots, let me quickly break this down because it actually made a real difference in how I planned this trip.

Grab 5-Star Eats is Grab’s curated food guide featuring only the highest-rated restaurants on the GrabFood platform. To make the cut, a merchant must maintain a minimum 4.5-star rating, backed by strong review volume and consistently high marks in safety, quality, and operations. Every place on the list is endorsed by millions of real Grab users — not algorithms guessing what you might like, but actual people who ordered, ate, and came back.

What I love about it is that it gives smaller, community-based merchants the visibility they genuinely deserve. In this economy, choosing to order from 5-Star Eats means you’re not just feeding yourself well — you’re supporting passionate small business owners who are pouring everything into their craft.

How to find it on Grab:

1. Open the Grab app
2. Tap the Food tile on the home page
3. Tap “5-Star Eats”
4. Browse the “5-Star Food Guide”

Simple as that. Here are some of the places I added on my itinerary:

KNTO Cinco — Where Specialty Coffee Meets Industrial Cool

If you’re a coffee and matcha person, KNTO Cinco will feel like it was made specifically for you.

This specialty café serves 100% single-origin Mt. Apo Arabica coffee and authentic ceremonial-grade matcha sourced from Japan — and yes, I went straight for the Matcha Sea Salt, which did not disappoint. The flavor was clean, slightly earthy, with just the right amount of salt to balance the sweetness.

But what really got me was the space. The interiors carry this industrial, lived-in, nostalgic quality — raw cement walls, dim warm lighting, and a general vibe that makes you want to stay for two hours longer than planned. (Okay, the cement wall finish actually reminded me of my old room, so maybe I’m biased — but the atmosphere is genuinely great.)

Beyond drinks, KNTO Cinco also serves pastries and proper meals. Our group tried the Chicken in White Sauce, Beef Stir Fry with Onion Glaze, and I had the Cream-Glazed Crispy Fish Fillet. Everything landed well.

📍 Two branches: Carmelo Homes, Puan | Crossroads Bldg., corner Porras & Lapu-Lapu Street

Dirty Sanchez — Mexican Flavors with Major IG Energy

If you’re looking for Mexican food in Davao, Dirty Sanchez is the place. The moment you walk in, you’re hit with bold colors, fun interiors, and an energy that screams “take a photo of everything.”

The second floor is what really sets it apart — a recreational hangout area where you can play billiards or try your hand at throwing games. It’s part restaurant, part chill zone, and it works really well.

Their burritos and tacos are the crowd favorites, but I went off-menu (sort of) and ordered the Crispy Pork Kare-Kare— a fun deconstructed take that I genuinely liked.

📍 Dirty Sanchez Davao — check their Facebook page for the latest branch info and hours.

Katsu Country — Japanese Comfort Food Done Right

Japanese cuisine is my weakness. Ramen? Yes. Curry? Always. Katsu? Absolutely. So when Katsu Country appeared on the 5-Star Eats list, it immediately went into the itinerary with zero hesitation.

Katsu Country is a modern Japanese restaurant known for their kushi katsu — that’s katsu on a stick — and it’s as satisfying as it sounds. We made sure to try it on our visit, and it delivered on all fronts: crispy, flavorful, and fun to eat.

I also ordered the Katsu Curry Pork, which was rich and comforting in the best way.

Now here’s the highlight that I didn’t expect to enjoy as much as I did: because we were in Davao, and Davao is durian country, I pushed myself to try the Shibuya Toast Durian. I’m not a durian fan by any means — but this? This was a massive, beautifully presented toast that could easily feed 3 to 4 people. Even for someone like me who’s always kept durian at a safe distance, it was worth the experience.

📍 Find them on Facebook: @katsucountry

Wynward Garden Bistro — A Hidden Garden Getaway in the City

Some restaurants feel like a meal. Wynward Garden Bistro felt like an escape.

Tucked within Davao City, this place has a homey, garden-restaurant feel — the kind of spot that makes you forget you’re still in the city. They serve homemade dishes using naturally grown produce from their very own garden, and you can actually taste the difference.

Interestingly, the place is particularly popular among expats and foreigners living in the area — which, honestly, is a solid endorsement. Locals also tend to favor ordering through Grab, likely because the freshness of the ingredients translates even in delivery.

The standout for me was the Honey Glazed Butter Salmon (₱395) — fresh, perfectly cooked, and absolutely delicious. The Pumpkin Soup was another highlight; the kind of dish that’s simple but so well-executed you find yourself wanting another bowl.

📍 Check their Facebook page: @Wynwardgardenbistro.davao.ph

Also Read: Cafe Gervavios in Davao City

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What Is Grab 5-Star Travel Guide?

The Grab 5-Star Travel Guide is a handpicked collection of the most-loved spots across the Philippines — not just restaurants, but accommodations, hangout spots, wellness places, and activities. Every listing carries a 4.5 to 5-star Google rating, so you’re not gambling on whether a place is worth your time.

How to access it:

1. Open Grab
2. Tap the Transport tile
3. Tap Travel Guide
4. Select your destination and book directly from the details page

Now — let’s get into the actual places.

Malagos Garden Resort — The Chocolate Museum, the Butterflies, and Everything In Between

This one holds a special place for me because I’ve been here before — and even then, I knew I hadn’t seen everything.

Malagos Garden Resort is a sprawling 12-hectare property in Barangay Malagos, Calinan, Davao City, and it’s home to the Philippines’ first Chocolate Museum — which, on my last visit, wasn’t open yet. So finally getting to go inside and experience it was a genuine treat.

We molded our own chocolates to take home — a hands-on activity that’s surprisingly meditative and fun. Then we moved on to painting a papier-mâché figure. Mine was a sheep. I stressed about what design to go with the entire time. It ended up looking… characterful. Let’s leave it at that.

Beyond the chocolate museum, the resort also has a butterfly sanctuary, bird feeding dome, petting zoo, and lush gardens scattered across the property. We only had a short time to explore, but even a partial visit reminded me why this place is always the first recommendation from anyone who knows Davao well.

I definitely need to come back and spend a full day here.

📍 Barangay Malagos, Baguio District, Davao City

Pickletown — The Most Fun I Had on This Trip

Okay, this one genuinely surprised me with how much I enjoyed it.

Pickletown is a dedicated pickleball facility in Davao, and it ended up being one of the highlights of the entire trip. We were assigned a coach who walked us through the basics, and even though a few of us had backgrounds in paddle sports, pickleball has its own rhythm — and adjusting your muscle memory from other racket sports is actually harder than starting from zero.

We played for about two hours, and I was hooked by the end of it. It’s fast, social, and surprisingly addictive.

For a quick break in between games, we used Grab’s Group Order feature — one form, everyone adds their orders, and you can even split the bill through the app afterward. If you’ve never tried this with a barkada, it’s a game changer for group outings.

📍 Pickletown Davao — check their socials for schedules and booking.

Also Read: Casa Leticia: Affordable stay at the heart of Davao City

More from the Grab 5-Star Travel Guide: Other Davao Gems Worth Visiting

We didn’t get to check everything on the list, but these spots from the Grab 5-Star Travel Guide are on my radar for the next Davao trip:

• Elysia Wellness Spa — for a well-deserved reset
• Align Pilates Studio — if you want to stay active while traveling
• Davao Crocodile Park & Zoo — a classic Davao experience, great for families
• Philippine Eagle Center — one of the most important conservation spots in the country, and an absolute must-visit

Final Thoughts: Why the Grab 5-Star Guide Actually Works

Here’s the honest takeaway: planning a Davao itinerary using the Grab 5-Star Eats and 5-Star Travel Guide made the whole process significantly easier without making it feel generic or touristy.

Every place we visited was genuinely good — not because of influencer hype, but because they earned their ratings from real users. For a trip to a city I hadn’t explored in nearly a decade, having a curated starting point that’s actually reliable made all the difference.

Whether you’re a first-timer in Davao or, like me, coming back after years away, these guides are worth using. Open your Grab app, browse the lists, and let the city surprise you.

Davao has grown. It’s thriving. And honestly? It was even better than I remembered.

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Have you been to Davao City recently? Drop your favorite spots in the comments — I’m already planning my next visit!