In the Philippines’ vibrant southern region, Mindanao, it is a popular knowledge that there is a tapestry of cultures, landscapes, and flavors just waiting to be relished. The region especially boasts a multifaceted and well-crafted cuisine that allows everyone to indulge in a delightful food culture like no other. Thus, when you happen to visit Cagayan de Oro or Davao make sure to include these finest restaurants on your must-try list to experience the remarkable range of local fare. 

SM CDO Uptown and Downtown’s finest

Fat Chef Restaurant
Ground Floor, North Wing, SM City CDO Uptown

A classic Filipino restaurant 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; one of which is their version of Sizzling Sinigang on a hot plate garnished with vegetables. It is their modern take on a classic Filipino dish with an intense yet well-balanced flavor. 

Vamoose A Comer
Ground Floor, North Wing, SM City CDO Uptown

Vamoose A Comer is a Western European-Filipino fusion restaurant with Spanish recipes. 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 great taste to the rice and has been used as a natural food coloring in Spain for centuries.

Hugo
Ground Floor, North Wing, SM City CDO Uptown

Hugo Restaurant and Lounge is designed to make a great dining experience through its upscale cocktails, reimagined dishes, and classy interiors. 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.
 
Beleán Bakehouse
2nd Level, North Wing, SM City CDO Uptown

Belean Bakehouse serves delicious pastries best for coffee or breakfast. They make new trends by releasing notable innovations like their bestselling bicolored red velvet croissant and our bicolored mocha croissant. 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
North Wing, SM City CDO Uptown

The restaurant is a fusion restaurant that offers 60 percent Italian food and Asian cuisines, bringing these delectable cuisines for the Kagayanons to experience. They specialize in Italian food, highlighting their Spinach and Scallop Pizza and Porcini Aglio. Nevertheless, their Pad Thai seems to have a "bang" for our Asian options.

Ribs and Bibs
5th Level, SM CDO Downtown

Cagayan de Oro's sumptuous barbecue and grill charm is Ribs and Bibs. The highlight of the menu are the house specialties: Daddy Back Ribs, Mommy Back Ribs, and Baby Back Ribs. The usual side dishes with the ribs are buttered veggies, 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
5th Level, SM CDO Downtown

Fat Monk Restaurant brings authentic Southeast Asian cuisine to CDO. Try their Tom Yam Kung Soup, a hot and sour Thai soup and take advantage of their Fried Lapu Mango Sauce version, fried lapu-lapu layered with their sweet mango sauce. Also on their favorites list are the Chicken Satay, Thai seasoned skewers, and the Butter Garlic Prawn, a Singaporean deep–fried prawn sautéed with garlic and butter.

Bugsay Seafood Restaurant
3rd Level, SM CDO Downtown

Bugsay Seafood Restaurant’s menu is a collection of delicious seafood recipes. One of their best dishes is their 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). 
 

Davao Sweet-tooth Expedition

The Burp Co.
2nd Level, Main Mall, SM City Davao

The Burp Co. can only be found in Davao. Hence, when visiting Davao, grabbing some dessert from this store is a must. One can choose from their bestsellers like Buko Pie, Durian Pie, Cheesecake Pie, and Choco Moist Cake which use premium ingredients and are baked fresh daily. Also a must-try is their Knickerbocker which is deemed as their local halo-halo but made better with fresh fruits instead of preserves.

Purple Yam Homemade Cakes and Pastries 
2nd Level, Main Mall, SM City Davao

Purple Yam Homemade Cakes and Pastries serves freshly baked sweets. You won’t be able to find this in Metro Manila so make sure to stop by their takeout counter. This dessert brand is also known for its soft and creamy cakes made with real ube. The Round Ube cake costs only P430. For barkada celebrations, try their medium square-sized ube cake for only P550. If you plan to stroll around the mall while enjoying their ube goodness in a cup, you may purchase the 12oz Cup priced at P50 only.

Anniepie
Ground Level, Main Mall SM City Davao & 2nd Level SM Lanang

Treat yourself to something sweet from Anniepie when visiting Davao. One can experience festivities with these proudly Davao made cinnamon rolls, bar cookies, and cakes that will leave you dreaming for more of their cottony-soft bread and the sublime cinnamon flavor.