Being part of the Davao coffee community means supporting other small businesses and celebrating great coffee wherever we find it. Recently, my friends and I went on a coffee and cafe-hopping trip to Mati City. We ended up finding five awesome cafes that we absolutely loved for their wonderful vibes.
So, if you ever find yourself heading to Mati City, make sure you add these specific spots to your itinerary:
Cafe Dahican by Coral Casitas
First up, this cafe is our absolute go-to place for brunch. In fact, we rarely visit Dahican without stopping by here for a bite. They serve a great selection of coffee and proper breakfast dishes that range from light bites to massive platters.
Furthermore, they make an incredibly tasty pizza, though the kitchen does need a bit of time to prepare it. Because of this, you should definitely manage your expectations regarding the wait. Additionally, the place draws massive crowds on weekends because the word-of-mouth recommendations are just that good.
Bonus: You can also book a stay at Coral Casitas, since the cafe sits right inside the resort property.
Cafe Dahican by Coral Casitas | Purok Maonao, Barangay Dahican, Mati City
Schedule: Mon & Thu: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Fri – Sun: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Closed Tue & Wed)
Why Coffee
Next, after our overnight stay, we headed out and found Why Coffee over at Martinez Subdivision. It is a small, cozy cafe with very limited seating. As a result, our big group instantly filled up the entire space the moment we dropped by!
During our visit, we tried the Why Special and the Americano, and we highly enjoyed both drinks. They primarily operate as a coffee spot and serve occasional pastries, though we didn’t get a chance to sample the bakes this time around.
Why Coffee | Phase 3, Martinez Subdivision, Mati City
Schedule: Mon to Sat: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Sun: 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Sispresso Coffee + Co-working
Subsequently, all 11 of us rolled into Sispresso like a hurricane. Because we all arrived and ordered at the exact same time, the cafe instantly became packed. We honestly send our deepest apologies to the students who were caught in a meeting there that day!
Since this place operates as a dedicated co-working space, it really isn’t meant for big groups who want to loudly catch up. However, the owners styled it to look incredibly cozy, relaxing, and absolutely perfect for studying. While we loved the coffee and matcha, you should expect a bit of a wait if you place a massive group order, as only one barista was managing all eight of our drinks.
Sispresso Coffee + Co-working | Dona Rosa St, Madang, Mati City
Schedule: Mon to Sun: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Bakehood Bakery and Cafe
Meanwhile, I have to admit that my body can no longer handle back-to-back coffee crawls like it used to. Therefore, I shifted my focus entirely toward their pastry selection instead! Our barista friends highly recommend their coffee too, though flavor preferences will always vary.
If you visit Bakehood, you absolutely cannot skip the pastries, no matter how full you think you are. Location-wise, the cafe sits a bit farther from Dahican and closer to the poblacion. Consequently, it makes for the perfect delicious pitstop right after a supermarket haul.
Bakehood Bakery & Cafe | Door 2, Rara Bldg, Don Luis Village, Santan Street, Mati
Schedule: Mon to Sun: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Wax Surf
Finally, we discovered another gem while searching for breakfast options in Mati. Similarly to Cafe Dahican, Wax Surf offers plenty of interesting brunch dishes that make the drive completely worth it. Moreover, you get to enjoy your meal right alongside a stunning, relaxing view of the water.
We tried their signature coffee and matcha along with a few dishes. Because we dropped by right after a busy weekend, a couple of menu items were unfortunately out of stock. Nevertheless, the eggs and toast were well-prepared. We did notice a bit of a heavy oil taste in the fried chicken, but we easily forgave it while taking in that beautiful coastal backdrop!
