8 Cool Spots to Work Out of the Office in Davao

By any chance, have you ever been to Davao? It’s an awesome place full of surprises that you can look forward to once you step inside the city.

Davao City has gone beyond its famous tourist spots like Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Davao Crocodile Park, Philippine Eagle Nature Center, and the DECA Wakeboard Park; Davao’s definitely a city that’s also fast becoming a major hub for top information and communication technology companies.

Its impressive reputation attracts major BPO companies to set up roots here for their medical transcription services, back office outsourcing, and more. Apart from the multinationals, there are many jobs in Davao that make the city truly an awesome place for work and play.

In a FlexJobs study, researchers found that out of 2,600 employees surveyed, 24 percent said they get their best work done during work hours inside the office. The rest? Well, they are more productive (and inspired) elsewhere.

About 50 percent of the employees said they work best at home while 12 percent said they are more engaged when working at a coffee shop or other commercial areas. The other 14 percent said they can be most productive inside the office but when the rest of the team has gone home.

If you’re looking for jobs in Davao, check out the cool places below so you can hunt for jobs at your utmost convenience. If you’re currently working in Davao and you have a flexible working schedule, this is the place where you have to be.

1. Blugré Coffee – 2F, Sky Garden, SM Premiere, J.P. Laurel Avenue, Lanang

Some like it hot. Some like it cold. Some like it fruity! Whatever you fancy, Blugré Coffee will serve you Durian-infused coffee treats. Try the Blugré Durian Cappuccino and the Blugré Durian Arctic Blasts while working on that company presentation. The vibe inside is like the province-grown equivalent of Starbucks.

2. Green Coffee – F. Torres Branch, Prime Square Compound, F. Torres Street

Perfect for folks who want a quick caffeine fix. All Green Coffee branches are open 24/7! The rustic, minimalist interior with its “unfinished” brick walls, and the calming coffee music playing in the background at their Torres branch will take your concentration level up a notch. Their must-try items include the Blueberry Ensaymada and the Milk Tea with Fine Salt and Cheese.

3. Kalakoa Coffee Hut – Urban Turf, 3/F, Abreeza Mall, JP Laurel Avenue</em>

Three words: Very fast Wi-Fi. Unlike most coffee shops who go for minimalism, you might pronounce the name as “Kaloka” because of the shop’s Hawaii-inspired décor complete with beach umbrellas and surfboards. Kalakoa actually means “of many colors” in Hawaiian. Even the food is colorful here. It’s a cool place to hang out if you want to try something unique and refreshing.

4. Coffee at Yellow Hauz – V. Mapa, Mabini Streets, Davao

A “home away from home.” Coffee at Yellow Hauz offers such a homey vibe to it that it makes it so easy (or difficult) to focus. Apart from coffee favorites and free Wi-Fi, they also serve refreshing sweet smoothies. Top bets include the Berry Good Smoothie and Snapple Smoothie. Its owner, April San Pedro, also owns the next-door Artisan Design Studio which is another awesome place to hang out in.

5. Chicco Di Caffe Davao – Corner Padre Faura Street and Roxas Avenue

Chico di Caffe’s Coffee Halo-Halo is definitely a surprising crowd favorite. If you think it’s a weird combination, it is. But somehow it works. Regular patrons call themselves “Chiccoholics,” many of whom are students who swear by their durian lattes and smoothies. Their Roxas Avenue branch is a short distance from the Ateneo de Davao’s Jacinto Campus.

6. Coffee Grounds by Golden Lion – Golden Lion Dormitel, Roxas Extension

If you want to work in style, the best coffee shop to be is Coffee Grounds by Golden Lion. Every inch of the place is Instagram-able! Even the food is trendy. Don’t forget to try to their Seafood Pomodoro Pasta and Trio Formaggio Pizza. Best of all, free Wi-Fi!

7. Tea Green Cafe and Lifestyle Shop – Circumferential Road, Poblacion District

Foreigners swear by their Malunggay Pesto Pasta. Other favorites include the Cilantro Brown Rice, Seafood Risotto, and Thai Fish Cakes. This café is a quaint place to work and take a lot of Instagram photos. They have free Wi-Fi and a very mellow restaurant-by-the-sea vibe.

8. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf – Abreeza Mall, JP Laurel Avenue

The Coffee Bean & Tea Lea is one of the most popular coffee companies in the Philippines with three branches sprouting in Davao and more across the country. The atmosphere is very laid-back and they have free Wi-Fi, however, you’ll need to get a hold on their Swirl Card to get the password.

The Swirl Card is a good investment if you’re fond of working at coffee shops. You can get freebies and discounts using the card; it’s transferable, too! We recommend that you try the Hazelnut Frappe and Lemon Squares, to name a few.