10 must-eats at DoVa Brunch Cafe

Inside DoVa Brunch Cafe in Megaworld. Image source: DoVa’s Facebook page


Brunch lovers or just about anyone who craves for a satisfying dish will be treated to varied delicious and cooked-to-perfection selections at DoVa Brunch Cafe.

DoVa sprung from owner Miguel Cordova’s love for brunch and his experience of Cambodia’s brunch culture. Impressed with the different brunch cafes in this southeast Asian country, Miguel yearned of putting up one in Iloilo City. At that time, he was already running his two successful restaurants – Afriques and Escas.

“It took me two years to realize my dream of opening a brunch cafe,” Miguel said, referring to DoVa’s La Paz branch which Ilonggos welcomed with open arms, or better yet, eager taste buds. The second branch, DoVa Megaworld at the Iloilo Business Park, opened this year.

At DoVa, brunch is always a good idea

One fine night, Miguel gathered selected Iloilo bloggers to have a taste of what DoVa has to offer. It was my first time to step inside DoVa but I already heard that their food is utterly divine but pricey. But after experiencing it myself, I could say that the pricing is reasonable especially if one prefers to eat specially prepared and flavorsome food and have endless conversations with loved ones in a setting that is comfortable, cozy and tastefully designed.

The top 10
DoVa offers brunch, pancakes, waffles, burgers and sandwiches, brick-oven cooked pizza, pasta, Filipino breakfast, entrees, appetizers, soups and salads. “We serve English, American and Filipino fare to cater to everybody,” Miguel said, adding that Iloilo is home to many expats.

However, there will always be the bestsellers and my favourites, as follows:

Braised Beef Brisket 


Top 1: Braised Beef Brisket
Miguel shared that Braised Beef Brisket is one of their bestsellers. It consists of tender braised brisket, gravy, vegetables and brown rice pilaf. I always lighten up when it comes to eating beef but this dish is irresistible, one cannot help but get a second helping.

Crispy Soy Ginger Chicken 


Top 2:  Crispy Soy Ginger Chicken
Polenta fried chicken, zucchini fries, cabbage slaw and chipotle dip meal. Polenta refers to the paste made from cornmeal.
The Big Brunch Plate 


Top 3: The Big Brunch Plate 
The brunch treat for the king in you includes baked beans, sausage, bacon, toast, fries and tomatoes.

Sticky Pork Ribs 


Top 4: Sticky Pork Ribs
Glazed pork ribs with mashed potatoes and greens, a truly full-flavored dish you wouldn’t want to miss.

Deep Fried Cheese Balls 


Top 5: Deep Fried Cheese Balls
With chipotle swirl, marinara sauce and side salad

Eggs Benedict 


Top 6: Eggs Benedict
Farmers ham, poached egg, brioche ham, hollandaise and potatoes

Backyard Barbecue Pizza 

Top 7: Backyard Barbecue Pizza
DoVa’s brick oven pizza

Grandma’s Meat Loaf 

Top 8: Grandma’s Meat Loaf
Intensely divine, this entree includes two meatloaves, gravy, tomato sauce, vegetables and baked potato.

Greek Quinoa Salad

Top 9: Greek Quinoa Salad
Of course, every meal should have a healthy feature. This nourishing salad includes mixed greens, organic quinoa, feta cheese, olives and Spanish onions, balsamic vinaigrette. Quinoa is a grain that is known for its health benefits because of its high fiber content as well as magnesium, vitamin B and E, iron and other antioxidants.

Cashew Brittle Salad 


Top 10: Cashew Brittle Salad
Mixed greens, cashew brittle, green apples, diced peaches, strawberries, strawberry balsamic cream

With these choices, it is easily to forget about one’s diet and health. But don’t fret, DoVa is here to stay, so you can always come back to try more. They are open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. To get updates from them, follow their Facebook page: DoVa Brunch Cafe 

At DoVa, brunch is always a good idea./Kathy Villalon

You may contact the writer through Iloilo Updates 

Quiche me baby, quiche me again

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