Loading ...From my first time there and up to now, Picobello Ristorante Italiano has always been one of my most favored restaurants in Davao City. Their unfailingly delicious Italian dishes are a mainstay in the city’s culinary culture, and the restaurant now holds the distinction of being a gastronomic institution hereabouts.
It was entirely unsurprising, therefore, that Picobello was chosen by 65% of respondents in a survey I ran on Facebook. The survey was entitled “The best pizza in Davao?” and had 120 respondents after the first 5 hours. Here’s a screenshot of the survey results:
Survey results from Facebook Questions
Their excellent pies are made fresh and baked in a real brick oven (you can see it from the dining area). You should not miss out on their Quattro Stagioni (₱260+), which has artichoke, tomatoes, mushroom, olives, ham, and fresh mozzarella cheese. Shooting for a simpler pizza but with that authentic Italian flair? Go for Picobello’s Margherita (₱220+) then. But if you’re like me, a lover of good cheese, sink your teeth into their awe-inspiring Rustica Quattro Formaggi (₱295+), which is made with four kinds of cheeses: mozzarella, gorgonzola, ricotta, and parmesan.
But it’s not only the pizzas that’re fabulous at Picobello. (Their buy-one, take-one promo every afternoon is still there, by the way.) Their risotto is one of the best in the city, and it can be had with many of their meat, fowl and seafood courses. I know it’s almost a sin, but do try their Osso Buco alla Milanese (₱190+) and ask for risotto to go with it — it’s to die for!!
Here’s a shortlist of my favorites (so far) at Picobello: Piccata Milanese, pork escalopes coated in parmesan cheese and egg; Grilled Lapu-Lapu Fillet — for me, an impeccable way of serving grouper; Costine di Manzo, barbecued short ribs in a rich gravy; Costoletta, the Italian rendition of my ultimate comfort food, pork chops; La Decisione (₱265+), for the undecided, a dish of grilled marlin and beef steak in two different but complementing sauces.
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- Costine di Manzo
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- Grilled Lapu-Lapu Fillet
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- La Decisione
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- Piccata Milanese
For pasta, you can’t go wrong with Picobello’s Fettuccine al Salmone (₱250+) or their Spaghetti Bolognese (₱185+). I’m sure you’ll love their Genoan classic, Spaghetti al Pesto (₱185+), with real pesto sauce that they make from scratch.
Looking for good steaks? They have those as well. Their Australian Ribeye and Veal Tenderloin are a must-try, and I recommend you have either with one of the restaurant’s choice Merlot or Cabernet-Sauvignon reds.
Romano & Rochelle Venuti and partners — the same people who run Swiss Deli and Restaurant — take their cuisine very seriously indeed. You’ll see this dedication reflected not only in their food but also in the well-trained waitstaff at Picobello. Should you find anything amiss, this engaging couple will certainly go out of their way to remedy the situation (although I personally have never had the occasion to complain about anything there).
Picobello Ristorante Italiano is located at the 5th floor of Gaisano South CitiMall, Ilustre corner General Luna Streets, in downtown Davao. They’re open daily from 10:30am to 11:00pm; after mall hours, they’re accessible via elevator from the basement parking area. For table reservations, please call 221-1696.
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I am not surprised. The boyf and I just visited Handuraw last Saturday (finally) and we had the Seafood Delight. I totally loved both the crust and the topping! It was wonderful, and boyf esp liked the Bolognese Spaghetti… but we were talking about how Picobello still had the best pizza, hands down!! Nothing beats authentic Italian pizza, I guess. I do have to give La Toscana a try, though!
Thanks for the feedback, Abby! Always good to hear from my readers.
I did try Picobello, that was quite long time ago, hehehe, I did remember they offer that square sized pizza, their thin crust is superb, though I haven’t tried some of their offerings because I was after the buy one take one promo.
Does their promo still exist as of April 2011? or do they still have the longest running promo around?
Picobello’s buy-one-take-one promo for pizzas is still ongoing.
Btw, square pizza? I don’t remember Picobello ever offering that…
My husband-who is italian..loves this restaurant..I highly recommend this restaurant”Picobello” to all of you-I would say-Propio Italiano…so far, they are the only restaurant that we like to eat from lunch, snack and dinner everytime we goback to davao..To Ms Agnes-very friendly and accomodating place! Thanks…
We discovered Picobello thru a friend last 2006. We loved the food, the service and the friendly workers. My husband & I ate at Picobello most of the time, when we were there in our vacation.
I like your website Blogie. We missed Davao and our family much2x!!!. Thank you for sharing! 
Thanks very much for the kind words, Willy & Emee!
very authentic italian food..I lived in Italy with my italian husband, I’m proud to say that at least we have REAL ITALY in Davao..real italian food…Thanks Piccobello, you save us when feel Italian Kitchen in Davao..
I mean, “when we feel” and almost everyday italian..