DAVAO — Less than a year has passed since Open Space Cafe + Bar first opened its doors to the public on July 8, 2025, yet the highland destination has already carved out a loyal following. Nestled in the lush hills of Baracatan in Toril District, the cafe has quickly become a go-to escape for Davaoeños willing to trade a 45-minute drive for cool breezes, mountain views, and a genuine sense of retreat. While the larger Baracatan Hills Resort Complex—of which the cafe was envisioned as the anchor—has yet to materialize beyond the planning stage, Open Space stands today as a thriving standalone destination, proving that good coffee, honest Filipino food, and a breathtaking setting are sometimes all you need.
A Destination That Rewards the Drive
What keeps people coming back to Open Space is its consistency and unique atmosphere. From its perch in Baracatan, the cafe offers unobstructed views of rolling hills that stretch toward the horizon, a scenery that shifts with the hour—bright and expansive in the morning, golden and contemplative by late afternoon. The journey from downtown Davao takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes, a stretch that has become part of the ritual rather than a deterrent. Once visitors arrive, they find a space designed for lingering: open-air seating that invites deep breaths, tables arranged to maximize the view, and an atmosphere that manages to be both lively and restful. On weekends, the place regularly fills up, a sign that its appeal has grown steadily since its opening nearly a year ago.
Coffee and Comfort Food, Highland Style
The menu at Open Space has remained faithful to its original promise: Mindanao-sourced coffee served alongside classic Filipino comfort dishes. Patrons frequently praise the rich, aromatic brew, which draws beans from various coffee-growing regions across Mindanao—a deliberate choice that supports local farmers while delivering a flavor profile distinct from commercial blends. On the food side, familiar favorites like sisig and humba anchor the menu, offering hearty meals that pair well with the cool highland air. For those who arrive later in the day, the bar serves a selection of cocktails and spirits, allowing the space to transition from a daytime coffee haven to a relaxed evening lounge. Freshly baked pastries and light fare round out the offerings, ensuring there is something for every appetite.
The Resort Complex That Was Promised
When Open Space first opened in July 2025, it was introduced as the first operational piece of the Baracatan Hills Resort Complex, a sprawling development that promised a quaint chapel, a 200-seat pavilion, resort villas, a clubhouse, an outdoor wedding area, a children's playground, and swimming pools. As of April 2026, those additional components remain unbuilt, with no public announcements of groundbreakings or construction timelines. In that sense, Open Space functions less as an anchor and more as a pioneer—a proof of concept that a highland cafe can thrive on its own merits, even without the surrounding infrastructure. For now, the cafe continues to operate as a standalone gem, welcoming families, couples, and remote workers who seek nothing more than good food, good coffee, and a view that rewards the drive.
An Emerging Escape for Davaoeños
What makes Open Space noteworthy in April 2026 is not grand expansion but its rapid rise as a beloved local destination. In an industry where new cafes open and close with alarming frequency, Open Space has maintained its momentum by staying true to its original identity: a place to unwind, enjoy the outdoors, and relish life's simple joys. Operating hours typically run from late morning to early evening, though visitors are advised to check the cafe's social media pages for the most current schedule before heading up the mountain. As Davao City continues to grow outward and upward, Open Space Cafe + Bar remains a reminder that sometimes the best destinations are not the biggest or the newest, but the ones that get the basics right from the very beginning.
