Have you ever stepped into a restaurant and felt so warm and fuzzy? Some restaurants portray a level of sophistication, others can be intimidating, and some simply ooze superficiality. Then, once in a while, you walk into a place that makes you feel welcome like a nurturing mother preparing good food after a long day at school. That’s exactly what it feels like stepping into Mombakes in SK Complex, Bajada.
Mombakes’ SK Complex branch is their second location, with the first and original spot located being in Quimpo Boulevard. Despite being a relatively new cafe in Davao City, Mombakes has quickly won the hearts of many patrons. The secret? They let their food do all the talking. Offering both an inviting and homey atmosphere, they provide comfort in every dish and every slice of cake.
The restaurant’s design is nothing short of charming, with soft pastel pinks that give a feminine and nurturing touch, making it the perfect reflection of its namesake. Stepping inside, you’re immediately met with warmth and positivity, and it’s easy to see why so many diners come here to gather and enjoy good company.
One of the restaurant’s standout features is its variety of cakes and desserts, which are not only delicious but also incredibly affordable. Originally focused on baked goods, Mombakes has expanded its menu to include a variety of heartwarming dishes that cater to every craving.
Whether you’re in the mood for a light snack, a hearty meal, or a sweet treat, Mombakes delivers it all with a side of comfort and a whole lot of love. It’s not just a restaurant, it’s a place where food and family come together, and where every bite feels like a hug.
What are your favorites? Keep reading for my personal review as I share my favorites and my-not-so favorite.
Menu
Food Review
I had not heard of Mombakes nor had any idea what it offered, but my hungry stomach led me into this cozy cafe in SK Compound. It was a good decision, as this place has been one of the restaurants I have visited more than twice now this 2025.
Spanish Bangus – 9/10
Bangus is one of the least preferred fish that I eat but their Spanish Bangus completely changed my mind. The fish is drenched with a thick olive oil blend, releasing an aromatic and enticing smell. The rich smell of bay leaf, garlic, and chilies is wafting through the air. It looks unappetizing which makes you misjudge the dish but the taste is surprisingly good. It’s the kind of underrated dish that often gets overlooked, yet delivers a hidden delight that’s well worth trying. The fish is crispy fried with a little charring, giving a satisfying crunchy mouthfeel but surprisingly tender on the inside. There is a slight dryness to the fish but the olive oil bathing the fish provides a good balance to the moisture. I do feel that this dish is not for everyone but if you feel a little bold and would like to choose something away from your comfort zone, this will surely surprise you. At least that’s how this dish did it for me. Priced at P190 for a solo dish with rice.
Chicken Bangbang – 6.3
Their Chicken Bangbang is one of the dishes I have been looking forward to but unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to the expectations. The dish was generously portioned, with bite-sized chicken pops that had a fantastic crispy texture, perfectly coated in a flavorful sauce that managed to keep the crunch intact. While it was well-seasoned, the flavor felt flat due to a noticeable lack of salt. With a little more salt, this could have been an absolute standout dish. The sauce had an unusual zing to it which may be due to the cayenne and paprika. I would have put it on a good 8 or even to a 9 if it was not so bland. The sauce was good, but it was dragged down by how underwhelming the batter and the chicken was. A good plate that can be shared by 2-3 people is priced at P380.
Classic Carbonara – 9.2
Although they’re not an Italian restaurant, this spot is one of the few in Davao that offers carbonara prepared in the classic Italian style—without cream, milk, or butter, but with eggs and cheese! Despite being a Filipino-centric comfort food cafe, I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious their carbonara was. It’s one of the best I’ve had. It had a generous amount of guanciale, the perfect meat for the dish. However, while the guanciale itself was flavorful, the cuts were a bit too thick and some cuts had a big chunk of fat, giving the meat a gamey aftertaste which was overpowering the taste. Still, the overall dish was truly ravishing, and it’s a standout for anyone craving an authentic carbonara experience. It was truly an experience because the pasta was cooked just right, it was saucy from the egg and cheese combination yet it was not too salty giving a way for the guanciale to shine. If it wasn’t for the inconsistency of the guanciale meat cuts, this would have been a 10/10! Definitely is a favorite dish that I order. At P300.
Unicorn Milk – 6
One of the most aesthetically pleasing drinks on their menu. Their Unicorn Milk is a child’s dream drink. It’s a light purple and bluish milk topped with marshmallows. Apart from its beautiful and aesthetic presentation, that’s just it, a jazzified plain milk. Flavor-wise nothing really is different. P180
Cannolis – 7
Cannoli is an Italian classic which is a crispy fried dough shaped into a tube and filled with a sweet cheesy filling. While I’m not entirely sure of their exact recipe, I’m guessing it’s a blend of cream cheese, giving it a unique savory-sweet flavor. The addition of chocolate enhances the sweetness, providing a deeper, more complex taste. The dough itself has a pleasantly thick yet crumbly texture reminding me of a cornetto cone. Though not all tasting like a cornetto cone but that is the most similar taste I can associate it with. It is more buttery than a cornetto cone. Not only is it good and reasonably priced, but it’s also a light dessert that’s not too filling which makes it a great finish. (Priced not on Menu, but at Store)
French Chocolate – 8.8
Another favorite from them is their French Chocolate drink. It has a very smooth and thick velvety texture with a rich consistency. The flavor had a good balance of sweetness and a mildly deep cocoa flavor. As a sikwate lover, I could immediately notice the difference. While sikwate has a bolder, more intense cacao flavor, this drink leans toward a slightly more artificial sweetness. Still, it’s a comforting and indulgent drink. Though, I would have preferred a deeper and intense cacao flavor. The whipped cream though a good addition, slightly throws off the balance and flavor of the drink. It makes it sweeter, which dampens the depth of the chocolate flavor. My advice is to put just a small amount of whipped cream first and have a taste until you get a good balance of bitterness and sweetness to it. P180.
Matcha Chocolate Brownie – 9
This brownie is a delicious fusion of matcha and chocolate. While the combination seems odd, these two flavors provide a good compliment due to the matcha’s earthy bitter taste contrasting the sweetness and bold flavor of the chocolate. The matcha adds a surprising layer of bitterness that complements and elevates the chocolate, bringing out its depth even more. The texture of the brownie also deserves praise. The brownie was heated before serving. While this may come down to personal preference, the heat added an unexpected depth to the experience. The brownie had a satisfying chunky bite but also melted in your mouth. It had a gooey yet intact and not crumbly texture. It was a lovely sensory experience. Though I am not sure how my rating holds if it was served differently.
My only critique is the matcha powder used. It had a synthetic and herby aftertaste to it like a moringa leaf or another tea leaf was added to it. For matcha enthusiasts who are particular about the grade and flavor of the powder, they might notice this difference easily. A lot of matcha purists, might not like the matcha powder used. (Priced not on Menu, but at Store)
Restaurant Rating
Food:
They offer genuinely good food across the menu. From what we ordered, most dishes were either really impressive or had the potential to be even better. While they are primarily known for their baked goods, their savory dishes hold their own as well. Unlike other restaurants that focus heavily on their baked goods but often fall short with their meals, Mombakes excels in both areas, making it a well-rounded dining experience. So far, it has been a good comfort food place I frequented this first few couple of months of 2025. We have not tried their coffee and other beverages though so as to this area, I am inconclusive.
Value for money:
They offer solo sizes for solo diners which is generally affordable but a lot of their dishes are of bistro-style pricing which is a little pricier but with how good and the quality of their food is, I can say it is a good value for your money. Some dishes also look unappetizing and looks too little, but it actually is filling, and the taste can surprise you.
Location:
The place looks really homey and oozes out a feminine and motherly vibe which is nice for girls who want to hang out and have a coquette-ish pictures for social media. It is really clean and have great air conditioning and has comfortable and spacious seating. The location is also really great with spacious parking and accessible as it is along the main road. It also is a prime location as a pit stop as it is close to a petrol station. If you also want to restaurant hop, it has other restaurants close to the vicinity.
Service:
Good service. Nothing bad that I can say. Attentive staff and generally good waiting time.
Variety:
They have a well-rounded and curated menu. Though, not too vegan friendly and not serving soup or salad dishes, they do not shy away with meat options and desserts. Not a good place if you are on a diet as they offer more comfort and guilty pleasures like cakes and pastries. They offer solo dishes and dishes for sharing. They really have outstanding dishes though that you can pick out and loyally order each time you visit. They also provide varying baked goods and pastry flavors that changes from time to time. Offers whole cakes and desserts.
Recommendations
Recommended Food – Classic Carbonara, Spanish Bangus, Matcha and Chocolate Brownies, French Chocolate
Information
- Payment Method: Cash, Gcash, Credit Card
- Budget: P800-P1,200 for 2 pax
- Type: Mixed, Comfort Food
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Mombakesdvo
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