More Than Just a Cafe: Masa Madre Bakehouse

Do you also have that one cafe you’ve been wanting to try for the longest time? That cafe you always pass by but never really get to visit because you end up going to your usual coffee spots instead?

Well, this one was mine.

Gabbie and I finally had the chance to check out Masa Madre Bakehouse in Bonifacio Global City. It’s actually around the area we usually visit, but whenever we crave coffee, we often just stay inside the mall and go to familiar cafes.

Since it was the weekend and we had extra time, we decided this was finally the perfect chance to visit.

From the name itself, “Masa Madre” means “mother dough,” which already gives you an idea of what to expect from the place. It’s not just a cafe serving coffee, but also a bakehouse known for their pastries and bread.

We arrived late in the afternoon because we were looking for somewhere cozy to have coffee and snacks. The moment we entered, the first thing I noticed was how cold it was inside. I’m not sure if it was because I was wearing a tank top and shorts after walking around outside in the heat, but the air conditioning was strong. So if you’re planning to visit, consider this your warning: wear or bring a jacket if you get cold easily!

The staff greeted us warmly and let us choose where we wanted to sit. We picked seats near the counter and beside a brick wall area because it felt slightly warmer compared to the other sections of the cafe.

The interior looked really nice. It had this modern rustic industrial vibe that immediately made the place feel cozy but still stylish. The exposed brick walls, warm lighting and wooden details made the whole cafe feel welcoming.

One thing I also liked was how the front area was mostly glass, so people outside could already see the inside of the bakehouse. Still, it feels different once you’re actually there in person.

After sitting down, the staff handed us the menu. Although they give you the menu at your table, I personally think it’s better to go directly to the counter first because that’s where you can actually see all the pastries available. Seeing pastries in person makes ordering even harder because everything suddenly looks tempting.

Displayed at the counter were different pastries and baked goods. The moment I saw the Turon Croissant, I already knew I had to order it. I love turon, so seeing it turned into a croissant immediately got me excited.

While waiting in line, I also noticed their sign for croissant ice cream. It looked so good too but I told myself maybe next time because I was already too excited for the turon croissant.

After placing our orders, we spent some time exploring the place a little more. Behind our seats was another huge seating area with lots of tables and sockets. It’s a perfect spot for students, freelancers, or anyone who likes working or studying in cafes. There were so many available outlets, which is always a huge plus for me.

One side of the bakehouse also looked like a kitchen or workshop area, so we got curious and asked one of the staff members about it. Turns out they actually hold baking classes there! I thought that was really cool because the place feels more interactive instead of just being a regular coffee shop.

Beside our seats was also this huge wall display filled with baking equipment like mixers, coffee machines, and other tools used for baking and coffee-making. Apparently, they’re all for sale too. So while waiting for your order, you can also casually browse and shop for baking equipment if you’re into that kind of thing.

After a few minutes, our food finally arrived.

Gabbie ordered the Carbonara. The pasta itself was creamy and flavorful, but the bread served on the side was extremely toasted. Like… really toasted! It was a bit difficult to eat because it was so crunchy, but the carbonara itself was good.

As for me, I ordered the Turon Croissant paired with a hot Spanish Latte.

At first glance, the croissant looked slightly burnt, but it actually wasn’t. The darker coating outside came from the caramelized sugar, similar to the crispy sweet coating you get from traditional turon sold on the streets. Inside, it had a sweet jam-like banana filling that made it taste even more like an actual turon, just in croissant form.

I really liked it!

The hot Spanish Latte was good too. Nothing super unique but it paired perfectly with the pastry. It actually reminded me of how I sometimes eat turon at home while drinking coffee. So somehow, the combination felt comforting and familiar.

This is what it looks like inside the turon croissant.

This is what our table looked like before we devoured our orders.

Overall, we had a really nice experience at Masa Madre Bakehouse. The cafe itself feels cozy, spacious, and perfect for hanging out, working, or just enjoying coffee and pastries. The food and drinks we ordered were good, too!

I’d definitely love to come back again, maybe with more friends next time. And who knows? Maybe we’ll finally try one of their baking classes too.