Barbs - Donut Cafe: A Cool, Cozy Spot for Tasty Pastries, Comfort Food, and Coffee Breaks

Barbs - Donut Cafe, Atria Complex, Manduriao, Iloilo City. Jep | Flickr

Barbs, tucked conveniently in the Atria Park District, offers a refreshing take on fast casual dining. With its clean, modern aesthetic and pet-friendly vibe, it’s the kind of place that invites you to linger, whether you're grabbing a quick bite or settling in for a long catch-up with friends. Apparently, it is a restaurant chain with roots in Iloilo and branches in Cavite, Manila, Laguna, Muntinlupa, and Parañaque, according to their website.

Ambience & Amenities

The space is thoughtfully designed: sleek interiors, air-conditioned comfort (a true sanctuary on humid Iloilo afternoons), and a layout that encourages both solo work and group hangouts. There’s a long communal table perfect for tambay sessions, and charging ports are generously scattered throughout, ideal for digital nomads or anyone nursing a coffee while killing some time.

Barbs - Donut Cafe, Atria Complex, Manduriao, Iloilo City. Jep | Flickr

Food & Drink

Barbs doesn’t skimp on variety. While it is primarily a pastry and coffee shop, their menu spans from sweet and savory pastries and specialty coffee to hearty hot meals.

All-day breakfast is a highlight, with comforting classics that pair well with their brewed drinks.
We really loved the Beef Pepper Mushroom. The sauce was a bit too rich and flavorful, but the rice balances it well.
Hot meals and fries hit the spot for those craving familiar fast-food fare. The Cheesy Fries were well prepared and still crisp when served.
Pasta options round out the menu, offering something for every mood and appetite.
Be sure to check out the Iloilo Specials in their menu for a taste of something more local.

Barbs - Donut Cafe, Atria Complex, Manduriao, Iloilo City. Jep | Flickr

Baked Goods & Sweet Deals

We couldn’t resist taking home a few baked goodies:

Matcha Take It donut (sadly, a miss for us, there was an odd, almost fishy undertone we couldn’t quite place)
Chocnut Creme donut, Sans Rival donut, and Blueberry muffin were all excellent, with premium textures and flavors that are not too sweet. They tasted indulgent without being cloyingly sweet.

Prices for pastries lean toward the higher end, but here’s the sweet scoop: around 7 PM, Barbs rolls out a buy one, take one promo on baked goods. You get two items and only pay for the pricier one, a clever way to end the day on a delicious note.

Barbs - Donut Cafe, Atria Complex, Manduriao, Iloilo City. Jep | Flickr

Pet-Friendly Perks

One of the standout features? You can bring your furry companions. They highlight it themselves in all of their socials. The staff are friendly and welcoming.

Final Thoughts

Barbs is a cozy hangout spot that balances convenience with quality. We’re already planning our next visit, eager to explore more of their menu and maybe give the matcha donut a second chance (or not). Either way, it’s a spot that’s earned a place in our regular rotation (honestly, it's the convenience of having an electrical socket on almost all of the tables that sealed the deal for us).