The cube croissants are gimmicky and tough. That's disappointing because the pastry chef they're lucky enough to have is excellent. The food from the kitchen is great because the chef is fantastic and they're lucky to have him as well. They got rid of the meat guy who I thought was staying on from Fol Epi quite early on. That was disappointing. Overall, it's okay. No reason to go back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Angela Jasmine
We were looking for a cute place to have brunch and thought we would check Tombo Eats out - big mistake. We asked to sit outside and were given a dirty table that they didn’t even wipe down. There was jam and breadcrumbs all over the table and it was never taken care of and we had to clean it ourselves.
My boyfriend ordered a coke which when our food arrived was never brought out. After discussing with the front they said they’d forgotten and that they were actually all out of coke too! As someone who has worked in coffee shops and restaurants it was an extreme shock that the staff were unable to complete basic tasks of cleaning tables and knowing inventory.
The sandwich I had received was disgustingly oily - and I mean it was DISGUSTING. The entire sandwhich was greasy to touch and every bite had oil quite litterally dripping out. I have absolutely no idea how one small sandwich could hold so much oil. My boyfriend got a ham and cheese and it was alright. The price did not justify what the sandwich was though. My order of a $5 hot chocolate was made with powder which was disgusting. For a coffee shop to charge that much for powder they might as well have just robbed me.
Overall I would never go here again - let alone recommend it to a friend. Turn the corner and go to literally any other bakery for a much better meal and experience.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Jasmine Kizilkaya
Looks cool with a nice vibe but the food was quite simple and plain. The two items we originally wanted weren’t even available and it was only 11am.
jharna kumari
Delicious croissants.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michelle Ernst
BEST breaky sandwich I’ve had in awhile! 14$ so it’s not the cheapest but I’d say it’s worth it. We also got the matcha latte and latte and they were both delightful. Also very wheelchair accessible!
I had gone here while it was still the pop up and had a lovely experience. The staff were lovely and I had high hopes for a new bakery/cafe in town. I've been in since and it seems like it's poorly run. I felt stressed being inside as a customer! The quality has gone down and I no longer will recommend this place to friends. It also seems like the owner removes 1 star reviews which is sus.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Kristen Fletcher
I love their grab n go food and coffee bar for a quick lunch, and if you can make it past the pastry selection without gorging yourself the hero sandwich is delicious! The pizzas are all great, but the Green Goddess pizza is next level tasty. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
myklreinhart
Our first few experiences at Tombo Eats shortly after it opened were fantastic. Incredibly creative lunch dishes, with a fast favourite being the Falafal (I think it had pistachios in it). The service was outstanding and attentive, and we pledged to ourselves to visit as often as we got a chance. This time, it was disappointing to see some radical changes. No more table service-- it's counter service now. And a severely down-sized menu, without the incredible falafel. The last time, my wife's favourite beet salad was gone. I have deep sympathy for restauranteurs in this city... I imagine they find their customer base to be fickle, and I'm certain that the cost of commercial space is prohibitive. Couple that with the housing market that precludes staff from being able to live close to work, and it's got to be a perfect storm. I hope they're doing ok, and that they can make it work-- it would be a shame to see another place with such potential struggle.
Audrey Deutschmann
The food was fabulous, but our lattes were absolutely abysmal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Dilon Harms
This place is not good. The food looks good but taste mediocre. Service? What service. I miss agruis.
What a delight and such amazing food and staff! Tom you just keep knocking it out of the park, thank you for making us such delicious food and make sure you check out Tombo Eats if you haven’t already. Special shout out to Kyah and Morgan thank you for making our visit so special ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Eduardo
Food here used to be good. Emphasis on used to be. Service is all over the place. Do I wait to be seated even though nobody is at the front to greet me? Can I order food even if I take a seat at the cafe? How was I supposed to know I have to get up and grab my own cutlery?
I've also heard from friends who worked here that work conditions were not great, so there's that. There are places in this city with better food, better pastries, better coffee, better service. Would not recommend spending your money here.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Christopher Brake
Now, I travel countries exclusively on the experiences I'll have eating at the local bakeries and eateries. This is best place on Vancouver Island to get an unique supreme croissant and a delicious Aussie Style Pie. Already planning my next trip back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cube Croissant, Supreme and Cube Crossiant
Kimberly Wilson
The feature croissants are TO DIE FOR. I had this giant hockey puck shaped croissant that was half dipped in chocolate, filled with a cookies and cream pastry cream and topped with whipped cream and it is hands down the best dessert I've ever had. The croissant was crispy on the outside and soft with layers on the inside. It's so buttery and perfect. The pastry cream was perfection, not sweet just incredibly creamy and flavorful. I'd bet money that all their desserts are top tier.
Also the staff are a genuine friendly not customer service friendly where you know they are unhappy. It's also a very welcoming and clean establishment.
Wheelchair accessibility: I can't speak for the dine in side which is a separate entrance, as I did not go there... but the take out side has no stairs and the door props open. There is also loose menus to look at and the dessert case is nice and low to see!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pastries
Jocelyn K
Everything we has was really good. Cube croissant was delicious, and the hero sandwich had lots of toppings. Definitely would return.
The cube croissants are gimmicky and tough. That's disappointing because the pastry chef they're lucky enough to have is excellent. The food from the kitchen is great because the chef is fantastic and they're lucky to have him as well. They got rid of the meat guy who I thought was staying on from Fol Epi quite early on. That was disappointing. Overall, it's okay. No reason to go back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
We were looking for a cute place to have brunch and thought we would check Tombo Eats out - big mistake. We asked to sit outside and were given a dirty table that they didn’t even wipe down. There was jam and breadcrumbs all over the table and it was never taken care of and we had to clean it ourselves.
My boyfriend ordered a coke which when our food arrived was never brought out. After discussing with the front they said they’d forgotten and that they were actually all out of coke too! As someone who has worked in coffee shops and restaurants it was an extreme shock that the staff were unable to complete basic tasks of cleaning tables and knowing inventory.
The sandwich I had received was disgustingly oily - and I mean it was DISGUSTING. The entire sandwhich was greasy to touch and every bite had oil quite litterally dripping out. I have absolutely no idea how one small sandwich could hold so much oil. My boyfriend got a ham and cheese and it was alright. The price did not justify what the sandwich was though. My order of a $5 hot chocolate was made with powder which was disgusting. For a coffee shop to charge that much for powder they might as well have just robbed me.
Overall I would never go here again - let alone recommend it to a friend. Turn the corner and go to literally any other bakery for a much better meal and experience.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Looks cool with a nice vibe but the food was quite simple and plain. The two items we originally wanted weren’t even available and it was only 11am.
Delicious croissants.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
BEST breaky sandwich I’ve had in awhile! 14$ so it’s not the cheapest but I’d say it’s worth it. We also got the matcha latte and latte and they were both delightful.
Also very wheelchair accessible!
Wheelchair accessibility: Wheelchair accessible :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had gone here while it was still the pop up and had a lovely experience. The staff were lovely and I had high hopes for a new bakery/cafe in town. I've been in since and it seems like it's poorly run. I felt stressed being inside as a customer! The quality has gone down and I no longer will recommend this place to friends. It also seems like the owner removes 1 star reviews which is sus.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
I love their grab n go food and coffee bar for a quick lunch, and if you can make it past the pastry selection without gorging yourself the hero sandwich is delicious! The pizzas are all great, but the Green Goddess pizza is next level tasty. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our first few experiences at Tombo Eats shortly after it opened were fantastic. Incredibly creative lunch dishes, with a fast favourite being the Falafal (I think it had pistachios in it). The service was outstanding and attentive, and we pledged to ourselves to visit as often as we got a chance. This time, it was disappointing to see some radical changes. No more table service-- it's counter service now. And a severely down-sized menu, without the incredible falafel. The last time, my wife's favourite beet salad was gone. I have deep sympathy for restauranteurs in this city... I imagine they find their customer base to be fickle, and I'm certain that the cost of commercial space is prohibitive. Couple that with the housing market that precludes staff from being able to live close to work, and it's got to be a perfect storm. I hope they're doing ok, and that they can make it work-- it would be a shame to see another place with such potential struggle.
The food was fabulous, but our lattes were absolutely abysmal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
This place is not good. The food looks good but taste mediocre. Service? What service. I miss agruis.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
What a delight and such amazing food and staff! Tom you just keep knocking it out of the park, thank you for making us such delicious food and make sure you check out Tombo Eats if you haven’t already. Special shout out to Kyah and Morgan thank you for making our visit so special ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food here used to be good. Emphasis on used to be. Service is all over the place. Do I wait to be seated even though nobody is at the front to greet me? Can I order food even if I take a seat at the cafe? How was I supposed to know I have to get up and grab my own cutlery?
I've also heard from friends who worked here that work conditions were not great, so there's that. There are places in this city with better food, better pastries, better coffee, better service. Would not recommend spending your money here.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Now, I travel countries exclusively on the experiences I'll have eating at the local bakeries and eateries.
This is best place on Vancouver Island to get an unique supreme croissant and a delicious Aussie Style Pie.
Already planning my next trip back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cube Croissant, Supreme and Cube Crossiant
The feature croissants are TO DIE FOR. I had this giant hockey puck shaped croissant that was half dipped in chocolate, filled with a cookies and cream pastry cream and topped with whipped cream and it is hands down the best dessert I've ever had. The croissant was crispy on the outside and soft with layers on the inside. It's so buttery and perfect. The pastry cream was perfection, not sweet just incredibly creamy and flavorful. I'd bet money that all their desserts are top tier.
Also the staff are a genuine friendly not customer service friendly where you know they are unhappy. It's also a very welcoming and clean establishment.
Wheelchair accessibility: I can't speak for the dine in side which is a separate entrance, as I did not go there... but the take out side has no stairs and the door props open. There is also loose menus to look at and the dessert case is nice and low to see!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pastries
Everything we has was really good. Cube croissant was delicious, and the hero sandwich had lots of toppings. Definitely would return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pastries, Cube Croissant
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