The name Mary Grace Cafe will likely bring smiles to many faces. This beloved, family-run Filipino bakery-cafe has opened its first overseas outpost in Telok Ayer, bringing its famed Filipino bakes to Singapore!
What Is Mary Grace Cafe?
Mary Grace Cafe is a Filipino bakery-cafe chain famous for its traditional pastries.
It was founded in 1994 by Mary Grace Dimacali, who stole hearts with her handmade, freshly baked ensaymadas: a fluffy, sweet Filipino bread.
The brand was so loved that it expanded into 140 outlets across the Philippines, now expanding overseas to Singapore.
We’re happy to see more Filipino representation in Singapore’s food scene, especially after the success of hayop, a modern Filipino restaurant.
But unlike hayop’s elevated ambience, Mary Grace Cafe brings nostalgia and familiarity.
Its interior is homey, cosy and eclectic; decorated with pictures of Mary Grace’s family and trinkets that make it feel like a grandma’s living room.
The tables are filled with handwritten notes by previous patrons. You can leave your own note with your visit and see where it ends up!
Mary Grace Cafe Singapore Menu
The Mary Grace Cafe Singapore menu brings their two signature items:
- Ensaymada ($5.50)
- Cheese Roll ($4.30)
Freshly baked everyday, their bakes use real butter and a special Edam cheese from Holland that gives it a savoury bite.
It was my first time ever trying an ensaymada and I was blown away.
The bread was fluffy and soft, infused with a rich alluring buttery fragrance.
I especially liked the saltiness from the cheese that balanced out the sweetness.
It’s the kind of treat that leaves your fingers greasy and your chest a bit tighter from how buttery it is – but fully worth it!
Their Cheese Roll was not far behind. Stuffed with a full stick of cheese, this was designed for dipping into their Hot Chocolate ($7.50).
The Hot Chocolate was thick, almost like a sauce, and very slightly sweetened. However it retained enough cocoa flavour to balance out the savoury roll.
It’s a common debate: Team Ensaymada or Team Cheese Roll? I’m personally on Team Ensaymada, but I hope you all try and take your pick!
Their Ensaymadas and Cheese Rolls are available for takeaway in gift boxes, starting from $24.50 for 6.
There are also savoury dishes, like:
- Cassava Chips with Onion Dip ($12). Featuring housemade cassava chips.
- White Cheese Salad with Calamansi Vinaigrette ($18). Tossed with fried Halloumi nuggets and Philippine lemons.
- Grilled Chicken Inasal Focaccia ($19.50). This sandwich features a smoky grilled chicken in a calamansi-tamarind marinade.
I tried another fan favourite dish, the Angus Beef Tapa ($25.50).
With a choice between Rosemary and Garlic rice, this was a simple but hearty dish.
The beef was tender with a sweet marinade, complemented by the creamy egg yolk and complimentary pickles and sauce on the side.
Their cakes are also worth the extra stomach space, especially the Mango Bene ($14.50).
Each cake layers fresh mango, a light cream and crunchy meringue. It wasn’t overbearing or too sweet, with the tang from the fruit cutting through any richness.
This version has been adapted for Singaporean palettes with reduced sugar – I found it just right!
Look forward to other cakes like the Toasted Almond Sans Rival ($13.50) and Calamansi Meringue Tart ($10).
Singapore Exclusives
The Singapore exclusive items are the Salted Egg Ensaymada ($6.50) and Kaya Pandan Cheese Roll ($5.30).
Between the two, I found the cheese roll to stand out more with its fragrant housemade kaya.
They also have a Crab Cake Brioche ($27) which took me by surprise!
The crab cake was generous with sweet, seasoned crab meat, complemented by passionfruit and mango.
The entire drink menu here is also Singapore-exclusive, with pretty drinks like:
- Frozen Hot Chocolate ($12). Frozen version of their signature drink.
- Singapore Sunrise ($11). Blue pea, hazelnut and Daladan (Philippine orange).
- Ube Coconut Cloud ($10). Ube foam and coconut water.
Verdict: Is Mary Grace Cafe Worth it?
Yes, Mary Grace Cafe is 100% worth it. The ensaymadas and cheese rolls are indulgent and the perfect tea time snack. On top of the food, the cosy ambience and friendly service make the experience quite memorable.
Check out more bakeries in Singapore:
- Elephant Grounds: Popular Hong Kong Coffee Chain In Singapore With House-Roasted Coffee & Bakes
- Burnt Ends Bakery At Audi House of Progress Has New German-Inspired Bake Menu
- PARAN LABEL By Paris Baguette: Healthier Breads With Low Sugar & High Fibre
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Mary Grace Cafe
52 Tras Street 078991
Tues – Sun: 9am – 6pm
Closed on Monday.
*This article is based on a media-tasting event, but all opinions expressed about the food are entirely our own.
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