If you grew up going to the Mall of Asia, Greenbelt, or any major Filipino mall, you already know this name. Café Mary Grace — the bakery-café that has been a staple of Philippine dining life since 1994 — has finally opened its first international branch, and it landed right here in Singapore.
The doors opened on 13 March 2026 at 52 Tras Street in Tanjong Pagar, and by all accounts, our community turned out in full force. A 28-seater café that opened its first international branch to a crowd of Filipinos who'd been waiting years for this moment — no surprise there.
How It All Started
Café Mary Grace was founded in 1994 by Mary Grace Dimacali, who began baking in her home kitchen — birthday cakes for her five children, lemon squares, cream puffs, fruitcakes — the kind of baked goods made with unmistakable care. That homegrown spirit became a brand, and the brand became a fixture of Philippine dining culture, growing to more than 140 branches across the Philippines over the past three decades.
The Manila favourite is known for two things above all else: the ensaymada — a soft, buttery brioche topped with sugar and aged cheese — and the classic cheese roll, a pillowy spiral that pairs perfectly with a cup of their thick hot chocolate. Simple comfort food done beautifully.
What's on the Menu
The Singapore outlet carries the full lineup of Filipino favourites that regulars will recognise immediately. The ensaymadas and cheese rolls are here, of course — but the team also created two Singapore-exclusive items just for this branch:
- Salted Egg Ensaymada — a local twist on the classic, with salted egg yolk folded into the brioche
- Kaya Pandan Cheese Roll — a fusion of Filipino cheese roll and Singapore's beloved kaya pandan flavour
It's a thoughtful nod to both communities — Filipino at heart, with a little Singaporean soul.
The Space
The café at Tras Street is a 28-seater that feels warm and considered. Think warm wood accents, stained-glass pendant lights, and a collaborative mural created by Filipino artist Amanda Lapus Santos and Singaporean artist Eunice Hannah Lim. It's the kind of space that feels like it was designed for long breakfasts and slow afternoons.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 6pm
Address: 52 Tras Street, Singapore 078991 (Tanjong Pagar, near Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Why This Matters for Our Community
For many Filipinos in Singapore, Café Mary Grace isn't just a café — it's a taste of home. It's the place you went after Sunday Mass with your family, or the box of ensaymada your tita sent to the office. Having it here, on a quiet street in Tanjong Pagar, means you no longer have to wait until your next balikbayan trip to get that fix.
It also signals something bigger: Filipino brands are starting to see the 200,000-strong Filipino community in Singapore as a real market — not just a diaspora to be nostalgic about, but a community worth showing up for.
If you haven't been yet, gather the barkada and head down. And if you've already been — tell us: did it taste exactly like you remembered?
52 Tras Street, Singapore 078991. Open Tue–Sun, 9am–6pm.
