Do you smell that? It’s the buttery sweet scent of Mary Grace’s mouth-watering ensaymadas touching down in the Lion City!
The family-run Filipino cafe is opening its first branch in Singapore. Founded in 1983 as a home-based baking business Mary Grace Dimacali, the cafe has since grown to have over 140 kiosks and branches all over the Philippines. Best known for the cheese roll, it has since expanded to include cakes for every occasion and eventually meals that are served with the same love that Mary Grace imbues into her cooking.
In September 2025, Mary Grace tested the waters for the Singaporean market through a pop-up that lasted for three days. After a successful run, the cafe finally opened its doors in Singapore this month, bringing its signature cozy vibe with Tiffany lamps, tiled floors and walls, family photos and trinkets, and a curated menu. The cafe not only offers signature cakes and pastries, but includes beloved Philippine dishes and desserts, alongside other Singaporean-exclusive items.
“I kept hearing, all through the years, that Singaporeans love to bring home the products. And then, one time, I was visiting Singapore, and, at a mall, I saw a man right before my eyes with a bag of Mary Grace products. Another time, I was carrying a Mary Grace paper bag, and a woman beside me said, ‘Oh, my gosh, are the Esmeraldas here?’ She meant ensaymadas! I take these little things as signs,” founder Mary Grace Dimacali shared in an interview with CNA Lifestyle.
Mary Grace Singapore is open 52 Tras Street. Takeout is currently available, while dine-in customers will be able to visit the cafe starting April 15, with a limited table for walk-ins and a reservation for the weekend. By April 16 walk-ins are welcome on both weekdays and weekends, with limited seats and limited reservation spots as well.