Built on a vision of being a home away from home, the brand has consistently projected a warm and inviting image. Today, we headed down to see just what the hype was about.

First Impression

Set among a row of beige shophouses, Cafe Mary Grace stood out with its pop of colour and homely aesthetic. As we stepped in, we were greeted by an immediate bustle of activity as the café was already filled with chattering diners.

The interior had a kind of timeless beauty that reminded us of an antique shophouse. Marvelling at the artfully arranged light fixtures, photo-filled walls, and intricate woodwork, we learnt more about the family behind the business and Mary Grace’s personal touches throughout the space—which made dining there feel a lot more intimate. 

Signatures

Cafe Mary Grace’s Singapore menu is thoughtfully designed to showcase the best of Filipino cuisine while appealing to the Singaporean palate. Signatures include the Ensaymadas (S$5.50), a sweet, cheesy brioche, and the Cheese Roll (S$4.30), which they recommend dipping into the Hot Chocolate (S$7.50). They also feature Singapore exclusives such as a Kaya Pandan Cheese Roll (S$5.30), which we had to try.

Personally, the Hot Chocolate stood out most as the hint of cinnamon added depth to the rich, treacly drink. Even compared to the hot chocolates I’ve had across Europe, I can confidently say this takes top spot. The fluffy and sinfully buttery breads indulged our taste buds with their sweet, salty flavour. The Pandan Kaya also deserves a shoutout—made in-house, it was delightfully smooth and fragrant.

Mains and Starters

Next, we ordered the Cassava Chips with Onion Dip (S$12), a uniquely Philippine creation not often seen in Singapore. We also chose the Angus Beef Tapa (S$25.50) with the option of Garlic or Rosemary rice and Sunny-side or Scrambled eggs. Another must-get shared by the team is the Grilled Chicken Inasal Focaccia (S$19.5), which consists of a grilled, tangy chicken sandwich.

Each dish blew us away—the cassava chips were light and crisp, without any hint of grease that usually leaves you feeling sluggish and the Beef Tapa with garlic rice and sunny-side-up made for a perfect savoury combination. We recommend dipping the glazed beef slices into some runny yolk for the ultimate bite.

Dessert and Drinks

Finally, the crafted drink selection created and served exclusively in Singapore caters to the local palate. Although the Ube Coconut Cloud (S$10) was the founder’s pick, we went for the Earl Grey Vanilla Cloud (S$10) and a Mango Bene (S$14.5), which, fun fact, is named after Mary Grace’s dog.

While the price may seem slightly steep, the quality makes it well worth the spend. The pastry was absolutely filled with large chunks of mango and custard cream, with thin layers of crisp meringue adding a hint of sweetness and texture. Traditionally, cakes can be overly sweet and heavy, but this was a refreshing treat after the large meal.

As we left, long lunch-queues were starting to form. The café clearly knows what it is doing. From the beautiful aesthetics to serving up absolute bangers, everything here exceeded our wildest expectations, and we can’t wait to go back.

Cafe Mary Grace
Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Website
52 Tras Street, #01-01, Singapore 078991
9am–6pm (Tue to Sun)

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Photos by Edna Low

The post Is Cafe Mary Grace worth the fanfare? Here’s what we think appeared first on Confirm Good.

The best thing about authentic Filipino food is that the local dishes are consistently mindblowing and never miss. From the smoky goodness of Inasal, a marinated and grilled chicken dish, to the classic Adobo, where tender chicken or pork is simmered in soy sauce, garlic, and vinegar — every bite is pure comfort. Just typing this out on an empty stomach is making me drool! 

It’s a real challenge to find authentic Filipino food in Singapore that actually stays true to its roots and is halal-certified. So if you’re a Muslim foodie like me, passionately hunting for legit Pinoy flavour, (good news!) we have something amazing up our sleeves. 

Tucked away in a cosy neighbourhood along Ubi Avenue 1 is Nanay’s Kitchen—a hidden gem that’s hard to miss with its striking cobalt blue walls and black-and-white checkered flooring. You’ll spot a signboard proudly declaring Halal Authentic Filipino & Malay Cuisine. Before you even take a seat, you’ll be greeted with a warm smile from Hidayah, the friendly owner herself. 

Ubi Residents will tell you that Nanay’s Kitchen has long been a neighbourhood favourite, known for its loyal, enthusiastic customers and the ever-smiling owner behind the counter. The eatery first started out serving classic Nasi Padang before slowly expanding its menu to include an authentic Filipino menu. 

One dish that regulars can’t stop raving about is the Sizzling Chicken Sisig (S$17.20), served piping hot on a black hotplate with juicy diced chicken, chillies and a perfectly runny egg in the middle. 

Give it a good stir, and you’ll get a satisfying sizzle that makes your mouth water before the first bite. 

The Silog menu, a hearty spread featuring a variety of meats like fish, chicken and beef, is another crowd favourite that customers can’t stop raving about! It’s the kind of all-rounder selection that hits the spot no matter what you’re craving, making it perfect for anyone and everyone at the table. 

The Bangsilog (S$20.20) is another delicious stunner with a perfectly crisp-fried fish paired with steaming white rice and a fried egg with that oozy, runny yolk. Even if you’re not a huge fish fan (like me), the Bangsilog looks so tempting that I want to become a full-on fish connoisseur right away.

Wrap up your experience with a sweet, cooling treat — the Halo-Halo (S$7.50), basically the Filipino equivalent to Chendol. The sweet and cooling magic comes from crushed ice and creamy evaporated milk, mixed with a medley of goodies like chopped bananas, jackfruit, nata de coco, purple yam, and more! 

Talk about a mini dessert buffet conveniently packed in a single cup, perfect for sharing (if you’re willing to). 

For our friends who prefer Malay dishes instead of Filipino dishes, not to worry, as Nanay’s Kitchen also offers an array of Malay food, such as Nasi Padang and Nasi Lemak. 

These are comforting Malay dishes that every Singaporean desires, and they are equally as delicious as the Filipino ones! 

If Ubi feels a little out of the way, just head to their Yishun outlet at 925 Yishun Central. With the same signature cobalt blue decor, it’s hard to miss! Rest assured, the food and experience are just as top-notch as the Ubi branch, so you won’t be missing out on a thing.

Tonight, I’m taking my fam to Nanay’s for dinner — bet we’ll spot you there too?

Nanay’s Kitchen
Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
301 Ubi Avenue 1, #01-273, Singapore 400301
7.30am–9pm

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The post Check out this halal-certified restaurant, Nanay’s Kitchen, offering Malay and Filipino cuisine, with dishes such as Bangsilog, Sisig, and more appeared first on Confirm Good.