Sinta Bakery & Cafe is a new Filipino owned Bakery & Café in Escaya Village

If you know me, you know I love finding and supporting local coffee shops and cafés around Chula Vista. Spots like Galu down in Downtown Chula Vista and The Coffee Machine on Oxford Street are exactly the kind of places that give this city its character, and I’m always excited when a new one opens up. So when I heard about Sinta Bakery & Cafe, a brand new Filipina-owned bakery and café in the Village of Escaya, I had to check it out. Honestly, I only wish I lived a little closer, because I have a feeling I’d be there way too often.

A New Chula Vista Favorite in the Village of Escaya

Sinta is tucked into Otay Ranch right off Heritage Road, and if the early buzz from the community is any indication, this place is going to be a staple. From the moment you walk in, you can feel the love that went into it. The space is clean and charming with subtle nods to Filipino culture throughout. They have seating inside and out, and yes, they’re dog-friendly.

I recently made it out to Sinta myself, and I’m glad I did. I went with the Ube Tart, the Bibingka Donut, and the Mrs. Nguyen coffee — a Vietnamese blend that runs a little stronger than your typical café drink, which I appreciated. The Bibingka Donut lives up to the hype. It’s one of their most popular items and sells out fast, so I got lucky on that one. The Ube Tart was delicious, and honestly, the hardest part of the visit was walking past the pastry case on the way out. There’s so much in there that looked incredible, and I barely made a dent. I’ll definitely be going back to work my way through the rest of it.

Since they’re still in soft-opening mode, I do want to give a heads-up: Be patient with the staff. They’re working hard and doing a great job, but like any new business finding its footing, things are still coming together. Give them grace and come with good energy.

The Menu: Treats Worth Waking Up Early For

The treats are the star of the show. Their cupcakes — especially the Mahal Lahaina — are super moist and not overly sweet, which seems to be a theme here. Everything is thoughtfully balanced. The Puff Pastry is getting early rave reviews for its flaky texture and perfectly restrained sweetness. And the Mini Ube, Mini Ube Leche Flan, and Mini Mango Matcha are already making people want to come back for more.

On the drinks side, their Hojicha and Matcha are getting a lot of love for being smooth and well-made, alongside Mrs. Nguyen’s Vietnamese coffee, which is already winning over regulars. And if you have a big event coming up, keep in mind that Sinta also does wedding cakes.

You can view their menu and learn more about them on the Sinta Bakery & Cafe website here.

A Few Things to Know Before You Go

Parking in the village can feel intimidating at first glance, but it’s more manageable than it looks. There are dedicated retail spots, and if those fill up, street parking along the outskirts and near Escaya Park is a short walk away. Also, the space sits right under the apartments above, so just be mindful of the residents when you’re visiting.

One thing I’d personally love to see added down the road is public WiFi. As someone who likes to sit and work from a good local café, it would make Sinta an easy go-to. That said, the space is cozy and on the smaller side, so I completely understand why that hasn’t been a priority yet — and it doesn’t detract from the experience.

Go Support Sinta and Watch for Their Grand Opening This Summer

The team consistently gets called out for being warm, hardworking, and genuinely welcoming — which matters. Good food with good energy makes all the difference, and Sinta has both. You can tell the owner put her heart into this place, and the people she has working alongside her reflect that same spirit.

This is exactly the kind of local business worth supporting. A young Filipina entrepreneur building something real in our community deserves our business and our word-of-mouth. If you’re in the South Bay, go check out Sinta. Get there early, grab a Bibingka Donut if they’re still in stock, and order the Hojicha or the Mrs. Nguyen if you want something with a little more kick. You’ll be back.

One more thing to look forward to: Sinta will be hosting a grand opening event later this summer. I’ll keep everyone posted as soon as details are announced, so stay tuned.

Sinta Bakery & Café

1970 Avenida Escaya, Suite 107, Chula Vista, CA 91913
Village of Escaya, Otay Ranch — right off Heritage Road

Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Keep in mind they’re still in soft opening, so hours are subject to change. Follow them on Instagram to stay up to date on any updates, specials, or Bibingka Donut availability.

And if you know of a new spot in Chula Vista that we should feature, let us know on our social media channels or by messaging us on our website. We love shining a spotlight on what’s new and local in our city.