Former Wooly’s Bagels is now Marlow’s Deli, a focaccia sandwich spot for a brisk bite

Joo Chiat is no stranger to reinvention; its colourful shophouses have seen everything from old-school eateries to sleek brunch cafes move in over the years. Yet, even in this well-fed enclave, Marlow’s Deli stands out for its ability to stay on-trend.

The name may be new, but the team behind it has been quietly feeding Singapore for years.

Finding its groove 

What began as a muslim-owned Egg Stop — a Korean-style egg sandwich joint that rode the breakfast-sando wave of the late 2010s — soon pivoted to Bored Tacos in September last year, shifting focus to hearty bagel sandwiches.

The owners also opened Wooly’s Bagels in Rangoon Road in late 2022, and quickly found its stride, expanding to Joo Chiat in mid-2023 and Arab Street in early 2024. It drew queues for its loaded bagels and tongue-in-cheek menu names.

By 2025, the team had done it again — evolving into Marlow’s Deli. This more grown-up, deli-style concept trades bagels for freshly toasted focaccia, playful sauces, and generously layered sandwiches.

It’s a natural progression, rather than a pivot-for-pivot’s-sake: The brand has simply matured with its diners, keeping the same comfort-first ethos, while refining the menu and ambience to suit a crowd that still loves a good sandwich, just dressed up a little better.

Lean, mean sammies

Today, only its Joo Chiat and Rangoon Road outlets remain, both carrying the new Marlow’s Deli branding. At the Joo Chiat outpost, not much has changed in appearance — save for the fresh signage — but it still exudes the same breezy charm.

Inside, warm lighting and pared-back decor create a casual ease that matches its unfussy, sandwich-centric menu.

Orders are placed via QR code, and the selection keeps things straightforward: Seven signature Marlow’s Sammies, three sides, and five Cloud foam drinks.

For those who want something more filling, each sammie can be paired with a potato salad or mac and cheese, and a drink for S$6.90 — a neat deal that rounds out your meal nicely.

First up, the salt beef sanga (S$15.90) (sanga is slang for sandwich), a hefty, two-hander of slow-cooked salt beef, melted Emmental cheese, mustard, and mesclun between toasted focaccia. While the focaccia isn’t baked in-house, it’s pleasantly fluffy and sturdy enough to handle the generous fillings.

The beef leans salty (as it should), with the mustard cutting neatly through the richness for a balanced, deeply savoury bite.

Next came the Cluckin’ Good (S$15), an aptly named stack of thick, breaded chicken layered with Emmental cheese, romaine lettuce, red onions, and a slick of sweet onion jam. 

It’s the kind of sandwich that makes you nod mid-bite — juicy, sweet, and slightly messy in the best way. The only minor gripe? The chicken’s breaded layer softens under all that saucy goodness; a little crunch would’ve sent it over the edge.

The Ocean Melt (S$15.90), however, is where Marlow’s Deli truly flexes. A golden breaded pollock fillet anchors the sandwich, topped with house-made tartar sauce, Emmental cheese, and crisp greens.

Add the S$5 caviar top-up, and you’ve got yourself a deli-style fish burger gone luxe. It’s indulgent, unapologetically messy, and hits that perfect sweet spot between comfort and decadence — like your favourite fast-food fish burger, but better dressed and better behaved.

For something lighter, the Plant Daddy (S$15.90) offers a satisfying vegetarian alternative. Burrata meets pesto, tomatoes, mesclun, and a drizzle of balsamic, resulting in a creamy, tangy, and herb-forward combo that doesn’t feel like a compromise.

It’s proof that meat-free sandwiches can still deliver depth and indulgence when treated with care.

Among the drinks, Marlow’s Deli keeps the focus on fun, cafe-style beverages such as coffees and lemonades — but its Cloud foam series is where things get interesting. The strawberry matcha foam (S$7.90) is a pastel-pretty concoction of strawberry puree crowned with a thick matcha cloud, best stirred together before sipping.

Surprisingly decadent, it drinks almost like a dessert, with a milkshake-level creaminess that’s perfect for an afternoon treat rather than a sandwich pairing.

Meanwhile, the iced chocolate (S$7.50) proved an unexpected hit — rich, dark, and well-balanced without veering into cloying territory.

It’s not your run-of-the-mill sweet chocolate milk; instead, it carries a bittersweet edge that works shockingly well with the savoury sandwiches. We finished it far too quickly for something we hadn’t planned to order.

Reinvention done right

There’s a quiet confidence about Marlow’s Deli — the menu doesn’t try to do too much; it just does the classics well, with a few cheeky surprises (caviar on a fish sandwich, anyone?).

It’s the kind of place you wander into for a casual lunch, half-lost in conversation and crumbs. With Joo Chiat’s endless churn of cafes and eateries, Marlow’s Deli manages to stand out not through hype, but through heart — proof that sometimes, evolution leads you right where you were meant to be all along.

This was a hosted tasting.

For more ideas on what to eat, try Open Farm Community’s weekday brunch, and also check out our Ipoh food guide. And if you’re in the Joo Chiat area, check out our guide.