With the rise of cafés setting up at residential estates (whoop whoop!), taking a five-minute stroll from home to a good serving of English breakfast is now very much possible – we no longer find ourselves in Central Singapore hunting down great brunch spots on the weekends. Go say hello to your barista neighbours, or, better yet, venture out to cafe-hop in the other suburbs with this nifty guide.
Balestier
Wheeler’s Yard
This industrial-warehouse café with amazing interiors and ambience is a favourite among cyclists. We can spend the entire day here with a book in hand and a steaming hot cuppa latte. It’s pet-friendly too!
Wheeler’s Yard, 28 Lorong Ampas, Singapore 328781, p. 6254 9128.
Regroup x Scoop Therapy
By the good folks of Group Therapy, this fab spot is all about natural lighting and minimalistic décor. Dishes from their other outlets – like the famous Pancakes Stack – are offered here, but the real star of this branch is the ice cream, which is churned in-house and comes in many different unique flavourings.
Regroup x Scoop Therapy, #01-01, Hanson Court, 12 Kim Keat Road, Singapore 328841, p. 6258 3688.
Bedok
Percolate
Right next door to Thai diner Nakhon Kitchen is Percolate – an unpretentious joint for coffee connoisseurs. The café, which recently expanded, stocks a decent range of coffee beans from all over the world including Workshop Coffee Co. London. Go there for brunch and have their buttery croissant filled with either egg mayo, curry chicken or smoked salmon.
Percolate, 136 Bedok North Ave 3, Singapore 460136, p. 8259 0316.
FatCat Ice Cream Bar
Deconstructed strawberry cheesecake, mojito cocktail spheres and chocolate jardin; these are a few of FatCat’s fancy menu offerings. This chi-chi café even hosts degustation sessions now. Upmarket bites in the ‘burbs – why not?
FatCat Ice Cream Bar, #01-25, 416, Bedok North Avenue 2, Singapore 460416, p. 6241 0830.
To-gather Café
Within walking distance to four local schools is To-gather Café. Up on the menu are simple western dishes (seafood aglio olio and grilled pandan chicken) that are affordably priced, and fans of green tea will love To-gather Café’s signature dessert: matcha lava cake.
To-gather Café, #01-25/27, 84 Bedok North Street 4, Singapore 460084, p. 6445 1011.
Sarah’s The Pancake Café
It’s barely a year old, but this Halal pancake café has already garnered a strong following (their Facebook page has over 8,000 followers). Besides offering a wide array of sweet and savoury crepes and pancakes, Sarah’s The Pancake Café also does delicious pastas. Try the chef’s favourite, the ala mak! – made with coconut milk and pandan, and served with poached eggs, muar otah, spicy tomato relish, and mixed vegetables.
Sarah’s The Pancake Café, #01-62, East Village, 430 New Upper Changi Road, Singapore 487048. p. 9688 4163.
D’zerts Café
Sweet tooths will love D’zerts Café. The spacious cafe serves a wide array of pastries as well as gelatos, and they also do a satisfying cuppa java. We recommend ordering their Deliciously Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake and Mango Passion.
D’zerts Café, 30 Jalan Pari Burong, Singapore 488696, p. 6448 6707.
Craftsmen Specialty Coffee
Whether you’re looking for a classic latte or more delicate brews like V-60, Chemex, Siphon, or a cold brew, they’ve got it all. Budding baristas can get their shopping done here; the cafe stocks a decent range of coffee brewing equipment and accessories, along with beans from one of our favourite local roasters – Dutch Colony Coffee Co.
Craftsmen Specialty Coffee, #01-06 Eastwood Centre, 20 Eastwood Road, Singapore 486442, p. 9658 0769.
Badoque
It may be small, but this quaint, Muslim-owned shoebox café nestled behind Simpang Bedok serves generous portions of Mediterranean dishes like salmon spaghetti ($22), Beef Bongo ($26) and pan-fried salmon with mashed potatoes ($24). Their 5cm thick, succulent beef ribs ($36) slathered in creamy brown sauce is totally worth getting your hands dirty for.
Badoque, 298 Bedok Road, Singapore 469454, p. 64466928.
Buona Vista
This buzzing hub also happens to be a budding little dining enclave that’s all about the java and hearty café-bistro bites. Swing over to our extensive Buona Vista café guide to find out more.
- Jimmy Monkey Cafe & Bar
- Bodacious Bar & Bistro
- Envy Coffee
- Curbside Cafe & Wine Bar
- Hoopla Coffee & Kitchen
- Arkadas Cafe
- The Lawn Salad & Grill Cafe
- Long Black Cafe
- Revolution Coffee
- The Grocer by Sterling
Clementi
The Tiny Roaster
Built on an intense passion for coffee, The Tiny Roaster is a both a coffee roasting studio and handcrafted brew java bar. While they take real pride in their craft and only stock quality green coffees sourced from across the world, these guys are no java snobs. Come down for a cupping session and see for yourselves!
The Tiny Roaster, 106 Clementi Street 12 #01-62, Singapore 120106.
Bell’s Cottage Café
Known for their great ambience and homely feel, Bell’s Cottage Café is the place to go for long coffee catch-ups with your girlfriends. Get their speciality – cottage burger with churros that comes with a scoop of ice cream – for a sugar rush!
Bell’s Cottage Café, #01-233, 354 Clementi Ave 2, Singapore 120354, p. 6779 3138.
Everton Park
Located right in the middle of Chinatown, CBD, and Duxton; Everton Park deserves an entire article for the number of cafés that call this ‘hood their home.
- The Provision Shop
- Just Want Coffee
- Nylon Coffee Roasters
- Grin Affair
- Seriously Ice Cream
Holland Village
MU Parlour
Elegant, chic, and intimate; MU Parlour is a hidden gem overlooking Lorong Mambong – great for people watching! Famous for their dainty desserts, try the refreshing Formage Blanc and Passionfruit Cheesecake. They also do succulent gourmet burgers made from 100% natural ingredients.
MU Parlour, 16 Lorong Mambong, Singapore 277677, p. 6466 9336.
The Monocle Café
Niche lifestyle and magazine brand Monocle has set up a café, office and retail store in sunny Singapore. Yay! Housed in a two-storey shophouse apartment, the café screams hipster, but in a good way.
The Monocle Shop and Cafe, 74 Jalan Kelabu Asap, Singapore 278267, p. 6475 1791.
Breko Café
Throw a stone anywhere in Singapore, and chances are it’ll crack the windows of a café serving all-day brunch. Holland Village is no exception, so if it’s a brunchy bite you’re craving, head down to Breko’s and tuck into a variety of waffles or their classic brekkie in a pan. Want something less brunchy? Not a problem; Breko also offers a broad selection of mains like burgers, steak and pan-fried salmon.
Breko Café, 38 Lorong Mambong, Singapore 277694. p. 6468 4424.
Project Acai
The only thing harder than pronouncing acai correctly is finding restaurants specialising in healthy superfoods like the eponymous berry. Project Acai will whip you up some ‘tabao’-friendly super bowls and smoothies that are big on taste and low on guilt.
Project Acai, 27 Lorong Liput, Singapore 277738. p. 6463 1957. Open daily 11.30am-10pm.
2am:Dessert Bar
If you’ve got a late night craving for something sweet, spare yourself convenience store candy and treat yourself to avant-garde plates of quirky dessert creations at 2am Dessert Bar. Chef Janice Wong has been taking the Singaporean dessert scene by storm with desserts like her Cacao Forest – an amalgamation of cherry chocolate, bergamot, vanilla and whisky. Sweet tooths who are tired of their favourite course being an afterthought will find themselves at home here.
2am:Dessert Bar, 21A Lorong Liput, Singapore 277733. Open 3pm-2am Tue-Sun. Closed on Mon.
Hougang
Hatter Street Bakehouse & Café
Walking distance from Kovan MRT, this whimsical bakehouse and café doesn’t serve any savoury grub. Instead, you’ll find a wide array of fluffy waffles and delectable cakes. The real selling point for us is the fun and friendly staff who never fail to make everyone feel welcome.
Hatter Street Bakehouse & Café, #01-333, 212 Hougang Street 21, Singapore 530212, p. 6988 4591.
Ice Edge Cafe
The ice cream concoctions at this unassuming establishment – a stone’s throw away from Lola’s Café – merits a trek out to Hougang even if you don’t stay nearby. Especially so, for those who love durian – their Mao Shan Wang gelato is ridiculously good. The food here’s simple and rather satisfying, comprising mostly familiar Western and Italian classics like pasta, risotto, pizza and barbecue pork ribs.
Ice Edge Cafe, 2 Kovan Road Simon Plaza #01-10, p. 6858 5729. Open daily 12pm-12am.
Lola’s Café
Along a quiet row of nondescript shophouses near Kovan MRT sits this cosy eatery that’s big on brunch and beer (music to our ears). For a neighbourhood spot, their selection of craft beers, categorised into light, hoppy, roasted and sweet, is pretty amazing – cult labels like Brewdog and Magic Hat are on the menu. Go for the Full Monty Breakfast, which includes scrambled eggs, toast, bacon, ham, and a huge sausage, if you’re there for brunch.
Lola’s Café, 5 Simon Road, Singapore 545893, p. 6343 1808. Open Tue- Thu 10am-1130pm, Fri-Sat 10am-12am, Sun 10am-1130pm.
Flavour Flings
Sick of the usual brunch fare? Then swing on by to Flavour Flings; the humble café whips up a delicious serving of eggs casserole – de Marie’s Baked Eggs – that’s served with warm slices of baguette.
Flavour Flings, #01-1348, 121 Hougang Avenue 1, Singapore 530121, p. 6286 0051.
Jurong
The Usual Place
Situated near Chinese Garden MRT station – just a five to 10 minutes walk away, this brunch spot offers casual dining in the heart of Jurong. Here, you can definitely find affordable Western comfort food, like honey grilled chicken ($8.90), aburi vongole ($8.90) and banana waffles ($7.50). But our recommendation is definitely its salted egg prawn pasta ($12.90); you can hardly go wrong with anything infused with salted egg!
The Usual Place, #01-73, Blk 346 Jurong East St 31, Singapore 600346, p. 64251517. Open Tue-Fri & Sun, 11am-3.30pm & 5.30pm-10pm; Sat 11am-3.30am. Closed on Mon.
v360 Café
Head over to v360 (also known as view 360) to enjoy a delectable selection of sweet treats. Here, you can get churros, chocolate lava cake, waffles with ice cream, and brownie with ice cream. But what’s great about v360 is its awesome royal early grey cake – very fluffy and super fragrant! And if you are craving for savoury meals instead, they offer a variety of all-day breakfast sets. Apart from good food and drinks, v360 has also outdone itself with its interior: from plastering different sections of the café with picturesque landscapes to its outback-inspired furniture, this quaint café is definitely a nice place to escape from bustling city life and chill.
v360 Café, #01-321, Blk 526, Jurong West Street 52, Singapore 640526, p. 9195 5088. Open Mon, 11am-9.30pm; Tue-Wed, 4pm-9.30pm; Fri, 11am-10.30pm; Sat, 10.30am-10.30pm; Sun 10.30am-9.30pm. Closed on Thu.
Mountbatten
Tian Kee & Co
A local provision shop from the ’50s, Tian Kee & Co is serious in keeping up with trends and thus, has evolved into an artisan café and bar. Like true blue trendsetting hipsters, iced drinks are served in mason jars and a rainbow cheesecake is on their menu. Visit soon – the old school café is set to close later this year, making way for HDB redevelopment.
Tian Kee & Co, #01-48, 12 Dakota Crescent, Singapore 390012, p. 6348 6938.
Brawn & Brains
Hidden behind Singapore Badminton Hall is cosy little coffee house, Brawn & Brains. Drop by for a dose of caffeine that’s easy on your pocket after a hot yoga sesh at Yoga Inc, located right next door!
Brawn & Brains, 100 Guillemard Road #01-02, Singapore 399718, p. 6348 0501.
Punggol
Whisk & Paddle
There’s nothing quite like this in sunny Singapore. Overlooking the gorgeous Sungei Serangoon, Whisk & Paddle is one of the few cafes that comes with a pretty view. Sleep in and grab a late brekkie as breakfast is served ’til 6pm.
Whisk & Paddle, #01-01, 10 Tebing Lane, Singapore 828836, p. 6242 4617.
Cravings
This quaint café is brimming with good vibes. Besides mouth-watering desserts, Cravings also opens their doors and kitchen space for parties and home-bakers alike.
Cravings, #01-05, 6 Tebing Lane, Singapore 828835.
Queenstown
Tiong Hoe Speciality Coffee
You might be surprised to know that this specialty coffee house started back in 1960. Yes, Tiong Hoe was hipster before hipster was even a thing. Besides serving a mean cuppa, Tiong Hoe also conducts coffee appreciation workshops for coffeephiles. These guys have so much respect for their craft that prices are on a tipping basis. Give Tiong Hoe a go if you’re in pursuit for the perfect roast.
Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee, #01-1133, 170 Stirling Road, Singapore 140170, p. 9129 9697. Open Mon-Fri 8.30am -5.30pm, Sat 9am-4pm.
The Milky Way Homemade Ice Cream and Coffee
Unpretentious is the word for this cosy neighborhood ice cream parlor run by Campus Superstar alumnus, Renfred Ng. Serious about quality, the creamy gelatos here are made in small batches to ensure freshness and taste. We appreciate that their buttery waffles are served in half portions, giving us more space for ice cream. Get a scoop of their Sicilian Pistachio, Strawberry Cheesecake, Straciatella, or all three!
The Milky Way Homemade Ice Cream and Coffee, #01-333, Blk 48, Tanglin Halt Road, Singapore 142048. Open Sun to Thurs 1pm-10pm, Fri to Sat 1pm – 11pm. (Closed on Tuesday)
Serangoon
CAN (Christa & Naomi) Café
Formerly located at Beach Road, CAN Café has moved over to Upper Serangoon, bringing over all their quirky vintage décor and caffeine goodness to the neighbourhood. Owned by a pleasant Japanese lady, this lovely place serves a mean Japanese bento for hungrier folks.
CAN (Christa & Naomi) Café, #01-01, 730 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534613.
Chillax Café
Woke up with an Irish flu? Swing on by to cosy Chillax Café for a necessary weekend perk-me-up. Unlike most places, this modest establishment successfully carries out novel ideas. Their brunch menu (Sat-Sun 11am-3pm) consists of a divine Marmite Mustard MusPork Burger (topped with caramelised bananas and purple slaw that has been marinated in O.J.), and our favourite eggs benny that’s made with a secret ingredient – yuzu! Wash your food down with an adult-version of local favourite, Milo Dinosaur, that’s made with 60ml of Vodka.
Chillax Café, 28 Maju Ave, Singapore 556698, p. 6244 5529
Wimbly Lu Chocolates
For those with a sweet tooth, Wimbly Lu Chocolates is the place to be. Add some spark to your date night at this whimsical, chocolate-y café. We love their waffles (crispy on the outside, soft on the inside!) with homemade ice cream and could have it any time of the day.
Wimbly Lu Chocolates, 15-2, Jalan Riang, Singapore 358987, p. 6289 1489. Open Tue-Fri 12.30pm-10.30pm; Fri 12.30pm-11pm; Sat 9am-11pm; Sun 9am-10.30pm.
Happy Daze
This is a sports bar, board game café and deli all rolled into one. Here’s another one for the animal lovers: besides your favourite Asian and Western dishes, this pet-friendly bistro serves up some healthy doggie meals so you can enjoy your food with your pooches!
Siglap & Katong
Dutch Colony Coffee Co.
This coffee house serves a mean cuppa (duh!) and divine brunch selections. Together with a great ambience and interior design (look, glass ceiling roofs!), this is our go to spot for a date with our books.
Dutch Colony Coffee Co., 113 Frankel Ave, Singapore 458230, p. 6448 5852.
Coast and Company
Pedal your way to Coast and Company – a café set up by Papa Palheta and cycle workshop retail, Coast Cycles. Wild Rocket’s Willin Low is the man behind the menu creation, so expect a little more than your usual brunch fare. We recommend ordering the Almond Peanut Butter Toast and the Coast Breakfast.
Coast and Company, 54 Siglap Drive, Singapore 456176, p. 6681 6681.
Spatula
This MDIS-certified café is every sweet tooth’s heaven. Specialising in cakes, these guys are constantly changing their menu and have new flavours almost every week. Their best-seller is the Ridiculoos Spectaculoos, which was unfortunately sold out the last time we went, so go early if you want to try it! They also serve coffee, milkshakes and, in our opinion, the best waffles in the East.
Spatula, 87 Frankel Ave, Singapore 458215, p. 6243 3208.
Craftsmen Specialty Coffee
Where to get a potent cuppa Joe in Siglap? We point in the direction of these quaint coffee connoisseurs, huddled within a charming store filled with whimsical details like Danish pottery and nutcracker dolls. And once you’re done getting googly-eyed at the décor, order anything from hazelnut and butterscotch latte, to espresso and cortado – they’ll have it. Oh, and did we mention they’ve got white truffle buttermilk waffles? Sold.
Craftsmen Specialty Coffee, #01-01 Siglap Village, 2 First Street, Singapore 458278, p. 9658 0769. Open Sun-Thu 8.30am-9pm, Fri-Sat 8.30am-10.30pm.
The Royals Café
All-day breakfast places aren’t all in the heart of town; there’s one right here too in Siglap! The Royals feeds you like royalty with deluxe French toast sets and big breakfasts (all Halal) ’til 9pm, and also offers Asian options like Nyonya mee siam and beef rendang. We’re also fans of the mini pies (their Shepherd’s pie hits the spot every time) and cakes that line the counter.
The Royals Café, 19 Upper East Coast Road, Singapore 455209, p. 6445 6457. Open Mon-Fri 9am-10pm, Sat-Sun 8.30am-10.30pm.
Tiong Bahru
Drips
Specialising in tarts, this quaint café – owned by former Shangri-La pastry chef Alfred Tan – dishes out the best fruit tarts in town, including one that’s topped with figs. Decorated with beautiful teak furniture from the Bangkok-based Sim Design, the café interior is easy on the eyes… and your Instagram feed.
Drips, #01-05, 82 Tiong Poh Road, Singapore 160082, p. 6222 0400
Plain Vanilla
Selling one of the best cupcakes in Singers is Plain Vanilla. Even healthy yogis from Yoga Movement can’t resist them (we’ve seen them going from the studio to the cafe)! Seating is only outdoors, but for their delicious desserts (they have cakes and tarts too), we will brave the heat.
Plain Vanilla, 1D Yong Siak Street, Singapore 168641, p. 8363 7614.
Tiong Bahru Bakery
Helmed by top French baker, Gontran Cherrier, and opened by the Spa Esprit Group, Tiong Bahru Bakery is arguably the city’s top spot for French pastries. Hot sellers include the butter croissants and chocolate croissants, which are definitely heavy on the butter, although not cloyingly so. They also look almost too good to eat – the layers are distinctly fanned out and provide a great crisp; thumbs up ‘cos no one likes a soggy croissant. If you like your sweets, definitely give the Kouign Amann a go. The brownies are winners – rich, fudgy, and studded with nuts. Stellar service all around with reasonable wait times, though there is but one big gripe: the drink prices here raise a few eyebrows.
Tiong Bahru Bakery, #01-70, 56 Eng Hoon Street, Singapore 160056, p. 6220 3430.
Whisk Café
Owned by local patissier, Tricia Lim, expect mouth-watering desserts and pastries from Whisk Café – some would say their croissants are better than those from Paris! Good scones are also hard to come by in Singapore, but our taste buds were reeling in joy when we got to try Whisk’s Earl Grey and Candied Orange scones.
Whisk Café, #01-15, 58 Seng Poh Road, Singapore 160058, p. 6222 6543.
Forty Hands
These guys were the pioneers in Tiong Bahru’s gentrification. Even though their speciality is coffee, the sandwiches here are pretty damn fine too; they’ve recently added a Pork Katsu Sandwich on their menu. Come early as this place gets full by mid-day.
Forty Hands, 78 Yong Siak Street #01-12 Singapore 163078, p. 6225 8545.
Tampines
Alt-Yard
Hurrah for churros! Bringing these tasty, sugary treats to Tampines is Alt-Yard, a new dessert joint that’s tucked away in (of all places!) a community centre. A joint collaboration between the folks from Fluff Bakery and Penny University, Alt-Yard offers piping-hot, crispy churros with unusual flavours like ondeh ondeh with a gula melaka dip and a selection of cupcakes. In other words? Pure dessert heaven for those with an insatiable sweet tooth.
Alt-Yard, Tampines West Community Club, Tampines Avenue 3, Singapore 529705. Open Tue-Sun, 1-930pm
Coffee: Nowhere
Who says hipster cafés can only be found in cooler-than-thou neighbourhoods like Tiong Bahru and Telok Ayer Street? Tampines has one too and it’s called Coffee: Nowhere. Never heard of it? That’s because this new coffee joint hails from Malaysia and only just recently made its way to the East (its other two outlets in Singapore are located in West Coast Plaza and Nanyang Community Club). Take note, coffee connoisseurs: Coffee: Nowhere takes its java very seriously with expertly brewed coffee made by siphon, aero press or cold brew.
Coffee: Nowhere, Block 820 Tampines Street 81, #01-524, Singapore 520820
Miam Miam
French artisanal cuisine with a Japanese twist? Pure yum! Miam Miam sure knows the way into our hearts (and stomachs) with their lip-smacking East-meets-West fusion menu of pastas, curry rice, and of course, classic desserts like matcha soufflé and French toast (an absolute must-try).
Miam Miam, #B1-05 Tampines 1, 10 Tampines Central, Singapore 529536, p. 6634 5518. Open daily 1130am-10pm
Toa Payoh
Creamier
Creamier serves two of our favourite things – ice cream and coffee. Based in one of the oldest heartlands in Singapore, the simple café attracts everyone from all walks of life. We love their Earl Grey lavender ice cream, but then again, who can say no to Earl Grey and Lavender? Definitely not us.
Creamier, 128 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, Singapore 310128, p. 6250 1476.
Shrove Tuesday
It’s a sin if you don’t order a cup of their coffee from Shrove Tuesday – the beans are flown in from Italy and are carefully sourced from the owner. Serving wholesome grub at a steal, this brightly-coloured café makes for a nice hang-out with the mates.
Shrove Tuesday, #01-32, 94 Toa Payoh Lor 4, Singapore 310094, p. 6258 2254.
The Daily Press
Pay a trip to The Daily Press and try their range of hearty, crazy-good sandwiches. Our favourite is their Korean Fried Chicken; coated with Panko & Korean Chilli flakes and topped with homemade kimchi, this best-seller packs a fiery punch.
The Daily Press, #01-561 126 Toa Payoh Lorong 1, Singapore 310126, p. 6258 0167
Tims Restaurant & Café
Opened by a Nepali innovator, this gem in Toa Payoh serves up authentic momos (Nepalese dumplings which resemble the Chinese xiao long bao), Thukpa (Nepali noodles), and Lamb Choila. If you’re in the vicinity and not feeling adventurous, the folks at Tims Restaurant and Café do good, and value-for-money, steaks, lamb shanks, and chicken chops, too.
Tims Restaurant & Café, 95 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh #01-52, Singapore 310095, p. 6250 5246
