Live for breakfast? You need this bucket list of our faves across the island…
Yes, we love our nasi lemak and grabbing a curry puff on the run, but when you’ve got a lazy morning lined up for doing nothing but breakfast, these dishes hit the spot. From the ultimate eggs showdown to avo toast mania; the massive paper thosai to a whole lot of bacon, the Honeycombers team recommends the best breakfast in Singapore that could convert any night owl. Are you game to take on the bucket list?
Top breakfast spots in Singapore
1. A taste of France at Merci Marcel
French breakfast fare within our little tropical island? Say less. Think buttery pastries (made with French butter, of course), salads, egg dishes, and even sweet options like acai bowls and chia seed yogurt. And when you’re surrounded by the beautiful Bauhaus architecture, it’s the dreamiest vibe. The perfect start to your morning, if you ask us.
Merci Marcel, multiple locations including Orchard and East Coast Road
2. An Aussie-inspired brunch at Tolido’s
This brunch institution has been around for over a decade, and for good reason! This Melbourne-inspired cafe offers what could arguably be the best breakfast in Singapore. Besides freshly brewed cuppas, you can also order savoury plates like the shakshouka eggs, rosti, and pasta dishes. For a sweet treat, the pandan pancakes topped with vanilla or coconut ice cream are a must-order.
Tolido’s Espresso Nook, #01-63, 462 Crawford Lane, Singapore 190462
3. All-day breakfast at Punch
Pop in at any time of the day to get a taste of Punch’s awesome selection of breakfast items. We recommend the tea-infused Earl Grey pancakes with poached pear and white chocolate macadamia crumble. If you’re looking for something more on the savoury side, the dean’s breakfast will fill you up: poached eggs with melted cheese and vegemite on seeded toast, served with sliced avocado. You can’t leave without trying the wicked minted mocha, which is sure to wake you up.
Punch, 32 North Canal Road, Singapore 059288
4. Turkish common man breakfast at Common Man Coffee Roasters
We adore the Turkish Common Man Breakfast – phyllo-wrapped soft-boiled egg, crispy feta, green hummus, and fresh herbs with pita bread. It’s got the perfect mix of naughty and nice – a healthy egg, deep fried in pastry, with loads of veggies on the side. Yum! Wash that down with a good flat white and your day is off to a good start.
Common Man Coffee Roasters, multiple locations including Joo Chiat, Telok Ayer and Martin Road
5. Avo and vegemite toast at Jimmy Monkey
Possibly one of our favourite brekky places in Singapore is Jimmy Monkey in Buona Vista. We oscillate between The Hulk (smashed avocado on toast, sprinkled with dukkah and feta), and cheesy vegemite toast soldiers with vegemite spread, buttered sourdough and melted cheese topped with a duo of onsen eggs. The portion sizes are also extremely generous. If you’re not in the mood for a coffee, wash brekkie down with a Nutella speculoos milkshake instead.
Jimmy Monkey, multiple locations include One North and Paya Lebar
6. Epic brekkie at Bearded Bella
This Melbourne-inspired cafe off Duxton Hill is a strong contender for the best comfort foods in town, and while you’ll spot a so-Aussie avo on toast on the brunch menu, we’ve gotta say the offering here isn’t like anything else you’ll find in Singapore. The epic brekkie truly lives up to its name: maple bacon and harissa chicken sausage with green tomato relish, confit portobello, avocado, sweet potato rosti, and arugula. The coffee is a winner, but our heart really belongs to the beautiful pottery it’s served in.
Bearded Bella, 8 Craig Road, Singapore 089668
7. Kaya toast at Hong Lim Food Centre
The Kaya Kaya stall uncle at Chinatown’s Hong Lim Food Centre makes the best kaya toast ever. He puts in just the right amount of kaya that’s not too sweet (makes us feel less guilty for indulging) and cold slices of butter. The uncle is so calm and meticulous… watching his process in the morning is borderline meditative. And once it’s all toasted, we’re served a delicious, crumbly kaya toast and kopi o kosong with a giant smile.
Hong Lim Food Centre, #01-71, 531A Upper Cross Street, Singapore 051531
8. The Fry Up at Sarnies
Bacon, tater tots, homemade beans, eggs – what more could you ask for? This is one hearty meal that’ll keep you full till lunchtime. If you love bacon, they’re really generous with their servings. Oh, and apparently they cure their own bacon! It’s the right fat-to-meat ratio and served crispy – just the way we like it. Is it obvious that we love bacon? (FYI: The Fry Up is only available for weekend brunches from 8.30am to 3.30pm.) When Sarnies get the balance of Marmite and butter right (it can be a bit hit ‘n’ miss), its sourdough toast really hits the spot too.
Sarnies, 136 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068601
9. Roti prata and teh tarik at Alif Bukit Gombak
The fluffy prata with the spicy fish curry is a damn good combination. And the hot milk teh tarik in the morning makes our morning. Breakfast for less than five bucks, y’all!
Alif Restaurant, #01-204, 374 Bukit Batok West Avenue 5, Singapore 659083
10. Pancakes at Group Therapy
We don’t mind splurging on the pancake stack from Group Therapy. It comes with bananas, berries, honeycomb and maple syrup. Don’t forget to add a scoop of ice cream! If you prefer something savoury, we recommend building your own plate. For us, we’d go with a rosti, poached eggs, fruit, and pork sausage.
Group Therapy, #01-05 & K1-04, Cross Street Exchange, 181 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058743
11. Asian-style big breakfast at Ten+
If you’re one of those who need to have rice for breakfast, hit up Ten+. This safari-themed bistro presents a levelled-up version of the Asian style big breakfast, which comes with furikake rice, scrambled eggs, Asian slaw, and sambal. Those who can’t survive without coffee should try the smoked oak mocha latte. Sure, it’s something different, you might just love it.
Ten+, 65 Sungei Tengah Road, Singapore 699000
12. The brunch feast at Halia
Just look at that table loaded with colourful food. Even if you’re being virtuous and sticking to chia seed pudding, its combo of mango, strawberry, passionfruit, and chia seeds is a dream. But if like us, you like your breakfasts fully loaded, you need to try the chilli crab chilli crab eggs and toast, and the beef rendang quesadilla. We think it’s all worth taking the morning off work for. Shhh…
Halia, Ginger Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569
13. Cosy brunch at Free the Robot
This nook within Telok Ayer is a fan favourite among the brunch crowd for its delicious bites and coffee that really perks you right up. For something extra hearty, order up the steak sandwich or cheese toasties.
Free the Robot, 118 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068587
14. Avo toast at Maxi Coffee Bar
Here’s another blink and you’ll miss it spot. Its kaya butter toast is only $4.80! Plus, some of the best coffee we’ve had in the CBD. Oh, and the mortadella cheese with spiced tomato relish is one combo we can’t get enough of. While you’re here, don’t forget to sample the banana bread.
Maxi Coffee Bar, 6 Ann Siang Hill, Singapore 069787
15. Paper thosai at Komala Vilas
Paper thosai is the mother of all thosais – a thin and crisp version that’s twice in size and sure to turn heads as the waiter brings it to the table. You can find paper thosais at almost any Indian restaurant but Komala Vilas always does it right. The thosai comes on a plate with a choice of three dips: sambar, coconut chutney and a spicy tomato chutney. Fold the thosai in half, break a piece and dip it in the chutney to find your fave flavour combo. Wash it down with a cup of Bru coffee (a popular coffee brand from South India) and you’re good to go.
Komala Vilas, 76-78 Serangoon Road, Singapore 217981
16. Minced pork congee at Maxwell Food Centre
Who knew a mere bowl of piping hot minced meat congee could bring us so much joy? Ho Kee Porridge’s thick and flavourful congee topped with fried shallots, white pepper and of course, chilli padi – just the way we like it. Trust us, it’s totally worth the quick porridge run during the morning crowd.
Ho Kee Porridge, #01-45/46, Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184
Brace yourselves for the ultimate breakfast of champs at these breakfast spots in Singapore.
