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 can convert any night owl. Are you game to take on the bucket list?
Top breakfast spots in Singapore
1. Merci Marcel: French pastries, organic eggs and sweet treats
Dreaming of a French breakfast spread on our sunny island? Say less. Merci Marcel is ready to impress with an array of buttery pastries (made with French butter, of course), fresh salads, organic eggs cooked to perfection, and sweet treats like acai bowls and chia seed yogurt.
Throw in the restaurant’s gorgeous Bauhaus architecture, and you’ve got the perfect start to your day. Oh, and here’s another plus point: the brand has outlets scattered all over Singapore so you don’t have to go far to satisfy your cravings.
Must-try dishes: Benedict eggs; Croque Marcel; tarte flambee
How much: Mains from $14; drinks from $5
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 8am to 12am; Monday and Sunday, 8am to 11pm
Address: Merci Marcel, multiple locations including Orchard and East Coast Road
2. Kaya Kaya: Kaya butter toast and traditional kopi
Ask any Singaporean and kaya toast probably ranks high in their all-time favourite breakfast foods list. Coffeeshops selling these nostalgic slices of toast are a dime a dozen (anywhere from chain cafes like Ya Kun Kaya Toast and Toast Box to kopitiams), but those that do it right are harder to come by.
Meet one of our best-kept spots: Kaya Kaya stall at Hong Lim Food Centre in Chinatown. The calm and meticulous uncle puts just the right amount of kaya (that’s not cloyingly sweet) and cold slices of butter. Once it’s all toasted, we’re served delicious slices of toast and a cup of kopi with a giant smile.
Must-try dishes: Kaya butter toast set
How much: Sets from $2.80
Opening hours: Sunday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
Address: Kaya Kaya, #01-71, Hong Lim Food Centre, 531A Upper Cross Street, Singapore 051531
3. Punch: All-day breakfast menu
Whether you snooze past noon or wake up bright and early is irrelevant at Punch. This cafe serves all-day breakfast dishes (till 6pm) so you can get your morning feast fix anytime. Those with a sweet tooth will love the tea-infused Earl Grey pancakes with poached pear and white chocolate macadamia crumble, or the brioche French toast that comes with white chocolate-dipped strawberries, mascarpone and salted caramel.
Looking for something on the savoury side? The Dean’s Breakfast is a no-brainer, featuring a massive platter of poached eggs with melted cheese and vegemite on seeded toast, served with sliced avocado. To keep yourself caffeinated, we recommend the Wicked (a refreshing minted mocha drink) and the espresso tonic with double shots.
Must-try dishes: Earl Grey pancakes; poached eggs with avocado; Dean’s Breakfast
How much: Mains from $15; drinks from $3.50
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 8am to 6pm
Address: Punch, 32 North Canal Road, Singapore 059288
4. Tolido’s Espresso Nook: Australian breakfast favourites
For over a decade, this brunch spot in Lavender has been dishing out Aussie-inspired breakfast. Drawing inspiration from Melbourne’s cafe scene, Tolido’s Espresso Nook dishes out savoury plates like shakshouka eggs, rosti with smoked bratwurst and pasta. If you’re up for it, spice up your morning with the prawn laksa pasta that’s bursting with flavour. Pair your meal with a freshly brewed cuppa, and you’ll be fueled up and ready to go.
Must-try dishes: Shakshouka eggs; rosti; prawn laksa pasta
How much: Mains from $18; drinks from $4
Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 8am to 4pm; Friday to Sunday, 8am to 5pm
Address: Tolido’s Espresso Nook, #01-63, 462 Crawford Lane, Singapore 190462
5. Spago Bar & Lounge: A sky-high breakfast
Take breakfast to the next level at this exquisite restaurant atop the iconic Marina Bay Sands. Reminiscent of a colonial-style home, the elegant and convivial space overlooks the glorious city skyline and picturesque Gardens by the Bay. From 9am to the last seating at 11.30am, tuck into a sumptuous a la carte breakfast menu while soaking in stunning views.
Pick your fancy from a diverse selection of Western and local classics, featuring signatures like the kaya French toast (a modern spin on a Singaporean favourite); Iberico pork dumplings ‘agnolotti’; as well as French omelette with sauteed wild mushrooms, thyme and Emmental cheese. Wash it down with some coffee, tea, juice or smoothie, and that’s your satisfying morning feast sorted.
Must-try dishes: Kaya French toast; Iberico pork dumplings ‘agnolotti’; French omelette
How much: Breakfast menu’s mains from $18; drinks from $8
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 11pm (9am to 11.30am for breakfast)
Address: Spago Bar & Lounge, Level 57, Tower 2, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956
6. Jimmy Monkey: Hearty breakfast toasts
Here’s another Aussie-inspired cafe and we’re not complaining. Hearty soul food is what these folks are known for so your breakfast will leave you thoroughly satisfied. Our top picks? 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.
If you’re watching your waistline, opt for the fruit bowl with yogurt for a medley of blueberries, strawberries, kiwi and banana, or the maple granola for a power-packed combo of slow-baked oats, nuts and Greek yogurt. Wash it all down with interesting drink offerings like the salted caramel cold brew, gula melaka cold brew and Nutella speculoos milkshake.
Must-try dishes: The Hulk; Cheesy Vegemite Toast Soldiers
How much: Mains from $10; drinks from $4.50
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 8am to 4pm (One North); Monday to Sunday, 8am to 10pm (Paya Lebar)
Address: Jimmy Monkey, multiple locations include One North and Paya Lebar
7. Bearded Bella: Melbourne-inspired breakfast
Tucked away on Duxton Hill, this Melbourne-inspired cafe is a top contender for the best comfort food in town. You’ll find the familiar avocado toast and rosti with salmon on the menu, but with Bearded Bella’s creative interpretations of these breakfast classics.
Standout picks include the No BS Brekkie, a full-on feast of Australian grass-fed ribeye, scrambled eggs and potatoes with capers served on English muffin buns; as well as the crab croissant drizzled with chilli oil. Don’t forget to order your cup of joe for the morning. Served in beautiful pottery, it’s sure to brighten up your day.
Must-try dishes: No BS Brekkie; crab croissant; sliced avocado toast
How much: Mains from $10; drinks from $4.50
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 7.30am to 5pm; Friday to Saturday, 7.30am to 9pm; Sunday, 7.30am to 6pm
Address: Bearded Bella, 8 Craig Road, Singapore 089668
8. Sarnies: Aussie-style grub
Good ol’ Aussie-style brunch is the way to our hearts, especially on sleep-deprived mornings when we need a hearty meal to perk us up. From go-to breakfast favourites to wholesome wraps, Sarnies’ wide variety will cater to various tastes and preferences. Egg lovers can’t miss out on Turkish eggs or steak and eggs, while the bagels (with a choice of pastrami or smoked salmon) are very filling.
The weekend menu is slightly different so we reckon it’s worth a spot on your Sunday brunch list. It’s your chance to try the iconic Fry Up, a massive platter of bacon, tater tots, homemade beans, eggs and warm sourdough. Crisp with the right fat-to-meat ratio, the bacon alone is enough to make you want more.
Must-try dishes: Fry Up; Turkish eggs; avocado on toast
How much: Mains from $8.50; drinks from $4.50
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 7.30am to 5.30pm
Address: Sarnies, 136 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068601
9. Alif Restaurant: Roti prata and teh tarik
There’s nothing quite as satisfying as kicking off your morning with crispy prata dipped in spicy fish curry. You can get this indulgent breakfast from many prata stores across the island, but one of our all-time favourite spots is Alif Restaurant. Add a steaming cup of teh tarik and you’ve got a breakfast that hits the right spot. Another bonus? It’s breakfast under $5!
Must-try dishes: Egg and cheese prata; murtabak; fried mee goreng
How much: Mains under $5
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 5am to 9pm
Address: Alif Restaurant, #01-204, 374 Bukit Batok Street 31, Singapore 650374
10. Group Therapy Cafe: Fluffy pancakes and eggs Benedict
Let yourself indulge ‘cos the glorious pancakes from Group Therapy Cafe are incredibly hard to resist. For the sweet tooth, the pancake stack comes loaded with bananas, berries, honeycomb and a generous drizzle of maple syrup. Meanwhile, the eggs Benedict comes with options like smoked salmon or crispy parma ham. Don’t fancy any combination on the menu? Go ahead and create your own plate with the likes of fresh bakes, eggs, vegetables, fruits and other ingredients.
Must-try dishes: Pancake stack; pumpkin pancake; smoked salmon eggs Benedict
How much: Mains from $18; drinks from $4
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm; Sunday, 8pm to 5pm
Address: Group Therapy Cafe, #01-05 & K1-04, Cross Street Exchange, 181 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058743
11. Ten+: Asian-style breakfast
As Singaporeans, we love our rice. So the Asian-style big breakfast from Ten+ ticks all the right boxes. Picture a levelled-up version of your typical big breakfast: furikake rice, scrambled eggs and Asian slaw topped with a dollop of sambal. You can also find your usual crowd favourites like omelettes, kaya toast and croissants. For your beverage of choice, switch up the same old latte or Americano with the smoked oak mocha latte. Oh, a heads-up: the cafe is a tad tricky to visit so hailing a cab or driving might be better options!
Must-try dishes: Asian-style big breakfast; Hungry breakfast
How much: Mains from $7.90; drinks from $2.90
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 12pm to 11pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 11pm
Address: Ten+, 65 Sungei Tengah Road, Singapore 699000
12. The Halia: A blend of European and Asian flavours
How about starting your morning with a dose of nature? Head to The Halia, nestled in Singapore Botanic Gardens, for an energising brunch feast. If you’re keeping it light, stick with the chia seed porridge packed with strawberry, mango and passionfruit, or crunchy granola with fresh yogurt.
Those who prefer a fully loaded breakfast can get the chilli crab eggs and toast, and wagyu beef rendang quesadilla. Come weekends, say hello to a wider selection of light bites and hearty mains, including pan-roasted foie gras on toasted brioche, as well as Italian burrata served with bread and crackers.
Must-try dishes: Chilli crab eggs and toast; wagyu beef rendang quesadilla
How much: Mains from $8; drinks from $4
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 11.30am, 12pm to 4pm, 5.30pm to 9pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm, 5.30pm to 9pm
Address: The Halia, Ginger Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569
13. Free the Robot: Steak sandwiches, cheese toasties and brekkie platters
Telok Ayer is home to several cosy cafes, and Free the Robot has become a fan favourite for its delectable bites and aromatic coffee. The hearty selection ranges from steak sandwiches to cheese toasties and breakfast platters. Wanna amp up the weekend fun? Look out for electrifying DJ sets on Sundays for the perfect accompaniment on your brunch date.
Must-try dishes: Philly steak sandwich; smashed avocado toast
How much: $30 to $40 per pax
Opening hours: Wednesday to Friday, 12pm to 3pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 4pm
Address: Free the Robot, 118 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068587
14. Maxi Coffee Bar: Grilled cheeses, toasts and homely bakes
Blink and you might miss this spot nestled on Ann Siang Hill. Most customers flock here for the robust coffee selection. The selection of beans is frequently rotated so you’ll always be in for a surprise. Besides the usual coffee, the store also serves unique beverages like iced cereal milk latte and housemade cola.
While you’re getting your caffeine fix, check out the toast bar. Try the soft milk buns served with kaya and French butter, tuna melt, or mortadella cheese with spiced tomato relish sourdough. Lighter bakes like banana bread, madeleines and dark chocolate brownies sprinkled with sea salt are also available.
Must-try dishes: Tuna melt; Mama Lum’s banana bread; iced cereal milk latte
How much: Toasts from $4.80; drinks from $4
Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8am to 4.30pm; Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 4.30pm
Address: Maxi Coffee Bar, 6 Ann Siang Hill, Singapore 069787
15. Komalas Vilas: Crisp, thin paper thosai
Paper thosai is the mother of all thosais – sorry, we don’t make the rules. Thin, crisp and twice the size of your average thosai, this glorious dish will make head turns when your waiter brings it to the table. We love getting our fix at Komala Vilas. As one of the oldest Indian vegetarian restaurants in Singapore, its version never disappoints.
Here’s how to best enjoy it: fold the thosai in half, break a piece, and dip it into your choice of dip. Pick your favourite among the sambar, coconut chutney and a spicy tomato chutney. Have it with a cup of Bru coffee (a well-loved coffee brand from South India) and you’ve got yourself a winning combo.
Must-try dishes: Paper thosai; tomato and onion uttapam
How much: Thosai from $2.90; naan from $2.50; drinks from $1
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 7am to 10.30pm
Address: Komala Vilas, 76-78 Serangoon Road, Singapore 217981
16. Maxwell Food Centre: A bowl of warm congee
A piping hot bowl of minced meat congee is just what you need to warm your soul in the morning – bonus points if it’s a rainy day. Ho Kee Congee’s rendition is one of the best in town and mega value for money. Tuck into the thick and flavourful congee topped with fried shallots and white pepper. Thanks to the generous portion, it’ll keep you full till lunchtime.
Must-try dishes: Minced pork porridge; har gow; siu mai
How much: Porridge from $3.50
Opening hours: Thursday to Tuesday, 7am to 4pm
Address: Ho Kee Congee, #01-45/46, Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184
17. Common Man Coffee Roasters: Classic cafe plates and specialty coffee
Ask us which brunch cafe to bring your family to and we’ll confidently point you towards Common Man Coffee Roasters. Ttry a selection of elevated dishes like the classic big breakfast, house-made crunchy granola, wholesome vegetable salads and eggs Benedict.
If you’re in the mood to indulge, dive straight into the Turkish Common Man Breakfast. Picture phyllo-wrapped soft-boiled eggs, crispy feta, green hummus, fresh herbs and pita bread all served on one glorious plate. Pair this with the refreshing nitro honey oat latte, or a trusty cup of black coffee and you’re all set.
Must-try dishes: Ox cheek eggs Benedict; Turkish Common Man Breakfast; nitro honey oat latte
How much: Mains from $18; drinks from $3
Opening hours: Varies according to outlet
Address: Common Man Coffee Roasters, multiple locations including Joo Chiat, Telok Ayer and Martin Road
Brace yourselves for the ultimate breakfast of champs at these breakfast spots in Singapore.
