Blue Box Cafe review: Tiffany & Co’s Singapore outlet dazzles, but does the food?

Blue Box Cafe in Singapore brings Tiffany Blue interiors, caviar-topped breakfast dishes, and plenty of Holly Golightly charm to Ion Orchard.

The wait is over: Tiffany & Co has finally opened the first Blue Box Cafe in Singapore and Southeast Asia. Raise your hand if you’re excited to welcome the new entrant in Orchard Road’s food scene! Occupying the third floor of the revamped flagship boutique at Ion Orchard, this new cafe in Singapore is your chance to live out your Breakfast at Tiffany’s fantasy, no little black dress required. I recently visited the cafe, and let’s just say my camera got a better workout than I did.

Blue Box Cafe in Singapore review: Details at a glance

Best for: Luxury dining with a side of glamour
Must-try items: Granola with organic yoghurt and acacia honey; lavender madeleine; Oita egg a la coque with Oscietra caviar and warm toasted brioche
How much: Breakfast at Tiffany’s at $78 per person; Tea at Tiffany’s at $98 per person; all-day dining from $12
Opening hours: Daily, 10am to 10pm
Address: Blue Box Cafe, #03-11/12, Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801

Inside the Blue Box fantasy

From the outside, I could already tell Blue Box Cafe would be an extension of Tiffany & Co’s iconic world. The entrance is a neontastic invitation into the new space, glinting with that familiar shade of blue everyone’s grown to love. Flanking the doors are two framed snapshots of what you can expect: meticulous table settings and food that’s too pretty to be eaten.

The full picture came into view as I entered the cafe. The entire space is awash in the signature Tiffany blue; the iconic jewellery boxes dangle whimsically from the ceiling overhead. Interior design inspo, Tiffany & Co fans? Audrey Hepburn’s iconic Holly Golightly portrait gazes confidently at me, reinforcing the sense that every corner of the cafe has been designed to channel Tiffany’s signature elegance.

Blue Box Cafe promises a refined but unintimidating dining experience. There are little touches beyond the brand’s (very obvious) backing that play up the “unintimidating” bit, such as the colourful polka dots on the floor and some seats featuring striped patterns. It felt less like an expensive cafe and more like an episode of Architectural Digest.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s begins

Blue Box Cafe’s menu was developed in collaboration with chef Julian Royer of Odette. However, don’t expect a repeat of what he’s serving at his Michelin-starred restaurant in Singapore. Here, you get a combination of classic French cuisine with American and Asian influences. There are three menus to choose from: breakfast, tea, and all-day dining.

It was 10am when I visited, which is far too early for food by my standards. But I was promised the Breakfast at Tiffany’s ($78), which I was excited about. Will I get to relive the Holly Golightly croissant moment, except I don’t have to eat outside?

To answer the question: yes, the croissant is part of the breakfast set. It’s flaky, buttery, and good enough eaten on its own. The croissant is accompanied by a pain au chocolat, with a rich centre that’s not too cloying. Rounding up the viennoiserie is a freshly baked baguette, which came with Maison Bellevaire butter. Honestly, it was nothing to shout about, though I do appreciate the embossed logo on the butter.

Next, I tried the granola with organic yoghurt and acacia honey. If you came here hungry, I don’t recommend eating this first, only ‘cos it’ll fill you up pretty fast. That said, I enjoyed the flavours: tangy with some sweetness courtesy of the honey. I also liked the lavender madeleine, which had a subtle floral profile and a tender, sponge-like crumb.

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Eggs, caviar, and all things nice

The breakfast set also comes with a couple of savoury options. I excitedly dug into the Oita egg a la coque with Oscietra caviar, placed in the most adorable egg cup. There’s a little chick’s face protruding from one side! I’m all for eggs, and I have nothing bad to say about this. The caviar elevated this basic brekkie dish, while the warm toasted brioche was equally delicious. Of course, it’d be a crime if you didn’t dip at least one of them into the egg.

I also enjoyed the cured Tasmanian Petuna trout and creme fraiche, though I wished the portion was more generous. At the very least, it went well with the egg and brioche. Finish off with a plate of fresh seasonal fruits. During my visit, I was served pineapple, mango, and papaya slices. If I had to guess, I’d say it was an homage to standard Asian dining practices – and again, it’s nothing much.

Drinks-wise, diners can choose between green apple and orange juice, along with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. I went with Blue Box Cafe Original Blend, which layers rose, lavender, and vanilla over a black tea base. It’s a soothing drink that paired well with the lavender madeleine.

If you don’t want the full Breakfast at Tiffany’s experience, go for Holly’s Favourites ($38), which pares things back to just the viennoiserie and drinks. Those who are still feeling peckish can add on the egg and caviar or the trout and creme fraiche.

Is Blue Box Cafe in Singapore worth visiting?

Blue Box Cafe is your quintessential luxury brand with a dining experience side quest (read: Prada Caffe, The Coach Restaurant). While the space earns top marks, I reserve my judgment for the food. No, there’s nothing inherently bad about its offerings. But with chef Julian Royer at the helm, I expected something more. If you’re planning to dine here in the morning, I say temper your expectations.

That said, I do hope to return to sample the other menus. The tea sounds positively delightful, while the all-day dining has more options that play up the Asian influences. Perhaps this is where chef Julian’s vision truly shines. Until then, consider this my Breakfast at Tiffany’s moment. Holly Golightly would certainly approve of the setting; the food, however, might have her lingering a little longer before placing a second order.

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