I went all over the island to uncover the coolest home cafes in Singapore – here’s what I tried and loved.
Home-based cafes are having a moment in Singapore – and I, a willing victim of caffeine and curiosity, have absolutely fallen into the trap. Armed with free will, I stepped out of my house… and straight into someone else’s. I’ve lurked, sipped, and overstayed my welcome in the name of research. For those looking for cafes to try in Singapore with a unique twist, these are the home cafes I’d barge into again, no hesitation.
P.S. I discovered all of these cool spots via Acuppa, which helpfully lists down all the home-based businesses across Singapore.
1. Haus166
I ventured into Bishan and dropped by this popular home cafe. Haus166 was bustling when I arrived: a couple of customers were animatedly chatting with owner Lynn and her collaborative partner about coffee and whiskey.
“How are you, sayang?” she asked. We immediately hit it off and yapped about everything under the sun, from how Haus166 got started and the intense online scrutiny surrounding home cafes in Singapore to returning to the working world as a corporate baddie… and Psyduck. I didn’t get to say hello to Zeus, Lynn’s gorgeous ragdoll and the brand mascot. “He’s sleeping,” she tells me. Bummer. Well, maybe next time.
What did I get? I ordered the iced yuan yang chai ($6.50) ‘cos I love both and the combination sounds divine. A dash of spice, cream, and enough caffeine to keep me spinning like Britney Spears for twelve hours straight. I wanted to get the bakes, but they were already sold out. Here’s a tip: place your orders via DM to avoid disappointment. I’ll be back for the Zuzu, just to satisfy my interest and see how Haus166’s rendition tastes.
How much: Food from $5.50; drinks from $4.50
Opening hours: Weekends, 9am to 3pm
Address: Haus166, 166 Bishan Street 13, Singapore 570166
2. Tofu Tofu
I thought the address seemed familiar, and lo and behold, it was! Tofu Tofu resides in the same ‘hood as the funky Hangout Laundry, and I reckon having these two establishments in one area ups the cool quotient. I was surprised the home cafe was still accepting orders even though it was already Sunday evening; given the brand’s popularity, I’m guessing it wanted to serve customers before it closed for the day.
What did I get? The kaya matcha latte ($5.90) called out to me. Merging a local fave with trending food? Yas! I was curious how it’d turn out – and I wasn’t disappointed. The sweetness from the pandan complemented the matcha well, with neither overpowering the other. Just give it a thorough stir and you’ll get an enjoyable, thick drink.
I also ordered the Biscoff matcha latte ($5.90), a major fave among regulars. Now, despite not being a fan of the speculoos biscuit, I liked this drink too. Similar to the kaya matcha latte, you need to give it a good, vigorous stir to ensure the two ingredients are mixed properly. The Biscoff lends itself well to the matcha, with the latter providing a rounded, umami flavour.
How much: From $3.90
Opening hours: Weekends, 10am to 8pm
Address: Tofu Tofu, 532 Bedok North Street 3, Singapore 460532
3. Baobei Coffee
Located within the Tampines North estate, Baobei Coffee is popular for its vibey spot where customers can enjoy their drinks and an adorable four-legged mascot.
During my visit, the homeowners decided to pause all dine-ins to “protect what makes [their home] special”. I totally understand the rationale behind the decision. Plus, with the recent uproar over home cafes in Singapore, it makes sense why home-based businesses would wanna look out for themselves. I appreciated how seamless the ordering process is – everything’s done via Telegram, though you can only input one drink at a time.
What did I get? The modest menu offers creatively named drinks that’ll make you do a double (or triple) take. I picked the Bed of Roses ($4.50), featuring a creamy, velvet bandung concoction. It felt a tad sweet when drunk separately, but after mixing it with the coffee, the drink turned out delicious. The bandung cuts through the coffee’s acidity, giving it a floral flavour that’s a joy to sip through.
Baobei also offers a pumpkin-spiced latte (Spice & Everything Nice, $4.50), so of course I had to get that. Yes, I’m a basic bish, sue me! While the latte tasted great on its own, it lost its essence after I gave the drink a good stir. Perhaps a wee bit more cinnamon powder can help zhush it up? Overall, it’s just okay, though I’m willing to give it another chance.
How much: From $3.50
Opening hours: Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays, 9am to 5pm, Fridays, 10am to 6pm, and Sundays, 9am to 12pm
Address: Baobei Coffee, 645B Tampines Street 62, Singapore 522645
4. Moni Coffee
This neighbourhood gem resides in the far-flung reaches of Punggol. I’m not kidding – you can almost smell Coney Island from Moni Coffee. A decent map-reading skill is needed to locate the HDB block, so I suggest setting aside some time if you’re going via public transport. Or, head there via private hire car.
Hazel, the owner fronting the northeast operation, was cordial as she handed over my drinks and we chatted. I asked where the name came from – a portmanteau of Momo and Nini, a pair of feline siblings – and why the cafe only runs in the evenings. “I’m doing this after my actual work. It’s like a side quest,” Hazel shared. Cat lovers will coo over Nini, who’s based here. She kept watch near the door as I documented my orders outside.
What did I get? I’ve become obsessed with orange espresso since trying it in Bangkok last year. So when I spotted a variation of that drink (iced orange Americano, $4.50) on the menu, you best believe I added it to my order. Moni’s rendition uses fresh orange, which was why I tasted orange pulp and bits while sipping. The citrusy notes kept the coffee’s acidity bright without tipping into sharpness. A must-order if you’re into caffeine with zest.
I also got the iced matcha ube latte ($6), one of its crowd faves – and I understand why. The ube is dense and sweet, providing a perfect counterpoint to the grassy and umami notes of matcha. I gave the drink a good stir before sipping; the two components meshed so well together they didn’t discount any flavour profiles. If you only wanna get one drink, make sure it’s this one.
How much: From $3.50
Opening hours: Timing varies according to location
Address: Moni Coffee, multiple locations including Punggol and Canberra
5. Long Weekend Pizza
Fresh ingredients and gorgeous crusts under $25? Sign me up. While I usually save pizza for parties (because, you know, inflation), I couldn’t resist when I heard about this hidden gem in Katong. Long Weekend Pizza operates out of a cosy home, slinging beautifully charred pies with crispy, chewy crusts that’d make any carb-lover weep with joy.
Ordering is fuss-free: just DM the team with your flavour picks, name, and preferred pick-up slot. (Pro tip: they close pre-orders when things get hectic, so act fast!) My pies were ready and waiting when I arrived. That topping-to-crust ratio? Chef’s kiss.
What did I get? The truffle oil mushroom ($20) came generously layered with fresh mushrooms and that earthy, fragrant aroma, while the pepperoni ($20) was dotted like polka dots on a pizza runway. The crust had that ideal char – not too airy, not too dense – and the team isn’t stingy with the toppings. Bold flavours, generous portions, no regrets. All this for less than a delivery app order? Yeah, I’m already planning my next meal. (Review by Ashe Liao, Lifestyle Writer)
How much: From $17 per pizza
Opening hours: Fridays to Sundays, 5pm to 9pm (pre-orders start every Tuesday)
Address: Long Weekend Pizza, 61 St Patrick’s Road, Singapore 424174
6. Brewprint Coffee
My adventure continues at Tampines, a vibrant neighbourhood that’s home to this gem of a home cafe. Brewprint Coffee is a Muslim-owned establishment that opens daily, allowing those of us working from home to take a break by getting a drink and some time in the sun.
At 5pm on a Tuesday, I expected things to be chill, but a few customers were already milling about. There’s a cute set-up outside the house where you can take aesthetic shots for your socials. As it was my first home cafe experience, I felt a little awkward about the whole thing. “What are you here for?” a lady warmly asked. I mumbled my drink orders, collected them, and quickly legged it. No chance to speak with the owners or snap photos.
What did I get? With the weather being more hateful lately, I tried Summer Paradise ($5.90). It’s a refreshing concoction of Sprite, strawberry puree, and butterfly pea tea – points for the gorgeous, colourful layers. While I enjoyed the cooling drink, it’s not my usual cup of tea, so it won’t be a repeat purchase for me.
My next drink was an iced cinnamon latte ($6.90, an additional $1 for oat milk). It’s nutty and chocolatey, with the spice as a gentle aftertaste. The oat milk lends a sweetness and makes the drink full-bodied. This is my favourite drink out of the two.
How much: From $4
Opening hours: Mondays to Thursdays, 8am to 7pm and Fridays to Sundays, 8am to 10pm
Address: Brewprint Coffee, 285 Tampines Street 22, Singapore 520285
7. Magic Cafe
Compared to the others in the list, Magic Cafe at Sengkang seems like an anomaly. It doesn’t have a strong social media presence, and its lean menu means you don’t have many options to mull over. Regardless, I was drawn to its prices – $3 for a medium-sized iced drink in this economy? I had to try it.
What did I get? The iced creme brulee latte ($5.50) called out to me, as it’s a dessert I love. I upsized my drink to 700ml (‘cos who has time for dinky things) and adjusted the sweetness to 25%. I went in with zero expectations. Did I like it? Eh… not bad, but not a game-changer. If I’m coming back to this home cafe, I’d order something else. The bubble milk tea with golden pearls is calling out to me.
How much: From $3.20
Opening hours: Mondays to Thursdays, 8.30pm to 11.59pm, Fridays, 7.15pm to 11.59pm, Saturdays, 6.30pm to 11.59pm, and Sundays, 10am to 11.59pm
Address: Magic Cafe, 288C Compassvale Crescent, Singapore 543288
If this is what home cafes in Singapore are serving up, consider me hooked. Who needs a regular cafe when you can sip and socialise on someone’s front porch?
