These Singapore Cafes Will Make You Feel Like You're Travelling Overseas
From a reading nook that feels like England to a cookery that'll take you to the streets of Mexico
We've all breathed a sigh of relief now that the pandemic is over and leisure travel is back. But has anyone else noticed how exhorbitantly high the prices for flights are right now?! Thanks to revenge travel, flights to many parts of the world are at record prices at the moment.
So besides committing to a couple staycations, what can you do around Singapore to make you feel like you're travelling overseas? Why indulge in one of Singapore's favourite past times of course - cafe hopping.
Imagine you're on a picturesque, short getaway (with a meal no less) that’s , then take a look at these Singapore cafes that’ll make you feel like you’re overseas.
We’ve rounded up 22 Singapore cafes with décor and food that can transport you to another place. From a Grecian café decked out in blue to a café that feels like you’re walking through Yeouido Park in autumn – take a look at these family-friendly options.
If you are looking to get an authentic taste of the vibrant Mexican culture, head over to Cafe Iguana. The bright colours, charming decorations and open layout of the cafe will transport you right back to Mexico, not to forget their delicious spread of classical Mexican dishes embellished with a touch of creativity. From traditional items like Quesadillas to curious new additions like Shaker Churros, many exciting dishes await. Delight your taste buds while you soak in Cafe Iguana’s relaxing ambience.
Cafe Iguana is at 1 Tanglin Road #01-02 Orchard Rendezvous Hotel, tel: 9820 3045.
Tucked away in a corner of Changi Village facing the sea is a sprawling microbrewery and smokehouse restaurant, complete with rustic decor and fairy lights that will transport you to an Australian beer garden. Besides locally-brewed craft beers, they also serve up delicious smoked beef brisket and pork belly that melts in your mouth. Perfect for a large get-together with friends! (Plus, it's so far away even for Easties you'll feel like you've actually gone overseas.)
Little Island Brewing Co is at 6 Changi Village Rd, #01-01/02, Singapore 509907, tel: 6543 9100.
For those of you who miss the Cha Chaan Teng experience and the streets of Hong Kong, then you should pay a visit to Legendary Hong Kong. Led by 8 established chefs with their own specialty from Hong Kong, the restaurant has four narrow entrances that mimic the streets of Hong Kong. Each entrance calls to a theme, from Roasted Meats, Noodles and Congee, to Dim Sum, and Cha Chaan Teng. Go in early and spend your morning trying meals from each theme for the full experience.
Legendary Hong Kong is at 63 Jurong West Central 3, #03-80 Provisional Unit Jurong Point 2 Shopping Center, 648331, tel: 6794 1335.
This lifestyle café at Orion@Paya Lebar specialises in brunch classics and sustainable handcrafted pieces in its lifestyle store. With lush leafy plants and rustic furniture, Knots Café and Living feels like a cosy corner in Bali. Enjoy your favourite brunch items like eggs Benedict and scrambled eggs on toast, as well as perennial crowd-pleasers like carbonara, mac and cheese, and its signature Knots beef burger. Wander around the shop after your meal, and you'll be charmed by its one-of-a-kind furniture and home décor items.
7 Knots Cafe and Living is at 01-07 Orion@Paya Lebar, 160 Paya Lebar Road, tel: 6817-0383
With its mind-boggling array of more than 200 types of coffee, luxurious interior and resplendent décor (think marble floors and brass chandeliers), as well as service staff dressed in classic European-style uniforms, Bacha Coffee pulls out all the stops in providing a top-notch dining experience. The place is designed to resemble the Dar el Bacha palace in Marrakech, so you'll legit feel like royalty while sipping on your cuppa and helping yourself to a dessert or two. Dishes come in Western style or classic Moroccan ones, ranging from scrambled eggs with black truffle and raspberry & cinnamon croissant to Morrocan chicken pastilla to Moroccan kefta meatballs.
Bacha Coffee is at 2 Orchard Turn #01-15/16 ION Orchard Mall, 238801, tel: 6363 1910 and two other locations.
Apart from physically recreating the atmosphere of Sweden, this cafe goes a step further by providing visitors with an introduction to life in Sweden by allowing them to experience the Swedish phenomenon known as Fika. Literally translating to coffee break, it is a ritual of sorts where people slow down, take a break and meaningfully connect with themselves and those around them. Participate in this integral part of Swedish culture while enjoying their local delights such as Kroppkakor (Swedish potato dumplings) and more. Amidst the rush of everyday life, this mini vacation like outing will help you enjoy your leisure time.
Fika Swedish Café & Bistro is located at 257 Beach Rd, Singapore 199539, tel: 6396 9096.
Earning to get a taste of Thailand’s night market culture? Folks Collective is the place to head to. With their diner designed to bring alive the nostalgic mood characteristic of Thailand’s night markets that grew out of abandoned Railway stations, portraits of the Royal family and authentic Thai dishes, you are sure to leave the place feeling like you took a trip to Thailand and back. From meal items like Pad Thai, to deserts like Mango Sticky Rice, many delicious dishes are available for guests to satisfy their taste buds.
Folks Collective is at 20 Cross Street, #01-25/26/27 Cross Street Exchange, S048422, tel: 6536 6739.
Inspired by the popular Barcelona eatery, Olivia Restaurant, this cafe is what they like to call a “boutique to cheesecakes”. A cafe where Barcelona meets Singapore, experiment with flavours like Apple and Salted Toffee or stick to the traditional cheesecake if your preference lies with the classics. Interestingly, the interior design of this place mimics the shapes and colours of cheesecakes. Surely this dessert shop will be paradise for cheesecake fanatics.
Queic by Olivia is located at 41 Kreta Ayer Road, Singapore, 089003, tel: 6223 1165.
Bringing the love for cookies from New York back home, this cafe sells not just any cookies but Nasty cookies. The bright and striking turquoise interior conveys the quirky nature of the shop with its flavours including curious ones like taro flavoured cookies and iconic ones like the Nasty Monster cookie which is a colour similar to that of the shop. Savour a cup of coffee alongside these cookies with the cookie and drink set. Not only do you get to experience the lively and vibrant atmosphere of New York, you can also snap a few Instagram worthy pictures while you are at it!
Nasty Cookie Cafe is at 1 Kaki Bukit View, #01-02, Singapore 415941, tel: 6802 8290.