
Besides bingeing on Netflix, going on shopping sprees and hanging out at malls, it’s safe to say that one of Singaporeans’ favourite past times is to cafe hop. And with new establishments popping up every other week, it’s also safe to say that the industry knows that really well. But with that many cafes islandwide, it’s hard to determine which ones are worth your calories and your cash. To help you with that, we’ve asked the experts – our SPH Magazines’ editors – to give their take on their favourites.
If you’re looking for a spot to chill and have tea, pretend to do your work, to read or to take your latest #foodgasm or #foodstagram shots, these are the places that have to be on your list.
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Text: Joy Fang / Featured Image: Curious Palette
“It’s conveniently located in town and they have some really satisfying all-day breakfast sets and desserts. The decor is comforting and pretty, plus they have a reasonably-priced tea set of tea and scones which you can have in between events.” – Smita DeSouza, Beauty Editor, CLEO
Wild Honey is at #03-01, Scotts Square, 6 Scotts Rd, Singapore 228209, tel: 6636 1816, and #03-01/02, Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Rd, Singapore 238897, tel: 6235 3900.
Visit wildhoney.com.sg
“Not only can you find some of the most amazing coffees made by the award-winning and talented baristas from Strangers’ Reunion here, this hidden gem of a cafe-restaurant also serves really flavourful nosh featuring new creations by Consultant Chef Desmond Shen, formerly from Magic Square. My personal favourite drink is their White Magic, a super smooth double ristretto which is a must-try. The vibe is cosy and laid-back, with well-lit spaces that help you take the most Insta-perfect photos.” – Sean Tan, Associate Editor, The Singapore Women’s Weekly
Curious Palette is at 64 Prinsep Street, Singapore 188667, tel: 6238 1068.
Visit www.strangersreunion.com
“The Melbourne-inspired Bearded Bella in Duxton is my latest favourite cafe. It’s a few steps away from boxing studio CruBox where I go, and serves amazing, lip-smacking all-day breakfast dishes (including avocado toast with scrambled eggs) that are perfect as post-workout fuel. And the scallop pasta with truffle is to die for. Coffee lovers should definitely make a trip down as this cafe takes its brews very seriously. Good to know that the co-owner was a winner of the Singapore National Barista Championship 2016.” – Estelle Low, Editor, Shape
Bearded Bella is at 8 Craig Road, Singapore 089668, tel: 9880 0775.
Visit www.beardedbella.com
“Great for weekend brunches and just chilling in the afternoon, this cafe makes flavourful mains and some mean pancakes! The seating arrangement inside is interesting too, with some couch-style seats under the loft inside the shop. Based on a photo on the wall, the loft has been there since a previous incarnation of the store – how’s that for a dash of history?” – Grace Chua, Editor, Brand Lab
Tolido’s Espresso Nook is at 462 Crawford Lane, #01-63, Singapore 190462.
“I’m a big fan of 40 Hands, either the original Tiong Bahru location, or the newer East Coast outlet, which is closer to my house. It’s got excellent coffee, scrumptious food and a hip, breezy decor. Fun fact: Its owner, Harry Grover, won one of The Finder‘s first-ever Expatpreneur Awards in 2017!” – Sara Lyle Bow, Editor-in-Chief, The Finder
40 Hands is at 78 Yong Siak Street, Singapore 163078, tel: 6225 8545, or 226 East Coast Road, Singapore 428923, tel: 6877 4860.
Visit www.40handscoffee.com
“I like Firebake in Katong – it’s a great spot for a glass of nitro coffee and a vegemite roll; and if you’re there long enough, it’ll roll into lunch and then you’ll have to order the prawn capellini aglio olio with sakura ebi… yummy!” – Barbara Koh, Editor-in-Chief, The Singapore Women’s Weekly
Firebake – Woodfired Bakehouse & Restaurant is at 237 East Coast Rd, Singapore 428930, tel: 6440 1228.
“Sharing the space with a florist is a surefire way to look instantly instagrammable. But this place offers a creamy nitro cold brew coffee, and yummy crabmeat sandwiches, along with that super chill vibe that you can only get in Siglap.” – Grace Chua, Editor, Brand Lab
Stamping Ground Coffee is at 87 Upper East Coast Rd, Singapore 455223.
“It’s a gorgeous award-winning renovation of a lovely mid-century factory — the old Khong Guan biscuit factory. This cafe roasts and grinds its own beans — you can look through the giant glass wall to watch the roasting machines at work. Naturally, the coffee here is excellent, and very 3rd generation. You can choose the type of beans, the grind, the method… you name it. Snacks are just pastries, but they are good — except, curiously, this place does not serve Khong Guan biscuits! Afterwards you can wander about the semi-industrial area and ogle the fascinating mix of mid-century architecture or you can stroke some renovated vintage furniture at Hock Siong.” – Tara Barker, Group Editor, SPH Magazines
“The Great Mischief is a funky modern, tropical cafe in a 1930’s Little India building transformed into a boutique hotel called The Great Madras. The wallpaper is amazing – it’s handmade, with illustrations of Singapore icons. Every corner is Instagrammable. People watching here is good. The cafe is just around the corner from Tekka market, so you can sit at the sidewalk tables (in the shade) and watch traders and shoppers going to and from the market. The best snack here is the churros with spiced chocolate. And who doesn’t like a wander around Little India afterwards?” – Tara Barker, Group Editor
The Great Mischief Cafe in The Great Madras Hotel is at 28 Madras St, Singapore 208422, tel: 6914 1515.