What makes for memorable dining? Good food is a must, but great aesthetics also elevate your experience, plus lend themselves to fab photo ops. These new cafes in town boast gorgeous interiors, from garden-inspired concepts to retro spaces, that make for fodder for your Instagram feed, too.
If you’ve fallen in love with the floral-themed Cafe de Nicole Flower, Le Jardin and Under Der Linden, you’ll be enchanted by the new La Foret, which is helmed by the same folks.
La Foret, which translates to “Forest” in French, is a dessert house located in the same vicinity as Under Der Linden. A canopy of botanicals in earthy and cream tones, together with an eclectic mix of plush seating lend to the ethereal and cosy vibe.
There are no a la carte options as of now, with only a three-course set menu that is served as an afternoon tea set. The mix includes canapes, desserts for sharing like mousse tarts and petite cakes, and a pot of flower tea. You can also add on with extra desserts.
La Foret Singapore is at 5B Portsdown Rd, #01-04, Singapore 139311. Opens Wed to Sun (12pm – 5pm), closed on Mon and Tues.
Grocer and F&B destination Surrey Hills Grocer has opened a second outlet in Orchard, spaninng over 3,400 sq feet, and offering over 2,000 products that are entirely self-procured from Australia.
Retail section aside, there’s also a spectacular cafe area in a calming palette of sage, wood and gold hues, amped up with lush greenery and stunning floor-to-ceiling windows that afford panoramic views of the city.
It sees a refreshed menu of signature items, like the 48-hour Braised Short Rib Bowl, Salmon and BBQ Pork Shoulder Benny. The Ion-exclusive dessert menu serves up a curation of exquisite artisanal cakes dreamt up by ex-Antoinette chef, Pang Kok Keong.
Surrey Hills Grocer is at Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801. Opens daily, 9am to 10pm. Visit its website for more information.
Popular for its dreamy daylight-flooded interiors at its first Chijmes location, The Glasshouse has opened a second cafe on Neil Road.
The new space flaunts a cosy, elegant aesthetic — white walls layered with warm brick-hued tiles, marble table tops, plush seating banquettes. Not quite the glasshouse concept at Chijmes, but it gets a good dose of daylight pouring in through louvred windows.
At the time of writing, the cafe is still in its soft launch phase, so don’t expect a full menu just yet. But you can still enjoy croissants and other pastries as well as coffee. Mains will be rolled out at a later date.
Glasshouse (Neil Road) is at 136 Neil Road, #01-01, Singapore 088865.
It’s pretty hard to miss the entrance of Joji’s Diner in all its snazzy retro-style glory. Think cherry red walls, neon signs and checkered tiles underfoot — when you stroll by Stanley Street. Following the popularity of its first outlet along Serangoon (just a short walk away from Nex mall), the retro American diner-inspired eatery has opened a larger two-storey outlet in the CBD.
Inside, it’s a kaleidoscope of flashy reflective walls, iridescent lighting, more checkered flooring, and juke boxes. The same all-American grub can be expected, like the signature Chicken and Waffle, generous breakfast platters, greasy juicy burgers and beef chilli fries. And of course, you can wash it all down with one of its milkshakes. The Big Bang, served with a mini donut on the top, is the highlight.
Joji’s Diner is at 3 Stanley Street, Singapore 068722. Opens daily from 10am to 11.30pm.
This cosy cafe around the Serangoon enclave has a chill vibe that reflects the inspiration behind its name, beckoning visitors to linger over coffee or an unhurried meal. There’s a rustic and industrial feel to it, thanks to the raw concrete walls and red bricks, that are woven with contemporary elements.
You’ll find cafe staples here with a mix of Eastern and Western fare, from a hearty breakfast platter to mentaiko salmon or pulled pork toasts, pasta, and rice bowls. For a sweet treat, there are various croffles on the menu, alongside croissants, danishes and other pastries.
Lazy Day Cafe is at 1G, Yio Chu Kang Road, Singapore 545513. Closed on Mondays. Visit its website for more information.
While its first cafe in Takashimaya is an oasis of pink, Q Classified’s second location at Vivocity is clad in varying shades of purple.
The floral-themed cafe offers a whimsical backdrop for pretty photos, from lush botanical arrangements overhead to Parisian bistro-inspired elements. The menu is extensive, with a mix of Asian and Western influences. Think French Sawadikaya – that’s French toast with Thai kaya and peanut butter — and mains like Bulgogiwich, chilli crab sandwich, tacos, satay pizza, seafood paella, and grilled unagi pasta.
The dessert and beverage menu is extensive too, spanning flavoured lattes, smoothies, teas, and various pancakes and croffles.
Q Classified is at #B1-02 Vivocity, 1 HarbourFront Walk, Singapore 098585.
Lifestyle destination South Beach Avenue welcomed coffee bar Waga Waga Den to the mix in June this year. It’s owned by the Black Carvery group which also helms the nearby Black Cow and Shatoburian at Palais Renaissance. In case you’re curious, its name is derived “wagyu beef” and “wagashi” (Japanese sweets).
Housed in a glasshouse of sorts, the palette is dark and moody, with a magnificent marble-topped counter that anchors the space. The seating’s scant inside the stylish joint, but there are tables and benches on a wooden patio outside.
Its house blend coffee uses a mix of single-origin Brazilian and single-origin Guatemalan beans that are of a medium roast and low acidity. You can also try the specialty Cloud iced cappuccino capped with cloud-like air bubbles and chocolate powder or go for one of its potent matcha brews. Desserts like the gooey Waga cheesecake and warabi mochi are worth ordering, and there are also items (available from 11am) such as croissants, sandwiches, and seasonal baked goods.
Waga Waga Den is at 38 Beach Road, #01-14 South Beach Tower, Singapore 189767. Opens Tues to Fri, 8.30am to 3.30pm, and Sat (9.30pm to 16.30pm). Closed on Sun & Mon.
If you’re missing Ipoh hawker fare, the newly opened Small Tables at Pacific Plaza could help tame those cravings. Perched on the edge of Pacific Plaza, the interiors are a mix of modern and industrial elements, with retro furnishings like steel gates and milk tin cans. An alfresco area outside is made for watching the world go by while you enjoy your meal.
Here, you can dig into Ipoh fare like the signature Ipoh Curry Mee (dry and wet versions available), as well as Hakka yong tau foo, pork satay with housemade satay sauce, and a whole fish stuffed with otah. Unsurprisingly, there’s the iconic Ipoh white coffee, too, served with an adorable kaya tayaki (Japanese fish-shaped cake) on the side.
Small Tables is at 9 Scotts Road, Pacific Plaza, #01-09/10/11/12, Singapore 228210. Visit Small Tables’ Instagram page for more information and updates.
This six-month-old contemporary Japanese-French cafe is a brainchild of one-Michelin-starred Japanese-French restaurant Whitegrass and teahouse Hvala. The interiors are reflective of the menu’s Japanese influences, with a minimalist aesthetic, soothing muted shades, and wooden elements.
Whitegrass head chef Takuya Yamashita is behind the savoury menu with both classic and fusion plates like the okonomiyaki, sando (Japanese sandwiches), potage, stir-fried miso udon, goma matcha crepes, and soba.
The beverages from Hvala don’t disappoint — including a smooth creamy gen mai cha latte with a toasty aroma and crisp rice puffs. Hvala is also in charge of the desserts in the house.
Boyutei is at 28 Ann Siang Road, #01-02, Singapore 069708. Opens Mon to Fri (12pm-10pm) and Sat and Sun (1130am to 10pm).