One can’t deny the appeal of a hearty brunch of juicy fried chicken and golden-hued waffles, or a thick buttermilk waffle drowning in warm butter and maple syrup to begin the morning. But the waffle that we’ll always hold closest to our hearts is the old-fashioned, wallet-friendly variety plied by many neighbourhood bakeries across the city-state.
Whether you prefer yours on the chewier or cake-like side; slathered in kaya or chocolate spread; or of the plain or pandan variety, there are a plethora of establishments where you can nab them. And while we couldn’t possibly cram every single delicious traditional waffle in Singapore into our selection, here are a few places to get you started.
If you’re a fan of pandan waffles, make your way to one of Swee Heng Bakery’s outlets. The waffles here feature an aromatic pandan scent and come in a vibrant shade of green, with a fantastic dense and chewy consistency that makes for a satisfying bite. As the batter is already pretty sweet, we prefer ours plain without any fillings, though you can opt for the likes of kaya, peanut butter and chocolate spread if you wish.
Multiple locations in Singapore.
This bakery has been churning out traditional treats for around four decades, and is well-known for their Swiss rolls in local flavours such as sweet potato and yam. Besides this hot-ticket item, they also sell pandan waffles. The offerings here fall on the cake-like end of the spectrum. They are soft and fluffy and come crammed with a filling of your choice, with varieties including peanut butter, cream cheese and salted caramel.
95 Aljunied Crescent, #01-505/507, Singapore 380095, +65 6745 5706
Hidden among the warren of sports stores that make up Queensway Shopping Centre, you’ll find this small stall selling traditional Chinese snacks such as tutu kueh, muah chee and, yes, waffles. Flavours here run the gamut from red bean and coconut to cheese and blueberry, and you can opt to get two fillings for the ultimate experience. For those who don’t live in the area, they also have outlets at Wisteria Mall and Chinatown Point.
1 Queensway, #02-47, Singapore 149053, +65 9817 4793
589 Yishun Ring Road, #B1-K13, Singapore 768698, +65 9817 4793
133 New Bridge Road, #B2-44, Singapore 059413, +65 9817 4793
Rui Tak Bakery is a favourite among Yio Chu Kang residents and serves some seriously delicious pandan waffles. We recommend the classic flavour pairing of kaya and peanut butter, which comes generously smeared and enveloped in a thick and vivid-green waffle. The waffles have a mochi-like consistency and sport crispy edges, and there’s a strong whiff of pandan scent emanating from the treat. If you’re up for something more adventurous, go for the otak variety.
MK Levure Naturelle, which can be found in various MRT stations and shopping malls across Singapore, is practically synonymous with traditional waffles. Our go-to outlet is the one located at Holland Village MRT station, and our standard order here is an extra crispy waffle with kaya spread. The waffle has a crispy exterior and chewy interior, and they’re certainly not shy when it comes to the amount of filling they slather on.
Multiple locations in Singapore.
Situated in Bishan North Shopping Mall, Spring Leaf Bakery doles out delectable pandan waffles (they also do pretty good cakes and buns). The treats have a golden-brown exterior with the requisite crunchy edges, and the texture is springy with a pleasing bite. The hefty portion makes for a satisfying tea-time snack, especially if you get yours with a couple of fillings. Take your pick from the likes of chocolate, strawberry and cheese.
282 Bishan Street 22, Singapore 570282
From peanut butter and chocolate to strawberry and red bean, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the diverse flavour options available at this establishment. As for the pandan waffles themselves, you get to decide whether you prefer them extra crispy or soft, and can even opt to have them cut into halves for easy eating. They’re pretty liberal with their fillings, and the dough has a lovely pandan fragrance.
1 Jalan Bukit Merah, #01-4516, Singapore 150001, +65 8533 1436
293 Yishun Street 22, #01-219, Singapore 760293, +65 8533 1436
Not to be confused with Tiong Bahru Galicier Pastry, which wound up its operations in 2022, Galicier Confectionery sells cookies and cakes, alongside old-school waffles. You’ll discover classic flavour options such as kaya, peanut butter and blueberry, while durian season sees the launch of a special durian waffle smothered in a thick, rich and creamy homemade durian purée. Just be sure to gobble it up before getting on the bus!
253 Serangoon Central Drive, #01-237, Singapore 550253, +65 6382 3769
301 Punggol Central, #01-05, Singapore 820301, +65 6382 3769
CBD workers can get their waffle fix from Bakery Cuisine, which has outlets at the likes of Raffles Place MRT station and Tanjong Pagar MRT station. This is a must-try for those who like their waffles on the crispy side, as their version has a superior crust that contrasts well with the soft and chewy centre. Besides all the standard spreads, they also offer premium flavours such as ham and cheese, chocolate marshmallow and cranberry cream cheese.
Multiple locations in Singapore.
This humble bakery in a residential area whips up thick and crispy pandan waffles. The dough has a pretty strong pandan flavour but doesn’t offer much in the way of sweetness, so we suggest pairing it with one of their spreads such as kaya or chocolate. The texture is dense without being too heavy, so it’s ideal for those who like their waffles to boast a good chew. Savoury flavours include cheese and chicken floss.
525 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, #01-2395, Singapore 560525