Oriole Cafe: Best Cafe in Singapore?

October 22, 2010 | 8 Comments

Best Coffee Singapore

After my previous visit to Oriole Cafe & Bar at Somerset 313 Orchard, I went back on a few occasions for their food and coffee. I have mentioned before that Oriole cafe had lost the cool hidden-find vibe, and I know it sounded like this: “Singapore Food Blog ‘discovered’ Oriole Cafe while it was still relatively unknown. After raving about it to everyone, the food blogger subsequently declared that Oriole Cafe lost its unique characteristics due to the opening of 313 @ Somerset.”

So is that really the case? Is Oriole Cafe still worth going?

While I feel that Oriole Cafe isn’t cozy as before, we have to understand that a business strives on having more customers. Ultimately, the owner needs to pay the bills and wages of the staff. Having a good crowd is still the priority and if the cafe manages to maintain the consistency of the food — then it’s really not bad at all.

Beef Tagliatelle

Despite saying all that, Oriole Cafe remains one of my favorite restaurants in Orchard, and it is still one of the first few places that I think of whenever someone ask me the popular question: where to eat in Orchard?

The beef cheek tagliatelle is still excellent, and not to forget that they have one of the better fish & chips in Singapore.

Affogato

My partner ordered the affogato which changed my perspective of coffee & ice cream. How can a single shot of espresso makes the seemingly ordinary scoop of ice cream become so delicious? Oh wow, the amazing things in life.

Oriole Cafe Pasta

Spaghetti prawns ($15) – Sauteed prawns, aglio olio, rocket, tomatoes

Chocolate Fudge Cake

I was disappointed by Oriole Cafe’s Chocolate Fudge Cake ($6) on the previous visit, but I decided to give it a second chance. Everyone (thing) deserves a second chance, right? Unfortunately, the chocolate fudge cake just wasn’t good enough. The chocolate-y surface was great, but the inside of the cake was way too dry.

Oriole Cafe Somerset

Coming back to the important question: Does Oriole Cafe has the best coffee in Singapore? I’m not qualified to answer that since I don’t drink coffee, but apparently most of my friends seem to think so. But here’s one thing I can tell you: Oriole cafe is probably one of the best Cafes in Singapore.

It’s funny how we always order the same few dishes. Speaking of which, I have yet to check out Oriole Cafe’s ‘new’ (okay maybe not so new anymore) brunch menu. Has anyone tried the food at Bedrock Bar & Grill?

Restaurant Review
Oriole Cafe & Bar
96 Somerset road
#01-01 Pan Pacific Serviced Suites
(Opposite Brotzeit 313 @ Somerset)
Tel: +65 6238 8348

Category: # Restaurant Review, * Central Singapore, Dining Guide Singapore, Food Photography, Singapore Food Blog
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Comments

8 Responses to “Oriole Cafe: Best Cafe in Singapore?”

  1. Katie
    October 22nd, 2010 @ 10:52 am

    That prawn dish looks delicious. Dry chocolate cake is always such a disappointment. If it had been served with cream, at least you could have used that to moisten it up. Oh well – at least you gave it a second chance!

  2. Liv
    October 24th, 2010 @ 5:24 pm

    I adore their Eton Mess… Fresh cream, berries and meringue with some strawberry sauce… Happiness in a cup :)

  3. G
    October 24th, 2010 @ 10:57 pm

    I do hope you take this positively:

    Having read recent entries and your archives, I have to say that you are extremely incompetent as a food blogger, though only because of one thing: your poor grasp of English. It truly is a pain to read reviews about amazing food poorly or even often inappropriately described.

    Apart from that, great photos. :)

  4. S
    October 25th, 2010 @ 10:23 am

    Hi G,

    I do hope you take this positively too.

    Your grasp of English is worse than this food blogger.

    As another positive advice, take your comments elsewhere!

    Oh, do take it positively. It’s your own advice afterall. :)

  5. Sihan
    October 25th, 2010 @ 1:40 pm

    Have you tried their grilled lemon cake yet? freaking awesome would be an understated compliment for it. clotted cream, vanilla ice cream and more lemon syrup. A must try. I’m game to try their sticky date pudding though, heard some pretty good stuff about it.

  6. Mike
    November 20th, 2010 @ 12:20 am

    I would say Bedrock is a cheaper but better version of mortons. Been there twice, both were very enjoyable experience.

  7. Amanda
    March 29th, 2011 @ 5:15 pm

    u shld try the sticky pudding. Its awesome!

  8. QQ
    July 31st, 2011 @ 4:38 pm

    Have you tried espressoul?
    The place is cosy and their coffees are great!

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