Serangoon and Kovan are both prime districts in the North-Eastern part of Singapore with a slew of famed establishments around the estates, mainly at Serangoon Gardens – fondly remembered as Ang Sar Lee with red brick rooftops and tiles adorning the estate in the early days.
Food, in particular, is not hard to find in these areas, and it is no wonder why so many Singaporeans love flocking to these two districts when they need to fill their tummies with a plethora of interesting gastronomical finds. The cafes found in these areas are usually well-packed with people on weekends, and reservations are a must to avoid any disappointments.
We have brought you countless of Area Guides, but we are not close to stopping. Here is a Guide to Charming Cafes in Serangoon and Kovan to prep you for your next food trail.
#1 ARBITE
Despite its obscure location at the 2nd level of a shophouse in Serangoon Gardens, Arbite is widely popular with the residents and visitors alike, and boasts a setting with abundant natural lighting streaming in; yes, you can be assured your photos will turn out fine.
Some of the dishes that we like include Arbite Breakfast (S$17), Banana & Caramel Pancakes (S$12), and Pappardelle with Serrano Ham (S$22).
66A Serangoon Garden Way
Singapore 555962
Tel: +65 6287 0430
Mon to Fri: 11.30 am – 3.00 pm, 6.00pm – 10.30pm
Sat to Sun: 11.00 am – 10.30 pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon/Lorong Chuan
#2 CIEL PATISSERIE
Hougang may seem like an unlikely place to find a French patisserie, but that is exactly where Ciel Patisserie is located. This small patisserie has a wholesome range of cakes (S$4.80 – S$5.80), and tarts (S$4.20). Some of the creations that you can look forward to are Lemon Meringue Tart, Chocolate Caramel Tart, Strawberry Shortcake, and Brownie.
124 Hougang Ave 1 #01-1444
Singapore 530124
Tel: +65 6383 0803
Tue to Thu: 11am – 8pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 9pm
Sun: 3pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Kovan/Serangoon
#3 HATTER STREET BAKEHOUSE & CAFE
This bakery cafe is designed with a Mad Hatter theme—a prime character from Alice In Wonderland. Adorned with a whimsical theme that is set to bring you on a trip to Wonderland itself, Hatter Street deserves a special mention for their Whoaffles (S8.90) with your preferred choice of ice cream and syrup.
Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 2 miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.
Block 212, Hougang Street 21, #01-333
Singapore 530212
Tel: +65 6988 4591
Tues – Sun: 1PM – 10PM
Closed on Mon
Nearest Station: Kovan
Located in the heart of Kovan—just a stone’s throw away from Kovan MRT Station—is Ice Edge Cafe.
The cafe-cum-restaurant has been around for a decade and has gained a huge following over the past years with its hearty savouries and stellar sweets. Dishes served here are very affordable and generously portioned; there is even a perpetual one-for-one lunch promotion* on weekdays
Ice Edge Cafe
2 Kovan Rise
Simon Plaza, #01-10
Singapore 548008
Tel: +65 6858 5729
Daily: 11.30am – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Kovan
You have seen molten lava cakes and molten cheese tarts, but have you tried Kooks Creamery’s exploding molten lava cookies?
This humble ice cream parlour in Serangoon got us all excited with homemade cookies that ooze out molten goodness, alongside a huge range of ice cream flavours that range from light and refreshing fruit sorbets to rich and creamy options.
Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 1 miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.
211 Serangoon Avenue 4
#01-02
Singapore 550211
Tel: +65 9006 8748
Tue to Thu, & Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Closed: Mon
Nearest Station: Serangoon
#6 LITTLE WIMBLY LU
Located at myVillage @ Serangoon Garden, Little Wimbly Lu is a smaller version of popular dessert cafe Wimbly Lu (read #14 below) which serves desserts such as Waffle (S$4), Pancakes (S$3), Crepe (S$3), Sticky Date Pudding (S$5.30), and Brownie (S$4.80).
1 Maju Avenue
myVillage Serangoon Garden #01-09/10
Singapore 556679
Mon to Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 12midnight
Sun: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon/Lorong Chuan
Pop by this cosy and unpretentious cafe for their finger-linking good Honey Paprika Wings (S$10), or their signature Avocado Eggs Benedict (S$15). Lola’s Cafe bakes pretty mean tarts too.
5 Simon Rd
Singapore 545893
Tel: +65 6284 0349
Tue to Thu, Sun: 10am – 11:30pm
Fri to Sat: 10am – 12am
Nearest Station: Kovan
One Man Coffee opened its second outlet at myVillage (at Serangoon Gardens) and have garnered the central crowd to the humble cafe. Other than their famed 6-minute eggs, they have also taken it up a notch and introduced onsen eggs on sourdough that will prompt egg lovers to return for more.
myVillage @ Serangoon Garden
1 Maju Avenue, #B1-23/24
Singapore 556679
Tel: +65 6636 7666
Daily: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon/Lorong Chuan
#9 OBLONG
Oblong is one of the newer dessert hideouts at Serangoon Gardens, and be sure to expect a massive crowd during the weekends. One of the signature waffles is the Red Velvet Waffles and Ice Cream combination (S$11), with cream cheese sandwiched between two red velvet waffles and topped with an ice cream flavour of your choice.
10 Maju Avenue
Singapore 556688
Tel: +65 6858 2320
Thu to Sun: 12pm – 12am
Fri to Sat: 12pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Serangoon/Lorong Chuan
Before you step into Sunday Market, you will be greeted by a series of hanging potted plants right outside the cafe. They pride themselves in recreating local dishes with a unique western twist, such as the Beef Rendang Lasagne (S$15.90) with layers of beef briskets between pasta sheets and mozzarella cheese. Yum!
22 Lim Tua Tow Road
Singapore 547772
Tel: +65 6287 8880
Mon to Tue: 12pm – 10pm
Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri: 12pm – 11pm
Sat: 9:30am – 11pm
Sun: 9.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon
#11 SUNRAY CAFE
This pet-friendly cafe allows you to choose from two different dining areas – one with your pets and the other solely for the humans. Their coffee are specially roasted and brewed in house to obtain the best flavours, and diners can opt from their eclectic selection of mains; well, your furballs can eat too!
Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 3 miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.
79 Brighton Crescent
Singapore 559218
Tel: +65 6283 8700
Mon to Tue: 6pm – 11pm
Wed to Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri: 11am – 12am
Sat: 10am – 12am
Sun: 10am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon
All-day breakfast options are available at The Coffee Daily, and you can also enjoy their free-flow old school tidbits such as iced gem biscuits or animal crackers while you wait for your food orders. Their pretty rainbow cake is sold at S$10 a slice, which could be something for you to munch on while you sip on a cuppa!
75 Brighton Crescent
Singapore 559216
Tel: +65 6284 8894
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 10:30pm
Fri: 12pm – 11:30pm
Sat to SUn: 9:30am – 23:30pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon
Located just across the Serangoon Stadium, it is pretty easy to miss this quaint little cafe which just opened recently; it is unassuming, but definitely worth looking out for. The interior is filled with vintage items and collectibles, and how we love those hanging lightbulbs.
Jane, the lady boss (hence, the name of this cafe) shared about her daily fresh bakes with much enthusiasm. Do not expect rainbows cakes and bright bakes here, because Jane likes to keep everything simple. Well, The Plain Jane, right?
Blk 211 Serangoon Ave 4 #01-10
Singapore 550211
Nearest Station: Serangoon
Wimbly Lu Chocolates will be hard to miss with a red Beetle parked outside its shop front. The cafe is romantically embellished with brick walls and a courtyard with natural lighting that will make the perfect setting for a good photo. Known for their chocolate and waffles, their desserts are priced no more than S$7 which calls for a pocket-friendly meal.
15-2 Jalan Riang
Singapore 358987
Tel: +65 6289 1489
Tue to Thu: 12:30pm – 10:30pm
Fri: 12:30pm – 11pm
Sat: 9am – 11pm
Sun: 9am – 10:30pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon/Lorong Chuan
For more recommendations, read our guide to 9 Cafes in Toa Payoh.
Serangoon and Kovan are in the North East, not South. But great post!, will definitely check them out
@Ben thanks for pointing out the error!
Hi, balmoral plaza is not at serangoon or kovan. It’s at bukit Tomah and the nearest mrt would be either botanic gardens mrt or newton mrt. Thank you!!
Everytime I search for cafes near my location, your blog never ceases to pop up with the best recommendations. Thank you so much for your dedication!