With hipster cafés popping up all over our sunny island, we are simply spoilt for choice. Do you know that the North-East is home to a plethora of cafés — from crowd-favourite gelato and waffle parlours to floral-themed establishments reminiscent of a garden from a fairytale?
We have combed through all the noshery there is to find in the North-East, and narrowed down the best spots for you; what better than a chill hideaway nook with a mean cup of joe and Instagram-worthy food?
Forgo your neighbourhood bak chor mee stall — here are 15 cafes in North-East Singapore from Serangoon to Punggol you have to visit!
LICKERS
Nestled in neighbourhood estate Lorong Ah Soo is hip ice cream parlour Lickers. Notable for their affordable ice cream and waffles, this café operates until after midnight, so you can satisfy your sweet late-night cravings at 2am.
There’s also a multitude of flavours to choose from, including classics such as Dark Chocolate and Earl Grey and interesting options such as Yakult Oreo, Lychee Rose or Cookie Monster! They change the selection on some days too. You can choose between standard cup, cone or waffles, but we would recommend getting the gelato with their crispy buttermilk waffles — the generous dollop of ice cream tastes heavenly together with the fluffy base.
Blk 124 #01-1446
Singapore 530124
Tues to Thurs: 1pm – 2am
Fri to Sun: 12pm – 2am
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Kovan
COTTONTAIL CREAMERY
A stone throw’s away from Serangoon MRT Station, Cottontail Creamery is a Taiwanese-owned ice cream parlour. Resembling a rustic cottage, the décor is very much industrial-themed with brick walls and paintings. It gives off a very homely vibe and is perfect for families looking for an after-meal dessert.
With over 18 flavours to choose from, their award-winning vanilla gelato is a must try here, best paired with their fluffy waffles. They also have a wide selection of brunch dishes for those looking for a filling meal.
Blk 326 Serangoon Ave 3
#01-378
Singapore 550326
Tel: +65 8118 7552
Tues to Thurs: 11am – 10pm
Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat: 9am – 11pm
Sun: 9am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Serangoon
Think dusty pink walls, minimalistic marble and wooden furniture with faux plants, and you get a chic café: Amber Ember, esteemed for their unique jaffles and coffee. Jaffles are toasted sandwiches, and here, you can choose between sweet or savoury options. Inspired by Mod-Sin cuisine, they also serve up scrumptious brunch dishes.
If you’re looking for a cosy café to laze your weekends away while reading a book with a good cup of brew, do drop by Amber Ember.
#01-01, 730 Upper Serangoon
Singapore 534643
Tel: +65 6926 3312
Tues to Fri: 10am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 6pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Serangoon
Hands up if you love cookies! Better yet, those with oozing filling. At Kooks Creamery, you get the best of both worlds — molten lava filling in a crumbly cookie, topped with a generous scoop of ice cream. Upon stepping in the charming cafe, you can smell the aroma of baked cookies.
They have two signature sets: Matcha and Chocolate. It comes with a cookie that breaks apart and oozes lava while the scoop of ice cream sits upon it. You can also choose to have an a la carte cookie to bring home! They have a standard ice cream selection of 18 flavours, with a few premium flavours such as Ferrero Rocher and Milk Cereal.
Serangoon Ave 4 #01-02
Singapore 550211
Tel: +65 9006 8748
Tues to Thurs & Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 11pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Serangoon
OBLONG
Expect pop music blasting in the background upon stepping into Oblong, skateboards hanging on the walls and a dim-lit interior; the low lights add ambience and cosiness to the tiny parlour.
Oblong serves up fluffy stacked waffles, with a wide selection of handcrafted gelato. They also occasionally change up their flavours and waffle base. Our favourite is the red velvet waffle — the sandwiched cream cheese and creamy ice cream drizzled with various toppings and sauces is absolutely delish.
10 Maju Ave
Singapore 556688
Mon, Tues & Sun: 2pm – 12pm
Weds & Thurs: 7pm – 12pm
Fri & Sat: 2pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Serangoon
SEOUL GOOD
A Korean café fashioned out of a container, Seoul Good serves up scrumptious K-grub in Punggol East. You can spot it from afar with its cute penguin storefront! The self-service eatery is also set in an al fresco environment and is usually crowded during the weekends.
They have a diverse menu ranging from starters, mains to desserts. Their signatures are the Korean Fried Chicken Wings, which come in different dressings. Of course, no Korean café is complete without bingsu! Choose between six flavours and two different bases: yoghurt and milk. Seoul Good is a perfect spot to lounge with your friends and family while enjoying cold shaved ice on a hot day!
50 Punggol E #01-K36
Singapore 828824
Tel: +65 6884 6884
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Punggol
Lola’s Café is a popular eatery well-known for their specialty coffee and extensive brunch menu.
Some of their signatures include the all-day breakfast platter and pastas. Aside from their mains, Lola’s also serves some luscious desserts. Some of their popular dishes are the Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Tart and Brownie Jar!
5 Simon Rd
Singapore 545893
Tel: +65 6284 0349
Sun to Thurs: 10am – 11:30pm
Fri & Sat: 10am – 12am
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Kovan
Imagine a whimsical café inspired by Alice In Wonderland: Hatter Street Bakehouse is a quaint little eatery that immerses you into the world of fantasy and sweet treats. The interior is decorated with drawings, scribbles and quotes, adding character to the place. The café also aims to bring across passion and determination in their food, just like The Mad Hatter.
Their signatures are the Whoaffles, which are uniquely shaped with a crisp and airy texture. It also comes with a scoop of ice cream. We would also recommend a star dish here: the Unicorn Whoaffle.
212 Hougang Street 21
#01-333
Singapore 530212
Tel: +65 6988 4591
Daily: 1pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Kovan
The café is decorated with flowers, plants, brick walls and they even house a florist, giving off a very rustic atmosphere. They serve up a hearty brunch with some signatures such as the Wagyu Beef Burger and Yuzu Mac and Cheese.
Their pastries here are equally as visually appealing and yummy as well, with crowd favourites such as the Pea Flower Coconut Muffin and Honey Lemon Rosemary Tart. If you want to bring your furkids along, you can! They allow pets at the outdoor sitting area.
Level 1, 3 Park Lane,
Seletar Aerospace Dr, Park,
Singapore 798387
Tel: +65 8126 7524
Mon to Thurs: 9am – 11pm
Fri: 9am – 1am
Sat: 8:30am – 12am
Sun: 8:30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Punggol
A charming dessert shop tucked away in the neighbourhood of Jalan Riang, Wimbly Lu is known for their chocolate-themed treats. They also offer waffles, cakes, ice cream and chocolates.
Stepping in, you will feel right at home — the ambience is cosy with wooden furniture, brick walls and dim lights. Here, their best-selling item is their waffles. You can choose to have them plain or topped off with some homemade ice cream.
15-2 Jln Riang
Singapore 358987
Tel: +65 6289 1489
Nearest Station: Serangoon
ELEVEN STRANDS
Situated along Yio Chu Kang Road, Eleven Strands is a relatively new Italian, Asian and French cuisine café that has taken over Kombi Rocks. They have an indoor and al fresco dining area, and the interior is blue accented with wooden furniture, resembling a modern, chic diner.
Eleven Strands is the sister establishment to South Union Park, and some of their fare include classics such as the Chicken Liver Pate from South Union Park. Some popular items in the cafe also include the Crab Meat Pasta and the Truffle Kombu Fries.
66 Yio Chu Kang Road
Singapore 545568
Tel: +65 9487 1398
Tues to Fri: 12pm – 9pm
Sat: 10am – 9pm
Sun: 10am – 8pm
(Closed Mondays)
Nearest Station: Serangoon
Located in the heart of Hougang, Flavour Flings is a halal-certified café specialising in American-French cuisine. The people behind the first raclette salted egg yolk croissant in Singapore, the eatery has garnered a fair bit of regulars stopping by for their hearty all-day-breakfast and brunch menu.
Here, they spin their own twist to American-French classics, inventing new flavours and revamping ideas. Some of their signatures include the Beef Steak & Raclette and Salted Egg Yolk Fries. They also serve up iconic pastries such as the Salted Egg Yolk Croissant and Crème Brulee.
Hougang Ave 1, Block 121
#01-1348
Singapore 530121
Tel: +65 6286 0051
Mon, Thurs to Sun: 11:30am – 4pm, 5:30pm – 10pm
Weds: 5:30pm – 10pm
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Nearest Station: Hougang
CIEL PATISSERIE
A heartland patisserie that boasts a menu of French desserts, Ciel Patisserie is a hidden gem. Unassuming but very surprising, this small patisserie has a wholesome range of cakes and tarts that are mostly priced under S$6.
124 Hougang Avenue 1
#01-1444, 530124
Tel: +65 6383 0803
Tue to Thu: 11am – 8pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 9pm
Sun: 3pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon
Hi please update the article – Purist Patisserie no longer has a physical retail space at Jalan Pelikat.
And the new Apollo Coffee Bar in Serangoon Gardens!