Mention Kovan and most people will think of the famous Punggol Nasi Lemak and the popular food stalls at Kovan 209 Market & Food Centre. But residents in the Kovan and Lorong Ah Soo neighbourhoods will tell you that the area is more than that. It is also home to many eateries and cafes that are worth exploring.
Here is our guide to the cafes in Kovan and Lorong Ah Soo to visit for brunch, coffee, ice cream and desserts.
One of the oldest cafes in Kovan, Ice Edge Cafe has been around for a decade and has gained a huge following with its hearty savouries and stellar sweets. Dishes served here are very affordable and generously portioned.
You might have heard of their legendary Mao Shan Wang Lava Cake, Waffles and Homemade Brownies, but Ice Edge Cafe is more than that. It offers a menu of wallet-friendly dishes (most mains are priced under S$20).
2 Kovan Rise
Simon Plaza, #01-10
Tel: +65 6858 5729
The Mad Hatter-inspired cafe, Hatter Street in Kovan has rebranded to Hooloo—a new cafe serving rice bowls, bagels, desserts, waffles and ice cream.
Hooloo is having a soft launch and serving only desserts, waffles and ice cream for now. It will officially open on 10 October 2021 and the new menu will include savoury mains as well.
212 Hougang Street 21, #01-333, Singapore 530212
Tel: +65 6988 4591
CIEL PATISSERIE
Situated in Lorong Ah Soo—near to the Kovan neighbourhood—Ciel Patisserie’s location might seem unlikely for an artisanal French bakery, but their cakes will make a special trip worthwhile.
Their Lemon Meringue Tart nails every component, from the sturdy meringue down to the buttery crust. Their bestselling Strawberry Shortcake boasts a light sponge cake interspersed with sweet whipped cream and dewy strawberries.
124 Hougang Ave 1, #01-1444
Singapore 530124
Tel: +65 6383 0803
FATCAT ICE CREAM & COFFEE BOUTIQUE
Known for its charcoal waffles with salted egg yolk sauce, FATCAT Ice Cream Bar is a popular ice cream shop in Bedok and it has just opened a new outlet, FATCAT Ice Cream & Coffee Boutique, at 15 Simon Road which is just a short walk from Kovan MRT Station.
The new outlet in Kovan is for takeaway only and there is no dine-in area. As such, they will not be serving their signature charcoal waffles here. Other than ice cream, the new boutique will also be offering coffee (S$4 for black coffee, and S$5 for white coffee) using a blend of Ethiopian and Colombian beans, as well as Milkshake cold brews (S$8) and refreshing Yuzu soda (S$7).
FATCAT Ice Cream & Coffee Boutique
15 Simon Road
Singapore 545900
FLAVOUR FLINGS
Flavour Flings at Lorong Ah Soo near Kovan 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.
Hougang Ave 1, Block 121
#01-1348
Singapore 530121
Tel: +65 6286 0051
LICKERS
Next to Ciel Patisserie is Lickers Ice Cream, a hipster ice cream cafe which opens until 2am from Tuesdays to Sundays.
Serving up the usual fare of ice cream and waffles, the flavours vary depending on the fresh produce they can find that day.
124 Hougang Ave 1, #01-1446
Singapore 530124
LOLA’S CAFE
Known for its brunch fare, coffee and cakes, Lola’s Cafe is one of the more popular cafes in Kovan.
Just don’t go during peak periods over the weekend, as you might end up waiting up to an hour for your food. It is also one of the few dog-friendly places in the Kovan and Serangoon neighbourhoods.
5 Simon Road
Singapore 545893
Tel: +65 6343 1808
Artisanal French Bakery Maison Kayser has opened its 6th Outlet at Stars of Kovan in the Kovan neighbourhood. The new outlet is located at Stars of Kovan and it has taken over the former premise of Sugartree Gelato.
There are a few seats in the small bakery cafe and you can enjoy a cup of coffee/tea with your bread and pastries.
Maison Kayser
988 Upper Serangoon Rd
#01-28 Stars of Kovan
Singapore 534733
+65 9010 7389
Daily: 7.30am – 5.30pm
Located along the same stretch as Yaowarat Thai Kway Chap, Punggol Nasi Lemak, Ding Te Le and Qi Wei Chicken Claypot, Naked Ice Cream is a new waffle and ice cream cafe in Kovan which opens until 2am daily.
Like most ice cream cafes in Singapore, you can have your ice cream in a cup, cone or with a waffle. There are two waffles to choose from—Plain Waffle (S$3.80), or Charcoal Waffle (S$4.80). For drinks, you can choose from coffee, tea and house special fizzies.
957 Upper Serangoon Rd
Singapore 534717
THE BREAD SHOP
Other than freshly-baked bread and pastries, The Bread Shop in Kovan serves up the usual brunch works, but of great quality at affordable prices. Most of the dishes on the menu are priced under S$16.
953 Upper Serangoon Rd
Singapore 534715
Tel: +65 6581 7461
Known for its locally-inspired ice cream flavours including Orh Haw (hawthorn berry), Orh-Bee-Good (pulut hitam) and In-Kueh-Dible (salted coconut & gula melaka), The Humble Scoop has opened its second outlet at Stars of Kovan.
The new ice cream takeaway shop in Kovan prides themselves on locally inspired ice cream flavours and they do not use any colourings, flavourings or additive in the ice cream.
988 Upper Serangoon Road
Stars of Kovan #01-02
Tel: +65 8803 5981
SEE YOU LATTE
See You Latte is an Indonesian-fusion cafe at Stars of Kovan
Beef Rendang Rice (S$11.90), Indonesia Curry Chicken Rice (S$8.90) and Grilled Chicken with Rice (S$8.90).
All the ingredients in our café are fresh from the market and do not contain any MSG.
988 Upper Serangoon Road,
#01-15, Stars of Kovan, Singapore 534733
Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/twocranes.sg/
TWO CRANES
For brunch and coffee with a Korean twist, Two Cranes is one to visit. This Korean-inspired cafe offers an eclectic mix of coffee beverages, savouries and desserts.
Some of the Korean mains you can try include Wonda Army Stew (S$16.90), Fu Bimbimbap (S$13.90), and Kimchi Fried Rice (S$12.90).
Block 211, Hougang Street 21, #01-291
Singapore 530211
Tel: +65 8166 0140
Read our guide on the cafes in Serangoon neighbourhood.