Belgium, compared to its more popular neighbouring countries France, Germany and the Netherlands, tends to be an overlooked travel destination. But you should know that the country has a lot to offer – from its culture, architecture as well as its cuisine. Just their famed chocolates and waffles should be a good enough reason for you to visit!

There is no better place to start than the vibrant capital of Brussels, which is also the de facto capital of the European Union. Here’s a 48 hours guide to get you started!

EXPERIENCE LIFE-CHANGING FRIES

One thing you have to know about Belgium is that the Belgians take their fries very seriously. Known as frites the secret to these amazing potatoes is that they are fried twice. What you get are crispy golden brown fries that are soft and fluffy on the inside, and served with a sauce of choice.

The capital of Belgium is dotted with friteries or fritkots all over the place so there is no excuse for you not to try it!

WALK ALONG THE COMIC BOOK ROUTE

Did you know that the popular comic The Adventure of Tintin is actually by a Belgian cartoonist Hergé? In celebration of their most popular comic strip hero, you’ll find a large mural of Tintin along Rue de l’Etuve – you won’t miss it.

Other murals scattered around downtown Brussels include popular comics such as Asterix and Lucky Luke. Since there are about 60 murals along the comic book route, a fun way to explore the city is to see how many you can find!

SNAP A SHOT OF MANNEKEN PIS

Just a stone’s throw away from the Tintin comic mural is Belgium’s biggest (or smallest) tourist attraction. This iconic bronze statue measuring only 61 cm is the national symbol of Brussels and probably the smallest landmark you’ll ever see. Maybe even the weirdest.

Translated as “little boy”, this statue portrays the said little boy naked and urinating into a fountain’s basin. Mannekin Pis also dons various outfits throughout the year. Despite its oddity, tourists from all over the world still flock to this statue for a photo.

FEAST ON SEAFOOD ON THE STREETS

Located in the heart of Brussels is Noordzee – Mer du Nord, a fish bar that is popular among both locals and tourists for their fresh seafood. There is no fixed menu and instead, what offered is their daily catch. Order at the counter, grab a table and wait for your name to be called!

A must-try here is their traditional fish soup, which is served with grated cheese and croutons. Pair your seafood with a glass of champagne or white wine to get the full experience. Although it might be hectic, it will definitely be worth it.

Noordzee – Mer du Nord
Place Sainte-Catherine 50
1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Tel: +32 2 513 11 92
Tue to Sun: 11am – 6pm
(Closed on Monday)

MARVEL AT THE ARCHITECTURE AT GRAND PLACE

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Grand Place or Grote Markt is an impressive market square surrounded by guildhalls featuring a mix of baroque and gothic architecture. From the Museum of the City of Brussels to the Brussels Town Hall, you’ll be blown away by the sheer splendour of the opulent architecture in every direction you look.

Come every other mid-August, a Flower Carpet made out of more than 500,000 begonias is constructed over the main square for one weekend only! If you ever have the chance to catch this masterpiece, be sure to get the best view from the City Hall’s balcony.

SHOP AT GALERIES ROYALES SAINT HUBERT

Built in 1847, Galeries Royales Saint Hubert is one of the first shopping arcades in Europe. This glass-roofed shopping arcade is lined with boutiques, cafes, chocolatiers, and even a cinema. The high ceilings and ambience of grandeur make it a great place to spend the afternoon.

Stop by Mokafe to get a taste of the famous Belgian waffles and choose from an array of well-known chocolatiers such as Godiva and Neuhaus to get some Belgian chocolates.

Rue des Bouchers 5
1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Tel: +32 2 545 09 90

GET A PANORAMIC VIEW AT MONT DES ARTS

Designated as a space for art and surrounded by museums and cultural centres, Mont des Arts offers one of Brussels’ best views. Meaning “hill of the arts”, this cultural hotspot is where all art lovers gather. Relax and enjoy the greenery of the garden before climbing a few steps to the vantage point.

The top of the hill overlooks the pristine garden as well as the spire of Brussels’ City Hall. On good days, you’ll be able to see even as far as the Atomium and Koekelberg Basilica.

Photo Credit: Atomium

VISIT THE ATOMIUM

Originally built in 1958 for the Brussels World’s Fair, it is now a permanent structure and Belgium’s most iconic landmark. Essentially a blown-up version of the iron crystal, this is indeed a unique piece of architecture that you have to see for yourself if you are ever in Brussels.

Inside the Atomium, walk through the spheres and tubes to enjoy a panoramic view of the city as well as the exhibition to learn more about its history. Additionally, head to the restaurant if you’re feeling peckish.

Square de l’Atomium
1020 Bruxelles, Belgium
Tel: +32 2 475 47 75
Daily: 10am – 6pm

Photo Credit: Chez Léon 1893

EAT LIKE A BELGIAN

When in Belgium, eat like a Belgian. Of course, you can’t leave without trying moules-frites – their national dish of mussels and fries. A simple but quintessential French-Dutch fare, it’s a perfect reflection of the country’s history.

The mussels are traditionally stewed in white wine, herbs and vegetables but now you can find variations such as a thicker one made with cream or one where the white wine is replaced with beer. One place to have this Belgian speciality is the popular Chez Léon located in downtown Brussels.

Besides breathtaking landscapes, friendly locals, mouth-watering Italian cuisine and rich history and culture, what we most loved about Italy is their love for gelato. You can find a gelateria in almost every street – and sometimes, a few gelaterie side by side – and once you have tried gelato in Italy, you will never see it in the same light again.

Since you’re in Italy, you can totally afford to have a gelato a day. But make your calories count, because ain’t nobody got time for subpar gelato.

Here is our scoop on some of the best gelaterie you can find in Italy.

AMORINO

At this Italian gelato chain, watch the flavours of your choice get carefully crafted – petal by petal – onto a cone. What you get is their iconic gelato flower that does not only look good but also tastes good. To make it prettier than it already is, opt to add a macaron on top of it.

Via del Corso, 44
50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Tel: +39 055 267 0016
Sun to Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri to Sat: 11am – 11.30pm

CIOCCOLATITALIANI

When you’re in Milan this is one gelateria you have to visit. Although you can choose your own flavours, their gelato combinations are a match made in heaven! As they also specialize in chocolate, cones are filled with decadent melted chocolate straight from the tap before gelato scoops are stacked on and finished with meringue on top.

Via San Raffaele, 6
20121 Milano MI, Italy
Tel: +39 02 8909 3820
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 11pm
Sat: 8.30am – 12am
Sun: 8.30am – 11pm

EMILIA CREMERIA

If you ever find yourself in the ancient city of Pompei to see the ruins, Emilia Cremeria is the perfect place for you to get your gelato fix at, especially so during the unforgiving Italian summers.

Located at the main square Piazza Bartolo Longo, this quaint gelateria offers a small but diverse range of gelatos and sorbets with ingredients sourced from the best local produce.

Piazza Bartolo Longo, 54
80045 Pompi NA, Italy
Tel: +39 327 162 4477
Sun to Fri: 9.30am – 1.30am
Sat: 9.30am – 2.30am

GELATERIA DEL TEATRO

Having been featured in many guides to the best gelato in Rome, Gelateria del Teatro is not a secret for those in-the-know. It uses the freshest ingredients – like pistachio from Sicily, walnut from Sorrento – and there are many interesting flavour combinations such as white chocolate and basil, pear and caramel, cheese and cherry, custard and pine nuts.

Our personal favourites are their cheese almond and fig, and rosemary honey and lemon. But the only gripe we have is that the scoops here are much smaller than most gelaterie in Rome.

Via dei Coronari, 65/66
00186 Roma RM, Italy
Tel: +39 06 4547 4880
Daily: 11am – 10.30pm

GELATERIA VALENTINO

There are a dozen gelaterie around Fountain di Trevi, but the place that you should head to – besides the famous Il Gelato di San Crispino – is Gelateria Valentino. There are no outrageous flavours or mind-blowing selection, but what Gelateria Valentino offers is authentic gelato with classic Italian flavours.

Its Love Me (Ferraro Rocher flavoured gelato) is worth a try. Otherwise, go for a scoop of its signature dark chocolate. But a word of caution: the dark chocolate is pretty rich!

Via del Lavatore, 96
00187 Roma RM, Italy
Tel: +39 06 678 3219
Daily: 10am – 11pm

GELATERIA VERNAZZA

One way to explore the beautiful Ligurian coast is through the hiking trails that link the five colourful villages of Cinque Terre together. Stop by Gelateria Vernazza in Vernazza for a pick-me-up and enjoy your gelato by the coast as you take in the picturesque view in front of you. As Liguria is the birthplace of basil, you definitely have to try the basil flavoured gelato!

Via Roma, 13
19018 Vernazza SP, Italy
Daily: 10am – 11.30pm

GELATO FANTASY

Due to its close proximity to Piazza San Marco in Venice, Gelato Fantasy might seem like a tourist trap but rest assured it’s not. This gelateria churns out excellent gelato and has a great selection of flavours — even vegan ones!

Apart from the friendly service, the scoop here is significantly bigger than usual and prices are actually lower than other gelaterias around the square.

Calle dei Fabbri, 929
30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Tel: +39 041 522 5993
Daily: 10am – 11.30pm

GIOLITTI

Despite the mixed reviews on Giolitti – some people find it too touristy and over-hyped – it is a place that we return to again and again for their Nutella flavour whenever we are in Rome. We have sampled Nutella gelato from many gelaterie, but no one else comes close.

Via degli Uffici del Vicario, 40
00186 Roma RM, Italy
Tel: +39 06 699 1243
Daily: 10am – 12am

GROM

Any discussion of gelato in Italy will inevitably lead to Grom, which is quite possibly one of the most famous gelateria in Italy, with outlets in Florence, Venice, Milan, Rome and even New York! Grom is popular for its extensive range of fruit sorbet and serves a respectable scoop of gelato made with natural flavours. This is a must-try when you’re in Italy.

Piazza Navona 1
Via Agonale 3
00186 Roma RM, Italy
Tel: +39 06 6880 7297
Sun to Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat: 11am – 12am

IL GELATO DI SAN CRISPINO

An establishment in Rome and of Eat, Pray, Love fame, this gelateria has been serving up gelato to locals and tourists alike, so it is fair to say that they know their gelato well. One thing about Il Gelato di San Crispino is that you can only get your gelato in a cup because they believe that the flavour of the cone is too strong for their exquisite gelato.

Via della Panetteria, 42
00187 Roma RM, Italy
Sun to Thu: 11am – 12.30am
Fri to Sat: 11am – 1.30am

LA BOTTEGA DEL GELATO

In Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, and don’t know where to get good gelato? Skip the gelaterie near the tower and head to La Bottega del Gelato. Facing the Arno River, this gelateria is a local favourite — plenty of flavours to choose from and generous portions, what’s not to love?

Piazza Garibaldi, 11
56127 Pisa PI, Italy
Tel: +39 050 575 4675
Daily: 11am – 1am

OLD BRIDGE GELATERIA

After a day of exploring Vatican City, take a short walk to Old Bridge, which serves some of the best scoops in the city. An institution in Rome, Old Bridge uses only whole milk, whipped cream and fresh fruits, and it features popular flavours like stracciatella, creme caramel, pistachio, fior di latte and Nutella.

Viale dei Bastioni di Michelangelo, 5
00192 Roma RM, Italy
Tel: +39 06 4559 9961
Mon to Sat: 10am – 2am
Sun: 2.30pm – 2am

PERCHÉ NO!…

One of the oldest gelateria in Florence, Perché no!… has been serving up authentic gelato from their humble shop since 1939. With that much experience in the art of making gelato, you can expect top-notch consistency and flavouring from this gelateria.

The name of this gelateria means “why not” in Italian, and with so many inviting flavours offered, you really can’t help but ask this question to yourself.

Via dei Tavolini, 19r
50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Tel: +39 055 239 8969
Mon, Wed to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Tue: 12pm – 8pm

From waterfalls to the Northern Lights, we are no strangers to the natural beauty that can be found in Iceland. Originating from Scandinavian cuisine after the Vikings settled in Iceland, Icelandic cuisine is not common and is probably something you can experience only when you’re there.

Some might be too exotic for our taste buds, but nonetheless here are 5 foods to get you acquainted with Icelandic cuisine.

Photo Credit: abc.ibo

HÁKARL

Often resembling cheese cubes, Hákarl is an Icelandic delicacy might not sit well with many. It is essentially shark meat that is fermented by burying it underground and then hung up to dry. As like most fermented foods, Hákarl has a strong taste and smell, and it’s probably why people down shots of Brennivín—a signature spirit of Iceland—after eating it.

Photo Credit: The Reykjavík Grapevine

LAMB

Sheep farming is practised throughout Iceland and it’s no surprise that lamb makes up a huge part of Icelanders’ diet. No part of the sheep is wasted and that means that even the head is used! Svið is a delicacy where the sheep’s head is smoked and may even be made into sheep head jelly. Another sheep dish is Kjötsupa which is traditional lamb soup that is usually eaten in winter.

PLOKKFISKUR

Plokkfiskur is a traditional fish stew that you’ll often find in Icelandic homes. Meaning ‘plucked fish’, the stew is more like a gratin and is made of white fish, potatoes and white sauce. Plokkfiskur was a way locals used to make something out of leftovers, but now it’s a common dish that you can find throughout Iceland.

Photo Credit: Bæjarins Beztu

PYLSUR

Hot dogs or pylsur is a popular fast food amongst locals and tourists in Iceland. But what makes Icelandic hot dogs special? Well, the hot dogs in Iceland are mostly made of lamb along with some pork and beef. And the best way to enjoy pylsur is to order it with “the works”, which refer to condiments of ketchup, mustard, onions (both raw and fried) and remoulade.

Photo Credit: iseyskyr

SKYR

The ‘yoghurt’ of Iceland, Skyr is said to have been around since the Vikings. Skyr is made from skim milk and bacteria culture only found in Iceland, and is likened to Greek yoghurt but is lighter on the palate. It’s pretty easy to get your hands on Skyr anywhere in Iceland and it comes in various flavours too!

Chinatown or niu che shui in Chinese, was once home to the early Chinese immigrants of Singapore. Its Chinese name comes from the bullock carts that used to supply fresh water to the immigrants that lived in the area.

Fast forward to the present day, this ethnic enclave has transformed into an eclectic amalgamation of old and new. Think boutiques housed in restored heritage shophouses and some of Singapore’s oldest temples nestled among high skyscrapers.

From places of worship and heritage murals to Singapore’s largest hawker centre, here is our Guide to Singapore’s Chinatown. With so much to see and so many things to do, you’ll definitely be captivated by the charms of this old neighbourhood.

BUDDHA TOOTH RELIC TEMPLE

Located in the heart of Chinatown is Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, one of Singapore’s most popular tourist attractions. This Tang-styled Chinese Buddhist temple features intricate architecture and it is here where visitors are able to view sacred religious artefacts. It boasts a rooftop garden that exudes tranquillity as well as a large prayer wheel and pagoda.

288 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058840
Tel: +65 6220 0220
Daily: 7am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

CHINATOWN COMPLEX FOOD CENTRE

At Singapore’s largest hawker centre with almost 300 food stalls, you are guaranteed to get an authentic experience at Chinatown Complex Food Centre. With a myriad of local cuisine to choose from and prices ranging from S$2.50 to S$3, you’ll not only be spoilt for choice but you’ll be more than glad to sweat it out too.

355 Smith Street
Chinatown Complex
Singapore 050335
Nearest Station: Chinatown

ELDERLY CORNER

Just right in front of Chinatown Complex Food Centre, you’ll find a sheltered area where many senior citizens and residents gather for a lil’ R&R. Most of the time, they can be seen playing Checkers or Chinese Chess, reading newspapers or simply chatting with each other.

MURALS

Hidden in the nooks and crannies of the concrete jungle, Singapore actually has a flourishing street art scene. And Chinatown is a good starting point to embark on a street wall crawl around the island.

The more popular ones here such as the Cantonese Opera, Detective Conan in Chinatown and Paper Mask and Puppet Seller are by prominent local street artist Yip Yew Chong who is known for his murals of Old Singapore that encompasses our heritage.

PAGODA STREET

Upon exiting Chinatown MRT station, you’ll find yourself on Pagoda Street the main shopping street of Chinatown. A famous area for opium trade back in the day, it has been transformed into a pedestrian street lined with restored shophouses and street stalls selling souvenirs.

Also located here is the Chinese Heritage Centre where you can experience how life was for the early migrants that settled in Chinatown.

SRI MARIAMMAN TEMPLE

Situated in vibrant Chinatown is Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple. Built by Indian immigrants in the 1800s, the exterior of the temple features 6 tiers of sculptures of deities and mythological figures. The fact that you can find a Hindu temple in the middle of an ethnically Chinese enclave is a clear testament of multiculturalism in Singapore.

244 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058793
Daily: 7am – 12pm, 6pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

SINGAPOREAN ICE CREAM SANDWICH

Cool off from the sweltering heat by getting yourself a Singaporean ice cream sandwich – a dessert that is unique to our island. Nestled between a piece of rainbow-coloured bread or wafers is a huge block of ice cream with a flavour of your choice. It’s easy to spot the ice cream uncle, just look out for a big red umbrella!

In an Asian society like Singapore where a lot of emphasis is put on ‘face’, there is a social stigma surrounding those with a criminal record. Some way or another, there is bound to be some prejudice against this marginalized group of people.

However, there are many eateries of second chances in Singapore which strive to integrate ex-offenders and youths-at-risk back into society.

Many of the founders of these social enterprises had a rough past too and found their calling in cooking which helped them reform. Building on the past to make a better tomorrow, here are 6 places of second chances to dine at that employs ex-offenders.

EIGHTEEN CHEFS

A household name for good and affordable Western fare, Eighteen Chefs is dedicated to employing ex-offenders and youths-at-risk. The founder, an ex-convict himself, believes in second chances as he too had failed multiple times to secure a job due to his past. Moreover, he wants to empower his employees by equipping them with lifelong skills to have confidence in their future.

Eighteen Chefs has several outlets. Check out the full list here.

Photo Credit: Five &2

FIVE &2

Located amidst the lush greenery and tranquillity of Punggol Park is Five &2, a bistro under the Timbre Group which works with several organizations to hire ex-inmates as well as the disabled. The five refers to providing a meal to an underprivileged family for every five meals sold while the two refers to its two social missions, namely feeding the underprivileged and providing employment to the marginalized.

The bistro also uses technology to simplify jobs for its employees. On the menu are local favourites and some fusion dishes that are bound to whet your appetite!

97 Hougang Avenue 8
Punggol Park
Singapore 538792
Tel: +65 6282 8801
Mon to Fri: 5pm – 1am
Sat: 4pm – 1am
Sun: 4pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Hougang

Photo Credit: Garçons

GARÇONS

The founder of Garçons was a troubled teen but it was his passion for cooking that led him back to the right path. Gaining experience starting from working at a zi char stall to a Michelin-starred restaurant, he decided to set out on his own. Dishing out quality French cuisine at affordable prices, the restaurant also employs and trains ex-offenders and youths-at-risk so that they can pursue a future in F&B.

340 Tanjong Katong Road
Singapore
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Dakota

Photo Credit: Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh

SOON HUAT BAK KUT TEH

If you’re craving for some bak kut teh to warm your belly, consider heading over to Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh at Simpang Bedok to support a good cause. The founder who was an ex-convict himself opened this shop to give others like him a second chance at life. Served in clay pots, the dry bak kut teh is popular here but the Klang-style soup version is just as good! Apart from that, they serve up some zi char dishes as well.

302 Bedok Road
Singapore 469460
Tel: +65 6273 3338
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tanah Merah

Photo Credit: theofficialtce

THE CAFFEINE EXPERIENCE

The Caffeine Experience is not only a cafe that takes coffee seriously but it has a social mission of helping past drug abusers and youths-at-risk assimilate back into society. The founder who was a drug abuser as well believes that creating an inclusive working environment is a good distraction for drug addiction.

As this group of people tend to be uneducated, the founder wants to train them in barista skills as it’s a relatively easy skill to pick up. Next time you’re looking for a pick-me-up, consider coming here to get a cuppa.

120 Maxwell Road #B1-15
Tanjong Pagar Xchange #B1-15
Singapore 069119
Tel: +65 6224 1640
Mon to Fri: 8am – 4pm
Sat: 10am – 2pm
(Closed on Sunday)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

WOW WOW WEST

Everyone knows that ABC Brickworks Food Centre is home to a plethora of seriously good local hawker fare. Popular for its reasonable prices and generous portions of old-school Western food, Wow Wow West supports the Yellow Ribbon Project by hiring ex-convicts. One portion here is easily enough for two small eaters and certainly filling for a famished person. Wow Wow West is definitely one place where you can get a bang for your buck with its huge portions!

6 Jalan Bukit Merah #01-133
ABC Brickworks Food Centre
Singapore 150006
Tel: +65 9380 8571
Tue and Sat: 10.30am – 2pm, 4.30pm – 8pm
Wed to Fri: 11pm – 2pm, 4.30pm – 8pm
(Closed on Monday and Sunday)
Nearest Station: Queenstown / Redhill

IKEA and meatballs. That’s probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Sweden. We don’t blame you, both are great. But, Sweden is much more than that. Enter fika, Swedes’ favourite pastime.

What is fika, you may ask? Essentially, it translates to “coffee”. However, it goes beyond just that – it’s a lifestyle, a culture, a ritual. It can very well be considered a social institution or even a phenomenon.

The concept of fika is simply to appreciate the slow life – something we desperately need in this fast-paced society. Acting as both a noun and a verb, to fika or to have a fika is to take a break with a coffee, or tea, and a sweet treat.

It might sound just like any other tea time, but having lived in Sweden for a while, we can safely conclude that it is not. It’s fika time any time.

In Sweden, it’s seamlessly integrated into daily life in various ways. For instance, at work, there is designated fika time in the morning and afternoon. You can fika solo or with your friends, at home or at a cafe, with coffee or tea. It’s all up to you to decide.

Convinced that you should partake in fika? Here we introduce some desserts that you can pair with your coffee (or tea) for your fika.

PRINSESSTÅRTA

Layers of sponge cake, vanilla custard, cream and berry jam encased in a bright green marzipan shell – it’s hard to miss. Prinsesstårta or Princess Cake is a classic Swedish cake named as such because it is said to be particularly liked by princesses. And we totally get why — fluffy cake and cream, and the bite from the marzipan — it’s a mouthful of royal goodness.

Loved so much by the Swedes, a whole week in September is dedicated to this cake. For every cake sold, 10 SEK is donated to a charity run by Crown Princess Victoria. You can get a slice of this delectable cake at almost any cafe for your fika.

SEMLA

Semla (plural: semlor) is a sweet cardamom-flavoured bun filled with sweet cream and almond paste. It’s so popular it has its own day in Sweden: Fat Tuesday. That’s right, Fat Tuesday. With traditions rooted in fettisdag (Shrove Tuesday, or in this case Fat Tuesday), it’s usually eaten before the Lenten fast.

On this day, the semla is traditionally baked and eaten. But Swedes adore the semla so much that they start eating it on Tuesdays starting from Christmas till Easter. Soft and creamy, we’d eat it every day if we could.

Photo Credit: nightborntravel

PANNKAKOR

Something more familiar, pannkakor are Swedish pancakes usually served with whipped cream and jam. Despite being called pancakes, they are thin and resemble crepes. Pannkakor are lighter, fluffier, and airier as compared to the usual pancakes. They are also traditionally eaten after pea soup on Thursdays. So tender and moist, it goes extremely well with a cup of coffee for fika.

The next time you find yourselves in Sweden, do enjoy some fika goodness!

The land of fire and ice, Iceland is one place you must visit in your lifetime. From majestic waterfalls and black-sand beaches to glacier lagoons and volcanoes, Iceland has it all. This Arctic island exudes different charms from season to season but the landscapes remain picturesque.

Although photos simply don’t do justice to the beauty of the raw wilderness and natural wonders in Iceland, here are 7 things to do in Iceland that will hopefully inspire you to make a trip there.

Photo Credit: Iceland Travel

CATCH THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

Definitely on everyone’s bucket list is to see the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis at least once in their lives. Being located near the Arctic Circle, Iceland is one of the best places to catch this phenomenon. The best time to see the lights in their full glory is from September to April when the nights are long.

And trust us when we say that this is possibly the most beautiful thing that Mother Nature has created because nothing can compare to the feeling when you witness the lights dance above you, not even the cold!

CHASE WATERFALLS

Icelandic waterfalls are of a different league, and it’s honestly tough to beat the grandeur and beauty of these natural wonders. There are thousands of waterfalls in Iceland and we can’t get enough of them. Despite the sheer number of waterfalls, each and every one is unique!

There’s Glymur which was considered the highest waterfall until recently which requires a hike to or Dettifoss which is the most powerful waterfall in Europe. There is also Seljalandsfoss where you can go behind the cascading water or Svartifoss which means ‘black waterfall’ because of the black basalt columns.

If you’re lucky, you might even catch a rainbow at one of the waterfalls!

EXPLORE REYKJAVÍK

There’s just so much to see in Iceland and many may overlook its capital Reykjavík, which is the northernmost capital in the world. The vibrant city has a flourishing art scene and is dotted with museums and coffee shops.

Towering over the whole city is the majestic Hallgrímskirkja, the largest church in Iceland which offers a panoramic view of Iceland if you go to the top. Don’t miss out on the Sun Voyager sculpture and Harpa concert hall when you’re in Reykjavík too!

Photo Credit: Arctic Adventures

SOAK IN GEOTHERMAL SPAS

When you’re in Iceland, you must not miss out on their hot spring culture. A popular choice amongst tourists is the totally Instagrammable Blue Lagoon Spa. But if you’re not for exorbitant prices and jostling with the crowd, give this one a miss. Having a geothermal underbelly means that Iceland has many other alternatives for you.

You can find one almost anywhere; you can even find a hot tub in the middle of nowhere with a great view of snow-capped mountains. So just sit back and relish the soak in the warm waters amidst the clouds of steam and perhaps, an ice-cold beer if you fancy.

SINK YOUR FEET IN THE BLACK SAND BEACHES

Iceland is home to mesmerizing black sand beaches that are found along the southern coast. The jet black sand gets its unique colour from volcanic ash as there are over 100 volcanoes in Iceland. Each black sand beach has its own distinct features.

The most visited and well-known Reynisfjara has basalt columns that are incredibly beautiful against the vast Atlantic Ocean while Solheimasandur has a plane wreck and stunning glaciers lie along the black sand on Diamond Beach.

Photo Credit: Guide to Iceland

TRY GLACIER HIKING

What do you do when hiking mountains becomes too mainstream? Go glacier hiking of course. Glaciers make up about 11% of Iceland and two of the largest glaciers in Europe are found here! Glacier hiking is an increasingly popular activity to do and we can totally see why.

Traversing across the ice-cool surface against a beautiful backdrop of more blue and white or even exploring inside ice caves – definitely a game-changer. If that’s too adventurous then you opt for Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon where you can see chunks of ice floating in the water.

VISIT GAME OF THRONES FILMING SITES

With the immensely popular series finally finishing its run after 10 years, there’s no better time than now to hop on the plane to visit the filming locations! Fans of Game of Thrones will know that filming took place in many countries such as Croatia, Spain, Morocco, Ireland and of course, Iceland.

See the world of Game of Thrones appear right in front of your eyes—from Skogafoss and Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon where the dragons fly over to Kirkjufell which appeared in The Hound’s vision—filming locations are aplenty in Iceland! Even if you’re not a fan of the series, most of these places are still worth going too because every inch of Iceland is just too magical.

Eating cheap at Orchard Road can be quite a feat, seeing how even the prices at the food courts are significantly more expensive.

Tucked away on the second level of International Building, Hua Yi Kitchen serves a good selection of Shanghainese cuisine.

In fact, this cosy eatery has been serving authentic xiao long bao for 20 years – even before Din Tai Fung reached our shores!

We started off with the Steam Juicy Minced Pork Dumpling (S$6.80)—a basket of 6 plump and juicy xiao long bao. While the skin was a tad thick and the minced pork was on the rougher side, we liked the burst of flavour from the soup.

However, it was a pity that the little soup dumplings were stuck together and the skin tore when we tried to pick them up.

The Fried Rice with Eggs (S$6.80) was a decent plate of fried rice. Fragrant and full of eggy goodness, we wished it was more evenly seasoned.

Our favourite would have to be the Special Braised Beef Noodle Soup with Beef (S$9.80). The beef broth was hearty and even had a slight mala taste that warmed our bellies. It also came with tender beef chunks that were most likely stewed for hours. However, the dish would have been complete if the noodles were chewier.

360 Orchard Road
#02-11/12 International Building
Singapore 238869
Tel: +65 6235 3156
Daily: 9.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Poland might not be the first place you’d think of as a holiday destination. But this country has everything, from its history, culture and food to the sea and mountains. And it’s a pretty affordable European destination!

The former royal capital of Poland, 21st century Kraków is a city which still retains its old-world charm. Home to multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites and famous for its medieval core the Old Town as well as its trendy Jewish quarter Kazimierz, Kraków provides a glimpse into what Europe was like back in the day.

DAY TRIP TO AUSCHWITZ

Everyone should be familiar with “Auschwitz” for it is a name synonymous with the greatest mass murder in history. Located in the small town of O?wi?cim outside of Kraków, Auschwitz concentration camp was the largest Nazi concentration and extermination camp during WWII where over 1.1 million people were killed.

It has since been converted into a museum and memorial with guided tours available to educate visitors. Walk through the infamous “Arbeit Macht Frei” gate, which means “work will make you free” and be prepared for an extremely eye-opening and sobering experience. Inside the camp, you’ll get a glimpse of the atrocities and unfathomable crimes that happened during The Holocaust.

From the sheer amount of personal belongings—mountains of shoes, toys, suitcases and more—of the victims to scratches on the walls of the gas chambers, fear is everywhere. History buff or not, this is one place you have to see for yourself.

DINE AT A MILK BAR

When in Krakow—or any Polish city in fact—you must have at least one meal at a milk bar! A bar mleczny or milk bar is ubiquitous to Polish cuisine. Essentially a cafeteria of sorts that serves hearty Polish cuisine made primarily from carbs and dairy, this was where working-class Poles ate at post-WWII because of the value-for-money meals offered here.

It’s called a milk bar because, after WWII, the communist party wanted to make something out of the country’s huge dairy surplus. The typical menu at milk bars sees the likes of the traditional pierogi dumplings, potato pancakes and borscht among others.

EXPLORE THE OLD TOWN

Kraków Old Town was one of the first few places in Europe to be appointed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Fortunately untouched by the destruction of WWII, you can fully experience the medieval charms of this historic city.

Many of the city’s attractions—the Town Hall Tower which is the sole remainder of the old Town Hall and Sukkienice (Cloth Hall) which is lined with souvenir shops to St. Mary’s Basilica, an important place of worship in Krakow—are situated in the Main Market Square too.

While you walk along the cobbled paths admiring the Gothic and Renaissance architecture of old townhouses, stop by one of the many street carts selling obwarzanek krakowski to have a taste of Krakow’s favourite snack.

SUNSET AT WAWEL CASTLE

Follow the Royal Route from the Old Town and make your way up Wawel hill to the beautifully preserved Wawel Royal Castle. Encapsulating the essence of Polish politics and culture, the compound consists of the Wawel Cathedral and the Royal Palace which has been converted into five exhibitions. It’s especially breathtaking during sunset in the courtyard when you witness the golden rays bounce off the gold domes of Wawel Cathedral.

Photo Credit: rustic.moon

WALK AROUND THE JEWISH QUARTER

Just outside the city centre is Kraków’s history-rich Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz. Exuding a vibe completely different from the Old Town, this district used to be an independent town where Jews settled down.

Today, Kazimierz has become a trendy neighbourhood buzzing with indie galleries, hipster cafés and vintage shops. It is also here where Kraków’s art scene flourishes. However, you’ll still find remnants of the community’s history along Szeroka Street where the Old Synagogue – the oldest synagogue in Poland, Remuh Synagogue and Galicia Jewish Museum are located.

VISIT WIELICZKA SALT MINE

Go 327 metres underground to visit one of the oldest operating salt mines in the world. Wieliczka Salt Mine is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list and also one of Poland’s official Historic Monuments. Dating back to the 13th century, this salt mine produced table salt till 2007.

The premise features a museum, an underground lake, and four chapels and statues carved out entirely from salt by miners. Wieliczka Salt Mine is open for private bookings too so those looking for a unique venue to hold your wedding, you know where to go!

Seeing how we are stuck with this unforgiving weather all year round, it’s no surprise that many of us are on the perpetual search for new places to get our ice cream fix in Singapore. This time, our search has led us to Mingle Mangle, an ice cream parlour nestled at the edge of Hougang that scoops up a selection of classic and unique ice cream flavours.

At Mingle Mangle, there are more than 10 waffle flavours for you to choose from. Think dark chocolate, peanut butter, black sesame or even super spicy chilli and chicken cutlet – we were obviously spoilt for choice! Unfortunately, we only had room for one waffle so we went for the Matcha Waffle (S$6.50).

Crispy and airy, we were impressed at how fragrant the waffle was. Not only did the inside of the waffle have the distinct matcha green colour, but the overall flavour also stayed true to what matcha is supposed to taste like as well: bitter and earthy.

We paired our waffle with a Double Scoop (S$6.60) of Honey Cornflakes and Mud Slide. The former was delightfully sweet with cornflakes that were a bit soggy while the latter was decadent and rich. We appreciated how the ice creams at Mingle Mangle were not cloying and did not melt that fast too.

We also sampled the Chilli Crab and Hainanese Chicken Rice flavour. While they were well-executed, we were not adventurous enough to have a whole scoop of it. Those who have exotic taste buds should definitely make a trip here to try these interesting flavours.

476 Upper Serangoon View
#02-07 Hougang Capeview
Singapore 530476
Tel: +65 9727 6111
Mon, Wed to Fri: 1pm – 10pm
Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Sun: 12pm – 10pm
(Closed on Tuesday)
Nearest Station: Hougang / Buangkok

Opening its door with little fanfare earlier this year is Fine Dining Bakery by Akira .M, a Japanese bakery specialising in handcrafted breads made with flour from Hokkaido. Head baker chef Akira boasts impressive credentials, having worked at Joël Robuchon as well as béni in Singapore.

Particularly popular amongst the Japanese expats, most get their breads for takeaway but the bakery has a small dine-in area if you wish to enjoy their fresh bakes or sandwiches in house.

We started off with a Croissant (S$3.80). Toasted and served warm, the croissant was buttery and flaky but a tad dry. Fine Dining Bakery offers almond croissants, chocolate croissants and even chocolate banana croissants as well.

What really brought us to Fine Dining Bakery was the Fluffy Shokupan Sandwich (S$14.50) which came in a set with a mini salad and soup. The salad of fresh crunchy greens came with cherry tomatoes and rhubarbs for a splash of colour and was finished off with a homemade vinaigrette while the soup of the day was a sweet and creamy carrot soup that was lightly salted – perfect starters for our sandwich.

Now, for the main event. Made with honey and fresh cream, the shokupan slices were so fluffy and chewy we just couldn’t believe it. Between the two slices of shokupan was a generous amount of luscious egg salad that featured hints of spice from mustard, some tanginess from mayonnaise and was seasoned with chives and black pepper.

Not only was this sandwich such a delight to eat, but it was also filling; we can totally imagine coming back here just for it!

207 River Valley Road
#01-59 UE Square
Singapore 238275
Wed to Mon: 10am – 5pm
(Closed on Tuesday)
Nearest Station: Fort Canning

The capital and largest city of Germany, Berlin is a city with so much history.

From the Holocaust memorial to remains of the graffitied Berlin Wall, it’s one place you must visit especially if you’re a history buff.

In recent years, Berlin’s social food scene has been buzzing with third-wave cafés due to Berliner’s growing affinity for artisanal coffee and refined taste buds. With more and more cafés popping up, here are some places for a pick-me-up en route your history trip in Berlin.

Photo Credit: Brammibal’s Donuts

#1 BRAMMIBAL’S DONUTS

Located in the vibrant neighbourhood of Kreuzberg is Brammibal’s Donuts – the first vegan donut shop in all of Europe. Inspired to offer a healthier alternative, this cafe bakes fresh donuts daily. Apart from their regular 6 flavours, look out for their monthly and seasonal specials. Pair it with their speciality coffee and you’re good to go. Who said vegan desserts can’t taste good?

Maybachufer 8
12047 Berlin, Germany
Mon to Thu: 10am – 6pm
Fri to Sun: 10am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Schönleinstraße

//

#2 DISTRIKT COFFEE

Wood, black steel and leather against brick walls, the industrial interior of this café is everything. Situated along a quaint street, the cosy Distrikt Coffee serves up usual café nosh such as poached eggs on toast, granola and sandwiches. On top of really good coffee, there is a selection of homemade cookies and cakes for you to choose from as well.

Bergstraße 68
10115 Berlin, Germany
Mon to Fri: 8:30am – 5pm
Sat to Sun: 9:30am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Nordbahnhof

Photo Credit: Fine Bagels

#3 FINE BAGELS

Serving up authentic homemade NY-style bagels is Fine Bagels. There is an array of options — sweet or savoury, meat or vegan — you can be sure there’s a bagel for everyone. Sharing the same compound as the bookstore Shakespeare and Sons, this is the place to experience the marriage of good food and culture. Look out for the sign that says “Books & Bagels”, then head on in to grab a book and of course, a bagel.

Warschauer Straße 74
10243 Berlin, Germany
Daily: 8am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Warschauer Straße

#4 FIVE ELEPHANTS MITTE

This café is famous for its cheesecake, and for good reason. Rich, creamy and light at the same time, the cream cheese lies atop a buttery, sweet and slightly salty biscuit base. No wonder this cheesecake is so raved about. Wash it down a cuppa, with beans from their own roastery. Head on over to their Kreuzberg outlet if you want to have a sit-down as this one is pretty small and doesn’t have seats.

Alte Schönhauser Straße 14
10119 Berlin, Germany
Mon to Fri: 8:30am – 7pm
Sat: 10am – 7pm
Sun: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Weinmeisterstraße

//

Photo Credit: Princess Cheesecake

#5 PRINCESS CHEESECAKE

Also famous for cheesecake is Princess Cheesecake. Lovingly prepared and decorated with detail, these pretty pieces come in various flavours. And just to make sure that everyone gets to taste their cheesecake, there are low-sugar and gluten-free options as well. Perpetually packed, get there early to avoid any disappointment.

Tucholskystraße 37
10117 Berlin, Germany
Daily: 10am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Oranienburger Tor

#6 SILO COFFEE

A great place to get brunch in Berlin is this rustic Aussie café in Friedrichshain. Situated in this artsy neighbourhood, you can definitely feel the same vibes radiating off the cafe’s interior. Serving seriously good breakfast food, their rendition of the avocado toast was outstanding. Their passion for coffee shows through their large coffee selection from several roasters as well as the multiple brewing methods. A must-visit when you’re in Berlin for sure.

Gabriel-Max-Straße 4
10245 Berlin, Germany
Mon to Fri: 8:30am – 5pm
Sat to Sun: 9:30am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Warschauer Straße

The coffee scene in Singapore has been thriving, especially with the entrance of many third-wave cafés. And it doesn’t show signs of stopping any time soon. This is good news for coffee aficionados as this means that there’s always a new place to get your caffeine fix.

Previously known as Dancing Goat Specialty Coffee, this coffee shop is not exactly new but it has since been rebranded as Narrative Coffee Stand.

Located on the ground floor of Bras Basah Complex, the coffee shop sports a Kinfolk-esque interior with some bar seats and communal seating.

We started off our day with a White (S$4.50). Delightfully smooth and nutty, it had a mellow acidity towards the end with some fruity tones. It was pretty clean on the palate too!

For espresso, Columbian beans from Nylon Coffee Roasters are currently served.

To accompany our cuppa, we got a Raspberry Chocolate Scone (S$3) that was warmed up upon order. Despite being a tad dry for our liking, the scone was crumbly and had pockets of melty decadent dark chocolate pieces and raspberry swirls.

Apart coffee and a selection of tea, Narrative Coffee Stand has a daily line-up of fresh bakes such as brownies, muffins and cinnamon for you to choose from too.

231 Bain Street
#01-05 Bras Basah Complex
Singapore 180231
Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 6pm
Sat, Sun and PH: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Bras Basah

Originally known as the Public Utilities Board Building, TripleOne Somerset has undergone several facelifts over the years. Located at the quieter area of Orchard Road, off the main shopping street, it is now operating as a commercial building as well as a shopping mall.

The latest revamp of the TripleOne Somerset sees several new F&B tenants that are exclusive to the mall. Check out our TripleOne Somerset Food Directory to get an overview of what you can expect when the mall fully opens.

Coney Donut
#01-K1 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
Daily: 10am – 9pm

EAT.
#01-20 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
Tel: +65 6370 1155
Daily: 9am – 9pm

Fruit Paradise
#01-05 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 9pm
Sun: 11.30am – 5pm, 6pm – 8pm
PH: 11am – 9pm

Fun Toast
#01-19 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
Mon to Fri: 7am – 7.15pm
Sat to Sun, PH: 8am – 7.15pm

G Chop House
#01-K8 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
Daily: 9am – 9pm

//
Glyph Supply Co.
#01-06 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 7.30pm
Sat to Sun: 10am – 7.30pm

Green Ba
#01-18 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
Tel: +65 6909 5331
Daily: 11am – 9.30pm

Hvala
#01-10 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
(Coming Soon)

Imperial Treasure Steamboat
#02-14/19 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
(Coming Soon)

Jewel Juice & Waffle
#01-35 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
Tel: +65 9150 9842
Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 8.30pm
Sat: 11am – 6pm
Sun: 12pm – 4pm

Jones The Grocer
#01-03 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
(Coming Soon)

Kara-men Ajisen
#01-07 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
Daily: 10am – 10pm

Kyoaji
#02-05/06 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
Tel: +65 6694 3058
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 5pm – 10.30pm
Sat to Sun: 11.30 – 10.30pm

Maison Kayser
#01-09 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
Daily: 8am – 9pm

Meruto Cheesecake
#01-36 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
(Coming Soon)

//

Old Tea Hut
#01-39 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
Tel: +65 9850 4878
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 8.30pm
Sat to Sun, PH: 8.30am – 8.30pm

Pasta House
#01-K10/43 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
Daily: 11.30am – 8.45pm

Poke Theory
#01-04 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
Tel: +65 6904 9502
Daily: 10am – 9pm

PU3 Restaurant
#02-20 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
Tel: +65 6338 4419
Daily: 10am – 10pm

QOOLCO
#01-37 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
Daily: 10am – 10pm

Rebel
#01-08 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
Daily: 8.30am – 9pm

Sindy Durian
#01-K2 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
Daily: 10am – 10pm

So Good Bakery
#01-17 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
Mon to Fri: 8am – 9pm
Sat to Sun: 9am – 9pm

So Good Char Chan Teng
#01-16 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
Tel: +65 6493 0338
Daily: 10am – 9.30pm

Subway Niche
#01-K9 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
(Coming Soon)

Top Tea
#01-48 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
Tel: +65 6655 8333
Daily: 10am – 10pm

Yellow Cube by 328 Katong Laksa
#01-K3 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
Daily: 10am – 9.30pm

Photo Credit: Fuglen Asakusa

This mod café in the heart of a traditional neighbourhood is Norwegian coffee purveyor Fuglen’s second outlet in Tokyo.

In the vicinity of the historic Senso-Ji, it occupies two floors of Nine Hours capsule hotel. Fans of Fuglen would be glad to know that they can purchase their house blends there. They retail brewing equipment and accessories as well.

There are many ways to soak in the minimalist aesthetics. From cosy communal tables, to window seats to enjoy the sunlight or outdoor seats to people-watch.

Stepping into the café, you can definitely feel the Scandinavian influence – from the tastefully done interior to the well-thought-out decor. Coupled with the soothing music and soft chatter floating in the background, it’s the perfect place to relax after a day of exploring.

This outlet offers a more diverse menu as compared to one at Shibuya. In addition to their usual coffee offerings, on the menu, you can find Norwegian waffles and some sweets such as Øland Cookie and Cardamon Biscotti.

The Norwegian waffles — with its distinct heart-shaped edges — are thinner and softer than your usual waffles. Crispy and slightly sweet, it went extremely well with the savoury toppings. Some topping choices include smoked salmon, cream cheese, scrambled egg, sausage and sauteed spinach.

Coffee shop by day and bar by night, the café is open till late from Wednesday through Saturday. Apart from an alternate night menu, Fuglen serves up cocktails, beer and live jazz. We can’t think of a better way to end the day.

Fuglen Asakusa
Asakusa 2-6-15, Taito-ku
Tokyo, Japan 111-0032
Sun to Tue: 7am – 10pm
Wed to Thu: 7am – 1am
Fri to Sat: 7am – 2am
Nearest Station: Asakusa Station

Olla Specialty Coffee is a mobile coffee company that has been offering their services to events as well as operating coffee bars for companies, but they have finally found a home at Sunset Way now! Occupying a small shop space under a HDB block, this hole-in-the-wall café is the newest addition to the trove of eateries and bakeries in the neighbourhood.

Although this cosy café focuses mainly on coffee, a selection of teas, chocolate, matcha and chai is offered as well. What’s more, the drinks here are priced between S$3 and S$5.50 – super wallet-friendly prices! You can also pair your drinks with some buttermilk waffles and pastries too.

With its minimalist interior and chill vibes, Olla Specialty Coffee is a great place to grab your mid-day cuppa.

Olla Specialty Coffee uses single-origin coffee beans roasted by Nylon Coffee Roasters which are on a rotational basis according to the season. Currently offered are Guatemalan beans that feature tasting notes of berries, raisins and chocolate. Our 5 Oz White (S$4) was smooth and palatable with a nice mouthfeel – a truly satisfying cuppa.

Unlike other establishments, fresh chai is used for their Masala Chai Latte (Soy) (S$5.50). Upon hearing that, we knew we had to give it a try.

//

The difference between fresh chai and powdered chai was apparent in our aromatic cup of tea – we could taste the subtle sweetness from the honey that the leaves were preserved in as well as the strong kick of spice.

One of the better chai lattes you can get in Singapore, what you get here is full-on chai that is smooth and enjoyable.

We also got their signature Ondeh Ondeh Waffles (S$13.50) to accompany our drinks. The buttermilk waffle was airy and fluffy on the inside, and delightfully crisp on the outside. We loved that it also stayed that way till the end – signs of a well-executed waffle!

Perched on top of the waffle was a generous scoop of gula melaka gelato that was not too overwhelming and had the perfect consistency. The desiccated coconut provided a good crunch with every bite too. It’s served with a side serving of gula melaka sauce as well if you want to amp up the sugar.

Unfortunately, they ran out of the pandan sauce that was supposed to balance out the sweetness of the gula melaka components, so our waffle was to the sweeter side. But, we must say we thoroughly enjoyed their version of the Ondeh Ondeh dessert.

Describing themselves as just an ordinary place with extraordinary coffee and waffles, we can totally attest to that!

109 Clementi Street 11 #01-03
Singapore 120109
Tue to Sun: 8am – 6pm
(Closed on Monday)
Nearest Station: Clementi

A new addition to the trove of cafés and restaurants nearby the Botanic Gardens is Elixir Boutique Roasters. This bean-to-bar café doesn’t reveal its exact location in Serene Centre and encourages you to hunt them down instead. But lucky for you, we’ve hunted it down for you!

Located at the street level of Serene Centre, the café is so nondescript—dimly lit and no signboard—you’ll probably miss it if you’re weren’t looking for it. Elixir Boutique Roasters takes over the premise of Sugarhaus and shares the same space as Fat Belly which operates at night. Still in their opening phase, coffees here are currently pay as you wish.

The Single Origin Guatemalan White (3oz) was an enjoyable cuppa to start off our day. Well-bodied a gentle acidity, it had a pleasant mouthfeel with some fruity notes.

We also got a Blend White (3oz) which really awakened our senses the moment we had a taste of it. Definitely for the real coffee addicts, this kick of caffeine featured a rich blend of Brazilian and Ethiopian coffee beans. With a mild chocolate flavour, this bold cuppa left a dry and bitter aftertaste.

While coffee options are aplenty around Botanic Gardens, Elixir Boutique Roasters is one place worth adding to your list!

Elixir Boutique Roasters
10 Jalan Serene
Serene Centre #01-03A
Singapore 258748
Thu to Tue: 8.30am – 4pm
(Closed on Wednesday)
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

Situated in Vanguard Campus, the newest addition to the café enclave in Kallang is Banchong Café. Contrary to its mod decor which screams hipster café food, Banchong Café serves up local fare and the classic Singaporean breakfast of kopi and toast.

Going for an al fresco concept, the café was incredibly aesthetically-pleasing—white cages for walls, with plants adorning them, high ceilings and minimalist decor—definitely instagrammable according to our books.

With such aesthetics, you wouldn’t expect it to have a name like Banchong Café. But the origins of the name can be found on the stone plague, bearing Banchong Industries on the wall right at the entrance. The previous occupants of the building, Banchong Industries was a corrugated cardboard box manufacturer. And as a tribute to them, the café has named themselves after them.

The menu was simple and featured toasts, bowls and drinks, which were all at wallet-friendly prices. The café also prides themselves on locally-sourced ingredients and their kaya is made fresh in-house daily; none of that artificial colouring or preservatives.

//

First up was the French Loaf Kaya & Butter Set (S$4.50) which came with 2 soft-boiled eggs and a coffee or tea. Colloquially known as jiam tao loti or pointed bread, this type of bread is not usually offered when we order kaya toast.

Slightly toasted with a chewy core, the French loaf had a unique fragrance that went extremely well with the homemade kaya and huge slice of butter. Definitely a must-try when you’re here!

We also ordered the quintessential Kaya Toast (S$2.20). The perfectly toasted traditional bread was crisp and slathered with their homemade kaya and a thick wedge butter.

The homemade kaya from Banchong Café was an absolute delight. Light, fluffy and fragrant, it’s probably why the kaya toast here stands out from the crowd despite its simplicity.

//

Last up was the Laksa Set (S$6.50) which includes a coffee or tea. We thoroughly enjoyed the rich and thick laksa broth made from coconut milk and dried shrimps which was surprisingly spicy. It came in a sizeable portion and saw a generous serving of ingredients such as fresh prawns, fish cake, shredded chicken breast, hard-boiled egg and tau pok.

Our freshly brewed and pulled kopi was reminiscent of the traditional ones you’d get in coffee shops without the acidity. It was nutty and not overly sweet too. A good balance of tea and milk, we could tell quality tea leaves were used for the teh.

Catering mostly to the office crowd in the area, Banchong Café is a great place for local fare in a spruced up environment. And we love that they have taken it upon themselves in keeping traditions alive!

1 Kallang Junction
Vanguard Campus
Singapore 339263
Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 6pm
(Closed Saturday and Sunday)
Nearest Station: Bendemeer

Sesame & Bagels is the new kid on the block serving up all-day bagels baked fresh daily and other light bites in NEWest, a largely unoccupied shopping mall in a residential area in Clementi.

At Sesame & Bagels, you can opt to build your own bagel – choose from a range of bagels and schmears – or go for one of their bagel sandwiches. Do keep a lookout for their daily special offerings of bagel sandwiches as well.

The best thing is that there is no GST or service charge!

For our first bagel, we tried the namesake Sesame Bagel (S$2.50) which we paired with two schmears: Cream Cheese (S$2.50) and Kaya (S$2.50). Cut into half and slightly toasted, the bagel was chewy and had a firm bite to it; just how we like it!

The generous amount of black and white sesame seeds that adorned the bagel gave it a nutty and earthy taste that contrasted well with the sweet and fragrant kaya as well as the rich cream cheese.

Next, we tried the signature Sea Salt & Pepper Bagel (S$2.50). Our schmears of choice were Cream Cheese (S$2.50) as well as Avocado and Feta (S$4). Although served slightly toasted and halved as well, we preferred this to the Sesame Bagel as it was fluffier and more moist.

We loved that we got a whole fruit-worth of fresh avocado slices that was enough for the entire bagel. Also, the acidity from the feta cheese provided an added tanginess which cut through the creaminess of the avocado and cream cheese.

Occupying the front shop space of the mall, Sesame & Bagels enjoys a lot of natural light which complements their minimalist interior. Also offering a selection of artisanal coffees and tarts, we basked in the calming atmosphere while enjoying our bagels.

Sesame & Bagels is a great place in the West to chill and honestly, there aren’t many cafes in Singapore that specialise in bagels so thumbs up for this one!

3 West Coast Drive
NEWest #01-89
Singapore 128021
Tue to Fri: 10am – 2pm, 5pm – 7pm
Sat to Sun: 10am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Clementi

We first announced the news of % Arabica opening in Singapore back in August last year and we are happy to report that the wait is finally over.

The ever so popular Kyoto coffee chain % Arabica has finally opened their doors in Singapore at Arab Street! And at a pretty apt location we’d say. Striving to let people “see the world through coffee” as their philosophy, they have currently 36 stores in 10 countries.

Taking up a corner shop space, the coffee shop is decked out in their signature minimalist white interior that is incredibly aesthetically pleasing. Serving up their specialty blends and single-origin coffees, we predict long queues for the next few days. Or months.

% Arabica prides themselves in quality coffee beans that are harvested from their own farm in Hawaii as well as sourced from around the world. Our blend Caffe Latte (S$7) in short was aromatic from perfectly roasted beans which were soothed by the mellow creaminess of the milk. There was a pleasant bitter aftertaste that was not too overwhelming on the palate too.

Next up was a very photogenic iced Matcha Latte (S$9.60) that had a beautiful gradient against the cup bearing their iconic % emblem. Earthy and smooth, % Arabica nailed the matcha to milk ratio, with the full-bodied milk harmonizing with the bitter notes of matcha.

Fans of % Arabica will be pleased to know that apart from an in-house coffee roaster where you can purchase their freshly roasted beans, you can also get your hands on a range of the brand’s merchandise as well.

% Arabica Coffee Singapore has also announced the opening of two other outlets in Singapore at Chip Bee Gardens and 313@Somerset.

% Arabica Singapore
56 Arab Street
Singapore 199753
Daily: 8am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Bugis