A place that sees a large pool of executives, factory workers, novice drivers and the likes on a daily basis, Tai Seng is a pretty bustling area that still goes pretty much unnoticed by foodies.

Yet, those who work there will know that hidden within the industrial enclave lies a surprisingly vibrant slew of concept cafes.

If you find yourself a tad sick of your usual coffeeshop lunch option where its often crowded, humid and repetitive then here is our list of 6 Cafes in Tai Seng you should visit soon.

Photo Credit: Instagram

ALCHEMIST

Located at Khong Guan Biscuit’s old factory space is minimalist cafe Alchemist. This Instagrammable cafe roasts its beans in-house with a giant coffee roaster, leaving the entire place basking in the aroma of fresh coffee.

Alchemist offers a wide range of single-origin coffees and a selection of pastries to go along with your cuppa. If you’re ever bored of your instant coffee at the office, check them out for a great pick-me-up!

2 Mactaggart Road
#01-01 Khong Guan Building
Singapore 368078
Mon to Fri: 8am – 5pm
Sat: 9am – 6pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

Photo Credit: Instagram

JJAK & CO.

At Jjak & Co, you can ball on a budget with their Mentaiko Salmon bowl and Bara Chirashi bowls that are just below $15! If you’re feeling fancier, try their Cold Truffle Somen with Hotate for a refreshing meal.

If you don’t fancy regular donburi, you can grab some fresh sashimi atop fluffy rice with healthy greens as an accompaniment by customizing your own poke bowls. They’re pretty generous with their portions too!

3 Irving Road
#02-03 Tai Seng Centre
Singapore 369522
Tel: +65 9656 1456
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat: 11am – 9pm
(Closed on Sundays)

KNOTS CAFE & LIVING

The perfect oasis from the hustle (and heat) of the surrounding industrial buildings, Knots Cafe & Living is a furniture store and cafe all in one. Wooden furniture, flowers and an assortment of plants are strewn all over the cafe and the natural light that enters make for pretty gorgeous photos too.

The food options here are relatively straightforward and nothing too far off from your typical cafe fare. Think waffles, cakes and sandwiches on weekdays and full-on brunch delights such as Eggs Benedict on weekends to get you well sorted before a spot of furniture shopping.

#01-07, 160 Paya Lebar Road,
Singapore 409022
Tel: +65 6817 0383
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue to Thu & Sun: 9am – 9pm
Fri & Sat: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng/ MacPherson

PRODIGAL CAFE

If the name Prodigal Café seems to ring a bell, that’s because the eatery is the sister café of the now-defunct Prodigal Roasters which was previously located in the heartlands of Ang Mo Kio.

Now, the charming little café resides in a tiny space underneath a HDB block at Macpherson Lane, where it is home to yummy sandwiches, toasties and specialty coffee.

#01-55 Block 81
Singapore 360081
Tel: +65 9450 0484
Mon to Sat: 8am – 5pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

Photo Credit: Grasso Coffee

GRASSO COFFEE

Humble in its menu offerings, Grasso Coffee is not one to skip because even though they only serve coffee, sandwiches and desserts, you can count on the good folks here to do them right.

Their beverage offerings are also given an innovative twist so expect quirky options such as Iced Caramel Corn or even an ice-blended alternative that features a mixture of both Horlicks and Milo—a surefire hit among those with a sweet tooth for sure.

The Commerze @ Irving #01-27/28,
1 Irving Place,
Singapore 369546
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 8am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

Photo Credit: The Good Boys Juice & Coffee Bar

THE GOOD BOYS JUICE & COFFEE BAR

Offering a wide range of delicious smoothies, acai bowls and juices, The good boys over at The Good Boys place heavy emphasis on delivering nutritious treats made using fresh ingredients to ensure that patrons will always left a shot healthier and immensely satisfied.

For the matcha-obsessed, go for their Fruity Matcha (S$12), and try also the Crimson Lush that features beetroot and dates as well as the Viva Amazonia with acai and banana.

#01-26 1 Irving Place,
The Commerze Building,
Singapore 369546
Tel: +65 8130 1083
(Closed on Fridays)
Mon to Thu: 9am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

Over the past few years, we’ve seen more and more heartland cafes pop up and even so in industrial office areas such as Tai Seng. What you may not know is that Tai Seng houses some of the most interesting local cafe gems and they are just waiting for you to explore.

We can ensure that these 5 cafes are worth travelling to as they are all located within walking distance from Tai Seng MRT Station. If you are unfamiliar with the area, here is our guide to the Must-Try Cafes in Tai Seng.

#1 23 JUMPIN

23 Jumpin might just be the most popular cafe along the row of F&B outlets at The Commerze Building, which is a stone’s throw away from Tai Seng MRT. Hearty and delicious mains are served here and are all at reasonably priced nett prices.

A must-try on the list is their Honey Paprika Wings (S$8) – juicy yet crunchy, this plate of ten halved wings are perfect for sharing with your dining compatriots.

The Commerce @ Irving
1 Irving Place, #01-25
Tel: +65 9137 5697
Mon: 11am – 2pm
Tue to Sun: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

#2 CAROL MEL CAFE

There was an immediate sense of warmth once you step into Carol Mel Cafe. Surprisingly, they serve local and Malaysian-inspired homely fare such as rice vermicelli and chicken with rice, together with usual cafe fare such as freshly brewed latte (S$4.90). The overall vibe of Carol Mel Cafe was enough for us to feel cozy and comfortable dining here.

The Commerce @ Irving
1 Irving Place, #01-30
Tel: +65 6635 5755
Mon: 9am – 6.30pm
Tue to Fri: 9am – 10pm
Sat: 12pm – 10pm
Sun: 10am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

#3 The Oven Cafe Bistro

Simple and unpretentious, The Oven Cafe Bistro drew us in with their minimalistic interior and cozy atmosphere. A popular item on the menu is the Chicken Alfredo (S$13), featuring a big slice of oven-baked chicken.

Have your main dish with their signature Mushroom Soup (S$5) or share a bite of the Chicken Chunks with Thai Chilli Sauce (S$9) with your dining partner. No extra bling, just some seriously good comfort food here at The Oven Cafe Bistro.

The Commerce @ Irving
1 Irving Place, #01-22
Tel: +65 9006 9012
Mon to Fri: 11am – 9pm
Sat: 11am – 11pm
(Only private bookings on Sundays & public holidays)
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

#4 THREE YEARS IN A BALLOON

Three Years in a Balloon took flight about a year ago and has been serving satisfied customers ever since. Quirky and fun are two words you can use to describe this cafe that specialises in decorative cakes. Besides serving a big range of ready-made desserts, get excited about their savoury crepes, quiches and pies which you can have along with a warm cup of coffee there.

163 Upper Paya Lebar Road
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 6pm
(Closed on weekends)
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

For more recommendations, read our guides to the best cafes in Singapore.