The culture of cafe-hopping may have died down a little in Singapore, but when your friend asks you out for a weekend brunch date, you just can’t say no.

Serangoon residents, we could not be more envious of you guys. Playing host to a trove of cafes, Serangoon and Kovan could easily join the ranks of Tiong Bahru as Singapore’s most happening cafe districts.

These estates are thriving with lush cafes and hip joints, ready to overwhelm us with abundant brunch selections and decadent desserts. We’ve rounded up the cafes in Serangoon and Kovan you should definitely check out. Burger bars and hidden patisseries are just a fraction of what’s in store for you!

Photo Credit: www.facebook.com/affinityfamilyfriendscafe/

AFFINITY FAMILY & FRIENDS CAFE

For a stripped-down and fuss-free meal, Affinity Family & Friends Cafe is just the place. They aren’t fancy with their decor or menu but their grub more than makes up for it.

They offer a modest range of local and Western offerings, with most dishes being below S$10. Their Curry Chicken (S$6.90) will have you feeling right at home while their Lasagne (S$8.90) is satisfying enough.

Block 149 Serangoon North Ave 1, #01-917
Singapore 550142
Tel +65 6970 0358
Tues to Sun: 8am — 10pm
Nearest Station: Kovan

AMBER EMBER

Get your hands on some toasty golden jaffles at Amber Ember along Upper Serangoon Road. For those of you who aren’t familiar, jaffles are basically Australian toasted sandwiches made in a closed metal skillet. This cafe’s renditions see flavours from cheesy devilled mushrooms to braised beef cheek.

If you’re looking for something heartier, they also do fantastic pasta dishes. Their Ragu Bolognese ain’t shy about flaunting its bold meaty flavour and fresh tartness.

730 Upper Serangoon Road, #01-01
Singapore 534613
Tel: +65 6929 3312
Tues to Fri: 10am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

APOLLO COFFEE BAR

Relatively new to the local cafe scene, Apollo Coffee Bar in Serangoon Gardens is opened by the same guys behind the popular Atlas Coffeehouse and Columbus Coffee Co. It has already made quite a name for itself with its Mediterranean-inspired brunch creations.

Ever tried farro grains before? If you haven’t, their Miso Mushroom Bacon Farro Risotto ($22) would be a pretty great way to start. For a healthier indulgence, go for their Nori, Avo and Eggs (S$18.50) which sees crispy fried kale atop avocado toast, served with creamy scrambled eggs.

P.S. Apollo Coffee Bar is a dog-friendly cafe; you can also bring your dogs and dine at their outdoor seats.

65 Serangoon Garden Way
Singapore 555961
Tel: +65 6246 3875
Tues to Sat: 9am — 10pm
Sun: 9am — 7pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

BAKER & COOK

With over eight outlets across the whole of Singapore, Baker & Cook has become a familiar mainstay in our local bakery cafe scene. Besides their dignified selection of viennoiserie and pastries, they also offer savoury mains.

Their Eggs Benedict makes for the quintessential brunch while their Pancake Stack is a lot lighter on the palate than it looks.

87 Serangoon Garden Way
Singapore 555983
Tel: +65 6241 5548
Daily: 7.30am — 10pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

CIEL PATISSERIE

Le Cordon Bleu-approved tarts at less than S$5? No way. Ciel Patisserie is making us feel extremely undeserving with their bite-sized French luxuries at affordable price points.

Their Lemon Meringue Tart (S$4.50) nails every component, from the sturdy meringue down to the buttery crust. For a richer dessert, their Chocolate Almond Tart (S$4.50) will make you go nutty because of how good it is.

Cakes and quiches are available too.

124 Hougang Ave 1, #01-1444
Singapore 530124
Tel: +65 6383 0803
Daily: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Kovan/Serangoon

COTTONTAIL CREAMERY

Known for their smooth artisanal ice cream, this Taiwanese-owned cafe is a hotspot for cafe-hoppers in Serangoon. This charming little cafe conjures up really unique flavours for the ice cream such as Craft Beer and Whiskey Black Sesame.

And, they don’t just do desserts. Their savoury selection is just as formidable with dishes such as House-made Swiss Meatballs (S$17.50) and Mexican Pulled Pork Quesadillas (S$17.50).

Block 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
Nearest Station: Serangoon

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/dessert.bowl/

DESSERT BOWL

If “Double Shot Durian Mousse” doesn’t sound like an absolute dream, we don’t know what does. Dessert Bowl may have a wide range of desserts, but the majority of their customers are there for one dish and that alone.

Their signature Double Shot Durian Mousse (S$6) promises two dollops of fleshy durian pulp resting on a mound of creamy, rich durian mousse. You may or may not walk away with a sore throat but, no regrets.

80A Serangoon Garden Way
Singapore 555976
Tel: +65 6285 1278
Tues to Thurs: 1pm – 10.30pm
Fri to Sat: 1pm – 12.30am
Sun: 1pm — 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/elevenstrands/

ELEVEN STRANDS

It’s not every day that you find a French-inspired cafe, and one that’s nailing their dishes, at that. Eleven Strands is founded by the same guys behind South Union Park, with both of their menus sharing slight similarities.

It’s pretty clear that handmade pasta is their prized forté, with their menu having a sizable number of pasta dishes. Their Prawn Basil Pesto Pasta (S$23) is a real crowd-pleaser. Pair it with some Chicken Liver Pate and voila, you’ll have a stunning meal.

66 Yio Chu Kang Rd
Singapore 545568
Tel: +65 9487 1398
Tues to Fri: 12pm — 9.30pm
Sat to Sun: 10am — 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Kovan

FLAVOUR FLINGS

Located in Lorong Ah Soo, 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

HATTER STREET

Hatter Street has got us feeling like we fell down the rabbit hole alongside Alice with its thematic interior and whimsical desserts. They offer a range of ice cream concoctions, waffles and delicious cakes.

Their Unicorn Whoa-ffles (S$14) looks like an outdated gimmick but trust us, it’s the real deal. The double scoop of Lavender White Chocolate and Toasted Marshmallow complement each other to a tee and the waffles are amazingly crisp and light.

Block 212, Hougang Street 21, #01-333
Singapore 530212
Tel: +65 6988 4591
Daily: 1pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Kovan

ICE EDGE CAFE

Just another cosy little cafe in Kovan that has decent grub, Ice Edge Cafe is a fail-safe option for a weekend lunch or straightforward dinner.

They take pride in their pizza, pasta and gelato, although their menu extends far beyond. Their Tom Yum Seafood Linguine (S$16.80) is armed with a flavourful spicy kick while the Oven Baked Seabass (S$17.80) is a refreshing, lighter option.

2 Kovan Rise, Simon Plaza, #01-10
Singapore 548008
Tel: +65 6858 5729
Sun to Thurs: 11.30am – 11pm
Fri to Sat: 11.30am — 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Kovan

Photo Credit: www.instagram.com/cosmophagic_ang/

KNUCKLES BISTRO

Crackling German pork knuckles at only S$10?! That’s just what Knuckles Bistro has in store. This modest German eatery serves up hearty German and Western mains at insane prices.

Take one crunchy bite of their pork knuckles and you’ll probably want to punch the wall because of how good it is. Their Grilled Chicken Chop (S$8) and Pork Steak (S$8) are recommended dishes as well.

212 Hougang Street 21, #01-337, Singapore 530212
Tel: +65 6285 0549
Nearest Station: Kovan

KOOKS CREAMERY

Lava cookies with ice cream may not be the trendiest dessert anymore but who cares about trends if it’s good. And, few places do this hot-and-cold treat as well as Kooks Creamery does.

Founded by two sisters, this minimalistic cafe is a hotspot for sugar junkies. Their Brown Butter Ice Cream with Matcha Molten Cookie (S$8.50) is an all-time favourite. There’s just something about warm gooey matcha chocolate and cold velvety ice cream that really hits the spot for us.

211 Serangoon Avenue 4, #01-02
Singapore 550211
Tel: +65 9006 8748
Tues to Thurs: 12pm – 10pm
Fri to Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Sun: 12pm — 10pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/lickerssg/

LICKERS

Lickers may pass off as just your typical neighbourhood ice cream joint, but you’d be surprised. The quality of their ice cream could easily enthrone them at the heart of town, fighting with the bigger names.

Their Roasted Pistachio (S$4) is shockingly fragrant and creamy while their Lychee Rose Sorbet is a refreshing dairy-free option. They’re also generous with portion sizes so you’re in for a treat!

Blk 124, Hougang Avenue 1, #01-1446
Singapore 530124
Tues to Thurs: 12pm — 1am
Fri to Sun: 12pm — 2am
Nearest Station: Kovan

LOLA’S CAFE

One of the OG cafes in the North-East area, Lola’s Cafe has been drawing the crowds since day one. Their extensive brunch selection will have you in a dilemma but don’t think twice about ordering their Pulled Pork & Avocado Eggs Benedict (S$16) or the Ultimate Croissant (S$15).

They’re also open past dinnertime, armed with a different menu featuring more regal dishes. Think Duck Leg Confit with Truffle Mash (S$18) and Tuscan Baked Salmon and Potato Stew (S$19).

Lola’s Cafe is a dog-friendly cafe with outdoor seats.

5 Simon Rd
Singapore 545893
Tel: +65 6284 0349
Tues to Thurs: 10am – 11:30pm
Fri to Sat: 10am – 12am
Sun: 10am — 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Kovan

MAISON KAYSER

If there’s any place we can count on for solid artisanal bread and opulent pastries, it would be Maison Kayser. This esteemed French artisanal bakery has been around since 1996, with outlets across several countries.

Taking over the former Bakerzin’s space in MyVillage, Maison Kayser offers classic savouries and elegant bakes, from stuffed croissants to chocolate eclairs. You can’t go wrong with their Tuna Croissant Sandwich (S$7.50) and their luxurious Paris Brest (S$6.60).

1 Maju Avenue, MyVillage at Serangoon Gardens, #01-26/27/28
Singapore 556679
Tel: +65 6509 8184
Daily: 7.30am — 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

Photo Credit: www.facebook.com/monzengardens/

MONZEN GARDENS

Japanese rice bowls in Singapore are a dime a dozen and sadly, so are mediocre ones. But lucky for us, we found a gem, that is, Monzen Gardens at MyVillage. This Japanese-inspired cafe is run by a young chef who was trained in the Tokyo Sushi Academy.

The Bara Chirashi Don (S$15.80) is quite a steal. If you usually shy away from raw foods, their Wagyu Beef Don (S$18.80) is just as impressive.

1 Maju Ave, MyVillage at Serangoon Garden, #01-09/10
Singapore 556679
Tel: +65 9119 0700
Mon to Thurs: 11.30am — 2.30pm, 5.30pm — 10pm
Fri: 11.30am — 2.30pm, 5.30pm — 12am
Sat: 11.30am — 12am
Sun: 11.30am — 10pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

Photo Credit: www.facebook.com/kitchenofnaomi/

NAOMI KITCHEN

Naomi Kitchen in Serangoon Central serves up homely, comforting fare at really affordable prices. Most of the dishes are priced below S$10, making it a great budget-friendly spot. Their extensive menu sees a mix of Western, local and Japanese fare.

Block 208 Serangoon Central
Singapore 550208
Tel: +65 9321 3688
Daily: 9am — 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

OBLONG

Ditch the plain old waffles and jazz things up with some red velvet waffles at Oblong, a dessert cafe in Serangoon Gardens that offers pretty decent ice cream. Their waffles come dressed in a variety of flavours such as tiramisu, charcoal and pandan gula melaka. Pair them with your choice of ice cream and you’re set for the night!

10 Maju Avenue
Singapore 556688
Tel: +65 6858 2320
Thurs to Sun: 12pm – 12am
Fri to Sat: 12pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Serangoon/Lorong Chuan

Photo Credit: www.facebook.com/plonk.sg/

PLONK

This snazzy Australian-style bar takes great pride in their heartwarming, honest fare made with fresh ingredients and thoughtful execution. With an emphasis on family-style dishes, their menu sees a good proportion of sharing platters and kid-friendly bites.

Embark on a grand feast with the family with their Antipasto Platter (S$22) and Carnivore (S$25) pizza. If you’re not much of a sharer, their Truffle Scrambled Eggs (S$18) is the way to go.

7 Maju Ave
Singapore 556685
Tel: +65 6286 4688
Mon to Thurs: 11am — 11pm
Fri: 11am — 12pm
Sat: 9am — 12pm
Sun: 9am — 12am
Nearest Station: Serangoon/Lorong Chuan

SUNRAY CAFE

Pet-friendly cafes in Singapore are not uncommon, but for most of them, their menus only cater to the animals. This is where Sunray Cafe stands out. This secluded cafe in Serangoon Gardens caters to both animals and humans, with an extensive selection of dishes at really affordable prices.

Eggs Benny at S$7 and latte at S$3?! Pinch yourselves all you want, it’s real. And you can rest assured that you’re not paying for miserable portions.

79 Brighton Crescent
Singapore 559218
Tel: +65 6283 8700
Tues to Sun: 9.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

THE BREAD SHOP

Here’s another casual budget-friendly spot that makes overpriced cafes look bad. The Bread Shop in Kovan serves up the usual brunch works, but of great quality and at even greater prices.

Their French Toast (S$10) is a real daydream, featuring thick buttered toast loaded with excellently caramelised bananas and fresh berries. Hungrier folks can try their fish & chips or grilled herb chicken.

953 Upper Serangoon Rd
Singapore 534715
Tel: +65 6581 7461
Mon: 11.30am — 11pm
Tues to Fri: 11.30am — 11pm
Sat: 9.30am — 10pm
Sun: 9.30am — 9pm
Nearest Station: Kovan

THE LARDER CAFE

Hearty brunches and wholesome beverages are exactly what The Larder Cafe is good at. This restful cafe started out at Toa Payoh and has opened a second outlet at Serangoon Gardens.

Fuel up with some Mushroom Truffle Melts (S$15) or Pulled Pork Wrap (S$15) to start your day with a bang. Or, dig into a juicy Wagyu Beef Burger (S$20) for a carnivorous decadence. They also have a plethora of pasta dishes for you to choose from.

66A Serangoon Garden Way
Singapore 555962
Tel: +65 6253 8382
Tues to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

THE PLAIN JANE

If The Plain Jane was an actual lady, we’d fall head over heels for her straight away. This pretty little cafe in Serangoon does impeccable swiss rolls — airy sponge layers laced with fresh luscious cream.

We adore their Earl Grey Swiss Roll (S$5.90), which emanates a robust tea fragrance. Accompany it with their Matcha Latte (S$5.50/hot, S$6.50/cold) for a loaded caffeine fix.

Blk 211, Serangoon Ave 4, #01-10
Singapore 550211
Tel: +65 6281 2477
Mon to Tues: 12pm — 8pm
Thurs to Fri: 12pm — 8pm
Sat to Sun: 10am — 10pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

TWO BAKERS

Non-Entrée Desserts may not be in operation anymore but don’t fret, you can still get your fix of illusory local-inspired desserts at Two Bakers. This cafe is in the safe hands of a Le Cordon Bleu Paris-trained chef, so anticipate great-quality grub and sweet treats.

Their deceptive Bao Zi (S$8.50) is actually chrysanthemum white chocolate mousse enwrapping matcha sponge cake and yuzu-lemon mousse. Wouldn’t have guessed, right?

For a more decadent dessert, go for their Ming Jian Kueh (S$8), a luscious crepe cake chockfull of ground peanuts, salted caramel chantilly and peanut butter.

9 Teck Chye Terrace
Singapore 545720
Tel: +65 6241 6393
Tues to Thurs: 12pm – 9.30pm
Fri: 12pm – 11.30pm
Sat: 10am – 11.30pm
Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/twocranes.sg/

TWO CRANES

For brunch and coffee with a Korean twist, Two Cranes is one to watch. This Korean-inspired cafe offers an eclectic mix of coffee beverages, savouries and desserts.

Swap out your typical Eggs Benedict for their Bouef Benedict (S$15), which sees beef bulgolgi sandwiched between poached eggs and buttered toast. While you’re at it, get a taste of their coffee mocktails which are tinged with a classy finish.

They also offer a range of bingsu desserts, with unconventional flavours such as mango matcha, pulut hitam and caramel macchiato.

Block 211, Hougang Street 21, #01-291
Singapore 530211
Tel: +65 8166 0140
Daily: 9am — 10pm
Nearest Station: Kovan

UDDERS

Udders is akin to that older grandaunt we used to visit when we were younger, but whom we’ve lost touch with over the years. Nevertheless, we can always count on her to spoil us with our favourite treats.

We adore this parlour’s quality scoops, with tantalising flavours such as Kyoto Matcha and Salted Speculoos. They also do amazing crispy waffles if you’re on your cheat day.

Block 212, Hougang Street 21, #01-345
Singapore 530212
Tel: +65 6448 8732
Daily: 12pm — 11pm
Nearest Station: Kovan

Tucked away at Upper Serangoon Road next to the old Upper Serangoon Shopping Centre is newly-opened, Amber Ember.

Exuding a simple yet charming vibe, the interior is decked out in marble and wooden furnishings that are neatly decorated with potted plants and paintings, making it a nice place to retreat to and a great place for photos too.

Here, they sell a variety of brunch-style fare such as jaffles (a type of toastie that bears no similarity to a waffle), scrambled eggs on toast and coffee, but with an added twist that differs slightly to your average cafe food.

Starting our cafe trip off on a proper note, we ordered ourselves the White (S$5)—which is essentially a flat white. Amber Ember uses coffee beans from Cata coffee, which are freshly roasted daily and pack a robust, chocolatey note that is both incredibly aromatic and well-balanced.

Having heard so much about their fried chicken, we decided to order up the Amber’s Fried Chicken (AFC) (S$10). The chicken was decently crispy, however, the meat lacked a certain succulence to it and the drums were not as meaty as we would’ve liked. The saving grace, however, was their house-made blue cheese sauce and sriracha.

We also tried their Asian ‘Risotto’ (S$10), which was pretty much a fancy bowl of Chinese porridge that had been embellished with a variety of ingredients. We really enjoyed this dish and found it really comforting and satisfying.

The risotto had bits of braised pulled pork, fried shallots, garlic and a runny egg. We were a tad bit disappointed with the runny egg, which did not turn out as runny as described on the menu.

When we heard that they had a dish called Fu Yong Eggs (S$11), we were expecting a  modern rendition of the popular zi char dish. However, to our surprise, it was simply scrambled eggs and sauteéd mushrooms on a piece of sourdough.

Finally, we had the main thing that we came here for—Jaffles!

Out of the many options they had, we opted for their K-Pork Jaffles (S$10). The pork in the jaffles was slightly tangy due to the gochujang sauce used, but what surprised us was the purple sweet potato mash that came with it that was both sweet and deliciously creamy.

Amber Ember
730 Upper Serangoon Road, #01-01
Singapore 534613
Mon, Wed & Fri: 8am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 6pm
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Nearest Station: Serangoon