Singaporeans are no stranger to cafes – new cafes pop up almost every week and each cafe has its own unique charm. There are so many cafes now it’s hard to keep track of them and what’s more of a dilemma is which cafe to patronise first!

If you’re vying for a new social media upload or you’re just someone who can appreciate beautiful interiors and decor, here’s a list of 23 minimalist & Instagram-worth cafes in Singapore that could make it to your main. Cafes are not always just about the food, huh? Check out our list below!

% ARABICA

When % Arabica announced its arrival in Singapore, the internet went nuts about this popular cafe chain from Kyoto.

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

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

APARTMENT COFFEE

Located in Lavender Street, this all-white cafe with woody accents aims to be a “home” to those who savour their coffee. The cafe has simple bar-top seats and a few cosy cushioned benches for those who prefer something to lean back on while drinking their cuppas.

This is a cafe for friends, conversations and really somewhere you can feel comfortable!

Apartment Coffee
161 Lavender Street, #01-12
Singapore 338750
Daily: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Bendemeer

ALCHEMIST

Nestled in former Khong Guan Biscuit Factory is Alchemist. Decked in a minimalistic interior with marble furniture and blue countertops, they house a roastery and dining area for you to chill with your cup of joe! You can snack on their baked goods too.

Here at Alchemist, each cuppa is carefully and lovingly prepared. They are definitely one of the better coffee shops out there, with their cosy ambience being a plus point. If you are looking for a great pick-me-up, this is the place to visit!

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

AMBER EMBER

A 10-minute walk from Serangoon MRT, this cosy cafe is relatively new but have already made a name for themselves, not just for their quirky food options and delicious coffee but also their wonderfully decorated exterior and interior. If you scroll through their location tag, you’ll see their iconic exterior that looks like a hidden kiosk. Definitely a cafe to check out!

Amber Ember
730 Upper Serangoon Road, #01-01
Singapore 534613
Tue to Fri: 10am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 6pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Serangoon

Photo Credit: Instagram

ATLAS COFFEEHOUSE

Newly revamped and redecorated, Atlas Coffeehouse now boasts a more colourful decor yet still keeping with a minimalist-industrial vibe. They are popular for their wonderful brunch plates and signature coffee blends, but their interior is definitely something else you can appreciate while you’re here!

It’s perfect for brunch before a nice stroll through the Botanic Gardens since it’s a short bus ride or walk away!

Atlas Coffeehouse
6 Duke’s Road
Singapore 268886
Tue to Sun: 8am – 7pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

BANCHONG CAFÉ

If you enjoy local food a little more than cafe nosh, head over to the all-white industrial-vibe cafe Banchong for some Singaporean favourites. The cafe is surrounded by white-metal grill walls that add to the industrial aesthetic and has Scandinavian-like decor. It’s a unique place to get a cup of kopi and toast for breakfast!

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

BRAWN & BRAINS

Tucked away in the iconic former Singapore Badminton Hall, Brawn & Brains provides a nice and fresh twist to the older surrounding buildings. The clean interior of the cafe allows for ample natural light to stream in – making great Insta-worthy moments.

Also, for avid coffee lovers out there, they have a great house blend called Pen & Pencil, using beans from Ethiopia, Columbia and Brazil. They also have another great single-origin coffee – Nicaragua Jinotega, which is a fair trade organic bean rich with a hint of aromatic vanilla.

Brawn & Brains
100 Guillemard Road
#01-02 Singpore Badminton Hall
Singapore 399718
Tel: +65 6348 8892
Tue to Sun: 9am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

Photo Credit: Instagram

CULTURES SPECIALTY COFFEE

Tucked away in The Sail @ Marina Bay, Cultures Specialty Coffee is located conveniently in the bustling walkway of Raffles Place MRT where it is frequented by hordes of hungry office workers in need of a cuppa. They don a chic industrial vibe with granite-themed decor and furniture. It’s a cosy space that’s perfect for the ‘gram, complete with a coffee cup in hand.

Cultures Specialty Coffee
The Sail @ Marina Bay
2 Marina Blvd, #B1-04
Singapore 018987
Mon to Fri: 7.45am – 6pm
(Closed on Weekends)
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

FIVE OARS COFFEE ROASTERS

Five Oars Coffee Roasters is a Melbourne-style café with an alfresco-like feel. It has a nice rustic and botanical, yet chic, interior fitted with several tropical plants.

You’ll feel like you’re in Bali or Australia when you visit for some brunch food or just a simple cup of coffee to start your day. Their service is impeccable too – feel free to speak to any of their friendly staff when you’re there!

Five Oars Coffee Roasters
39 Tanjong Pagar Road
Singapore 088462
Daily: 8am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

GLASSHOUSE

The Glasshouse Specialty Coffee & Toast Bar is a new standalone cafe in CHIJMES that, as its name suggests, serves up a range of speciality coffees from your humble latte to some pretty neat hand-dripped brews to a myriad of hearty toasts.

The cafe is a hit among those in search of some respite from the bustling city. Filled with plants, lots of natural sunlight and good vibes, there is no way anyone would doubt this spot as a haven to retreat to for a nice coffee on a lazy afternoon.

The Glasshouse
30 Victoria Street
#01-K11 CHIJMES
Singapore 187996
Mon to Fri: 8am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

GLYPH SUPPLY CO.

This all-white cafe could be your new favourite cafe in town – it’s Glyph Supply Co. It’s a minimalist’s dream, decked in white walls and simple decor. They serve up some delicious coffee and pastries so you could spend your entire morning sipping away watching as bustling crowds pass by the roads of Orchard Road.

Glyph Supply Co
111 Somerset Road, #01-06
Singapore 238164
Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 7.30pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 7.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Photo Credit: Instagram

GRIDS & CIRCLES

Grids & Circles is a huge 3-storey cafe serving up some healthy mains. They have a simple Scandinavian-like interior with beautiful artworks hung up around the cosy space, accented with little bottles of dried blooms. It’s a great place to catch up with old friends or even host a special celebration with their workshop and event spaces.

Grids & Circles
200 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058749
Daily: 8am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

HEI KIM CAFE

Nestled in the far East of Singapore, Hei Kim Cafe is a clean and beautifully decorated cafe, furnished with marble tables and wooden decor. The cafe also doubles as a small retail space alongside serving coffee and yummy brunch items, selling all sorts of knick-knacks and handcrafted items.

Hei Kim Cafe
285 Changi Road
Singapore 419764
Mon & Tue, Thu to Sun: 10am – 7pm
(Closed on Wednesdays)
Nearest Station: Eunos/Kembangan

HOMEGROUND COFFEE ROASTERS

A popular coffee shop in the east of Singapore is Homeground Coffee Roasters. The space is pretty small, no more than a 15-seater. However, its clean interior, embellished with dried flowers and wooden furnishings have garnered quite the fanfare amongst the Instagram cafe hoppers. Their coffee and pastries are delicious too, so that’s a big plus!

Homeground Coffee Roasters
475 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427682
Daily: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Eunos

KURASU

Originating from Kyoto, this is the Japanese brand’s first venture in Singapore and the cafe is sharing the venue with District6, a co-working office space. Their minimalistic design, fragrant coffee aroma and soothing ambience draw in many creatives and individuals who are able to enjoy some alone time or to catch up on work.

Serving speciality coffee from selected roasters around Japan and Matcha Latte, this is one destination you have to stop by for a morning pick-me-up.

Kurasu Singapore
331 North Bridge Road
#02-01, Odeon Towers
Singapore 188720
Mon to Fri: 8am – 5pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

LUNAR COFFEE BREWERS

Opened by the same team behind Atlas Coffeehouse and the now-defunct Assembly Coffee is Lunar Coffee Brewers. Situated in Downtown Gallery, the cafe seeks to provide a space where you can escape from the pressures of everyday life with comfort food and speciality coffee.

It has a gorgeous marble theme finished with blue embellishments and accents of gold. It’s perfect to snap a quick photo with your lunch buddies or colleagues and an even more pretty background for your #instafood shot!

Lunar Coffee Brewers
#01-49 Downtown Gallery
6 Shenton Way
Singapore 068815
Tel: +65 6224 4500
Mon to Fri: 8am – 8pm
Sat: 9am – 3pm
Closed: Sun
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

NARRATIVE COFFEE STAND

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. Serving cuppas and even Matcha or Hojicha lattes, it’s a must-visit when you’re in the area.

Narrative Coffee Stand
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

OMOTESANDO KOFFEE

Their methodology at Omotesando Koffee lies in two things: their signature cube-framed bar which houses their baristas as well as their precise approach to brewing coffee. Beans from Melbourne are roasted in Kyoto by the Ogawa Coffee Roasters, with each blend following specific steps for brewing to bring out the best flavours.

Their Iced Cappucino is also their most Instagrammed drink, the top being like big puffy bubbles dusted with cocoa powder. Definitely picture-perfect!

Omotesando Koffee Singapore
6 Shenton Way, #04-09
The Work Project Downtown,
Downtown Gallery
Singapore 068809
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 8am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

OUR SECOND HOME

Hidden away in the sustainable clothing store, Our Second Nature, is their cafe serving up coffee and some sweet treats. Decked in rustic wooden decor, the beautiful store boasts a comforting vibe – perfect for a midday respite. They serve some handcrafted bakes alongside their coffee brews, so you can sip away without a care in the world and perhaps a cookie in hand.

Our Second Home
43 Jln Merah Saga, #01-66
Singapore 278115
Mon to Thu: 10am – 6pm
Fri to Sun: 10am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

PACAMARA BOUTIQUE COFFEE ROASTERS

One of the “OG” cafes in Singapore, it definitely deserves a spot on our list for its simple yet gorgeous interior.

Its space is bright and clean; sleek lamps hang from the ceiling, shining down on the longitudinal wooden tables. Sunlight streams in through the huge panelled windows and fills the space with warmth. Sitting at the corner of the cafe is a rack of merchandise neatly displayed and ready for purchase – from filters to drippers, you are free to bring home a piece of Pacamara.

Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters
185 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574333
Daily: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio/Marymount

PLATFORM.

Hidden away in the cafe-filled streets of Telok Ayer is Platform., a new minimalist modern cafe & bar serving cocktails, mocktails, filter coffee and some light bites. It is quite a refreshing concept, backed by a beautifully decorated interior.

If you’re a thirsty tippler searching for some drinks, or if you want to spend a few hours relaxing while sipping on a good cuppa, Platform. might be up your alley.

Platform.
#01-01 Amoy Street
Singapore 069854
Tel: +65 8280 0292
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 12am
Sat: 4pm – 12am
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

THE KINS’ SPECIALTY COFFEE

The Kins’ Specialty Coffee might be a familiar name if you’ve been following the Burnt Cheesecake trend. The cafe dons a minimalistic set-up, with a hand-painted mural indoors, giving us slight beach vibes with their wooden interior and decor. Their cosy space has both outdoor and indoor seating. It’s quite a great place to relax over a cup of coffee and some brunch nosh.

The Kins’ Specialty Coffee
2 Jalan Mat Jambol
The Bijou, #01-08/9
Singapore 119554
Daily: 11am -9pm
(Closed on Wednesdays)

TWENTY EIGHT CAFE

The cafe has an industrial-chic vibe with white and wooden decor, accented by hanging bulbs and large tropical potted plants.

Focusing on speciality coffee and brunch items, Twenty Eight Cafe is an excellent choice for freelancers and students studying at the campuses nearby as the work-friendly cafe is equipped with many charging ports.

Twenty Eight Cafe
28 Wilkie Road
Singapore 228051
Tel: +65 9720 2828
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 8.30am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

Photo Credit: Instagram

SANITY COFFEE

Opened by SuperStar Season 2 runner up Chen Diya, Sanity Coffee is a quaint and cosy coffee shop squirrelled away in the Esplanade Mall. It has a modern yet wooden-industrial vibe with the high bar stool counters that will tingle your Instagram senses. It does have very few seats so you might have to grab, snap and take your cuppa to-go!

Sanity Coffee
8 Raffles Avenue
#02-19 Esplanade Mall
Singapore 039802
Tue to Fri: 9am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 8pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade/Promenade

Bukit Timah spans over a very large (or rather, long) stretch of road in the west side of Singapore, and is home to a great variety of restaurants and cafes. However, it can be tricky to venture to these eateries; navigating winding roads amidst islands of neighbourhoods without a car is not the easiest mission for those unfamiliar with the area.

Despite its meandering paths and general inaccessibility to public transport users, Bukit Timah is home to a hidden enclave of great cafes including the likes of perennial crowd-favourite, Atlas Coffeehouse, as well as amazing restaurants in the vicinity such as the restaurant-cum-marketplace, Greenwood Fish Market, and classy Italian restaurant, Ristorante da Valentino.

To aid your pilgrimage into the area, here is our guide to Bukit Timah’s Restaurants & Cafes. Clear your schedules, it’s time to satisfy your tummies!

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

AJIYA OKONOMIYAKI RESTAURANT

Craving some okonomiyaki? Not a particularly common sight – especially when we consider one with proper seating – Ajiya is a welcomed addition to the Japanese dining scene in the area.

Perfect as a casual meal or as a family activity, you can opt to either get the staff to grill up your okonomiyaki for you, or try your hand at designing and cooking one yourself!

104 Jalan Jurong Kechil
Singapore 598603
Tel: +65 6463 3461
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 9.30pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Beauty World

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/pg/atlascoffeehouse/

ATLAS COFFEEHOUSE

The sister cafe of the now-defunct Assembly Coffee, Atlas Coffeehouse is located just a few minutes walk away from Botanic Gardens MRT Station. For the best spot, pick a table next to the floor-to-ceiling windows for ample natural light and casual people watching.

Notable dishes you should try include the Butterscotch Banana Pancake (S$18.50) and Creamy Mushrooms On Sourdough (S$12).

6 Duke’s Road
Singapore 268886
Tel: +65 6314 2674
Tue to Sun: 8am – 7pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

BAKER & COOK

When you are here, do pair their aromatic coffee blends with their freshly baked pastries – the Mixed Berry Bun and Lemon Drizzle Cake are fantastic choices. In the event of a heavy crowd (or rain if you lack an umbrella or raincoat), pop by their outlet at the nearby Chip Bee Gardens (Holland Village) instead.

77 Hillcrest Road
Singapore 288951
Tel: +65 6469 8834
Sun to Thu: 7am – 8pm
Fri & Sat: 7am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tan Kah Kee
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

BAR BAR BLACK SHEEP

As a multi-dining concept restaurant, this is the place to go for the fickle-minded. Be it Indian cuisine or classic Western fare, there’s something for each member of your dining group when you visit Bar Bar Black Sheep. As a bonus, you can enjoy watching live screenings of your favourite sports matches while being in the serenity of Botanic Gardens’ Bamboo Forest!

501 Bukit Timah Rd
#01-05C, Cluny Court
Singapore 259760
Tel: +65 6763 4757
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 12am
Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 1am
Sat: 12pm – 1am
Sun: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

BOON TONG KEE

For those lamenting the lack of good hawker food in the area in an air-conditioned setting, there’s a full-fledged Boon Tong Kee outlet in the vicinity!

While the price point is a good margin above that of your more routine hawker stalls, you can expect the chicken served to be wonderfully silken, with a chilli that is delightfully piquant, and rice that is mouthwateringly fragrant. As a bonus, they serve a hearty selection of zi char dishes too!

18 Cheong Chin Nam Road
Singapore 599742
Tel: +65 6463 2289
Mon to Fri: 11am – 2.45pm, 3.30pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

CAMACA

Beat Singapore’s sweltering weather and look cute while doing it with Camaca’s macaron-shaped capsule ice-creams. Savour flavours such as Roasted Oolong, Musang King Durian and Royal Earl Grey; if you’re feeling guilty about indulging, rest easy knowing that the entire selection of gelato is sugar-free. For a mid-day treat, pair their airy Swiss Rolls with a cup of their single-origin coffee brews for a mid-day treat.

9 King Albert Park
KAP Mall, #01-11/12
Singapore 598332
Tel: +65 6904 3811
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: King Albert’s Park

CARPENTER & COOK

As both a vintage home store and cafe, this cafe along Lorong Kilat boasts an eye-catching interior. Besides its decor, get ready to be regaled by tantalising pastry options such as the popular Passion Fruit Meringue Tart and their colourful range of macarons.

19 Lorong Kilat
#01-06 Singapore
Tel: +65 6463 3648
Mon to Fri: 10am – 10pm
Sat: 9am – 10pm
Sun: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

Situated amidst the hustle and bustle of Upper Thomson Road is a brand new addition to Singapore’s cafe scene—Columbus Coffee Co.

Managed by the same people behind Atlas Coffeehouse and Lunar Coffee Brewers, Columbus Coffee Co. is a stylish new brunch concept that delivers a straightforward menu with exceptional yet not overly-pretentious dishes and a curated selection of coffee brews. Coffee aficionados may be interested to know that the coffee beans are roasted by Two Degrees North Coffee Co.

Served by a team of energetic young baristas and waitstaff, enjoy the warm and friendly hospitality at Columbus Coffee Co which officially starts its operations today. 

Taking over the now-defunct Wolfpack, Columbus Coffee Co. is designed with functionality in mind—making use of industrial decor, wooden furniture and greenery to create a comfortable and inviting environment that does not compromise on style.

The Cheese Burger and Curlies (S$19++)—one of the two burger options available on the menu—impressed us with the combination of textures and flavours that left us yearning for more after we were done.

What you will find sandwiched between two butter brioche buns is a juicy herbed beef patty, fried sherry onions, creamy slaw and the most addictive topping of all—sharp cheddar that melts in your mouth. The hearty dish comes with crispy curly fries as an accompaniment.

Their All-Day Brunch features a list of comforting mains and one that we would highly recommend is the Columbus Buttermilk Fried Chicken (S$14.50+), which is essentially buttermilk marinated chicken wings that are deep-fried to a perfect shade of golden brown.

We sank our teeth into what was possibly one of the juiciest buttermilk chicken wings we have tried in a long time. Diners can also opt for Hot Sauce (S$1) and beer (Half Pint – S$5, Full Pint – S$8.50) to fully complete the ultimate fried chicken experience.

As for desserts, Columbus Coffee Co. carries a range of Buttermilk Waffles in five different flavours. We decided to go for the Earl Grey Caramel Waffle (S$12.50++) which features a freshly made waffle, chopped strawberries, a scoop of earl grey-flavoured ice cream and generous caramel sauce drizzled over top.

Our recommendation is to tuck into the waffles immediately once it it served as it may turn slightly soggy once the ice cream melts over it.

Other options on their menu include Pastas such as Aglio Olio (S$16++), Mushroom Bacon Carbonara (S$19++) and light munchies with the likes of Shoe String Fries (S$8+) and Chili Beef Nachos (S$12++).

Choose your own espresso blend—Atlas or Nautica—and have it prepared in various ways such as a Long Black (Reg – S$4.50++, Large – S$5++), Cappuccino (Reg – S$5++, Large – S$5.50++), Latte (Reg – S$5++, Large – S$5.50++) and more.

As mentioned earlier, Columbus Coffee Co. gets their coffee beans from Two Degrees North Coffee Co., a renowned roaster that sources their single origin beans from coffee capitals of the world, Ethiopia, Colombia and Kenya.

Columbus Coffee Co.
220 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574352
Tel: +65 6253 6024
Daily: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

The newest cafe to open in the Central Business District is Lunar Coffee Brewers—opened by the same team behind Atlas Coffeehouse and the now-defunct Assembly Coffee.

Situated in Downtown Gallery, the cafe seeks to provide a space where you can escape from the pressures of everyday life with comfort food and specialty coffee.

Fill your tummy with hearty home-cooked rice bowls and even signature dishes that originated from Atlas Coffeehouse. The coffee selection is aplenty too; beans are sourced and roasted by Two Degrees North Coffee Co.

As an added bonus, visitors do not have to pay for GST and service charge as well. So if you are looking for a new lunch spot in the CBD area, Lunar Coffee Brewers is where you should be headed to next.

The sleek, clean lines of Lunar Coffee Brewers called out to the inner minimalists in us. We love how the interior is kept sophisticated and chic with marble tables in both white and black. The cafe reminded us of this old saying that sometimes, less is more.

The Lu Rou Belly Don (S$14.50) features bean sprouts, pickles, ginger, onsen egg and generous chunks of juicy pork belly lying atop a bed of warm fluffy rice. While it is not mind blowing, it is still worth a try.

We paired our lunch with a cup of Hot Cappuccino (S$4.50), just one of the many caffeine choices you have at the cafe. Coffee addicts would definitely enjoy the creamy milk and strong espresso which packs a punch. If there is one reason why we would patronise Lunar Coffee Brewers again, that would be their aromatic coffee.

Do not leave the cafe without trying their Milky Way Soft Serve (S$5.90). It is a white cold brew coffee soft serve ice cream made better with homemade shortbread crumble.

Lunar Coffee Brewers
#01-49 Downtown Gallery
6 Shenton Way
Singapore 068815
Tel: +65 6224 4500
Mon to Fri: 8am – 8pm
Sat: 9am – 3pm
Closed: Sun
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

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