Cafe Gyoen is a new Japanese-themed cafe in Serangoon Gardens with a train decor. Taking over the space vacated by Isshin Machi, Cafe Gyoen will transport you to the Tokyo metro stations and train cabins!

Opened by the same owners behind Yamato Izakaya in Tai Seng, Cafe Gyoen has transformed their toilets into a Tokyo metro cabin-inspired backdrop and it has gone viral online.

But other than that, the interior of the cafe is pretty bare and looks like an ordinary cafe.

Cafe Gyoen serves all-day Teishoku (which means set menu in Japanese), donburi, curry rice and small Japanese bites.

Apart from coffee, you can also get an array of Japanese beverages including Matcha Latte, Black Sesame Latte and matcha Yuzu spritz.

We ordered several dishes and all of them were simple, hearty and delicious. They are something that we can eat on a regular basis.

Each Teishoku set comes with tamagoyaki, cold marinated scallops, onigiri, miso soup and pickles.

Our top picks include the Hokkaido Pork Teishoku, Katsu Pork Teishoku and Tori Teriyaki Donburi.

Cafe Gyoen is a good reason for you to make a trip to Serangoon Garden neighbourhood for brunch the next weekend.

Cafe Gyoen
55 Serangoon Garden Way,
Garden Estate, Singapore 555951
Daily: 9am – 9pm

Popular Sando Cafe Hello Arigato has officially opened a new outlet in Everton Park neighbourhood which is known for its charming and laid-back atmosphere.

The neighbourhood is home to several specialty coffee shops and cafes—including Nylon Coffee Roasters, Glass Roasters, Folks & Stories, Dearborn Granola, Gelatolabo—which draw in both locals and tourists.

The new Hello Arigato Everton Outlet will feature a bakery alongside their kitchen. Other than their popular Sando, you will also get to enjoy an array of freshly baked goods along ma range of artisanal drinks including coffee and matcha in the morning.

Exclusive to the Everton location is their first ever Arigato Donut Bar where they will be introducing some freshly made sweet and savoury Japanese milk donuts.

Expect flavours including Classic Milk, Matcha, Kaya Butter, Donutella, and Ondeh Ondeh, as well as new savory options like Ham & Cheese Bomb and J Curry.

During lunch service, Hello Arigato will continue to serve our classic Sandos made with Shokupan bread from their bakery.

Regulars will be familiar with the crowd favourites such as their Tamago and Gyu Sando. You can also look forward to outlet-exclusive dishes including Kong Bah Sando, Whisky BBQ Katsu Sando, and Salted Egg Yolk Tater Tots.

Hello Arigato Everton Park is located at 4 Everton Park #01-42 right next to Nylon Coffee Roasters.

Hello Arigato
4 Everton Park, #01-42
Singapore 080004

Popular homegrown bakery Elijah Pies is opening its first-ever dining concept with its new cafe at Tanjong Pagar Plaza.

Established in 2014 as a takeaway shop, Elijah Pies is a specialty pie shop that is known for their famous nutella pie as well as an array of gorgeous pies. They opened a baking studio at 803 King George’s Ave in Lavender in 2021.

The new Elijah Pies cafe will be officially opening to the public on 6 May 2023. They will be giving a free box of Mini Pies (S$26.90) for the first 50 customers (who spend a minimum of S$20) on their opening day on 6 May 2023.

The design of Elijah Pies’ new cafe is intended to imitate the cozy ambiance of a residential home and has been thoughtfully created to accommodate 20 guests across 5 sections – the porch, living room, dining table, fireplace and daybed.

The central feature of Elijah Pies’ new location is a 4-meter long island table situated within an open kitchen, where founder-baker Elijah Tan and his team of bakers will serve a thoughtfully selected menu of pies that are crafted by hand and offer comforting and familiar flavors.

The menu will include popular sweet and savoury pies such as the Nutella Pie, Yuzu Meringue Pie , as well as new creations like the Seaweed Chicken Pot Pie and Mac N’ Cheese Pie.

Fans of Elijah Pies will know that they serve some of the best tarts in Singapore and they taste just as good as they look.

Get a table at the counter and catch a glimpse of founder-baker Elijah Tan and his team assembling and preparing the final touches at the open kitchen.

There are three new savoury pies which are available exclusively at the new cafe:

• Mac N’ Cheese Pie (S$12.90)
• Tomato Prawn Bisque Pie (S$14.90)
• Seaweed Chicken Pot Pie (S$13.90)

We had the chance to try all the savoury pies which are generously filled with lots of ingredients and our top picks are the Black Truffle Mash Pie, Mac N’ Cheese Pie and Scallop Chowder Pie. The savoury pies are great as a light snack during lunch for those who are working in the Central Business District.

In addition to the pies, there is also a range of beverages available that have been created using baking methods. These include the Vanilla Pistachio drink that is blended with genuine nut butter, and the Grapefruit Elderflower soda that is infused with locally farmed organic flowers.

You can also grab a cup of coffee to go along with your favourite tarts.

Elijah Pies
7 Tanjong Pagar Plaza
#01-102 Singapore 081007
Tel: +65 9855 9480
Monday to Wednesday: 10am – 6pm
Thursday to Sunday: 10am – 10pm

Originating from Kyoto, Kurasu is a popular cafe that serves specialty coffee from selected roasters around Japan and Matcha Latte. It is one destination you have to stop by for a morning pick-me-up.

Kurasu has recently opened Kurasu Orchard Stand at Orchard Building opposite Orchard Cineleisure and Mandarin Gallery. It aims to bring Japanese specialty coffee into the heart of the busiest shopping district in Singapore.

Kurasu Singapore offers the same lineup of coffee in their Kyoto branch with coffee being shipped fresh weekly in an express package.

Starting as a small online store selling homeware in 2013, Kurasu has since expanded their business to include both physical and online stores providing specialty coffee, tea, and Japanese brewing equipment that has been carefully roasted in their Nishijin Roastery.

If caffeine is not your thing, Kurasu Singapore has another signature drink—Matcha Latte, using top-grade matcha powder from Kyoto.

Drop by Kurasu Orchard Stand to try their coffee and Matcha Latte the next time you are in town.

Kurasu Orchard Stand
Grange Road, #01-03, Orchard Building
Singapore 239693
Daily: 9.30am – 5.30pm

Popular bakery cafe, Keong Saik Bakery is relocating its flagship cafe from Keong Saik Road to 70 Bendemeer Road in mid-May 2023.

Presenting local favourites with a modern twist, Keong Saik Bakery is a popular cafe to visit for breakfast or tea. Think crusty croissants, fluffy and dainty cakes and a warm, comforting cup of coffee or tea; there could be no better way to brighten your day.

Keong Saik Bakery has been at their current location along Keong Saik Road during the last 6 years and they will be moving to the new location within Luzerne building in Bendemeer.

From the classic French Butter Croissants, to pastries, cruffins, burnt cheesecakes and its crowd-pleaser Sor Hei pastry, you can certainly find something that suits your taste bud.

You can also find Keong Saik Bakery at their second outlet along the charming Chip Bee Gardens enclave.

Keong Saik Road
70 Bendemeer Road #01-03

Hello Arigato has become one of those top-of-mind cafes at Joo Chiat, and it is not difficult to understand why. We fell in love with the cosy small space even though there was nothing much to speak about, rest for a feature shelf with a display of Japanese and minimalistic knickknacks.

Hello Arigato is a lifestyle cafe with a Japanese-inspired menu, and it first gained popularity with its first outlet at Upper Thomson. We prefer the one at Joo Chiat, because Joo Chiat.

Step into Hello Arigato Joo Chiat and be greeted by a minimalistic white space. The cafe isn’t big – probably 30-seater – and you can see from front to end. Whilst it can get a tad cramped, it is still a cosy space for a meal and a drink.

You must try their Japanese-inspired sandos (sandwich, in case you didn’t get it). That was what got people’s attention when Hello Arigato first opened; people flocked to the first outlet at Upper Thomson for sandos.

There are quite a few variations, with the Gyu Sando (S$26) being their house specialty. While we thought it was very reasonably-priced for the generous portion, the wagyu didn’t hit the spot for us.

The Spam & Egg Sando (S$18), on the other hand, may sound simple but was way better. A thick slab of luncheon meat, lots of scrambled egg and American cheddar are enveloped in Japanese brioche, complete with spiced tomato jam. Gratifying with every bite, we’d say.

For all the sandos, you have the option of topping up with a side of curly fries at S$5, but we would say skip this and go for the a la carte Hello Twister Fries (S$13). A full portion of everyone’s favourite sinful fries is generously coated with a housemade Japanese curry and cheese sauce and topped with scallions – so damn shiok.

There is a Pasta and Brunch menu too, and while it is interesting to see they used Udon to whip up Japanese-styled pastas, we weren’t fans of it.

Oh, but we really loved the Iced Dirty Matcha (S$8) on the drinks menu and it is our must-order every time we dine at Hello Arigato. They also bake their own cookies which we have yet to try, but we will, soon!

Hello Arigato
227 Upper Thomson Rd, Singapore 574359
Tel: +65 8772 3778

314 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427565
Tel: +65 8889 5657

Established in 2012, Flock Cafe is a family-run rustic café in Tiong Bahru which serves a range of all-day-breakfast dishes and coffee.

It has just opened a new outlet in the east of Singapore at Tanjong Katong this week.

The new outlet is located along the stretch of restaurants and eateries at Tanjong Katong which includes Punggol Nasi Lemak, Trattoria L’Operetta, 6 Letters Coffee, and Supernova.

The menu is similar to the original Tiong Bahru outlet, and the East-siders can try Flock Cafe’s all-day breakfast fare such as Big Breakfast, Avocado Toast, and Banana French Toast. Enjoy a cup of coffee which is brewed using Liberty Coffee’s blend.

You can also bring your pets along and dine at the outdoor area.

Flock Cafe
226 Tanjong Katong Road
Singapore 437015

Popular brunch & dessert cafe, Lola’s Cafe is opening a second outlet in Holland Village and the official opening date is set on 20 July 2022.

Known for its brunch fare and desserts, Lola’s Cafe started as a neighbourhood cafe in the Kovan neighbourhood and it remains a go-to brunch spot for residents in the vicinity.

Lola’s Cafe Holland Village will be taking over the unit at 48 Lorong Mambong.

Holland Village and Chip Bee Gardens have no lack of coffee shops and cafes and some of the other options in the enclave Craftsmen Specialty Coffee, Kyushu Pancake Cafe, Two Men Bagel House, Tiong Bahru Bakery, %Arabica Coffee, Baker & Cook, Sunday Folks and Keong Saik Bakery.

The new outlet at Holland Village has a similar menu of brunch, pasta, coffee and desserts. You can find the crowd-favourite dishes such as Crab Cake Benedict, Miso Salmon Grain Bowl, and Tuscan Seafood Stew.

Photos credit: Lola’s Cafe

And not forgetting their Lemon Meringue Tart, Lola’s Chocolate Cake and Lychee Rosewater Cake for desserts.

Lola’s Cafe Holland Village
48 Lor Mambong
Singapore 277699
Tue – Sun: 9am – 9.30pm

Located a few units down the road from Supernova is another new cafe, Bella People and Coffee which opened less than a week ago.

Taking over the space vacated by the now-defunct Little Ice Cream Kafe, Bella People and Coffee is a small and cosy cafe which serves a selection of breakfast dishes, pasta, sandwiches, burgers and coffee.

It is a comfortable space where you can enjoy a simple brunch and coffee with your friends.

For those of you who prefer sitting outdoor, Bella People and Coffee has two tables at the outdoor patio area.

It has a small and concise menu with prices ranging from S$18 to S$25 for a main course and some of the more interesting dishes include:

• English Breakfast (S$22)
• Bella Roasted Chicken Leg (S$25)
• Pulled Pork Burger (S$20)
• Soft Shell Crab Pasta (S$21)
• Bella Truffle Cheese Toastie (S$18)

Bella People and Coffee
258 Tanjong Katong Rd
Singapore 437046
Mon, Wed to Sun: 8.30am – 6pm

Opened by the same team behind Atlas Coffeehouse, Supernova is a new restaurant & cafe which has joined the ever-growing list of cafes in the east in Singapore. It is located at 266 Tanjong Katong Road along the same stretch of eateries including Ponggol Nasi Lemak, Trattoria L’Operetta, Kazo Cafe and Eng’s Wantan Noodle.

Supernova officially opened its doors to the public today (20 April 2022).

Supernova is the group’s 6th outlet in Singapore and they operate other popular cafes and coffee shops in Singapore including Apollo Coffee Bar, The Neptune, Lunar Coffee Brewers, and Columbus Coffee Co.

Unlike their other cafes, Supernova is a slightly upmarket concept. Think of it as your neighbourhood restaurant where you can have brunch fare and excellent coffee in the day and a refined space which serves hearty mains and natural wines in the evening.

Supernova has several tables in the outdoor area and it is a pet-friendly cafe where you can bring your dogs along for a good meal.

Fans of Neptune will recognise the Chorizo, Eggs & Avo (S$20.9), while regulars to Columbus Coffee Co will definitely be happy to see The Super Nutty Açaí bowl (S$16.4) on the menu. Other than that, the menu includes many exciting new dishes that we cannot wait to try.

The Steak Hash (S$26.90) came highly recommended and it did not disappoint. It came with 180g of tender sirloin steak cubes, crispy potatoes, two organic sunny-side up eggs, kale and red onions.

Supernova opens from 8am and you can find a selection of brunch items including Fried Chicken French Toast (S$24.5), Baked Eggs (S$24.5) with bacon, portobello, focaccia, Grilled Cheese & Pumpkin Soup (S$18.5), and Buttermilk Waffle (S$12.5).

We also tried the excellent Eggs in Meurette (S$24) from the lunch menu and it featured two poached eggs, mushrooms, and pickled shallots on a fried sourdough with a delicious bacon red wine stew.

From the lunch and dinner menu, you get other choices such as Wagyu Cheeseburger (S$22.9), Rigatoni (S$21), Fisherman’s Stew (S$27.5) and Vegan Grain Bowl (S$21.9).

It is interesting to see that Supernova is offering Okonomiyaki on its dinner menu.

Supernova
266 Tanjong Katong Road Singapore 437053
Tel: +65 6518 9600
Tue – Sat: 8am – 10pm
Sun: 8am – 7pm

Tucked in the corner of Teck Lim Road next to Keong Siak Road is Chez Suzette, a beautiful French cafe which specialises in hearty French food, crêpes, freshly baked pastries, artisanal coffee as well as a range of specially curated French wine.

From the French-style decor and furniture to the plates and utensils, Chez Suzette totally nailed it.

Prices range from S$19 for a Croque Monsieur, to S$36 for a main of Braised Beef Cheeks. There are also other classic French dishes including Escargots (S$16), Traditional French Onion Soup (S$16), and Duck Leg Confit (S$29).

We had the Duck Leg Confit (S$29) which was served with ratatouille. While the skin wasn’t as crisp as we’d like, we enjoyed every bit of the Duck Leg Confit.

Another dish that we ordered was the hearty Rolled Turkey with Mushroom Stuffing (S$22) and it came with mashed potato, baby carrot and a turkey sauce. The Rolled Turkey wasn’t dry at all and it was, in fact, quite tender.

To end off your meal, the signature Crêpes Suzette (S$15)—with a homemade sauce made of caramelised sugar and butter, orange juice, and zest—is a must-order dessert. Top it off with Grand Marnier Flambé (additional S$5 supplement) and watch the staff flambéed the Crêpes Suzette table-side. Get your camera ready!

There is also a retail and workshop space at Chez Suzette which features curated items from local artists and craftsmen.

Drop by Chez Suzette and enjoy a leisure lunch of French classics and wines with your friends.

Chez Suzette
5 Teck Lim Rd, #01-01, Singapore 088383
Tel: 8690 4810

The charming Lavender and Jalan Besar neighbourhoods are filled with plenty of cafes, coffee shops and dessert places.

From the OG coffee shop, Chye Seng Huat Hardware to newly-opened spots including La Levain and Habitat Coffee, here are 15 cafes in Lavender and Jalan Besar to check out next.

BLACK FAIRY COFFEE

Black Fairy Coffee is a cafe at Jalan Besar serving coffee, all-day brunches, Asian fusion dishes, and small bites. Some of their signatures include Popcorn Latte, Soy Chicken, Rustic Beef Stew and a selection of bentos.

131 Tyrwhitt Rd, Singapore 207553
Tel: +65 6909 3518

CHYE SENG HUAT HARDWARE

One of the OG coffee shops in Singapore, Chye Seng Huat Hardware needs no introduction.

Keeping the name of the hardware store that they took over, Chye Seng Huat Hardware possesses a modern-industrial style interior, specialising in unique blends of coffee and an exciting all-day breakfast menu.

Known for serving a mean cup of coffee, this is essentially a haven for coffee lovers and those who enjoy Western brunch.

Chye Seng Huat Hardware
150 Tyrwhitt Road
Singapore 207563
Tel: +65 6396 0609

ELIJAH PIES

Elijah Pies is a popular pie/tart shop which is known for their famous nutella pie.It has opened a new baking studio at 803 King George’s Ave in the Lavender neighbourhood. There will not be any dine-in area and it is only for takeaways only.

Fans of Elijah Pies will also be happy to know that they will be selling their pies by the slice at the studio. The prices of the pies by the slice range between S$7 to S$7.50 and the flavours for the day are subject to availability.

Elijah Pies
803 King George’s Ave, #02-216
Singapore 200803
Tel: +65 9855 9480

HABITAT COFFEE

Habitat Coffee has moved from Upper Thomson Road to a new location at King’s George Avenue in the Lavender neighbourhood.

The cafe has been around at the previous location at Upper Thomson Road for the past 10 years, and despite the tough competition in the cafe scene, it shines and remains a favourite for many. Habitat Coffee is worth visiting because it serves good coffee and well-cooked dishes at reasonable prices.

Habitat Coffee
803 King’s George Ave
#01-242/244
Singapore 200803

LA LEVAIN

Located at 23 Hamilton Road near Jalan Besar and Lavender, La Levain is a new bakery cafe by pastry chef, Wythe Ng who used to work at Keong Saik Bakery & Bakery Brera.

Pasty chef Wythe Ng had co-founded Keong Saik Bakery with another partner before leaving in 2019. He last worked at Bakery Brera as the head chef and he had also worked at Japanese bakery chain Boulangerie Asanoya and Baker & Cook.

La Levain
23 Hamilton Road
Singapore 209193

LUCID

If you’re on the hunt for a quiet place to work or a place for good conversations, Lucid will fit the bill perfectly. The quiet ambience and clean aesthetic completely won us over. Kickstart your day at this cafe which offers a quick caffeine fix for coffee junkies or sweet treats for dessert addicts. Good vibes guaranteed.

This minimalistic cafe with mainly grey cement tones had a modern industrial design that was aesthetically pleasing with beautiful natural lighting that entered the space.

Lucid
38 Hamilton Road
Singapore 209208

OBERSTRASSE

A popular haunt among cafe enthusiasts and nearby office workers, this humble cafe is the perfect go-to if you ever find yourself craving a hearty all-day breakfast.

Their menu is extensive, to say the least, and they also serve up coffee that pairs beautifully with your food.

Oberstrasse
809 French Road,
Singapore 200809

ONCE UPON A TIME BY JEANETTE AW

Once Upon A Time is a minimalistic bakery opened by Singaporean actress, Jeanette Aw. The patisserie offers a revolving menu of cakes and pastries; with three to five items available at any one time.

There is no fixed menu and the bakes are offered for a limited period of time until they retire.

Once Upon A Time
35 Hamilton Rd, #01-04
Singapore 209204

Photo credit: Pacto by Parchmen

PACTO BY PARCHMEN

Pacto by Parchmen is a relatively new cafe at Jalan Besar Community Centre and it is opened by the team behind pet-friendly Sun Ray Cafe and Parched. Sun Ray Cafe is known for serving excellent coffee at wallet-friendly prices and you can expect the same of Pacto by Parchmen.

Pacto by Parchmen uses an exclusive Pacto espresso blend of Ethiopia, Guatemala and Colombia beans roasted fresh from their roastery, Parchmen.

An espresso is priced at S$2, while you can get Latte and Cappuccino at S$4.

Pacto by Parchmen
69 Jellicoe Road #01-05 Singapore 208737
Jalan Besar Community Centre

Photo credit: The Refinery

THE REFINERY

Serving delicious grain bowls, ice cold beers and fresh coffee, The Refinery aims to redefine casual dining and social drinking. Most dishes are affordably priced under S$20 and our top picks include their Aburi Salmon Donburi, Salted Egg Onion Rings as well as their signature Gyudon.

The Refinery
115 King George’s Avenue
Tel: +65 6293 0461

THE LUNAR RABBIT BOULANGERIE

The Lunar Rabbit Boulangerie is a new French bakery which specialises in viennoiserie—the ‘bridge’ between pâtisserie and French bread.

The Lunar Rabbit Boulangerie’s executive baker & owner, Elaine graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Tokyo and she worked in a French-Japanese bakery in Singapore before starting out The Lunar Rabbit Boulangerie on her own.

The Lunar Rabbit Boulangerie is a takeaway-only bakery without any dine-in area and they will be offering up to 13 types of Viennoiserie every day.

The Lunar Rabbit Boulangerie
16 Hamilton Road, #01-02
Singapore 209186
Tue to Sun: 8.30am to 5pm

THE TIRAMISU HERO

Aptly named so, The Tiramisu Hero is an adorable and heartwarming cafe tucked along the stretch of Tyrwhitt Road which is known for their signature tiramisu.

121 Tyrwhitt Road
Tel: +65 6292 5271

TWO BAKERS

Helmed by Le Cordon Bleu Paris trained chef, Two Bakers is a cosy cafe that sits along Horne Road and they do both mains and desserts really well.

With the mission to serve wholesome food for the soul and the motto of “eat well live well”, it is a place where you can go for yummy brunch or to have a cuppa with your favourite desserts.

Two Bakers also has another outlet in Serangoon.

Two Bakers
88 Horne Road
Tel: +65 6293 0329

WIMBLY LU @ TYRWHITT

Located just a few doors away from Chye Seng Huat Hardware Coffee, Wimbly Lu’s outlet at Tyrwhitt Road is definitely more accessible as compared to the original outlet at Jalan Riang

Staying true to what they know best, Wimbly Lu @ Tyrwhitt is essentially a cosy and artsy place filled with many #OOTD opportunities. During your visit, make sure that you try their fluffy yet firm waffles and Root Beer Float Cake.

Wimbly Lu @ Tyrwhitt
166 Tyrwhitt Road,
Singapore 207570
Tel: +65 6291 8138

Located at 23 Hamilton Road near Jalan Besar and Lavender, La Levain is a new bakery cafe by pastry chef, Wythe Ng who used to work at Keong Saik Bakery & Bakery Brera.

The Lavender neighbourhood is home to many wonderful cafes and some of the recent openings include Habitat Coffee, Pacto by Parchmen and Glacier.

Pasty chef Wythe Ng had co-founded Keong Saik Bakery with another partner before leaving in 2019. He last worked at Bakery Brera as the head chef and he had also worked at Japanese bakery chain Boulangerie Asanoya and Baker & Cook.

La Levain has officially opened to the public on 11 Dec 2021.

There are over 20 bread and pastries on La Levain’s menu and some of the items are:

• Brown Sugar Kouign Amann (S$4.50)
• Croissants (S$3.50 – S$7)
• Pain Au Chocolat (S$4.50)
• Cruffins (start from S$4.60)
• Baked Sandwiches (start from S$5.50)

Other than the classic bakes, La Levain also has an array of Double Baked Croissants such as Hojicha Mochi Croissant (S$6.8), Burnt Cheese Croissant (S$7) as well as its signature Bo Bo Cha Cha Croissant (S$6.50).

If you cannot decide on what to get, you can opt for the Classics Box (S$32.80 for six items) which comes with their signature bakes including French Butter Croissant, Pain Au Chocolat, and Kouign Aman.

And to celebrate Christmas, you can get the Panettone (S$48, 500g)—a traditional sweet cake-like bread. It requires a 3 days process of fermentation, proofing and mixing and it is freshly baked at La Levain.

La Levain
23 Hamilton Road
Singapore 209193

Read our guide on the best croissants in Singapore.

Singapore Coffee is a beautiful and fancy cafe at Raffles Hotel Arcade is a fancy place to hang out with your friends and enjoy some desserts and coffee.

Specialising in sourcing and blending the finest quality coffee grown throughout Asia, Singapore Coffee is a paradise for coffee lovers.

From espresso, to drips, cold brew and even traditional kopi, you name it, they’ve got it.

If you are visiting the cafe for the first time, be sure to try their signature Kopi Shake™—an interesting connocation which is pre-blended with both evaporated and condensed milk.

Made with Singapore Coffee’s Blend N01, the Tiramisu N01(S$18) came with strong coffee flavour and paired wonderfully with the Kopi Shake.

Other than coffee and desserts, Singapore Coffee also offers savoury mains which come from the Raffles Hotel’s kitchen. There are local delights including Nasi Lemak (S$25), and Mee Goreng (S$25), while you can also get other options such as Lobster Roll (S$42), Pasta (S$38) and Eggs Benedict (S$21).

Prices are naturally not cheap at an atas place like Singapore Coffee. Expect to fork out S$8 for a cup of Latte, S$9 for a cup of iced kopi, and S$15-S$18 for a dessert.

Singapore Coffee
328 North Bridge Road #01-13
Singapore 188719
Tel: 8878 7093

The Mad Hatter-inspired cafe, Hatter Street in Kovan has rebranded to Hooloo—a new cafe serving rice bowls, bagels, desserts, waffles and ice cream.

Hooloo is having a soft launch and will only be serving only desserts, waffles and ice cream for now. It will officially open on 10 October 2021 and the new menu will include savoury mains as well.

Hatter Street has got us feeling like we fell down the rabbit hole alongside Alice with its thematic interior and whimsical desserts. The new Hooloo is completely different; they opted for a holographic decor.

Hooloo has taken over the space in Kovan while Hatter Street will pivot as an online cake shop.

What you can look forward to at Hooloo by Hatter Street:

• Delicious waffles with generous scoops of ice cream
• There is a selection of savouries including rice bowls and bagels
• Dogs are allowed at the two outdoor tables
• Muslim consumer compliance verified

If you love Hatter Street’s signature waffles and ice cream, you will be glad to know that Hooloo will be offering them on the new menu. A single scoop of ice cream is priced at S$4.50 while you can get the waffles with a scoop of ice cream at S$9.90.

Some of the ice cream flavours at Hoo Loo include:

• Lavender
• Milo Dinosaur
• Toasted Marshmallow
• Milk
• Pandan
• Coconut Sorbet

Hooloo is also offering coffee using beans from Toby’s Estate and the options include Latte (S$6.50), Chai Late (S$7.50) and Hot Chocolate (S$7.50).

Hooloo
212 Hougang Street 21 #01-333
Singapore 530212

Read our guide to cafes in Kovan and Lorong Ah Soo to explore.

Knots Café and Living—a garden-themed cafe in Tai Seng—is opening its second outlet in the South of Singapore.

The new space is located at 102E Pasir Panjang Road, near to the former space vacated by the now-defunct Habitat by honestbee.

For those of you who haven’t been to Knots Café and Living before, it is an unassuming floral café opened by Xpressflower.com which is located amidst the bustling area of Tai Seng.

At first glance, you’d think Knots Cafe & Living is just a well-furbished furniture store. And, you wouldn’t be wrong. But, what do you know—they serve decent cafe food as well! Behind their mystical garden theme and woody aesthetic, their hidden kitchen dishes up classic brunch and Western fare.

Opt for a waffle twist to your usual brunch affair with the Knots Waffle Brekkie, which comes with smoked beef sausage, sautéed mushrooms and scrambled eggs. The Fish & Chips is a recommended dish as well which sees thick dory fillets breaded and fried to a golden crisp.

Have a cup of coffee, read a book or catch up with work while you are there.

The new Knots Café and Living outlet at Pasir Panjang Road is expected to open by mid Oct 2021 and it will feature a similar food menu but with more refined options.

There will also be a wider selection of wines available. They have plans to have an outdoor al fresco dining area, but it is still pending approval from the building’s management.

Kindly note that the photos are taken from Knots Café and Living’s current outlet at 160 Paya Lebar Road.

Knots Café and Living
102E Pasir Panjang Road
Singapore 118529

Founded by Tiong Hoe Gim Kee Trading Co—a reputable pioneer in Singapore’s competitive coffee industry with more than half a century worth of experience in roasting coffee beans—Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee opened at Stirling Road in Queenstown HDB Estate back in 2014 and it remains one of the most popular coffee shops in Singapore until today.

Coffee is naturally serious business at Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee. It is a paradise for all coffee lovers. While most of us head there for a good cup of coffee, budding baristas can also look forward to a splendid showcase of brewing equipment, espresso bar accessories and coffee beans from all over the world.

Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee currently roasts its coffee beans on site, but they are in the midst of moving their coffee roaster to another space.

Set foot in and you will be greeted by gigantic sacks of coffee beans and a crowd of coffee enthusiasts.

Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee boasts several roasted single-origin and an espresso blend. Prices range from S$3.70 for an espresso to S$5.30 for an iced cappuccino.

Coffee blends are typically on a rotational basis, which means you will probably get to savour a different type of coffee each time you visit Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee.

Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee
170 Stirling Road
Singapore 140170
Tel: +65 6473 1133
Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 5.30pm
Sat and Sun: 9am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown

Located just a few steps from Apartment Coffee, Glacier is a new minimalist botanical-themed cafe in Lavender.

The Lavender neighbourhood is home to many wonderful cafes and several new cafes have opened in the area recently including of Habitat Coffee, and Pacto by Parchmen.

Opened by the team behind Onalu—a bagel specialist at SMU—Glacier is an all-white cafe which offers the standard cafe fare, coffee and desserts.

Glacier’s menu is small and concise, with prices ranging from S$16 to S$24 for a main course. Some of the dishes that you can look forward to are:

• Glacier’s French Toast (S$16)
• Smoked Salmon & Avocado Toast (S$19)
• Salmon Mentaiko Truffle Grain Bowl (S$20)
• Pandan Mochi Waffle with Gula Melaka & Coconut (from S$12)
• Glacier Big Breakfast (S$24)
• Seafood Vongole Pasta (S$23)

The Glacier’s Big Breakfast comes with perfectly-cooked scrambled eggs that are runny, bacon strips, German pork bratwurst, roasted truffle baby potatoes, mushrooms, salad and brioche toast.

The Seafood Vongole Pasta features pan-seared scallops and a pretty generous serving of clams and crab meat.

There are also 12 gelato flavours available and some of the more interesting flavours include Shizuoka Genmaicha, Bluepea Lemongrass Pandan, and Smoked Milk.

Glacier opens till 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, you can have desserts and supper with your friends until late.

Glacier
161 Lavender Street #01-09
Singapore 338750
Sun to Thu: 10am to 10pm
Fri & Sat:10am to 1am

Pacto by Parchmen is a new cafe at Jalan Besar Community Centre and it is opened by the team behind pet-friendly Sun Ray Cafe and Parched.

The Lavender neighbourhood is home to many wonderful cafes and following on the arrival of Habitat Coffee, Pacto by Parchmen is the latest addition to the area.

Sun Ray Cafe is known for serving excellent coffee at wallet-friendly prices and you can expect the same of Pacto by Parchmen.

Pacto by Parchmen uses an exclusive Pacto espresso blend of Ethiopia, Guatemala and Colombia beans roasted fresh from their roastery, Parchmen.

An espresso is priced at S$2, while you can get Latte and Cappuccino at S$4.

Other than coffee, Pacto by Parchmen offers a wide range of teas from Parchmen which includes Ao Fu Hou Dancong from Chao Zhou.

There is also a selection of cakes that are baked in house and you can enjoy them together with your coffee and tea.

Photos credit: Pacto by Parchmen

To celebrate their opening, they have a special promotion of 10% for all orders from now until 12 September 2021.

Pacto by Parchmen
69 Jellicoe Road #01-05 Singapore 208737
Jalan Besar Community Centre
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Lavender

Mention Kovan and most people will think of the famous Punggol Nasi Lemak and the popular food stalls at Kovan 209 Market & Food Centre. But residents in the Kovan and Lorong Ah Soo neighbourhoods will tell you that the area is more than that. It is also home to many eateries and cafes that are worth exploring.

Here is our guide to the cafes in Kovan and Lorong Ah Soo to visit for brunch, coffee, ice cream and desserts.

ICE EDGE CAFE

One of the oldest cafes in Kovan, Ice Edge Cafe has been around for a decade and has gained a huge following with its hearty savouries and stellar sweets. Dishes served here are very affordable and generously portioned.

You might have heard of their legendary Mao Shan Wang Lava Cake, Waffles and Homemade Brownies, but Ice Edge Cafe is more than that. It offers a menu of wallet-friendly dishes (most mains are priced under S$20).

2 Kovan Rise
Simon Plaza, #01-10
Tel: +65 6858 5729

HOOLOO

The Mad Hatter-inspired cafe, Hatter Street in Kovan has rebranded to Hooloo—a new cafe serving rice bowls, bagels, desserts, waffles and ice cream.

Hooloo is having a soft launch and serving only desserts, waffles and ice cream for now. It will officially open on 10 October 2021 and the new menu will include savoury mains as well.

212 Hougang Street 21, #01-333, Singapore 530212
Tel: +65 6988 4591

CIEL PATISSERIE

Situated in Lorong Ah Soo—near to the Kovan neighbourhood—Ciel Patisserie’s location might seem unlikely for an artisanal French bakery, but their cakes will make a special trip worthwhile.

Their Lemon Meringue Tart nails every component, from the sturdy meringue down to the buttery crust. Their bestselling Strawberry Shortcake boasts a light sponge cake interspersed with sweet whipped cream and dewy strawberries.

124 Hougang Ave 1, #01-1444
Singapore 530124
Tel: +65 6383 0803

FATCAT ICE CREAM & COFFEE BOUTIQUE

Known for its charcoal waffles with salted egg yolk sauce, FATCAT Ice Cream Bar is a popular ice cream shop in Bedok and it has just opened a new outlet, FATCAT Ice Cream & Coffee Boutique, at 15 Simon Road which is just a short walk from Kovan MRT Station.

The new outlet in Kovan is for takeaway only and there is no dine-in area. As such, they will not be serving their signature charcoal waffles here. Other than ice cream, the new boutique will also be offering coffee (S$4 for black coffee, and S$5 for white coffee) using a blend of Ethiopian and Colombian beans, as well as Milkshake cold brews (S$8) and refreshing Yuzu soda (S$7).

FATCAT Ice Cream & Coffee Boutique
15 Simon Road
Singapore 545900

FLAVOUR FLINGS

Flavour Flings at Lorong Ah Soo near Kovan is a halal-certified café specialising in American-French cuisine. The people behind the first raclette salted egg yolk croissant in Singapore, the eatery has garnered a fair bit of regulars stopping by for their hearty all-day-breakfast and brunch menu.

Hougang Ave 1, Block 121
#01-1348
Singapore 530121
Tel: +65 6286 0051

LICKERS

Next to Ciel Patisserie is Lickers Ice Cream, a hipster ice cream cafe which opens until 2am from Tuesdays to Sundays.

Serving up the usual fare of ice cream and waffles, the flavours vary depending on the fresh produce they can find that day.

124 Hougang Ave 1, #01-1446
Singapore 530124

LOLA’S CAFE

Known for its brunch fare, coffee and cakes, Lola’s Cafe is one of the more popular cafes in Kovan.

Just don’t go during peak periods over the weekend, as you might end up waiting up to an hour for your food. It is also one of the few dog-friendly places in the Kovan and Serangoon neighbourhoods.

5 Simon Road
Singapore 545893
Tel: +65 6343 1808

MAISON KAYSER

Artisanal French Bakery Maison Kayser has opened its 6th Outlet at Stars of Kovan in the Kovan neighbourhood. The new outlet is located at Stars of Kovan and it has taken over the former premise of Sugartree Gelato.

There are a few seats in the small bakery cafe and you can enjoy a cup of coffee/tea with your bread and pastries.

Maison Kayser
988 Upper Serangoon Rd
#01-28 Stars of Kovan
Singapore 534733
+65 9010 7389
Daily: 7.30am – 5.30pm

NAKED ICE CREAM

Located along the same stretch as Yaowarat Thai Kway Chap, Punggol Nasi Lemak, Ding Te Le and Qi Wei Chicken Claypot, Naked Ice Cream is a new waffle and ice cream cafe in Kovan which opens until 2am daily.

Like most ice cream cafes in Singapore, you can have your ice cream in a cup, cone or with a waffle. There are two waffles to choose from—Plain Waffle (S$3.80), or Charcoal Waffle (S$4.80). For drinks, you can choose from coffee, tea and house special fizzies.

957 Upper Serangoon Rd
Singapore 534717

THE BREAD SHOP

Other than freshly-baked bread and pastries, The Bread Shop in Kovan serves up the usual brunch works, but of great quality at affordable prices. Most of the dishes on the menu are priced under S$16.

953 Upper Serangoon Rd
Singapore 534715
Tel: +65 6581 7461

THE HUMBLE SCOOP

Known for its locally-inspired ice cream flavours including Orh Haw (hawthorn berry), Orh-Bee-Good (pulut hitam) and In-Kueh-Dible (salted coconut & gula melaka), The Humble Scoop has opened its second outlet at Stars of Kovan.

The new ice cream takeaway shop in Kovan prides themselves on locally inspired ice cream flavours and they do not use any colourings, flavourings or additive in the ice cream.

988 Upper Serangoon Road
Stars of Kovan #01-02
Tel: +65 8803 5981

SEE YOU LATTE

See You Latte is an Indonesian-fusion cafe at Stars of Kovan

Beef Rendang Rice (S$11.90), Indonesia Curry Chicken Rice (S$8.90) and Grilled Chicken with Rice (S$8.90).

All the ingredients in our café are fresh from the market and do not contain any MSG.

988 Upper Serangoon Road,
#01-15, Stars of Kovan, Singapore 534733

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

TWO CRANES

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

Some of the Korean mains you can try include Wonda Army Stew (S$16.90), Fu Bimbimbap (S$13.90), and Kimchi Fried Rice (S$12.90).

Block 211, Hougang Street 21, #01-291
Singapore 530211
Tel: +65 8166 0140

Read our guide on the cafes in Serangoon neighbourhood.