There are so many great cafes in the East, especially in Katong and Joo Chiat.

The Eastern part of Singapore has all along been well known for housing some of the best-hidden food gems and it is little wonder why it is always so packed during the weekends.

More often than not, this area gets instantly recognized for its deep Peranakan roots, but if you were to spend a day exploring the quaint neighbourhood, you’ll start to realize that there is more to Katong and Joo Chiat than its history. In fact, walk down any street within the area and you’ll start to see the growth of a budding cafe culture.

To help you explore Katong and Joo Chiat better the next time you’re in the area, here are 11 cafes to visit for that needed caffeine fix.

Avenue Cafe

Established by a group of interior designers, Avenue Cafe aims to combine furniture shopping with cafe allure to bring you a different kind of in-house experience.

Here, you’ll get a chance to experiment with some of the furniture which is sold in the cafe while having a chat with a friend over a cup of coffee. The cafe is also known for its hot dogs which have flavours inspired by five different countries – China, Germany, Korea, Mexico and Singapore.

454 Joo Chiat Road Singapore 427667
Sun to Thu: 10am – 10pm
Fri, Sat & Eve of Public Holiday: 10am – 12am
Nearest station: Dakota

Baker’s Well

Since they opened in 2004, Baker’s Well has been producing humble homemade baked goods, which have been prepared and packed with love. From muffins to cakes and cookies, each product is baked with precision and quality ingredients for the best taste.

Plus, no worries about the calories here – their muffins are made with no butter and less sugar!

35 East Coast Road Singapore 428754
Daily: 8am – 9pm
Nearest station: Paya Lebar

Photo Credit: Brawn and Brains Coffee

Brawn and Brains Coffee

Founded in 2013, Brawn & Brains Coffee has since grown from a tiny coffee shop to a bonafide cafe with two outlets under their belt.

Their most recently opened outlet in the Katong area features a new coffee and food menu that uses different brewing methods for a good cup of Joe, as well as fresh yet simple ingredients to create hearty comfort food.

218 East Coast Road Singapore 428916
Tue to Fri: 8am – 6pm
Sat, Sun & Public Holidays: 8.30am – 6pm
Closed on Mondays
Nearest station: Eunos

Photo Credit: Café De Nicole

Café De Nicole

This floral shop and cafe is an Instagrammable pet-friendly joint that allows you to enjoy a good cup of coffee alongside furry friends, as well as their friendly resident house cat who is aptly named ‘Lao Ban’!

In addition to their wide variety of food, Café De Nicole is also widely known for their aesthetically pleasing drinks like the colour-changing Mermaid Tears, and their sweet Souffle Pancakes.

224 Telok Kurau Road #01-01 Singapore 423836
Tue to Fri: 9am – 8pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 9pm
Closed on Mondays
Nearest station: Kembangan or Eunos

Photo Credit: Choice Cuts Goods + Café

Choice Cuts Goods + Café

Known as a lifestyle concept shop, cafe and bar, Choice Cuts offers visitors a relaxed atmosphere where they can enjoy speciality coffee, craft beers and light snacks while browsing through the selection of vinyl records, hip hop inspired lifestyle products, accessories and streetwear brands.

Each cup of speciality coffee comes in a hand-stamped takeaway cup and is made from a blend of the finest beans from Brazil, Honduras, and Ethiopia.

451 Joo Chiat Road #01-07
Katong Point Singapore 427664
Tue to Thu: 11am – 9pm
Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat: 9am – 11pm
Sun: 9am – 9pm C
losed on Mondays
Nearest station: Dakota

Photo Credit: Forty Hands

Forty Hands

Having successfully run their flagship branch in Tiong Bahru, Forty Hands moved East and have been serving satisfied Easties since they opened their second outlet early last year.

Alongside signature favourites, the outlet in the Katong area has given Forty Hands an opportunity to reinvent their menu through an exploration of their kopitiam roots to create new dishes for brunch like the Stinky Har Cheong Gai Waffle, served with shrimp paste batter-fried chicken, sambal maple syrup and a sunny side up fried egg.

226 East Coast Road
Singapore 428923
Daily: 7.30am – 6.30pm
Nearest station: Eunos

Gobi Desserts

Get ready to go on a gastronomical journey at this aesthetically pleasing cafe which serves lovingly-made bite-sized desserts. And, if you are a big fan of Souffles, Gobi Desserts has got you covered with their selection of gorgeous, flavoured souffle!

350 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427598
Mon to Thu: 7am – 9pm
Fri to Sun: 7am – 10pm
Nearest station: Dakota

Group Therapy Katong

If travelling to Duxton isn’t ideal for you, perhaps the outlet at Katong would make a more enticing place for you to have brunch with your loved ones.

Located within Katong V, Group Therapy Katong brings a casual and approachable concept that fits in perfectly with the laidback feel of the area. In addition to their comfortable seating, the cafe also has an all-day menu which features some breakfast classics, mains and homemade desserts!

30 East Coast Road
#01-11
Katong V
Singapore 428751
Daily: 8am – 6pm
Nearest station: Paya Lebar

Photo Credit: Homeground Coffee Roasters

Homeground Coffee Roasters

Having only had an online shop previously, Homeground Coffee Roasters has since grown into a physical shop that now roasts their coffee fresh for customers!

Besides their freshly brewed beverages, they also have food available such as open-faced toasts, seasonal cakes, and bagels. One item to try on the menu is their take on a local breakfast favourite, the Level Up Kaya Toast (S$8), that is served with a 63 degrees sous vide egg on the side!

475 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427682
Thu to Tue: 9am – 6pm
Closed on Wednesdays
Nearest station: Dakota

Photo Credit: Penny University

Penny University

Motivated to bring artisanal coffee to the East Coast, Penny University has been the Mecca for coffee lovers since 2012, with their freshly roasted speciality coffee.

Here, you’ll not only find a wide offering of beverages but also an extensive variety of food available. From brunch to dinner or just desserts, anytime is the right time to unwind and enjoy good company at this cafe.

402 East Coast Road
Singapore 428997
Daily: 8.30am – 10pm
Nearest station: Eunos

Sinpopo Brand

From the team which brought you Awfully Chocolate, Sinpopo Brand takes you back in time with their nostalgic retro vibes which are evident in their rustic furniture and old-school music.

The menu has also been crafted to offer locally-inspired food such as the Babi Toast (S$7), the house special Nasi Lemak for Two (S$25), and the Orange Kaya Pisang Creme Brûlée (S$7).

458 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427671
Mon to Thu & Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 1am
Nearest station: Dakota