Popular French bakery, The Lunar Rabbit Boulangerie is opening a new cafe in Tanjong Katong to serve the residents in the East of Singapore.

Known for its rich cultural heritage, diverse community, and a thriving food scene with popular food spots including Supernova, Little Rogue Coffee, Punggol Nasi Lemak, Tanjong Katong is a charming neighborhood on the eastern side of Singapore.

The Lunar Rabbit Boulangerie is the latest addition to the enclave and it is located at 350 Tanjong Katong Road, along the same stretch as Little Rogue Coffee. It will be soft opening to the public on 22 Jul 2023 at 11am.

Established at 16 Hamilton Road in May 2022, The Lunar Rabbit Boulangerie just celebrated her first anniversary not long ago.

Unlike their original location which is just a takeaway space, the new outlet in Tanjong Katong will be a full-fledged cafe with a capacity of 40 pax and it will be offering hot dishes, drinks, pastries and desserts.

Specialising in viennoiserie—the ‘bridge’ between pâtisserie and French bread—The Lunar Rabbit Boulangerie dishes out amazing bakes fresh from the oven every day.

The Lunar Rabbit Boulangerie’s Classic French Croissant is excellent. It is light and airy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Definitely one of the best croissants we’ve had in Singapore. We also love their Almond Croissant and Kouign-amann.

The Lunar, a crescent-shaped croissant, is The Lunar Rabbit Boulangerie’s iconic pastry and a must-try when you are here. Filled with Masarpone mousse and chocolate ganache made of Valrhona Manjari Dark 64% Cocoa, The Lunar tastes as good as it looks.

The little ones will definitely love the Bunny Madeline (S$5) which comes in the form of a cute bunny.

Salt bread is all the rage in Japan and South Korea right now and we are thrilled to see it here. Topped with truffle salt, the Lunar Rabbit Boulangerie’s rendition is as soft as it should be, and it comes with a generous helping of truffle paste and butter.

On to the hot dishes that you can find at The Lunar Rabbit Boulangerie. The Croissant with Turkey Ham and Scrambled Eggs (S$16.80) was disappointing as the scrambled eggs were overcooked, but we would definitely recommend the Croque Madame (S$13.80) which came with a cube pastry as the base for this dish.

The hot dishes include a regular hot drink.

An exclusive item to the new outlet, the Croissant Ice Cream is definitely one for the gram and perfect for the hot weather.

If you love cinnamon buns, you have to get your hands on these beauties.

The Lunar Rabbit Boulangerie
350 Tanjong Katong Road
Singapore 437116
Operational hours: 8.30am – 5pm

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

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

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

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

Le Matin Patisserie is opening a new full-fledged cafe at 77 Robinson Road by mid-April.

Helmed by Chef Mohamed Al-Matin who has previously worked at Noma, Restaurant Andre, Black Star Pastry, Zumbo, Le Matin Patisserie first started as an online pastry shop during Circuit Breaker, and it has also opened a physical shop at Raeburn Park.

We love their classic pastries such as Kouign Amann, Pain Au Chocolat and Brioche Feuilette.

Laminated with lots of butter, the Brioche Feuilette—a croissant-brioche hybrid—was truly outstanding with an extremely buttery and crispy pastry. The signature Kouign Amann was equally buttery, flaky and had subtle hints of vanilla.

Chocolate lovers will love the Pain Au Chocolat which was stuffed with Valrhona dark chocolate and came with a molten chocolatey center.

At Le Matin Patisserie’s new cafe, you can look forward to the full range of sweet and savoury pastries including croissants, Kouign Amann, tarts, eclairs, soft serve as well as speciality coffee.

And on top of that, Chef Matin will be introducing a new set of Breakfast Cakes—individually sized Petit Gateaux that resemble your favourite Breakfast dishes.

Fans of Le Matin Patisserie will be happy to know that they are also having a pop-up cafe at Paragon Orchard. They have taken over the cafe in Porcelain Origins and they are serving their classic pastries, bottled cold brews, seasonal kombuchas and pour-over coffee.

Le Matin Patisserie
77 Robinson Road
Singapore 068896

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

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.

Habitat Coffee has moved from Upper Thomson Road to a new location at King’s George Avenue in the Lavender neighbourhood. It has soft launched on 3 August 2021 and you can get your coffee and brunch fix from their new home.

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’s owner, Ryan Pang, is also one of the owners behind Equate Coffee—a minimalist coffee shop in Tanjong Pagar that focuses on coffee and pastries.

Regulars to Habitat Coffee will be happy to know that the cafe has retained its signature dishes on the menu.

They will also be introducing a new food menu within the next two weeks, so it’s definitely something to look forward to when dine-in resumes.

The team at Habitat Coffee is passionate about bringing different coffee blends of varying origins and it certainly serves one of the best coffees in Singapore.

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

We haven’t been this excited about a new cafe in a while, until Simplicité by Fresh Fruits Lab came along. This new Parisian-style cafe in the East of Singapore was previously Fresh Fruits Lab, and recently underwent a major revamp.

Staying at the top of their game and always slaying, the owner—who is our good friend—strives to bring diners value-for-money quality fare in a relaxing atmosphere. Its menu offers a range of modern European favourites, with a good selection of mocktails and cocktails too. Fans of Fresh Fruits Lab will also be happy to know that they have retained several popular dishes on the menu.

Let’s just say they are a Parisian-style cafe in the day, and a laid-back neighbourhood bar at night. Simplicité by Fresh Fruits Lab is definitely our of our new favourite cafes in the East of Singapore.

Simplicité’s spanking new space is decked in monochrome colours and is very Instagram-worthy; every corner is a possible photo spot. French rattan chairs line the outdoors and that’s where you can enjoy a nice meal with your furkids at this pet-friendly cafe.

What we love about Simplicité by Fresh Fruits Lab:

• Chic Parisian-style cafe in the East of Singapore
• Pet-friendly cafe where you can bring your furkids along for a meal
• Affordable beer and cocktails—S$10 Asashi draft
• Amazing French-style Duck Confit which is perfectly-executed
• S$10 Angel Hair Pasta

The food is impressive! You know how some cafes only look good “on the outside”, but their food is mediocre, and you’d never return after taking your OOTDs? This won’t be the case at Simplicite, we can guarantee that.

Highlights include Angel Hair Pasta (S$10), Crabmeat Aglio Olio (S$19), Duck Confit (S$28), Salmon Meunière, French Bone-in Pork Loin with Garlic Butter Herb (S$20), Smashed Avocado on Brioche with Poached Eggs (S$16).

There is a S$10 Angel Hair Pasta under the appetizer menu that you have to try, too. Adorned with edible flowers, this elegant dish looks too pretty to be eaten.

On its menu, our favourite is the Duck Confit (S$28). In one glance, it may look pricey for a cafe, but actually, you really have to order this. What you would get is a perfectly-executed French-style Duck Confit.

Featuring a big and fat drumstick, the Duck Confit is so close to what you would get in France—crispy and salty skin, fork tender meat, accompanied with creamy mash and grilled vegetables. Parfait!

Simplicité by Fresh Fruits Lab serves brunch until 3pm daily and they are affordably priced between S$14 to S$18. The brunch options include Messy Breakfast (S$18), Eggs Benedict (S$15), and Brioche French Toast (S$15).

Smashed Avo (S$16) may be a common brunch dish, but Simplicité’s rendition is definitely not common. Served with a poached egg and mint sauce atop a thick slice of brioche, this dish is a clear winner. The toasted brioche was so buttery and good, we were tempted to ask for an extra slice!

Anyone remembers the super popular FFL Burger? If you’ve missed it, or haven’t tried it, Simplicité has refined this bestselling dish and it is now simply known as the Double Cheeseburger (S$20). It is better and bigger than before, with two juicy patties now!

Simplicité also has a wide array of drinks—from coffee, mocktails to cocktails, everything was a sight to behold. The Rose Latte won our hearts with its aesthetics and flavour.

You can also get a pint of Asahi draft at only S$10, while cocktails start from S$14. Be sure to order the signature La Simplicite (S$16) cocktail which comes with quite a show. We won’t spoil it for you, just get ready to take more photos and videos of the beautiful gin & tonic.

If you are just looking for a space for a simple midday perk-me-up, get yourself a basket of assorted Simplicite Bakes (S$10.5)—which includes Pain Au Chocolat, Croissant, Orange Snail, Raspberry Claw, Blueberry Braid, Apple Braid—a cup of latte, and pretend you are in Paris.

Simplicité by Fresh Fruits Lab
351 Changi Rd, Singapore 419818
Tel: +65 6677 6741

Nestled on the 8th level of Hillview Building at 48 Hillview Terrace, Coexist Coffee Co is a new hidden rooftop cafe with a striking red and white interior.

It has officially opened its doors to the public on 29 June 2021 and there’s an opening promotion of 10% off your bill from now until 9 July 2021.

The cafe is located on the rooftop of an industrial building in Hillview and it has a great view of the surrounding greenery.

On the menu, Coexist Coffee Co serves a selection of mains and all-day breakfast that are priced between S$14 to S$26 each.

Some of the more interesting dishes include:

• Rendang Wagyu Beef Burger (S$22)
• Sambal Fish & Chips (S$20)
• Seafood Coconut Broth (S$18)
• Bao Benedict (S$14)
• Kaya French Toast (S$16)

Photos credit: Coexist Coffee Co

Coexist Coffee Co provides an escape from the busy everyday life and it is a great addition to the growing list of cafes in the west of Singapore.

To reach the cafe, you will need to take the elevator to the 7th floor and climb the stairs up to the 8th floor.

Coexist Coffee Co.
Hillview Building
48 Hillview Terrace
Singapore 669269

The Bread Rack is an artisan bakery cafe near Serangoon and Kovan which specialises in freshly-baked sourdough, croissants and baguette.

It opened earlier in January this year and it has already garnered a following amongst residents in the neighbourhood for its delicious croissants and pastries.

The Bread Rack is located at Space@Kovan which also has other food places including Soi 19 Thai Wanton Mee, PokPok Keh and P.Osh brownies.

They bake everything on premise daily and you can be assured of the freshness of their bakes.

Other than a selection of croissants, sourdough, baguette and country loaf, you can also get croissant sandwiches as well as breakfast platter.

We had the Butter Croissant (S$3.8) and Almond Croissant (S$4.8). The crisp layers flaked away nicely as you bit into the super buttery and airy croissants.

The Bread Rack certainly has one of the best croissants you can get in Singapore.

The Bread Rack is a fantastic addition to the Serangoon and Kovan neighbourhoods and gone are the days where you have to travel all the way to town in order to get a good croissant from the more popular artisan bakeries.

They are currently offering a 10% off on every purchase and an additional 5% off on hot food & beverage set during this period. The promotion is valid for both takeaways and deliveries and you can Whatsapp them at 88755407 to place your order.

The Bread Rack
9 Yio Chu Kang Rd
#01-55, Space@Kovan 545523
Tel: +65 8875 5407

Mr Holmes Bakehouse—famous cruffin bakery from San Francisco—is opening in Singapore at Pacific Plaza on 12 July 2021 from 10am.

This popular bakery hails all the way from San Fransisco, California and specialises in crusty croissants, a mouthwatering array of baked goods and house brew coffee.

Best known for its ‘Cruffin’ hybrid—a flaky, sugar-dusted and cream-filled croissant baked in the shape of a muffin—San Francisco-based bakery Mr. Holmes Bakehouse is opening its first Southeast Asia flagship in Singapore with Singapore-based lifestyle company Caerus Holding (the same group behind Lady M Singapore, Luke’s Lobster Singapore and Leckerbaer.

Located on the ground floor of Pacific Plaza, Mr. Holmes Bakehouse Singapore—a 41-seater bakery-café—is officially opening on 12 July 2021.

Founded by co-owner and pastry chef Aaron Caddel, Mr. Holmes Bakehouse was first established in 2014 as a humble wholesale bakery along the bustling Tenderhill district in San Francisco.

Mr. Holmes Bakehouse Singapore’s opening menu will feature a selection of bakes which includes all manner of donuts, croissants and the cruffins

Those who are unsure of what to get there may like to try they are known for—their signature Matcha Croissant and the legendary Cruffin.

The pastry chefs from the original flagship are specifically flown in from the USA to guide the chefs in Singapore in everything across pastry crafting techniques, recipe development and operation protocols.

Mr. Holmes Bakehouse Singapore
Pacific Plaza #01-01/02/03

Located at Marine Cove in East Coast Park, East Coast Commune is a family-friendly cafe that serves speciality coffee, cold pressed juices, hearty sandwiches, fresh bakes, natural wines and craft beers.

One of the most beautiful cafes in Singapore, it is a great hangout spot which is worth travelling to East Coast Park for.

What we like about East Coast Commune:

• Beautiful cafe with a high ceiling and lots of potted plants
• Family-friendly cafe with an indoor play area and baby changing room
• A space that is perfect for all ages—families, couples, friends and kids
• Reasonably-priced pasta, sandwiches and brunch food
• Great location at East Coast Park (just next to McDonald’s)

The name reflects its intention to be a gathering spot for all ages—there’s something for everyone here. The kids can have fun at the indoor play area while the adults can enjoy a leisure brunch with a cup of coffee, or a craft beer or two.

East Coast Commune’s menu features a selection of Sourdough Sandwiches (S$11), Pasta (S$19), The Brekkie (S$18), Fried Chicken & Waffle (S$18) and Fresh Sourdough Waffle (S$12).

Classic sweet waffles (S$12) with ice cream, whipped cream, maple syrup, icing sugar.

Cappuccino (S$5)

Baby changing room

We love the vibe of East Coast Commune and we will definitely be back soon!

East Coast Commune
1000 ECP, #01-03, Singapore 449876

Local bakery, Edith Patisserie has opened a new cafe at 9 Penang Road (the former Park Mall building) in Dhoby Ghaut.

Edith Patisserie Cake Bar is a cosy space that will be offering a selection of Edith Patisserie’s signatures cakes, bakes, waffles, as well as coffee.

Established in 2013, Edith Patisserie is a local bakery specialising in layered cakes, brownies and tarts for special occasions such as birthdays and weddings.

Some of their best sellers include Honey Cake, Earl Grey Lavender Cake, Lychee Rose Cale and Cookie Dough Speculoos Chocolate Cake.

Photos credit: Edith Patisserie Cake Bar

To celebrate the opening of Edith Patisserie Cake Bar, they are offering 15% off your total bill from 7 – 18 April 2021.

Edith Patisserie Cake Bar
9 Penang Road #01-06
Singapore 238459
Mon: 12pm – 8pm
Wed & Thu: 12pm – 8pm
Fri – Sun: 12.30pm – 9pm

Those who do not go to the area often will think of Ubi as a very remote place with nothing more than just industrial buildings and perhaps a couple of coffee shops. It doesn’t help that its name is so similar to the word ‘ulu’.

However, though unexplored by many, the area has tons of hidden food gems serving the cheapest and most delicious food around. Here is our list of 7 places that you may wish to check out, no matter if you’re working around the area or not!

MR LORBAK

Helmed by a fourth-generation hawkerpreneur who gave up his white-collar profession to sell lu rou fan (braised pork rice), Mr Lorbak is a humble stall tucked away in a coffee shop in Ubi with just a handful of items on the menu.

Their signature Braised Pork Rice is priced at just S$3.50. Despite the affordability, they aren’t ones to skimp on quality nor quantity—the bowl came with a chunk of lor bak that was cut into bite-sized pieces, black fungus and two halves of a braised egg.

TAI SENG FISH SOUP

Spot the longest queue in Bing Garden Eating House—a coffee shop near Ubi MRT—during lunch hour and you’ll find Tai Seng Fish Soup.

From S$4.50 and up, you can get your fish soup fix with fried or boiled fish slices, or choose between seafood and tom yam soup. There’s porridge and yee mee, bee hoon, and mee sua too if you’re reconsidering having rice.

Tai Seng Fish Soup
3024 Ubi Road 3, #01-99
Singapore 408652
Tel: +65 9878 0817
Mon-Thu: 9am – 4pm
Fri: 9am – 3pm
Sat: 10.30am – 2.30pm
Nearest Station: Ubi

Photo Credit: hungryhedgey

CRISPY ROTI PRATA

Located in the same coffee shop as Mr Lorbak, this neighbouring stall serves one of the best (and cheapest) rendition of roti prata in Singapore.

As its name suggests, the prata served here are superbly crispy. The secret lies in the recipe of the dough, which is handmade from scratch daily at 4am and flipped and fried upon order. A piece of plain prata costs just S$0.80 while an egg prata costs S$1.30. However, do note that there is a minimum order of 2 plain prata—not that that is a concern anyway since its so delightful to eat!

Crispy Roti Prata
350 Ubi Avenue 1

Singapore 400350

Tue to Sun: 6am – 6.30pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Ubi

NIU ZOU LA MIAN

With the aim to bring Singaporeans—our Muslim friends in particular—an authentic taste of China, Musa, a Muslim from China, set up a humble hawker stall in the corner of Food Point coffee shop in Ubi, doling out halal la mian.

For just S$5, you can get yourself a huge bowl with a generous serving of noodles which are hand-stretched there and then upon ordering. With that in mind, do expect a short wait as his noodles are hand-pulled to order.

Niu Zou La Mian Muslim Food
325 Ubi Avenue 1
Food Point Food Court
Singapore 408325
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Ubi

WISHES CAFE

A hidden gem situated in the residential area of MacPherson is Wishes Cafe, selling creamy gelatos and fluffy waffles.

Their Matcha Gelato on Waffle Cone (S$4.50) was one that thoroughly impressed us. This flavour came with strong scents of roasted green tea and boasts a creamy, almost chewy texture. If you’re feeling peckish, we suggest pairing your gelato with a portion of buttermilk waffles for an additional S$5.

Wishes Cafe
Circuit Road
Block 36, #01-414
Singapore 370036
Tuesday to Sunday: 11am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: MacPherson

Photo Credit: lixuanpoh

THE BONELESS KITCHEN

Vegetarian options in the area are already as scarce as it is, let alone vegetarian Korean food choices. The Boneless Kitchen is a vegetarian Korean food eatery close to Tai Seng that also caters to vegans, offering plant-based dishes which makes it inclusive for many diets.

Their menu is what you can expect of a typical Korean restaurant, but cheaper and meatless. Some choices include the Budae Jjigae (S$9.90) and Dolsot Bimbibap (S$9.90).

The Boneless Kitchen
1 Irving Place
#01-31 Commerze @ Irving
Singapore 369546
Tel: +65 8457 6464
Daily: 12pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

Photo Credit: monamonaco

PONDOK PANTAI TIMUR

The famous ayam penyet stall previously located at Changi Village Hawker Centre has relocated to Ubi and they’ve worked their magic on the palates of those working in the area ever since.

It goes without saying that their Signature Ayam Penyet (S$5) is the best-seller and a must to order. Otherwise, you can consider getting the Ikan Penyet (S$5.50 – S$7 depending on the season and fish size) too!

Pondok Pantai Timur
301 Ubi Avenue 1
Yummy Food Point
Singapore 400301
Tel: +65 9476 0220
Mon to Fri: 8am – 8pm
(Closed on Sat & Sun)
Nearest Station: Ubi

KWAN’S WESTERN FOOD & DELIGHTS

Nestled within an unassuming coffeeshop in Ubi, Kwan’s Western Food & Delights serves straightforward Western dishes that are priced very affordably.

Opt for the classic Chicken Chop (S$5.50), which comes with a piece of buttered garlic bread, fries and baked beans. Other options include Chicken Cutlet (S$5.80), Grilled Fish (S$5.80) and Pork Chop (S$5.50).

Kwan’s Western Food & Delights
33 Ubi Ave 3
Singapore 408868
Tel: +65 9365 6543
Daily: 8am – 6.30pm
Nearest Station: Ubi