Being a bustling business district, we are often pressed for choice when it comes to dining at Tai Seng. If you think there are only food options to choose from at BreadTalk IHQ Mall, you’re wrong! Amidst the industrial offices lies a slew of innovative, yet underrated cafes.

Here are 8 cafes in Tai Seng that will definitely change your mind about the café scene in the industrial area!

ALCHEMIST

Pop by Alchemist, a renowned coffee joint that has won over the hearts of many coffee aficionados! Located in former Khong Guan Biscuit Factory, the hidden coffeeshop now boasts a minimalistic interior, complete with cosy sofas and marble furniture!

This Tai Seng branch has now become their flagship outlet with an in-house roastery. Not only are each cup of coffee is brewed with their own house blends, they also serve baked goods which pair perfectly with your cup of joe.

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

Photo Credit: Kee-Vin.H

HUGGS COFFEE

Located in the bustling business district of 18 Tai Seng, Huggs Coffee is the perfect café to begin your morning ritual where you can grab a quick cup of coffee and sandwich to go. Here, they use both Columbian and Brazilian coffee beans, churning out a range of house-blend speciality coffees, teas and beverages.

Complete your breakfast with their delectable options of sandwiches and breads! Savour their baguettes and muffins with fillings of your choice. If you are also looking for a chill spot to hang out with your pals, Huggs Coffee should be your next café to stop by.

18 Tai Seng St, #01-K1
Singapore 539775
Tel: +65 6282 3373
Mon to Fri: 7:30am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10:30am – 7:30pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

PRODIGAL CAFE

Situated underneath a HDB block at Macpherson Lane, Prodigal Café is yet another hidden café near Tai Seng MRT. They are the sister café to now-defunct Prodigal Roasters, which was well-loved by many for their speciality coffee. Now, Prodigal Cafe has also been slowly gaining recognition among the locals!

Now, this quaint little café serves up not just coffee, but a toast-centric brunch menu as well! They dish out “toasties”, which are thick sandwiches topped with a generous amount of ingredients.

Macpherson Lane
#01-55 Block 81
Singapore 360081
Tel: +65 9450 0484
Mon to Sat: 8am – 5pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

Photo Credit: Grasso Coffee

GRASSO COFFEE

Humble in its menu offerings, Grasso Coffee is not one to skip because even though they only serve coffee, sandwiches and desserts, you can count on the good folks here to do them right.

Their beverage offerings are also given an innovative twist so expect quirky options such as Iced Caramel Corn or even an ice-blended alternative that features a mixture of both Horlicks and Milo—a surefire hit among those with a sweet tooth for sure.

The Commerze @ Irving #01-27/28,
1 Irving Place,
Singapore 369546
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 8am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

Photo Credit: Fave

ONE BAR CAFE

If you’re looking for good food and good music, One Bar Café is the next hang out spot for you. Expect no less than chill vibes here, as the café has live band performances! Originally ’23 Jumpin’, One Bar Café is now run by four musicians.

Reason behind the café? They wanted to make money alongside performing to diners. They even host private events, such as DIY ukulele workshops! Inspired by Asian-Western fusion cuisine, the café also dishes out innovative mains, such as Mentaiko Pasta and Lak & Roll, which are petite laksa spring rolls!

1 Irving Place #01-25
The Commerze @Irving
Singapore 369546
Tel: +65 8798 2625
Tues to Sat: 11am – 10pm
Sun: 11am – 9pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

KNOTS CAFE & LIVING

If you’re looking for an aesthetic café with picturesque spots, Knots Café & Living is the place to go! Reputed as one of the prettiest cafes in Tai Seng, Knots is both a furniture store and a café in one. Boasting floral décor, faux ornaments and wooden furniture, this place is truly a garden paradise.

Aside from their gorgeous furnishing, Knots serves up western fare alongside brunch-centric options. There are mains, all-day breakfast as well as desserts for sweet tooths; we highly recommend their Knots Waffle Brekkie!

#01-07, 160 Paya Lebar Road
Singapore 409022
Tel: +65 6817 0383
Tue to Thu & Sun: 9am – 9pm
Fri & Sat: 9am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

EVERTON CREAMERY

As the saying goes, “ice cream makes the world go round”; the best way to end a long day of work is undoubtedly with some ice cream! Introducing Everton Creamery, a hidden pastel gelato café tucked away in a corner of BreadTalk IHQ Mall.

You will have a hard time choosing between their array of premium gelato flavours, such as Durian, Belgium Chocolate and Strawberry Marshmallow. To sweeten the deal, you can either pair your ice cream with a fluffy waffle base or have them served in adorable little cups.

This cute gelato parlour is also the perfect place to sip on some tea or a good cup of joe and chill with your pals!

Breadtalk IHQ Mall
30 Tai Seng Street #02-01A
Singapore 534013
Tel: +65 8869 1885
Mon to Fri & Sun: 12pm – 9:30pm
Sat: 12pm – 10:30pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

Photo Credit: Instagram

JJAK & CO.

At Jjak & Co, you can ball on a budget with their Mentaiko Salmon bowl and Bara Chirashi bowls that are just below $15! If you’re feeling fancier, try their Cold Truffle Somen with Hotate for a refreshing meal.

If you don’t fancy regular donburi, you can grab some fresh sashimi atop fluffy rice with healthy greens as an accompaniment by customizing your own poke bowls. They’re pretty generous with their portions too!

3 Irving Road
#02-03 Tai Seng Centre
Singapore 369522
Tel: +65 9656 1456
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat: 11am – 9pm
(Closed on Sundays)

Taking our coffee scene by storm is Alchemist, a specialty coffee joint famous for their grab-and-go cuppa. Coffee lovers will be familiar with their first two outlets at Hong Leong Building and International Plaza; they have just opened their flagship store this year at Khong Guan Building in Tai Seng!

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

The Hot Chocolate (S$5) was smooth and velvety in texture, and we could taste the thick chocolate flavour. We thought it tasted like a brownie in drink form! The creaminess of the foam was also very comforting with a sweet aftertaste.

We also ordered a Flat White (S$5), which was served with beautiful swan latte art. The coffee was made from a house-blend Dark Matter, and it had a bold, nutty finish. It was also smooth and consistent with a mellow flavour profile.

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!

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

Previously located in a tiny space underneath a HDB block at Macpherson Lane, Prodigal Café has moved to Rangoon Road and it is where you can find yummy sandwiches, toasties and specialty coffee.

First up, we had Poh’s Egg Mayo (S$12), a mouthwatering egg mayo toastie consisting of smoked paprika, rockets and double cheese atop a fluffy bed of Japanese thick toast. You can choose between thick toast and sourdough, but the staff recommends getting the former.

The toast was pillowy in texture — it had a soft middle while the corners were crispy. The hand-mashed egg mayo was creamy and rich, the perfect balance of sweet and savoury. It also paired well with the stringy melted cheese. With the topping of paprika and rockets, the dish also had slightly sour and zesty notes — a nice contrast to the sweetness of the mayo.

We also got the best-selling Prodigal Grilled Cheese (S$12). The plating was mouthwatering; garnished with yellow generous peppers, rockets and shaved cheese, gooey cheese would ooze from the buttered toast.

Made from a triple Cheddar, Mozzarella and Padano cheese blend, the cheese was light in flavour with hints of salt and pepper. The toast was also crisp with a nicely charred surface. The best thing about this dish? It has the perfect, Insta-worthy stretchy cheese pull!

Lastly, we had the Flat White (S$5). It was smooth with a velvety texture. We could also taste the bold bitter notes from the medium-bodied brew, which had a nutty finish.

For those in the area looking for a great pick-me-up or a satisfying brunch meal, do drop by Prodigal Café!

217 Rangoon Rd
Singapore 218457