Objectively, when one thinks of the food enclave at Katong, Katong Shopping Centre wouldn’t come to mind. And if you’re a fan of bananas, you’ve been missing out. 

Dona Manis Cake Shop is a small and humble 28-year-old bakery nestled within the basement of Katong Shopping Centre. Co-founded by friends back in 1992, Dona Manis Cake Shop has received much love for their banana pie over the years and there is no indication that this is going to change any time soon.

Dona Manis Cake Shop’s Banana Pie will only set you back S$3.30 per slice and S$33 for a whole pie (10 slices). Whilst bananas feature as the central ingredient of their pies, Dona Manis Cake Shop also incorporates coconut into their recipe, which is why the Banana Pie must be refrigerated 1 day after purchase, and consumed within 3 days after purchase.

So are we fans of the Banana Pie? You bet we are. Their Banana Pie was filled with a generous helping of bananas, and the filling was moist even after the Banana Pie spent a day in the fridge. The moist filling was complemented by the crunch of the toasted almonds atop the pie. Whilst you can pick up the Banana Pie in stores, do consider ordering the Banana Pie in advance to avoid disappointment.

If you’re looking for something else to take home, we’d recommend you giving their Marble Cake (S$8) a try. Don’t let its unassuming appearance deceive you — the cake was ridiculously soft and had a slightly powdery “melt-in-the-mouth” texture. This would pair well with a hot cup of coffee or tea.

Dona Manis Cake Shop
865 Mountbatten Road,
Katong Shopping Centre, #B1-93,
Singapore, 437844
Tel: 6440 7688

Treasure hunts are always fun, especially if it’s for good food! Well, we now have a new quest for you hungry foodies with an insatiable sweet tooth.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the best hidden patisseries and bakeries in Singapore that serve up really amazing pastries, cakes and bakes! Here’s a treasure hunt for the grown-ups and for those who simply love good desserts.

P.S. You might just develop an even sweeter tooth for the finer bakes in life after this!

CIEL PATISSERIE

A heartland patisserie that boasts a menu of French desserts, Ciel Patisserie is a hidden gem. Unassuming but very surprising, this small patisserie has a wholesome range of cakes and tarts that are mostly priced under S$6.

We have said this before and we will say this again—Ciel Patisserie’s Lemon Meringue Tart (S$4.50) stands out for its perfect balance of sweet and tart.

124 Hougang Avenue 1
#01-1444, 530124
Tel: +65 6383 0803
Tue to Thu: 11am – 8pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 9pm
Sun: 3pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

Photo Credit: Instagram

DONA MANIS CAKE SHOP

Tucked away in Katong Shopping Centre is Dona Manis, one of Singapore’s traditional bakeries. Famed for their sweet Banana Pies, it’s a must-visit if you have a penchant for good ol’ day bakeries! Other than their pies, try their rich Chocolate Tarts (S$4.50 for 5) or their fluffy Cream Puffs (S$3.50 for 5)!

865 Mountbatten Road
#B1-93, Katong Shopping Centre
Singapore 437844
Mon: 9am – 5pm
Tue to Sat: 9am – 6pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Eunos

Photo Credit: Instagram

FOLKS & STORIES

Specializing in all sorts of cookies with quirky toppings and infusions is Folks & Stories. Their humble storefront is neatly nestled away in the quiet streets of Queenstown. Set up by SMU Alumnus Jody Ang, each cookie has distinct and unique personalities.

Their range of cookies (S$3.50) include the Quirky Tastemaker (Rosemary Dark Chocolate), the Curious Merrymaker (Cream Cheese Dark Chocolate) and the Inquisitive Wanderer (Green Tea White Chocolate).

Block 163 Stirling Road, #01-1238
Singapore 140163
Mon to Fri: 10.30am – 6pm
Sat: 10.30am – 4.30pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Queenstown

FREDO’S BAKER

Settled snugly in Sunset Way is Fredo’s Baker. This fairly new kid on the block features a delectable selection of pastries, cakes and tarts that are made with quality ingredients and the utmost passion from its pastry chef and owner, Alfred Chan.

We especially loved their Yuzu Meringue Tart (S$8.50)! While the yuzu creamy custard can come across overtly sour on its own, the sweetness of the meringue helped to counteract its tartness, which resulted in an all-round refreshing after-taste.

Block 109, #01-05
Clementi Street 11
Singapore 120109
Mon to Sat: 8am – 8pm
Sun & Public Holiday: 8am – 6pm
Nearest station: Clementi

KURA

Tucked away in The Herencia at Kim Yam Road is Kura that serves up delectable Japanese pastries at wallet-friendly prices. Even so, they don’t compromise on quality and offer up some mouthwatering cakes.

Kura’s Tiramisu (S$4) is an absolute must-try! It’s a mix of coffee-soaked sponge and mascarpone cream sitting inside a mini dark chocolate cup. The mascarpone filling was light – not too creamy nor heavy. You’ll finish this in mere minutes!

46 Kim Yam Road
The Herencia
Singapore 239351
Mon to Fri: 8am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 9.30am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Fort Canning
(There’s a two-way shuttle bus from Somerset MRT to The Herencia)

LEE’S CONFECTIONERY

The West of Singapore isn’t so bad after all because it’s home to Lee’s Confectionery. Hidden away in the residential area of Chinese Garden, Lee’s Confectionery is minimalistic patisserie that serves hand-crafted desserts and pastries.

Tart (S$8) was the our favourite of their pastries. The base of its crisp tart shell was lined with almonds and layered with cream that had a citrus flavour without any artificial taste. Its tanginess, nuttiness, and baked cookie flavour was a very pleasant combination.

343 Jurong East Street 31, #01-59
Singapore 600343
Tel: +65 9183 8447
Wed to Mon: 12pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 10pm
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Nearest Station: Chinese Garden

Photo Credit: Instagram

NICHER

Located in the humble neighbourhood of Tiong Bahru, look past the hipster cafes and you’ll find Nicher. This bakery, opened by an ex-MBS chef, serves up artisanal loaf cakes at a wonderfully affordable price point of S$14 to S$16 for a full loaf!

They have more traditional flavours like Banana and Chocolate, but more modern flavours as well – Earl Grey Berries and Matcha Azuki!

71 Seng Poh Road
Singapore 160071
Mon to Wed, Fri & Sat: 11am – 3pm
(Closed on Thursdays and Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

Photo Credit: Instagram

PANTLER

Opened by chefs who met through working at the prestigious Grand Hyatt and Joel Robuchon Singapore, hidden patisserie Pantler brings a delightful plethora of intricately-crafted cakes to the table. From choux puffs to glazed cakes and croissants, Pantler has them all.

It has recently moved to a bigger space at 474 River Valley Road on 20 Feb 2021.

One of our favourites would be the Hojicha (S$8.50) – a milk chocolate and hojicha mousse cake with orange jelly and crunchy feuilletine.

Pantler
474 River Valley Road
Singapore 248359
Tuesday – Sunday 10:30 – 18:30
(Closed on Monday)

PATISSERIE CLÉ

First established as an online pâtisserie in 2018 by local pastry chefs Germaine Li and Joy Chiam, Pâtisserie CLÉ (clé is French for ‘key’) specialises in French cakes, tarts, and bakes.

The local brand opened its first physical space in Paya Lebar Office and the second outlet will be located in Lucky Heights neighbourhood where fans can get a range of tarts and
entremets as well as a new selection of viennoiseries.

Pâtisserie CLÉ
79 Lucky Heights, Singapore 467627
Tel: +65 8127 3925

SUGAR THIEVES

Hidden away in the quiet streets of Kreta Ayer is the small, cosy bakery—Sugar Thieves. They can be easily missed so keep a look out for their modern wooden-panelled exterior and white signboard. Or just try spotting their freshly baked croissants sitting near the window.

Try their Strawberry Watermelon Cake (S$8.90). Normally, sweet cream gets rather jelak after a while, but this cream was cloud-like and complimented the overall cake well. Topped with fresh fruits and perfumed with rose, it’s truly a delight!

Blk 333, #01-23
Kreta Ayer Rd
Singapore 080333
Tel: +65 9850 4377
Wed to Sat: 12pm – 6pm
(Closed Sun – Tue)
Nearest Station: Outram Park

VOYAGE

Voyage Patisserie is located along Outram Road serving French desserts.

The patisserie’s signature cake, Cynthia (S$9), is named after the owner’s girlfriend as it was the first-ever rose he gave to her. It’s definitely as sweet as the story behind it – consisting of a rose chantilly cream, lychee chunks, raspberry compote and vanilla sponge, all in the shape of a pretty rose.

249 Outram Road
Singapore 169048
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru/Outram Park

WHISKIT BAKERY & CAFE

 From colourful Rainbow Cheesecakes to more local-inspired pastry such as Kaya Ondeh tarts, Whiskit Bakery & Cafe is definitely one to mark down on your list of cafes you have to try in Singapore.

Try their Lemon Meringue Tart (S$6.50)! It’s the perfect balance of tangy and sweet – a fluffy torched meringue sits on top of a lemon curd-filled tart. It’s one of the best lemon tarts in Singapore, for sure!

11 Biopolis Way, Helios Building, #01-08
Singapore 138667

Read our guide to the 17 best patisseries and cake shops in Singapore.

The gold standard for egg tarts demands prominent egg fragrance from a silky custard, and a pastry that lets its sweetness and texture shine. But the real secret to making them the bomb lies in the temperature.

Pop them into the oven to toast to the limit, just before they get burnt, so the crust becomes crisp and crumbly, with an egg custard that warms your belly.

Here are 10 old-school places we found for egg tart comforts that will bring you a touch of nostalgia, especially so if you grew up in the 90′s.

Photo Credit: cheehuey

BALMORAL BAKERY

Egg tarts from Balmoral Bakery have a custard that is slightly runnier but a relatively firm crust. You can only get them on weekends, but you can call in two days prior to place advanced orders for at least a box of nine. With baked goods piped with buttercream sold in paper boxes featuring a vintage red print, Balmoral Bakery is a throwback to 1965.

105 Clementi Street 12
Singapore 120105
Tel: +65 6779 2064
Daily: 9am – 7:30pm
Nearest Station: Clementi

Photo Credit: tast.ly

DA SHENG HONG KONG PASTRY

For freshly baked egg tarts from Drop by Da Sheng Hong Kong Pastry, drop in half an hour after they open. Their generous custard is less sweet than most which makes up for their thick, flaky crust that’s slightly dry. They also sell a few classic pastries including a signature Lotus Paste Salted Egg Yolk Pastry to add to your buys.

36 Sago St
Singapore 059027
Tel: +65 6224 6287
Daily: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

DONA MANIS CAKE SHOP

You can find Dona Manis Cake Shop in Katong Shopping Centre looking like a relic of ‘90s bakeries. Be gentle with each egg tart as you sink your teeth into its silky soft filling, held together by a delicate buttery crust that crumbles with each bite. The inconspicuous shop, also sells pastries such as chocolate tarts and their famed scrumptious banana pies.

865 Mountbatten Road, B1-93
Katong Shopping Centre
Singapore 437844
Tel: +65 6440 7688
Mon to Sat: 10:30am – 5pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Dakota

LEUNG SANG HONG KONG PASTRIES

When you exit Tiong Bahru MRT Station, turn away from Tiong Bahru Plaza to the less updated side, because nestled there is Leung Sang Hong Kong Pastries. Leung Sang Egg Tarts has a puffier and flakier crust that turns into creaminess.

We first had the egg tarts from Leung Sang Hong Kong Pastries back in 2007, and we have been fans of it ever since. The confectionery used to be on Sago Street – inconspicuous and hard to locate. But the ones in the know make it there anyway.

The egg custard encased in the pastry is of a pastel yellow shade – not the typical rich hue you might see, but what do you know? It is so silky, creamy and sweet! This is hands down one of the best egg tarts you can find in Singapore.

They also have Western-style egg tarts which come in a different shell – the harder kind that tastes more subtle. While it uses the same egg custard filling, we prefer the Hong Kong-style egg tart’s flaky puff pastry.

18 Jln Membina, #01-06
Singapore 164018
Tel: +65 6271 6056
Mon to Sat: 7:30am – 7:30pm
Sun: 7:30am – 4:30pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

Photo Credit: teojb

NG KIM LEE CONFECTIONERY

A stone’s throw away from Beauty World MRT Station is Ng Kim Lee with rows of old school egg tarts placed beside the cashier and Portuguese egg tarts that have a crust in a pale shade of brown. A fragrant eggy scent envelops you as you take in the first bite. Assorted flavours of adorable starry-shaped muffins will likely catch your eye and we recommend you get those too.

4 Chun Tin Rd
Singapore 599591
Tel: +65 6466 3515
Mon to Sat: 9:30am – 9:30pm
Sun: 9:30am – 1pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World

TAI CHEONG BAKERY

The endless line for Tai Cheong Bakery screams volumes about this powerhouse that’s known as one of Hong Kong’s bests. A strong buttery scent exudes from its crust, with a hint of saltiness that balance its sweet and firm pudding centre. What makes this gold is its wonderfully fresh taste.

391B Orchard Rd
Singapore 238874
Tel: +65 8223 1954
Daily: 10am – 9:30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Photo Credit: carenlaiyx

TIONG BAHRU GALICIER BAKERY

Exercise restraint at Tiong Bahru Galicier Bakery, as there’s a huge selection of raved-about Nyonya kueh to shake up cake time. Eating their ondeh ondeh is like biting into a mochi that explodes with sweet gula melaka. That said, do not cast aside are their egg tarts. With a light and delicate custard, and crumbly but moist crust, it’s delectable and the cheapest find on this list.

Singapore 160055
Tel: +65 6324 1686
Tue to Sun: 10am – 8:30pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

Photo Credit: Tong Heng

TONG HENG

Tong Heng a familiar remedy to treat a bad bout of blues and cracking into its flaky and crusty shell brings waves of comfort. Their diamond-shaped egg tart has a velvety-soft pudding that’s contrasted by the hard but thin pastry. The wobbly custard is also sweeter than most egg tarts. Their coconut egg tart is a few notches sweeter with the fibrous texture the crunchy coconut shreds add to the egg custard.

285 South Bridge Rd
Singapore 058833
Tel: +65 6223 3649
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Outram Park