Nestled within the Sembawang Hills Estate neighbourhood, and the newest addition to the Upper Thomson enclave is Thus Coffee, a chic cafe that offers stellar grain bowls, pasta, brunch, hearty stews and coffee

Not only that, coffee aficionados can take pleasure in knowing that their coffee beans are freshly roasted in-house—something often overlooked at many cafes in Singapore.

Whether its superb coffee, a stellar array of brunch-style eats or simply just a place to escape the midday heat, the newly opened Thus Coffee at Upper Thomson is no doubt a worthwhile spot to check out should you happen to find yourself wandering around the area.

Decked out in weathered grey walls and simple furniture, this humble coffee joint exudes a rather relaxed and laid-back vibe that is just perfect for lounging or catching up on work. There is also a communal dining table that caters for larger groups.

Their food offerings typically revolve around your usual cafe fare with the exception of their Hearty Chicken Stew and Wagyu Beef Grain Bowl. Besides the usual coffee, tea and fresh fruit juice selection, Thus coffee also serves Argentian wine at only S$40 a bottle.

The Hearty Chicken Stew (S$16) starts off with a standard mirepoix—basically, a fancy French term to mean carrots, onions and celery—which gives the stew its savoury and mildly sweet base and is thickened with cream for that hearty quality. Tender, herbed potatoes are also added to give the dish texture and a heightened boost of flavour.

The tender and succulent chicken comes with toasted multigrain bread and a wedge of lime—which we thought was a wonderful touch to the dish as the sharp tang really helped to cut through the richness of the stew.

Humbly roasted in-house by the good folks at Thus Coffee, the standard Latte (S$5) went well above your usual cuppa. The initial whiff boasted deep, chocolatey notes while the first sip was earthy and crisp.

We may not be coffee experts, but we know a decent cuppa when we’ve had one—and this was definitely one of them.

Thus Coffee
4 Jalan Kuras
Singapore 577723
Tel: +65 8411 7565
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio

Fynn’s Café—conveniently located right outside Esplanade MRT Station Exit CC3—is a gorgeous new addition to South Beach Avenue. The beautiful modern all-day dining café reminded us of our good old days in Melbourne. It is worth mentioning staff members are attentive and friendly – a trait that Singapore’s hospitality industry greatly lacks.

We dropped by on a weekday afternoon and Fynn’s Café was packed with customers; expatriates and office dwellers make up the bulk of the crowd. No surprise there, since it is located just a stone’s throw away from the office building and JW Marriott Hotel.

One-week-old Fynn’s Café is seriously a paradise for all avid Instagrammers. Think marbled tables, rattan chairs, white cushions, stylish lamps and potted plants at every corner.

Coffee prices range from S$4+ for an Espresso, S$5.50+ for a Flat White to S$7+ for an Iced Mocha. Fynn’s Cafe uses roasted blends from Common Man Coffee Roasters.

The All-beef Burger (S$22+) is served with crisp seasoned shoestring fries. The burger comprises two fluffy sesame buttered buns, a juicy ground beef patty, pickled cucumber, onion rings, fresh tomatoes, romaine lettuce and melted gruyère cheese. A house made mildly spiced sauce is smeared over the beef.

Grain bowls are all the rage now and Fynn’s Café has a wholesome rendition on its weekday lunch menu. Try their Grilled Chicken Fried Wild Rice (S$19.50+)—fried rice is topped with generous portions of succulent grilled chicken, snow peas, edamame, pickled vegetables and egg.

The freshly baked cakes at Fynn’s Café are on a rotational basis and we had a Carrot Cake (S$11+). The palm-size circular carrot cake was covered in desiccated coconut and cream cheese frosting. Traces of real carrot are present throughout.

Fynn’s Cafe
26 Beach Road, #B1-21 South Beach Avenue,
Singapore 189768
Tel: +65 6384 1878
Tue to Fri: 9am – 10pm
Sat: 11am – 10pm
Sun: 11am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves travelling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all-time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.