Those who frequent Haji Lane would be no stranger to the abundance of cafes, hidden dessert spots and quirky retail shop, not to mention the new additions such as % Arabica Coffee. It’s truly a cafe hopper haven! 

However, we’d love to introduce a bakery that you might not have chanced upon yet – Julie Bakes. This humble Muslim-run bakery specializes in decadent sliced cakes, kuehs and cupcakes and the best part is that they’re all halal-certified!

Donning an unassuming storefront entrance, you might need to look extra closely to find this hidden gem in Haji Lane. It’s located in the street behind the new % Arabica Coffee.

Julie Bakes whips up a great rendition of an Ondeh Ondeh Cake, with airy pandan sponge and a sweet coconut and gula melaka filling! This Ondeh Cake (S$8) from Julie Bakes can be likened to a cloud – it’s super fluffy and sweet with a distinct pandan-coconut taste!

Other popular flavours include their Cempedak, Milo Nutella and Speculoos Cookie Butter Cake. If you have a sweet tooth, this is definitely a bakery you need to check out!

Julie Bakes
14 Baghdad Street
Singapore 199653
Tel: +65 9647 9027
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 8pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Bugis

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.

Having opened its first outlet in 2012, Baker & Cook has made a name in Singapore for their freshly-baked goods and classic pastries. Serving up an array of delectable sweet treats, it’s perfect place to grab a bite on a weekend morning with a coffee in hand.

We visited Baker & Cook at their Hillcrest outlet, hidden in Greenwood Avenue’s enclave of eateries. As soon as we opened the doors, we were greeted with the smell of warm butter, sugar and a faint waft of freshly brewed espresso. Check out what we tried and our thoughts on this homegrown bakery!

Nestled at the edge of Greenwood Avenue’s row of shophouses and restaurants is the cosy storefront of Baker & Cook. Decorated with warm lights and the irresistible smell of sweets, Baker & Cook had a calm and inviting ambience.

As you step into the bakery, you will be immediately greeted by the beautiful displays filled with multi-coloured tarts, cakes and other bakes.

From the sweet pink Strawberry Lamingtons (S$5.50) to the sinfully fudgy Caramel Brownies (S$6.50), you’ll be spoilt for choice as you scan through the aisles of Baker & Cook.

One of the highlights of our trip was having their classic Croissant (S$3.90). The delicate pastry was flaky and tasted so indulgent and buttery, we were tempted to grab another! It had an almost smoky aftertaste that we enjoyed.

We saw it as the perfect accompaniment to a cup of Baker & Cook’s AllPress Espresso from New Zealand.

This is one cafe in the West we wouldn’t mind another trip to.

Baker & Cook (Hillcrest)
77 Hillcrest Road
Singapore 288951
Tel: +65 6469 8834
Sun to Thu: 7am – 8pm
Fri & Sat: 7am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tan Kah Kee