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

If you were to look up the best cafes in the Bugis area, you would have a pretty hefty list. It’s definitely a hot spot for new openings with the abundance of shophouses and lots for retail and F&B.

Located at Jalan Klapa, near the North Bridge area and a few streets down of the famed Haji Lane and Arab Street, is Double Up Coffee. It’s a minimalist’s dream with stone seats, wooden furnishings and an overall industrial theme.

First up, we definitely had to try their coffee. We ordered an Iced Latte, which they call an ‘Spro With Milk (S$5, S$1 for iced). We felt that their house blend of coffee was right up our alley – smooth, full-bodied and had a nice tinge of fruit lingering on our tastebuds as we sipped on the coffee.

To complement our early-morning cuppa, we chose to have a slice of their freshly-baked Blueberry Crust (S$5.50). It’s an interesting pastry that we’ve never really come across before (almost like a cross between a baked galette and a pie). The pastry comes sprinkled in lemon zest and a dusting of icing sugar.

The blueberry filling was what really blew us away. It wasn’t too sweet or too tangy – like a lot of pie fillings. It was balanced really well in between and had a great texture – not jammy and still having the mouthfeel of stewed blueberries. The flaky crust accompanied this filling harmoniously and we liked how it was accented by the brown sugar crystals that were probably pressed into the dough just before the egg wash-glazing and baking.

Double Up Coffee is quite a great place to sit and sip on a cuppa with a friend, passing the morning. The cafe is quiet and the staff are pretty cheery to boot, so it’s well worth a short hike from Bugis station. If you’re into granite walls, minimal settings and a good cup of joe, you’re definitely going to love this cafe.

7 Jalan Klapa
Singapore 199319
Mon, Wed to Sun: 9am – 5.30pm
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Nearest Station: Bugis

When you think of Alexandra, you’ll think of IKEA, Alexandra Village Food Centre and ABC Brickworks hawker centre. Of course, we love these three options but there are tons of other places you can explore in or nearby the Alexandra area, just in case you’re looking for some cafe grub!

Whether it’s cold brew coffee, burgers or truffle fries, we’ve got you covered with this guide to cafes in the Alexandra area!

CARRARA CAFE

Decked in marble tables and rose-gold accents, Carrarra is a pretty Instagram-worthy cafe serving some interesting dishes ranging from Western pasta and waffles to hawker zhi char classics.

Try their Salted Egg Yolk Fried Chicken Waffle, Marmite Wings and their Signature Chilli Crab Seafood Pasta! Those with a sweet tooth can savour their freshly-made waffles with their home-made gelato.

Carrara Cafe
2 Jalan Bukit Merah
#01-5148
Singapore 150002
Sun to Thu: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Redhill

ELYON CAFE

If you’re into Keto diets, try Elyon Cafe – a cafe specializing in all-things Keto! This humble cafe is run by passionate people who believe in the health benefits of keto-food while not compromising innovation and taste!

Indulge in some snacks such as Crispy Enoki Mushroom Fries or try one of their signature noodles – the Roma Carbonara Shirataki Noodle or the Tom Yum Seafood Shirataki Noodle. Who says healthy can’t be delicious too?

Elyon Cafe
126 Bukit Merah Lane 1
#01-202
Singapore 150126
Mon to Fri: 11am – 7pm
Sat: 11am – 9pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Queenstown/Redhill

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).

Folks & Stories
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

GEOMETRY

Artisanal ice cream parlour Geometry is located right beside ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre. The shop is simple yet intimate; think geometric-inspired lamps, potted plants and wooden benches. From Dark Chocolate Truffle to Earl Grey Tie Guan Yin, all their ice creams are free from artificial ingredients and preservatives.

2 Jalan Bukit Merah
#01-5142
Singapore 150002
Tel: +65 6255 6366
Sun to Tue & Thu: 12pm – 9.30pm
Fri and Sat: 12pm – 11pm
(Closed on Wednesdays)
Nearest MRT Station: Queenstown / Redhill

QI PHILOSOPHY CAFE

Boasting a serene garden-like interior filled with greens and plants, QI Philosophy Cafe is a great place to unwind, relax and have some healthy cafe grub. If you like Sweet Potato Fries,  their rendition is pretty great and comes with some tangy mayonnaise to complement the mild sweetness.

An interesting dish they have is their Laksa Pesto which is a dry laksa with pesto and an onsen egg. Quite the unique take on dry laksa and it’s a must-try!

Dawnson Road
Sky Terrace@Dawson 93, #01-02
Singapore 142093
Tue to Sun: 10.30am – 9pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Redhill

REFUEL II CAFE

Sporting a nice and clean wood and tile-themed interior, Refuel II serves comforting all-day brunch and popular nosh!

You definitely have to try their Truffle Fries that are generously sprinkled with Parmesan cheese, their Fuel Me Up baked eggs with chorizo, crispy bacon, mushrooms, peppers and cheese! It’s served with crispy toast and is one of the most satisfying brunch dishes!

Refuel II Cafe
Block 28 Jalan Bukit Merah
Brickswork Estate, #01-4468
Singapore 152028
Mon to Fri: 11am – 9.30pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Redhill

TIONG HOE SPECIALITY COFFEE

Tiong Hoe Gim Kee Trading Co is a reputable pioneer in Singapore’s competitive coffee industry. Its founder, Mr Tan Tiong Hoe, has more than half a century worth of experience in roasting coffee beans.

Their roasts are fragrant and addictive. Give their Pollen White Cold Brew Coffee a try – it’s delightfully creamy with a floral aftertaste from being infused with pure raw honey.

Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee
170 Stirling Road
Singapore 140170
Tel: +65 6473 1133
Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 5.30pm
Sat and Sun: 9am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown

THE COFFEE BELT

Open daily till 8pm, the third-wave coffee establishment is a wonderful place to catch up with friends over a good and strong cuppa, or to simply unwind into some me-time in the late afternoons.

With over 25 different flavours and types of drinks, The Coffee Belt’s comprehensive menu will cover everyone’s differing preferences. We’ve been there several times, and are still discovering new favourites! From the all-time favourite Aussie flat white (S$6.50), Chai Tea Latte (short – S$6.50, tall – S$7) to sinfully rich Iced Blended Coffee Frappe (short – S$6.50, tall – S$7), there is a drink for every mood.

The Coffee Belt
Lobby Level
Park Hotel Alexandra
323 Alexandra Road
Singapore 159972
Tel: +65 6828 8888
Daily: 7am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown / Redhill

SEEDS CAFE

This unique cafe is dedicated to providing training to differently-abled students from the Rainbow Centre it’s located in. Students will be trained in a separate area from the dining area then moved out to do different duties.

You can enjoy their very affordable food options ranging from Pies to Sandwiches and coffee. Their coffee blends are from Tiong Hoe Speciality Coffee, ensuring great quality as well!

Seeds Cafe
501 Margaret Drive
Rainbow Centre
Tel: +65 6817 9414
Singapore 149306
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 6pm
Sat & Sun: 7.30am – 2.30pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown

Opening at the start of August is local coffee roaster, Quarter Life Coffee. Having been roasting coffee beans for close to two years, they have finally set up a physical storefront for their coffee in Deck at Prinsep!

This quaint and cosy coffee place is tucked away in the streets of the busy Bras Basah neighbourhood, near to schools such as Lasalle, SMU and Nafa. Serving delicious cups of single-origin coffee and cold brews, this is definitely one coffee shop you should visit when you’re in town!

This small container-based cafe is situated in Deck, a modern art space. For those who are not familiar with the Deck, it’s near to Lasalle. So keep a lookout for the big “DECK” scrawled onto a stacked container tower!

The space may be tiny, but it holds an unforgettable rustic charm. We could imagine ourselves having a cup of coffee with a book in hand, spending the day here relaxing and forgetting about the world for a while.

We tried their Iced White (S$6) of which the coffee is made with Rwandan beans. The brew had a bright hint of citrus with an ending note of nuttiness. We even had the smallest tinge of herbal notes. It was a really delicious, smooth cup of coffee that needed no added sugar or syrup.

Each cup of coffee here is crafted with so much passion and it was obvious even after a short chat with a member of the Quarter Life Coffee team. Previously working in the now-defunct Tiny Roaster, the team of 4 were inspired to start their own roastery, focusing on select single-origin beans and their unique flavour notes.

This cosy bunker is truly a must-visit if you’re in the area!

Quarter Life Coffee
120A Prinsep Street
Singapore 187937
Mon to Sat: 10am – 6pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Rochor/Bencoolen

Strolling along Chip Bee Gardens, perhaps Sunday Folks and the Daily Scoop would cross your mind, but we have found another place to add to the list of cafes in the Holland Village enclave – Our Second Home.

Hidden away in the sustainable clothing store, Our Second Nature, is their cafe serving up coffee and some sweet treats. Decked in rustic wooden decor, the beautiful store boasts a comforting vibe – perfect for a midday respite.

Walking into the space, the aroma of coffee was so enticing, we definitely had to order a cup to try so we opted for a hot Latte (S$5). The coffee was smooth and had nutty notes, while having a slightly acidic tang.

To go along with our coffee, we had to try some of their baked goods. We first sampled their Harbour Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookie (S$3). The cookie is speckled generously with chocolate chunks and a small pinch of sea salt on the top.

The classic combo of sea salt and chocolate truly shone in the cookie and even us chewy cookie lovers enjoyed this rather buttery, crunchy treat.

Last but not least, we tried their Lemon Drizzle Butter Cake (S$5.50). A thick slice of lemon infused sponge is coated in a tangy lemon icing glaze. The moment it was set down on the table, the scent of the lemon was immediately apparent.

The cake was moist and perfumed with lemon zest, making for a wonderful afternoon treat. The glaze was tangy and was the perfect topping to the sponge. Paired with the coffee, it was absolutely delectable!

Just a short walk from Holland Village MRT station, this cafe might replace your usual haunts in the area with their minimalistic yet rustic interior. You could also scan through their sustainable clothing pieces that are not just beautiful, but great for the environment too.

Our Second Home
43 Jln Merah Saga, #01-66
Singapore 278115
Mon to Thu: 10am – 6pm
Fri to Sun: 10am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

Tucked away in Upper Cross Street is Whiskit Bakery & Cafe—one of the most instagrammable cafes in Singapore which serves up an array of delectable desserts!

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.

Decorated with all-pink chairs and floral decor, this hidden gem of a cafe is sure to send your Instagram-senses tingling with excitement. It was also relatively easy to spot with its beautiful decor, setting it apart from the traditional stores surrounding it in this quiet part of Chinatown.

We first had a taste of their Kaya Ondeh Tart (S$4.50). It was a very petite pastry with several fluffy balls of mini Ondeh Ondeh kueh sitting atop a kaya filling and a buttery crust.

The tiny balls of Ondeh Ondeh were filled with gula melaka filling, making each chew very flavourful despite its small size. We did think that the Kaya filling was a little too runny, though. Perhaps the tart would have been made better with a thicker and more flavourful kaya filling!

Next up, we managed to try their Lemon Meringue Tart (S$6.50)—a lemon curd-filled sweet tart is topped with a torched meringue rosette.

We found Whiskit Bakery & Cafe’s Lemon Meringue Tart to be one of our favourite renditions of the French pastry. The lemon curd filling had a wonderfully smooth texture and tasted refreshingly zesty. The tart shell was also nice and buttery. With the meringue, the tart altogether was a delight to eat!

Other than the two pastries we mentioned, Whiskit Bakery & Cafe also serve up other interesting pastries such as their “Tart Kiu” Milo Tart (S$6.50) and Hazelnut Speculoos Tart (S$5).

Just a short walk from Chinatown MRT (Exit F), Whiskit Bakery & Cafe is a great place to take a short break from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Whiskit Bakery & Cafe
533 Upper Cross Street, #01-33
Singapore 050533
Tel: +65 9366 6136
Mon to Sat: 11am – 8pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Chinatown

Hidden away at the rustic and relatively unexplored Portsdown road is Wessex Tavern, a quaint English-style cafe that serves delicious Western food and is a great place to head to for brunch.

This place was set up by none other than the younger generation of the Colbar family, so you know that they will only serve you the very best of hearty grub.

They have both alfresco and air-conditioned dining, so you can take your pick depending on how the weather is like. The cafe’s interior is nice and spacious, and the whole place is decorated in a very rustic manner, making you feel like you’re being taken back in time to an old-fashioned cafe.

In terms of food and beverages, they serve lots of great breakfast, brunch and lunch options such as Bangers & Mash (S$14), Big Breakfast (S$15.80), Tavern Pan-Fried Salmon (S$15.80), Homemade Shepherd’s Pie (S$8) and Homemade Beef Stew (S$13.80).

We decided to try their Avacado Sandwich which was served on multigrain bread with romaine, rocket, tomatoes, and alfalfa (S$8.90). The bread was a bit too hard for our liking, but that was just due to the nature of multigrain bread, so if you enjoy multigrain bread this would be perfect for you.

The bread was stuffed from edge to edge with vegetables and generous chunks of avocado, so much so that we had a hard time holding it even with both our hands. All in all, we feel that it was really worth the money even though it sounds very expensive.

Wessex Tavern really is a hidden gem that is worth exploring if you’re ever in the area. We recommend that you come here if you’re looking for a place to get away from the hectic city life.

Wessex Tavern
5B Portsdown Road #01-1
Singapore 139311
Tel: +65 64757019
Mon to Fri: 8am – 6pm
Sat: 9am – 6pm
Sun: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Commonwealth

One of Singaporeans’ favourite pastimes is cafe hopping. We are always on the hunt for new aesthetic cafes to satisfy our craving for artisanal bakes and tasty food, solid cuppas as well as a reason to update our Instagram accounts. But despite our love for cafes, we tend to stick to the ones that are located in more accessible areas, rarely venturing into unfamiliar territory.

However, little does anyone know that there are actually some pretty good cafes tucked away in far-flung corners of Singapore that deserve way more recognition than they are getting. Here, we have 10 ulu cafes in Singapore if you ever want time away from the world.

BOYLE’S COFFEE 

Bukit Timah Plaza is a pretty run-down mall that many people do not take a second glance at. However, the place is stuffed with hidden gems, and one of them is Boyle’s Coffee. Boyle’s Coffee is a small, artisanal coffee shop which sells great coffee and delicious light bites for when you’re feeling a bit peckish.

They sell some of the best cappuccinos that we have ever tried from a cafe. We also love their signature Espresso as well as their Yuzu Latte. For light bites, we recommend their Ham and Grilled cheese Sandwich which goes really well with the coffee. For the sweet tooth, you can try their Butter and Jam Toast and Sticky Buns.

L1-CS1 Bukit Timah Plaza
1 Jalan Anak Bukit
Singapore 588996
Mon to Thu: 9.30am – 9pm
Fri: 9.30am – 9.30pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World

CHOCK FULL OF BEANS 

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Changi Village right next to the hawker centre is Chock Full Of Beans, and many people agree that this place is one of the best places to go if you’re looking for a good place for brunch.

Some must-try items here are their hearty Chock Full of Big Breakfast as well as their Eggs Benedict. For drinks, we recommend you order one of the 3D latte art drinks, they’re insanely adorable and great for the gram too!

Blk 4 Changi Village Road #01-2090
Tel: +65 62148839
Tue to Fri: 11.30am – 10.15pm
Sat & Sun: 9.30am – 10.15pm
Nearest Station: Pasir Ris

 COMMON CHEFS CAFE AND BAKERY 

When one asks for cafe recommendations, they would usually not expect to get one from Sembawang. Common Chefs Cafe and Bakery is one of those rare places, and it’s a good excuse for you to travel to the Northern part of Singapore.

They offer a wide range of western dishes, drinks and desserts at pretty affordable prices. We love their Single Cheese Burger, and we love the versatility of being able to choose what kind of meat we want for our patty. For dessert, do try out their customizable dessert waffles for a sweet treat.

8 Jalan Legundi, #01-13
Singapore 759274
Tel: +65 66591208
Tue to Fri: 12pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Sembawang and Yishun

Photo Credit: Flickr 

CREAMIER GILLMAN BARRACKS

Creamier Handcrafted Ice Cream and Coffees main goal is to make artisanal ice creams and coffees affordable luxuries for everyone. Tucked away in Gillman Barracks, Creamier is surrounded by lush greenery and makes for a picturesque place to escape for a day to have some alone time or to spend time with a loved one.

They rotate their selection of 18 mouthwatering ice cream flavours so there is always something interesting to try. Their ice cream is also produced onsite using premium ingredients from around the world, so you know you are always getting the best quality ice cream available.

Blk 5A Lock Road
Gillman Barracks
Singapore 108927
Tel: +65 62621087
Tue to Thu: 1pm – 9pm
Fri to Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Sun: 12pm – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Labrador Park

Photo Credit: Jubilee Coffee House

JUBILEE COFFEE HOUSE 

Changi Point is in the middle of nowhere for some of us, but its a place with a number of unique hidden gems, with one of them being Jubilee Coffee House. You rarely see eateries located inside an old-fashioned Bungalow, and that is one thing that makes Jubilee Coffee House so special.

This retro coffee house has an extensive menu with both western and fusion dishes. Some interesting things here to try are their Thin Crust Otah Pizza and their Ter Kar Bee Hoon. For dessert, we recommend their Tofu Cheese Cake and Jubilee Classic Cake.

580 Netheravon Road
Singapore 508516
Tel: +65 65430060
Mon – Thu: 10.30am – 1am
Sat/PH Eve: 9.30am – 1am
Sun/PH: 9.30am – 10.30am
Nearest Station: Changi Airport

SCHMEAR

Schmear at Quayside Isle was opened by a New Yorker who wanted to share his passion for bagels, and if you’re craving for some freshly baked New York-style bagels and some over-the-top meat platters, this is the place to be at.

Their best selling item on the menu has to be, of course, their hand-rolled NY bagels. You can choose to either personalise your own bagel with various toppings or go for their scrumptious options such as The New Yorker and The Central Park.

31 Ocean Way
#01-03 Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove
Singapore 098375
Tel: +65 92362876
Wed to Mon: 8am – 10pm
(Closed on Tuesday)
Nearest Station: Harborfront

SOEK SENG 1954 BICYCLE CAFE

Tucked far away from the hustle and bustle of the city is Soek Seng 1954 Bicycle Cafe. The owner of this quaint place is a passionate vintage bicycle collector who proudly displays his beautiful vintage bicycles for all to see all around the cafe.

Their menu is a combination of local, western and Japanese mains that are mostly below $20. Some of our favourites here would have to be their Katsu Don as well as their Ayam Panggang.

#01-01 Maj Aviation Building
80 Seletar Aeropsace View
SIngapore 797563
Tel: +65 66596124
Tue to Sun: 10am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)

THE COASTAL SETTLEMENT 

The coastal settlement is a large, spacious cafe that can accommodate up to 300 people. This beautiful, rustic gem is a great place to head to if you want to go somewhere to get away from the hectic city life.

Their brunch menu is available on weekends and public holidays from 11am to 4pm, with some of their popular items being their Big Breakfast and Eggs Benedict. We also enjoyed their roasted chicken and truffle fries as well as their truffle mushroom fettuccine.

200 Netheravon Road
(Near Changi Village)
Tel: +65 64750200
Tue to Sun: 10.30am – 9.45pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Pasir Ris

WHISK AND PADDLE

Whisk and Paddle is definitely one of the more popular places to go to for food if you’re in Punggol, and even if you don’t live in Punggol, its worth a travel down.

If you love breakfast food, this is a great place to go to. They serve delicious breakfast dishes such as classic Eggs Benedict. If you want something to share around with friends, you can always opt for a main like their popular Ham & Pineapple Pizza. Do try their very famous Mac and Cheese as well if you love all things creamy and cheesy!

10 Tebing Lane, #01-01
Tue to Fri: 3.30pm – 10.30pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 9.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Riviera (Punggol LRT)

WILDSEED CAFE AND BAR 

Who knew that a place called Seletar Aerospace Park could be home to a cluster of great dining areas? One of our favourites here would definitely have to be Wildseed Cafe and Bar, which is a beautiful cafe with a farm-to-table concept that serves hearty lunch and brunch in the day and turns into a casual bar with an amazing grill selection in the evening.

Their mouth-watering Wagyu Beef Burger is definitely a hot favourite here, and we feel that it goes really well with their all-time popular Avocado Shake. For dessert, do try The Highland Pancakes for a satisfying sweet treat.

3 Park Lane
Singapore 798387
Sun to Thurs: 9am – 11pm
Fri, Sat and Eve of Ph: 9am – 1am
Nearest Station: Punggol

Our favourite Fresh Fruits Lab (FFL) is back at it again. They have opened a second cafe—Fresh Fruits Lab Z Edition—in Clementi just behind NUS.

The new outlet is nothing short of amazing. Just like their previous branch, they stick to the core of incorporating fruits into their menu as much as possible, being kid-friendly, and serving up absolutely delicious food at even more reasonable prices than before.

We already know what’s great at their first branch, so what is it about The Z Edition that makes it fantastic? A bouncy castle for kids during the weekends! And on top of that, there are some tweaks to the menu and here is everything we love.

From now until 30 Nov 2018, kids below 8 dine for free during weekends at Fresh Fruits Lab Z when you quote ‘ladyironchef’. Every order of a main course comes with a complimentary kid’s main (from the kids’ menu).

Calling all mommies: this is also the next brunch spot you must bring your kids to for a jolly good time!

BANGING APPETISERS

Just like before, FFL serves their signature cold-pressed juices in a small test tube for you to sample, and in an adorable beaker should you order the full-size ones (averagely S$5 per glass).

We ordered the Spam Fries (S$8) as well as the Golden Brown Chicken Wings (S$8)—both served with homemade sweet chilli sauce.

The chicken wings had a lovely crispy skin that readily soaked up sweet garlic taste of the chilli. It was well seasoned down to the bone, and juicy without being oily. The light batter coating the spam fries also had an interesting texture to it, that provided a pleasant contrast between it and the soft spam inside. Despite being deep fried, it wasn’t greasy at all.

VALUE-FOR-MONEY MAINS

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. The Classic British Fish and Chips (S$12) is our all-time favourite main at FFL.

As plain and boring as it sounds, the portion size is massive, and the fish remains firm, flaky and delicately soft, encrusted by a thin layer of white ale batter. Their homemade tartar sauce boasts a slight spice to it that made the whole dish even more enjoyable. As if the generous serving is not filling enough, it comes with a side of fruit salad and truffle fries.

Another main to try is the FFL Baked Rice (S$9). The rice is cooked in buttermilk before being baked with a layer of mozzarella cheese, and it is pleasantly cheesy without being cloying or heavy. With bacon, chicken ham and mushrooms in it, kids are bound to love this dish of baked rice for sure!

The Grilled Pork Loin (S$15) is also a chef’s recommendation. Tender, thick and juicy, each morsel was a delight in itself to eat.

Served with mashed potatoes, eggplant pesto and green zucchini, the flavours intermingled with one another to highlight and emphasize the natural sweetness of the meat. It also comes along with pesto mayo sauce and apple chutney that helped to change up the flavour profile as we ate it.

Cafes are usually not known for their steaks, but FFL’s Angus Rib Eye (S$22) is definitely worth its price. It is a genuine 250gm of Angus ribeye that’s tender and soft, with the perfect amount of chew before easily sliding down your throat.

We loved how with every chew it released more of that beef flavour we all know and love, which melded well with their brown sauce that was slightly sweeter than the typical chargrill or mushroom sauce.

We also enjoyed their Cajun Chicken (S$10), which is really a simple yet comforting roasted cajun chicken served with grilled vegetables, sweet corn and mashed potatoes.

BITE-SIZED FUN FOR THE KIDS

Just like their first branch, FFL aims to cater to the entire family. Treat your kids to deliciously adorable meals such as FFL’s Teddy The Daddy (S$8), Little Miss Koala (S$8) or Chicken Little (S$10).

Their kids’ menu is prepared with less salt, without compromising on any of the other flavours for the children to enjoy. That is, if they’re willing to cut into something so cute.

From now until 30 Nov 2018, kids below 8 dine for free during weekends at Fresh Fruits Lab Z when you quote ‘ladyironchef’. Every order of a main course comes with a complimentary kid’s main (from the kids’ menu).

They also offer cake decorating to allow your kids to have a hand at crafting their own desserts. Choose from a range of their signature and have your children’s creativity flow from the tip of their chocolate pens.

For those kids that just can’t sit still, there’s a bouncy castle out in their backyard—set up at Fresh Fruits Lab Z on weekends. Boy, won’t the kids get so excited about this!

Your kids will absolutely love the bouncy castle where they can bounce and run back and forth. Fresh Fruits Lab Z Edition is the perfect place for parents to kick back and relax with good food while their children entertain themselves.

During lunch hours from 12pm to 3pm (except on public holidays), FFL offers a set menu consisting of a drink, salad and main for only S$10.90++.

For the alcoholics, you’d also be glad to know they have daily beer promotions. The most bang for the buck ones being Wednesdays for students, with beer towers at only S$39 (U.p. S$49–53), and Fridays with two towers going for S$89! Worth it!

Fresh Fruits Lab – The Z Edition
28 Clementi Road
Singapore 129754
Tel: +65 6803 7472
(Closed on Mondays)
Tues to Fri: 12pm – 12am
Sat & Sun: 11am – 12am
Nearest Station: Kent Ridge

Fresh Fruits Lab
351 Changi Rd, Singapore 419818
Tel: +65 6677 6741
Tue to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Eunos/ Kembangan

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Put together a list of the best dining establishments in Singapore and you will find that many of them are located in the East. Just in Tampines alone, you are spoil for choice with the wide array of food options.

When it comes to desserts, there are also a handful of ice cream cafes that delight with their assortment of interesting flavours, excellent quality and cosy atmosphere. For those who reside in the East, these are the best places to hang out after work or school for some sweet treats!

Here are 4 Ice Cream Cafes In Tampines with Great Ice Cream & Waffles!

Photo Credit: Three’s A Crowd

THREE’S A CROWD

Three’s A Crowd is well known for their handcrafted ice cream, oven baked cakes and milkshakes. There is Kris Grey, a must-order for Earl Grey tea lovers and Coco Bailey for the liquor lovers.

Like any other ice cream parlours, Three’s A Crowd serves their ice cream in either a cup or cone. However, should you choose the latter, you are in for a treat! Their ice cream cones are sprinkled with tiny marshmallows, almond flakes or rainbow bits.

Blk 802 Tampines Ave 4, #01-11
Singapore 520802
Tel: +65 6702 0700
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Tampines West

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Photo Credit: Ice Cream Skool

ICE CREAM SKOOL

As one of the first few ice cream shops in Tampines, residents of the East be familiar with them! The cafe is extremely popular with students so you can expect the cafe to be packed after school hours.

A single scoop of their ice cream costs S$3 while double scoops are going at S$5.80. Ice Cream Skool also rotates their ice cream flavours and come up with new creations on a frequent basis.

Now, we can see why they have been attracting those students after all!

Blk 445 Tampines Street 42, #01-10,
Singapore 520445
Tel: +65 6260 0842
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 9.30pm
Fri & Sat: 12.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tampines East

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Photo Credit: Merely Ice Cream

MERELY ICE CREAM

Nestled within Our Tampines Hub, Merely Ice Cream is another ice cream parlour where you can satisfy your sweet cravings. For people familiar with the brand, yes, they are the same folks from the popular Merely Ice Cream at Sunshine Plaza.

Over there, their ice cream is made using natural ingredients. Known for their innovative creations, you shouldn’t be too surprised to see a spread of unique flavours on display.

51 Tampines Avenue 4, #B1-52
Our Tampines Hub
Singapore 529684
Tel: +65 6238 0890
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tampines

Photo Credit: Laundry Gallery

LAUNDRY GALLEY

Started off as a 24-hour laundromat, Laundry Galley is the first laundry-themed cafe in Singapore that opened in September last year.

At Laundry Galley, they offer a Half-Half Waffle Set, consisting of classic & charcoal flavoured waffle. They even installed a live laundry tracking service in the cafe for customers to know the status of their washer in the laundromat.

Blk 201E Tampines Street 23, #01-118
Tampines New Town
Singapore 527201
Tel: +65 8700 7622
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 9pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Tampines East

Read: The ultimate guide to cafes in the east of Singapore – 31 cafes to explore.