Singapore’s bustling culinary scene is often celebrated for its vibrant hawker centers and the best fine dining establishments, but tucked away in its charming neighborhoods are traditional old-school bakeries that offer a delightful glimpse into the city’s rich heritage.

These surviving old-school bakeries, some of which have been around for decades, continue to serve up time-honored treats such as buttercream cakes, pandan chiffon cakes, kuehs and egg tarts.

Here are 12 traditional bakeries in Singapore you must visit for old-school bakes.

BALMORAL BAKERY

For those who live in Clementi, Balmoral Bakery is an old-school bakery that would be no stranger to you. With roots dating back to the mid-1960s, Balmoral Bakery is well-loved for their baked pastries and fluffy cakes.

Balmoral Bakery is located at the edge of the rows of shops at Sunset Way Residence. However, what makes this humble bakery stand out is its brick walls and tiled flooring. The pastries at Balmoral Bakery are priced affordably and most are below S$2 each. Our picks were the Chicken Pie (S$1.80), Char Siew Soh (S$1.60) and the Beef Pie (S$2.50).

105 Clementi Street 12,
#01-06, Singapore 120105
Tel: 6779 2064

DONA MANIS CAKE SHOP

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). 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.

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

JI XIANG CONFECTIONERY

Ji Xiang Confectionery has been handcrafting traditional Ang Ku Kueh since 1988 and the family-run business is fortunately unthreatened by the rising number of cafes in its vicinity. These handmade Chinese pastries are usually filled with sweet mung bean or peanut but you can also find other flavours such as Coconut, Corn, Salted Bean and Yam over at Ji Xiang.

1 Everton Park
Singapore 081001
Tel: +65 6223 1631

JIE BAKERY

Feeling nostalgic for old-school roti loaves that are freshly sliced right in front of your eyes? Then head down to Jie Traditional Bread Bakery, one of the older bakeries in Singapore that remains unfazed by Singapore’s rapid development.

The rustic bakery still exudes quaint old-world charm and is a must-visit for those who wish to teleport back to the old days. If you’ve ever wondered where those rainbow-coloured bread—the ones commonly found at push kart ice cream stands—come from, here’s your answer.

123 Upper Paya Lebar Road
Singapore 534837
Tel: +65 6289 7461

LEK LIM NONYA CAKE CONFECTIONERY

Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery is a Halal-certified bakery that takes pride in serving a plethora of traditional Peranakan delights. It started in 1968 when they first started selling tasty homemade kuehs and the rest is history.

Savour their signature Ang Ku Kueh (S$0.55 per piece), Kueh Lapis Nonya (S$0.65 per piece) and Kueh Kao Swee (S$0.65).

#01-21, Block 84
Bedok North Street 4
Singapore 460084
Tel: +65 6449 0815

LOVE CONFECTIONERY

Love Confectionery is located beside Alexander Village Food Centre and has been a perennial favourite amongst residents since their childhood days for its buttercream cakes and homemade spreads. Their pandan cake remains a hot seller and is one that definitely warrants a try.

Block 122 #01-60
Bukit Merah Lane 1
Singapore 150122
Tel: +65 6278 2385

LEUNG SANG HONG KONG PASTRIES

Leung Sang Hong Kong Pastries is Heaven on Earth. Upon stepping in, you would be greeted by the aroma of fresh bakes and everything wonderful. This old-school looking confectionery may look next to nothing, but they have one of the best egg tarts in Singapore.

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. Today, they sit on Jalan Membina, opposite Tiong Bahru Bakery.

18 Jln Membina, #01-06
Singapore 164018
Tel: +65 6271 6056

NG KIM LEE CONFECTIONERY

For those who grew up in the West side of Singapore, Ng Kim Lee Confectionery would be a name familiar to you. A family-run bakery situated along Chun Tin Road, Ng Kim Lee Confectionery is known for selling Teochew-style pastries and traditional Western cakes at affordable prices.

Pastries always taste best freshly baked, and this is exactly what you’d get at Ng Kim Lee Confectionery. One of their top-selling bakes is the mini butter muffins.

At just S$0.70 per piece, you’d be able to sample many of their flavours without feeling the pinch. As we arrived rather late in the day, we only managed to pick up a couple of their Strawberry Muffins and Jam Muffins. These mini butter muffins had a balanced taste and was not overly buttery.

4 Chun Tin Road
Singapore 599591

SERANGOON GARDEN BAKERY & CONFECTIONERY

Serangoon Garden Bakery & Confectionery is an institution which has been dishing out Singapore-style old-school breads—or better recognised as buns—for decades.

The Butter Bun is probably the most famous one, while the Cheese Bun comes close in terms of popularity. The Hamburger is essentially chicken luncheon meat enveloped in soft bun, and the Kaya Peanut is our all-time favourite.

While everyone has their favourites (and there are only a handful of surviving traditional bakeries in Singapore), we grew up with Serangoon Garden Bakery & Confectionery at Serangoon Garden Market and it is our go-to place whenever we want to satisfy our craving for old-school buns.

49A Serangoon Garden Way
#01-45 Garden Market
Singapore 555945

SEMBAWANG CONFECTIONERY

Sembawang Confectionery is a humble old-school bakery tucked away at the ground floor of a HDB estate at Beach Road, not Sembawang. This bakery has been rolling out freshly baked bread and cakes since the 1960s. Best of all, their goods are free from preservatives.

Sembawang Confectionery carries a wide array of baked goods for your picking. From individually wrapped buns, loaves of bread, kueh, pastries and nostalgic Western cakes, there is something for everyone here.

6 Beach Rd, #01-4869,
Singapore 190006
Tel: +65 6295 3965

SING HON LOONG BAKERY

In this day and age, you don’t often come across bakeries that are open 24 hours every day. Sing Hon Loong Bakery is a traditional bakery at Whampoa which sells old-school buns throughout the day. Yes, that’s right; all day, every day.

When you drop by, you need to pick up a few of Sing Hon Loong Bakery’s traditional loaves which would pair perfectly with a cup of Kopi or Teh.

With more than 50 years of history, this is one of the best bakeries to visit for a trip down memory lane or if you’re looking for a quick yet reliable fix for that random carb craving.

4 Whampoa Drive
Singapore 327715
Tel: 6256 0878

THIAM YIAN CONFECTIONERY

Located in the Kovan heartlands, Thiam Yian Confectionery is a humble old-school bakery that serves cream cakes, Chinese pastries, and handmade kuehs since the 1980s.

It is located along the same stretch as Heng Long Teochew Porridge and Selegie Soyabean. You can head over to Heng Long for a simple and hearty Teochew porridge meal before grabbing some desserts from Selegie Soyabean and pastries from Tjiam Yian Confectionery.

1004 Upper Serangoon Rd, Singapore 534742
Tel: +65 6458 1478

Sembawang Confectionery is a humble old-school bakery tucked away at the ground floor of a HDB estate at Beach Road, not Sembawang. This bakery has been rolling out freshly baked bread and cakes since the 1960s. Best of all, their goods are free from preservatives.

During the short time we spent at Sembawang Confectionery, the bakery was visited by plenty of regulars which only goes to show how well-loved their bakes are. So take this as your sign to drop by Sembawang Confectionery if you haven’t visited them before.

Sembawang Confectionery carries a wide array of baked goods for your picking. From individually wrapped buns, loaves of bread, kueh, pastries and nostalgic Western cakes, there is something for everyone here.

To top it off, customers can take their time to select their favourites because Sembawang Confectionery is known for their friendly staff who are patient and customer-centric.

When we asked their staff to recommend us some items, she shared that the Cream Horn (S$2) was one of their top-sellers and we witnessed this in person too. Just as we ordered the Cream Horn, someone dropped by to pick up an order and there just wasn’t enough left on the shelf to pack for them. Say what?

Whilst we found the pastry of the Cream Horn decently flaky, the cream filling leaned towards being more of a butter-based cream rather than fresh cream. So if you’re intending to purchase some Cream Horns for yourself, do note that the Cream Horn is best enjoyed fresh instead of being kept in the fridge for later occasion.

Another interesting find at Sembawang Confectionery is the Pineapple Leaf Pie (S$1.50), a twist on the well-loved pineapple tart. Put simply, the Pineapple Leaf Pie shares the same concept as the Bunny Shaped Pineapple Tarts that you’d see during Chinese New Year i.e., a crumbly buttery shell filled with pineapple paste.

Whilst the taste of the Pineapple Leaf Pie was decent for the price, we’d have liked the pastry to be slightly saltier for a deeper flavour.

The best part about all these traditional bakeries is their range of nostalgic old-school Western Heritage Cakes (S$1.80 per slice), especially the “Traffic Light” cake. Sembawang Confectionery’s Heritage Cakes come in chocolate and vanilla flavours, and each slice of cake is carefully decorated with different designs.

Taste-wise, the Heritage Cakes were moist and the buttercream was fresh and light. But if we were asked about what would make the cakes better, we would have liked the cakes to have a slightly fluffier texture. 

Some other treats that you can pick up at Sembawang Confectionery include the Egg Tarts (S$1.50) and Custard Cream Puff (S$1.50). Although they weren’t outstanding, they would make a lovely and affordable afternoon snack for the family.

Sembawang Confectionery
6 Beach Rd, #01-4869,
Singapore 190006
Tel: +65 6295 3965

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

For those who live in Clementi, Balmoral Bakery is an old-school bakery that would be no stranger to you. With roots dating back to the mid-1960s, Balmoral Bakery is well-loved for their baked pastries and fluffy cakes.

If you’re not sure where Balmoral Bakery is, all you’ll need to do is use your sense of smell to guide you. We kid you not — that’s how amazing their bakes smell even from a distance away. Here’s what you can expect at this traditional bakery.

Balmoral Bakery is located at the edge of the rows of shops at Sunset Way Residence. However, what makes this humble bakery stand out is its brick walls and tiled flooring. Given that the logo of Balmoral Bakery bears resemblance to the Balmoral Castle in Scotland, the choice of red brick walls for the bakery’s was definitely an appropriate choice.

Although Balmoral Bakery doesn’t occupy a very large store space, customers would be impressed by the range of baked goods that they carry within the store. We were drawn in by the rows of freshly baked pastries which made a feast for the eyes.

The pastries at Balmoral Bakery are priced affordably and most are below S$2 each. Our picks were the Chicken Pie (S$1.80), Char Siew Soh (S$1.60) and the Beef Pie (S$2.50). Other options that you can choose include the Chicken Curry Puff (S$1.60), Beef Curry Puff (S$1.60) and Sausage Roll (S$1.60).

Our thoughts? We were big fans of the Chicken Pie and Beef Pie. Each pastry was filled with large chunks of meat, and the flavours were rich and slightly peppery. Best of all? The pastry crust was crispy and flaky even after keeping the pies in the fridge and reheating them the next day. That means you can order more pies and freeze them for future consumption.

As for the Char Siew Soh, whilst the pastry had a pleasing appearance, we weren’t impressed by its flavour. So if you’re visiting Balmoral Bakery for the first time, we’d recommend giving this a miss.

The Bacon & Onion Quiche (S$2.50) was a pretty decent option. The quiche was filled with a generous portion of bacon and white onions, and the saltiness of the bacon was a beautiful contrast to the sweetness of the white onions. The egg custard of the Bacon & Onion Quiche was also pretty tasty and the layer of melted cheese atop the pastry brought all the flavours together.

It would be a crime to leave a traditional bakery without ordering some of their traditional western cakes. We selected Coconut, Vanilla, Kaya Pandan, Chocolate and Coffee Chocolate, all of which were priced at S$1.80 per slice. The buttercream of each slice of cake was light and not overly sweet, and the texture of the cakes was soft and sufficiently fluffy.

Balmoral Bakery
105 Clementi Street 12,
#01-06, Singapore 120105
Tel: 6779 2064

In this day and age, you don’t often come across bakeries that are open 24 hours every day. Sing Hon Loong Bakery is a traditional bakery at Whampoa which sells old-school buns throughout the day. Yes, that’s right; all day, every day. 

With more than 50 years of history, this is one of the best bakeries to visit for a trip down memory lane or if you’re looking for a quick yet reliable fix for that random carb craving. Here’s what you can expect at Sing Hon Loong Bakery. 

For those who intend to pay Sing Hon Loong Bakery a visit, do keep in mind that this is a humble and unpretentious family business who is just focused on selling straightforward, simple bakes. Don’t expect a wide selection of different or fancy-flavoured breads here. This is where simplicity is at its best.

When you drop by, you need to pick up a few of Sing Hon Loong Bakery’s traditional loaves which would pair perfectly with a cup of Kopi or Teh. Out of the few that we picked, we would recommend the Red Bean Buns (a set for S$2.50) which were fragrant, soft, and contained a satisfying portion of red bean filling. 

But if you’re looking for a quick snack, Sing Hon Loong carries a decent spread of classic buns for your picking. Popular classic bun flavours include Coconut (S$2), Red Bean (S$1.20) and Curry (S$1.50). Although these classic buns were priced more affordably than buns you’d find in commercial bakeries, we were pleasantly surprised with the soft and fluffy texture of the bread, and the generous portion of filling within each classic bun. 

Sing Hon Loong Bakery
4 Whampoa Drive
Singapore 327715
Tel: 6256 0878

For those who grew up in the West side of Singapore, Ng Kim Lee Confectionery would be a name familiar to you. A family-run bakery situated along Chun Tin Road, Ng Kim Lee Confectionery is known for selling Teochew-style pastries and traditional Western cakes at affordable prices.

Here’s why you should pay a visit to this bakery the next time you are in the Upper Bukit Timah area.

Step back into time once you reach the doorstep of Ng Kim Lee Confectionery. From traditional patterned tiled floors to the blue Bostwick collapsible gates (aka shophouse grilles), these are just some reasons why this humble bakery has stayed popular with many Singaporeans for more than 60 years.

Pastries always taste best freshly baked, and this is exactly what you’d get at Ng Kim Lee Confectionery. One of their top-selling bakes is the mini butter muffins.

At just S$0.70 per piece, you’d be able to sample many of their flavours without feeling the pinch. As we arrived rather late in the day, we only managed to pick up a couple of their Strawberry Muffins and Jam Muffins. These mini butter muffins had a balanced taste and was not overly buttery.

Other popular pastries that we sampled were the Honey Chicken Siew Pao (S$1.60 per piece) and Portuguese Egg Tart (S$1.50 per piece). The crust of the Honey Chicken Siew Pao was crispy and when cut, revealed tasty chicken chunks enveloped by a buttery flaky crust. The filling of the Portuguese Egg Tart had a slight milky flavour and its pastry was not overcooked.

If you fancy something sweeter, Ng Kim Lee Confectionery offers a decent spread of traditional Western cakes for your picking. We were told that the Durian Mousse Cake (S$3) and the Yam Mousse Cake (S$3) were their most popular flavours. Though you’d expect these ingredients to have strong flavours, both cakes were soft, slightly sweet, and light in flavour.

You can also pick up childhood snacks (such as Iced Gems, Pig Ears at S$3 per packet), Tau Sar Piah (S$4.50 per packet) and Walnut Biscuits (S$3 per packet) here. A tip: As their freshly baked pastries sell out quickly, we recommend visiting the bakery earlier in the day. Elsewise, drop by to enquire about their daily baking schedule so that you can pick up your favourite bakes fresh out of the oven.

Ng Kim Lee Confectionery
4 Chun Tin Road
Singapore 599591

Serangoon Garden Bakery & Confectionery is an institution which has been dishing out Singapore-style old-school breads—or better recognised as buns—for decades.

While everyone has their favourites (and there are only a handful of surviving traditional bakeries in Singapore), we grew up with Serangoon Garden Bakery & Confectionery at Serangoon Garden Market and it is our go-to place whenever we want to satisfy our craving for old-school buns.

“Zai Lai, Zai Lai!”

The daily fresh bakes from Serangoon Garden Bakery & Confectionery are a true testament to the standards of old-school local-style breads.

The stall occupies two units in the buzzing Serangoon Garden Food Centre & Market, and since young, we’ve watched the two uncles picking breads from the shelves and calculating the total sum in godlike speed.

Queues are often seen especially in the morning when trays after trays of freshly baked buns are put up, and during lunch hour. Very often, they sell out by 2pm.

Serangoon Garden Bakery & Confectionery has quite the selection of old-school buns. Pillowy soft with a brown skin and white interior, tears apart easily, and exudes a distinct fragrance that we grew up knowing.

The Butter Bun is probably the most famous one, while the Cheese Bun comes close in terms of popularity. The Hamburger is essentially chicken luncheon meat enveloped in soft bun, and the Kaya Peanut is our all-time favourite.

The aroma of the bakes often fill the market, and despite inflation and rising food costs, their prices remain low and the uncles are ever humble of their successes.

Serangoon Garden Bakery & Confectionery
49A Serangoon Garden Way
#01-45 Garden Market
Singapore 555945

Read our guide on the traditional bakeries in Singapore you should support.

A stalwart bastion of traditional nonya kuehs, Tiong Bahru Galicier Pastry has been enamouring senses since its inception in the 1970s, enrapturing with its beautiful array of traditional kuehs and baked goods.

It has been reported by Eatbook that the famous old-school bakery may be closing its current space in Tiong Bahru due to an impending sale of their shophouse unit. However, it remains unclear whether Tiong Bahru Galicier Pastry is closing for good or simply moving to a new shop.

Photo by Nicholas Poey

When we contacted the Tiong Bahru Galicier Pastry about their closure, the staff was hesitant and reluctant to confirm that they are closing for good and she brushed us off by asking us to “visit them soon to buy their kuehs”.

For those of you who haven’t been to Tiong Bahru Galicier Pastry, it is an old-school confectionery in Tiong Bahru that sees long queues daily, this family-owned business is untouched by time and specialises in nonya kueh.

Go for the classics here for a taste of nostalgia—their kueh kosui and ongol-ongol are results of a precarious culinary balancing act, and their bestsellling putu ayu have both a coconut and gula melaka crown for added flavour and texture contrast.

If you’re early and lucky, you have to try their signature Putu Ayu. These cute little pandan cakes are topped with desiccated coconut and gula melaka; so soft and subtly sweet with a lovely fragrance, you can’t stop at just one!

Tiong Bahru Galicier Pastry
Block 55 Tiong Bahru Road #01-39
Singapore 160055
Tel: +65 6324 1686

Read our guide on 20 Nonya Kueh places in Singapore to satisfy your kueh cravings.

From the legendary Chin Mee Chin Confectionery, to the iconic Heap Seng Leong and Tong Ah Eating House, and the under-the-radar Sin Hoe Huat Cafe, here are 16 Kaya Toasts places in Singapore where you can get the best traditional Singapore-style breakfast of Kaya Toasts and local Kopi.

Photo credit: CHIN MEE CHIN Confectionery

CHIN MEE CHIN Confectionery

Specialising in local kopi, traditional kaya toasts and soft boiled eggs, Chin Mee Chin Confectionery is an institution known for its baked goods such as Swiss rolls, cream horns, luncheon meat buns and sugee cakes.

To the dismay of its loyal supporters, Chin Mee Chin Confectionery announced its permanent closure back in 2018 citing a lack of succession and manpower issues and it was closed for a few years.

The legendary Hainanese-style coffeeshop then made a sensational comeback at its original location at 204 East Coast Road.

Chin Mee Chin Confectionery
204 East Coast Road
Singapore 428903

FUN TOAST

Originally known as Kheng Nam Hong, a coffee house at Telok Ayer Street, Fun Toast has since rebranded to a modern concept where the younger generations of Singaporeans can better relate to.

One of their signatures includes the Kaya Butter Soft Bun set which features kaya smothered on buns that are crisp on the outside and incredibly soft on the inside. We highly recommend you to dip it into their soft-boiled eggs for an elevated flavour.

Fun Toast
9 Bishan Pl, #03-09, Singapore 579837
*Multiple outlets in Singapore

GOOD MORNING NANYANG CAFE

The kaya toast at Good Morning Nanyang Cafe is really unique. Their kaya spread is freshly made in-house; so rich, luscious and subtly sweet. But what sets them apart from the other kaya toast places in Singapore is their kaya ciabatta toast.

Good Morning Nanyang Cafe
Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road, #02-03, Singapore 228213
Tel: +65 9650 3256

HEAP SENG LEONG

Although kopi gu you is a dying tradition, Heap Seng Leong is one of the surviving coffee shops in Singapore that still sells this old-school drink. Entering their humble space is often described as walking into a museum showcase of a 1950s kopitiam.

Slices of traditional white bread were toasted and flipped on a charcoal stove to brown both sides before they were lightly scrapped with butter knives to remove any burnt bits. Orange Hainanese-style of kaya spread and two squares of butter were sandwiched between two slices of toast before they were cut into triangles to be served.

Heap Seng Leong
10 North Bridge Rd, #01-5109
Singapore 190010
Tel: +65 6292 2368

HEAVENLY WANG

Heavenly Wang serves a mean slice of Kaya Toast (S$1.50), with thick butter slices and a sweet kaya spread generously tucked in between slightly crisp bread.

This halal eatery also whips up several other Singaporean classics too, so be sure to try out their signature Mee Siam that is well-loved by the locals.

Heavenly Wang
277 Orchard Road, #B2-07/08, Orchard Gateway, Singapore 238858
*Multiple outlets in Singapore

HILL STREET COFFEE SHOP

Hill Street Coffee Shop is an old-school coffee shop which evokes a sense of nostalgia that is hard to find in Singapore.

You have to try Hill Street Coffee Shop’s Steamed Kaya Bread. Expect to sink your teeth into the incredibly soft white bread, coated with a generous kaya spread with a distinct coconut element and topped off with pieces of savoury butter.

Hill Street Coffee Shop
Supertree Grove, Gardens By The Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive
Singapore 018953
Tel: +65 6702 3373

HUB & SPOKE

Located just outside Changi Airport Terminal 2 is HUB & SPOKE Cafe, a hidden glass house cafe which serves an array of affordable local dishes including Nasi Lemak, local Kopi and Kaya Toast.

They offer both kaya toast and steamed bread and you can choose from the usual fillings such as kaya butter, butter sugar, and peanut butter. All sets come with a choice of kopi/teh and soft-boiled eggs.

HUB & SPOKE Cafe
60 Airport Boulevard #01-T2S-02,
Singapore Changi Airport, 819643
Daily: 7.30am – 10.30pm

KILLINEY KOPITIAM

The pioneer outlet of Killiney Kopitiam was founded in 1919 and still operates along Killiney Road today; it is the longest standing Hainanese coffee shop in Singapore.

Other than the kaya toast, the coffee shop also dishes countless of local delights such as their famed Laksa and Curry Chicken. The standards across various outlets have dropped over the years, but the original branch at Killiney Road is still as good as before.

Killiney Kopitiam
67 Killiney Road, Singapore 239525
Tel: +65 6734 3910
*Multiple outlets in Singapore

KAFFE & TOAST

The halal subsidiary of Coffee & Toast, Kaffe & Toast is a local chain with more than 10 outlets in Singapore. Their kaya spread is made with more doses of egg yolk and is generously slathered on each slice of freshly grilled bread. We also love with the Mackerel Otah Bun that comes with fish otah.

Kaffe & Toast
10 Eunos Rd 8, #B1-157, Singapore 408600
*Multiple outlets in Singapore

KENG WAH SUNG

Situated along Geylang Lorong 41, Keng Wah Sung is one of the oldest coffee shops in Singapore and it has been serving its amazing local breakfast with kaya toast, traditional kopi and soft-boiled eggs for more than 70 years.

Keng Wah Sung Coffeeshop
783 Geylang Road
Singapore 389672

TOAST BOX

Opened by the BreadTalk group, Toast Box prides itself on offering authentic breakfast that will bring one back to the 70′s.

It is set to ignite nostalgia amongst the Singaporeans, completing the experience with a good Nanyang cuppa and grilled Kaya Toasts. Other popular options include the Floss Toast and Crunchy Peanut Butter Thick Toast.

Toast Box
AMK Hub, No. 53 Ang Mo Kio Ave 3, #01-01, Singapore 569933
Tel: +65 6484 6591
*Multiple outlets in Singapore

TONG AH EATING HOUSE

Previously located in an iconic red and white building, Tong Ah Eating House is a traditional coffee shop that has been around since 1939 and has gained recognition for both its charcoal-toasted and steamed kaya toast.

While there is no lack of kaya toast places in Singapore, Tong Ah Eating House is one of those eateries that keeps customers going back for more. Everything is kept simple—from the modest wall decorations to their humble kaya toast and traditional coffee.

Be sure to catch them toasting the kaya toast on traditional charcoal grills and you can even request for your toast to be extra crispy.

Tong Ah Eating House
35 Keong Siak Road, Singapore 089143
Tel: +65 6223 5083

SIN HOE HUAT CAFE

A perennial favourite amongst the residents who live around the area and the folks who frequent the Lower Pierce Reservoir Park, Sin Hoe Huat Cafe at Sembawang Hills Food Centre has been serving simple yet consistently delicious traditional breakfast of kaya toasts and kopi since 1968!

Sembawang Hills Food Centre is not exactly an accessible location, but trust us, the kaya toasts and coffee from Sin Hoe Huat Cafe are worth travelling for.

Sin Hoe Huat Cafe
590 Thomson Road
#01-01 Sembawang Hills Food Centre
Singapore 574419

YA KUN KAYA TOAST

Established in 1944, Ka Kun Kaya Toast—one of the most famous kaya toast places in Singapore—needs no introduction.

The kaya from Ya Kun—made up of eggs, coconut milk, sugar and pandan—is sandwiched between crisp brown toasted bread. The household brand constantly keeps up with the trend to offer new menu items, and the consistency is the reason for our loyalty.

Ya Kun Kaya Toast
18, #01-01 China St, 049560
*Multiple outlets in Singapore

 YY KA FEI DIAN

Located in an old shophouse at the junction of Beach Road and Purvis Street, YY Kafei Dian is known for its traditional Hainanese fare and their famous old-school kaya toast and local kopi.

On the menu, you can find Hainanese fare including chicken rice, Hainanese-style pork chops, Hainan Braised Pork Belly and a range of zi char dishes. But what you have to try is their traditional coffee and old-school kaya toasts which are amongst the best that we’ve tried in Singapore.

YY Ka Fei Dian
37 Beach Rd, #01-01, Singapore 189678
Tel: +65 6336 8813

We all have a soft spot for nostalgic places that remind us of the good times and bring us back to rekindle the fondest memories of the past.

Especially the old-school ones, just family-run traditional eateries in Singapore that serve up hearty and honest food. These are the OG spots where our parents and even grandparents used to eat at years ago.

Here are 10 old-school eateries in Singapore that you should visit before they close down for good.

ANANDA BHAVAN RESTAURANT

Established in 1924, Ananda Bhavan Restaurant is the oldest Indian vegetarian restaurant in Singapore. The very first restaurant that opened was located along Selegie Road, at the rim of Little India and is a popular spot among locals.

Ananda Bhavan has many traditional snacks and tiffin dishes on its menu with their thosai, thali sets and bhatura being crowd favourites.

58 Serangoon Road
Singapore 217964
Tel: +65 6396 5464

CHIN CHIN EATING HOUSE

Chin Chin Eating House has been around for decades and it is known for their chicken rice and Hainanese dishes. You must order the signature Hainanese pork chops!

19 Purvis Street
Singapore 188598
Tel: +65 66337 4640

COLBAR

Offering a full-on menu of both Asian and Western fare, Colbar is one of the few gems in Singapore that we can safely say, has truly stood the test of time. Opened in 1953, the establishment formerly served as a canteen for the British army. It, therefore, gave rise to its name, Colbar, otherwise referred to as ‘Colonial Bar’.

Granted, Colbar’s food isn’t exactly cheap. But few places in Singapore can match the dining experience here.

Colbar
9A Whitchurch Road
Singapore 138839
Tel: +65 6779 4859

HEAP SENG LEONG

Heap Seng Leong is one of the surviving coffee shops in Singapore that still sells this old-school drink. Entering their humble space is often described as walking into a museum showcase of a 1950s kopitiam.

The old furnishing and dim lighting inside felt like a serene contrast to the modern coffeeshop right beside Heap Seng Leong. Time stood still as we started our day there and nourished ourselves while the uncle who wears the same pajamas each day went about pouring coffee for other customers. Having a slow breakfast there made for a peaceful morning.

10 North Bridge Rd, #01-5109
Singapore 190010
Tel: +65 6292 2368

GUAN HOE SOON

Guan Hoe Soon is a hidden gem in Joo Chiat that has dedicated itself to Peranakan cuisine ever since 1953. The restaurant might be a little bit of a hassle to get to unless you drive, but the food speaks of something worth the effort of getting to.

Here is where you can get proper Peranakan food as good as the ones your Nonya grandparents used to whip up (if you ever had any). Expect the classics such as their Ayam Buah Keluak, Assam Fish and Babi Panggang.

40 Joo Chiat Place
Singapore 427764
Tel: +65 6344 2761

LOVE CONFECTIONERY

When it comes to traditional confectioneries done right, nothing beats a good-old vintage bakery or confectionery. One such confectionery that still stands and is still a perennial favourite among many Singaporeans, is Love Confectionery.

At this neighbourhood bakery located in Alexandra Village, you won’t find dainty designs or out-of-this-world flavour pairings. Instead, what you can be sure of, are rich, sweet and intensely flavoured cakes that will no doubt have you yearning for the gym after—from their oh-so-decadent buttercream cake and their ever-popular, pandan chiffon cake.

122 Bukit Merah Lane 1 #01-60
Singapore 150122
Tel: +65 6278 2385

RED STAR RESTAURANT

Perhaps one of the few remaining authentic, old-school dim sum restaurants in Singapore—that comes with middle-aged ladies pushing food carts around with a myriad of edible dim sum treats—is Red Star Restaurant.

Red Star is nowhere near any most of the great dim sum restaurants in Singapore, in fact, quality has dropped a lot over the years. But it will always hold a special place in our hearts as we have grown up dining here.

54 Chin Swee Road #07-23
Singapore 160054
Tel: +65 6532 5266

SINGAPORE ZAM ZAM

Serving up delicious murtabak since 1908, Singapore Zam Zam is a humble restaurant located along North Bridge Road that is no stranger to locals—especially the meat lovers. Our personal favourites include the mutton murtabak that sees generous amounts of minced mutton, egg and onions as well as the chicken murtabak that uses shreds of chicken instead.

697-699 North Bridge Road
Singapore 198675
Tel: +65 6298 6320

TONG AH EATING HOUSE

Previously located in an iconic red and white building, Tong Ah Eating House is a traditional coffee shop that has been around since 1939 and has gained recognition for both its charcoal-toasted and steamed kaya toast.

While there is no lack of kaya toast places in Singapore, Tong Ah Eating House is one of those eateries that keeps customers going back for more. Everything is kept simple—from the modest wall decorations to their humble kaya toast and traditional coffee.

35 Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089142
Tel: +65 6223 5083

YY KAFEI DIAN

Located in an old shophouse at the junction of Beach Road and Purvis Street, YY Kafei Dian is known for its traditional Hainanese fare and their famous old-school kaya toast, kopi.

On the menu, you can find Hainanese fare including chicken rice, Hainanese-style pork chops, Hainan Braised Pork Belly and a range of zi char dishes.

There is always a long queue during lunch hours, so make sure that you get there early.

37 Beach Rd, #01-01, Singapore 189678
Tel: +65 6336 8813

Chin Mee Chin—the famous old-school confectionery—is reopening at its original location at 204 East Coast Road. While it was earlier reported that Chin Mee Chin would be returning in March this year, there was a delay and it would be reopening in 15 Sep 2021 instead.

Specialising in local kopi, traditional kaya toasts and soft boiled eggs, this is the ultimate go-to destination for an authentic retro Singapore experience. The legendary coffee shop is also known for its baked goods such as Swiss rolls, cream horns, luncheon meat buns and sugee cakes.

Established in 1925, the legendary coffee shop has been closed for two years and according to an article by The Straits Times, it is making a comeback in partnership with the Ebb & Flow Group, which is behind food and beverage concepts such as The Dragon Chamber, Tigerlily Patisserie, and Sommer Dining.

Madam Sharon Tan, the granddaughter of the confectionery’s late founder, and her mother, Madam Leoang Kwang Ling (Chin Mee Chin’s main managing partner) remain shareholders in the business and will be working closely with the new partners to pass on their heritage recipes.

The seating capacity of the new Chin Mee Chin will be doubled to 50 seats, including a new alfresco area.

Stepping into Chin Mee Chin brings this nostalgic feeling—from the green floor tiles and marble round tables to the way the aunties shout across the room with your orders—almost as if time stood still in the good old days.

We cannot wait for Chin Mee Chin to reopen!

Chin Mee Chin
204 East Coast Road
Singapore 428903