Buona Vista is a little far-flung for those who do not reside in the West. The whole vicinity  is well-known for its educational institutes and facilities as well as high-technology research industries.

However, this buzzy part of Singapore happens to be a budding café precinct that is home to a handful of bistros and cafes and is an up-and-coming hipster neighbourhood that is worth exploring.

Whether you are looking for a scrumptious brunch fare or an artisanal cup of coffee, here are 9 Bistros and Coffee Spots in Buona Vista To Explore.

#1 AWFULLY CHOCOLATE

As the name of the café suggests, Awfully Chocolate specialises in rich and decadent chocolate cakes. The wide range of chocolate confections and pastries here is impressive and the price points are pretty reasonable. For a 6-inch All Chocolate Cake, you only need to pay S$34.

Awfully Chocolate
1 Vista Exchange Green
#02-18 The Star Vista
Singapore 138617
Tel: +6694 4805
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Buona Vista

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Photo Credit: victoinette

#2 BODACIOUS BAR & BISTRO

Decorated in an industrial style, Bodacious Bar & Bistro whips up a delicious line up of breakfast and comfort food. If you do not have the time for a hearty breakfast, this cosy bistro is also a great spot for a quick morning brew against a vastly green view.

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Bodacious Bar & Bistro
70 Biopolis St
Singapore 138547
Tel: +65 6778 9585
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat: 10am –10pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Buona Vista

#3 CEDELE BAKERY KITCHEN

At Cedele Bakery Kitchen, you can expect a comprehensive menu with choices ranging from all-day breakfast, lunch and dinner items. There is also a takeaway section for the bakery—perfect for those who are in a hurry.

Cedele Bakery Kitchen
1 Vista Exchange Green
#01-19 The Star Vista
Singapore 138617
Tel: +65 6734 0763
Mon to Fri: 10am – 9.30pm
Sat and Sun: 9am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Buona Vista

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Photo Credit: randymionho

#4 JIMMY MONKEY CAFÉ & BAR

If you are on a quest to find good coffee in Singapore, you should definitely drop by Jimmy Monkey Cafe & Bar—an Australian-style cafe at One-North Residences. On their menu, you can find savoury and sweet bites such as Smoked Salmon Spaghetti, Truffle Potato Fries, French Toast with Maple Syrup and many more.

Jimmy Monkey Café & Bar
9 One-north Gateway
#01-51 One-North Residences
Singapore 138643
Tel: +65 6777 8470
Daily: 8am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Buona Vista

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Photo Credit: monkicafeholland

#5 MONKI CAFÉ

A stone’s throw away from Buona Vista MRT station, Monki Café is a newly-opened Taiwan-Western fusion café that offers savoury set meals and a wide selection of shaved ice desserts. Seasonal dishes are added weekly so there is always something new to look forward to.

Monki Café
43 Holland Drive
#01-41 Singapore 270043
Tel: +65 6258 8112
Tue to Sun: 10am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Buona Vista

Photo Credit: rochestercafesg

#6 ROCHESTER CAFÉ

Calling all sweet tooths! Rochester Café is a new dessert café tucked away in Rochester Mall. The lovely dining establishment offers a delightful variety of layered cakes, ice cream, waffles and a decent range of hot beverages to pair with your sweet treats.

Rochester Café
35 Rochester Drive
#01-08 Rochester Mall
Singapore 138639
Tel: +65 9842 5821
Daily: 8am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Buona Vista

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Photo Credit: littlenuggetpaws

#7 SIXTY40

Located at Rochester Mall, Sixty40 operates as a café in the day and transforms into a casual bar at night. The gastrobar boasts a laid-back ambience, which makes it a great spot to hang out with your mates.

The best part? There are dart machines to keep you entertained!

Sixty40
35 Rochester Drive
#01-05 Rochester Mall
Singapore 138639
Tel: +65 6684 9028
Mon – Thur: 11.30am – 12am
Fri: 11.30am – 1am
Sun: 4pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Buona Vista

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#8 SWEE LEE SOCIAL CLUB

Music instrument institution Swee Lee is a home-grown brand and tucked inside the store is Swee Lee Social Club, a café where patrons can gather over a cup of coffee and light bites.

In addition to their stellar coffee, Swee Lee Social Club also carries juices and sweet treats such as Waffle & Co. (S$10) and Sweet toast (S$7).

Swee Lee Social Club
1 Vista Exchange Green
#01-01-07/10 The Star Vista
Singapore 138617
Tel: +65 6334 7703
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Buona Vista

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Photo Credit: thelawncafe

#9 THE LAWN

Tucked away in the lush greenery of Biopolis, The Lawn is a cosy café which specialises in salad and grills. You can customise your own meal by filling up a simple form and ticking off various combinations.

Featuring 12 tantalising grills, 30 toppings and various dressings, diners are spoilt for choice.

The Lawn
31 Biopolis Way
#01-07 Nanos
Singapore 138669
Tel: +65 6478 9739
Mon to Fri: 10.30am – 9pm
Sun: 10.30am – 4pm
(Closed on Saturdays)
Nearest Station: Buona Vista

Music instrument institution Swee Lee is a homegrown brand that began their humble operations in 1946 by supplying brass and woodwind instruments to the British military band. Today, Swee Lee owns several showrooms and lifestyle stores that can be found all over Singapore and they offer a range of contemporary musical instruments such as drums and guitars.

Their flagship store at The Star Vista recently underwent renovation works and the original store has expanded to cater for a new retail space that stores just about everything a musician will ever need. Expect to be greeted by musical instruments, audio and DJ equipment, fashion apparels, a music academy and the best part for coffee enthusiasts—an in-house cafe called Swee Lee Social Club.

Upon first look, the cosy cafe immediately appealed to us with its intimate setting that allows for heartfelt conversations with your friends over coffee, yet with enough space for patrons to walk around comfortably.

In addition to their stellar brews, Swee Lee Social Club also carries juices and bottled drinks that are kept in a chiller.

Boasting an aromatic selection of freshly brewed coffee brewed with beans that are roasted by local speciality coffee roaster Common Man Coffee Roasters and various types of tea, Swee Lee Social Club is the latest hangout spot in the west that you should know about.

Be sure to approach the baristas behind the bar for the secret menu that features some light bites and smoothie options. Swee Lee Social Club’s secret menu is concise and there were only 5 items on it—a small selection of smoothies and some sweet offerings.

If you are ever craving for something sweet, their Waffle & Co (S$10) off the secret menu will do the trick. It comprises a crispy buttermilk waffle topped with a scoop of ice cream as well as a myriad of sprinkles from rainbow rice to crushed peanuts.

Simple as it was, this waffle dish is bound to satisfy those with a sweet tooth—no doubts about that.

For something a little more filling, diners can opt for the Sweet Toast (S$7) that features fresh blueberries, bananas, muesli, honey and dried fruit scattered over a toasted piece of sourdough toast.

Despite the dish having lots of interesting textures, we felt that the dish was lacking a certain wow factor. It was literally just a variety of fruits scattered over bread which basically anyone could whip up at home.

Overall, we would say that although the food was not the most fantastic around, we still give props to Swee Lee for adopting such a refreshing concept to revitalise what used to be a plain old music instrument store.

Swee Lee Social Club
1 Vista Exchange Green
#01-01-07/10, The Star Vista
Singapore 138617
Tel: +65 6334 7703
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Buona Vista