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

Most of us have long formed the impression that hotels, however fancy, tend to serve crappy coffee. But it seems like things are beginning to change for the better in Singapore.

We have never come across a more legit specialty coffee shop than this surprise - The Coffee Belt at Park Hotel Alexandra. It is every bit a coffee lover’s dream.

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.

The Coffee Belt serves topnotch caffeinated beverages – prepared with Common Man Coffee Roasters’ premium 22 Martin blend – and a curated selection of snacks. Takeouts are available upon request, too.

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.

Daily brews are made lovingly with the extremely popular double-origin 22 Martin Blend, where the beans are sourced from both Alice Estate, Brazil and Veer Attikan, India. Customers can anticipate a fragrant, heavy-bodied coffee with a distinct dark chocolatey aftertaste.

See those bottles in the background? They are actually sugar syrup! Love these little thoughts that are put in to surprise guests.

If you are feeling peckish, know that a handful of bite-size grubs such as Muffin Of The Day (S$4.50) and Plain Croissant (S$3.50) are up for grabs at The Coffee Belt too.

We are beyond thrilled that excellent Australian-standard coffees are finally emerging in deluxe hotels. Hopefully in time to come, other hotels will soon follow suit!

But for now, The Coffee Belt will be our frequent haunt. We love the quietness and simplicity of the space, and it sure is a refreshing change from the busy coffee houses in town and in the neighbourhoods!

The Coffee Belt
Lobby Level
Park Hotel Alexandra
323 Alexandra Road
Singapore 159972
Tel: +65 6828 8888
Daily: 7am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown / Redhill

As one of the newest hotels added to our cityscape, Park Hotel Alexandra is a hotel quite unlike the others in town. You might think it is strange to build a hotel in a relatively old neighbourhood, but that is precisely what had us falling in love.

Park Hotel Alexandra is no less polished and modern, and we have since had two staycations at the property. You bet we loved it.

Complete with an infinity pool, a premium roast buffet, one of the most gorgeous bars in Singapore and a stylish coffee place all within the premise, Park Hotel Alexandra is a charming one and here is Why You Should Avoid The Crowd in Town And Whisk Away to Park Hotel Alexandra.

To celebrate its grand opening, Park Hotel Alexandra has launched TRAILS OF ALEXANDRA, an interactive, discovery-oriented Facebook campaign. Stand to win attractive prizes including a 1-night staycation in a suite by answering a fun-filled quiz that revolves around the Alexandra neighbourhood! Scroll to the end of the article to find out more.

Situated just beside Ikea @ Alexandra, Park Hotel Alexandra is barely five months old. There is something about new hotels that we love; perhaps it is the exploration part and all the first impressions. Like an empty canvas waiting to be painted on, we stepped in with zero expectations. And we were welcomed by a nature-inspired oasis.

Park Hotel Alexandra boasts earthy tones and muted colours, creating a warm environment that is homely and comforting. It is very much unlike your typical business hotels which can come across as serious to some, and the fact that it sits within the charming neighbourhood of Alexandra makes it even better when you need somewhere quiet to put up at.

Being pretty much self-contained, Park Hotel Alexandra will keep you occupied during your stay. It is akin to a resort stay, where everything is within the property and there is no need to step out to meet the world at all.

We will begin with the infinity pool that sits on the seventh floor. Who can resist taking a dip here?! This 25-metre infinity pool overlooks Alexandra neighbourhood, including the iconic building The Interlace and endless greenery of the Southern Ridges. It is one respite that you’d need from all the hustle and bustle, and what makes the pool even better is the swim-up bar. Enjoy some cocktails or a glass of fresh juice in the calming waters; sounds like life, ain’t it?

And then, we have the bar. You would never expect to find such a swanky open-concept bar in Alexandra, until Aqua Luna came along. This gem of Park Hotel Alexandra is quite the perfect spot for some after-work drinks, or if you simply want a non-crazy place to enjoy your drinks in the company of your precious ones.

Honestly, funky bars in the city centre are aplenty, but you have to settle with the crowd, and that is what we do not like. And that is also why Aqua Luna is for us, where we wind down with cocktails and a beautiful sunset.

From now till 13 November 2015, quote “ladyironchef” when you reserve your table at Aqua Luna and get 50% off your second drink (of lower value). Advance reservation is required, with a minimum of 2 guests (up to 12 adult patrons) in a single bill.

The Carvery is the hotel’s only restaurant, but it suffices to feed every carnivore. Primarily a buffet restaurant that specializes in meat (you guessed that from its name, yes?), The Carvery offers a gastronomical experience with its different roasts and meats. It is a dream for meat lovers, and while we are sucker for seafood when it comes to buffet, we’d gladly trade them for this spread at The Carvery.

By the way, if you are there for dinner, they serve what is easily the best Yorkshire pudding in Singapore – you have to try it yourself!

Need some coffee? Head down to the lobby and you will be welcomed by the aroma of fresh brew from The Coffee Belt. This new kid in town is one sexy coffee place who is serious about its coffee.

Though minimalistic in appearance, the coffee packs a punch and the barista makes latte art for takeaways too! The pastries and sweets are such pleasers, particularly, the Valrhona dark chocolate cake is awesome – moist and decadent with melty chocolate bits within, and topped with sea salt to balance the sweetness.

And of course, you must be wondering about the rooms now. We stayed on the 19th floor, which is the highest of three Club Room levels; we are too spoilt by the convenience of a club room. The rooms and suites come in different configurations, but the similarity of them all lies in the spanking clean interior with contemporary touches. Two different views to pick from – city or pool. We’d pick the pool anytime.

All rooms come with a 42″ full HD Smart LED TV, and are equipped with wifi, so you can surf without worrying about chalking up your bills. Your basic needs are definitely met with pressed sheets, fresh towels, premium toiletries, and the other miscellaneous such as coffee and tea making facilities.

The strategic location makes it a refreshing alternative from the hotels in the city. Highly accessible via public transport with neighbouring shopping malls, food centres and offices, Park Hotel Alexandra is just minutes away from the city centre; you get the convenience, and you get the peace.

TRAILS OF ALEXANDRA

Park Hotel Alexandra
323 Alexandra Road
Singapore 159972
Tel: +65 6828 8888
Nearest Station: Queenstown / Redhill

This post is brought to you by Park Hotel Alexandra.