Established in May 2012 on Eng Hoon Street in the Tiong Bahru neighbourhood, Tiong Bahru Bakery has just opened a new outlet in the charming Joo Chiat enclave along Crane Road.

Opened by the Spa Esprit Group which is behind other F&B concepts including Forty Hands, Common Man Coffee Roasters, boCHINche, and Noka, Tiong Bahru Bakery is one of the most popular bakeries in Singapore which is known for its croissants, kouign amann, and coffee.

Known for their authentic artisanal French pastries and desserts, Tiong Bahru Bakery will be offering not only its signature viennoiseries and freshly-brewed coffees at the newest outlet but you can also look forward to the Croffles—in both sweet and savoury forms—that first launched at Tiong Bahru Waterway Point.

Photo credit: TBB

The new cafe has a seating capacity of 58 seats and it will surely be a welcome addition to the Joo Chiat neighbourhood.

It is located at 7 Crane Road, just around the corner from British Hainan.

Tiong Bahru Bakery Crane Road
7 Crane Road, Singapore 429356
Daily from 7.30am to 8pm

Popular bakery chain, Tiong Bahru Bakery has officially opened its 9th outlet in the Serangoon Gardens neighbourhood on 20 December 2021.

Opened by the Spa Esprit Group which is behind other F&B concepts including Forty Hands, Common Man Coffee Roasters, boCHINche, and Noka, Tiong Bahru Bakery is one of the most popular bakeries in Singapore which is known for its croissants, kouign amann, and coffee.

You can also find Tiong Bahru Bakery at these locations—Tiong Bahru, Funan, Scotts Square, Safari (Minden Road), Chip Bee Gardens, Raffles City, and Tang Orchard.

Located at Maju Avenue along the same stretch as Oblong and Dan’s Steak, Tiong Bahru Bakery’s outlet at Serangoon Gardens is the chain’s first location outside of the central area and it is great news for fans of their croissants and bakes.

Tiong Bahru Bakery’s newest outlet at Serangoon Garden opens from 7.30am to 7pm daily.

Read: Guide to Serangoon Gardens restaurants, cafes and eateries.

When artisanal bread was introduced to Singapore’s bakery scene, it became clear that not all bread is created equal. The long fermentation process that artisanal bakeries go through allows the dough to develop for more robust flavour and texture which gives rise to remarkable bakes.

Begin visually as you appreciate the bread’s brown hue. Feel its crispiness and breathe the perfume of the bread itself. Only then do you bite into it and take in its balanced texture of crunchy crust and fluffy soft insides. Let its complex flavours gradually develop in your mouth.

To fully experience this, we rounded up 10 specialty bakeries in Singapore if you are in it to get quality loaves and top-notch breads.

Photo Credit: bakerandcooksg

BAKER & COOK

Baker & Cook is a cosy artisanal bakery in the Holland Village neighbourhood for a place to settle into with a good read while sipping on warm cup of coffee. Bakes include cakes, fruit tarts, and bagels of which all are available for takeaway. Regardless, eating them fresh and warm on the spot is the best way to enjoy their flavours.

44 Jalan Merah Saga, #01-56
Chip Bee Gardens
Singapore 278116
Tel: +65 6472 0998
Mon to Thu: 7:30am – 8pm
Fri & Sat: 7:30am – 10pm
Sun: 7:30am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

CARPENTER & COOK

Carpenter & Cook in Upper Bukit Timah is a place that exudes vintage vibes as if you stepped back into the 1960s. Their menu includes choices such as Heavenly Croissant, Pain Au Chocolate, a simple Buttery Plain Scone or Fruit ones. You can also enjoy their daily bakes in savoury flavours such as Smoked Salmon and Avocado Croissant and their Bacon Tartines, both of which sound enticing.

19 Lorong Kilat
#01-06 Singapore
Tel: +65 6463 3648
Mon to Sat: 10am – 10pm
Sat: 9am – 10pm
Sun: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: King Albert Park

Photo Credit: Choupinette Singapore

CHOUPINETTE

For a taste of France and its idyllic countryside, Choupinette is a charming little French bakery tucked away in a corner along Bukit Timah road near Coronation Plaza. The scent of their bestselling freshly baked croissants and sour dough bread fill the air as you enter. Bag them with some danishes and macarons and stay for lunch because their Eggs Benedict’s are superb.

607 Bukit Timah Road #01-01
Singapore 269708
Tel: +65 6466 0613
Tue to Sat: 7am – 7pm
Sun: 8am – 6pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Tan Kah Kee

ELEMENTS

Elements Cake is the bakery concept by the Fresh Fruits Lab group and they offer a range of delicious bakes including croissants, Basque Burnt Cheesecake, Strawberry Shortcake and tarts at reasonable prices.

Their latest creation is these assorted flavoured croissants (S$24 for a box of 6). they’ve been such a hit and makes a great gifting idea too! Our favourites are Espresso Lotus and Chocolate Almond. There are also Lychee, Oreo, Boba and Fruit Custard. How not to love?

They offer islandwide delivery and you can place your order on their website.

ENJOUÉ BAKERY

enjoué bakery works with numerous F&B brands including the Black Hole Group, Bayswater Kitchen by Privé, Redtail by Zouk, Burgernomics, and more. The sturdy crusts of their breads are imbued with the natural flavours of fermentation and have a robust mouthfeel. Their bakes include a mean collection of pastries, croissants, cookies and cakes to whet every demanding appetite.

174 Joo Chiat Road,
Singapore 427445
Tel: +65 6440 3028
Tue to Sat: 8.30am – 5pm
Sun: 8.30am – 3pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Eunos

Photo Credit: maisonkaysersingapore

MAISON KAYSER

Maison Kayser is Eric Kayser’s eponymous bakery chain from France with sweet and savoury bakes and it has been named by Paris’ Figaro newspaper to be the best. Besides their famed croissant, they are good with classic breads, viennoiseries, snacks, sandwiches, soups, and salads. Keeping things exciting are unexpected flavours that they bring to traditional French recipes.

6 Scotts Rd, #B1-25
Singapore 228209
Tel: +65 6636 3672
Daily: 8:30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

MOTHER DOUGH

Mother Dough was an active pop-up selling Halal artisanal bakes but has now settled in Bugis so you can get their pains au chocolat straight from their store. Their name takes inspiration from the fermentation starter used to make bread and they source flour from environmentally friendly grain millers. Their baked goodies include their crusty sourdough baguettes and warm buttery sourdough croissant.

749 North Bridge Rd, #01-01
Singapore 198717
Tel: +65 6909 6604
Tue & Thu to Sat: 12pm – 7pm
Sun: 11am – 5pm
(Closed on Monday & Wednesday)
Nearest Station: Bugis/ Jalan Besar

PAUL

The largest bakery chain from France, PAUL, began doling out fresh loaves in 1889 and now has a presence in over 33 countries. Besides their must-try croissant, they have a variety of country-style and fancy breads, pre-made sandwiches, flaky pastries, and desserts that succeed because of their respect for tradition. For us, their eclairs and palmier, in particular, are to die for.

PAUL Takashimaya
391 Orchard Road, #03-16/16A/17
Ngee Ann City
Singapore 238872
Tel: +65 6836 5932
Mon to Thu: 9:30am – 9:30pm
Fri: 9:30am – 10:30pm
Sat: 9am – 10:30pm
Sun: 9am – 9:30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

THE PROVIDORE

The Providore at Raffles Place is the perfect solution for the downtown crowd be it for dine-in lunches, after work bites, or office-friendly pickup meals. From their menu, choice of breads include sourdoughs, bagels, baguettes. They offer Danish pastries, pain au chocolat, almond croissants, and fruit scones too as well as a flourless chocolate cake that is served with vanilla gelato.

7 Raffles Place
Singapore 048625
Tel: +65 6533 1352
Mon to Sat: 8am – 10pm
Sun: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

THE BREAD RACK

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 2021 and it has already garnered a following amongst residents in the neighbourhood for its delicious croissants and pastries. They bake everything on premise daily and you can be assured of the freshness of their bakes.

The Bread Rack
9 Yio Chu Kang Rd
#01-55, Space@Kovan 545523
Tel: +65 8875 5407

TIONG BAHRU BAKERY

Tiong Bahru Bakery an iconic bakery for French pastries. Their kouign amann—which is a buttery pastry or cake—as well chocolate croissants are what are wildly popular on their menu and have been dubbed as one of the bests in Singapore. There is also a dine-in area at TBB outlets where you can relax with a gourmet sandwich and a coffee.

56 Eng Hoon St, #01-70
Singapore 160056
Tel: +65 6220 3430
Daily: 8am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

As one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Singapore, Tiong Bahru is one that exudes charm like no other.

About a decade ago, Tiong Bahru was simply a tranquil neighbourhood with old school shophouses and local eats. It was not until the recent few years that modern cafes and restaurants started popping up in the area.

There is something about the marriage of old and new that boasts a very comforting vibe that is unique on its own. Here are 8 Things to Love About The Tiong Bahru Neighbourhood in Singapore.

#1 SO MUCH TO EAT

Tiong Bahru has a great mix of sassy cafes and restaurants, and local Asian-style eateries for everybody. We covered a few of our favourite eats here and this includes PS Cafe Petit and Sin Hoi Sai Eating House.

#2 EASILY ACCESSIBLE

Tiong Bahru is easily accessible by car or via public transport. A ton of buses stop right outside the main Tiong Bahru area, including buses from town such as Bus 16.

You can also drop off at Tiong Bahru MRT and take any bus from the mall side (2 stops away) to the main area. If you prefer heading down on foot, the general area in Tiong Bahru where all the cafes and restaurants are is about 5 to 10 mins away.

#3 HIPSTER HEAVEN

We say ‘hipster’ because of the abundance of cool and trendy cafes in the area such as Tiong Bahru Bakery, Drips Bakery Cafe, Forty Hands and Flock Cafe.

And there are occasional lifestyle shops that sell the quirkiest merchandise. For the hipsters and all Indie fans indeed.

#4 LOCAL EATS

If you are not the biggest fan of cafe fare, that’s fine because Tiong Bahru has several local food options include family-style tze char restaurant Sin Hoi Sai – a familiar name that has been around for as long as we can remember.

We also enjoy casual hawker meals at Tiong Bahru Market – pig out on all the local favourites!

#5 NEW & OLD

Tiong Bahru preserves the old while adding in some modern touches.

The old shophouses are well preserved, and we love the short flats as well as the rows of shophouses. The new blend in to the environment, without changing the facade of Tiong Bahru, and instead elevate the whole eclectic feel of the neighbourhood.

#6 OLD SHOPHOUSES

The old shophouses and housing estates are pretty much preserved, especially the older three-storey flats – which is a rare sight in Singapore with all the skyscrapers.

With Singapore progressing so fast, we sure appreciate these old-school buildings and facade.

#7 PLENTIFUL PARKING

If you are ever worried about parking, worry not.

First of all, parking spaces are aplenty along the different roads. However, during peak hours, we suggest parking at the multi-storey car park above Tiong Bahru market. If all else fails, there are open space car parks farther down from the market.

#8 RELAXING VIBES

It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of city life, but just a visit here soothes our soul. Have dinner at one of the restaurants then head over to a quaint cafe for some desserts and a nice chat with friends.

We also love spending quiet afternoons over a lovely read and a cuppa in one of the many cafes here.

The enclave of cafes and eateries at Tiong Bahru has been expanding at full force and it does not seem to be stopping any time soon. Late last year, a new addition – Whisk Café – has joined the hipster neighbourhood and the rest is history.

White seems to be the new black for most up-and-coming cafes and we are sure that frequent cafe hoppers will agree with us. Whisk Cafe’s interiors are completely decked out in white; white walls, white pillars, white tables, white stools. You get the gist.

It is not difficult to spot Whisk Cafe’s beautiful exteriors from afar. The minimalistic cafe is largely inspired by European decors and is an ideal spot to spend a quiet afternoon.

The rightful owner of this lovely cafe was previously in the marketing industry before deciding to pursue her dream of opening up her own cafe.

Taking a leap of faith, baker-cum-owner Tricia Lim signed up for a 6-month program at New York City’s International Culinary Centre and returned to Singapore with honed patisserie skills and fresh new perspectives. Opening a cafe in an overly saturated hipster-cafe neighbourhood takes a lot of courage but Miss Lim was clearly unfazed.

From classic carrot cakes to refreshing zesty lemon tarts, family-run Whisk Cafe serves a comprehensive variety of desserts that will please every sweet tooth. Whisk Cafe has also most recently started adding some delectable savoury salads such as Aburi Mentaiko Chicken Salad with Sesame Dressing or Raspberry Vinaigrette into their menu.

Whisk Cafe
58 Seng Poh Road
Singapore 160058
Tue to Thu: 9am – 7pm
Fri & Sat: 9am – 11pm
Sun: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.

Tiong Bahru is every cafe hopper’s dream and also every foodie’s heaven. With the wide range of cuisine types and choices this trendy neighbourhood offers, Tiong Bahru has slowly and successfully become one of the most iconic food destinations in Singapore.

The formula is no rocket science – Tiong Bahru offers us a rustic charm like no other. With a neighbourhood as full of life as Tiong Bahru, it is no surprise that more and more people choose to open their cafes, restaurants or bakeries here.

If you are unfamiliar with the area or thinking about making a trip down to sample some delicious food, here is our Guide to Tiong Bahru’s Restaurants, Cafes & Eateries to assist you in picking the best place in the neighbourhood to dine in.

#1 AH BONG’S ITALIAN

Located in the Day & Night coffee shop along Eng Hoon Street, Ah Bong’s Italian occupies just a small corner of the entire space. Don’t be fooled by its size, the chef cooks up a hearty plate of pasta a la minute when ordered and the menu changes everyday.

If you’re in luck and Basil Pesto Pasta (S$7), or a close variation of it is on the menu that day, order it! Each strand of pasta is coated evenly with the sauce and the plate is just bursting with flavour, without being overly rich.

56 Eng Hoon Street
#01-46
Tel: +65 9650 6194
Daily: 10am – 2pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

#2 BIG MAMA KOREAN RESTAURANT

This casual Korean eatery transports you to the streets of Korea with their homely fare at reasonable prices. The overall ambience of the place screams comforting so bring your friends here to enjoy a satisfying meal. If you come in a bigger group, you will be able to taste a range of their signature dishes such as Dakgalbi (S$15 per pax) or Pan-Fried Bulgogi (S$50, large sharing portion).

2 Kim Tian Road
Tel: +65 6270 7704
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

#3 BLUE GARDEN KOREAN BBQ

If you’re a fan of Korean BBQ buffets, why not try Blue Garden Korean BBQ Restaurant located at the trendy Link Hotel in Tiong Bahru? For lunch, pay only S$19.90 per pax and dinner goes for S$26.90 per pax.

Besides the usual barbecue meats, Blue Garden also offers classic Korean dishes such as Ginseng Chicken and a large range of kimchi choices that will make any kimchi lover contented.

50 Tiong Bahru Road
#01-07 Link Hotel Singapore
Tel: +65 6224 0700
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 5.30 – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

#4 DRIPS BAKERY

Specialising in desserts, make your way down to Drips Bakery and try their mouth-watering signature tarts. Each tart is not only affordable, but each and every one of them tastes freshly baked and oh-so-good! Drips Bakery also has a very welcoming and pleasant interior for you to hang out in.

82 Tiong Poh Road #01-05
Tel: +65 6222 0400
Mon, Wed & Thu: 10.30am – 9.30pm
Fri: 10.30am – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

#5 FLOCK CAFE

A family business, Flock Cafe brands itself as a hip and unpretentious cafe, serving some of the best coffee around. Try unique flavours such as the Orange Cinnamon Mocha (S$6.50), which you can’t find anywhere else! Flock Cafe also serves a range of all-day-breakfast staples such as Eggs Ben for you to have while you sip on some delicious coffee.

78 Moh Guan Terrace
#01-25
Tel: +65 6536 3938
Daily (except Tue): 9am – 5pm
Nearest Staion: Tiong Bahru

#6 FORTY HANDS

Using blends from Common Man Coffee Roasters, the aromatic coffee at Forty Hands is one to travel for. Not only are they serving up great coffee, they serve a menu of fusion all-day-breakfast items, putting their own spin to it. Get hungry for their Eggs Ben on Steak with Spicy Roasted Potatoes, all the good thing in one dish.

78 Yong Siak St
#01-12
Tel: +65 6225 8545
Tue to Wed, Sun: 8am – 7pm
Fri & Sat: 8am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

#7 GALICIER PASTRY

Galicier Pastry is an old school bakery located facing the main Tiong Bahru Road. Get transported back to your childhood with familiar cakes and pastries such as freshly baked Pandan Chiffon Cake (S$5) or even Nyonya Kuehs such as Kueh Dar dar ($4 for 5). Galicier is always packed with a steady crowd so be sure to get there early to get the freshest batch.

55 Tiong Bahru Rd
#01-39
Tel +65 6324 1686
Daily (Except Tue): 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

#8 OPEN DOOR POLICY

We love the fact that Open Door Policy serves hearty dishes that tastes as good as they look. They serve more premium items such as Wagyu Rump, Beef Cheeks and Truffle Scrambled Eggs among their recommended menu items. If you’re looking for restaurant quality food at reasonable prices, Open Door Policy is one to check out.

9 Yong Siak Street
Tel: +65 6221 9307
Mon to Sun: 12pm – 3.30pm, 6pm – 11pm
Weekend brunch: 11am – 4pm
(Closed on Tuedays)
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

#9 PLAIN VANILLA

As one of the undisputed best cupcake bakeries in Singapore, what we also love about Plain Vanilla is their rustic and warm interior of their bakery on Yong Saik Street, Tiong Bahru. Drawing us in with the rich aroma of freshly baked cupcakes, their addictively good range of pastries and cakes makes us come back for more, every time.

1D Yong Siak Street
Tiong Bahru Estate
Tel: +65 6465 5942
Mon to Fri: 11am – 8pm
Sat: 9am – 8pm
Sun: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

#10 HOUSE OF PERANAKAN PETIT

Nyonya food always tastes like home and House of Peranakan Petit reminds us of home-cooked dishes made with love. Have their Babi Ponteh (S$16) with rice, together with some Chap Chye (mixed vegetables) and you’re set for a substantial meal of authentic Nyonya cuisine.

42 Eng Hoon Street
Tiong Bahru Estate
Tel: +65 6222 1719
Daily: 12 pm -3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest: Tiong Bahru

#11 POTEATO

As the cafe’s name suggests, they do specialise in both tea and potato-centric dishes. You can expect premium tea selection for S$7.50 a pot, to have with mains such as the Creamy Seafood Pasta (S$16.80). If you come with a bigger group, be sure to try their Sweet Potato Fries (S$5) too!

78 Yong Siak Street
#01-18
Tel: +65 62212 488
Tue to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat: 10am – 10pm
Sun: 10am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

#12 PS CAFE PETIT

Fans of the PS Cafe chain of restaurants will love the cosy and beautiful interior of this smaller branch at Tiong Bahru. Although full main dishes are not aplenty here, they still serve their usual decadent range of desserts such as their mouth-watering Sticky Date Pudding (S$16). Alcoholic drinks are also served here and a range of ice cream too.

78 Guan Chuan Street
#01-41
Tel: +65 9226 7088
Tue to Sun: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

#13 SIN HOI SAI

As the most popular Chinese Zhi Char restaurant in Tiong Bahru, Sin Hoi Sai has expanded their space over the years to cater to an ever-increasing amount of customers. Some must try dishes here include their Har Jeong Kai (Prawn Paste Chicken), which is probably one of the best you can find in Singapore.

55 Tiong Bahru Road (Opposite Link Hotel)
#01-59
Tel: +65 6223 0810
Daily: 5pm – 5am
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

#14 WHISK CAFE

Located just at the corner of the cross junction, Whisk Cafe occupies a very coveted space in the Tiong Bahru District. Instagrammers will fall in love with the full white interior and colourful range of desserts. They offer tarts, macarons and cakes together with coffee and tea.

58 Seng Poh Road
Tue to Thu: 9am – 7pm
Fri & Sat: 9am – 11pm
Sun: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

Tiong Bahru is one of the oldest residential estates in Singapore. But in recent times, it has undergone a renaissance; the area is probably the hippest neighbourhood in Singapore right now. It all started with the opening of a coffee joint and an indie book store along Yong Siak Street. The rest, as they say, is history.

Here is a guide to Tiong Bahru’s restaurants, bars, cafes and shops.

40 Hands Coffee

This coffee house focuses on sustainably produced speciality coffee, stocking Fair Trade and Direct Trade coffee beans. Besides coffee, they also have a range of cakes, pastries and sandwiches on the menu. For those who are looking for a place to have brunch, 40 Hands Coffee has a brunch menu available all day from Friday to Sunday.

Spa Esprit Group should be credited with the revival of the Tiong Bahru area. They are the ones who started 40 Hands, and subsequently added Open Door Policy and the extremely popular Tiong Bahru Bakery.

Blk 78 Yong Siak Street
#01-12 Singapore
Tel: +65 6225 8545
Tue: 8:30am – 6:30pm
Wed & Thu: 8:30am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 8:30am – 11pm
Sun: 8:30am – 6:30pm

Books Actually

Books Actually is an independent bookstore specializing in fiction and literature which includes poetry, essays, literary journals.

The owners curate a great selection of books that you cannot find elsewhere. Besides stocking titles from various subjects – such as biography, current affairs, history, human sciences, music and film and travel narrative, Books Actually also distribute books under the imprint Math Paper Press and also hand-stitches notebooks and produces stationery under Birds & Co.

9 Yong Siak Street
Tel: +65 6222 9195
Mon: 11am – 6pm, Tue to Fri: 11am – 9pm
Sat: 10am – 9pm, Sun: 10am – 6pm

Big Mama

Big Mama is a hole-in-the-wall eatery that has been gaining a strong following for its Korean home-style cooking. While some of the signature dishes are slightly more expensive, it has a ‘Big Mama’s Simple Menu’ with sets like Kimchi Fried Rice ($12), Pork Bulgogi with rice ($13) and Soyabean Soup with rice ($13).

2 Kim Tian Road
Tel: +65 6270 7704
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 11pm

Coq and Balls

Every trendy neighbourhood needs a cool bar, and at Tiong Bahru, you have Coq and Balls. This watering hole is a causal and chillout place where you can enjoy delicious bar food and a beer or two.

6 Kim Tian Road
Tel: +65 6276 6609
Daily: 5pm – 12am

Drips Bakery Cafe

If you are planning a cafe hopping adventure in Tiong Bahru, you should start from Drips Bakery Cafe. It is a charming place that offers cakes, tarts, savouries like quiches, salads and sandwiches.

82 Tiong Poh Road #01-05
Tel: +65 6222 0400
Mon, Wed & Thu: 10.30am – 9.30pm
Fri: 10.30am – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 9.30pm

Flock Cafe

One of the newest cafes in Tiong Bahru, this coffee spot serves sandwiches such as Bacon & Egg ($10.90), Pork Cheek and Gruyere ($11.90), as well as breakfast food like Scrambled Eggs and Toast ($6.90) and French Toast Pancakes ($8.90).

78 Moh Guan Terrace #01-25
Daily (except Tue): 9am – 5pm

IKYU

Helmed by executive chef Takuma Seki (formerly of Hide Yamamoto), IKYU prides itself as a “daringly different” Japanese restaurant that offers an unique dining experience. Definitely a great addition to the Tiong Bahru dining scene.

5 Yong Siak Street
Tel: +65 6223 9003
Tue to Sun: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm

Nana & Bird

What started off as a pop-up concept store became a multi-label boutique that stocks fashion and lifestyle products. If you are looking for a gift, drop by Nana & bird and you might find something that you need.

79 Chay Yan Street #01-02
entrance along Yong Siak Street

Open Door Policy

Being under the Spa Esprit group, Open Door Policy – with the perfect Manhatten-chic vibe – certainly delivers as far as ambience is concerned. But it is more than that – it is a bistro with a difference. Everything is prepared with the freshest ingredients and when you get to dine in such a buzzy yet intimate atmosphere, I promise you will fall in love with the place.

9 Yong Siak Street
Tel: +65 6221 9307
Mon to Sun: 12pm – 3.30pm, 6pm – 11pm
Weekend brunch: 11am – 4pm

Plain Vanilla

My favourite cupcake bakery, Plain Vanilla has opened a second store in Tiong Bahru. They have by far one of the best cupcakes in town. Do visit them and grab a cupcake when you are visiting the area.

1D Yong Siak Street
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 6pm

PoTeaTo

As the name suggests, this cosy eatery specialises in potato-based dishes and tea. The best thing is most of the dishes at PoTeaTo are reasonably-priced. Main courses such as Fish & Chips and Louisiana Pork Ribs range from $13.80 to $17.80, while you can get a Pulled Chicken Sandwich for $9.80.

78 Yong Siak Street #01-18
Tel: +65 62212 488
Tue to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat: 10am – 10pm
Sun: 10am – 9pm

PS Cafe Petit

PS Cafe Petit at Tiong Bahru is a new takeaway concept for freshly made pizzas and wine. It has a very cool vibe, and I love the design of the shopfront and interior. On the menu, you can find pizzas (prices range from $21-28) such as PS Original Smokey Marherita, Bolognese, and Four Cheese Porcini.

78 Guan Chuan Street #01-41
Tel: +65 9226 7088
Tue to Sun: 11am – 10.30pm

SocialHaus

Right next to Books Actually is SocialHaus, a casual little bar where you can enjoy western food – such as fish & chips, and pastas – with cold beers. If you are searching out a great after work spot for drinks with friends, check out SocialHaus. On ladies night every Wednesday, SocialHaus offers prosecco and Haus wines at $5/glass.

11 Yong Siak Street
Tel: +65 6557 0286
Mon, Wed & Thu: 12pm – 11.30pm
Fri: 4pm – 12 midnight
Sat: 11am – 12 midnight
Sun: 11am – 10.30pm

Strangelets

Just a few stores away from Books Actually is Strangelets, a little design shop that sells bags, interior furnishings and all kinds of quirky stuff.

7 Yong Siak Street
Tel: +65 6222 1456
Mon to Fri: 11am – 8pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 8pm

Two Face Pizza and Taproom

This place has a similar concept as Bar Bar Black Sheep and Fat Cat Bistro. It is a coffee shop in the day, and when the sun sets, the space transforms into a cool spot where you can pizzas and beers.

56 Eng Hoon Street #01-48
Tel: +65 6536 0024
Tue to Fri: 5pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 5pm – 12 midnight
Sun: 10am – 10pm

I am a fan of the Spa Esprit group. To me, they are one of the best F&B groups in Singapore. From their first food outlet Barracks Cafe, to the crowd’s favourites Forty Hands Cafe, and Open Door Policy at Yong Siak Street – every concept that they have created become popular almost instantly. One of their latest ventures, Tiong Bahru Bakery is no exception.

Tiong Bahru Bakery is opened in collaboration with celebrity baker, Gontran Cherrier. It started with much fanfare in the now-hip Tiong Bahru neighbourhood (Eng Hoon Street), and added a second shop at Raffles City shortly after.

During a recent tasting at the artisan bakery, we tried most of the signature items on the menu. Below are some of the highlights from Tiong Bahru Bakery.

We started with Tiong Bahru Bakery’s Croissant ($3.20), which has been getting lots of attention. Some people go to the extent of calling it the best croissant in Singapore, while there are others who beg to differ. Does Tiong Bahru Bakery’s croissant really live up to the hype?

To me, a good croissant is light, flaky and buttery. While the croissants here are tasty, I thought they were not so great. I’ve had much better ones in France before. That said, it is still one of the better versions you can find in Singapore. Moreover, taste is subjective, so it all boils down to personal preferences.

In all fairness, I am not against their croissants. I’ve had mixed experiences (having tried them on several occasions), hence undecided about them being the best.

The Almond Croissant ($3.20), on the other hand, won me overly completely. Unlike the normal croissants, these were dense and moist, and tasted slightly more like a cake than a bread. But what I loved most was the hint of almond in the bread. I am not sure if purists would like it, but I loved it.

One of the show-stoppers at Tiong Bahru Bakery is the Kouign Amann ($3.50), which is a Breton cake with similar characteristics to that of a puff pastry. It is a round crusty cake, made with bread dough, containing layers of butter and sugar. Lots of butter, sugar and caramel. Sinful, but so damn good. I didn’t manage to get a picture of it, but trust me when I say you must not leave Tiong Bahru Bakery without trying this. This is my favourite item and I will go back again and again for it.

The Pain Au Chocolat ($3.20), while good, could have done with a more generous amount of chocolate.

Much has been raved about Tiong Bahru Bakery’s Squid Ink Sandwich ($8.50). In my opinion, it was nothing fantastic, as the squid ink taste was not as distinct as I had hoped it would be. If you have never had it before, it is worth trying once, but I’d suggest saving room for the other sandwiches.

Tiong Bahru Bakery also has pretty decent brioche (available in plain, sugar, almond and chocolate). It’s something that I would have for afternoon tea everyday.

After having the savoury bites, we moved on to the sweet stuff.

The Pandan Flan ($6) is like a giant egg tart, only that the chef chose to use pandan instead of the usual custard filling. I wasn’t too keen on this, but go ahead and order it if you have a thing for pandan.

The Mixed Berry Crumble ($6) was also decent, but it would have been perfect if they had served it with a scoop of ice cream.

Tarte au citron is one of my favourite desserts, so I was really looking forward to trying Tiong Bahru Bakery’s rendition. The Round Lemon Tart ($6) was good, but not what I had in mind. It was more like a short bread than a butter tart. If you love the usual tarte au citron like me, this is probably not for you.

Also worth mentioning is the Pineapple Coconut Cake ($6), which is rustic, and tastes somewhat nostalgic – exactly the kind that you would find in your grandma’s kitchen. It was enough to gain my adoration.

We also had a Chocolate Tart ($6), which had layers of fruits (orange, apricot and fig) in between. It was sticky and chewy, and again, quite unlike the standard chocolate tarts.

Most of the creations at Tiong Bahru bakery are infused with Asian flavours and ingredients like curry, pandan, pineapple and tamarind skin. In other words, you either love or hate the unique flavors.

Not everyone will love Tiong Bahru Bakery on their first visit, but if you get the chance to sample more of their offerings, you will discover more favourites along the way that will then keep you coming back for more.

Tiong Bahru Bakery
56 Eng Hoon Street
#01-70 Singapore 160056
Tel: +65 6220 3430
Daily: 8am – 8pm

252 North Bridge Road
#B1-11/12 Raffles City Shopping Centre
Singapore 179103
Tel: +65 6333 4160
Daily: 9am – 10pm

Note: This was an invited media tasting.