Hello Arigato has become one of those top-of-mind cafes at Joo Chiat, and it is not difficult to understand why. We fell in love with the cosy small space even though there was nothing much to speak about, rest for a feature shelf with a display of Japanese and minimalistic knickknacks.

Hello Arigato is a lifestyle cafe with a Japanese-inspired menu, and it first gained popularity with its first outlet at Upper Thomson. We prefer the one at Joo Chiat, because Joo Chiat.

Step into Hello Arigato Joo Chiat and be greeted by a minimalistic white space. The cafe isn’t big – probably 30-seater – and you can see from front to end. Whilst it can get a tad cramped, it is still a cosy space for a meal and a drink.

You must try their Japanese-inspired sandos (sandwich, in case you didn’t get it). That was what got people’s attention when Hello Arigato first opened; people flocked to the first outlet at Upper Thomson for sandos.

There are quite a few variations, with the Gyu Sando (S$26) being their house specialty. While we thought it was very reasonably-priced for the generous portion, the wagyu didn’t hit the spot for us.

The Spam & Egg Sando (S$18), on the other hand, may sound simple but was way better. A thick slab of luncheon meat, lots of scrambled egg and American cheddar are enveloped in Japanese brioche, complete with spiced tomato jam. Gratifying with every bite, we’d say.

For all the sandos, you have the option of topping up with a side of curly fries at S$5, but we would say skip this and go for the a la carte Hello Twister Fries (S$13). A full portion of everyone’s favourite sinful fries is generously coated with a housemade Japanese curry and cheese sauce and topped with scallions – so damn shiok.

There is a Pasta and Brunch menu too, and while it is interesting to see they used Udon to whip up Japanese-styled pastas, we weren’t fans of it.

Oh, but we really loved the Iced Dirty Matcha (S$8) on the drinks menu and it is our must-order every time we dine at Hello Arigato. They also bake their own cookies which we have yet to try, but we will, soon!

Hello Arigato
227 Upper Thomson Rd, Singapore 574359
Tel: +65 8772 3778

314 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427565
Tel: +65 8889 5657

Among the slew of cafes, supper spots and restaurants scattered all over bustling Upper Thomson Road, Japanese fare is perhaps one of the few rarities to find there unless you consider Tomoe Japanese Cuisine or even Sushi Tei in Thomson Plaza which is both a tad pricier in comparison.

New to the bustling food enclave, taking over what used to be Nunsongyee Korean Dessert Cafe, Maneko Japanese Restaurant is a cosy, 30-seater eatery that serves quick, fuss-free Japanese delights ranging from sashimi, sushi, donburi, soba, udon and a huge selection of sides.

They have a decent selection of sushi and sashimi options to choose from as well as a huge range of rice bowls—great for quick workday lunches.

All their items are priced as is with no GST & service charge and patrons can also opt to order their mains with a drink and a small side dish as a set for a top-up of S$6.

Feeling an itch for some fresh raw fish, we opted for their Assorted Sushi (S$15.90) that saw pairs of thickly sliced salmon, maguro (tuna) and yellowtail, nestled atop sushi rice.

While the texture and appearance of the fishes themselves did not boast the same immaculate quality one would associate with expertly crafted sushi, the individual varieties were fresh and flavourful nonetheless and did well to keep our sushi cravings in check.

For bold flavours and meaty goodness, we recommend getting the Truffle Yakiniku Don (S$14.90). Seared thoroughly to produce a beautiful caramelised crust whilst remaining pink in the middle, the beef was tender and tasty from start to finish.

The onsen egg provided a heightened richness and the truffle oil, while light, gave a dish a subtle aromatic lift. But in spite of it being a fairly fatty-flavoured bowl, the addition of the ripe cherry tomatoes and diced scallions helped to cut through all of that.

One of Maneko’s signatures and hands down one of the best mentaiko dishes we have ever tried is their Mentaiko Udon (S$11.90). For what it’s worth, we were completely blown away by how simple yet addictive this dish was.

Tossed in a light, creamy sauce with salted cod roe and served chilled, the dish hit all the right notes of savoury, umami and refreshing. The udon possessed a nice chewy texture and formed the perfect vessel for all that sauce to latch on. The onsen egg gave the dish a creamier consistency and the scallions cut through everything perfectly.

All in all, a brilliant dish and one we will surely return for!

Maneko Japanese Restaurant
227 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574359
Tel: +65 6909 5401
Daily: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

Situated amidst the hustle and bustle of Upper Thomson Road is a brand new addition to Singapore’s cafe scene—Columbus Coffee Co.

Managed by the same people behind Atlas Coffeehouse and Lunar Coffee Brewers, Columbus Coffee Co. is a stylish new brunch concept that delivers a straightforward menu with exceptional yet not overly-pretentious dishes and a curated selection of coffee brews. Coffee aficionados may be interested to know that the coffee beans are roasted by Two Degrees North Coffee Co.

Served by a team of energetic young baristas and waitstaff, enjoy the warm and friendly hospitality at Columbus Coffee Co which officially starts its operations today. 

Taking over the now-defunct Wolfpack, Columbus Coffee Co. is designed with functionality in mind—making use of industrial decor, wooden furniture and greenery to create a comfortable and inviting environment that does not compromise on style.

The Cheese Burger and Curlies (S$19++)—one of the two burger options available on the menu—impressed us with the combination of textures and flavours that left us yearning for more after we were done.

What you will find sandwiched between two butter brioche buns is a juicy herbed beef patty, fried sherry onions, creamy slaw and the most addictive topping of all—sharp cheddar that melts in your mouth. The hearty dish comes with crispy curly fries as an accompaniment.

Their All-Day Brunch features a list of comforting mains and one that we would highly recommend is the Columbus Buttermilk Fried Chicken (S$14.50+), which is essentially buttermilk marinated chicken wings that are deep-fried to a perfect shade of golden brown.

We sank our teeth into what was possibly one of the juiciest buttermilk chicken wings we have tried in a long time. Diners can also opt for Hot Sauce (S$1) and beer (Half Pint – S$5, Full Pint – S$8.50) to fully complete the ultimate fried chicken experience.

As for desserts, Columbus Coffee Co. carries a range of Buttermilk Waffles in five different flavours. We decided to go for the Earl Grey Caramel Waffle (S$12.50++) which features a freshly made waffle, chopped strawberries, a scoop of earl grey-flavoured ice cream and generous caramel sauce drizzled over top.

Our recommendation is to tuck into the waffles immediately once it it served as it may turn slightly soggy once the ice cream melts over it.

Other options on their menu include Pastas such as Aglio Olio (S$16++), Mushroom Bacon Carbonara (S$19++) and light munchies with the likes of Shoe String Fries (S$8+) and Chili Beef Nachos (S$12++).

Choose your own espresso blend—Atlas or Nautica—and have it prepared in various ways such as a Long Black (Reg – S$4.50++, Large – S$5++), Cappuccino (Reg – S$5++, Large – S$5.50++), Latte (Reg – S$5++, Large – S$5.50++) and more.

As mentioned earlier, Columbus Coffee Co. gets their coffee beans from Two Degrees North Coffee Co., a renowned roaster that sources their single origin beans from coffee capitals of the world, Ethiopia, Colombia and Kenya.

Columbus Coffee Co.
220 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574352
Tel: +65 6253 6024
Daily: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

As more and more cafés pop up across our sunny island, the café scene in the North has surprisingly grown quite a bit through the recent years. From bakeries, burger joints, ice cream and waffle parlours to picturesque cafés, cafe-hopping is equally satisfying—minus the hassle of traveling to town, if you stay in the North.

Everyone talks about the “Stranger Things in Yishun” but guys, it is actually still a pretty peaceful neighbourhood with much to offer!

Whether you are on an adventure to hunt down good food or simply seeking solace with a good cup of coffee, here are some of our picks on 31 Cafes In The North Of Singapore You Must Visit.

Photo Credit: Baker’s Brew Studio

BAKER’S BREW STUDIO

Nestled amongst a cluster of eateries opposite Sembawang Shopping Centre, Baker’s Brew Studio is a baking studio cum café concept. If you are into sweet treats, try the Earl Grey Lavender (S$8.80), Salted Caramel Chocolate (S$8.80).

Baker’s Brew Studio
No. 6 Jalan Tampang
Singapore 758950
Tel: +65 6635 7166
Tue to Sun: 11am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Sembawang

BURGERUP EXPRESS

BurgerUp Express is a burger joint where dining is intended to be indulged on the go without compromising on the taste. Dive into an exhaustive selection of burger sliders and an array of delicious sides such as Chicken Nuggets and Breaded Mushrooms.

BurgerUp Express
930 Yishun Avenue 2
Northpoint City
South Wing #B2-113
Singapore 769098
Tel: +65 6570 0203
Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Yishun

CANOPY GARDEN DINING & BAR
If you are looking for a place to chill out while enjoying some late-night drinks in the midst of lush greenery, then this would be it. Do try out their Crabmeat Aglio Olio (S$19) – the pasta is tossed with fresh crabmeat and garlic before it is topped off with corianders and spring onions.

Outdoor seats are available too so you can bring your fur-kids along!

Canopy Garden Dining & Bar
1382 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1
Singapore 569931
Tel: +65 9113 4666
Mon to Thurs: 9am – 10.30pm
Fri and Eve of PH: 9am – 11pm
Sat and Sun: 8am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Bishan

Photo Credit: seahlc

CHEVAL CAFÉ BAR BISTRO

Established in 2009, Cheval Café Bar Bistro offers diners a casual and relaxing atmosphere, far from the hustle and bustle of central Singapore. Set against lush greenery, you will be treated to superb European cuisine and spectacular sights of horse-riding activities.

The bistro also has live music, a pool table and darts if you are looking to have a night of casual fun and games with friends.

Cheval Café Bar Bistro
1 Equestrian Walk
Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre
Singapore 737863
Tel: +65 6269 0918
Sun to Thurs: 10am – 12am
Fri: 10am – 3am
Sat: 10am – 2am
Nearest Station: Marsiling/ Kranji

Photo Credit: Citrus By The Pool

CITRUS BY THE POOL

Located in between Woodlands and Marsiling MRT Stations, Citrus By The Pool is a Halal-certified cafe situated within the premises of Woodlands Swimming Complex. The retro-themed bistro prides itself on its wide selection of Western and Asian fusion food at affordable prices.

The best part? Everything is set at a nett price with no service charge.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 2 miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

Citrus By The Pool
3 Woodlands Street 13
Woodlands Swimming Complex
Singapore 738600
Tel: +65 6366 6581
Mon to Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat and Sun: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Woodlands

COMMON CHEFS CAFE & BAKERY

Common Chefs Café & Bakery is an exception and it will be a good enough reason for you to make a trip down to this Northern part of Singapore. A café plus bakery, Common Chefs Café & Bakery offers a wide spread of Western dishes, drinks, delightful desserts at affordable prices.

8 Jalan Legundi, #01-13,
Singapore 759274
Tel: +65 6659 1208
Tue to Fri: 12pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Sembawang / Yishun

DOUBLE SCOOPS

Living in the heartlands of Singapore does not mean artisanal gelato is inaccessible. Situated right in the heartlands of Ang Mo Kio, Double Scoops is an artisanal gelato cafe that offers premium low-fat gelato at very reasonable prices, alongside a plethora of desserts.

Double Scoops
Block 226A Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1
#01-627 Singapore 561226
Tel: +65 6452 0208
Sun to Wed: 12pm – 10pm
Fri and Sat: 12pm – 11pm
(Closed on Thursdays)
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio

DOUGHWORY BAKERY

Known for their crispy made-to-order buttermilk waffles, Doughwory Bakery offers pocket-friendly bakes like pies, puff pastries and cakes. Pair the waffles with a scoop of salted caramel ice cream for that perfect sweet-savoury combination.

Doughwory Bakery
Blk 504 Yishun Street 51 #01-03
Singapore 760504
Tel: +65 6425 5028
Daily: 8am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Yishun

EATZI GOURMET BISTRO

Located in SAFRA Yishun, Eatzi Gourmet Bistro is a Halal-certified bistro by popular restaurant chain Jack’s Place. Diners can feast on a myriad of value-for-money Asian fusion and Western cuisines in a cheery and cosy environment.

The bistro offers daily Executive Lunch Deals with prices starting from S$13.80++.

Eatzi Gourmet Bistro
60 Yishun Ave 4 #01-V2
SAFRA Yishun
Singapore 769027
Tel: +65 6852 8270
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Yishun

Photo Credit: Factory Cafe

FACTORY CAFÉ

Factory Cafe is a two-storey café that sits within the industrial enclave of Admiralty. Besides serving a menu of local flavours, the rustic café offers a peaceful environment and complimentary wifi that makes it an ideal place to get some work done. Be sure to try their Raspberry Lychee Cake (S$7) if you are up for a sweet treat.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 3 miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

Factory Café
8B Admiralty St
#01-10 Singapore 757440
Tel: +65 6266 3088
Mon to Fri: 9am – 5pm
Sat: 10am – 2pm
Closed on Sundays
Nearest Station: Admiralty MRT

FART TARTZ

Following the success of the other outlets in Chinatown and Singapore Expo, fArt tArtz is a garden-themed café that has opened in Yishun. The cafe is known for their signature fusion style pasta-in-a-jar and no-bake cakes.

Aside from these Instagram-worthy delights, they also offer light bites, pastas, burgers and many other desserts.

Fart Tartz
18 Yishun Avenue 9 #01-02
Singapore 768897
Tel: +65 6252 0280
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 10pm
Sat and Sun: 10.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Yishun

FAT PAPA’S BURGERS & SHAKES

Halal-certified Fat Papa’s Burgers & Shakes is the place to visit if you ever find yourself craving for some juicy burgers. Besides a wide selection of specialty burgers, pasta, finger food and sweet treats, you can also customise your very own burger.

Fat Papa’s Burgers & Shakes
930 Yishun Avenue 2
Northpoint City
South Wing #01-150
Singapore 7690981
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Yishun

Photo Credit: cindytqy

FO.H CAFÉ

FO.H (Forever Happy) Café is a humble hole-in-the-wall café that aims to serve excellent coffee in the Woodlands district. Brewed with a Carmelo Blend from Allpress Espresso in Australia, you can expect medium roast coffee with a lively acidity that is not as sharp as your usual black coffee.

The food menu there is concise so expect only light bites such as quiche, croissants and a small selection of cakes.

FO.H Café
30 Woodlands Avenue 1
#01-18 The Woodgrove
Singapore 739065
Tel: +65 8642 0988
Mon to Fri: 9am – 7pm
Sat and Sun: 9am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Marsiling

GRUB

At Grub, diners will be able to feast on hearty wholesome food in a casual, family-friendly setting while being surrounded by the gorgeous greeneries of the park. Instagram enthusiasts will also be thrilled to know that the idyllic cafe boasts a great stream of natural lighting which is perfect for gorgeous photos.

Dishes to try are the Mentaiko Fries (S$9.50) and their GRUB cheeseburger (S$14.80).

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

Grub
Bishan Park 1
Blk 510, Ang Mo Kio Ave 1
Singapore 569983
Tel: +65 6459 5743
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Sat to Sun: 9am – 10.30pm
Nearest MRT: Bishan

GRIN AFFAIR

Known for their cakes in a jar, Grin Affair impresses with their Soy Meringue Waffles made with healthier ingredients such as soy milk, whipped egg whites and canola oil. Sink you teeth in a crispy pretzel-like waffle with hints of egg white and soy flavours.

Grin Affair
Blk 505D, Bishan St 11
#01-408 Singapore 570505
Tel: +65 8222 2678
Mon to Fri: 2pm – 10pm
Sat and Sun: 2pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Bishan

HOLY COW CREAMERY

Located in the quieter side of Yishun, Holy Cow Creamery is the place to visit if you ever need a waffle-and-ice-cream fix. Serving rich and creamy handcrafted ice cream, you can pair it with crispy waffles or a cup of aromatic coffee for a refreshing combination.

Holy Cow Creamery
292 Yishun Street 22 #01-291
Singapore 760292
Sun to Thurs: 11.30am – 10pm
Fri and Sat: 11.30am – 11pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Yishun

POISON IVY BISTRO

Why not escape the city for once and dine in the beautiful Kranji countryside? With a farm-to-table menu offering, Poison Ivy Bistro whips up delicious healthy dishes that is well liked by children and adults alike.

You can find favourites such as the Nasi Lemak Platter, seasonal farm-to-table specialities, handmade desserts and farm fresh brews.

Poison Ivy Bistro
100 Neo Tiew Rd
Singapore 719026
Tel: +65 6898 2013
Wed to Fri and Public Holidays: 8am – 6.30pm
(Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Nearest Station: Kranji

PRODIGAL ROASTERS

Tucked away in the heartlands of Yio Chu Kang, Prodigal Roasters is an independent speciality coffee shop that serves caffeinated beverages to nearby residents and basically anyone who loves a good cuppa.

The tiny cafe’s location might seem relatively obscure but is actually easily reachable within an eight-minute stroll from Yio Chu Kang MRT station.

Prodigial Roasters
Blk 625 Ang Mo Kio Ave 9
#01-112
Singapore 560625
Tel: +65 9450 0484
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 10pm
Sat and Sun: 9am – 5pm
Closed on Wednesdays
Nearest Station: Yio Chu Kang

QUENCH! BISTRO & BAR

Just a 10-minute walk from Khatib MRT, Quench! Bistro & Bar is one of those places to visit when you need a short getaway from the crowd. Nestled in ORTO, the bistro faces both the prawning ponds and the main fishing ponds, so you can expect to be immersed in laid-back “kampong” vibes.

Quench! Bistro & Bar
81 Lorong Chencharu
ORTO #01-10
Singapore 769198
Tel: +65 6257 3657
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3am
Sat and Sun: 9am – 3am
Nearest Station: Khatib

Photo Credit: RabbitOwlDepotWoodlands

RABBIT OWL DEPOT

Taking over the premises of the now-defunct Two Plus One Creamery, Rabbit Owl Depot at The Woodgrove is the company’s second initiative after the original outlet at North Bridge Road.

The heartland cafe serves ice cream as well as their signature Snowflake Waffles and a variety of toppings.

Rabbit Owl Depot
30 Woodlands Ave 1
#01-01 The Woodgrove
Singapore 739065
Tel: +65 6336 4075
Mon to Fri: 1pm – 12am
Sat and Sun: 12pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Marsiling

SAN GLOO

Calling all fans of Korean shaved ice dessert, Bingsu—your next cafe stop in Yishun should be San Gloo. With 26 different flavours and prices starting from as low as S$4.90, you can easily satisfy your bingsu craving without breaking the bank.

San Gloo
18 Yishun Avenue 9
Junction 9 #02-41
Singapore 768897
Tel: +65 8198 1848
Daily: 12pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Yishun

SCHOOL CAFÉ

School Café is where you should visit if you are looking for a quick lunch or a sweet fix. With a decent selection of soft serve ice cream and 20 toppings to choose from, you can customise your own waffle or pancake right down to the batter mix and toppings.

Besides that, the humble café also offers savoury dishes such as Beef Bolognese (S$7.90) and Curly Fries (S$2).

School Café
729 Yishun Street 71 #01-107
Singapore 760729
Tel: +65 9180 1109
Daily: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Yishun

SOEK SENG 1954 BICYCLE CAFE

Soek Seng 1954 Bicycle Cafe is a hidden cafe that is situated far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. We suggest visiting in the evening to catch a breath-taking view of the sunset while enjoying delicious comfort food such as Fish & Chips (S$11.80) and Ayam Panggang (S$10.80).

Soek Seng 1954 Bicycle Cafe
80 Seletar Aerospace View
#01-01 Maj Aviation Building
Singapore 797563
Tel: +65 6659 6124
Tue to Sun: 10am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Punggol

THE DAILY SCOOP

Established in 2004, The Daily Scoop started out as a small ice cream parlour in Clementi Arcade, and it currently has three outlets scattered across Singapore.

The smooth Kaya Ice Cream (S$3.50) at The Daily Scoop tickled our taste buds and left quite an impression. Other unique flavours include Chilli Choc and Passion Pinada which is made with three tropical fruits—Pineapple, Passionfruit, and Mango.

The Daily Scoop
#01-05 Sembawang Cottage
Singapore 758382
Tel: +65 6754 1233
Mon to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri and Sat: 11am – 10.30pm
Sun: 2pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Yishun

THUS COFFEE

A fairly new addition to the Sembawang Hills Estate neighbourhood, Thus Coffee is a chic cafe that offers stellar grain bowls, pasta, brunch, hearty stews and coffee. Coffee lovers will be interested to know that the coffee beans at Thus Coffee are freshly roasted in-house.

The Hearty Chicken Stew (S$16) deserves a special mention; this lovely bowl comes with herbed potatoes and succulent chicken in a thick, savoury stew.

Thus Coffee
4 Jalan Kuras
Singapore 577723
Tel: +65 8411 7565
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue to Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio

TWENTY GRAMMES

Essentially a dessert cafe and ice cream parlour, Twenty Grammes specialises in waffles and ice cream.

If you are not a fan of chocolates, try The Sassy Fellow (S$12.90). This waffle features slices of fresh bananas cooked inside the waffle, topped with more bananas, walnuts for an added crunch, drizzled with maple syrup and a huge scoop of Vanilla or Honey-Scotch Ice Cream.

Twenty Grammes
529 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 #01-2353
Singapore 560529
Tell: +65 6816 1916
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri and Sat: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio

WHEELER’S ESTATE

Brought to you by the same folks behind Wheeler’s Yard, Wheeler’s Estate is housed in an impressive heritage building.

Filled with rustic vibes, the Alfresco Café by The Lawn is where you can relax. Otherwise, head to the Grill House and watch the chefs grill some meats and burgers. If you are up for European cuisine, The Verandah has a few signature dishes that will impress you.

Wheeler’s Estate
2 Park Lane Singapore
Singapore 798386
Tel: +65 6262 0001
Alfresco Cafe By The Lawn
Tue to Thurs: 3pm – 11pm
Fri: 3pm – 12am
Sat: 9am – 12am
Sun: 9am – 11pm
The Verandah
Tue to Thurs: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 12am
Sat: 9am – 3pm, 6pm – 12am
Sun: 9am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Closed on Mondays
Nearest Station: Punggol

WILDSEED CAFE AND BAR

Searching for respite away from the crowd? Wildseed Café & Bar would be your best bet. Sharing a space with other F&B establishments in The Oval at Seletar Aerospace Park, this garden themed café whips up hearty dishes during the day and transforms into a casual bar in the evening.

On Fridays through Sundays, diners are serenaded with live acoustic music while sipping on some garden-inspired cocktails.

Wildseed Cafe and Bar
3 Park Lane
Singapore 798387
Tel: +65 6262 1063
Wildseed Café
Daily: 9am – 5pm
Wildseed Bar
Sun to Thurs: 5pm – 11pm
Fri, Sat and Eve of PH: 5pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Punggol

WIMI ICE CREAM

Wimi Ice Cream offers refreshing coconut ice cream that tastes identical to the ones you can find in Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok. For S$4.90, you can get a scoop of coconut ice cream on a halved husk with three toppings of your choice. The toppings range from fresh pomegranate to taro and Thai red ruby.

Wimi Ice Cream
18 Yishun Avenue 9
Junction 9 #02-58
Singapore 768897
Tel: +65 8183 1167
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Yishun

WORKBENCH BISTRO

This industrial-themed cafe at Ang Mo Kio whips up affordable cafe fares priced below S$20, such as their Crab Meat Linguine (S$15.90) and crowd favourite Egg Lava Beef Burger (S$16.90). The cafe is also known for their array of ice creams flavours that are bound to leave you spoilt for choice.

Workbench Bistro
Blk 332, Ang Mo Kio Ave 1
#01-1881 Singapore 560332
Tel: +65 6452 0810
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 10pm
Sat: 10 – 11pm
Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio

YAHAVA KOFFEEWORKS

Specialising in coffee, Yahava Koffeeworks is on a mission to travel the world in search of the finest specialty coffee and amazing Arabica coffees. The cosy café also offers a humble selection of pastries to go with your beverage.

Free koffee tasting sessions are also available for you so patrons get to customise their very own coffee.

Yahava Koffeeworks
4 Jln Gelenggang
Singapore 578188
Tel: +65 6554 7080
Daily: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Yio Chu Kang

Read: The ultimate guide to cafes in the West of Singapore.

Read: The ultimate guide to cafes in the East of Singapore.

The Upper Thomson enclave is regarded by many as a foodie’s haven; you’d never go hungry there.

With so many food options to choose from and quite a number of eateries that open late into the night, you will never be short of options at any time of the day. From local delights to slightly more posh nosh and a smorgasbord of cafes and ice cream parlours, Upper Thomson is easily one of our favourite neighbourhoods to stuff ourselves silly at.

The food scene here is rather dynamic with eateries opening and closing as the months go by. If you are unsure of where to start, here is our comprehensive guide to 29 food places in Upper Thomson.

ALL THE BATTER

Weekends just got “all the batter” (all the better) with their exclusive Avocado Dessert Menu featuring highlights such as avocado cakes, smoothies and Avocado Milk Balls! Before you rush down to All The Batter at Jasmine Road—off Upper Thomson road—do note that it is open only during the weekends.

17 Jasmine Road
Adelphi Park
Singapore 576585
Tel: +65 8510 6313
Sat & Sun: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

AUNTIE KIM’S KOREAN RESTAURANT

One of the longest standing Korean restaurants in the neighbourhood, Auntie Kim’s sees a relatively large pool of regular clientele who constantly return for its delicious Korean fare.

Although a tad pricey, what you can expect from this humble establishment is a wide array of comforting stews, soups and even barbecue options that are just perfect for cold, rainy days.

265 Upper Thomson Rd
Singapore 574392
Tel: +65 6452 2112
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

BAKER’S BREW STUDIO

Baker’s Brew Studio is a sanctuary for the baking enthusiasts in Singapore. Looking for a birthday cake? Look no further! Baker’s Brew is Singapore’s leading cake specialist.

Choose from their wide selection of artisanal bakes and if you are feeling adventurous enough, sign up for one of their baking classes too!

246H Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574370
Tel: +65 6493 2246
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue to Sun: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

BAN LEONG WAH HOE SEAFOOD

Ban Leong Wah Hoe Seafood is packed with hungry diners daily and its slight inaccessibility is clearly not a deterrent as foodies would travel all the way there just to satisfy their seafood and zi char cravings.

Besides their famous chilli crabs and black pepper crabs, Ban Leong Wah Hoe is also renowned for their mouthwatering zi char. They have the best Har Cheong Gai (prawn paste chicken wings) in Singapore.

122/124 Casuarina Road
Singapore 579510
Tel: +65 6455 2824
Mon to Thu: 11am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 11pm
Fri to Sun: 11am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Yio Chu Kang

BROWNICE ITALIAN VEGAN ICE CREAM & KITCHEN

Brownice is a restaurant and ice cream parlour that promises 100% vegan food, making it quite a rare find in Singapore.

As much as sceptics will go on about how vegan ice cream is not an ‘authentic’ dessert, we beg to differ. Their ice cream still packs the rich and creamy qualities of any typical ice cream.

8 Sin Ming Road, #01-03
Sin Ming Centre,
Singapore 575628
Tel: +65 6456 6431
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

CASUARINA CURRY

Casuarina Curry is hugely popular among the morning breakfast crowd for several good reasons. For one, they manage to nail the basics every time, whipping up crispy roti prata accompanied with a hearty fish or mutton curry.

Their ability to keep prices relatively low—considering how large their portion sizes are—is another reason why this humble prata shop has managed to retain a loyal customer base after all this time.

136 & 138 Casuarina Road
Tel: +65 6455 9093
Daily: 7am – 12am
Nearest Station: Yio Chu Kang

COLUMBUS COFFEE CO.

Situated amidst the hustle and bustle of Upper Thomson Road is a brand new addition to Singapore’s cafe scene—Columbus Coffee Co.

Managed by the same people behind Atlas Coffeehouse and Lunar Coffee Brewers, Columbus Coffee Co. is a stylish new brunch concept that delivers a straightforward menu with exceptional yet not overly-pretentious dishes and a curated selection of coffee brews. Coffee aficionados may be interested to know that the coffee beans are roasted by Two Degrees North Coffee Co.

220 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574352
Tel: +65 6253 6024
Daily: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

DAAWAT TANDOORI

If you ever find yourself craving for a solid tandoori or even some North Indian sweets, Daawat Tandoori is the place you go to. Their kitchen is formed by a team of professional chefs from India so you can bet that their food is as authentic as it can get.

Some of the must-haves include their butter chicken as well as their assorted naan and tandoori meat offerings. For dessert, consider the gulab jamun, a milk-based dessert that swims in a rose flavoured sugar syrup.

207 Upper Thomson Rd
Singapore 574346
Tel: +65 6822 3716
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

EDWIN & COOKS

Run by a team of experienced chefs from a multitude of culinary backgrounds, Edwin & Cooks started off as a kitchen and storage space for private chef services for parties and events and has since opened up their own bistro.

Some must-try items include the Sloppy Joes Dog (S$12) as well as the oh-so-sinful Chicken Burger (S$16) that features a crispy fried chicken thigh, generously slathered with their homemade buffalo wing and cheddar cheese sauce.

11 Sin Ming Road, #01-13
Thomson V Two
Singapore 575629
(Closed on Mondays)
Sun to Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri: 11am – 12am
Nearest Station: Marymount

FATBOY’S THE BURGER BAR

At Fat Boy’s, it’s either go fat or go home.

The massiveness of their burgers is what makes this burger joint most attractive. Indulge in the sinful Fat Bastard (S$19.80); double beef patties, extra thick bacon, cheesy cheddar and a fried egg in between the fluffy sesame buns, or challenge the chef’s creation with the ‘Build Your Own Burger’ option.

187 Upper Thomson Road
Tel: +65 6252 8780
Mon to Thu: 4pm – 12am
Fri to Sun: 12pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Marymount

HABITAT COFFEE

Habitat Coffee needs no further introduction. It is easily the most popular cafe along the Upper Thomson stretch. While Habitat’s food remains subjective to those with discerning palates, it certainly serves one of the better coffees in Singapore. They are passionate about bringing different coffee blends of varying origins and each dine-in coffee is complemented with a caramel biscuit.

223 Upper Thomson Road
Tel: +65 6456 2567
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue to Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

LITTLE PART 1 CAFÉ

Little Part 1 Café is an indie cafe tucked away on the obscure Jasmine Road, situated among big bungalows off the main road. In a nutshell, they serve up comfort food from chicken and waffles to buffalo wings and decent coffee.

Beer aficionados get excited because they also house some rare Trappist beers from Belgium.

15 Jasmine Rd
Singapore 576584
Tel: +65 6451 7553
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue to Thu: 12pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 12am
Sat: 12pm – 12am
Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

MANEKO JAPANESE RESTAURANT

New to the bustling food enclave, taking over what used to be Nunsongyee Koran Dessert Cafe, Maneko Japanese Restaurant is a cosy, 30-seater eatery that serves quick, fuss-free Japanese delights ranging from sashimi, sushi, donburi, soba, udon and a huge selection of sides.

227 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574359
Tel: +65 6909 5401
Daily: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

MENG’S KITCHEN

Meng’s Kitchen is opened till 4.30am daily and 99% of its customers are there for their heavenly bak chor mee (minced pork noodles).

Despite the abundance of bak chor mee options all over Singapore, our love for Meng’s Bak Chor Mee remains loyal and sturdy.

246B Upper Thomson Rd
Singapore 574370
Tel: +65 6455 4890
Mon to Sat: 9.30am – 4.30am
Sun: 9.30am – 12am
Nearest Station: Marymount

ONE MAN COFFEE

One Man Coffee is a speciality coffee concept that focuses on the art of the espresso. They share the premise with French eatery, Garçons, which operates in the evening once the humble coffee shop closes. As stunning as their humble brews and latte art are, we absolutely love their food as well.

Their Gashaus Eggs and Berries French Toast is a crowd favourite and just what you’d need for that weekend brunch.

215R Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574349
Tel: +65 9658 1685
Daily: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Marymount 

PACAMARA BOUTIQUE COFFEE ROASTERS

This coffee shop that sits on the edge of the Upper Thomson stretch has a menu of salads and brunch items, wonderful coffee and a variety of hipster bottled drinks as well.

Their truffle fries are by far one of the best we have ever had and makes an excellent side item. Other stellar dishes to consider include their Chicken Mushroom Mac & Cheese (S$17.50), Slow Cooked Ox Cheek (S$24) as well as their Blueberry Pancakes (S$17.50).

185 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574333
Daily: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

PARKER KOREAN RESTAURANT

Parker boasts a homey, no-frills vibe that is great for family dinners. Compared to Auntie Kim’s, this Korean eatery is more affordable. While it looks unassuming, do not let its dodgy exterior intimidate you.

They serve up a massive variety of yummy Korean dishes and stews that ooze comfort especially during cold days.

209 Upper Thomson Rd
Singapore 574347
Tel: +65 6251 2606
Daily: 11am – 3.30pm, 5pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

PASTA J

What initially began as a hawker stall that used to focus on a small variety of dishes and their signature bottled pesto is now a full-service restaurant where you can find excellent pasta and unconventional dishes such as Ultimate Kaya Toast and Western-inspired dumplings.

Dogs are allowed on the premises in the restaurant (although they do not have a menu for your furballs) so feel free to bring your four-legged pals along as well.

205 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574345
Tel: +65 9004 1800
Daily: 12pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Marymount

PEPERONI PIZZERIA @ THOMSON

At Peperoni Pizzeria, all their pies are cooked traditionally in a wood-fired oven and topped generously with fresh ingredients and this is no different at their Upper Thomson outlet.

From the classic pancetta that features cured bacon, sliced tomatoes and an egg to their newer chilli crab pizza, there is bound to be something fit for your palate.

267 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574394
Tel: +65 6509 1575
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Sun: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

PHO VIET

A relatively new addition to the slew of cafes and eateries in Upper Thomson, this humble Vietnamese eatery—situated along the same stretch where Maneko Japanese Restaurant and One Man Coffee are located at—serves up hearty bowls of pho as well as a variety of rice dishes. Though not the best we’ve tasted, they are the only Vietnamese joint in the whole of Upper Thomson.

215M Upper Thomson Road
Tel: +65 8518 0090
Daily: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

SCISSOR CUT CURRY RICE

For rustic and affordable grub that spells hearty but isn’t something fit for the ‘gram’, Scissor-Cut Curry Rice is the place to go.

Choose from their wide selection of ingredients and watch as the cook cuts them up into all sorts of odd shapes and sizes. The finale comes when the thick curry is ladled over to give you what is probably the most soul-satisfying meal you will ever have.

244p Upper Thomson Rd
Singapore 574369
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

OMOTÉ

Popular chirashi don eatery in Thomson Plaza, the humble Japanese joint had recently moved into a much bigger space on level 2, adopting its new name, Omoté. Their awesome value-for-money Bara Chirashi Don is a must-try. But do not be fooled by its unbelievably affordable price tag because what you get are insanely thick cubes of fish and a generous amount of Japanese rice.

No doubt the queues might be off-putting, but we assure you it is definitely worth the wait!

#01-22/30, 301 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574408
Tel: +65 9450 1020
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Mon to Sun: 11.45am – 2.15pm, 5.45pm – 9.15pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

THRIVE

New to Upper Thomson Road’s cluster of vibrant cafes and eateries is Thrive, a new boho-themed cafe that specialises in artisanal coffee, loaded healthy toasts and acai bowls—or should we say cups. They are a joint collaboration between Boxgreen and An Acai Affair and the very first one to set up shop.

215B Upper Thomson Road,
Singapore 574349
Tel: +65 9688 9211
Sun to Thu: 11.30am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

THE ROTI PRATA HOUSE

One of the best crispy roti prata according can be found right in The Roti Prata House. The pratas here strike a perfect balance between crispy and fluffy which we absolutely adore.

Sweet pratas such as kaya pratas and strawberry pratas are also available. Other mains include nasi briyani and mee goreng in endless variations. The Roti Prata house opens till as late as 4am on Fridays and Saturday,s which makes it an ideal supper place.

246 Upper Thomson Rd
Singapore 574370
Sun to Thu: 7am – 2am
Fri & Sat: 7am – 4am
Nearest Station: Marymount

THUS COFFEE

Nestled in the Sembawang Hills Estate neighbourhood is Thus Coffee, a chic cafe that offers stellar grain bowls, pasta, brunch, hearty stews and coffee.

Not only that, coffee aficionados can take pleasure in knowing that their coffee beans are freshly roasted in-house—something often overlooked at many cafes in Singapore.

Thus Coffee
4 Jalan Kuras
Singapore 577723
Tel: +65 8411 7565
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue to Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio

TOMOE JAPANESE CUISINE

From their early beginnings in 1990, Tomoe Japanese Cuisine is a cosy eatery that has a menu of bento sets, udon and sashimi.

They may not possess anything unique but what you can definitely bank on is decent Japanese food when you do not want to be part of the queues for Japanese restaurants in town.

263 Upper Thomson Road, #01-01
Singapore 574390
Tel: +65 6732 7522
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

TUK WAN KITCHEN

Known for dishing out tasty Thai dishes with a slight local twist, it didn’t take long for Tuk Wan Kitchen to gain immense popularity among the residents of Upper Thomson.

Evenings often see a full house and just looking at their stellar line-up of tasty dishes from their deep-fried barramundi with a Thai-style sambal to their pimped up mango sticky rice, we can see why.

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10 Jalan Leban
Singapore 577551
Tel: +65 6748 9909
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Yio Chu Kang

WILDER MANN GERMAN RESTAURANT BAR

Set in a quaint stretch of old shophouses along Upper Thomson Road, Wilder Mann has been decorated to reproduce a unique German atmosphere, where you and your friends can have a solid time over beers and good old German food.

Fridays and Saturdays are pork knuckle days so be sure to snag those bad boys quick before they run out.

906 Upper Thomson Rd
Singapore 787110
Tel: +65 9879 9544
Mon to Fri: 6pm – 11.45pm
Sat: 6pm – 1am
Sun: 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Yio Chu Kang

WORD CAFE

Word Cafe is a Muslim-owned cafe that exudes hipster-esque vibes. They are also very popular for their rainbow bagels.

But aside from being pretty to look at, they are also used in a variety of tasty burgers. Their Handsome Burg (S$20) is an absolute show stopper.

906 Upper Thomson Rd
Singapore 787110
Tel: +65 9742 9224
(Closed on Mondays)
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Yio Chu Kang

WONG CHIEW EATING HOUSE

Despite being around for over a decade now, this humble corner coffee shop hasn’t gotten much limelight, but trust us when we say that these folks are worth a visit. Opened 24-hours a day, they dish out anything from roast meat, various rice and noodle dishes, dim sum as well as their signature Kampung Chicken.

19 Sembawang Road
Singapore 779075
Tel: +65  6456 6838
Nearest Station: Khatib/ Yio Chu Kang

Casual Italian restaurant Pasta J is one of our favourite hangout spots along Upper Thomson Road. The restaurant has been gaining a reputation for itself among the public for serving a toothsome array of homemade pasta and steaks. As Pasta J is also a pet-friendly dining place, you will find pet owners who are residing in the area dropping by on a frequent basis with their fur babies.

Pasta J’s humble beginnings started when owner John Chan was selling his own pesto sauce creation at events. Upon receiving many positive feedbacks, he decided to open his own stall at a hawker centre and eventually become so successful that he could open his own restaurant. Till today, diners are treated to a curated menu featuring John’s personal recipes.

Signature items on their menu include Pesto Pasta, The Break-Up Steak and Caramel Carnivore. Guests who are interested in their special sauces are able to buy them off the shelves too.

The unpretentious restaurant is spacious and cosy—guests are greeted with warm lighting, white communal tables and large sofa seats; Pasta J makes you feel right at home from the moment you step in.

What we love most is that the hospitality at Pasta J extends to your pet too. The restaurant welcomes small dogs and they are given a bowl of iced water and even free kibbles that will have your puppy’s tail wagging with joy.

While you may think that Pasta J is more well-known for their pasta, the owner actually recommends the restaurant’s delectable selection of meats—The Super Striploin (S$31.90) and the Terribly Troublesome Pork Chops (S$17.90++).

That being said, their signature pasta dishes are not to be missed either. If you are looking for a crowd-favourite, the Wholesome Chicken Soup Pasta (S$16.90++) will do the trick. You get half a chicken leg placed in a light chicken soup that is made from pressure-cooked chicken bones and barley.

Alternatively, you may also want to consider Garlic Herb Chicken (S$16.90++) and The Bourdain (S$16.90++).

Pasta J
205 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574345
Tel: +65 9004 1800
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 12 Midnight
Sat: 10.30am – 12 Midnight
Sun: 10.30am – 11pm
PH (excluding Sundays): 10.30am – 12 Midnight
Nearest Station: Marymount

Run by a team of experienced chefs from a multitude of culinary backgrounds, Edwin & Cooks is the newest kid in the Upper Thomson enclave. What initially started off as a kitchen and storage space for private chef services for parties and events, is now a bistro on its own.

The good folks at Edwin & Cooks serve up delicious fusion cuisine, munchies as well as a variety of alcoholic beverages for you to sit back and relax to. The talented chefs constantly work hard to update their menu every now and then so as to ensure that customers will always have something to look forward to.

Located at Thomson V Two, this new spot is a place worth checking out.

Occupying a small shop space, the interior is fully dedicated to being a kitchen and an order counter while the seating area outside consists of 3 tables. We felt the ambience to be rather cosy as the absence big a crowd really allowed us to sit back and relax as we watched the world go by.

The menu features a wide array of tasty offerings from freshly shucked oysters, truffle fries and a whole host of mains such as their Chicken Burger and Sloppy Joes Dog.

For those of you in search of a hearty meal that packs lots of flavours, the Sloppy Joes Dog (S$12) comes highly recommended. On a perfectly toasted brioche bun sits a pork bratwurst sausage that is generously slathered with their home-made tangy beef ragu and topped with onion and mozzarella.

The brioche bun provided a nice sweetness which bolded well with the savoury qualities of the meaty beef ragu. The sausage by itself was flavourful, but the beef ragu coupled with the cheese gave the dish a heightened dose of richness and texture.

The Chicken Burger (S$16) is something of a treat that even the most discerning of palates can agree with. Sandwiched between a toasted charcoal bun is a crispy chicken thigh that is given a healthy dose of their homemade buffalo wing sauce and cheddar cheese sauce as well as a refreshing cucumber slaw.

The chicken thigh had a lovely crunch and the marriage between both the spicy buffalo wing sauce and the cheddar cheese sauce was magical, to say the least. The cucumber slaw was a nice touch as well as it gave this heavy dish a refreshing lift. Crispy, spicy and savoury, this hearty burger easily trumps all other chicken burgers out there.

Edwin & Cooks
11 Sin Ming Road, #01-13
Thomson V Two
Singapore 575629
(Closed on Mondays)
Sun to Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri: 11am – 12am
Nearest Station: Marymount

Nestled within the Sembawang Hills Estate neighbourhood, and the newest addition to the Upper Thomson enclave is Thus Coffee, a chic cafe that offers stellar grain bowls, pasta, brunch, hearty stews and coffee

Not only that, coffee aficionados can take pleasure in knowing that their coffee beans are freshly roasted in-house—something often overlooked at many cafes in Singapore.

Whether its superb coffee, a stellar array of brunch-style eats or simply just a place to escape the midday heat, the newly opened Thus Coffee at Upper Thomson is no doubt a worthwhile spot to check out should you happen to find yourself wandering around the area.

Decked out in weathered grey walls and simple furniture, this humble coffee joint exudes a rather relaxed and laid-back vibe that is just perfect for lounging or catching up on work. There is also a communal dining table that caters for larger groups.

Their food offerings typically revolve around your usual cafe fare with the exception of their Hearty Chicken Stew and Wagyu Beef Grain Bowl. Besides the usual coffee, tea and fresh fruit juice selection, Thus coffee also serves Argentian wine at only S$40 a bottle.

The Hearty Chicken Stew (S$16) starts off with a standard mirepoix—basically, a fancy French term to mean carrots, onions and celery—which gives the stew its savoury and mildly sweet base and is thickened with cream for that hearty quality. Tender, herbed potatoes are also added to give the dish texture and a heightened boost of flavour.

The tender and succulent chicken comes with toasted multigrain bread and a wedge of lime—which we thought was a wonderful touch to the dish as the sharp tang really helped to cut through the richness of the stew.

Humbly roasted in-house by the good folks at Thus Coffee, the standard Latte (S$5) went well above your usual cuppa. The initial whiff boasted deep, chocolatey notes while the first sip was earthy and crisp.

We may not be coffee experts, but we know a decent cuppa when we’ve had one—and this was definitely one of them.

Thus Coffee
4 Jalan Kuras
Singapore 577723
Tel: +65 8411 7565
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio

The first avocado-themed cafe has opened up in Singapore three weeks ago and it is located at Adelphi Park.

All The Batter may not be new in Singapore as it currently has a dessert kiosk at Anchorpoint Shopping Mall but you can now enjoy their full range of avocado delights in a comfortable cafe environment.

Weekends just got “all the batter” (all the better) with their exclusive Avocado Dessert Menu featuring highlights such as avocado cakes, smoothies and Avocado Milk Balls! Before you rush down to All The Batter at Jasmine Road—off Upper Thomson road—do note that it is open only during the weekends.

The founders of All The Batter are driven by their love for avocados and a mission which they set out to accomplish—Making Lives All The Batter (better) through avocado and other kinds of natural foods.

All The Batter sets out to source for the freshest ingredients and even recycles their fruit peels instead of throwing them away. We applaud them for being committed to creating a positive environmental impact!

Cool off from the heat with some Avocado smoothies. Between the two flavours we tried—Matcha Avocado Creme (S$5.50) and Avocado & Chocolate (S$5)—we preferred the latter for its creamy texture and subtle hints of chocolate sauce for extra sweetness.

While the drinks are only decent, it is their desserts which really got us hooked. The Avocado Rhapsody Slice (S$6.50) is made with fresh avocados, cocoa and slathered with rich cream cheese. We could taste all the distinct flavours without the cream cheese overpowering everything else.

Another favourite of ours was the Avocado Gula Melaka Slice (S$5.90). Those with a sweet too tooth will enjoy the addition of sweet Gula Melaka cream on top of moist avocado batter cake.

Avocado Citrus Pie (S$4.50) packs a delightful punch thanks to the generous amount of avocado citrus cream accompanied with hand baked tart crust. We liked how the tart base was buttery and crumbly.

Other choices there include Fresh Avocado Milk Ball (S$2.90), Avocado Yoghurt Deluxe Slice (S$6.30) and Hearty Avocado Granola Bowl (S$9.30).

All The Batter
17 Jasmine Road
Adelphi Park
Singapore 576585
Tel: +65 8510 6313
Sat & Sun: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

Read: 23 Restaurants, Cafes And Eateries In Upper Thomson You Must Try

A cafe specialising in French bakes and Instagram-worthy desserts, Les Pâtisseries is not new to the cafe industry. Having relocated from Toa Payoh, the cafe has since joined the long list of F&B establishments along Upper Thomson Road.

Their desserts, breakfast dishes and All-Day mains are priced below S$20, making it a hit with the younger crowd who would hang around for Sunday brunch or afternoon tea session with their friends. 

Featuring clean lines and a minimalistic interior, Les Pâtisseries is spacious to boot which makes it comfortable for guests to walk around. We love the addition of a sparkling marble countertop and vintage, industrial metal cage pendant lights.

The Thai Milk Earl Grey Waffle (S$15.90) comes with crispy earl grey waffle, two scoops of rich Thai Milk Tea ice cream, almond slices and a macaron.

We thoroughly enjoyed the waffle but recommend sharing it among friends as the rich flavours can get heavy on the palatte.

Other waffle choices you can get there include Chocolate Indulgence (S$15.90), Waffle Banoffee (S$14.50) and Summer Berries & Maple Waffle (S$13.50). Diners can create their own waffles with various waffle and ice cream flavours as well.

Something else you may want to keep a lookout for is the Matcha Tart (S$4.50). This is a seasonal special which was available when we visited the cafe. We love the distinct layers of matcha, chocolate and wafer which came with great textures and taste.

Les Pâtisseries
222 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574354
+65 9744 0504
Mon to Thu: 11am – 12 Midnight
Fri: 11am – 2am
Sat: 9am – 2am
Sun: 9am – 12 Midnight
Nearest Station: Marymount

Sushiro might be less than a year old, but the unassuming Japanese eatery has already established itself as one of the most successful F&B tenants in Upper Thomson. Regardless of whether it is a weekday or weekend, queues are formed outside Sushiro every day (except Tuesday). We have visited several times and are impressed by its affordability and consistency.

Everyone comes here for Sushiro’s awesome value-for-money Bara Chirashi Don (S$12.80). Foodies in the know and Upper Thomson dwellers would tell you that it is worth the wait.

Honestly, we were reluctant to share this hidden gem with you, lest the queue gets even longer. But you deserve to know the best dining deals in town, so read on to find out more!

Located on the ground level of Thomson Plaza and situated just outside the food court, Sushiro is packed with customers on a daily basis. The 14-seater Japanese restaurant’s best-selling dish is the Bara Chirashi Don (S$12.80).

We almost pinched ourselves when we saw the price. This is definitely the cheapest chirashi don in Singapore.

But an economical price does not mean that it is subpar. Instead, the Bara Chirashi Don is considerably impressive. Generous portions of fresh chunky raw salmon, juicy salmon roe, tuna sashimi, octopus and prawn and are piled atop sweet sushi rice alongside a dollop of wasabi.

Admittedly, we were initially sceptical about the hype, but we are now regulars. If you wish to skip the queue, there is a takeaway menu.

Sushiro
301 Upper Thomson Road
#01-113F Thomson Plaza
Singapore 574408
Tel: +65 9450 1020
Closed on Tuesdays
Wed to Mon: 11.45am – 2.30pm, 5.45pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

Huay Kwang Thai at Upper Thomson has been around for a while and the mookata restaurant remains jam-packed with hungry patrons on a nightly basis.

Hate it or love it, but it seems like the mookata dining concept is here to stay.

Prices for the mookata buffet are relatively affordable; it ranges from S$19.90+ per adult for a Value Mak Mak Buffet to S$29.90+ per adult for a Deluxe Buffet. You will have to add S$3+ on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, eve of public holidays and on public holidays.

Choose either the standard pork bone soup or top up S$8+ for clear tom yum broth.

Do bear in mind that the all-you-can-eat mookata buffet is strictly limited to 90 minutes. We chose the Value Mak Mak Buffet (S$12.90+ per child, S$19.90+ per adult) and were entitled to free-flow eggs, chicken, pork, vegetables, glass noodles and rice.

For an additional S$10, the Deluxe Buffet comes with a selection of beef and seafood.

For those of you who are new to mookata, the appliance you use to cook your food has dual functions. The dome-shaped metal skillet acts as a griller and pork lard is used to grease the metallic surface. The BBQ meats here are characterised by a distinct charcoal flavour.

On the other hand, the moat—surrounding the dome-shaped griller—is filled with soup and you can boil your food like you would do at hot pots.

The F&B turnover rate in Upper Thomson neighbourhood is notably high, but Huay Kwang Thai evidently faces no lack of customers. The restaurant is bustling with life every single night – regardless of whether it is a weekday or weekend.

It opens till 2am every day, hence making it a perfect supper destination.

Huay Kwang Thai
244R Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574369
Tel: +65 8588 9990
Daily: 5.30pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Marymount

Updated: Rida La Cuisine is no longer in operation.

Sick of all the pretentious overpriced Parisian haute cuisine dining concepts? Perhaps it is time to venture away from the overhyped glitzy restaurants and give Rida La Cuisine a shot instead. Located along the bustling stretch of Upper Thomson Road, Rida La Cuisine is a casual French eatery serving homestyle traditional French fare at affordable prices.

While the decors of Rida La Cuisine are far from fancy, its quaint neighbourhood vibes offer a refreshing change of ambience and we felt at home right away.

Their value-for-money simple yet divine French delicacies such as the signature Duck Confit (S$17.50), classic Pan-Fried Duck Foie Gras (S$18) and timeless Creme Brûlée (S$4) are what keep customers returning.

With a minimalistic placard erected above the storefront, Rida La Cuisine is considered relatively unnoticeable when compared to its neighbours. Perhaps a striking facade is not needed for Rida La Cuisine, who takes pride in serving lip smacking homely French gourmet at wallet-friendly prices.

We particularly enjoyed Rida La Cuisine’s tender Duck Confit served with fries or gratin (S$17.50) and The Dory Fish (S$13) served with white wine sauce and a side of butter rice.

The culinary team of this humble diner was previously trained by the reputable La Petit Cuisine, so don’t be surprised if you find the food from both places awfully similar to each other!

Customers can top up an additional S$5 to complete their hearty main courses with a soft drink and a soup/dessert of their choice. Do note that there are no waiting staff and patrons have to order and pay at the counter – hence service charges are waived. In a rush but craving for comforting French delights? Fret not, Rida La Cusiine does takeouts too.

Rida La Cuisine
227 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574359
Tel: +65 6456 2078
Mon: Closed
Tue to Sun: 11.3am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

As its name suggests, Chicken Clinic at Upper Thomson is a hospital-themed eatery specialising in Korean Fried Chicken. It is the only Korean restaurant in Singapore utilising surgical equipments in its fried chicken presentation.

Sure, they might be a tad too gimmicky, but our cameras love them.

Korean fried chickens are all the rage right now, but Chicken Clinic has cleverly stood out from other competitors with its unique display of injection syringes, metal trays and medical tweezers. While they may not serve up the best Korean fried chicken, it is still something you might want to check out when you are next at Thomson.

Chicken Clinic’s best-selling fried chicken are the Chicken Nanban (S$18.50) and Seasoned Spicy Chicken (S$19.50). The former comprises deep-fried tender boneless chicken chunks topped with pickled jalapenos and drenched in spicy soy sauce, while the latter consists of seasoned spicy fried chicken dipped in Korean-style sweet chilli sauce.

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The savoury Chicken Nanban was pretty impressive, and it is clearly Chicken Clinic’s stellar dish.

All fried chicken dishes are served in a laboratory-like metal tray and completed with three mini metal tins of fries, pickles and salad. Spiciness of the chicken dishes (on its own) are negligible, so fret not about burning sensations.

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For an extra kick, inject the spicier chilli sauces from the syringes (choose from level 1 to 3) onto the chicken chunks. Each fried chicken dish can feed up to 2 pax, so we recommend those with small appetites to share it with someone.

The fries were unfortunately underwhelming when compared to the mouthwatering Nan Ban, so just spend all your calories on the juicy chicken chunks instead.

If you are looking for something less greasy, do know that the menu also features other Korean-Japanese fusion dishes such as Chicken Yaki Udon (S$15.50) and Chili Chicken Dong (S$10).

Chicken Clinic
Thomson V Two, #01-13
11 Sin Ming Road
Singapore 575629
Tel: +65 8451 4011
Mon: 3pm – 9.30pm
Tue to Fri: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

Time flies. It has already been four years since artisanal ice-cream parlour Salted Caramel first opened its doors in Upper Thomson!

The popular of this ice-cream shop that is jam packed with customers every night till date still hasn’t died, and their formula to success in this cut-throat industry is no mind-blogging secret – they pride themselves on handcrafting ice-cream free from artificial enhancers and preservatives.

Salted Caramel has long become a favourite go-to dessert destination for Upper Thomson residers, as well as for those who do not live in the vicinity. Thankfully, their ice-cream prices remain extremely affordable despite its success. And yes, the salted caramel is still our favourite flavour.

The unpretentious ice-cream store’s prices are humbly justified. A single scoop (S$3.60), double scoop (S$6.40) or even a triple scoop (S$9.20) all cost well below S$10.

For a more substantial dessert, you can choose to add on a brownie (S$3.50) or a waffle (S$4) to your choice of ice cream. The selection of premium flavours will have you spoilt for choice, but our personal favourites are hands down Earl Grey, Horlicks Tim Tam, Milo and of course, Salted Caramel.

The turnover rate of cafes in Singapore is insanely brutal and soaring rentals have made it even harder for new establishments to thrive in this cut-throat food and beverage industry.

But by now, we all know that Salted Caramel is far from just a fad. Its novelty of being new has clearly worn off, but its regulars have been returning religiously for more. In fact, the ice cream parlour is now regarded as a household name amongst those who live in Thomson.

Salted Caramel Singapore
246F Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574370
Tel: +65 6753 1718
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 11pm
Fri to Sat: 12pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Marymount

Truth be told, we were really upset when November 8 at Upper Thomson shut its doors a few months ago. Thankfully, the same people behind November 8 has opened a brand new cafe & bar concept in the same Thomson V One Building and it is called Five by Five (5 x 5).

The 2-week old casual establishment is decked in an all-white interior with minimalistic wooden furnishings. Five by Five is one of the rare few cafes in Singapore that opens till midnight daily (except for Tuesdays).

Tucked away from the main roads of Upper Thomson, Five by Five is a cozy space that serves espresso beverages up to Melburnian standards. Coffees (from S$3) are made from Common Man Coffee Roasters’ 22 Martin Blend and one can expect an aromatic heavy bodied cuppa with a dark chocolate lingering aftertaste.

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The homestyle main courses offered at Five by Five are delicious and unpretentious. If you are sick of the ubiquitous Eggs Benedict, try their Japanese Beef Stew (S$18.50) and Chicken Bleu (S$15.50).

The former is a wholesome Japanese curry-based casserole of braised beef chunks served with toasts on the side, while the latter is a deboned succulent chicken thigh stuffed with bacon and cheese complemented with chewy orzo rice pasta and a leafy green salad.

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Five by Five’s classic waffle (S$6) is a must-order; crisp on the outside and impossibly fluffy inside, we loved how consistent the texture is. You can choose to top up the tasty savoury delight with exotic ice-cream flavours (S$4.20 per deluxe scoop / S$4.80 per premium scoop) such as Coconut Taro, Thai Milk Tea, D24 Durian and whatnot.

When night approaches, Five by Five transforms into a laid back bar where you can unwind over draft beers and bottled beers. Enjoy their daily Happy Hour promotion from 5 – 9pm at just S$5 for half a pint of Kronenbourg Blanc or Kronenburg Lager. The bar-cum-cafe opens till midnight daily and Upper Thomson dwellers no longer have to head down to the awfully congested CBD for a drinking session.

Last but not least, you would be pleased to hear that Five by Five offers complimentary Wi-Fi to all dine-in customers.

Five by Five
9 Sin Min Road
#01-03, Thomson V One
Singapore 575630
Mon: 11am – 12am
Tue: Closed
Wed to Fri: 11am – 12am
Sat to Sun: 10am – 12am
Nearest Station: Marymount

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.

It is a clean state of white.

Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters is one of the new kids on the block, but not that new if you are familiar with OZ Specialty Coffee. Formerly located at the other part of the Upper Thomson neighbourhood, the brand has undergone a major revamp and repositioning and now sits proudly as Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters at the edge of the busy stretch of Upper Thomson. It is a much bigger scale, with a proper dine-in space because they serve more than coffee and desserts now.

Its new space is bright and clean. Sleek lamps hang from the ceiling, shining down on the longitudinal wooden tables. Sunlight streams in through the huge panelled windows and fills the space with warmth. Sitting at the corner of the cafe is a rack of merchandise neatly displayed and ready for purchase – from filters to drippers, you are free to bring home a piece of Pacamara.

We actually love the minimalistic white-washed outlook of the cafe. We like it so damn much. But the food menu was a severe disappointment. What could have been otherwise a well-designed menu with both classic brunch favourites and interesting creations was let down by its price point and mediocre execution.

On our table was an item from the salad section, the brunch and the mains each. We really fancy a good beetroot salad for nothing is quite as gratifying than sweet beet slices alongside crumbly feta, chick peas and arugula. But Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters’ Beetroot Salad (S$14) is a ridiculous portion of five beet slices, some small squares of butternut and very countable arugula leaves with barely-there lemon vinaigrette dressing. This is by far the most expensive salad (for its puny portion) we’ve ever paid for in a cafe.

From the brunch menu (served till 2:30pm), we had the Red Velvet Pancakes (S$16) served with mascarpone and fresh berries. While it was rather fluffy, it came in a sad shade of brown and we were looking forward to the mild chocolatey sweetness, but to no avail. Seems like there is nothing really red velvety about the pancakes after all. Oh well. And the Wagyu Burger (S$22) from the mains came standing tall and complete with chips, but the patty was a tad too dry.

Our saving grace for the day? The White (5oz for S$5), that came with a decent latte art and a familiar taste of OZ Specialty.

It is a shame that such a cosy cafe with a strategic location would fail so badly in their food. Nonetheless, the big switch from a hole-in-the-wall coffee joint is still deserving of an applause and worth a visit.

Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters
185 Upper Thomson Road
Tue to Sun: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio/Marymount

The Upper Thomson neighbourhood is experiencing a revival, with new cafes like November 8 and One Man Coffee opening in the area. Among them, you should swing by One Man Coffee for great coffee and delicious light bites like its ‘Toad in the Hole’ and the much-lauded French toast.

One Man Coffee shares the premise with Crust Pizza; the former opens from 9am to 5pm, while the latter starts from 5pm onwards. It is easy to miss One Man Coffee from the main road if you are not paying attention, so keep an eye out for Crust Pizza’s signage.

The cafe uses coffee beans from The Axil Coffee Roasters, one of the more popular coffee joints in Melbourne. One Man Coffee may not be the most fanciful cafe, but it has good coffee and inexpensive brunch food – definitely worth a visit if you always frequent the Upper Thomson area.

One Man Coffee
215R Upper Thomson Road
Daily: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio/Marymount

For more recommendations, read our guide to the best cafes in Singapore.

The dining scene along Upper Thomson Road is buzzing with life, with a myriad of old and new restaurants coexisting along the long food stretch. Some of these places have been around for decades while others are only a few months old.

From the famous 24-hours Meng’s Kitchen to Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters, we present to you the guide to top eateries, cafes and restaurants in Upper Thomson.

#1 BADOQUE CAFE

Halal-certified Badoque Cafe has a comprehensive menu extending from Singaporean cuisine, Greek, Mediterranean to Middle Eastern. Best-selling dishes include their massive fork-tender signature Badoque Ribs ($36) and burst-in-your-mouth Jalapeno Cheese Poppers (S$12.50). It is also worth mentioning that the staff is incredibly friendly and helpful – an unfortunate rarity in Singapore’s hospitality.

246 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574370
Tel: +65 6552 1646
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri: 2.30pm – 10pm
Sat and Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

#2 BISCUIT KING

A visit to Biscuit King will have you instantly teleported to the past. Endless silver tins containing traditional biscuits are piled atop of each other and the vast variety is pretty damn impressive. We were thrilled to see our all-time childhood favourite ais gem biscuits, chocolate wafer sticks, pineapple jam filled biscuits and whatnot. How nostalgic.

130 Casuarina Road
Singapore 579518
Tel: +65 6458 0925
Mon: Closed
Tue to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Marymount / Ang Mo Kio

#3 BAN LEONG WAH HOE SEAFOOD

Ban Leong Wah Hoe Seafood is packed with hungry diners daily despite the lack of visibility from the main streets. Its slight inaccessibility is clearly not a deterrent as foodies would travel all the way to Casuarina to satisfy their fresh seafood cravings.

Besides their famous chilli crabs and black pepper crabs, Ban Leong Wah Hoe is also renowned for their mouthwatering authentic tze char. Must-order dishes include fragrant Har Cheong Gai (prawn paste chicken wings); crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Opened till 1.30AM daily, you now know where you can visit when the hunger pangs strike at midnight.

122 Casuarina Road
Tel: +65 6452 2824
Daily: 5pm – 1.30am
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio/Yio Chu Kang

#4 BLACK SHEEP CAFÉ

Tucked away in the basement of Thomson V Two, Black Sheep Café’s secluded location renders an unlikely accidental visit. Instead, the French restaurant solely relies on its regular patrons and word-of-mouth recommendations. Do treat yourself to their popular Duck Confit (S$26.50++) served on Apple Roesti and Tangy Mango Relish.

#B1-30, Thomson V Two
11 Sin Ming Road
Singapore 575629
Tel: +65 6459 5373
Mon: Closed
Tue to Thu: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Fri to Sun: 11.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

#5 CASUARINA CURRY RESTAURANT

Award-winning Casuarina Curry Restaurant is a prata paradise with over 45 different variations! This popular restaurant has been around for decades and its menu remains inexpensive albeit its roaring success in the food and beverage industry. Pratas start from S$1 each.

Here is a good news for all prata lovers – you can now even attend Casuarina Curry’s Prata Making Workshop at only S$15 per pax. The workshop is 2 hours long and you are entitled to a free drink and unlimited prata.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

138 Casuarina Road
Tel: +65 6455 9093
Daily: 7am – 12midnight
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio/Yio Chu Kang

#6 E-SARN THAI CORNER

E-Sarn Thai Corner is a family restaurant that serves authentic North-Eastern Thai Cuisine at very affordable prices. We were instantly sold after digging into the aromatic plate of Seafood Pad Thai (small – S$8.50, large – S$14.50) and fresh coconut (S$4.50). E-Sarn Thai Corner first opened in 2010 but its history dates back to 1994, where its founder started up her first humble shop in a hawker.

9 Thomson Ridge
Tel: +65 6554 4174
Wed to Mon (closed on Tue): 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio/Marymount

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#7 FAT BOY’S THE BURGER BAR

At Fat Boy’s, it’s go fat or go home. The massiveness of the burgers is what makes it most attractive. Indulge in the sinful Fat Bastard (S$19.80); double beef patties, extra thick bacon, cheesy cheddar and a fried egg in between the fluffy sesame buns, or challenge the chef’s creation with your imagination.

Fat Boy’s launch of build-your-burger allows patrons to experiment with a long list of patties, sauces, bun and add-ons. Fat Boy’s also serve a large variety of American dishes such as mac and cheese (S$13), hot dog (S$13) and spaghetti meatballs (S$14).

187 Upper Thomson Road
Tel: +65 6252 8780
Mon to Thu: 4pm – 12midnight
Fri to Sun: 12pm – 12midnight
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio/Marymount

#8 FIVE BY FIVE

The same people behind the now-defunct November 8 has opened a brand new cafe & bar concept in the same Thomson V One Building and it is called Five by Five (5 x 5).

The casual establishment is decked in an all-white interior with minimalistic wooden furnishings. Five by Five is one of the rare few cafes in Singapore that opens till midnight daily (except for Tuesdays).

9 Sin Min Road
#01-03, Thomson V One
Singapore 575630
Mon: 11am – 12am
Tue: Closed
Wed to Fri: 11am – 12am
Sat to Sun: 10am – 12am
Nearest Station: Marymount

#9 HABITAT COFFEE

Habitat Coffee needs no further introduction. Packed to the brim on weekends and even weekdays, this café is indeed causing quite a commotion in Upper Thomson and on Instagram.

While Habitat’s food remains subjective to those with discerning palates, it certainly serves one of the better coffees in Singapore. They are passionate in bringing different coffee blends of varying origins and each dine-in coffee is complemented with the tastiest caramel biscuit.

223 Upper Thomson Road
Tel: +65 6456 2567
Tue to Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio/Marymount

#10 HWA NAM RESTAURANT

Hwa Nam is an old-school Cantonese restaurant serving dim sums till late. It is one of the few restaurants that still exudes the vibes of old Singapore. This coffee shop house has an enticing entrance – bamboo steam baskets containing the delicate dim sums stacked on top of each other.

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Upon order, the dim sums would be heated up and served to your table (or in takeout boxes). The homely dim sums served are quite limited in terms of variety but one can also order roasted meat or tze char from the same restaurant for a heavier meal.

Thomson Garden Estate
244F Upper Thomson Road
Tel: +65 6453 3645
Daily: 7am – 12midnight
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio/Marymount

#11 KAMPUNG CHICKEN RICE

As its shop name suggests, Kampung Chicken Rice is renowned for their Kampung Chicken Rice. We were blown away by how delicate and moist the fragrantly poached chicken were. The free-range chicken meat way were significantly leaner and tasted a lot healthier.

255 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574382
Tel: +65 6456 0698
Daily: 10.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

#12 MENG’S KITCHEN

Meng’s Kitchen is opened 24 hours daily and although it sells a large selection of Chinese food, 99% of its customers are there for their heavenly bak chor mee (minced pork noodles). Competition in Upper Thomson’s food stretch makes it tough to thrive but everyone knows that Meng’s remains unaffected by threats.

While service and cleanliness are from subpar, the piping hot bowl of goodness will make you overlook the sticky tables and rowdy staff. Despite having hundreds of bowls, our love for Meng’s Bak Chor Mee remains loyal and sturdy.

Thomson Garden Estate
246B Upper Thomson Road
Tel: +65 6455 4890
Daily: 24 hours
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio/Marymount

#13 MENYA MUSASHI

Menya Musashi made its very first debut in Tokyo around two decades ago and has successfully stood out from its competitors with its comprehensive variety of ramen. You can choose to dip their signature ramen Tsukemen (from S$14.90) in white, black, spicy or tomato tonkotsu broth or sample other choices such as Yakibuta Sword Ramen (S$19.90) and Tokyo Akiba Curry Ramen (S$14.90).

301 Upper Thomson Road
#01-112, Thomson Plaza
Singapore 574408
Tel: +65 6554 7120
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

#14 MOO KA TA HUAY HWANG THAI

Such is the popularity of Moo Ka Ta Huay Kwang Thai @ Thomson, that the Thai Charcoal Steamboat restaurant is almost full house every day. The dome shaped cooking appliance acts as a grill and a BBQ grill.

Pork lard is placed above the bulging top sphere to accelerate the cooking process while soup fills the hollow trough for the boiling of food. Set meals start from S$39.90 (for two people) and offers a variety of meats, seafood and vegetables.

244R Upper Thomson Road
Red House Coffee Shop
Tel: +65 8588 9990
Sun to Thu: 5pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 5pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio/Marymount

#15 ONE MAN COFFEE

Being hidden is trending right now and One Man Coffee is doing an excellent job. One Man Coffee shares the same venue as Crust Pizza and you will not see its signboard until you near the entrance of Crust Pizza.

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Espresso blends are being rotated from time to time but consistency of coffee remains satisfying. Its most popular blend would be The Axil’s Seasonal, directly imported from Melbourne, Australia but sourced from Brazil and Colombia. Other than the coffee, must-order would definitely be their signature brioche French toast (S$10).

215R Upper Thomson Road
Daily: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio/Marymount

#16 PACAMARA BOUTIQUE COFFEE ROASTERS

Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters is one of the new kids on the block, but not that new if you are familiar with OZ Specialty Coffee. Formerly located at the other part of Upper Thomson, the brand has undergone a major revamp and repositioning and now sits proudly as Pacamara at the edge of the busy stretch of Upper Thomson. It is a much bigger scale, with a proper dine-in space because they serve more than coffee and desserts now.

185 Upper Thomson Road
Tue to Sun: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio/Marymount

#17 SALTED CARAMEL

Salted Caramel is a popular ice cream parlour that boasts dozens of unique flavours. Besides the best seller salted caramel, other popular flavours include earl grey and horlick tim tam. Salted Caramel offers good ice cream and waffles at reasonable prices.

If you are on a strict diet, you may be comforted by the fact that the ice cream served in Salted Caramel uses only natural ingredients where no artificial sweeteners and no preservatives are added.

246F Upper Thomson Road
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 11pm
Fri, Sat & Eve of PH: 12pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio/Marymount

#18 THAI IN TOWN

Fusion Bistro Thai In Town is the go-to place when you are craving for Thai cuisine yet unwilling to compromise on the AC facilities. With its cafe-like decors, diners might find themselves confused initially. Whilst the highly raved about Thai Wanton Mee was a tad disappointing, we actually did enjoy their Green Curry Chicken with Roti / Rice (S$12.90) and Prawn Sticks (S$10.90).

244P Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574369
Tel: +65 8687 9990
Daily: 11.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

#19 THE FAMOUS ICE CREAM ROLLS

Granted, it requires a certain amount of courage to proclaim oneself as The Famous Ice Cream Rolls Shop and that further sparked our curiosity to check them out. This newest addition to Thomson V Two is a cosy Halal establishment selling mainly Ice Cream Rolls with a humble cafe seating.

At S$3.90 a cup, you can select from 6 yummy flavours and it comes with 2 toppings. For additional toppings, you can get it at S$0.50 each. So is it really so good that they deserve their name? We say it is definitely worth a try!

The Famous Ice Cream Rolls Shop is also listed in our guide to the 5 Fried Ice Cream Rolls You Must Try in Singapore.

Thomson V Two
11 Sin Ming Road, #01-12
Singapore 575629
Tue to Sun: 1pm – 10pm
Closed on Monday
Nearest Station: Marymount

#20 THE GOOD TRIO

Located on the ground level of Thomson Plaza is an underrated oriental restaurant called The Good Trio. The unassuming casual eatery offers delicious traditional Chinese cuisine at reasonable prices and is a perfect dining venue for families. Premium set menus start at S$24++ per pax, where diners get to savour steamed pork dumplings, deep-fried fish, spinach, double-boiled pork rib / chicken soup, a main course and a complimentary dessert.

301 Upper Thomson Road
Thomson Plaza, #01-111
Singapore 574408
Tel: +65 6457 1379
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm (last order 2.30pm), 5.30pm – 10pm (last order 9.30pm)
Nearest Station: Marymount

#21 THE ROTI PRATA HOUSE

The best crispy roti prata according to The New Paper is found right in The Roti Prata House. The pratas achieve their insanely crispy texture after being deep-fried in a deep pool of vegetable oil, making it a sinful yet satisfying dish.

Sweet pratas such as kaya pratas and strawberry pratas are also available to those who are looking for something less conventional. Other mains include nasi briyani and mee goreng in endless variations. The Roti Prata house opens 24 hours on Friday and Saturday, which makes it an ideal supper place.

246M Upper Thomson Road
Tel: +65 6459 5260
Fri & Sat: 24 hours
Sun to Thu: 7am – 2am
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio/Marymount

#22 YI JIA BAKERY HOUSE CAFE

Finding budget snacks in a café along Upper Thomson Road did not seem quite possible but Yi Jia Bakery House Café successfully proved us wrong. It is an Asian bakery-cum-cafe selling mainly local breads and pastries.

One can expect all-day traditional kaya butter toast sets and other local sweet delights such as the soft pillowy coffee buns. Durian lovers would be pleased to hear that Bakery House Café’s tasty durian puffs are at only S$0.50 each. What a steal!

Thomson Ridge Estate
229 Upper Thomson Road
Tel: +65 6456 1677
Daily: 7am – 9pm

#23 WINDOWSILL PIES

A whimsical cafe tucked between a row of shophouses, Windowsill Pies serves artisanal pies together with a range of coffee and other savoury food. Their pies are a must-try and the top-selling favourites are the Grasshopper Pie (S$7.50), a mint pie with chocolate brownie within and Strawberry Lemon (S$7).

95 Soo Chow Walk
Singapore 575382
Tel: +65 9004 7827
Tue to Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri: 11am – 12midnight
Sat: 10am – 12midnight
Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

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.