Birdfolks is an American fried chicken and kopi-centric eatery and the latest food establishment to open up at NEWest along West Coast Drive. It exudes a rather cafe-like vibe but their menu offerings speak of something entirely different.

Fusing the qualities of good old American fried chicken along with their little twist of Asian influence in the form of a dark, robust coffeeshop kopi, this quirky eatery aims to start a new ball rolling which breathes nostalgia in a whole different light.

Fried chicken paired with homegrown coffeeshop kopi? That’s genius!

Photo Credit: Birdfolks

This is a joint that’s decorated like a cafe, serving up fried chicken between sandwiches, with rice or on its own along with some nibbles, sweet treats, traditional kopi and house-made tea.

Photo Credit: Birdfolks

The Signature Chicken Rice Box (S$9.90) consists of edamame, sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, sous vide egg and chunks of boneless fried chicken, all of which sit atop their house special rice.

Take your pick of the tasty rice which comes in a variety of flavours such as Cilantro Lime, Tomato Oregano, Original or Garlic Butter—the Garlic Butter Rice is pretty hot among patrons.

Photo Credit: Birdfolks

Before the bird hits the fryer, it lies submerged in a brine for a considerable amount of time, allowing it to stay super moist and succulent even after being deep-fried.

All these talks about fried chicken have honestly got our appetites fired up. Whether its expertly cooked fried chicken or a decent cuppa to get you through the day, you just know that Birdfolks will get it all sorted out for you.

Birdfolks
1 West Coast Drive
#01-75 NEWest
Singapore 128020
Tel: +65 9028 5485
Daily: 12.00pm – 9.00pm
Nearest Station: Clementi

These days, we don’t need to travel out of our neighbourhood to get good food and desserts. Cafes are spouting out everywhere, and we are definitely not complaining. We have cafes at every district in Singapore, and no one gets left out.

The West of Singapore may not be a favourite part if you do not reside there, for it is pretty far out from the main areas and can indeed get a little out of the way. But because we are such fans of artisan places and cosy spaces, we would travel just for a slice of rainbow cake or a good cuppa, yes?

If you are a resident of the West, this post might not be of much surprise to you anymore (or is it?), but if you are from everywhere else, this should spark some venturing out and give you some ideas on where to eat out at next.

We will update our list from time to time, but for a start, here are the best cafes in the West of Singapore to check out:

ARTISAN BOULANGERIE CO.

Artisan Boulangerie Co. (ABC) is an artisan bakery and cafe with French influence. It has been expanding rapidly and there are currently seven outlets across the island. Over at The Metropolis branch, the cafe serves an array of bread, pastries, desserts and sandwiches.

#01-12 The Metropolis
9 North Buona Vista Drive
Tel: +65 6334 2320
Mon to Fri: 8am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Buona Vista

The North of Singapore is still relatively new to the cafe scene. Thankfully, many new cafes have begun to sprout in certain corners of the Northern District. Here are some of our picks on cafes to visit in the North in Singapore.

BAKER & COOK

The brainchild of Baker Dean Brettschneider, Baker & Cook is nestled in the Greenwood Avenue neighbourhood. Beyond its range of freshly baked bread, it also has an assortment of jams, chutneys, cookies and homemade granola.

Baker & Cook also has a second outlet at Chip Bee Gardens, off Holland Village.

77 Hillcrest Road
Tel: +65 6469 8834
Sun to Thu: 7am – 8pm
Fri & Sat: 7am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bukit Batok

BUCKTILE ST. CAFE

New kid on the block, Bucktile St. Cafe, sits on the ground floor of Faberhills Apartment along Faber Drive. Deriving its name from the anagram of Bucket List, Bucktile St. Cafe serves an assortment of cakes which includes Rainbow Cake (S$7.90), Earl Grey Cake (S$6.90), as well as a Mysterious Velvet Cake which comes in different (and you’d never know what) colours like turquoise, orange, yellow or green.

104 Faber Drive
Tel: +65 6566 7058
Daily: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Clementi

BUTTER MY BUNS

Opened by the folks behind the successful The Tiramisu Hero, Butter My Buns at National University of Singapore’s University Town (UTown) brings wholesome cafe fare to the West of Singapore.

The prices here are very reasonable to cater to the students and you really get a bang for your buck. We picked out a savoury and a sweet option for variety’s sake.

2 College Avenue West Stephen Riady Centre
#01-07 University Town
National University of Singapore (NUS)
Singapore 138607
Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Kent Ridge

CARPENTER & COOK

Carpenter and Cook is a vintage home store and artisan bakery café at Lorong Kilat. A must-try is definitely its signature Passionfruit Meringue Tart. Pair it with a pot of fragrant tea and your afternoon is complete.

19 Lorong Kilat
#01-06 Singapore
Tel: +65 6463 3648
Tue to Sat: 10am – 10pm
Sun: 10.00am – 7.00pm
Nearest Station: Clementi/Bukit Batok

CHOUPINETTE

Choupinette is no stranger to the residents in the Bukit Timah neighbourhood. Located next to Coronation Shopping Plaza, Choupinette is known for its array of bread and pastries, as well as one of the best Eggs Benedict in town.

607 Bukit Timah Road #01-01
Tel: +65 6466 0613
Tue to Thu: 9am – 8pm
Fri: 9am – 10pm
Sat: 8am – 10pm
Sun: 8am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

DEAN & DELUCA

Dean & Deluca at HillV2 is its third outlet on the island, and it brings the cosmopolitan New York lifestyle to the West of Singapore. Expect its signature dishes like Eggs Iberico and The New Yorker, as well as a selection of freshly baked goods.

#01-01 HillV2
4 Hillview Rise
Tel: +65 6710 7282
Mon to Fri: 10am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Bukit Batok

D’ GOOD CAFE

Cute latte art, inexpensive food and a convenient location, it is no wonder that D’ Good Cafe is a hit among students since opening in the Holland Village neighbourhood.

273 Holland Avenue
#02-01/02
Tel: +65 6219 9807
Sun to Thu: 10am – 9pm
Fri & Sat: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

DUTCH COLONY COFFEE CO.

A coffee shop that started with a humble beginning at PasarBella, Dutch Colony Coffee Co. now has its own coffee roastery and academy at Defu Lane, as well as a full-fledge cafe at Frankel Avenue.

For those who are interested to learn more about coffee, Dutch Colony Coffee Co. organises coffee related events – from coffee degustation sessions to barista appreciation workshops and latte art workshops – regularly.

PasarBella, The Grandstand
200 Turf Club Road Stall 67-68
Tel: +65 6467 0255
Mon to Thu: 9am – 7pm
Fri & Sat: 9am – 9pm
Sun: 9am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

JIMMY MONKEY

Jimmy Monkey at One-North Residences sources its coffee beans from independent farms from all over the world. On the food menu, you can find pastries, pastas and main courses. Its brunch menu is only available during the weekend.

9 one-north Gateway
#01-51 one-north residences
Tel: +65 6777 8470
Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 8.30pm
Sat & Sun: 8.30am – 6pm
Nearest Station: one-north

LITTLE DINER

The humble eatery that sits amidst the lush greenery of Bukit Timah, away from the humdrum of city life and stress – cosy and unpretentious. It is a no-frills place; just earnest comfort food in generous portions.

Thick brioche with a crunchy cereal crust, lavishly stuffed with everyone’s favourite hazelnut spread, topped with fried bananas and drenched with chocolate sauce. Now, you’d be pretty darn sure you need this for your weekend.

789 Bukit Timah Road
Tel: +65 6466 4088
Tue to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village/Botanic Gardens

LYNN’S CAKES & COFFEE

Sweet treats such as Carrot Cake, Red Velvet Cake, Chocolate Cake, Cheesecake and Rainbow Cake are freshly baked on-site at Lynn’s Cakes & Coffee. Even though Lynn’s Cakes is not halal-certified, it uses only halal products to bake the cakes, which explains its popularity among our muslim friends.

11 Eng Kong Terrace
Tel: +65 6314 2886
Tue to Thu: 11am – 7pm
Fri, Sat & Eve of PH: 11am – 9pm
Sun & PH: 11am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Clementi

PADDY HILLS

Paddy Hills is an Instagrammer’s heaven, good food and a beautiful restaurant interior. From their dinner menu, the Chick N Egg (S$20) is an undisputed star. You might initially complain about the slightly hefty price tag, but once you sink your teeth into the ultimate combination of crisp chicken skin, garlic fried rice and runny egg yolk, you will be running back for more. Every component of this dish is executed professionally and we love how this dish looks on camera, magnificent!

38 South Buona Vista Road
Tel: +65 6479 0800
Daily: 8.30am – 5pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Haw Par Villa

PARK HOLLAND VILLAGE

PARK at Holland Village is an unique environmentally friendly cafe-cum-bar that has been interestingly constructed with reassembled containers and solar panels. A tranquil cafe by daytime and a bustling waterhole at night, PARK at Holland Village’s comprehensive food and beverage menus have propelled the bistro as an ideal hangout destination throughout the day.

281 Holland Avenue #01-01
Mon to Fri: 10am – 2am
Sat & Sun: 8.30am – 2am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

REVELRY

Tucked away in Lorong Kilat, Revelry is a waffle specialty cafe in the west of Singapore which boasts a lively yet enticing vibe that illuminates the entire street.

If Chicken & Waffles are not up your alley, some other savoury creations to try are Prawn Avocado Tartare (S$17.50), Strawberries & Cheese (S$14) and the adorably named Monkey King (S$14) – which is really a dessert waffle with banana cake chunks, caramelised bananas, toasted walnuts and vanilla ice cream.

21 Lorong Kilat #01-02
Singapore 598123
Tel: +65 9278 0466
Mon, Wed to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat: 10am – 11pm
Sun: 10am – 10pm
Closed: Tue
Nearest Station: Beauty World (Downtown Line)

REVOLUTION COFFEE

For people who work in the Buona Vista area, Revolution Coffee at Portsdown Road is worth checking out for lunch. Look forward to handcrafted speciality coffee, all day breakfast, freshly baked goods and casual cafe food like sandwiches and pastas. Our only gripe is the poor ventilation of the cafe.

21 Media Circle, #01-03A
Off Portsdown Road
Mon to Fri: 8am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 6pm
Tel: +65 6777 2110
Nearest Station: Buona Vista

RIDERS CAFE

One of the most popular brunch spots in Singapore, Riders Cafe at Bukit Timah Saddle Club needs no introduction. It is wonderful place to escape to if you want a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the city. And yes, food is pretty decent too.

51 Fairways Drive
Bukit Timah Saddle Club
Tel: +65 6466 9819
Sun to Thu: 8am – 9pm
Fri & Sat: 8am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

RISE & GRIND COFFEE CO.

Located just at the first floor of Bukit Timah Plaza, Rise & Grind Coffee Co. occupies a cosy space with a partial alfresco dining area. Opened about three months ago, Rise & Grind Coffee Co. offers a nice and comfortable dining environment together with delicious food and different blends of coffee to choose from.

Bukit Timah Plaza
1 Jalan Anak Bukit #L1-CA1
Mon, Wed to Thu, Sun :9am – 9pm
Fri & Sat: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bukit Batok

SIMPLY BREAD

Simply Bread is a clean and minimalistic all-white bakery cafe situated on the second floor of Cluny Court. Offering a wide variety of bread and sandwiches, it is a quiet space to work at or to enjoy some time alone.

501 Bukit Timah Road
#02-07 Cluny Court
Tel: +65 6763 2628
Daily: 8am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

SPRUCE AT FIRE STATION

Housed in a former fire station, Spruce boasts an unique and charming location. While Spruce is not exactly a cafe, it is still worth mentioning for the very fact that you get to dine in an old fire station. Highlights of the menu include Spruce Burger (S$18), Spruce Ahi Tuna Tartar (S$22), Dry Rub BBQ Ribs (S$34) and Baked Ginger Date Pudding (S$15).

260 Upper Bukit Timah Road #01-01
Tel: +65 6466 5582
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 12.30am
Fri: 11.30am – 1.30am
Sat: 9am – 1.30am
Sun & PH: 9am – 12.30am
Nearest Station: Bukit Batok

SUNDAY FOLKS

Following the success of Creamier, Sunday Folks is another desserts venture – a small ice cream and waffles shop in Chip Bee Gardens, just across the road from Holland Village. The iconic square waffles are served with soft serve ice cream (6 flavours to choose from).

44 Jalan Merah Saga
Chip Bee Gardens #01-52
Tel: +65 6479 9166
Tue to Fri: 4pm – 9.30pm
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 10pm

THE MISSING PAN

Nestled in a shophouse along Bukit Timah Road near to Coronation Shopping Plaza, The Missing Pan combines a bakery on the ground floor of the shophouse and brasserie upstairs.

Highlights from the brunch menu include 62 Degree Eggs Benedict (S$22), Croque Monsieur (S$16). Crab Truffle Cream Risotto (S$25) and German Baby Back Ribs (S$36).

619D Bukit Timah Road #01-01/02-01
Tel: +65 6466 4377
Tue to Sun: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

THE TINY ROASTER

The Tiny Roaster reminds us of Omotesando Koffee and Nylon Coffee Roaster – small, humble, and homely. It started with a tiny outlet on the ground level of a HDB in the West Coast neighbourhood, and it has since shifted to a new space in Sunset Way.

106 Clementi Street 12 #01-62
Singapore 120106
Tue to Sat: 12.30pm – 10pm
Sun: 12.30pm – 6pm
Nearest Station: Clementi

W39 BISTRO

Well-loved for their colourful decor and rainbow cakes, W39 Bistro & Bakery – located on Jalan Mas Puteh off West Coast Road – is one of the most popular cafes in the West. On weekends, they serve a hearty breakfast at very pocket-friendly prices. Egg lovers will go for the Hearty Breakfast (S$13.50) and Eggs Benedict (S$9).

39 Jalan Mas Puteh Off West Coast Road
Tel: +65 9646 5372
Tue to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 9am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Clementi

The East is a lovely enclave of artisan finds, serious brews and comforting brunch food. Here is our Guide to 20 cafes in the East of Singapore:

The Tiny Roaster reminds us of Omotesando Koffee and Nylon Coffee Roaster – small, humble, and homely. It started with a tiny outlet on the ground level of a HDB in the West Coast neighbourhood, and it has since shifted to a new space in Sunset Way.

Besides supplying coffee beans, coffee equipment and related merchandise, The Tiny Roaster also has a selection of black brews, ice cold brews, or white brews in its coffee studio.

It is a tiny space with only a few tables, so it is not a place where you can linger for the whole afternoon. Moreover, it only offers coffee and it does not serve food. But if you take your coffee seriously, this is one place that you will love. You can bet that we will be going back every time we are in the neighbourhood.

The Tiny Roaster is a welcome addition for folks who are staying in the West of Singapore. It is also listed in our guide to 18 cafes in Singapore’s residential neighbourhood.

The Tiny Roaster
106 Clementi Street 12 #01-62
Singapore 120106
Tue to Sat: 12.30pm – 10pm
Sun: 12.30pm – 6pm
Nearest Station: Clementi