Cafe-hopping is one of our favourite activities. We love to chill out at a new cafe with a cuppa in hand and sharing multiple plates of Instagram-worthy grubs with our friends to catch up.

To add to the perennial food debate between East and West of Singapore, here’s a complete guide of cafés in the West of Singapore that will give you a list of good excuses to travel there.

% ARABICA CHIP BEE GARDENS

Coffee aficionados in Singapore went absolutely crazy when popular Japanese coffee shop % Arabica came to Singapore in 2019. Now, they also have a store in the West at Chip Bee Gardens.

While % Arabica is known for its stellar cups of coffee, the brand’s venture at Chip Bee Gardens has introduced a food section to their menu so you can enjoy some scrumptious nosh that pairs perfectly with their soothing cups of coffee. This is also the only % Arabica outlet in the world to have a food menu.

44 Jalan Merah Saga, #01-58
Singapore 278116
Tel: +65 6261 4516
Sun to Thu: 8am – 6pm
Fri & Sat: 8am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

ARKADAS CAFE

Arkadas Cafe is a good place to visit if you find yourself sick of the usual eggs-and-toast  breakfast combo because this Turkish joint offers a variety of exotic flavours. Tuck into authentic creations such as hummus with pita bread, chicken kebab, and other Turkish sweet treats like baklava and créme caramel.

For your caffeine fix, they also serve a mean Turkish coffee that is sure to perk you up. A wide selection of teas is available but we highly recommend trying the coffee.

1 Fusionopolis View
Sandcrawler #01-02
Singapore 138577
Tel: +65 6466 9918
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: One-north

ATLAS COFFEEHOUSE

The sister cafe of Lunar Coffee Brewers, Atlas Coffeehouse is located just a few minutes away from Botanic Gardens MRT Station by foot. The first thing you will notice as you walk up to the front door is the floor to ceiling glass windows where visitors can sit by and people watch.

Atlas Coffeehouse is well known for its pancakes, especially the ATLAS Butterscotch Banana Pancake and Breakfast Strawberry Maple Pancake. There are other mains such as Poached Salmon and 18 Hour Slow Braised Pulled Pork served with Creamy Scrambled eggs and Streaky Bacon.

6 Duke’s Road
Singapore 268886
Tel: +65 6314 2674
Tue to Sun: 8am – 7pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

AWFULLY CHOCOLATE

The popular chocolatier Awfully Chocolate has a cafe outlet at JEM and here they have a  curated menu for cakes that are irresistibly good.

There’s Chocolate Espresso Cake, Salted Butterscotch Brownie and, for something cold, their Hei Ice Cream. Dessert after dinner is a must and because you’re spoilt for choice here, ask the staff for their quality recommendations.

50 Jurong Gateway Road #01-15
Singapore 608549
Tel: +65 6734 1530
Sun to Fri: 10am – 9pm
Fri & Sat: 10am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Jurong East

BAKER & COOK

Nestled in the Greenwood Avenue neighbourhood, Baker & Cook is the brainchild of Baker Dean Brettschneider. The café has an assortment of jams, chutneys, cookies and homemade granola, apart from its range of freshly baked bread.

77 Hillcrest Road
Tel: +65 6469 8834
Daily: 7am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Tan Kah Kee

Photo Credit: saltedtamago

BEANS & CREAM

Beans & Cream is said to be the Creamier of the West of Singapore with crispy and fluffy waffles that carry a hint of buttermilk fragrance. Pair them with gelato that comes in flavours such as mao shan wang and earl grey or get these cold scoops on individual cones for the perfect treat to beat the heat.

347 Bukit Batok Street 34, #01-260
Singapore 650347
Mon to Fri: 12:30pm – 9:30pm
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 9:30pm
Nearest Station: Bukit Gombak

BOK’S KITCHEN BY HIDDEN CHEFS

Bok’s Kitchen is a homey cafe situated along Boon Lay Avenue founded by the same team behind The Hidden Chefs which specialises in private dining arrangements.

Diners can expect a variety of mains such as filling rice bowls, breakfast items and sides, as well as a small selection of desserts and drinks. The casual atmosphere at Bok’s Kitchen makes it a great destination for westies to pop by for an affordable fuss-free meal with their family and friends.

Blk 216 Boon Lay Avenue, #01-01
Singapore 640216
Tel: +65 6920 8036
Tue to Fri: 11am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 9pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Lakeside

BREAD YARD

Bread Yard sprouted on campus in the early and inspiring days of the Singapore University of Technology and Design. It became quite the food icon of the university, drawing in crowds from outside the campus. In three years, the team made a decision to move out of the campus to gain wider access to the public.

At Bread Yard, bread is handcrafted with ancient Japanese and European techniques served with all-day breakfast, sandwiches, leavened pancakes, and aromatic drip coffees in a rustic and fast-casual setting.

1 Fusionopolis Pl,
Singapore 138522
Tel: +65 9773 5318
Mon to Fri: 8am – 6pm
Sat: 8am – 2.30am
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: One-north

CAMACA 

Hankering for a sweet treat but need to watch your sugar intake? Engage in Camaca, a sugar-free dessert cafe at King Albert Park that has a variety of desserts that taste good even without the added sugar.

We recommend getting their gelato which features all-natural flavours such as Pomelo Tea, Lychee Rose & Musang King Durian. Aside from ice cream, they also have a selection of pastries and a wide selection of single-origin coffees.

9 King Albert Park #01-11 / #01-12
Singapore 598332
Tel: +65 6904 3811
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: King Albert’s Park

Photo Credit: Choupinette Singapore 

CHOUPINETTE 

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

607 Bukit Timah Rd
Singapore 269708
Tel: +65 6466 0613
Tue-Sat: 8am – 7pm
Sun: 8am – 5pm
Mon: 8am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Tan Kah Kee

CARPENTER & COOK

A vintage home store and artisan bakery café at Lorong Kilat, Carpenter and Cook is furnished with carefully curated decor for the vibes. What you have to try is their signature Passionfruit Meringue Tart, and pair that with a pot of fragrant tea to complete your afternoon.

19 Lorong Kilat, #01-06
Singapore 598120
Tel: +65 6463 3648
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World

CROWN BAKERY & CAFÉ

If you are heading to Crown Bakery & Café with a friend, The Crown Breakfast is good for two. On a large wooden chopping board lies slow-braised oxtail meat, chicken sausage, Canadian back bacon, the Crown Puff Pastry and salad. What you should also not miss is the wide array of European-style bread that are freshly baked daily.

557 Bukit Timah Road, #01-03
Crown Centre
Singapore 269694
Tel: +65 6463 3066
Daily: 7.30am – 6.30pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

DAILY SCOOP @CHIP BEE GARDEN

An ice-cream parlour known for an extensive variety of ice cream flavours, The Daily Scoop churns out every batch of ice-cream in-house on a daily basis made using local fresh ingredients. From the exotic Mao Shan Wang durian to Nutty Macadamia, The Daily Scoop rotates their flavours on a weekly basis so that customers will never get bored.

73 Jalan Merah Saga
#01-78, Chip Bee Gardens
Singapore 278115
Tel: +65 6475 3128
Mon to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri to Sat: 11am – 10.30pm
Sun: 2pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

D’GOOD CAFE

Cute latte art, inexpensive food, and a convenient location are the reasons why D’Good Cafe have been a hit amongst students since their opening in the Holland Village neighbourhood. Check out the different interior designs on each level of the three-storey cafe, in which their third level is a rooftop alfresco dining area.

273 Holland Avenue
#02-01/02
Singapore 278992
Tel: +65 6219 9807
Daily: 10am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

Photo Credit: dripsbakersplayground

DRIP’S BAKERS PLAYGROUND

Drip’s Bakers Playground is the go-to for tea time tarts. There’s a whole range to choose from–go for their zesty Lemon Meringue Tart for something refreshing or a White Chocolate Mascarpone Tart that has both custard and crunch.

Be there for Quiche Tuesdays for a free coffee or tea when you order a quiche or head there for Waffle Wednesday for a free scoop of ice-cream. They have a kid’s menu too if you’re planning on bringing the little ones.

109 Clementi Street 11, #01-05
Singapore 120109
Tel: +65 6776 0400
Mon, Wed – Sat: 8am – 8pm
Sun & Tue: 8am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Clementi

DUTCH COLONY COFFEE CO.

You will never guess that Dutch Colony Coffee started out as a coffee shop at PasarBella. The successful café now has its own coffee roastery and academy at Defu Lane, as well as a full-fledged café 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.

1 Fusionopolis Way, #01-01
Singapore 138632
Tel: +65 6914 9688
Daily: 8am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Sixth Avenue

EAGLEWINGS LOFT

EagleWings Loft is a new nautical-themed café and bar at the King Albert Park Residences Mall. This humble establishment by EagleWings — a popular luxury yacht charter in Singapore — features a cosy yet sophisticated ambience that is perfect for a weekend family brunch or any typical work-week meal.

9 King Albert Park, #01-14/33/34/56/57
King Albert Park Residences Shopping Mall
Tel: +65 6264 7787
Mon to Thu: 10am – 10.30pm
Fri: 10:30am – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 8:30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: King Albert Park

FLAGWHITE 

Feel enough like an adult to want brunch food at night? Fancy some quality brews and sweets during the weekend in a pleasant and conducive environment? Head down to FlagWhite, a cafe that’s situated at Beauty World. At FlagWhite, you can expect the food to be homemade with love. All their sweets are crafted in-house, all dishes are freshly prepared, and the beans and leaves from their brews tend to be sourced from local brands.

FREDO’S BAKER 

Settled snugly in Sunset Way is Fredo’s Baker. The cafe has a delectable selection of pastries, cakes and tarts that are made with quality ingredients and the utmost passion from its pastry chef and owner, Alfred Chan.

We especially loved their Yuzu Meringue Tart. While the yuzu creamy custard can come across overtly sour on its own, the sweetness of the meringue helped to counteract its tartness, which resulted in an all-round refreshing after-taste.

Block 109, #01-05
Clementi Street 11
Singapore 120109
Mon to Sat: 8am – 8pm
Sun & Public Holiday: 8am – 6pm
Nearest station: Clementi

HUGGS COFFEE @GALAXIS

Nestled within Galaxis, Huggs Coffee is another coffee joint where you can satisfy your caffeine needs. Presenting artisanal coffee originating from places like Columbia, Brazil, and Vietnam, coffee aficionados will be spoilt for choice. Huggs Coffee caters more to the office crowd, which is why it is not uncommon to spot the suits at several office districts in Singapore. Pair your freshly brewed cuppa with one of their freshly baked pastries as well for something a little more substantial!

1 Fusionopolis Way, 01-18/19
Singapore 138632
Tel: +65 8268 3762
Mon to Fri: 7am – 5pm
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Nearest Station: One-north

ICE CREAM MAN AND FRIENDS

Ice Cream Man And Friends is a few bus stops away from Lakeside MRT Station. One of the plus points about having dessert at this circus-themed cafe is that they charge a fixed price per scoop even for premium flavours. They’ve recently expanded their menu to include savoury meals too!

399 Yung Sheng Road, #01-23
Taman Jurong Shopping Centre
Singapore 610399
Tel: +65 9636 0278
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Lakeside

JIMMY MONKEY

One of the best coffee shops in the West of Singapore, Jimmy Monkey at One-North Residences sources its coffee beans from independent farms from all over the world. Their menu also includes delectables ranging from homemade dips and rustic pasta dishes to desserts such as luscious cakes and premium ice-creams. This is the spot to enjoy a great meal with a Sauvignon Blanc and a little antipasto on the side!

9 One-north Gateway
#01-51 One-North Residences
Singapore 138643
Tel: +65 6777 8470
Daily: 8am – 6pm
Nearest Station: One-north

KARA CAFE & DESSERT BAR 

Situated right next to Coronation Plaza, KARA Cafe & Dessert Bar is a cafe and dessert bar by the team behind Sogurt. It takes over the former space of Sogurt and this is where you can enjoy a splendid array of delicious food in a warm and welcoming environment. To top it off, you will be dining in a beautiful space decorated by tropical foliage and imaginary creatures with art by Mark Wee.

671 Bukit Timah Road,
Singapore 269718
Tel: +65 6468 8940
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tan Kah Kee

KINDRED FOLK 

Nestled in the KAP Residence Mall along King Albert Park, Kindred Folk is a charming double-storey ice cream café that provides a relaxing respite where families and friends can gather and indulge in an array of comforting, homemade recipes.

Created by an ice-cream lover for ice-cream lovers, you can find a rotating selection of colourful and unique flavours perfect for a hot, sunny day. Beyond that, the menu also features a variety of fusion pasta and finger food such as Tom Yum Aglio Olio and Fried Chicken Drumlets.

9 King Albert Park
KAP Mall, #01-09
Singapore 598223
Tel: +65 6928 3043
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 0pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: King Albert Park

LEE’S CONFECTIONERY

Lee’s Confectionery is tucked away in a quiet neighbourhood of Jurong East and is helmed by Lee Yin Quan who has been running a one-man show here. He sells elegant patisseries that are made-to-order to ensure that the original texture of each pastry isn’t lost to sitting in its moisture and to keep it from the subtle staleness from baking in batches. 

His latest collection includes Puff (S$7) which is earl grey-infused kaya clasped between pastry puffs, as well as Tart (S$8) which had a crisp tart shell lined with almonds and layered with citrusy cream.

343 Jurong East Street 31, #01-59
Singapore 600343
Tel: +65 9183 8447
Thu, Sun – Tue: 12pm – 6pm
Fri – Sat: 12pm – 10pm
(Closed on Wednesdays)
Nearest Station: Chinese Garden

LYNN’S CAKES

The sweet treats from Lynn’s Cakes & Coffee will appeal strongly to those with a sweet tooth. Expect to indulge in Carrot Cake, Red Velvet Cake, Chocolate Cake, Cheesecake, and Rainbow Cake which are all freshly baked on-site. Lynn’s Cakes is also halal-certified which explains its popularity among our Muslim friends.

11 Eng Kong Terrace
Singapore 598983
Tel: +65 6314 2886
Tue to Sun: 11am – 7pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Beauty World

Photo Credit: monkicafeholland

MONKI CAFÉ

For a Taiwanese-Western menu with a Singaporean twist, Monki Café offers a myriad of savoury nosh and icy desserts. This super under-the-radar eatery is cheery with a bright yellow theme. Highlights include Braised Pork Rice or Kou Rou Bao for lighter bites.

To beat the heat and have a change from ice-cream, try they Durian Pengat Coconut Snowflake Dessert that’s complimented with gula Melaka syrup or a Monki Double flavour snowflake dessert.

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

OH MY MANGO

Located on the first level of Gek Poh Shopping Centre in Jurong West, OH MY MANGO is a  dessert cafe that breathes new life into the somewhat run-down neighbourhood shopping centre.

Specialising in Thai-inspired sweet treats, their menu boasts more than 40 different items from desserts to colourful beverages and even assorted Shibuya toasts that are available in both sweet and savoury varieties.

762 Jurong West Street 75
#01-334 Gek Poh Shopping Centre
Singapore 640762
Tel: +65 9066 0426
Daily: 12.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Pioneer

Photo Credit: Miam Miam

MIAM MIAM

Conveniently located in Westgate, Miam Miam is a fusion of Japanese and French influences. Many go to this restaurant mainly for their gorgeous and tasty desserts such as Signature French Toast (S$10.80++), Original Pancake (S$8.80++) and Oven Baked Vanilla French Soufflé (S$9.80++).

3 Gateway Drive, #01-21/22
Westgate
Singapore 608532
Tel: +65 6369 9008
Sun to Thu: 11.30am – 9pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Jurong East

MY LITTLE ICE-CREAM SHOP BY PGFN

The ice-cream parlour’s clean and spacious environment makes it a great place to chill with your friends or to hang out after work.

Helmed by the same team behind popular Pandan Gardens Fishball Noodles, this quaint cafe situated within Ayer Rajah Community Club offers waffles with ice cream at very affordable prices.

150 Pandan Gardens
#01-07 Ayer Rajah Community Club
Singapore 609335
Tel: +65 8877 6660
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Jurong East

OLLA SPECIALITY COFFEE 

Olla Specialty Coffee is a mobile coffee company that has been offering their services to events as well as operating coffee bars for companies, and they eventually found a home at Sunset Way. Occupying a small shop space under an HDB block, this hole-in-the-wall café is the newest addition to the trove of eateries and bakeries in the neighbourhood.

Although this cosy café focuses mainly on coffee, a selection of teas, chocolate, matcha and chai is offered as well. What’s more, the drinks here are priced at super wallet-friendly prices and you can also pair your drinks with some buttermilk waffles and pastries too.

109 Clementi Street 11 #01-03
Singapore 120109
Daily: 8am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Clementi

ONE MAN COFFEE

This extension branch of One Man Coffee serves the usual cafe beverages and some pastries. Small in size, this outlet serves as more of a grab-and-go for office workers working nearby in need of a solid cuppa. We highly recommend trying their Nitro Cold Brew. It is surprisingly smooth and easy to drink with a subtle fruity note at the end, great for hot afternoons.

4 Fusionopolis Way, Kinesis #01-15,
Singapore 138635
Tel: +65 8181 2479
Mon to Fri: 8am – 5pm
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Nearest Station: one-north

PADDY HILLS

If you are looking for a place to capture beautiful, artisanal food, you will find that at Paddy Hills. The place is an Instagrammer’s heaven with good food and a beautiful restaurant interior.

Their menu boasts a wide selection of beautifully-plated nosh perfect for your brunch affair. Make sure to order up a serving f their Berry Muffcakes (S$22), which sees pillowy light hotcakes decorated in an assortment of berries.

38 South Buona Vista Road
Singapore 118164
Tel: +65 6479 0800
Mon to Wed: 10:30am – 5pm
Thu & Fri: 10:30am – 5pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat: 9am – 5pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Haw Par Villa

POPPY POPS

Most of us who live in the West should have already visited JEM, but how many of us are actually familiar with JEM inside and out? If you think the fifth storey is the highest level in JEM, think again.

Poppy Pops is a hidden eatery that sits on the sixth floor and is only accessible through the food court or the breezy rooftop located at the top of the shopping mall. If you are seeking a place with tranquil ambience, sunlight and pleasant bites whenever you feel peckish, take a seat and grab a Poppy Classic along with the café’s Maple Butter Waffle.

52 Jurong Gateway Road
#06-03, JEM
Singapore 608549
Tel: +65 6262 0339
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Jurong East

REVELRY

A waffle specialty café tucked away in Lorong Kilat, Revelry is where you ought to go for your waffles fix. It 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, Strawberries & Cheese, and the adorably named Monkey King – 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 to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat: 10am – 11pm
Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World

RIDERS CAFE

Always lively and bustling with people, Riders Cafe at Bukit Timah Saddle Club is one that needs no further introduction. It is a wonderful place to escape to if you want a sanctuary away from the humdrum of the city. And yes, food is pretty decent too.

51 Fairways Drive
Bukit Timah Saddle Club
Singapore 286965
Tel: +65 6466 9819
Tue to Sun : 8am – 9pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

Photo Credit: Smoocht

SMOOCHT x BOLD 

For artisanal vegan ice-cream made with organic crystal brown rice, organic evaporated sugar cane juice, real fruit and/or pure nut butters, head over to Smoocht, a cafe located a stone throw’s away from Chinese Garden MRT.

Indulge in these ice-cold treats without fearing for your waistlines as each scoop of ice cream at this cafe only adds up to 80 to 160 calories.

319 Jurong East Street 31 #01-58
Singapore 600319
Tel: +65 6266 6591
Daily: 11am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Chinese Garden

SUNDAY FOLKS

Following the success of Creamier at Toa Payoh, Sunday Folks is another desserts venture opened at the West of Singapore – 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). As it is a very popular dessert place, be warned that it can get pretty crowded after dinner hours over the weekends.

44 Jalan Merah Saga, #01-52
Chip Bee Gardens
Singapore 278116
Tel: +65 6479 9166
Tue to Sun: 1pm – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Holland Village

SWEE LEE SOCIAL CLUB

Swee Lee has a refreshing concept that revitalises what used to be a plain old music instrument store. The cosy café appeals with its intimate setting that allows for heartfelt conversations with your friends over aromatic coffee with beans made from local speciality coffee roaster Common Man Coffee Roaster. Tip: Ask the staff for their secret menu!

1 Vista Exchange Green
#01-01-07/10, The Star Vista
Singapore 138617
Daily: 11am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Buona Vista

TWO WHEELS GOOD 

Two Wheels Good is a bicycle-themed café sitting in between Boon Lay MRT station and Jurong Point. With Hong Kong BBQ, Teochew Mee, local beverages, Kaya Toast and even booze on their menu, it is certainly a nice fusion of both traditional and western.

If you are a frequent biker or have your weekends reserved for bike-riding, do drop by this cosy café to purchase some bicycle accessories or just a hearty breakfast if bike-riding is not quite up your alley.

Two Wheels Good
#01-94/97, 61 Jurong West Central 3
Singapore 648330
Daily: 6am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Boon Lay

Photo Credit: time_table_cafe

TIME TABLE CAFÉ

Time Table Café is a hangout spot after school for their student set meals but they roll out weekly promos for their mains too. They have both savoury and sweet for a complete treat if you stopover. There’s coffee, latte art, pasta dishes, cakes as well as gelatos for you to relax with if you find yourself in Jurong West.

456 Jurong West Street 41, #01-726
Singapore 640456
Tel: +65 6566 5088
Mon to Fri 11am – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Lakeside

W39 BISTRO & BAKERY

Considered as one of the most popular cafés in the West, W39 Bistro is well-loved for its colourful decor and rainbow cakes. Located on Jalan Mas Puteh off West Coast Road, the café serves a hearty breakfast at very pocket-friendly prices on weekends. Egg lovers will enjoy the Hearty Breakfast and Eggs Benedict too.

39 Jalan Mas Puteh
Singapore 128637
Tel: +65 9646 5372
Tue to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 9am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Clementi

Hidden away at the rustic and relatively unexplored Portsdown road is Wessex Tavern, a quaint English-style cafe that serves delicious Western food and is a great place to head to for brunch.

This place was set up by none other than the younger generation of the Colbar family, so you know that they will only serve you the very best of hearty grub.

They have both alfresco and air-conditioned dining, so you can take your pick depending on how the weather is like. The cafe’s interior is nice and spacious, and the whole place is decorated in a very rustic manner, making you feel like you’re being taken back in time to an old-fashioned cafe.

In terms of food and beverages, they serve lots of great breakfast, brunch and lunch options such as Bangers & Mash (S$14), Big Breakfast (S$15.80), Tavern Pan-Fried Salmon (S$15.80), Homemade Shepherd’s Pie (S$8) and Homemade Beef Stew (S$13.80).

We decided to try their Avacado Sandwich which was served on multigrain bread with romaine, rocket, tomatoes, and alfalfa (S$8.90). The bread was a bit too hard for our liking, but that was just due to the nature of multigrain bread, so if you enjoy multigrain bread this would be perfect for you.

The bread was stuffed from edge to edge with vegetables and generous chunks of avocado, so much so that we had a hard time holding it even with both our hands. All in all, we feel that it was really worth the money even though it sounds very expensive.

Wessex Tavern really is a hidden gem that is worth exploring if you’re ever in the area. We recommend that you come here if you’re looking for a place to get away from the hectic city life.

Wessex Tavern
5B Portsdown Road #01-1
Singapore 139311
Tel: +65 64757019
Mon to Fri: 8am – 6pm
Sat: 9am – 6pm
Sun: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Commonwealth

Offering a full-on menu of both Asian and Western fare, Colbar is one of the few gems in Singapore that we can safely say, has truly stood the test of time. Opened in 1953, the establishment formerly served as a canteen for the British army. It, therefore, gave rise to its name, Colbar, otherwise referred to as ‘Colonial Bar’.

Granted that it’s a little out of the way, especially for those who do not drive, it is still a charming spot that’s worth the trip. It is a retreat from civilisation and it is also a great place to catch a glimpse of the old days.

This rustic hideout is furnished with retro interiors like Formica tabletops and old photographs, which bring an air of nostalgia that sets you back in time. Whether you’re pining for a beer, some food or a place to chill, Colbar is one that’ll guarantee you a relaxed and tranquil experience.

Well-versed in the culinary art of Western cooking, the cooks here are able to whip up a wide array of both Western and Asian delights.

In addition to their stellar grub, they also carry a vast selection of English craft beers. From sweet ciders to bitter IPAs, they have it all.

Their Roasted Chicken Chips & Mushroom came with a piece of chicken leg and a small portion of potato wedges and mushrooms. Despite the small portion, the chicken was well roasted—super crispy on the outside and firm but not too dry on the inside.

The mushrooms were coated in savoury gravy, which complimented the chicken.

Next came the Pork Cutlet Chips & Mushroom which was equally good as well.

The meat was succulent and well coated in panko breadcrumbs, that did well to give the pork an incredible crunch as well as help to lock in moisture. The pork itself boasted a subtle yet pleasant note of rosemary and thyme which we thought worked brilliantly.

The dish that we enjoyed the most was definitely the Cheese Omelette & Chips. This classic dish was simple yet so ‘egg-cellent’.

The egg was really soft and fluffy and the warm melted cheese inside just oozes out with a slight cut. The portion and wonderful taste of the omelette definitely made up for the price.

Last on our table was the Dry Ho Fun, which we felt was nothing special. Just like a plate of fried kway tiao, it was filled with basic ingredients like small prawns, fish cakes and bean sprouts.

We liked that they added a good portion of fried shallots on top that added a crunch to the dish. However, the dish was simply too greasy to finish.

Colbar
9A Whitchurch Road
Singapore 138839
Tues to Sun: 9.30am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: One North