A place that sees a large pool of executives, factory workers, novice drivers and the likes on a daily basis, Tai Seng is a pretty bustling area that still goes pretty much unnoticed by foodies.

Yet, those who work there will know that hidden within the industrial enclave lies a surprisingly vibrant slew of concept cafes.

If you find yourself a tad sick of your usual coffeeshop lunch option where its often crowded, humid and repetitive then here is our list of 6 Cafes in Tai Seng you should visit soon.

Photo Credit: Instagram

ALCHEMIST

Located at Khong Guan Biscuit’s old factory space is minimalist cafe Alchemist. This Instagrammable cafe roasts its beans in-house with a giant coffee roaster, leaving the entire place basking in the aroma of fresh coffee.

Alchemist offers a wide range of single-origin coffees and a selection of pastries to go along with your cuppa. If you’re ever bored of your instant coffee at the office, check them out for a great pick-me-up!

2 Mactaggart Road
#01-01 Khong Guan Building
Singapore 368078
Mon to Fri: 8am – 5pm
Sat: 9am – 6pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

Photo Credit: Instagram

JJAK & CO.

At Jjak & Co, you can ball on a budget with their Mentaiko Salmon bowl and Bara Chirashi bowls that are just below $15! If you’re feeling fancier, try their Cold Truffle Somen with Hotate for a refreshing meal.

If you don’t fancy regular donburi, you can grab some fresh sashimi atop fluffy rice with healthy greens as an accompaniment by customizing your own poke bowls. They’re pretty generous with their portions too!

3 Irving Road
#02-03 Tai Seng Centre
Singapore 369522
Tel: +65 9656 1456
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat: 11am – 9pm
(Closed on Sundays)

KNOTS CAFE & LIVING

The perfect oasis from the hustle (and heat) of the surrounding industrial buildings, Knots Cafe & Living is a furniture store and cafe all in one. Wooden furniture, flowers and an assortment of plants are strewn all over the cafe and the natural light that enters make for pretty gorgeous photos too.

The food options here are relatively straightforward and nothing too far off from your typical cafe fare. Think waffles, cakes and sandwiches on weekdays and full-on brunch delights such as Eggs Benedict on weekends to get you well sorted before a spot of furniture shopping.

#01-07, 160 Paya Lebar Road,
Singapore 409022
Tel: +65 6817 0383
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue to Thu & Sun: 9am – 9pm
Fri & Sat: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng/ MacPherson

PRODIGAL CAFE

If the name Prodigal Café seems to ring a bell, that’s because the eatery is the sister café of the now-defunct Prodigal Roasters which was previously located in the heartlands of Ang Mo Kio.

Now, the charming little café resides in a tiny space underneath a HDB block at Macpherson Lane, where it is home to yummy sandwiches, toasties and specialty coffee.

#01-55 Block 81
Singapore 360081
Tel: +65 9450 0484
Mon to Sat: 8am – 5pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

Photo Credit: Grasso Coffee

GRASSO COFFEE

Humble in its menu offerings, Grasso Coffee is not one to skip because even though they only serve coffee, sandwiches and desserts, you can count on the good folks here to do them right.

Their beverage offerings are also given an innovative twist so expect quirky options such as Iced Caramel Corn or even an ice-blended alternative that features a mixture of both Horlicks and Milo—a surefire hit among those with a sweet tooth for sure.

The Commerze @ Irving #01-27/28,
1 Irving Place,
Singapore 369546
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 8am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

Photo Credit: The Good Boys Juice & Coffee Bar

THE GOOD BOYS JUICE & COFFEE BAR

Offering a wide range of delicious smoothies, acai bowls and juices, The good boys over at The Good Boys place heavy emphasis on delivering nutritious treats made using fresh ingredients to ensure that patrons will always left a shot healthier and immensely satisfied.

For the matcha-obsessed, go for their Fruity Matcha (S$12), and try also the Crimson Lush that features beetroot and dates as well as the Viva Amazonia with acai and banana.

#01-26 1 Irving Place,
The Commerze Building,
Singapore 369546
Tel: +65 8130 1083
(Closed on Fridays)
Mon to Thu: 9am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

Acai is one of those superfoods that, besides being delicious and “Instagrammable”, is widely lauded by for its multiple health benefits. Jam-packed with antioxidants, fibre, vitamins and minerals with supposedly anti-cancer and brain-boosting effects, acai bowls are hugely popular among both the hipster and fitness community.

Nestled amidst the lush greenery of Singapore Botanic Gardens, JUJU is a takeaway kiosk that serves a myriad of healthy, wholesome food on-the-go. Their acai bowls, in particular, stand out for being 100% plant-based without the use of any refined sugars and whatnot.

Whether you’re looking for a guilt-free dessert after sweating it out at Singapore Botanic Gardens the entire morning or just a rejuvenating, ice-cold dessert to enjoy as you explore the park, JUJU—located over at the Visitor Services Kiosk—will surely have you well sorted.

This small kiosk serves a wide variety of wholesome foods ranging from smoothies, shakes and juices to grilled sandwiches and baked goods, all of which are convenient to eat on-the-go.

Their speciality would be the JUJU bowls—essentially acai bowls, these desserts are all 100% plant-based, vegan and refined sugar-free. Available in several flavours such as the classic Acai, Dragon and Chocolate Oat, there’s surely something for everyone.

We opted for a regular Acai JUJU bowl (S$8.50 for regular, S$9.50 for large). Their rendition of the classic Acai bowl consists of a generous helping of Acai which is complemented by house-made chia seed pudding, Medjool dates and a variety of fruits.

Their acai has an icy texture similar to that of a sorbet, as compared to other acai bowls that possess a thicker consistency. However, the acai impressed us with the intensity of flavours despite its texture—neither diluted nor overly sweet, their JUJU bowls surely make for an ideal, cooling treat.

Depending on the season and time of the year, JUJU sometimes crafts out festive flavours for their acai bowls. To usher in the Lunar New Year, the café has come up an all-new flavour, Mandarin Orange Acai Bowl to entice their guests.

Priced the same as the usual acai bowls on the menu, the Mandarin Orange JUJU bowl was one we thoroughly enjoyed. Topped with a bunch of healthful ingredients including bananas, blueberries, granola and mulberries, their Mandarin Orange had a refreshing tangy taste which we felt was a great representation of the fruit itself.

This festive flavour would be around until the end of Chinese New Year. Considering that they nailed this festive flavour, we’d definitely be keeping our eyes peeled for their next seasonal flavour!

JUJU
1 Cluny Road #01-K1
Botanic Gardens Bukit Timah Visitor Services Kiosk
Singapore 259569
Mon to Fri: 11am – 8pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

Most of us give no second thought before digging into foods that are high in gluten, such as pasta, bread, pastries and of course, beer. For the uninitiated, gluten is essentially a mix of proteins that can be found in wheat and its related grains, which includes barley and rye.

Granted, gluten can be found almost everywhere as it is found in many of our staples. Though gluten is not explicitly detrimental to our health, a gluten-free diet comes packed with multiple health benefits such as reducing the risk of heart disease and promoting of healthy weight loss.

The idea of cutting out an ingredient so common just seems too repelling and troublesome, especially on days when you’re out and about looking for a treat to cure your sweet tooth. Fret not, for here are 7 places in Singapore where you can find gluten-free desserts to indulge in without feeling like a glutton.

Photo Credit: 25 Grams

25 GRAMS

For those with an incurable sweet tooth but wish to cut out the gluten, 25 Grams should be your next go-to. A humble bakery, this store specialises in serving freshly-baked bespoke cakes, cupcakes, cookies and more.

Their treats come in a variety of unique flavours and you’d also be glad to know that they offer customisation services which are perfect if you are hosting any party or event.

25 Grams
12 Kallang Avenue
Aperia Mall #01-14
Singapore 339511
Tel: +65 9236 0448
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 7.30pm
Sat: 12pm – 4pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Lavender

Photo Credit: Beriwell

BERIWELL

Situated along East Coast Road, Beriwell is one dessert joint that even your fitspo friends would approve of.

Not only were they the first to bring the concept of acai softserve to Singapore, their antioxidant-packed treats are also dairy-free, vegan-friendly and gluten-free. Though prices here are a tad higher than usual dessert joints, what you get here is a guilt-free indulgence that tastes as good (or even better) than gluten-laden ones!

Beriwell
19 East Coast Road #01-01
Singapore 428746
Tel: +65 9182 0747
Daily: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Dakota

Photo Credit: Carrotsticks & Cravings

CARROTSTICKS & CRAVINGS

Carrotsticks & Cravings is a cafe cum cooking school in the Dempsey neighbourhood that is helmed by Terri-Anne, a Melbourne expat who is passionate about creating healthy recipes that do not compromise on taste for her family and friends.

On the menu, you’d find desserts in the likes of Banana Blueberry Cupcakes, Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookies as well as Nut Fudge Squares.

Carrotsticks & Cravings
75E Loewen Road
Singapore 248845
Tel: +65 8356 0634
Mon to Sat: 8am – 3pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Queenstown

CEDELE

Recognised by their signature slogan “Eat Well. Be Well.”, Cedele aims to serve honest and wholesome food that is good for your health.

Boasting close to 30 outlets islandwide, you can surely count on Cedele for a guilt-free yet indulgent meal as they have thoughtfully included several gluten-free options in their menu.

4 Hillview Rise
Hill V2 #01-12/13
Singapore 667979*
Tel: +65 6710 7174
Mon to Fri: 10am – 9.30pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Hillview
(*Cedele has multiple locations islandwide)

Photo Credit: Delcie’s Desserts and Cakes

DELCIE’S DESSERTS AND CAKES

Helmed by Delcie Lam, a Singaporean pastry chef who specialises in healthy, vegan, diabetic-friendly, gluten-free, and allergy-free baking, Delcie’s Desserts and Cakes is a humble bakery that serves low-calorie treats without compromising on taste.

Here you can savour a range of baked delights including cupcakes, cookies and sliced cakes. Gluten-free cake flavours include Mud Fudge, Chocolate Truffle and Banana Hot Fudge.

Photo Credit: Peace Cafe

PEACE CAFE

This cafe at Little India serves wholesome food from hearty mains to bite-sized sweet treats. For those simply looking for just desserts, you’d be glad to know that they offer a huge selection of vegan, eggless, dairy-free and gluten-free desserts in the likes of cakes, muffins, cookies and ice cream.

This is also the place to go if you are looking for customisable, adorable cakes and desserts for parties or events.

4 Dalhousie Lane
Singapore 209673
Tel: +65 6291 1687
Tue to Fri: 11.30am – 7pm
Sat: 12pm – 8.30pm
Sun: 12pm – 3pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Little India

Photo Credit: Shake Farm

SHAKE FARM

Nestled in the heart of Chinatown, Shake Farm is a hidden gem that uses only the freshest of ingredients in the preparation of their dishes.

Having thoughtfully crafted several plans such as the ‘Muscle Gain Plan’ and the ‘Detox Diet Plan’, you know they take their food very seriously for this is where gym junkies and those who wish to lose some weight turn to for meal plans. Head over and treat yourself to some of their acai bowls, which start from S$9 for a medium portion.

Shake Farm
126 Telok Ayer Street
Singapore 068595
Tel: +65 9027 0177
Daily: 8am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

Sealing its status as one of the trendiest and healthiest icy treats to have among the health geeks and the hipsters here in sunny Singapore, Acai bowls (pronounced ah-sai-yee) is one of those superfoods that can both perk you up yet look phenomenal in photos.

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.

Thriving on all things health-related from organic dried fruit and seeds to even coconut water-based beverages, this new cafe is one that you should definitely pay a visit—whether it’s for a delicious superfood snack or a hit of good vibes.

Stepping into the cafe, the first thing that hits you is its lovely boho-chic interior. The walls are filled with racks of pre-packaged superfood delights as well as decorative knick-knacks that make for great gifts.

The cafe features an upper deck where diners can sit after placing their order at the counter. If not, there is also a wooden table set up right outside.

Seeking to satisfy both our palates and our Instagram feeds, we opted for the Dragon Bowl (S$6.60 for small, S$9.60 for medium, S$14.60 for large).

This delicious acai bowl came with a base of pitaya passionfruit sorbet along with fresh fruit such as kiwi, bananas and blueberries, as well as things like chia seeds and granola, before finally being topped with a choice of either cookie butter, peanut butter or honey.

Vibrant, refreshing and surprisingly tasty, we highly recommend getting this should you ever be craving an icy treat on a sunny day or simply be in the mood to liven up your social media accounts.

The Hawaiian Bowl (S$5.90 for small, S$8.90 for medium, S$13.90 for large) comes with a base formed using acai and coconut sorbet before being topped with fresh fruits, desiccated coconut, nuts, seeds and a sauce of choice.

We’re not too sure about how this particular offering relates to Hawaii (besides the coconut elements), but it sure did help to take the edge off the scorching heat. Perhaps a mini umbrella could’ve further accented the whole Hawaiian theme.

But that aside, boy was the coconut sorbet addictive and we were sorely impressed by how well it complemented the fruits and nuts without being overly sweet.

Should you feel a hankering for coffee after lunch, Thrive also offers a humble array of both hot and cold caffeine-packed beverages. Their black and white cold brew is a throwback blend that comes from Chye Seng Huat Hardware.

Their coffee blends come from Bettr Barista’s signature Bold Heart blend that features Columbian beans with tasting notes of citrus fruits, cinnamon and cocoa.

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

Acai bowls are increasingly becoming a favourite go-to light snack for the health conscious. Due to its nutritious factors, acai bowls are perfect post-meal desserts or a good meal replacement as they are filled with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fibre, protein and healthy fats required by the human body.

Amidst the daily indulgence of your favourite food, you can give acai bowls a try to achieve that hot summer figure you’ve always wanted. Here are 11 Amazing Acai Bowls In Singapore To Try.

PROJECT ACAI

As Singapore’s first Acai Superfood Cafe, Project Acai has seen tremendous success since they first opened at Holland Village. Their Acai bowls contain the very coveted acai berries that are packed to the brim with antioxidants, fibre and other nutritional benefits. The best part? They taste great too!

27 Lorong Liput
Holland Village
Singapore, 277738
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

Photo Credit: Seed and Soil 

SEED AND SOIL

Tucked away at the Tanjong Pagar Business district area lies Seed and Soil, which serves daily handmade Acai bowls and a variety of cold-pressed juices. With their experience in working with nutritionists, you can trust that their acai bowls are nothing short of nutritious.

The crowd-favourite chocolate peanut butter Cacao Warrior is one Acai bowl you must try. Nutty and chocolatey, it is truly a guilty pleasure—sans the guilt. Seed and Soil’s smoothie bowls are available in three sizes—Grab (S$8), Reg (S$10) and Large (S$12).

Tanjong Pagar Plaza
#01-22
1 Tanjong Pagar Plaza
Singapore 082001
Tel: +65 9644 0752
Mon to Fri: 8am – 8pm
Sat: 10am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Photo Credit: Stellahhl

AFTERGLOW BY ANGLOW

A cafe establishment located at Keong Saik Road—a trendy place known for its hipster cafes and classy restaurants—Afterglow by Anglow serves amazing Acai bowls that are to-die-for and Instagram-worthy.

Although prices are on the steeper side, the ingredients used are of high quality. Featuring an ice-cream like texture, the smoothie is presented in a wooden bowl, topped with salted tahini ‘caramel’, coconut cracker, banana, raw muesli, cocoa powder and more.

24 Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089131
Tel: +65 6224 8921
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 10.30pm
(Closed on Sun)
Nearest Station: Outram Park

Photo Credit: Park Bench Deli

PARK BENCH DELI

More renowned for their incredibly flavoursome sandwiches, Park Bench Deli has developed their menu and now, it even offers Acai on their menu!

Its version incorporates an acai berry smoothie with chia seeds, coconut flakes, honey granola and fresh fruits like blueberries, strawberries and bananas. At an affordable price of S$8 per bowl, there is a generous amount of toppings—definitely worth every penny!

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179 Telok Ayer Street
Singapore 068627
Tel: +65 6815 4600
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 4pm, 5pm – 10pm
Sat: 9am – 3.30pm
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

Photo Credit: Beriwell

 BERIWELL

Beriwell is a newly-opened tropical themed cafe located in Katong. The aesthetics of the store is designed to make people feel like they are on a beach holiday. You’ll fall in love with the store upon stepping inside.

The cafe is also the first to introduce acai soft serve in Singapore. Yes, you heard it right—acai soft serve! Isn’t this a really refreshing twist as compared to your normal acai bowl? The two main items on their menu include the Superswirl (a soft serve that comes in either Acai or Coconut flavour) and Smoothies. So, head on down for some ‘berry’ good acai bowls!

19 East Coast Road
#01-01
Singapore 428746
Tel: +65 9380 3816
Daily: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Dakota

Photo Credit: Parallel

PARALLEL

Situated in the heart of the Central business district area, the acai bowls at Parallel are a great midday pick-me-up, breakfast-to-go or a light dinner meal replacement.The three main acai bowls on their menu include the Superstar (S$8.90), Amino (S$8.90)  and Antioxidant (S$8.90). For a slightly bigger bowl with more toppings, it is priced at S$12.90.

Designed to cater the office crowd, the acai bowls are a convenient for a quick takeaway and for health-conscious office folks looking for wholesome eats.

1 Raffles Place
#B1-34
Singapore 048616
Tel: +65 9298 2896
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 9.30pm
(Closed on Sat & Sun)
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

Photo Credit: The Good Boys Cafe

THE GOOD BOYS CAFE

The selective range of insta-worthy acai bowls is the reason why we love The Good Boys Cafe. The ingredients are presented in a heart-shaped wooden bowls and carefully arranged to suit the different acai options.

If you are a matcha-lover, you may want to consider their signature Fruity Matcha (S$12). Other interesting combinations include the Crimson Lush with beetroot & date and Viva Amazonia with acai and banana.

The Commerze Building
#01-26
1 Irving Place
Singapore 369546
Tel: +65 8130 1083
Mon to Fri: 8am – 6.30pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 6.30pm
Nearest Station: Bartley

Photo Credit: An Acai Affair

AN ACAI AFFAIR

An Acai Affair is founded by two undergraduates who aim to make healthy acai bowls affordable for all to enjoy. They believe in using the freshest and finest ingredients for their delicious acai bowls and smoothies.

If you are someone who prefers a rich bowl of acai, An Acai Affair is your best bet since additional liquids like juices or coconut water are not added to dilute the acai base. Their acai bowls (starting from S$5.90) come with a range of toppings such as honey, cashew butter and almond butter.

101 East Coast Road
Singapore 428796
Tel: +65 9792 0837
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri: 12pm – 11.30pm
Sat: 10am – 11.30pm
Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Eunos

Photo Credit: Haakon Superfoods and Juice

HAAKON SUPERFOODS AND JUICE 

Located conveniently in town, Haakon Superfoods and Juice offers a wide range of superfood bowls, salads and smoothies that attracts the health junkies. The menu offerings feature wholesome ingredients that align with the cafe’s Scandinavian philosophies.

The Hakkon’s Classic Acai Bowl (S$7.90) is a must-try. Nutritious and yummy, the acai is topped with fresh fruits such as blueberries, bananas and strawberries served on a base of slightly sweet chai parfait.

313@Somerset
#B2-14
313 Orchard Road
Singapore 238895
Mon to Sun: 10am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Photo Credit: Strangers’ Reunion

STRANGERS REUNION

Jumping on the acai bowl bandwagon, Strangers’ Reunion’s latest range of acai bowls proves that healthy food can be delightful and palatable as well.

The awesome superfood bowls include Acai Smoothie Bowl, Avocado Smoothie Bowl and the Coconut Chia Pudding (S$11.90).

35 Kampong Bahru Road
Singapore 169356
Tel: +65 6222 4869
Mon, Wed, Thu & Sun: 9am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 9am – 12am
(Closed on Tue)
Nearest Station: Outram Park

Photo Credit: Randy Indulgence

RANDY INDULGENCE

This is definitely a sweet spot for people who love to indulge in everything-sweet but in a healthier way. Randy Indulgence serves cereal bowls, healthy acai bowls and fruit ice cream.

Their aesthetically-pleasing acai bowls came mainly in two sizes—Diet (S$7.90) and Happy (S$9.90) and you can choose between the Fruity Bowl or Protein Bowl.

Tanjong Pagar Centre
#B1-10
7 Wallich Street
Singapore 078884
Tel: +65 8808 4758
Mon to Fri: 8am – 9.30pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar