The culture of cafe-hopping may have died down a little in Singapore, but when your friend asks you out for a weekend brunch date, you just can’t say no.

Serangoon residents, we could not be more envious of you guys. Playing host to a trove of cafes, Serangoon and Kovan could easily join the ranks of Tiong Bahru as Singapore’s most happening cafe districts.

These estates are thriving with lush cafes and hip joints, ready to overwhelm us with abundant brunch selections and decadent desserts. We’ve rounded up the cafes in Serangoon and Kovan you should definitely check out. Burger bars and hidden patisseries are just a fraction of what’s in store for you!

Photo Credit: www.facebook.com/affinityfamilyfriendscafe/

AFFINITY FAMILY & FRIENDS CAFE

For a stripped-down and fuss-free meal, Affinity Family & Friends Cafe is just the place. They aren’t fancy with their decor or menu but their grub more than makes up for it.

They offer a modest range of local and Western offerings, with most dishes being below S$10. Their Curry Chicken (S$6.90) will have you feeling right at home while their Lasagne (S$8.90) is satisfying enough.

Block 149 Serangoon North Ave 1, #01-917
Singapore 550142
Tel +65 6970 0358
Tues to Sun: 8am — 10pm
Nearest Station: Kovan

AMBER EMBER

Get your hands on some toasty golden jaffles at Amber Ember along Upper Serangoon Road. For those of you who aren’t familiar, jaffles are basically Australian toasted sandwiches made in a closed metal skillet. This cafe’s renditions see flavours from cheesy devilled mushrooms to braised beef cheek.

If you’re looking for something heartier, they also do fantastic pasta dishes. Their Ragu Bolognese ain’t shy about flaunting its bold meaty flavour and fresh tartness.

730 Upper Serangoon Road, #01-01
Singapore 534613
Tel: +65 6929 3312
Tues to Fri: 10am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

APOLLO COFFEE BAR

Relatively new to the local cafe scene, Apollo Coffee Bar in Serangoon Gardens is opened by the same guys behind the popular Atlas Coffeehouse and Columbus Coffee Co. It has already made quite a name for itself with its Mediterranean-inspired brunch creations.

Ever tried farro grains before? If you haven’t, their Miso Mushroom Bacon Farro Risotto ($22) would be a pretty great way to start. For a healthier indulgence, go for their Nori, Avo and Eggs (S$18.50) which sees crispy fried kale atop avocado toast, served with creamy scrambled eggs.

P.S. Apollo Coffee Bar is a dog-friendly cafe; you can also bring your dogs and dine at their outdoor seats.

65 Serangoon Garden Way
Singapore 555961
Tel: +65 6246 3875
Tues to Sat: 9am — 10pm
Sun: 9am — 7pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

BAKER & COOK

With over eight outlets across the whole of Singapore, Baker & Cook has become a familiar mainstay in our local bakery cafe scene. Besides their dignified selection of viennoiserie and pastries, they also offer savoury mains.

Their Eggs Benedict makes for the quintessential brunch while their Pancake Stack is a lot lighter on the palate than it looks.

87 Serangoon Garden Way
Singapore 555983
Tel: +65 6241 5548
Daily: 7.30am — 10pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

CIEL PATISSERIE

Le Cordon Bleu-approved tarts at less than S$5? No way. Ciel Patisserie is making us feel extremely undeserving with their bite-sized French luxuries at affordable price points.

Their Lemon Meringue Tart (S$4.50) nails every component, from the sturdy meringue down to the buttery crust. For a richer dessert, their Chocolate Almond Tart (S$4.50) will make you go nutty because of how good it is.

Cakes and quiches are available too.

124 Hougang Ave 1, #01-1444
Singapore 530124
Tel: +65 6383 0803
Daily: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Kovan/Serangoon

COTTONTAIL CREAMERY

Known for their smooth artisanal ice cream, this Taiwanese-owned cafe is a hotspot for cafe-hoppers in Serangoon. This charming little cafe conjures up really unique flavours for the ice cream such as Craft Beer and Whiskey Black Sesame.

And, they don’t just do desserts. Their savoury selection is just as formidable with dishes such as House-made Swiss Meatballs (S$17.50) and Mexican Pulled Pork Quesadillas (S$17.50).

Block 326, Serangoon Ave 3, #01-378
Singapore 550326
Tel: +65 8118 7552
Tues to Thurs: 11am — 10pm
Fri: 11am — 11pm
Sat: 9am — 11pm
Sun: 9am — 10pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/dessert.bowl/

DESSERT BOWL

If “Double Shot Durian Mousse” doesn’t sound like an absolute dream, we don’t know what does. Dessert Bowl may have a wide range of desserts, but the majority of their customers are there for one dish and that alone.

Their signature Double Shot Durian Mousse (S$6) promises two dollops of fleshy durian pulp resting on a mound of creamy, rich durian mousse. You may or may not walk away with a sore throat but, no regrets.

80A Serangoon Garden Way
Singapore 555976
Tel: +65 6285 1278
Tues to Thurs: 1pm – 10.30pm
Fri to Sat: 1pm – 12.30am
Sun: 1pm — 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/elevenstrands/

ELEVEN STRANDS

It’s not every day that you find a French-inspired cafe, and one that’s nailing their dishes, at that. Eleven Strands is founded by the same guys behind South Union Park, with both of their menus sharing slight similarities.

It’s pretty clear that handmade pasta is their prized forté, with their menu having a sizable number of pasta dishes. Their Prawn Basil Pesto Pasta (S$23) is a real crowd-pleaser. Pair it with some Chicken Liver Pate and voila, you’ll have a stunning meal.

66 Yio Chu Kang Rd
Singapore 545568
Tel: +65 9487 1398
Tues to Fri: 12pm — 9.30pm
Sat to Sun: 10am — 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Kovan

FLAVOUR FLINGS

Located in Lorong Ah Soo, Flavour Flings is a halal-certified café specialising in American-French cuisine. The people behind the first raclette salted egg yolk croissant in Singapore, the eatery has garnered a fair bit of regulars stopping by for their hearty all-day-breakfast and brunch menu.

Here, they spin their own twist to American-French classics, inventing new flavours and revamping ideas. Some of their signatures include the Beef Steak & Raclette and Salted Egg Yolk Fries. They also serve up iconic pastries such as the Salted Egg Yolk Croissant and Crème Brulee.

Hougang Ave 1, Block 121
#01-1348
Singapore 530121
Tel: +65 6286 0051
Mon, Thurs to Sun: 11:30am – 4pm, 5:30pm – 10pm
Weds: 5:30pm – 10pm
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Nearest Station: Hougang

HATTER STREET

Hatter Street has got us feeling like we fell down the rabbit hole alongside Alice with its thematic interior and whimsical desserts. They offer a range of ice cream concoctions, waffles and delicious cakes.

Their Unicorn Whoa-ffles (S$14) looks like an outdated gimmick but trust us, it’s the real deal. The double scoop of Lavender White Chocolate and Toasted Marshmallow complement each other to a tee and the waffles are amazingly crisp and light.

Block 212, Hougang Street 21, #01-333
Singapore 530212
Tel: +65 6988 4591
Daily: 1pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Kovan

ICE EDGE CAFE

Just another cosy little cafe in Kovan that has decent grub, Ice Edge Cafe is a fail-safe option for a weekend lunch or straightforward dinner.

They take pride in their pizza, pasta and gelato, although their menu extends far beyond. Their Tom Yum Seafood Linguine (S$16.80) is armed with a flavourful spicy kick while the Oven Baked Seabass (S$17.80) is a refreshing, lighter option.

2 Kovan Rise, Simon Plaza, #01-10
Singapore 548008
Tel: +65 6858 5729
Sun to Thurs: 11.30am – 11pm
Fri to Sat: 11.30am — 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Kovan

Photo Credit: www.instagram.com/cosmophagic_ang/

KNUCKLES BISTRO

Crackling German pork knuckles at only S$10?! That’s just what Knuckles Bistro has in store. This modest German eatery serves up hearty German and Western mains at insane prices.

Take one crunchy bite of their pork knuckles and you’ll probably want to punch the wall because of how good it is. Their Grilled Chicken Chop (S$8) and Pork Steak (S$8) are recommended dishes as well.

212 Hougang Street 21, #01-337, Singapore 530212
Tel: +65 6285 0549
Nearest Station: Kovan

KOOKS CREAMERY

Lava cookies with ice cream may not be the trendiest dessert anymore but who cares about trends if it’s good. And, few places do this hot-and-cold treat as well as Kooks Creamery does.

Founded by two sisters, this minimalistic cafe is a hotspot for sugar junkies. Their Brown Butter Ice Cream with Matcha Molten Cookie (S$8.50) is an all-time favourite. There’s just something about warm gooey matcha chocolate and cold velvety ice cream that really hits the spot for us.

211 Serangoon Avenue 4, #01-02
Singapore 550211
Tel: +65 9006 8748
Tues to Thurs: 12pm – 10pm
Fri to Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Sun: 12pm — 10pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/lickerssg/

LICKERS

Lickers may pass off as just your typical neighbourhood ice cream joint, but you’d be surprised. The quality of their ice cream could easily enthrone them at the heart of town, fighting with the bigger names.

Their Roasted Pistachio (S$4) is shockingly fragrant and creamy while their Lychee Rose Sorbet is a refreshing dairy-free option. They’re also generous with portion sizes so you’re in for a treat!

Blk 124, Hougang Avenue 1, #01-1446
Singapore 530124
Tues to Thurs: 12pm — 1am
Fri to Sun: 12pm — 2am
Nearest Station: Kovan

LOLA’S CAFE

One of the OG cafes in the North-East area, Lola’s Cafe has been drawing the crowds since day one. Their extensive brunch selection will have you in a dilemma but don’t think twice about ordering their Pulled Pork & Avocado Eggs Benedict (S$16) or the Ultimate Croissant (S$15).

They’re also open past dinnertime, armed with a different menu featuring more regal dishes. Think Duck Leg Confit with Truffle Mash (S$18) and Tuscan Baked Salmon and Potato Stew (S$19).

Lola’s Cafe is a dog-friendly cafe with outdoor seats.

5 Simon Rd
Singapore 545893
Tel: +65 6284 0349
Tues to Thurs: 10am – 11:30pm
Fri to Sat: 10am – 12am
Sun: 10am — 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Kovan

MAISON KAYSER

If there’s any place we can count on for solid artisanal bread and opulent pastries, it would be Maison Kayser. This esteemed French artisanal bakery has been around since 1996, with outlets across several countries.

Taking over the former Bakerzin’s space in MyVillage, Maison Kayser offers classic savouries and elegant bakes, from stuffed croissants to chocolate eclairs. You can’t go wrong with their Tuna Croissant Sandwich (S$7.50) and their luxurious Paris Brest (S$6.60).

1 Maju Avenue, MyVillage at Serangoon Gardens, #01-26/27/28
Singapore 556679
Tel: +65 6509 8184
Daily: 7.30am — 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

Photo Credit: www.facebook.com/monzengardens/

MONZEN GARDENS

Japanese rice bowls in Singapore are a dime a dozen and sadly, so are mediocre ones. But lucky for us, we found a gem, that is, Monzen Gardens at MyVillage. This Japanese-inspired cafe is run by a young chef who was trained in the Tokyo Sushi Academy.

The Bara Chirashi Don (S$15.80) is quite a steal. If you usually shy away from raw foods, their Wagyu Beef Don (S$18.80) is just as impressive.

1 Maju Ave, MyVillage at Serangoon Garden, #01-09/10
Singapore 556679
Tel: +65 9119 0700
Mon to Thurs: 11.30am — 2.30pm, 5.30pm — 10pm
Fri: 11.30am — 2.30pm, 5.30pm — 12am
Sat: 11.30am — 12am
Sun: 11.30am — 10pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

Photo Credit: www.facebook.com/kitchenofnaomi/

NAOMI KITCHEN

Naomi Kitchen in Serangoon Central serves up homely, comforting fare at really affordable prices. Most of the dishes are priced below S$10, making it a great budget-friendly spot. Their extensive menu sees a mix of Western, local and Japanese fare.

Block 208 Serangoon Central
Singapore 550208
Tel: +65 9321 3688
Daily: 9am — 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

OBLONG

Ditch the plain old waffles and jazz things up with some red velvet waffles at Oblong, a dessert cafe in Serangoon Gardens that offers pretty decent ice cream. Their waffles come dressed in a variety of flavours such as tiramisu, charcoal and pandan gula melaka. Pair them with your choice of ice cream and you’re set for the night!

10 Maju Avenue
Singapore 556688
Tel: +65 6858 2320
Thurs to Sun: 12pm – 12am
Fri to Sat: 12pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Serangoon/Lorong Chuan

Photo Credit: www.facebook.com/plonk.sg/

PLONK

This snazzy Australian-style bar takes great pride in their heartwarming, honest fare made with fresh ingredients and thoughtful execution. With an emphasis on family-style dishes, their menu sees a good proportion of sharing platters and kid-friendly bites.

Embark on a grand feast with the family with their Antipasto Platter (S$22) and Carnivore (S$25) pizza. If you’re not much of a sharer, their Truffle Scrambled Eggs (S$18) is the way to go.

7 Maju Ave
Singapore 556685
Tel: +65 6286 4688
Mon to Thurs: 11am — 11pm
Fri: 11am — 12pm
Sat: 9am — 12pm
Sun: 9am — 12am
Nearest Station: Serangoon/Lorong Chuan

SUNRAY CAFE

Pet-friendly cafes in Singapore are not uncommon, but for most of them, their menus only cater to the animals. This is where Sunray Cafe stands out. This secluded cafe in Serangoon Gardens caters to both animals and humans, with an extensive selection of dishes at really affordable prices.

Eggs Benny at S$7 and latte at S$3?! Pinch yourselves all you want, it’s real. And you can rest assured that you’re not paying for miserable portions.

79 Brighton Crescent
Singapore 559218
Tel: +65 6283 8700
Tues to Sun: 9.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

THE BREAD SHOP

Here’s another casual budget-friendly spot that makes overpriced cafes look bad. The Bread Shop in Kovan serves up the usual brunch works, but of great quality and at even greater prices.

Their French Toast (S$10) is a real daydream, featuring thick buttered toast loaded with excellently caramelised bananas and fresh berries. Hungrier folks can try their fish & chips or grilled herb chicken.

953 Upper Serangoon Rd
Singapore 534715
Tel: +65 6581 7461
Mon: 11.30am — 11pm
Tues to Fri: 11.30am — 11pm
Sat: 9.30am — 10pm
Sun: 9.30am — 9pm
Nearest Station: Kovan

THE LARDER CAFE

Hearty brunches and wholesome beverages are exactly what The Larder Cafe is good at. This restful cafe started out at Toa Payoh and has opened a second outlet at Serangoon Gardens.

Fuel up with some Mushroom Truffle Melts (S$15) or Pulled Pork Wrap (S$15) to start your day with a bang. Or, dig into a juicy Wagyu Beef Burger (S$20) for a carnivorous decadence. They also have a plethora of pasta dishes for you to choose from.

66A Serangoon Garden Way
Singapore 555962
Tel: +65 6253 8382
Tues to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

THE PLAIN JANE

If The Plain Jane was an actual lady, we’d fall head over heels for her straight away. This pretty little cafe in Serangoon does impeccable swiss rolls — airy sponge layers laced with fresh luscious cream.

We adore their Earl Grey Swiss Roll (S$5.90), which emanates a robust tea fragrance. Accompany it with their Matcha Latte (S$5.50/hot, S$6.50/cold) for a loaded caffeine fix.

Blk 211, Serangoon Ave 4, #01-10
Singapore 550211
Tel: +65 6281 2477
Mon to Tues: 12pm — 8pm
Thurs to Fri: 12pm — 8pm
Sat to Sun: 10am — 10pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

TWO BAKERS

Non-Entrée Desserts may not be in operation anymore but don’t fret, you can still get your fix of illusory local-inspired desserts at Two Bakers. This cafe is in the safe hands of a Le Cordon Bleu Paris-trained chef, so anticipate great-quality grub and sweet treats.

Their deceptive Bao Zi (S$8.50) is actually chrysanthemum white chocolate mousse enwrapping matcha sponge cake and yuzu-lemon mousse. Wouldn’t have guessed, right?

For a more decadent dessert, go for their Ming Jian Kueh (S$8), a luscious crepe cake chockfull of ground peanuts, salted caramel chantilly and peanut butter.

9 Teck Chye Terrace
Singapore 545720
Tel: +65 6241 6393
Tues to Thurs: 12pm – 9.30pm
Fri: 12pm – 11.30pm
Sat: 10am – 11.30pm
Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/twocranes.sg/

TWO CRANES

For brunch and coffee with a Korean twist, Two Cranes is one to watch. This Korean-inspired cafe offers an eclectic mix of coffee beverages, savouries and desserts.

Swap out your typical Eggs Benedict for their Bouef Benedict (S$15), which sees beef bulgolgi sandwiched between poached eggs and buttered toast. While you’re at it, get a taste of their coffee mocktails which are tinged with a classy finish.

They also offer a range of bingsu desserts, with unconventional flavours such as mango matcha, pulut hitam and caramel macchiato.

Block 211, Hougang Street 21, #01-291
Singapore 530211
Tel: +65 8166 0140
Daily: 9am — 10pm
Nearest Station: Kovan

UDDERS

Udders is akin to that older grandaunt we used to visit when we were younger, but whom we’ve lost touch with over the years. Nevertheless, we can always count on her to spoil us with our favourite treats.

We adore this parlour’s quality scoops, with tantalising flavours such as Kyoto Matcha and Salted Speculoos. They also do amazing crispy waffles if you’re on your cheat day.

Block 212, Hougang Street 21, #01-345
Singapore 530212
Tel: +65 6448 8732
Daily: 12pm — 11pm
Nearest Station: Kovan

Do a quick Google search on chocolates and you will probably find Wimbly Lu either on that list or topping it. Known for their array of chocolate desserts, ice cream and waffles, Wimbly Lu first started off in a quaint neighbourhood of Jalan Riang and now has 2 other outlets in the heartlands of Singapore.

Located just a few doors away from Chye Seng Huat Hardware Coffee, the outlet at Tyrwhitt Road is definitely more accessible as compared to the one at Jalan Riang and the café boasts a cosy decorum that has been remodelled from an old shophouse.

We headed down on a rainy Friday afternoon to seek refuge from the rain as well as to indulge in some sweet treats, to which we were not disappointed.

Once we stepped into the café, our eyes were immediately fixated on the display of lovely chocolates and cakes, which definitely got us drooling then.

Retro lamps, mirrors, and dim lightings lend a casual yet modern charm to the place and we couldn’t wait to try the beautiful desserts that they have.

We got ourselves 2 desserts to share and the first that came up was the Jey’s Nutella Pie (S$6++). Filled with a silky smooth Nutella spread across a soft hazelnut crust, this wonderful dessert slides easily down your fork and every bite you take bursts with rich and creamy Nutella goodness that simply melts in your mouth.

Next came Clare’s Sticky Date Pudding (S$5++), which is essentially a moist sponge cake made with finely chopped dates drenched in a sweet toffee sauce and served warm.

A bite into the soft sponge cake filled with toffee sauce makes you feel as if there is a marriage of flavours happening in your mouth–the sweet toffee sauce complemented the fluffy sponge cake without being too overly decadent.

Wimbly Lu
166, Tyrwhitt Road
Singapore 207570
Tel: +65 6291 8138
Mon, Wed & Thurs: 12pm – 10.30pm
Fri: 12pm – 11pm
Sat: 9am – 11pm
Sun: 9am – 10.30pm
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Nearest Station: Bendemeer

*Multiple outlets islandwide

Wimbly Lu Chocolate Cafe is a dessert place located in the residential area at Jalan Riang. Part of Wimbly Lu’s charm is that from the moment you walk in, it strikes you as a quaint, whimsical kind of place. It is ideal for whiling away a few hours with friends.

From the menu, you can tell that Wimbly Lu’s forte lies in desserts. While the savoury menu ($3.50 – $13) only includes several options such as Tuna Cheese Melt, Lasagna and Baked Rice with Chicken and Mushroom, the dessert department ($3 – $8.50) has many more choices like Brownie, Eclair, Orange Flourless Cake, Hazelnut Butterscotch Bar, Molten Lava Cake, Root Beer Cake, Waffles and Tiramisu.

The most popular choices are the Waffles and Root Beer Cake with vanilla ice cream. Both are absolute must-tries.

Wimbly Lu has the best Waffles ($8.50 with a scoop of ice cream) in town. I have had it on several occasions and I am impressed by its consistency – it is always crisp on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. My only gripe is the tiny portion of the ice-cream. It would be great if they gave a bigger scoop of the delicious homemade salted caramel ice cream.

The Root Beer Cake ($6) with vanilla ice cream is also a winner. Combining root beer and cake is a brilliant idea and it makes me wonder why nobody had thought of doing it earlier. It has a distinctive root beer flavour and when paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, there is only one word to describe it – heavenly.

My partner thought that their pancakes ($7.50 with a scoop of ice cream) were run-of-the-mill, but I felt that it was pretty decent. That said, I’d probably not order it again as the waffle was so much better.

Chocolate lovers should not leave without trying Wimbly Lu’s Molten Lava Cake ($6) – another exceptional dessert. At just $6, it is one of the cheaper chocolate lava cake around, and offers great value.

There were a couple of misses too, though, such as a pedestrian Sticky Date Pudding and a very disappointing Bread and Butter Pudding which we left untouched after a spoonful or two.

We could not agree on the Chocolate Creme Brulee ($5). For me, it was slightly too dense for a creme brulee while my partner has been craving for it since we had it a while back because she likes how the slight bitterness of the chocolate blended so well with the otherwise predictable sweet dessert.

Potent on first look, and in fact a bit threatening, but it was quite a false alarm. The Blackout Cake ($6) disappointed us quite a bit with its moist (or lack of) body, and our impression of a chocolate cake really should be richer. Still, if you do not mind a simple slice of sweetness, this should suffice.

Wimbly Lu has become our favourite to-go place for desserts, we go there all the time and so far, we have tried almost all the items on the menu. We love the cosy and intimate atmosphere, and the fact that all the desserts are so reasonably-priced. While some of the desserts did not impress, the waffle and root beer cake are reasons enough for us to return time and again.

Wimbly Lu Chocolate Cafe
15-2 Jalan Riang
Tel: +65 6289 1489
Tue to Fri: 1pm – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 11pm

For more recommendation, please read my post on Best Desserts in Singapore