Tucked away in the Yio Chu Kang heartlands is newcomer Prodigal Roasters, an independent specialty 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. So, is it worth visiting?

Prodigal Roasters’ inviting minimalistic decors instantly reminded us of Hong Kong’s newly opened Omotosando Koffee albeit significantly smaller in size.

Owner Glen Ho started his passion of roasting coffee beans from home but has since taken it up a notch by producing larger batches, and then eventually getting down to opening his own specialty coffee shop.

Prodigal Roasters’ limited-but-focused menu features a selection of coffees, teas and sweet treats. The aromatic single-origin coffees – sourced from Panama – are roasted in-house and coffee lovers can purchase these lovely roasts in 250-gram packages at S$15 each. Prices of coffees here range from S$3 for an espresso, S$4 for a flat white to S$4.50 for a mocha.

We thoroughly enjoyed the fragrant, smooth and medium-bodied coffees that have struck a harmonious balance between fruity and nutty.

It is worth mentioning that the exact flavour profile of these beans will be changed every month as Prodigal Roasters is passionate in introducing new flavours to its customers.

The handcrafted desserts are baked in-house and we must say, that is quite an impressive feat for such a small-scale boutique cafe. Complement your coffees with a Miso Cheese Tart (S$4.50) or a Rocky Road Tart (S$4.50).

Prodigal Roasters
Blk 625 Ang Mo Kio Ave 9
#01-112
Singapore 560625
Tel: +65 9450 0484
Tue: 12pm – 7pm
Wed to Sun: 9am – 7pm
Closed on Mondays
Nearest Station: Yio Chu Kang

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.

Unlike the other regions of Singapore, the North is still relatively new to the cafe scene. If you are a long-time resident of the region, you might have been perplexed with the lack of cafes and faced with the need to constantly travel out for an added variety of interesting eats.

Thankfully, the Gods have heard our prayers and many new cafes have begun to sprout in certain corners of the Northern District in Singapore. You will be surprised to find some of these places taking root near neighbourhood estates which are really accessible and easy to spot.

Here are some of our picks on cafes to visit in the North in Singapore.

#1 BAKER’S BREW STUDIO

Baker’s Brew Studio is a sanctuary for the baking enthusiasts in Singapore. It does not have a dine-in area, but you can takeaway their freshly baked creations such as as the famed Paddlepop Cheesecake (S$6.80) and macarons!

Baker’s Brew Studio
No. 6 Jalan Tampang
Singapore 758950
Tel: +65 9069 5096
Daily: 10:30am to 10pm
Nearest MRT: Sembawang

Here’s our guide to 27 cafes in the West of Singapore and we hope that it will spark some venturing out and give you some ideas on where to eat out at next.

#2 CANOPY GARDEN DINING & BAR

If you are looking for the right cafe to chill out while enjoying some serenity away from the bustling city, then this would be it. The menu at Canopy is not the most impressive, but the array of egg-related dishes should suffice to please. Do try out their Egg Sardou (S$21) – poached eggs served on artichoke hearts and truffles drizzled with an overflowing amount of hollandaise sauce.

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

Bishan Park II
1382 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1
Singapore 569931
Tel: +65 6456 6556
Mon to Fri: 9am – 10pm
Sat to Sun, Eve of PH: 9am – 11pm
Nearest MRT: Bishan

#3 DOUBLE SCOOPS

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

Block 226A Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 #01-627
Singapore 561226
Tel: +65 6452 0208
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio

#4 GRUB

At Grub, diners will be able to enjoy a dining experience amidst 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 would be perfect for a gorgeous photo. Dishes to try are the Mentaiko Fries (S$9) and their GRUB cheeseburger (S$19).

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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 – 4pm, 5:30pm – 10:30pm
Nearest MRT: Bishan

#5 GRIN AFFAIR

At the Bishan Outlet, Grin Affair offers its expanded menu. Having known for their cakes in a jar, the cafe wowed us further with their Soy Meringue Waffles made with healthier ingredients such as soy milk, whipped egg whites and canola oil. Diners can go for either the sweet or savoury waffle options where ingredient choices are aplenty. Other special mentions go to their Durian and Lychee Passion cakes in a jar.

Blk 505D, Bishan St 11, #01-408
Singapore 570505
Tel: +65 8222 2678
Mon: 5pm – 10pm
Tue to Sun & PH: 1pm – 10pm
Nearest MRT: Bishan

#6 HOLY COW CREAMERY

Holy Cow Creamery opened its doors last year. Being one of the leading cafes in Yishun, it has become a hit with the residents there and even those who do not reside in the district.

This humble ice cream parlour serves fresh homemade ice cream, with unique flavours that are bound to tickle your taste buds such as Orh Nee, Mr Potato Head and Miss Saigon at S$2.90 a scoop.

Holy Cow Creamery
292 Yishun Street 22, #01-291
Singapore 760292
Tue to Thu, Sun: 11:30am – 10pm
Fri to Sat: 11:30am – 11pm
(Closed on Mon)
Nearest MRT: Yishun

#7 PRODIGAL ROASTERS

Tucked away in the Yio Chu Kang heartlands is newcomer Prodigal Roasters, an independent specialty 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.

Blk 625 Ang Mo Kio Ave 9
#01-112
Singapore 560625
Tel: +65 9450 0484
Tue to Fri: 9am – 8pm
Sat: 8am – 3pm
Sun: 8am – 6pm
Closed on Mondays
Nearest Station: Yio Chu Kang

#8 SAVOURY

Jalan Kayu is a well-known street in Singapore, and apart from roti prata, it is also home to many established cafes and restaurants. An up-and-coming bistro in the row of shophouses that you should know about is Savoury.

For all our Muslim friends and those who are bringing their Muslim friends out for tea or a meal, Savoury offers Halal-certified mains and homemade gelato!

The bistro opens till late and there is no service charge. And most of the mains are affordably priced below S$20. This is a place where you can have a hearty meal without breaking the bank.

246 Jalan Kayu
Singapore 799470
Tel: +65 6752 9288
Mon to Fri: 6pm – 11.30pm
Sat: 12pm – 1.30am
Sun: 12pm – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Sengkang

#9 THE DAILY SCOOP ICE CREAM CAFE

Established in 2004, The Daily Scoop started as a small ice cream shop in Clementi Arcade, and it has currently three more outlets at Chip Bee Gardens, School Of The Arts, and Sembawang Cottage.

The smooth Kaya Ice Cream (S$3.50) at The Daily Scoop tickled our local taste buds and left quite an impression. Other unique flavours include their Passion Pinada made with a trio of tropical fruits – Pineapple, Passionfruit, and Mango.

#01-05 Sembawang Cottage,
Singapore 758382
Tel: +65 6754 1233
Mon to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 10.30pm
Sun: 2pm – 10pm

#10 TWENTY GRAMMES

Essentially a dessert cafe and ice cream parlour, Twenty Grammes has been constant in serving up quality ice cream, great waffles and unique flavours. It first started with a space along North Bridge Road, and it has recently opened a new cafe in Ang Mo Kio.

529 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 #01-2353
Singapore 560529
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 1am
Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio

#11 WORKBENCH BISTRO

This industrial stylised cafe at Ang Mo Kio serves affordable cafe fares priced below S$20, such as their Crab Meat Linguine (S$16) and all-time favourite Beef Burger (S$14). The cafe brews coffee from Dutch Colony beans, which we know can never go wrong. Workbench Bistro is also known for their array of ice creams that are bound to pacify the meanest sweet tooth.

Blk 332, Ang Mo Kio Ave 1, #01-1881
Singapore 560332
Tel: +65 8484 2488
Tue to Sat: 12pm – 10pm
Sun: 10am – 9pm
(Closed on Mon)
Nearest MRT: Ang Mo Kio

#12 YAHAVA KOFFEEWORKS

With numerous coffee machines and beans on display, Yahava Koffeeworks would be any coffee lover’s dream place to be. This Australian Coffee Chain serves coffee from single origin beans sourced from different parts of the world, with various pastries and cakes sold to complete your drinking experience.

Free koffee tasting sessions are also available for you to customize a cuppa that is solely suited for you.

4 Jln Gelenggang
Singapore 578188
Tel: +65 6554 7080
Daily: 9am – 6pm
Nearest MRT: Yio Chu Kang or Ang Mo Kio

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: