A few years ago, the idea of cafes opening at residential neighbourhoods was simply farfetched and almost impossible. Fast forward to today, cafes are sprouting in these unassuming neighbourhoods – mainly because of cheaper rental – and we are certainly not complaining because everyone has its own charm and they are lovely and cosy in their own rights.
Here is a guide to 21 cafes that have opened in the quaint residential neighbourhoods around Singapore.
BUCKTILE ST. CAFE
New kid on the block, Bucktile St. Cafe, is situated at ground floor of Faberhills Apartment along Faber Drive. Deriving its name from the anagram of Bucket List, Bucktile St. Cafe serves coffee using beans from Toby’s Estate, an assortment of cakes which include Rainbow Cake (S$7.90), Earl Grey Cake (S$6.90), as well as a Mysterious Velvet Cake which can come in different colours like turquoise, orange, yellow or green. Another highly popular creation is the Flower Pot Dessert (S$5.90) that is available in three flavours – tiramisu, oreo and horlick.
104 Faber Drive
Tel: +65 6566 7058
Daily: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Clementi
CIEL PATISSERIE
Hougang may seem like an unlikely place to find a French patisserie, but that is exactly where Ciel Patisserie is located. This small patisserie has a wholesome range of cakes (S$4.80 – S$5.80), and tarts (S$4.20). Some of the creations that you can look forward to are Lemon Meringue Tart, Chocolate Caramel Tart, Strawberry Shortcake, and Brownie.
Ciel Patisserie is also listed in our guide to the best dessert places in Singapore.
124 Hougang Ave 1 #01-1444
Tel: +65 6383 0803
Tue to Thu: 11am – 8pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 9pm
Sun: 3pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Kovan/Serangoon
CREAMIER
Located in a small shop at the Toa Payoh neighbourhood, Creamier focuses on delivery good quality ice cream and sorbet. Fans of Creamier also swear by their waffles, which come in a high stack.
Creamier is also listed in our guide to the best waffles in Singapore.
#01-835, Block 128 Toa Payoh Lorong 1
Tel: +65 6250 1476
Tue to Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Braddell
DUTCH COLONY CAFE
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 its new full-fledge cafe at Frankel Avenue.
We love the vibe of the new outlet in the Siglap neighbourhood. Other than coffee, Dutch Colony Cafe also serves a small selection of breakfast (S$5.50 – S$10), sandwiches (S$8 – S$14) and cakes on its menu.
113 Frankel Avenue
Tel: +65 6448 5852
Sun to Thu: 9am – 8pm
Fri & Sat: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Kembangan
Located in the Kembangan neighbourhood, Fresh Fruits Lab is a must visit for folks who are staying in the East of Singapore. It is a bright and cheerful spot that is tastefully designed in a laboratory themed. Think iced water served in beakers, and fruit juices served in test tubes and conical flasks. The menu is also specially designed to incorporate a fruity element and even their side salads for the main courses come with a generous chunks of fresh fruits.
351 Changi Road
Tel: +65 6677 6741
Tue to Thu, & Sun: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 12midnight
Nearest Station: Eunos/Kembangan
HATTER STREET
Hatter Street is one of the newest dessert cafes to open in the heartlands. Located in a HDB estate – just a few units away from popular Thai eatery Nakhon Kitchen – it offers desserts with a twist.
Block 212 Hougang Street 21 #01-333
Tue to Sun: 1pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Kovan
LYNN’S CAKES & COFFEE
Just a few units down from Necessary Provisions is Lynn’s Cakes & Coffee where you can look forward to sweet treats like carrot cake, red velvet cake, chocolate cake and rainbow cake that are freshly baked on-site.
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.
Eng Kong Park
21 Eng Kong Terrace
Singapore 598993
Tel: +65 9231 7920
Wed – Thu: 10am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 10am – 12 Midnight
Sun: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Clementi
MILK & HONEY GELATO
Located next to Fengshan Market – a supper haven in the East of Singapore – Milk & Honey Gelato is a no-frills ice cream shop that does pretty decent gelato and waffles. After having bar chor mee at the market, come here to have the waffles (S$3.80) with a scoop Sicilian Pistachio with Belgian Chocolate Bits (S$4.20) for desserts.
Block 86 Bedok North Street 4
Tel: +65 9786 9754
Sun to Thu (Closed on Mon): 12pm – 12 midnight
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Bedok
NOM BISTRO & BAKERY
Quite possibly the first cafe to open in a community club, Nom Bistro & Bakery is a simple and no-frills cafe that serves homemade fare at inexpensive prices. Main courses include Beer Battered Fish & Chips (S$12.90), The Ultimate Burger (S$12.90), and Slow Roast Chicken Leg (S$12.90).
Nom is also known for its rainbow cakes which are available in oreo, salted caramel and chocolate flavours.
Level 1, Macpherson Community Club
400 Paya Lebar Way
Tel: +65 6747 3839
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Macpherson/Paya Lebar
Situated along Eng Kong Terrace, Necessary Provisions has already built up a strong following despite its inaccessible location. Besides coffee, the cafe dishes out a variety of sandwiches, pastas and breakfast food.
Necessary Provisions is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best coffee shops.
Eng Kong Park
21 Eng Kong Terrace
Tel: +65 9231 7920
Tue – Thu: 10am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 10am – 12 Midnight
Sun: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Clementi
A great addition to the Bedok neighbourhood, Percolate Coffee is well-designed, chic and serves good coffee. Predominantly brown, the café sits about 20 people, with small wooden tables and chairs, and a simple vase of Baby’s Breath on every table. Nothing overly pretentious or chi-chi, just a space for you to unwind over a cuppa and light music.
There is a small selection of cakes like Red Velvet, Lemon Raspberry and Salted Caramel, while coffee beans are from Papa Palheta and Nylon Coffee Roasters, so you can take your pick on your Whites and Capps.
136 Bedok North Avenue 3 #01-152B
Tel: +65 8259 0316
Mon: 10.30am – 9.30pm
Wed to Fri: 10.30am – 9.30pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Bedok
PLAIN VANILLA
Plain Vanilla Bakery has been gaining a legion of followers and it is easy to see why. Freshly baked good old-fashioned cupcakes – with flavours like cinnamon brown sugar, chocolate hazelnut, red velvet and milk chocolate chip. Simple joy like these always tugs the heart strings. Its newest cafe along Yong Siak Street has a small communal table where you can sit around to have a cupcake and drinks.
Plain Vanilla is also listed in our guide to Tiong Bahru.
1D Yong Siak Street
Tue to Fri: 11am – 8pm
Sat: 9am – 8pm
Sun: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru
SHROVE TUESDAY
Shrove Tuesday is a cafe that offers waffles, pastries and ice cream in the Toa Payoh neighbourhood. If you ever find yourself in the area, drop by and treat yourself to a waffle (S$5) with a scoop of ice cream.
#01-32, 94 Toa Payoh Lorong 4
Tel: +65 6258 2254
Sun to Thu: 10am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 10am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Braddell
SUNDAY MARKET
Located on Lim Tua Tow Road, Sunday Market serves a small but concise menu including toasts, pastas, duck dishes, salad and waffles — most dishes are reasonably-priced below S$15.. The coffee was sadly run-of-the-mill, but we will come back again for the Savoury Pancakes with Roasted Duck and Garlic Hoisin (S$12.90) and the excellent Sirloin Rendang Toast (S$15.90).
22 Lim Tua Tow Road
Mon to Fri: 1am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon
Tian Kee & Co is nestled within the old estate of Dakota, and its rural setting exudes an old charm that is so rare in the present Singapore. When we first drove past the unassuming block of low-rise flats, we saw a lovely sight – simple but traditional-looking monochrome signboard, wooden high table and seats, and ceiling fans. We knew we were going to like this retro concept.
12 Dakota Crescent #01-48
Tue to Sun: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Mountbatten
There are many cafes in the charming Everton Park neighbourhood, but The Provision Shop stands out for serving simple yet delicious meals at affordable prices.
The Provision Shop is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s top 20 inexpensive restaurants.
Block 3 Everton Park #01-79
Tel: +65 6225 9931
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 9pm
Sun: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Outram
The Tastemaker Store is like a mix of new and old. Sitting within the old estate of Bukit Ho Swee, it is a clean space that is well-utilised and furnished with a very understated flare. Long lamps and potted plants hanging from the ceiling spell the character of the cafe, and light retro tracks fill the lovely space with a comforting touch of the 70s.
Block 22 Havelock Road #01-705
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru
THE TINY ROASTER
The Tiny Roaster reminds us of Omotesando Koffee and Nylon Coffee Roaster – small, humble and homely. It has just opened two months ago in a tiny outlet on the ground level of a HDB in the West Coast neighbourhood.
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 only serves coffee, there is no food on the menu).
The Tiny Roaster is a welcome addition for folks who are staying in the West of Singapore. We will definitely be dropping by regularly when we need our caffeine fix.
612 Clementi West Street 1, #01-288
Tue to Sat: 11am – 8pm
Sun: 11am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Clementi
For those who frequent Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodles, you might have noticed Tolido’s Espresso Nook – a casual and laid-back cafe that serves coffee and simple comfort food like pastas, sandwiches and all-day breakfast.
It has a value-for-money lunch hour menu (from 12pm to 2.30pm) that features dishes like Bacon Mushroom Aglio Olio, Triple Cheese Baked Penne, and its signature Rosti with smoked bratwurst.
Block 462 Crawford Lane #01-63
Tel: +65 6648 0178
Tue to Thu: 9.30am – 7pm
Fri & Sat: 9.30am – 10pm
Sun: 9am – 6.30pm
Nearest Station: Lavender
Folks staying in the west will be very happy to know about W39 Bistro & Bakery, located on Jalan Mas Puteh off West Coast Road. 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
For more recommendations, read our guide to the best cafes in Singapore.
Highly recommend Craftsmen Coffee @ Siglap V. You should check it out, if you haven’t already
+1 Jewel Cafe on Rangoon road near Pek Kio market and community centre. Great coffee, and the blue cheese burger is hard to beat too!
The Hideout at @ Block 32 Cassia Crescent is also widely recommended! The wide variety of waffles and ice creams is very nice! Great place to chill out with your friends
It’s located right behind Maple N Market. (I live just a block away.)
Hey, a photo of the decor at Tolidos Nook would be nice. Lovely decor!
It’s a shame that Stirling Highway isn’t featured. Situated at the end of Ridgewood Close just after the condominium’s entrance, Stirling Highway serves up fresh, wholesome and scrumptious fare made from scratch! They bake, brew and cook. Love their pulled pork pancakes with Jack Daniel maple syrup and prawn pesto spaghetti as well as their lovely home mixed teas and alluring desserts. Do check them out!
Hey.. We just went to the Tiny Toasters at West Coast and were informed they don’t sell mains or any food, only coffee. They have a real tiny shop front and expect a long waiting time. We gave up and left.
Over the past 12 months or so, the numbers of café, bakeries and bistros have sprout out in the Tiong Bahru area.
These have often taken over the traditional coffee shop in the area, forcing the stalls to relocate or just call it a day.
Tourist comes to Tiong Bahru to see and experience the heritage and the charm of the place, not forgetting the food.
I can see in no time, Tiong Bahru will loose its charm and most important, its soul.
Craftsmen at Siglap V is well worth a visit.
I agree with Laura that Stirling Highway is definitely worth a mention!
I would like to comment on W39 Bristo only serve breakfast on weekends. I went on a weekday and they only serve lunch.
Espressivo Cafe @ 223 Jalan Besar provide Homemade style pizza, pasta, sandwich, toast, cake, cupcake….Coffee, Fruit Tea Shake, Tea @Infusion…. kids friendly cafe. A good cafe for children to show their talents… Children can play piano or place their Art masterpiece in the cafe too.
Nearest Station: Kembagang
Hi spelling error, it should be kembangan
So much rave about waffles…seeing quite a number of cafes having that…what about pancakes!? I suggest we should feature about pancakes too!
have you been to milk and honey gelato @ bedok 86? Try their pistachio gelato the next time you go bedok for bat chor mee.. you will love it..
A cosy and comfortable cafe at 223 Jalan Besar.The cafe serve a lot of local and western food..Dry Udon,Spicy Udon,Bacon Porridge, Chicken Porridge,Smoked Duck Wrap,Chicken Skewer,Hot Me Not,Local Breakfast, pizza, sandwich, cake,Bacon Set,Latte,Mocha…and much much more….
A beautiful cafe with piano, game set ….all at Espressivo Cafe.Hooray…
how come ” the hideout ” wasn’t mentioned ?
Hey Riz Cuit kitchen at 88 Rangoon rd is worth the mention too decent coffee and brunch ,cozy place! Awesomeness bake rice too!
Quiet cafe Rizcuit kitchen Fusion katsu rice very very nice! No sell waffles and pancake only homemade crepe cake UNIQUE I like