As we approach the end of the year, here’s a cafe guide on some of the best new cafe spots in 2023.
While “best” is a subjective term, our guide to the 12 Best NEW Cafes in Singapore for 2023 is curated with a holistic approach.
We consider not just the taste but also the vibes, ambiance, and the uniqueness each cafe offers.
From quaint, hidden coffee shops to dessert havens and accessible brunch places, this list promises to cater to a variety of preferences.
So whether you’re a discerning coffee lover, a sweet-toothed enthusiast, or simply in search of your next favorite chill spot, enjoy this guide to the latest and greatest in Singapore’s cafe culture in 2023:
Moonchild
351 Jalan Besar #01-01, Singapore 208988
Opening Hours: 9am – 10pm (Tues – Sat), 9am – 7pm (Sun), Closed Mon
Aesthetic Brunch & Coffee Place At Jalan Besar
One of the hottest new brunch place at Jalan Besar, Moonchild is opened by the same team behind Atlas, Columbus Coffee Co., Apollo Coffee Bar, Neptune, and Supernova.
Stepping into Moonchild, you would greeted by a stylish and contemporary ambiance, with a striking mature bottle tree feature in the middle.
The menu stands out with its creative twists on brunch classics which they call the “Morning Situation”.
You would find Banana Bread with Espresso Mascarpone ($12.60), Truffle Grilled Cheese Sandwich ($18.90), Hotcakes with Bacon & Chicken Sausage ($22), Rosti with Cheesy Frank & Eggs ($22.90), and Bestie Breakfast Burger ($20.90).
It was the Pork Dan Dan Scallion Noodles ($21) that stole the show for me.
Oh, not the usual pasta dishes, but they do have Aglio Olio, Carbonara, Cereal Prawn Spaghetti as well.
This bowl features Mala crisp pork, braised shiitake, grilled mushrooms, long beans, cucumbers, onsen egg, and scallion green sauce, all served with knife-cut noodles.
Read more at: Moonchild (Jalan Besar)
Surrey Hills Grocer
Raffles City #03-42, 252 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179103
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Melbourne-Inspired Café Opens At Raffles City, NEW Menu By MasterChef Singapore Winner
Oh, Surrey Hills Grocer indeed going places with a new outlet at Raffles City. Quite a suitable spot for café lovers seeking a more international spread.
The space’s name and design are both inspired by the picturesque Surrey Hills in Melbourne, with a touch of Sydney’s suburb culinary charm.
The menu is a repertoire of Australian and Singaporean fusion cuisine, with many new items designed by MasterChef Singapore 2 winner Derek Cheong.
Locally farmed and brined, check out the pan-seared Barramundi ($38) served alongside burnt cauliflower and quinoa rice, bathed in a fragrant coconut broth.
Their Laksa Prawn Linguine ($26) is another signature. The prawns were relatively succulent, while the pasta was al dente, holding onto the aromatic laksa sauce splendidly.
Coffee at Surrey Hills Grocer Café is sourced from Australia’s award-winning specialty roasters, including ONA coffee.
Read more at: Surrey Hills Cafe (Raffles City)
Lou Shang 楼上 by Mama Diam
38 Prinsep St, 02-02, Singapore 188665
Opening Hours: Cafe 9am – 5pm (Mon – Sun)
Bar: 6pm – 11pm (Tue – Thurs), 6pm – 12am (Fri – Sat), Closed Mon, Sun
HDB Themed Café Hidden Behind A Lift at Prinsep Street
Lou Shang 楼上 is a new HDB-themed cafe and speakeasy bar – to find it, literally walk up the narrow staircase walkway from Mama Dian.
You will see a typical HDB building lift lobby, with letterboxes, dustbin, noticeboard, and pamphlets lying everywhere.
All the little details in setting up the space are so intricate and well taken care of, that you might think that this resembles a real household.
The Breakfast features Rainbow Roti ($10) served in a tingkat till 12pm daily.
The iconic rainbow bread came in both toasted and steamed versions, coupled with assorted custard of Kaya, Milk, Chocolate and Bandung. I preferred the toasted rainbow bread which had a pleasant crisp.
Homemade noodles are freshly made, with local inspirations from the different races.
These include Chilli Crab Tortellini ($20), Hokkien Prawn Ravioli ($18), Pork Trotter Pappardelle ($18), Butter Chicken Tagliatelle ($18) and White Pepper Cream Potato Gnocchi ($18).
Read more at: Lou Shang (Prinsep St)
La Savoir
Scotts Square #02-01, 6 Scotts Rd, Singapore 228209 (Orchard MRT)
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10pm, Last Order 9pm (Mon – Sun)
French-Style Cafe At Scotts Square with Luxurious Setting
La Savoir is the newest French cafe to grace the artistically upscale Scotts Square. Upon entering the café, guests are instantly transported to a lavish European ambiance.
The contemporary décor, paired with the stunning Hermès tableware and wallpaper, is carefully selected to seamlessly blend elegance and style, creating an idyllic Parisian experience for all who visit.
Crafted by a team of accomplished culinary experts, La Savoir’s menu uniquely fuses French and local flavors, featuring standout dishes such as their signature Butter Board, Angus Beef Tartare, and Tomato-Burrata Soup, all served on exquisite Hermès tableware. Be careful not to break any!
Read more at: La Savoir (Scotts Square)
Le Matin Patisserie
ION Orchard #B2-49, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
French-Style Café At ION Orchard With Black Truffle Scrambled Eggs Croissant
Le Matin Patisserie has opened a brunch and bakery café in the heart of town at ION Orchard early in the year, bringing with it signature French delicacies for brunch, dinner and dessert.
This French-inspired patisserie aims to serve up an ever-evolving menu of unique pastries, expertly-crafted from ingredients sourced from the world over.
Diving straight to the new brunch items, they include the Black Truffle Scrambled Eggs Croissant ($34), Ox Tongue & Bresaola Croque Monsieur ($24), Seafood Pot Pie ($24), Crab, Caviar & Waffles ($24), to Smoked Beef Cheek Bahn Mi ($18).
While Croissant Sandwiches are a common offering in cafes now, this Black Truffle Scrambled Eggs Croissant ($34) spells “indulgence” all over.
What you get is a round croissant of a burger stacked with black truffle aioli and truffle paste, fluffy and buttery scrambled eggs. Not forgetting 8g of sliced black truffles on top.
Read more at: Le Matin Patisserie (ION Orchard)
Keong Saik Bakery, Bendemeer
70 Bendemeer Road, Luzerne Building #01-03, Singapore 339940
Opening Hours: 8am – 7pm (Mon – Fri), 8am – 6pm (Sat – Sun)
Keong Saik Bakery Opens At Bendemeer
Keong Saik Bakery has come a long way since its opening in 2017, known for its ‘Sor Hei’ and Chendol Delight Cake back then.
This current flagship outlet is instagrammable, trendy and aesthetically pleasing with a Korean-cafe vibe.
Some of their signature bakes with nostalgic childhood favourites incorporated include Purple Milk (inspired by Pulut Hitam), Gula Jawa Sticky Rice Cake, Chendol Delight ($8.40), Attap Chee Rose Cheesecake ($8), Orh Nee Tart ($8.50) & Otak Otak Danish ($4.40).
Their best seller Chendol Delight ($8) is still around, and probably resonate well with the local customer base. Its presentation though, is very different from how it started in 2017.
It has rich and smooth gula melaka coconut custard embedded with red bean, attap chee and topped with pandan jelly, very much like eating chendol in a deconstructed cake form.
Check out a beautiful blue cake, the Seashore 2.0 ($8.80) with a top layer of sea salt butterfly pea mousse and butterfly pea whipped ganache.
Read more at: Keong Saik Bakery (Bendemeer)
Elijah Pies
7 Tanjong Pagar Plaza #01-102 Singapore 081007
Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm (Mon – Wed), 10am – 10pm (Thurs – Sun)
Artisanal Dessert Pie Cafe Opening At Tanjong Pagar
While it used to be very much a baking studio concept (at King George’s Ave), Elijah Pies launched its first dine-in bakery-café and studio in the heart of Tanjong Pagar.
Ideal for lovers of the famous choco-hazelnut spread Nutella, the Nutella Pie is an all-time favourite among regular customers.
This 9-inch pie which serves 8 to 16 people combines the bittersweet taste of luscious dark chocolate and roasted hazelnuts all in one smooth paste.
Elijah Pies’ imaginative menu extends beyond the classics, with unique dessert pie options like Lime Thyme Pie, Honey Chrysanthemum Pie, Matcha Latte Pie, Pandan Coconut Pie, and Earl Grey Rose Pie.
Not content to rest on their dessert laurels, Elijah Pies recently introduced their first savoury creations, the Black Truffle Mash Pie and the Scallop Chowder Pie.
The Black Truffle Mash Pie is a decadent ensemble of custard, parmesan cheese, portobello mushroom, and hazelnuts, topped with a velvety layer of black truffle-infused mashed potato.
Read more at: Elijah Pies (Tanjong Pagar Plaza)
Butter by Two Men Bagel House
10A Exeter Road #01-02 Singapore 239958 (Somerset)
Opening Hours: 8am – 4pm, 5pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Bagelwich, Croissantwich And Pancakes At Somerset
A bagel cafe called “Butter” right in the heart of town?
Butter The Grease Station by Two Men Bagel House is actually found right next to Somerset‘s skate park within Trifecta – Asia’s first-ever snow, surf, and skate attraction.
Over here, they put a spotlight on three comforting classics – Bagels, Croissants, and Pancakes.
And true to its name, there is a golden thread tying everything together… butter.
For those keen to try Bagelwiches, there are the Sweet Chickens ($18) with fried chicken with sriracha honey butter; and Sup’ Beef ($20) included with hamburg au jus, sauteed mushrooms, sunny egg and more.
I saw “spam” and couldn’t resist. Loved the Poo Bear Bagelwich ($19), a mix of spicy peanut butter, spam, scrambled egg, pork floss, and garlic aioli. Promising place.
Read more at: Butter by Two Men Bagel House (Somerset)
Nickel
258 Middle Road #01-01, Singapore 188987 (Bugis)
Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon
Lee’s Confectionery Returns Near Bugis, With A NEW Name And Pastry Offerings
Lee’s Confectionery has found its new home on Middle Road, a comfortable stroll from Bugis MRT station. But it has been reborn as “Nickel Café”.
Baker-owner Lee has a diploma in French pastry from Ferrandi Paris, and has gathered other business partners to boost up its coffee and drinks selection.
The Pain Au Chocolat ($4.50), Croissant ($4), Almond Raisin ($5), and the Kouign Amann ($5) are the current stars of the menu.
A special mention must be given to their Chocolate Souffle, a limited offering that blurs the lines between cake and souffle.
Topped with ice cream, this dessert presented a fluffy texture that was moderately light and airy akin to a souffle, but with the substance of a chocolate cake.
Read more at: Nickel (Middle Road)
Paaru パール
195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace, #01-61, Singapore 168976
Opening Hours: 9am – 7pm (Mon – Tues, Thurs – Fri), 8am – 6pm (Sat – Sun), Closed
Wed
’Hidden’ Hilltop Cafe With Japanese Home Vibes
Paaru パール is the latest ‘hidden’ gem, tucked away in the erstwhile police barracks at 195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace.
It promises to transport you to a Japanese home, with its serene Zen-like ambience and attention to aesthetic details.
The coffee space is not the easiest to get to, tucked away in the erstwhile police barracks it is in.
The menu includes simple yet comforting Fruit Salad ($10) and Bircher Muesli ($14), to the more decadent French Toast Shokupan ($12).
Their special Japanese milk bread lends a unique flavour profile to several dishes, making it an integral part of the Paaru experience.
A special mention must be made of their signature Eggs on Shokupan ($12). You have the choice of either poached or creamy scrambled eggs served on a slice of their fresh milk bread. Further personalise this dish with a range of add-ons like portobello mushroom, thick-cut bacon, or homemade jam, making it a versatile breakfast option.
Read more at: Paaru パール (195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace)
Ingen Kyoto
ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, #B3-15/16, Singapore 238801
Opening Hours: 12pm – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)
Zen-Inspired Kyoto Teahouse Experience at ION Orchard
‘Travel’ to Kyoto without being there? Ingen Kyoto is a new Japanese tea-specialty teahouse located at ION Orchard, Singapore.
Created by the team behind Hvala, it offers a tranquil tea experience inspired by Zen Buddhist monk Ingen Ryuki.
The interior mimics a Japanese tea room with shoji windows, wooden lattice sliding doors, tatami mats, and a range of seating options.
Offering about 200 Japanese tea options, each tea can be brewed three times for varying flavours.
They also have an ever-changing dessert menu which reflects the 24 sekki micro-seasons with ingredients that change subtly over time.
This teahouse also features a retail section showcasing Kyoto craftsmanship. Good to go if you are missing Japan loads.
Read more at: Ingen Kyoto (ION Orchard)
The Coffee Code Singapore
37 Neil Road, Singapore 088822
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Fri), 11am – 11pm (Sat), 10am – 10pm (Sun)
Popular Malaysian Cafe Opens At Neil Road With Bak Kwa Waffles
You may find this cafe’s name familiar, as it is a brand from East Malaysia with various locales across Sarawak such as Sibu, Miri, Bintulu, Kuching, and Sarikei.
Stepping into the heart of Singapore’s burgeoning cafe scene at Neil Road, I was met with the aroma of The Coffee Code.
Greeting visitors with an interior palette of soft pastel and muted grey shades, The Coffee Code creates a serene atmosphere that invites relaxation.
The most popular item here, undoubtedly is the Waffles. Available in classic plain or intriguing black rice variants (with a nominal $1 additional charge), the latter is a unique touch not often seen.
I settled on the T.C.C Chicken Waffles ($19, +$1 for black rice base), and it did not disappoint – well, at least partly.
While the black rice waffles had a delightful crispness, the accompanying cajun grilled chicken, a deviation from the conventional deep-fried version, could be more flavourful.
Coffee can be paired with cakes displayed at the counter like the Cranberries Browned Butter Cake ($2.50), Cranberries Browned Butter Cake ($3.50), Apricot Browned Butter Cake ($3.50), or the nostalgic Classic Banana Cake ($2.50).
Read more at: The Coffee Code Singapore (Neil Road)
Other Related Entries
10 NEW Cafes In Singapore Dec 2023
10 NEW Cafes In Singapore Nov 2023
10 NEW Cafes In Singapore Oct 2023
10 NEW Cafes In Singapore Sep 2023
10 NEW Cafes In Singapore Aug 2023
10 NEW Cafes In Singapore Jul 2023
10 NEW Cafes In Singapore Jun 2023
10 NEW Cafes In Singapore May 2023
10 NEW Cafes In Singapore Apr 2023
10 NEW Cafes In Singapore Mar 2023
10 NEW Cafes In Singapore Feb 2023
10 NEW Cafes In Singapore Jan 2023
* * Compiled by Daniel Ang @DanielFoodDiary and Nicholas Tan @stormscape.
