Every month, a fresh batch of cafes emerges, offering a new haven for caffeine lovers and foodies to explore.
We at DFD have an insatiable appetite for discovery, especially when it comes to the cafe scene.
It is not just about the coffee for us – it’s the whole package: the ambience, the food, the story behind each place.
If you’re like us, always on the lookout for your next cozy nook or the next Instagrammable spot, then you’re in for a treat.
Whether you are hoping to have a laid-back afternoon, a productive work session, or a memorable date, these 10 cafes are worth penciling into your schedule:
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)
Great Nanyang Heritage Cafe
5 Craig Road, Singapore 089665 (Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 9pm (Mon – Sun), Last orders 8:30pm
Nostalgic-Style Local Cafe At Tanjong Pagar
Stepping into Great Nanyang Heritage Cafe 大南洋 on Craig Road at Tanjong Pagar feels like stepping back in time.
The ambiance oozes nostalgia, paying homage to the traditional kopitiams of old Malaysia and Singapore.
Customers can expect the likes of timeless favourites such as Hainanese Chicken Cutlet ($15.90), Nasi Lemak Kukus ($8.90 onwards), and Dry Mee Siam ($8.90), each capturing the essence of the owner’s memories of childhood and passion for preserving cultural heritage.
The Signature Hainanese Chicken Cutlet ($15.90) is recommended, with special sauce infused with butter and fragrant pandan leaves.
There is also Nasi Lemak Kukus ($8.90 onwards) made from long-grain basmati rice, which can be paired with chicken berempah, curry chicken, sambal petai prawns, and rendang mutton.
The vintage-inspired furnishings and the beautiful layout makes it quite a place to hang out.
Read more at: Great Nanyang Heritage Cafe (Craig Road)
uptown.
55 Zion Road, Singapore 247780
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 6pm (Wed – Sun), Closed Mon, Tues
Cool Vintage Fashion Cafe With Sausage Muffin And Kimchi Chicken Burger
The café & vintage fashion shop can be found at Zion Road, just across Great World and a stone’s throw away from Zion Riverside Food Centre.
It is not a hard café to find, thanks to the white awning sporting the “uptown.” letterheads.
There is an alfresco area and an indoor space. The shopping portion is located near the entrance, carrying all sorts of apparel (mainly man’s fashion) and accessories.
For brunch, satisfying fare such as Kimchi Fried Chicken Burger ($24) are up for grabs. This one uses a potato bun for extra fluff, with some tangy kimchi held in between.
I loved the crispy sweet potato fries by the way, but did wonder about the overall pricing which was slightly on the higher side.
If you visit, very corner of uptown is a potential Instagram shot, from the arched windows to the full length mirror on one side of the wall.
Read more at: uptown. (Zion Road)
NOWAFTER Cafe
Design Orchard #03-01, 250 Orchard Road, Singapore 238905
Opening Hours: 9am – 6pm (Mon – Sun)
Korean Inspired Bakes At Somerset With Monochromic Design
Nestled on the bustling Orchard Road at Design Orchard’s Level 3 (I think many will simply walk past and miss this building), NOWAFTER café is a new café spot to head to at Somerset.
The transition is characterised by its monochromatic design that extends to both its spacious interior and crafted bakes.
Upon entering the café, one can’t help but be struck by the minimalist black-and-white theme, a stark departure from the typical pastel-filled café décor.
The savoury Charkey Bun ($13) stands out with its charcoal black exterior, embracing a center filled with mozzarella, garlic herbs butter, and truffle sour cream.
In addition to the savory selection, the cakes menu is equally intriguing, featuring items like Blackmisu with a hint of alcohol, the rich Matcha Basque Cheese Cake served with Mascarpone Vanilla Cream, and the decadent Dark Cocoa Meringue Brownie.
Read more at: NOWAFTER Cafe (Design Orchard)
Hey Slow Joe
1 Tessensohn Road, #01-10, Singapore 217701 (Boon Keng MRT)
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm (Mon – Sun)
Slow Down And Savour Coffee At This Farrer Park Cafe
As its name implies, Hey Slow Joe strives to be a coffee stop where customers can slow down and savour life, even amidst the bustling city.
It is a short walk from Boon Keng MRT station, though drivers may have a little trouble finding nearby parking spots.
The coffee menu at Hey Slow Joe is curated with a variety of favourites, from the standard Black ($5) and White ($6) to others such as Mocha ($7), Dirty ($5), Piccolo ($5), and Affogato ($8).
The choice of using a single origin for Sumatra is noteworthy, as many cafes in Singapore opt for blends. Prices are modest, with a cup of black starting from $5.
However, the standout is the Magic Joe ($6) creation that offers a refreshing blend of yuzu as its base, enhanced with sparkling tonic water and topped with a butterfly pea flower concoction.
For those with a sweet tooth, Hey Slow Joe provides a small selection of in-house baked tarts including a Chocolate Hazelnut Praline ($8).
Read more at: Hey Slow Joe (Boon Keng)
Pocket by Flip Coffee Roasters
619H Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 269728
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm (Mon – Tues, Thurs – Sun), Closed Wed
Quality Coffee And Good Vibes At NEW Bukit Timah Café
Flip Coffee Roasters entered the coffee scene in 2021 as a specialty focused micro-roastery.
Crafting the exceptional coffee experience begins from the beans. As every roastery that brands itself as specialty focused, Pocket carries some great beans from quality sources.
For non-coffee stuff, Pocket carries tea from Antea Social, a local teahouse based in Tyrwhitt Road.
Where food is concerned, seasonal in-house bakes are probably best, to satiate the bouts of munchies you have. For hungrier times, come in before 2.30pm for some “Bomb-ass Toasties”. They come served with a side of house pickles.
Four types of toasties, including Mushroom ($17), Pulled Pork ($18), Breakfast ($18), and Tomato Basil Cheese ($15) come piping hot from the oven.
Read more at: Pocket by Flip Coffee Roasters (Bukit Timah Road)
Cafe Wabi Sabi
3 Everton Park, #01-79, Singapore 080003
Opening Hours: 10am – 8pm (Mon – Fri), 8:30am – 5pm (Sat – Sun)
Hidden Japanese-Inspired Cafe At Everton Park With Tasty Tonkatsu Sando & Donburi
Situated in Everton Park, this cafe is facing a main road, beckoning passersby with the allure of Japanese-inspired cuisine in a tranquil setting.
Among the Sandos, one can choose from Tamagoyaki, Pork Katsu, Teriyaki Chicken, and Beef Steak, all served in homemade shokupan bread.
With prices starting at $8.90 and an option to add fries for $2.50, these offerings bring a more affordable taste of Japan to Singapore.
I opted for the Pork Katsu Sando ($11.90) a symphony of tonkatsu, mixed greens, cucumber, tomato, goma sauce, and tonkotsu sauce. The succulent pork beautifully complemented by the rich and tasty sauce.
The balance of textures and flavors was quite surprisingly quite delicious and left me satisfied.
On the Donburi front, the choices sound equally tantalising, ranging from Mentai Karaage, Pork Katsu, Sukiyaki, Yakitori, Teriyaki Chicken, Beef Steak, Salmon Mentai, to Teriyaki Salmon. Bowls start at $14.90.
Read more at: Cafe Wabi Sabi (Everton Park)
PöONSTI
127 Owen Road, Singapore 218931
Opening Hours: 9:30am – 3pm (Mon – Sun)
Handmade Rosti Delights Await At This Farrer Park Cafe, 5 Types To Choose From
Old Hen Coffee in the Farrer Park area should be a familiar name for café lovers in Singapore.
Nestled in the enchanting neighborhood of Farrer Park, it has been around since 2014 and has seen itself evolve while staying true to its coffee roots.
It has now introduced Poonsti – a new Rosti concept that promises to allure and satisfy Rosti lovers.
Poonsti elevates the simple comfort food Rosti is, offering five signature variations, each priced between $12 to $18.
During my visit, I was guided to try the Rosti ($18) with house cured bacon, fried egg, hot tomato jam, cream cheese, and pickled radish.
The bacon, thick-cut and lovingly marinated, was an experience in itself. The sweet marinate kissed the meat, enhancing the savoury profile while allowing the smokiness to linger.
Read more at: Poonsti (Owen Road)
Love, Joy & Coffee
Velocity @ Novena Square #02-K9, 238 Thomson Road, Singapore 307683
Opening Hours: 8am – 6pm (Mon – Sun)
Novena Cafe With Hoagie Rolls And Savoury French Toast
Presenting itself as a cosy nook within Level 2 of Velocity (near Liv Activ and a level below the food court side), where one can escape into a quieter world in a mall.
This cafe promises a cozy escape from the busy shopping center with its good coffee and charming interior.
This new cafe is actually sister café to Grace Espresso at River Valley at River Valley which I have a soft spot for and written about when it first opened.
The menu features a mix of Hoagie Rolls, Light Breakfast, and Brioche French Toast. The Hoagie Rolls come with choices such as Dragonball Sub, Mustard Chicken, Yogurt Chicken, Truffle Mushroom, and Spicy Tuna, priced from $10.80 to $12.50.
The Brioche French Toast also piqued my interest. With options like Beef Rendang, Creamy Mushroom Toast, Brekkie French Toast, or Dessert French Toast, priced from $14.80 to $16.80.
Read more at: Love, Joy & Coffee (Velocity @ Novena Square)
Waved Coffee & Juice Bar
2 Fowlie Road, #01-06, Singapore 428505
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 5pm (Mon – Fri), 8:30am – 6pm (Sat – Sun), Closed PH
Interesting “Tech-Optimised” Cafe In Singapore, Found At Joo Chiat
Sitting in the Joo Chiat neighbourhood, surrounded by old-school shops and fusion cuisines, Waved Coffee & Juice Bar is making waves in beverages.
Here is a café that says it is the world’s first tech-optimised coffee and juice bar – something that is not so easy to explain.
It says it is the first ever beverage-tech start-up to utilise proprietary electromagnetic wave technology to produce beverages.
A fridge in the corner has all of the bottles of cold-pressed juices offered. There are nine blends of juices.
Not much for juices? Coffee works. 8oz drinks like Black ($4.50), White ($5.50), Mocha ($6.50), and Chocolate ($6.50) serves your caffeinated or non-caffeinated needs.
The coffee is brewed with their “Waved Water”, which is filtered water that has been run through their proprietary technology.
Pastries are available, in collaboration with various local brands on a rotation basis.
Read more at: Waved Coffee & Juice Bar (Fowlie Road)
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10 NEW Cafes In Singapore Dec 2022
* Compiled by Daniel Ang @DanielFoodDiary, Dean Ang and Nicholas Tan @stormscape.
