Step into a world of flavor with DFD’s cafe tour of the 10 hottest new cafes in Singapore.
Despite the hustle and bustle of urban living, there is always time to indulge in a decadent brunch, relish a robust cup of coffee, or simply revel in the cozy ambience of a quaint café.
This month, we venture from the fashionable Ralph’s Coffee at Marina Bay Sands to the serene Surrey Hills Grocer, tasting everything from Melbourne-inspired cuisine to 2D comic Thai dishes, and even stretchy ice cream.
These chic cafes not only offer delectable food but are also perfect for your Instagram feed.
Don’t forget to bookmark these 10 trendy spots for your next cafe-hopping adventure:
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)
The Coffee Affaire
Royal Square #01-22, 103 Irrawaddy Road, Singapore 329566
Opening Hours: 8am – 6pm (Mon – Thurs), 8am – 8pm (Fri – Sat), 8am – 4pm (Sun)
Hidden Cosy Novena Cafe With Brunch, Bakes And Tasty Cinnamon Rolls
Think of coffee as a love affair – that is what they do at The Coffee Affaire.
The Coffee Affaire is fronted by full-length glass walls, giving an easy peek of its minimalist layout.
Take one of the counter seats before looking at the menu, which serves all-day brunch, salads, sweets, and bakes.
The all-day brunch menu is appropriate although quite concise in numbers.
TCA Brekky ($20.55) is the everlasting big breakfast concept. Here, it consists smoked sausage, bacon strips, sauteed potatoes, mushrooms, greens and toast.
Have the Monte Cristo Croissant ($10.55), a sweet and savoury creation that is not too heavy.
It takes the flavours from melted Swiss cheese and ham, accentuated by a layer of raspberry jam spread over. The brunch menu is rounded off by TCA Brekky with Smoked Salmon ($21.55), BLT Croissant ($10.55), and Smoked Salmon Avocado Croissant ($13.55).
From the oven, The Coffee Affaire serves up some hard-hitters. Signatures start with Lychee Rose ($9), a Madagascan vanilla sponge with lychee pieces and rose-scented cream.
Coffee is priced rather affordably with Hot versions of Long Black ($4.50), Flat White ($5), Latte ($5), Mocha ($6), Caramel Macchiato ($6), Vanilla Latte ($6), you name it, you have it. Iced versions are an extra $1.
Consider getting the seasonal flavours and drinks ($10 – $13), which are brought in depending on the season of the year.
Read more at: The Coffee Affaire (Royal Square Novena)
CAFÉ REN
681 Race Course Road, #01-305, Singapore 210681 (Farrer Park Exit B)
Opening Hours: 9am – 6pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon
Brunch & Lava Cookie Cafe Opens At Farrer Park
The new 36-seater space has a simple and minimalist interior, while considered nothing fancy but at least homely and cosy.
On their Brunch menu, you can expect Ren Full Breakfast ($23), Mushroom Cheese Toast ($16), Egg, Pork Rosti ($18), Avocado Mentaiko & Egg ($18), Mango Sticky Rice Oatbowl ($15), and Banana Split Yogurt Bowl ($13).
My favorite was the Avocado Mentaiko & Egg ($18) that came with optional add-ons such as Smoked Salmon ($5), Maple-glazed char siew ($5), Folded/Gooey Egg/Sunny Side Up ($3), and Sautéed mushrooms ($4).
The Pulled Pork Roll ($19) came with marinated pulled pork sandwiched between brioche buns, accompanied by scrambled egg and thick-cut fries.
One cannot leave Café Ren without trying their famous Pistachio Lava Cookie ($10), served with a scoop of ice cream.
Using a 3-beans blend of Northwest Panama, South America, and East Africa for their espresso-based drinks, CAFÉ REN offers reasonable prices at $4 for a cup of Black and White, $5 for Mocha, and $6 for Affogato.
Read more at: CAFÉ REN (Farrer Park)
Rise Bakehouse – TripleOne Somerset
TripleOne Somerset #01-05, 111 Somerset Road, Singapore 238164
Opening Hours: 9:30am – 6:30pm (Sun – Thurs), 9:30am – 9:30pm (Fri – Sat)
Pretty Pink Cake & Waffles Cafe At TripleOne Somerset
If you love delectable baked delights and a cozy pastel pink cafe, then bookmark Rise Bakehouse at TripleOne Somerset. You may find this name familiar, as there is a first outlet of Rise which specialises in bakes and gelato at Potong Pasir.
This second outlet of Rise Bakehouse is noticeably more spacious, boasting tall ceilings, pastel pink walls, and an ambience enlivened by tastefully arranged dried flowers.
Their signature brown butter waffles are recommended with options ranging from Classic Gelato ($14.90), Fresh Berries ($16.90), to Chocolate Banana Brulee ($15.90).
The stars of the show were their diverse range of sliced cakes, ranging from Mango Coconut Cake, Osmanthus Oolong, Yuzu Mascarpone, to Thai Milk Tea Cake. Each slice starts from $8.20.
The Orh Nee Yam Cake ($8.20) is an inspired creation that harks back to our beloved Singapore “Orh Nee” yam dessert.
The Pistachio Honeycomb Cake had soft pistachio sponge, light honey chantilly cream, and crunchy homemade honeycomb made for a combination of textures and flavours, and the cake was beautifully topped with chopped pistachios and a honeycomb chunk.
To complement the cakes and pastries, the café offers an array of refreshing beverages, such as such as Injeolmi Cream Latte ($8.50), Yuzu Lemonade ($7), to Grape Yakult Honey Sencha ($7)
Read more at: Rise Bakehouse (Triple One Somerset)
STRETCH by unifive
430 Changi Road, Singapore 419872
Opening Hours: 24/7
Stretchy Ice Cream Cafe At Kembangan Opens 24/7
STRETCH by unfive aims to bring a whole new twist to the ice cream scene in Singapore.
One thing to note is that although the cafe is said to be open 24/7, it is advisable to check their Instagram page as they may be sold out. Online reviews have also been rather mixed.
A single scoop is priced at $4.90, while a double scoop costs $8.90. If you opt for premium flavours, an additional dollar will be charged.
They offer classic options such as Matcha, Chocolate, and Cappuccino, as well as unique flavors like Rose Pistachio, Cookie Monster (which is blue), Banana Walnut, Blueberry, and Honey and Lemon.
Their ice cream melted rather quickly though – like right after serving. Therefore, it is advisable to consume it promptly to fully enjoy the stretchy texture.
For those looking to elevate their ice cream experience, STRETCH offers an interesting add-on option.
The Croffles ($6.90 for 3 pcs) which provided a chewy accompaniment were served separately in a container.
Read more at: STRETCH by unifive (Changi Road)
Urban Folks
38 Margaret Drive, Margaret Market #01-07, Singapore 141038
Opening Hours: 9am – 6pm (Mon – Fri), 9am – 9:30pm (Sat – Sun)
Melbourne Inspired Queenstown Cafe With Jaffles, Acai Bowls And Coffee
Those who live around Queenstown would have noticed the new Margaret Market, an indoor food central, which is converted from the old Commonwealth Avenue Wet Market.
Urban Folks is one of the cafes there, which does Toasties, Acai, and Coffee, as proudly displayed on its signboard.
Jaffles are the hottest thing on the menu, also commonly known as toasted sandwiches, are a popular snack or meal in Australia.
They are essentially two pieces of toast, stuffed with savoury or sweet fillings, and the sides sealed shut in a special sandwich press known as a Jaffle iron.
They offer choices such as the Eggsquisite ($9.80) which packs Asian chilli eggs, chicken spam, and cheese into the toast. Think a ham & cheese, but spruced up with different complexities.
For something sweeter, the Nut-Tellin’Ya ($7) needs little introduction. Who could say no to Nutella-filled toast?
Read more at: Urban Folks (Margaret Drive)
The Homme Baker
38 Margaret Drive, Margaret Market 01-08, Singapore 141038
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 10pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon
Cute Swiss-Cheese Shaped Cakes Found At Margaret Market
Another cafe at Margaret Market, this patisserie is known for its T&J Collection which is inspired by the Tom and Jerry cartoon.
Each piece of a T&J cake ($8.80 onwards) looks exactly like a pop art swiss cheese, complete with the recognisable holes and comically triangular shape.
There are six flavours: T&J Ondeh, T&J Cheesecake Original, T&J Dark Chocolate Banoffee, T&J Strawberry Shortcake, T&J Raspberry Panna Cotta, and T&J Yuzu.
I had the signature T&J Ondeh – its exterior fashioned like a Cheesecake but is actually a pandan chocolate shell, lending a whimsical air to the overall presentation.
For special occasions, consider their whole cakes like the Auspicious Mandarin Orange Cake ($60), Classic Pineapple Upside Down Cake ($60), and the “Be Proud & Gorgeous” Chocolate Cake ($75).
These are also available in sliced forms.
Read more at: The Homme Baker (Margaret Drive)
Crazy Rich Thai
Paragon #01-25/25A, 290 Orchard Road, Singapore 238859
Opening Hours: 9am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Tiffany-Green And 2D Comic Cafe Opens At Orchard Paragon
Crazy Rich Thai, the latest addition to the gastronomic scene at Orchard Paragon, offers a distinctive dining experience.
In terms of interior, their cafe presents a mishmash of themes: Tiffany green accents brighten one half, a 2D comic black and white monochromic look dominates another.
Dishes like Crazy Rich Phad Thai ($22), Tycoon’s Fish Burger ($18), Wealthy Weeping Tiger Burger ($22), and Gold Digger Banana Pudding ($9) hint at the fun and playful essence of the cuisine here.
Beyond the cleverly named dishes, some online reviews reflected the actual culinary experience to be fairly standard.
Their all-day breakfast options seemed more reasonable, ranging from Rich Thai Breakfast ($19.80), Amerithai ($18.80), Khao Tom Talay ($18.80), Kuay Teow Lod ($13.80), Thai French Toast ($10.80), to Corn Beef Rosti ($16.80).
I opted for the Amerithai ($18.80), a mix of breakfast omelette with chicken kra pow, mushrooms, served with garlic toast, cereal and fruit yoghurt.
On the drinks menu, their Iced Latte goes for $8, Iced Mad Chocoholic at $10.50, Thai Milk Tea at $8, and Coconut Shake at $12. On the expensive side. But well, it’s Paragon.
Read more at: Crazy Rich Thai (Orchard Paragon)
Ralph’s Coffee
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands #01-72, 2 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018972
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Ralph Lauren Cafe Opens At The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
Ralph’s Coffee by Ralph Lauren, one of the first fashion brands to establish a cafe store in Singapore, has recently opened its first outlet within The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.
Introduced by the popular American fashion label, Ralph Lauren, this cafe concept boasts 18 other outlets worldwide and marks their permanent establishment in Singapore.
With a limited seating capacity for eight patrons, Ralph’s Coffee serves a selection of uncomplicated pastries and beverages for takeout.
Their signature item is their Ralph’s Coffee, a blend of beans from Brazil, Mexico, and Ethiopia. My takeaway cup of Flat White ($7), served with a double shot of dark roast espresso, was balanced, smooth, medium-bodied, and bore notes of dark chocolate and nuts.
The Pineapple Shaken Tea ($8), a Singapore-exclusive drink, is essentially a blend of pineapple juice with tea, garnished with peppermint leaves.
Their selection of light bites includes Sandwiches ($15 – $16), New York-style Cookies ($7), Brownies ($8.50), Loaf Cakes ($8.50), and Sliced Cakes ($13 – $14), neatly displayed at the counter.
I tried the Coconut Cake ($14), which comprised four layers of vanilla sponge, alternated with fresh cream and topped with desiccated coconut for an extra crunch.
The New York-style Cookie ($7) is available in flavours such as Peanut Butter & Jam, Oatmeal & Raisin, Sea Salt Chocolate Chip, and Red Velvet.
Read more at: Ralph’s Coffee (Marina Bay Sands)
Aimer La Patisserie
Aperia Mall #01-42, 12 Kallang Avenue, Singapore 339511
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 6pm (Mon – Sun)
Humble French Dessert Cafe At Lavender With Strawberry Cakes And Daifuku
Previously an online-only venture, Aimer La Patisserie—Aimer translating to “Love” in English—now adorns a cosy corner near Cold Storage within Aperia Mall.
The cafe is modest in size, offering limited seating, but what it lacks in space, it more than makes up for with its rather wide menu.
From exquisite cakes and homemade ice cream to enticing cookies and intriguing UFO Sandwiches, Aimer La Patisserie tries to cover a wide spectrum despite its size.
I chose the Classic Strawberry Fraisier ($9) in the end, with fresh strawberries added a pleasing tartness. This French-style strawberry cake had genoise sponge which was airy and light, yet held its structure, enveloping a creme mousseline that was silky and subtly sweet.
An unexpected delight was the Black Sesame Daifuku ($4), one of their interesting offerings alongside other flavours like strawberry, osmanthus rice wine, and passionfruit apricot.
The mochi dessert was filled with an earthy black sesame cream that held a fine balance between sweet and nutty. The inclusion of beancurd pudding added an interesting textural contrast.
Read more at: Aimer la Patisserie (Aperia Mall)
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10 NEW Cafes In Singapore Dec 2022
* Compiled by Daniel Ang @DanielFoodDiary, Dean Ang and Nicholas Tan @stormscape.
