Top 10 Cafés in Singapore

Just like we did with The 10 Best Cafés of Istanbul and The Top 10 Cafés of New York This time we decided to go a little bit more to the East – the Far East. We took a quest upon ourselves to find you the best cafés and coffee shops around Singapore.

Known to the public as the „Lion city“, „Garden city“ or as a „Little Red Dot“, Singapore is, in the past few years, became one of the hottest travel destinations. While you are visiting this cosmopolitan city-state there are a lot of things you should check out.

But, before we begin, we have to mention a few things that are crucial for the topic we are talking about – coffee shops and the culture of drinking coffee in Singapore. Singapore is at the moment one of the leading economic centers in shipping and banking in the world.

They are now rushing towards the future with their innovative architecture, no-nonsense lifestyle attitude, standard and cost of living which is almost up to two times higher than of their neighbor’s. However, while they are experiencing huge economic changes, one of the things they decided to keep and nurture is the one that is closely tied to the culture of drinking coffee as well as the coffee shops in Singapore.

The aspect they decided to cherish is in the notion of „kopitam“ where „kopi“ means „coffee“, and „tiam“ which is Hokkein word for „shop“. History of these coffee shops is, without any doubt, an interesting one. It all started in the beginning of the 18th century when Singapore had a flood of European immigrants who were coming in order to speed up the development of the country.

Right around that time kopi, the drink was born, and kopitams became the places where everyone came after a long working day to take a break and socialize. In the past years, even though, Singapore made its name by being a cosmopolitan city, his own culture of coffee is still very present.

That’s why they try to maintain the old tradition of drinking various types of coffee and socializing and mix it with the modern one, with more sleek and urban look and put it all into one frame. We found the best of the best out here, so you don’t have to think twice if you find yourself roaming trough Singapore. So, let’s have a look.

 

10. Common man coffee roasters

• Address: 15 Moreton Close Serangoon Garden Estate, Singapore
• Telephone: +65 6836 4695
• Working hours: 8am – 7pm
• Website: www.commonmancoffeeroasters.com

Located along Singapore River, Common Man Coffee Roasters is a perfect reward after a walk through picturesque Singapore streets. The modern and sleek design perfectly fit the urban vibe of the coffee shop, and it rather looks like a perfect mix of a European venue and an Asian one.

But as you make yourself comfortable taking a seat and drinking your coffee, you will be able to tell a different story. You will have to admit that this shop possesses a well-balanced mix of Western and Asian flavors. You will know that they are serious about their coffee once you try it. The well-roasted coffee beans are made to meet the expectations of the most demanding customers and served with perfectly executed latte art.

Even though we can say endless praises about the setting, atmosphere, the food they prepare with extreme care and their coffee the service should be better. The staff is not very attentive and sometimes you have to remind them to bring you your order. You shouldn’t hold that to their account since it is a very busy place teeming with people and some mistakes tend to happen.

None the less, one thing you should certainly be careful about is the crowdedness in this coffee shop because it can be noisy and you may not get a seat due to the lack of free space. However, this place is definitely worth waiting. Arm yourself with patience and you won’t regret it. 

9. Nylon Coffee Roasters

• Address: 4 Everton Park Everton Park, Singapore
• Telephone: +65 6220 2330
• Working hours: 9am – 6pm
• Website: www.nyloncoffee.sg

If you are a passionate coffee lover than Nylon Coffee Roasters is the right place to visit while you are in Singapore. The reason for that is definitely because they bring coffee making to a whole different level.

Furthermore, their work is led by the notion that every coffee has its own story which needs to be told and presented to the customer, which adds to the value and makes a greater experience for every customer that walks in. With their avant-garde décor this quaint little coffee shop makes one of a kind experience for coffee lovers.

However, you should keep in mind that in Nylon Coffee Roasters you won’t find any food, so better eat before you visit this place or visit it after the meal. This is rather a small and a hidden place, reminding us of Eden, which makes time stop and wakes up all your senses.

The staff of Nylon Coffee Roasters is polite, at your service and will patiently explain to every willing customer what kind of coffee they are drinking, or will recommend the perfect coffee choice and that way they will make the experience even better.

This place is all-inclusive: here, you can find hipsters, couples, whole families and just in short passionate coffee lovers. With this place, you don’t have to think twice, go and you won’t regret it.

8. Ya Kun Kaya Toast

• Address: 18 China St | Far East Square, Singapore
• Telephone: +65 6438 3638
• Working hours: Work days: 7.30 am – 7 pm; Weekends: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
• Website: http://yakun.com/

When talking about Ya Kun Kaya Toast we have to say that this is a small, but authentic place. Don’t be fooled by the simply designed interior and rather shabby looking exterior. There is an expression in the theory of aesthetics that is led by the notion that a building lies when it’s marvelous on the outside and shabby on the inside. With this place, it is quite the contrary.

The ordinary look will most definitely be compensated by more than a great service! The meals that Ya Kun Kaya Toast offers are very generous, so you will satisfy your appetite for a quite a while. If you opt for a coffee, the strong but very good espresso will boost your day with energy and will wake up all your senses.

The service is good, the staff is welcoming and it will for sure make you want to come back. However, you should prepare yourself for the crowd and long queues. After all, people in the end always find out what is good and don’t want to give up on it.

7. PS Cafe

• Address: 28B Harding Road | Tanglin Village, Dempsey Road, Singapore
• Telephone: +65 9070 8782
• Working hours: Friday and Saturday: 8:00 am – 1:00 am; Other days:  8:00 am – 11:00 pm.
• Website: https://www.pscafe.com/

Opened almost two decades ago, PS Café is a real refuge for any type of gatherings. This coffee shop is a well-hidden place settled within the jungle of trees and greens. It seems like they have managed to bring together the quiet calmness of nature with a modern look which evokes the notion that we all need balance in our lives and we all have to get in touch with our true nature.

This is a place for a well-made coffee but is as well a place to eat perfectly executed truffle shoestring fries and for those ones with a sweet tooth to eat excellent cakes, puddings, and tarts. One thing that we love about this place is that their portions are lavish and here to meet standards of those of us who can always have one more bite.

This is a great place to have your morning coffee while waiting for breakfast. PS Café won’t give you the most original offer in terms of coffee. But it will surely compensate it with the perfect cakes that are designed to be in tune with the strong taste of your espresso.

However, service is not the best thing PS coffee can offer. It can sometimes happen that your order gets misplaced or forgotten and you will have to remind the staff to get it. But all that can be easily forgotten once your coffee hits the table and when your food order is in your hand.

6. SweetSpot

• Address: 10 Bayfront Avenue Marina Bay Sands, Marina Bay Sands Tower 3 Lobby Level, Singapore
• Telephone: +65-6688-8588
• Working hours: 7:00am – 10:00pm
• Website: www.marinabaysands.com/

Settled in Marina Bay, which is here to dazzle every visitor and offer them a unique experience. SweetSpot finds its place in the part of Singapore that you often find in travel brochures. SweetSpot is an eclectic place that offers a one-of-a-kind experience. It will suit any customer with a slightly more modern taste than the ones who love garden-like types of venues.

It is a perfect spot to drink your morning coffee. We all know that, in order to start your day properly, you need a boost from a beginning. That’s why we can recommend SweetSpot – their baristas will make you the best coffee out there and give you the right amount of energy to start your day.

Other than coffee and a nice interior, in SweetSpot you can find croissants, cakes or just have a glass of their ice tea that will introduce you to the taste of Thailand.

We don’t have anything bad to say about the staff. People serving you are super polite, at your service the whole time and making your experience richer and effortless. All that for reasonable prices, all we can say is: well done!

5. Lola’s Cafe

• Address: 5 Simon Road, Singapore 545893, Singapore
• Telephone: +65 6284 0349
• Working hours: Friday and Saturday: 10:00 am – 12:00 am; Other days: 10:00 am – 11:30 pm
• Website: http://lolascafe.com.sg/

This is definitely a place for a modern man and a modern woman. Lola’s café is a small, yet very cozy place to have a cup of coffee or a mid-day snack. With its modern and hipster-like design, this place will for sure meet the standards of every customer that wants to grab a quick drink or have a tasty croissant while resting and sitting in a peaceful ambient.

When you take the weight off your feet, you will be surprised how the world seems so stuck up and in a rush, constantly in a hurry and endless worry, has no time to enjoy a perfect quiet moment.

While you are sipping your perfectly made americano that contains a well-balanced dose of energy needed to start your day or to give you the boost to carry on, all your worries will be gone and you will wish that you can make it that way forever. The prices are reasonable and you won’t think twice about coming again.

The staff is very polite and welcoming which in a perfect way completes your experience. After this we just want to shout: Lola’s Café, excellent job!

4. Forty Hands

• Address: 78 Yong Siak Street | #01-12, Singapore
• Telephone: +65 6225 8545
• Working hours: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
• Website: www.40handscoffee.com/

Have you ever wandered in a café and asked yourself “how the heck did they come up with this name?” Because we did when we first laid eyes on this place. Well, we will clear that up for you. Here, at Forty hands they believe that it takes up to 40 hands to make one single cup of coffee. When you have that in mind it becomes easy to understand why coffee lovers and coffee connoisseurs are regular customers here.

With the notion that there is no surprise when you get the perfect cappuccino made from well roasted and thoughtfully picked beans flavored with fresh milk. Your coffee cup will definitely look like a piece of art that tastes so good.

This intimate coffee bar will make your senses wide awake: your eyes with their modern design that makes you wonder if you are in Asia or are you sitting in some US or European place. Because of that, it is a place for those who are homesick, or who want to make a quick escape into the Asian culture.

Service can be better for sure! Their staff should be more attentive and welcoming, but all of that falls into the second plan once you get what you ordered.

3. Riders Café

• Address: 51 Fairways Drive, Singapore
• Telephone: +65 6466 9819
• Working hours: Friday and Saturday: 8:30 am – 10:00 pm; Other days: 8:30 am – 9:00 pm
• Website: www.riderscafe.sg/

It would be a shame not to mention Riders Café while talking about the best coffee shops in Singapore. Established almost one decade ago, Riders Café is located in a picturesque green-like estate that calls you to get in touch with nature and the roots.

Within this place you will have an opportunity to have the most exquisite meal, thoughtfully prepared and designed to meet the standards of even the most demanding customers out there. Because of its setting, this is the perfect spot to spend your family day and the portions they are giving are quite big which leaves the room to share it with your loved ones.

While you are watching the green grass and blossomed trees around you, you can sip your Americano in a quiet peace. The strong coffee seeds from which they are making their coffee will give you the right amount of drive to survive through your day.

We would only have to say that we are sorry that this place is hard to reach if you are not a driver yourself. But taking a taxi will pay off eventually once you see this jewel that Singapore is keeping hidden.

2. Prive Café

• Address: 2 Keppel Bay Vista Marina At Keppel Bay, Singapore
• Telephone: +65 6776 0777
• Working hours: Work days: 9:00 am – 12:00 am; Weekend: 8:00 am – 12:00 am
• Website: www.theprivegroup.com.sg/prive.html

Placed in the Keppel Island, Prive Café is a perfect getaway place for everyone tired of the long and tiresome week. This is also a perfect place for romantic couples that long for a quiet place.

Without any doubt, with its ordinary, yet very comfortable and elegant design, Prive Café makes the perfect venue for long talks and quiet evoking of past time memories. This is for sure a type of place we can imagine ourselves revisiting year after year.

Because of the most exquisite view of the sea, we can’t find a fault in their simple design. The attentive staff is here to meet all your needs and to be at service at all times. If you decide to take coffee – we would recommend it to you to take an Irish coffee in the evening or a double espresso during the day.

It will wake and shake up all your senses and make your experience even greater. Don’t be shy to ask for cool lemonade that is served here. It is quite a refreshing and an energizing experience to drink well-balanced juice with the right amount of ingredients.

If you are more up to a quiet weekend Prive Café is something you shouldn’t miss.

1. My Awesome Cafe

• Address: 202 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore
• Telephone: +65 6222 2007
• Working hours: Saturday and Sunday: 8:45 am – 12:00 am; Workdays: 9:00 am – 12:00 am.
• Website: www.myawesomecafe.com/

It’s no surprise that we decided to keep jewel of the jewels in terms of coffee shops in Singapore for the end. This place is definitely for the ones who are enthusiastic about Asian culture and aesthetics.

With its quite Asian looking appearance, My Awesome Café will surely make you say it out loud: Yes, I’m in Asia and I’m loving it. But don’t get us wrong, this is not an entirely classical Asian place – it just makes a statement while incorporates some of the European elements such as the chairs.

Here you can get well-prepared salads, power cocktails and most exquisite wines you ever tasted. Coffee is another thing they are proud of, and their baristas are at ready to, on your demand; make you the coolest cappuccino you ever drank.

With its very good staff and a vibrant atmosphere, you will become one of many persons who became My Awesome Café’s crazy fans.

Summary

Whichever place you choose out of the ones we just presented you with, we promise you, you won’t make a mistake. The magic city of Singapore has many lavish things to offer and experience.

Whether you are looking for a bite to eat or you are a serious coffee connoisseur you won’t be disappointed in what Singapore has to give you.

If you liked the article and are interested to find out more about coffee tastes in Europe this time, we suggest The Top 10 Cafés of Paris article.