Singapore’s vibrant café culture continues to flourish, blending specialty coffee craftsmanship with innovative food menus that cater to coffee lovers and food enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re a fan of creamy scrambled eggs or craving a sweet treat like matcha ice cream, the city’s best cafes deliver consistently excellent coffee and delectable brunch dishes in beautiful cafes with natural light streaming through expansive windows, marble tables, and wooden furniture.
This guide highlights five standout cafes in Singapore that excel in coffee, food, and atmosphere, making them perfect stops for café hopping enthusiasts.
Overview of the 5 Highlighted Cafes in Singapore
Cafe Name | Location | Price Range | Signature Dish | Highlights | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Common Man Coffee Roasters | Martin Road | $$ – $$$ | Organic Eggs Benedict with Braised Ox Cheek | Pioneer of specialty coffee and hearty brunch | Coffee lovers and brunch enthusiasts |
Apartment Coffee | Selegie | $ – $$ | Seasonal Single-Origin Pour Over | Minimalist space, excellent pour-over coffee | Serious coffee aficionados |
Five Oars Coffee Roasters | Upper East Coast Rd | $$ | Sriracha Chicken Burger and Burrata Bruschetta | Spacious, pet-friendly with great brunch | Families, pet owners, café hoppers |
Nylon Coffee Roasters | Everton Park | $ – $$ | Hand-brewed Single Origin Coffee | Independent roastery with focus on quality | Specialty coffee lovers |
Tolido’s Espresso Nook | Lavender | $$ | Shakshouka Eggs and Pumpkin Spice Latte | Melbourne-inspired with brunch classics | Fans of brunch plates and specialty coffee |
1. Common Man Coffee Roasters (Martin Road): Pioneer of Specialty Coffee and Brunch Classics
Price: $$ to $$$
If you’re searching for the best cafe in Singapore that balances specialty coffee and a diverse food menu, Common Man Coffee Roasters (CMCR) is a must-visit. Located near Clarke Quay, this café is a pioneer in Singapore’s café culture, roasting their own beans in house and offering brunch plates that have become local favorites.
Their brunch mains feature classics like Eggs Benedict paired with maple glazed bacon and creamy scrambled eggs, all baked fresh daily. Coffee lovers will appreciate their flat white and cold brew options, crafted with beans sourced directly from coffee farms worldwide. The tasting notes are detailed, allowing patrons to savor the nuances in each cup.
Good News for: Those who appreciate just good coffee paired with hearty brunch dishes in a spacious, minimalist space with natural light streaming in.
Bad News if: You’re on a tight budget or prefer a quiet spot during peak opening hours.
Insider Tip: Arrive early on weekdays to enjoy the calm atmosphere and secure a seat near the brewing ground for a coffee-making show.
2. Apartment Coffee (Selegie): Minimalist Space for Serious Coffee Lovers
Price: $ to $$
Apartment Coffee is a hidden gem for those who prioritize excellent coffee over elaborate food menus. This minimalist café near Katong Shopping Centre is an oasis for coffee purists, offering a rotating selection of single-origin pour-over coffees with detailed tasting notes. The retail space also stocks beans from renowned roasters like homeground coffee roasters and nylon coffee roasters.
While the food menu is limited, the café’s sourdough donuts and light brunch options, such as fluffy pancakes and kaya butter toast, are baked fresh and pair perfectly with their white coffee or cold brew. The natural light streaming through the large windows complements the clean aesthetic, making it a favorite for solo visits and coffee education.
Good News for: Coffee lovers seeking a serene environment to savor specialty coffee and explore different brewing methods.
Bad News if: You want a full brunch or are visiting with a large group.
Insider Tip: Chat with the baristas about off-menu beans and coffee farms they source from for a unique tasting experience.
3. Five Oars Coffee Roasters (Upper East Coast Road): East Coast’s Best for Brunch Dishes and Great Coffee
Price: $$
Five Oars Coffee Roasters, often referred to simply as oars coffee roasters, is a spacious, pet friendly spot along the East Coast that has won hearts with its brunch classics and excellent coffee. Their food menu showcases a variety of brunch plates, including burrata bruschetta, pasta dishes, and rice bowls, all crafted with fresh ingredients.
Coffee lovers will delight in their house-roasted blends, including cold brew and espresso options. The café’s atmosphere is enhanced by natural light and wooden furniture, creating a warm and inviting space. Their retail space offers bags of freshly roasted beans, perfect for those who want to bring a piece of the café culture home.
Good News for: Families, pet owners, and café hoppers looking for hearty brunch mains paired with great coffee.
Bad News if: You prefer a quiet, tucked-away café.
Insider Tip: Visit during weekday mornings to avoid crowds and enjoy the full brunch options.
4. Nylon Coffee Roasters (Everton Park): Independent Roastery with a Focus on Quality Beans
Price: $ to $$
Nylon Coffee Roasters is a staple among Singapore’s coffee shops, especially for those who value direct trade and transparency about their coffee farms. Located in a cozy spot at Everton Park, this café offers a curated selection of single-origin espresso and filter coffee, with detailed tasting notes that highlight the unique profiles of each batch.
Their food menu is modest but includes crowd-pleasers like kaya butter toast and french toast, baked fresh daily. Coffee lovers often rave about their creamy eggs served alongside a cup of white coffee or cold brew. The minimalist space with marble tables and natural light streaming in makes it a pleasant spot for both casual visits and serious coffee appreciation.
Good News for: Specialty coffee aficionados and those interested in learning about coffee provenance.
Bad News if: You’re looking for extensive brunch dishes or large seating areas.
Insider Tip: Grab a bag of their retail beans to enjoy great coffee at home.
5. Tolido’s Espresso Nook (Lavender): Melbourne-Inspired Café with Brunch Classics and Excellent Coffee
Price: $$
Tolido’s Espresso Nook, located near South Bridge Road, is a Melbourne-inspired café beloved for its brunch classics and specialty coffee. Their food menu includes favorites like eggs benedict, french fold, and creamy scrambled eggs, complemented by maple glazed bacon and fruit jam on toasted sourdough.
Coffee lovers will appreciate their diverse coffee selection, including the signature white coffee and seasonal cold brew. The café’s minimalist space, with natural light streaming through large windows and marble tables, creates a cozy yet vibrant atmosphere. It’s a favorite among café hoppers and those seeking a pet friendly spot.
Good News for: Fans of brunch plates and those who want a blend of excellent coffee and hearty food.
Bad News if: You dislike queues during peak opening hours.
Insider Tip: Visit on weekdays for a more relaxed experience and enjoy their afternoon tea offerings.
Exploring Singapore’s Café Culture: More Than Just Coffee
Singapore’s multicultural society is reflected in its café culture, where traditional brunch classics meet innovative food wise creations. From kaya butter toast to basque cheesecake and matcha ice cream, the food menus across cafes in Singapore offer something for everyone. Many cafés, including French Fold at Palais Renaissance and Merci Marcel on Club Street, blend beautiful interiors with a diverse food menu and specialty coffee, making them perfect for a leisurely afternoon tea or a quick coffee fix.
Café hopping is a popular pastime, with neighborhoods like Katong Shopping Centre, Serangoon Gardens, and Clarke Quay boasting a range of hidden gems. Whether you’re after sourdough donuts, fluffy pancakes, or plated desserts, these areas offer an array of options to satisfy your cravings.
The rise of retail spaces within cafes, such as those at homeground coffee roasters and apartment coffee, allows coffee lovers to purchase beans and brewing equipment, deepening their appreciation for the craft. Many cafes also emphasize transparency about their coffee farms and roasting processes, enhancing the overall experience.
Final Thoughts: Your Next Visit to the Best Cafe in Singapore
Whether you seek just good coffee, a full brunch experience, or a beautiful café to relax in, Singapore’s café scene has you covered. From the robust offerings at Common Man Coffee Roasters to the minimalist charm of Apartment Coffee and the pet friendly vibe at Five Oars Coffee Roasters, these five cafes represent the best of what the city offers.
Next time you plan a day out, consider café hopping through these spots to enjoy three drinks and a variety of brunch options, from creamy eggs to pasta dishes and rice bowls. Don’t forget to try the kaya butter toast and finish off with a sweet treat like basque cheesecake or matcha ice cream.
For coffee lovers and foodies alike, these cafes in Singapore provide not just excellent coffee and food but also a glimpse into the city’s evolving café culture, blending global influences with local flavors in a welcoming, beautifully designed setting.
For those eager to explore the finest culinary experiences, Food Reporters SG offers an in-depth look at various culinary news like Michelin dining Singapore has to offer, showcasing top-tier restaurants and exquisite dishes.