When life gives you lemons, people usually tell you to make lemonade. But how about using them to make a tart instead? Lemon tarts are a great way to incorporate the tanginess and tartness of lemons into a sweet treat. They’re not overly cloying, and make for a refreshing midday pick-me-up.
If you can’t bake or think it’s way too much effort to make your own (me too), here are five places where you can get the best lemon tarts. Be warned: you may not be able to pick just one.
Carpenter and Cook
Carpenter and Cook is one place that kept popping up in suggestions when I was searching for a good tart to quell my cravings. Their lemon-cream tart sure sealed the deal for me — it was well balanced, with a sweet pastry base that cuts the tartness of their smooth lemon-cream filling.
All their tarts come in two sizes: regular ($6.80) and mini ($3.20). Do note their 6-inch and 8-inch sized tarts are subject to availability, so we recommend pre-ordering at least three days in advance to avoid disappointment.
Address: 19 Lorong Kilat, #01-06, Singapore 598120
Opening Hours: Daily from 8am–8pm
Contact: 6463 3648
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Ciel Pâtisserie
Ciel Pâtisserie creates tarts that taste as good as it looks. Just feast your eyes upon that flawless meringue swirl — the hints of brown from the slightly burnt bits are simply calling out to us to take a bite of this pretty little treat.
Their lemon meringue tart is often praised as one of the best in Singapore, with every bite promising just the right balance of sweetness and tanginess. Their tart base is made from buttery sweet almond pastry that’s not too crumbly, complementing the lemon curd and meringue wonderfully.
At just $5 per individual tart (or $28 for 6-inch), your wallet definitely won't be complaining.
Address: Block 124, Hougang Avenue 1, #01-1444, Singapore 530124
Opening Hours: Daily from 11am–8pm
Contact: 6383 0803
Windowsill Pies
Tired of traditional lemon tarts? Why not give Windowsill Pies’ strawberry-lemon meringue pie a try? It might just be your next favourite thing.
As one of their bestsellers, this special pie flavour is filled with dollops of strawberry jam infused in the bright yellow lemon curd. The sweetness of the jam balances out the tanginess of the lemon, making it ideal for anyone looking for a dessert that’s not too overpowering. The tart is also topped with beautifully torched meringue swirls, adding different flavours and textures to this delectable creation.
Windowsill Pies (Flagship store)
Address: 17 Haji Lane, Singapore 189210
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 11am–5pm
Contact: 9772 5629
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Drips Bakery Cafe
At Drips Bakery Cafe, you’ll be able to enjoy not one, but two types of lemon tarts. Their classic lemon-meringue tart is an all time favourite, sporting a generous serving of browned, torched meringue atop a citrusy lemon curd made from Australian lemons. If you prefer lemon tarts that are on the sweeter side, this is the choice for you.
Drips Bakery also offers a baked lemon tart, topped with blackberries and a sprinkle of lime zest. This version tastes more tangy than its meringue counterpart, making it an excellent choice for a refreshing post-meal treat.
Drips Bakery Cafe (Flagship outlet at Tiong Bahru)
Address: 82 Tiong Poh Road, #01-05, Singapore 160082
Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday from 11am–9:30pm
Friday & Saturday from 11am–11pm
Contact: 6222 0400
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Maison Kayser
Maison Kayser is a world-renowned French artisanal bakery chain founded by French baker Eric Kayser. With a whopping 120 outlets across 40 countries, you can be sure Maison Kayser knows how to do their desserts right.
While the bakery chain is known for their breads, their lemon meringue tart is a signature menu item you don’t want to miss. Their rendition of this dessert closely follows Kayser’s original recipe, with the zestiness from the lemon being the star of the show.
If you love bold lemon flavours, this tart is for you. Their lemon curd has a grainy-like texture that leaves a slight tang in your mouth, while their melt-in-your-mouth meringue balances the overall flavour, ending each bite on a sweet note.
Address: Multiple outlets
Opening Hours: Hours vary across outlets
Contact: Varies across outlets
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Now that you know where to find the best lemon tarts on our sunny shores, which one are you going to try first?
