Over the past year, our travel plans may have been canceled or postponed indefinitely due to the pandemic. While the hope of traveling might become reality by the end of the year, why not visit some of these cafes in Singapore that can immediately transport you to a whole other country?
Singapore is home to a myriad of cafes, and with new ones seemingly popping up every other week, we are spoilt for choice. From an African-inspired spot to Korean-inspired establishments, you can never get tired of exploring the various coffee destinations Singapore has to offer. Here are some curated picks of local cafes that will make you feel like you’re anywhere but our little red dot.
Bali On The Cove
Bali On The Cove is not your ordinary cafe — it’s also a co-working space and retail shop. This cafe features wooden and rattan furniture, earthy colours, and tall windows to draw upon the “Bali-esque” aesthetic. Its bright and cozy interior will instantly give you the feeling of enjoying a relaxing brunch by the beach.
The cafe serves brunch daily from 8am to 1pm, and offers dishes such as egg benedict on sourdough, fluffy pancakes, and bircher muesli. They also offer lunch from 11am to 4pm daily, and have a variety of tasty dishes for you to choose from.
Guests will be able to indulge in dishes sourced from various well-established brands, including pastries from Starter Lab, and coffee beans from Common Man Coffee Roasters.
Address: Sentosa Cove, Quayside Isle, #01-16, Singapore 098375
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 8am-8pm
Contact: 8236 7476
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Suzuki Gourmet Coffee
Take a trip to Japan by visiting this local Japanese teahouse-style cafe. As one of Singapore’s oldest coffee shops, Suzuki Gourmet Coffee offers a wide selection of finely roasted gourmet coffee.
Guests will feel like they've been transported to Japan as soon as they step foot into this cafe with a minimalistic design and plenty of wooden elements. There is even a mini zen garden and a shishi-odoshi (a Japanese fountain) within the cafe to make you feel instantly at peace.
Its menu features premium coffee and tea, with the coffee made with single-origin Arabica coffee beans. Its drinks are also topped with Hokkaido fresh milk, giving it a sweet and creamy texture. Pair your beverages with a range of delicious Japanese snacks that are also offered at Suzuki.
Address: 8 Chin Bee Ave, Singapore 619932
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday from 10am-5pm, and Saturday to Sunday from 10am-4pm; Closed on Mondays and Public Holidays
Contact: 6266 3933
Kreams Krafthouse
Kreams Krafthouse is an autumn-themed Korean cafe, beautifully decorated with autumn canopy, which spreads from the ceiling to the walls. Stepping into this cafe will instantly transport you to Korea during the romantic fall months.
This cafe specialises in coffee and scones, including the infamous dalgona coffee (first popularised on TikTok at the beginning of the pandemic). Kreams Krafthouse’s version of dalgona coffee is topped with chunks of dalgona honeycomb candy, adding extra goodness to the drink.
Enjoy a selection of scones, including its signature sweet potato and matcha scone, as well as other unique flavours such as dalgona and yuzu. These scones are simple yet fragrant and well-balanced, and you’ll be tempted to savour more than just one.
Address: 32 Maxwell Rd, #01-07 Maxwell Chambers, Singapore 069115
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 1am-10:30pm, and Sunday from 9am-6pm
Contact: 6226 2369
Stamping Ground Coffee
We can’t help but imagine being in Australia with the kinfolk-esque interior at Stamping Ground Coffee. This cafe is decked out with rustic wooden chairs and marble tables, creating a simple and minimalist interior.
It’s a great spot for brunch on the weekends, with the kitchen serving up artisanal coffee and an all-day breakfast menu. Its food menu has recently expanded, featuring new additions such as garlic-truffle mushroom toasts and umami egg toasties.
Stamping Ground Coffee is definitely living up to Australia’s coffee culture, which is said to be one of the most advanced in the world. Guests will find an extensive coffee selection here, which ranges from its Aussie iced coffee to espresso tonic.
Address: 87 Upper E Coast Rd, Singapore 455223
Opening Hours: Monday to Wednesday from 8am-6pm, Thursday to Friday from 8am-10:30pm, Saturday from 9am-10:30pm, and Sunday from 9am-6pm
Contact: 9070 7610
Kafe UTU
Kafe Utu is the first African-themed cafe in Singapore, and has transformed its interior into a cosy African lodge. From its hand-blown water glasses to an expansive African Mahogany banquet table, visitors will feel like they are on a different continent.
This cafe serves up a brunch menu, consisting of East and West African dishes. Some menu items include Swahili fish curry, Liberian peanut chicken stew, and curried avocado. Kafe Utu also offers more familiar dishes for the less adventurous palates, such as ricotta hotcakes and eggs royale.
Address: 12 Jiak Chuan Rd, Singapore 089265
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Friday from 10am-5pm and 6pm-10:30pm; Saturday to Sunday from 9am-5pm and 6pm-10:30pm; Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Contact: 6996 3937
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DLLM Lok Lok
While we may not be able to cross the causeway to JB for some delicious food, DLLM Lok Lok will do for now. This stall serves up lok-lok, a popular Malaysian street food consisting of various steamboat items served on skewers. JB-style lok lok is typically served grilled or deep-fried, and accompanied with various yummy dipping sauces.
At DLLM Lok Lok, food-lovers will find lok-lok at S$1 per stick. Apart from the usual suspects such as mantou and fishballs, this popular stall also offers prawn, duck, and otah skewers.
Although DLLM Lok Lok is not a cafe per se, it is definitely worth a mention, reminding us of typical lok-lok stalls located in JB.
Address: 171 MacPherson Rd, Singapore 348536
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 6pm-4am
Contact: 8881 7168
