No day is complete without a cup of coffee, and there are many places around Singapore where you can get it—you just need to know where to look. Here are some of the best-kept secret cafés worth venturing out to find.
DAWN
When exploring the area around Clarke Quay, look for a café with tiny signage and a façade that would remind you of a Japanese home. That would be DAWN, a hole-in-the-wall coffee shop that serves rustic baked goods with its artisanal speciality coffee menu.
DAWN is gradually entering people’s radars, so don’t be surprised if you see a queue of customers waiting outside. If you’re lucky, you’ll snag one of the few seats that DAWN has by the coffee bar and enjoy watching the barista at work.
78 South Ridge Road #01-01 058708. Open Mondays to Fridays from 8 AM to 5 PM, Saturdays to Sundays from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Puck Provisions
Located along Serangoon Road, Puck Provisions is a tiny and modest-looking café with mint green walls, wooden seats, and chairs made with upcycled skateboards. It’s a great spot to chill and vibe to good music while enjoying your cup of freshly brewed coffee from the in-house roastery and munching on a plate of Vegan baked goods.
618 Serangoon Road #01-01. Open Tuesdays to Fridays from 10 AM to 5 PM, Saturdays to Sundays from 10 AM to 6 PM
Riders Café
Tucked amid sprawling nature, Riders Café is a nice spot to escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre. It’s a relaxing place to enjoy brunch, as the fresh air and lush greenery make you feel like you’re in the countryside. Dig into international cuisine, including vegan and vegetarian options, while sipping a warm cup of delicious coffee.
Bukit Timah Saddle Club, 51 Fairways Drive, 286965. Open Tuesdays to Sundays from 8 AM to 9 PM.
Pinhole Coffee Bar
Pinhole Coffee Bar is a nondescript café near Bugis Junction and Raffles Singapore that serves simplistic yet great-tasting coffee. They offer a selection of beans from local and international roasters, which you can also purchase from their retail shop, among other products for your home café. You can hang out at the shop’s alfresco seating area, stay inside by the bar, or on the bench by the wall.
Go for their homemade baked goods, particularly the Lemon Loaf, or their espresso, hand-brewed coffee, cold-brew coffee, or artisanal teas. You could also opt for their “Hello, Good Morning”, which features a single espresso, a cup of White Coffee, and cold brew tea on a wooden tray.
27 Purvis Street #01-02 188604. Open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM.
Rookie’s Coffee Shop
This cosy café tucked inside a quiet neighbourhood near Alexandra Village Food Center is a nice spot to grab a quick cup of coffee while running errands or just hang out and relax. Because it’s such an intimate space, you’ll likely end up having a friendly conversation with the barista and maybe learning about their passion for making coffee.
124 Bukit Merah Lane 1 #01-144 150124. Open Tuesdays to Sundays from 8 AM to 5 PM.
Handcraft Coffee
Everton Park is home to this new hole-in-the-wall café established by the people behind Grace Espresso at River Valley. Don’t be intimidated by its modern and sleek interiors—Handcraft Coffee provides a relaxing experience to its customers, albeit in an out-of-the-box way. For instance, there are ground coffee beans under glass domes by the bar that you can pick up and smell the aroma of before placing your coffee order. There’s limited seating inside, too, so you are guaranteed to enjoy some peace. A great spot to have your me time.
2 Everton Park, #01-59, 081002. Open every day except Wednesdays from 9 AM to 4 PM.
Kōhī Roastery & Coffee Bar
It’s such a joy to hunt down Kōhī Roastery & Coffee Bar along Joo Chiat Road because spotting it will literally brighten your mood. This literal hole-in-the-wall welcomes you through a tiny window framed by a vibrant yellow box and plants and greenery growing around it. The only seats it has are placed outside but trust us. You’ll hardly mind the heat when you’ve got a nice view of the famous colourful Peranakan Houses while enjoying your Japanese coffee.
283 Joo Chiat Road 427535. Open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 8 AM to 6 PM.
Clap Café
This hidden gem along Waterloo Street is a quiet and cosy spot where you can indulge in good handcrafted coffee drinks and even better desserts! Its Instagram-worthy interiors also give off a warm ambience, making it a good place to work or relax no matter what time. Make sure not to miss their cakes, either.
Waterloo Street #01-28 Blk 261, 180261. Open every day from 8:30 AM to 8 PM.
K. Patisserie
This pretty-in-pink café sits inside the Onze building in Tanjong Pagar and delights customers with Instagrammable pastries, all made in-house. Be warned, though: once you’ve sunken your teeth into one of K. Patisserie’s unique cakes, it will be hard to say “no” to trying more! K. Patisserie is a great place to meet up with friends and enjoy its sweet treats with a warm cup of afternoon tea.
1st Floor, Onze @ Tanjong Pagar, 11 Kee Seng Street #01-07, 089218. Open Wednesdays to Sundays from 11:30 AM to 6 PM (until 6:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays).
Alto
Located inside the Bayshore Park condominium is this underrated café that has become the neighbourhood’s go-to spot for wholesome food. Their all-day breakfast menu has many vegan, vegetarian, and halal options. Come for the satisfying meals, but stay for the charming vibe and the uber-friendly staff!
54 Bayshore Road #01-01, 469979. Open Mondays to Fridays from 9 AM to 5 PM, Saturdays to Sundays from 8 AM to 5 PM.
Earlybird Café
This quaint coffee shop near Arab Street is Instagram-worthy with its bird-themed decor, eye-catching indoor mural, and refreshing outdoor seating. It’s a cosy spot to have brunch with friends or grab a cool drink to beat the heat. Here’s a tip: try to swing by first thing in the morning. After all, a peaceful and more enjoyable meal awaits an early bird at Earlybird Café!
17 Jalan Pinang, 199149. Open Mondays to Fridays from 10 AM to 5 PM, Saturdays from 9 AM to 9 PM, and Sundays from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Thus Coffee
Located within the hushed residential area of Jalan Kuras, along a strip of shophouses behind Sembawang Hills, Thus Coffee is well-loved by locals for its hearty all-day brunches, relaxing ambience, and coffee made from beans that are roasted in-house. Here, you’ll enjoy high-quality grub in the comfort of a quiet atmosphere.
4 Jalan Kuras, 577723. Open Mondays to Fridays from 9 AM to 7:30 PM, Saturdays to Sundays from 8 AM to 7:30 PM.
Do you know of any great hidden café spots in the city? Share them in the comments section!
