Burpple - 20 Best Cafes 2017
Tasty food, good drinks (brownie points for coffee) and a return visit all planned before actually leaving the cafe — all these are signs that a cafe deserve a mention in our guide to the 20 Best Cafes in Singapore 2017! Whether it's revisiting old gems in Arab Street, uncovering new digs along Neil Road or waking up early to get your hands on the best breads in Bukit Timah, it's time to pack your appetite and embark on this year's cafe-hopping journey!. This article was originally published on burpple.com. Download the app for iPhone and Android now at burpple.com/getapp!
1. The Bakery by Woodlands Sourdough
For Stellar Coffee and Toast For Stellar Coffee and Toast
You'd have to wake up early to head to this bakeshop in Serene Centre if you want to try their legendary sourdoughs — they sell out as early as noon on weekdays, and sometimes even earlier on weekends. A once familiar sight at farmer's markets, the husband-wife duo now has a cosy brick-and-mortar space where they churn out whole loaves of sourdough, toasts, sandwiches and excellent coffee — perfect for slow mornings. Our Burpple community loves the house made Nut Butter, Honey and Sea Salt ($3.50) as well as the Sage Cream Cheese and Berry Compote ($4) from the toast menu. Hot pressed sandwiches like the simple but satisfying Kimchee + Cheddar ($7) are only sold on weekdays, while open-faced savoury toasts like the Egg Salad + Dukkah ($5) are available daily. Wash it down with an excellent Hand Brew ($5) or Flat White ($5.50) with beans from Cata Coffee, a small local roaster. Before leaving, select a loaf of excellent sourdough to bring home! Note that flavours differ daily (check their Facebook page). Avg Price: $10 per person Photo by Burppler Raine Liu2. Botanist
For a Hearty Brunch to Share For a Hearty Brunch to Share
This beautiful cafe along Neil Road (enter via the sidedoor at the alley) holds just as much Insta-potential as its popular sister cafe, Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters at Upper Thomson, and the food here is just as good. There are limited indoor seats, so dress cool to sit outdoors where draping plants line the wall, and order a five-ounce Flat White ($5, opt for Dark Matter as your preferred blend of beans — it's got hints of dark chocolate and macadamia nuts) while you deliberate your main. Portions run big, so it's best to share. The lusciously rich Slow Cooked Beef Cheek ($24) is the most expensive item on the menu and with good reason — set on a bed of truffle mash, the chunky slab of beef cheek is braised to be so unbelievably tender! The Breakfast Platter ($23) is a meat lover's breakfast dream come true. There's toast, bratwurst sausage, avocado, streaky bacon, mushroom, eggs — you name it, it's there! Prices are nett, there is no service charge and reservations are not allowed, so head down early. Avg Price: $25 per person Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Zhihui Lim3. Stateland Asian-Fusion Cafe
For Asian Food with a Twist For Asian Food with a Twist
A short five-minute walk from Bugis MRT Station, this industrial-chic cafe dishes out Asian-fusion bowls inspired by the owners' East Asia trip. The menu is straightforward — there are nine main courses available, and each comes with a complimentary drink (you're free to choose ANY drink from the drinks menu!). Prices are nett, portions are hearty and flavours are spot on, making this the perfect cafe stop if you're in the vicinity. We love the Hainanese Chicken Rice Risotto ($20) that comes with tender soy braised chicken on a bed of incredibly flavourful ginger risotto, served with a spicy sriracha chilli vinaigrette. Another winner in our books is the Mentaiko Tiger Prawn Pasta ($20) that features linguine tossed in a lightly torched mentaiko dressing. You won't want to miss out on their desserts! Be sure to ask for Brother Bird's (they share the same space) menu and get the Tokyo Banana ($14), a banana soft serve topped on their signature mochi donut that is reminiscent of a well-made hum jin pang. Avg Price: $30 per person Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Kelly Wong4. Brothers in Fine Food
For Halal-Friendly Weekend Brunches For Halal-Friendly Weekend Brunches
From the same guys behind Penny University, this Muslim-owned cafe in Tampines West Community Club draws the crowds for its comforting fusion cafe fare and affordable prices — perfect for family meals. With exposed ceilings and long wooden benches, its setting is industrial chic without being too in-your-face about it, making for really laidback vibes. If it's your first time here, go for the Butcher's Daughter ($14) on the weekend brunch menu (available on weekends, 9am to 5pm). The generous piece of seared sous vide steak, cooked well and served with fluffy scrambled eggs and crispy fries, makes for a tasty protein-rich plate. Alternatively, try the Moroccan Baked Eggs ($12). Mixed through with beef, the dish is flavourful, with a good kick of spice, and the sourdough on the side is made for mopping up all that delicious gravy. Tummies filled, sit back and sip on a cup of Jaffa Orange Mocha ($6) or the Spiked Muddy Espresso ($6.50) that comes sweetened with gula Melaka. Avg Price: $25 per person Photo by Burppler Dex Neo5. Artistry
For Consistently Good Cafe Dishes For Consistently Good Cafe Dishes
Despite the many openings throughout the years, we know we can still rely on Artistry, where food and coffee are both spot on. Indoor seating is limited, so swing by this cafe cum casual art gallery early to be seated in the comforts of air-conditioning, otherwise be prepared to sit outdoors. As always, our recommended eating plan is for a group of four to share two mains, so that you still have stomach space for dessert. You won't go wrong with the popular Artistry Chilli Crab Burger ($25) that sees a ridiculously generous patty of blue swimmer crab meat served with a heap of fries and a bowl of irresistible chilli crab sauce to dunk everything in. The crowd-pleasing Potato Hash and Scrambled Eggs ($20) that comes with silky scrambled eggs, surprisingly crisp kale and bacon, and little fried potato balls is another great option to share. If there's only one item your stomach has space for, let it be the PB&J French Toast ($14). Expect a generous slather of smooth peanut butter smeared in between two pillowy slices of brioche, topped with vanilla bean ice cream, mixed berry coulis and a scattered bed of speculoos cookie soil. Wash it down with a cup of their excellent Flat White ($5) or Gibraltar ($5), a double shot of espresso with just a bit of milk. Avg Price: $25 per person Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Marc T.6. The Refinery
For Big on Flavour Brunch Plates For Big on Flavour Brunch Plates
For a chillout weekend brunch with friends, snag a table at this Jalan Besar hotspot. While they're known for their delicious rice bowls, their brunch plates are equally impressive and full on flavour, the coffee's great, and the vibes are breezy and laidback. Take Burppler Dex Neo's heed and start with the moreish Cauliflower Fritters ($10), but you've been warned — the guys here spare no mercy in their stinging wasabi mayo sauce! Move on to the Double Confirm Shiok Burger ($20) that sandwiches golden brown chicken between pillowy buns (eat this quick before the bread turns soggy), or to the Chicken-Not-So-Little Waffle ($24), which Burppler Tastemaker Nobelle Liew declares to be one of the best chicken and waffles she's had in Singapore. The combination of savoury homemade parmesan waffles, smokey paprika fried chicken and charred generous red pepper and tomato sauce is well worth the minimum 15 minutes waiting time. Sit back, eat up and sip on a Flat White ($5) as you soak in the #weekendvibes in this high-ceilinged, light-filled space. Avg Price: $30 per person Photo by Burppler Tastemaker Nobelle Liew7. Atlas Coffeehouse
For Excellent Brunch Items in Bukit Timah For Excellent Brunch Items in Bukit Timah
Atlas is a great pitstop for coffee if you're on the go (they use a blend of Guatemalan and Brazilian beans from Two Degrees North Coffee Co.) or for long brunches with friends — just be sure to swing by early to snag a seat on weekends. For a downright comforting meal, go for the Creamy Mushrooms on Sourdough ($12) — a generous heap of mushrooms cooked with a splash of white wine and sundried tomatoes, which you must pair with the silky smooth Scrambled Eggs ($3 to add on, totally worth it). The ATLAS Super-Bowl ($17) loaded with toasted quinoa, beautifully oven-roasted squash and zucchini as well as shimeiji mushrooms is satisfying, yet light enough to not warrant a food coma after. If you still have space, you might be tempted by the irresistible pancakes, but we recommend the Mixed Berries Compote Waffles ($12.50) instead. They are similar in taste but the latter is lighter and more affordable. Avg Price: $25 per person Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Acamas Teo8. VXX Cooperative
For Stellar Coffee and Comforting Bites For Stellar Coffee and Comforting Bites
Setting high standards with their specialty coffees, VXX Cooperative uses beans from all over the world — Cloud Catchers (Malaysia), Koppi Roasters (Sweden), Tim Wendelboe (Norway) and Nylon (Singapore). Keep it simple with a Cold Black ($5) on hot days, or go for the unique Espresso Set ($8) that sees a white coffee paired with a shot of espresso on the side. Alternatively, ask the friendly and knowledgeable baristas about their Selection Coffee which changes every few of days. Their recently revamped menu features comforting dishes like the Chilli Crab & Cheese Omelette on Sourdough ($14), where a sweet and spicy omelette gets a generous stuffing of crabmeat and cheese and sits atop a slice of sourdough from The Bakery by Woodlands Sourdough. For a dessert to share, have the Banana French Toast with Mascarpone ($12) that comes with freeze-dried raspberries and a nice earthy touch of thyme. Be sure to add on a scoop of their Signature Flavour ($4), an espresso-based ice cream birthed from a collaboration between Apiary and VXX Cooperative. Avg Price: $25 per person Photo by Burppler Jayne Tan9. Revolution Coffee
For Great Coffee and Hearty Local Flavours For Great Coffee and Hearty Local Flavours
A favourite among westies and office workers in the one-north vicinity, Revolution Coffee won us over with their dedication to both their coffee and food. The java here is brewed using beans from their sister company The Caffeine Dispensary, while their kitchen is helmed by respected chef Shen Tan, known for her modern Singaporean cooking. The communal tables are great for big group gatherings, so don't head here during meal hours if you're looking for a spot of quiet. Order the well-balanced Cappuccino ($5.50) to go with the locally-inspired treats. A must-order, especially if it's your first time, is chef Tan's Nasi Lemak with tender, rempah-laced Beef Rendang ($9.90); there are other protein options like fried chicken and crispy pork. Other fusion plates to try include the Buah Keluak Pasta and Bak Chor Mee Pasta ($19.90 each). Just be sure to save space for the imaginative desserts like Pulot Hitam Pudding ($10), a tasty marriage between pulot hitam and sticky date pudding, and Shendol Delights ($10), the chef's take on chendol. Pro tip: On weekdays from 8am to 8pm, hop on the free shuttle bus that takes you to-and-fro One North MRT Station and Infinite Studios, where the cafe is. Avg Price: $25 per person Photo by Burppler Marvin Lowe10. RONIN
For Excellent Scrambled Eggs For Excellent Scrambled Eggs
While sister concept PUNCH draws in the crowd with its laidback vibes and Instagrammable backyard, it's RONIN that checks off all the boxes on our Best Cafes list. The hard-to-find storefront along Hong Kong Street, the dimly lit space and the lack of menus (there's only one hanging on the wall to refer to) doesn't seem to faze our Burpple community — and it shouldn't stop you either! Seating is limited, so swing by for brunch with a small group of friends. As evident on every table, you should go for the beautifully made Scrambled Eggs on Toast ($9) — creamy, velvety folds of egg with a dash of coarse sea salt flakes, served on two types of toast. Add on portobello mushroom ($3.50) and avocado ($3) for a more substantial meal. The French Toast ($15) with braised apples, crispy bacon and hazelnut butter (so darn good) is also by far one of the best in town. Don't leave without a cup of Wicked Mocha ($5.50/$7.50 for iced) — coffee with a heap of peppermint chocolate for a minty finish. Avg Price: $20 per person Photo by Burppler Veronica Phua11. One Man Coffee (Upper Thomson)
For a Dependable and Affordable Brunch For a Dependable and Affordable Brunch
By day, this shared space along Upper Thomson Road is run by One Man Coffee, where you can have an affordable and substantial brunch with great coffee. After 5.30pm, Garçons takes over. Indoor seats are limited, so come early if you're in a big group. It makes for a great coffee pitstop too — be sure to get the Piccolo ($4) with an extra shot ($1) for an instant boost. Of all the items offered here, the clear standouts include the impressive Gashouse Egg with Bacon Jam ($12). Thick brioche with a runny egg in the middle is blanketed with melted cheese and served with a side of salty-sweet bacon jam. Be sure to have your phones nearby as you carefully slice through the centre to release a liquid gold river, you wouldn't want to miss out on all the flowy action. The Big Brekkie ($17) that comes wtih two poached eggs placed on sourdough rye, served with a side of superbly candied bacon, roasted cherry tomatoes, button mushrooms and baby spinach is made better with the addition of a chorizo sausage. End your meal on a sweet note with the Brioche French Toast ($12, $15 with vanilla ice cream), probably one of the most pocket-friendly in Singapore with the fluffy toast dusted with icing sugar, served with caramelised bananas, strokes of French cream and lashing of rich salted caramel. Avg Price: $20 per person Photo by Burpple Tastmaker Amanda Liu12. Curious Palette
For Beautiful Hotcakes to Share For Beautiful Hotcakes to Share
Tucked away at the end of a row of shophouses along Prinsep Street, this is one place you can catch up with your girlfriends in a gorgeous, laidback setting. Start with their excellent Syphon Coffee ($6.90) or a bottle of White Magic ($6.90) — a chilled blend of espresso, milk and cream. A favourite and convenient cafe option among nearby art school students and those in town (nearest MRT is Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station), the space can fill up quickly on weekends, so visit either before or after the lunch rush to ensure seats. Almost every table ends the meal with the much photographed Berry Ricotta Hotcake ($14.90) that we highly recommend sharing among a group of four or more. The beautiful creation features a thick pancake with perfectly caramelised sides in a skillet pan, a generous handful of berries, pumpkin and sunflower seeds on the side and topped with a scoop of milky vanilla bean ice cream. Add a drizzle of maple sauce for that finishing touch. For a proper meal, try the Crab Cake on English Muffin ($19.50) that comes with a wobbly sous vide egg and the yummiest truffle sweet potato fries! Avg Price: $25 per person Photo by Burppler Hilary See13. The Hangar
For Unique Cafe Grub in Arab Street For Unique Cafe Grub in Arab Street
Located on Arab Street, this unpretentious cafe is unlike others on the list. It's dimly lit, they don't serve flowy eggs Benedict and they don't sugar coat or prettify their mains for the 'gram. But, it's also where you'll find downright satisfying mains, excellent coffee and a whole lot of fun going on (with a dope playlist in the background). Seating is limited, so come with two friends at most. Their menu has since been revamped to include items like the Halloumi & Cauliflower Rice Salad ($16), a vegetarian dish so tasty you might just forget that there isn't any meat. Shaved cauliflower bits are pan-fried, combined with grilled zucchini, capers and a mustard dressing, and then stacked generously on a bed of mixed greens. The heaping pile of veggies is then blanketed with halloumi cheese, sliced eggplants, thyme-roasted tomatoes and a delicious housemade hummus. The owners are from Melbourne and they use Melbourne-sourced beans, so you know your coffee is in good hands. Avg Price: $20 per person Photo by Burppler Veronica Phua14. The Populus Coffee & Food Co.
For Tasty Grain Bowls and Excellent Coffee For Tasty Grain Bowls and Excellent Coffee
Located across Pinnacle @ Duxton (nearest MRT is Outram MRT Station), this gorgeous cafe decked out in hexagonal marbled tiles, rose gold finishings and modern wood panels serves tasty brunch items that we would definitely return for. Seats fill up pretty quickly on weekends, so swing by early with your friends. You must order the crowd favourite Populus Scramble ($17.50) that sees creamy scrambled eggs and feta chunks stuffed into a buttery croissant, spiced with sliced red chillies. Don't be fooled by the compact portion size, which belies how filling the combination is. For something healthier, go for the Pulled Pork Grain Bowl ($18), one of three grain bowls available. It's our favourite of the lot, considering how tender and well-seasoned the meat is. Served with a trio of quinoa, bulgur wheat and pearl barley, the well-balanced and nutritious bowl also comes loaded with lots of vegetables like mushrooms, tomatoes and pumpkin. End your meal with one of their excellent coffees made with a house blend of beans from El Savaldore, Guatemala and Brazil. If you like your coffee milky but strong, go for their Magic ($5.50). If not, ask the friendly baristas for recommendation on their Filter Coffee (from $6)! Avg Price: $25 per person Photo by Burppler Hilary See15. Paddy Hills
For Gorgeous Plates and Inspiring Cooking For Gorgeous Plates and Inspiring Cooking
Homey ambience aside (great for weekday tête-à-têtes with friends), this west side cafe once again makes our list for its delicious, totally Instagrammable plates and creative cooking. Just check out their much talked about Berry Muffcakes ($20). An upgraded version of their once famous berry ricotta hotcakes, the gorgeous plate sees slightly dense muffcakes (a cross between muffins and hotcakes) topped with vanilla bean ice cream cubes, fresh berries, and chocolate crumbs. It's tasty but also rich and sweet, so don't hesitate to share with a friend or two. Balance off the sugar with Paddy Hills' stellar mains like the 黑 Rice ($22), a wok hei infused dish of squid ink rice drizzled with mentaiko mayo and served with flavourful fried chicken and egg, or the Green Papa ($26), which sees handmade herbed pappardelle slicked in a robust tomato sauce and topped with foie gras stuffed meatballs. On hot days, eschew coffee for the refreshing Autumn Iced Tea ($8), which surprises with umeshu jelly. Pro tip: Tucked in a quiet residential estate, this cafe is quite a trek from the nearest Haw Par Villa MRT station. Spare yourself the sweat and take a cab. Avg Price: $40 per person Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Rachel Xie16. Percolate
For Coffee and Quiet in the East For Coffee and Quiet in the East
A gem of a cafe in the east, this rustic cafe in the Bedok North neighbourhood tops our list for a quiet afternoon with a friend, or for some alone time with a good book. True to its name, Percolate does its coffee really well (they use beans from Nylon roasters); the bonus is that their light bites are pretty tasty too! If you're up for something new, go for their Espresso Tonic ($5.50), which combines double shots of espresso with tonic water and lime for a fizzy, refreshing drink. Otherwise, play it safe with the well-balanced Iced White ($5.50). While you linger, order the moist Banana Date Loaf ($8.50) to nibble on — the velvety layers of almond butter and mascarpone are what elevate the cake to something truly extraordinary. The Burpple community also loves the Curry Egg Mayo Croissant ($8.50), which is a comforting marriage of buttery croissant with rich, curried egg mayo. Avg Price: $15 per person Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Zul Latiff17. NINJA CUT
For Protein-rich Grain Bowls in Town For Protein-rich Grain Bowls in Town
Most healthy grain bowls are only available during lunch and are situated within the CBD, but this snazzy, hip space conveniently located in town serves its protein-rich grain bowls all day long — great for meeting up with that #eatclean friend of yours. Like its sister outlet Ninja Bowl in Duxton, you can choose to have soba, greens or Ninja Rice as your base ($2 each) — we recommend the latter that mixes brown and Japanese rice for a heartier meal. Every ingredient in their grain bowls, regardless of protein, is well-executed — the honey glazed carrots are soft and sweet, the moreish miso cucumbers add a nice crunch and the onsen eggs are wobbly, every single time. Go for the crowd favourite Squid Fix ($18) and What's Your Beef? ($18). The former features an entire Japanese squid, perfectly grilled on both sides and tender to the bite, while the latter comes with 150g of Australian rib-eye, roasted with a pink ring in the centre. Only 30 portions of the beef are available daily, so head down early! Wash it all down with a cup of Coffee (from $4.50) — they use a house blend of Colombian, Guatemalan and Ethiopian beans. Avg Price: $25 per person Photo by Burppler Mag Chow18. Brawn & Brains
For Molten Eggs and Coffee in the East For Molten Eggs and Coffee in the East
On weekends, this child-friendly cafe along Guillemard Road is always bustling with activity. They don't take reservations, so come early with a group of friends to snag a seat at one of the two coveted communal tables. Otherwise, be prepared to sit at the counter seats by the window. The menu is written on the chalkboard left of the cashier and while the number of offerings are limited, you can be assured everything is satisfying. Of the five mains, get the egg-cellent Oven Baked Molten Eggs on Tortilla and Melted Cheese ($16.80) that comes with thinly sliced avocado, cherry tomatoes and smoked salmon. The two ready-to-burst molten eggs promise a river of liquid gold, so have your cameras ready to catch all the runny action. If you're dropping by at non-meal times, opt for their tasty Curried Chicken Wrap ($11.90) or their Earl Grey Croissant ($4.20). Pair these bites with a Flat White ($5) or their Cold Brew ($7.80), and just while away your afternoon with a good read. Avg Price: $25 per person Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Jason Wong19. Builders at Sims
For Unpretentiously Tasty Food For Unpretentiously Tasty Food
Nestled in a quiet Geylang neighbourhood and about a 10-minute walk from Aljunied MRT station, this cafe by former Tiong Bahru Bakery head chef Joey Lim ticks two major boxes in our list — good food and fair prices, with most mains under $15. Start with the Golden Wings ($7.90), which Burppler Muriel A describes to have cripsy skin, juicy insides and spot-on seasoning. Appetites whet, move on to the wholly underrated Ratatouille Pasta ($10.90), a vegetarian dish that combines Japanese butter and seaweed for an ultimate umami bomb, complete with al dente tagliatelle and lots of fresh veggies. For something meatier, go with the comforting (and simply named) Beef ($14.90), which sees sous vide beef cheek chunks served atop a bed of potato mash, or the foolproof Wagyu Beef Burger ($16.90). The cooking here is generally simple, but herein lies its charm. While you're here, check out the trendy Coffee Cone Latte ($7) which combines dessert and a caffeine fix. Avg Price: $20 per person Photo by Burppler Muriel A20. Common Man Coffee Roasters
For a Satisfying, Fool-proof Brunch For a Satisfying, Fool-proof Brunch
The never-ending stream of customers on weekends is a testament to how popular Common Man Common Roasters is. Situtated on Martin Road, the cafe is fairly inaccessible from any MRT station, so it's best to have your friends convene at Dhoby Ghaut to share a cab here (it costs around $4.50). Our recommendations centre on their timeless classics. Go for the Turkish Common Man Breakfast ($25) — phyllo-wrapped soft boiled eggs that reveal golden molten centres, served on a bed of velvety hummus. Olives and beautifully breaded and fried feta add a good salty punch, while cucumbers and tomatoes keep it fresh. Get your hands dirty and grab the pita to mop up the glorious mess! Otherwise, you won't go wrong with the Organic Eggs Benedict ($24, opt for sourdough) that comes with two poached eggs stacked atop unbelievably tender braised ox cheeks and drizzled with chive hollandaise. End your meal with the Fluffy Brioche French Toast ($18) — two slices of super eggy brioche served with Kapiti ice cream and berries compote — so simple yet so worth its steep price. We prefer filter over espresso-based coffee here (from $4.50) — just ask the friendly baristas for recommendations! Avg Price: $30 per person Photo by Burppler May L
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