Sip coffee like royalty at Moroccan-themed cafe Bacha Coffee at Ion Orchard

SINGAPORE – Once I stepped into Ion Orchard’s Bacha Coffee, I felt like I was being transported into another world.

The coffee room & boutique is inspired by the Dar el Bacha palace in Marrakech, where it originated from in 1910. Adopting a bright colour scheme with a large use of orange and blue elements and grand-looking chandeliers, it looks like a place where royalty would step foot in. This is their first outlet outside of Marrakech.

I settled myself on the plush furniture. The interior design is almost TWG Tea-esque with a Moroccan theme.

The space is divided into two sections. Patrons will first walk into the retail space where one could pick up pastries or coffee beans packaged for retail, and be seated in the dining area on the other side.

Just like any coffeehouse, the aroma of fresh coffee wafted through the place.

I was informed that they offer over 200 single origin 100% Arabica coffee beans from farmers in Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Asia and beyond.

You can choose from fine flavoured coffees, fine blended coffees and naturally C0₂ decaffeinated coffees, with each variety of coffee having its individual qualities and complexities.

They serve pastries, including signature croissants to pair with the range of coffees that are served all day long. They also serve breakfast items such as poached eggs, eggs Florentine, and French toasts. Lunch items include Barramundi, Moroccan chicken pastille and traditional Moroccan Kefta meatballs.

Coffee and pastries taste test

I put their coffees and pastries to the taste test.

The menu is sectioned into Single Origin Coffees, Fine Flavoured Coffees and Blended Coffees and with their selection of 200 over types of coffee in total, anyone would be spoilt for choice.

I asked the helpful staff for recommendations.

As it is already mid-day and I didn’t want to overload myself with too much caffeine, I asked for options that are lighter on the caffeine.

She recommended the Costa Rica Volcán Azul Red Honey Coffee (S$9 per pot), White Nile Coffee (S$9 per pot) and Sweet Mexico Coffee (S$9 per pot).

I got the Raspberry & Cinnamon croissant (S$8), Pistachio croissant (S$8), as well as the Chocolate coffee puff (S$9) to pair with the coffee. I can also choose to accompany the croissants with coffee flower honey or Chantilly whipped cream.

Each coffee comes with a pot of fresh vanilla bean Chantilly cream. Milk is provided at every table as well as a small vanilla grinder.

Fine Blended Coffee - White Nile Coffee

I opted for the White Nile Coffee cold. It is a blend of African and Central American coffees with notes of milk chocolate, almond and walnut. As it went down my throat, it left a tinge of acidity. I didn’t add any sweetness to it and wanted to savour it on its own.

Single Origin Coffee - Costa Rica Volcán Azul Red Honey Coffee

This features notes of dried fruit and chocolate. This had a tinge of acidity to it as well. The aftertaste was surprisingly pleasant. After adding the cream and grated vanilla, it was definitely a lot easier to drink.

Fine Flavoured Coffee - Sweet Mexico Coffee

The Sweet Mexico Coffee balances Arabica beans with the subtle delicacy of rare vanilla beans. This was the easiest to drink out of the three coffees. There was a sweet, tangy taste to it and I only had to add a bit of milk and cream to it.

Raspberry & Cinnamon croissant, Pistachio croissant and Chocolate coffee puff

The croissants were buttery, flaky and delicious. I love the Raspberry & Cinnamon Croissant as that contains a hint of sweetness to it. As I tore the croissants apart, I could see the thin, soft layers in them. The pistachio flavour, regrettably, wasn’t strong enough. I still enjoyed it though, especially with the added pistachios on top.

In regular service, the croissants are served in two pieces.

For the Chocolate coffee puff, the swirl of coffee cream is made from real coffee beans in the store. The taste is very tangy and sweet. I finished about half of it as it was a bit heavy for my liking. It would be perfect for two people.

Overall, dining at Bacha Coffee is more on the pricier side but you would surely get your money worth with the quality coffees and the huge coffee selection. If you like somewhere with good décor and ambience as you savour your coffee, this place is for you as well.

Bacha Coffee is located at 2 Orchard Turn, #01-15/16 ION Orchard Mall, Singapore 238801

Operating hours are 10am - 10pm