Timeless favourites: our top cafe picks in Singapore that will perk you up any time of the day
Whether you’re looking to get a caffeine fix with your favourite cuppa, fill up on dessert for a much-needed energy boost, or rest your tired feet from your shopping, we’ve got a curated list of cafes for just the pick-me-up you need to power you through your day.
Expect freshly brewed coffee, tea and other beverages, as well as a whole host of sweet and savoury treats at these 10 cafe hangouts! From fluffy melt-in-your-mouth pancakes to all-day breakfasts, these places will satisfy you and have you all set for another round of shopping.
Hoshino Coffee at Plaza Singapura
When it’s time to take a break from all the frantic shopping, why not stop by Hoshino Coffee for a well-deserved rest? Soak in the relaxed environment inside the elegant and cosy cafe and take your pick of Western-inspired Japanese desserts and beverages. Sip on some specialty hand-drip coffee that uses premium Arabica roasted coffee beans, carefully selected by the in-house coffee blend specialist.
There are three blends to choose from with varying levels of sweetness, acidity and bitterness. Alternatively, a pot of Hot Fruit Tea will do well in calming any frazzled nerves. If you're in the mood for dessert, Hoshino Coffee's selection of fluffy Pot-Baked Souffle and golden French Toast is more than enough to put a smile on your face.
The Ultimate Pick-Me-Up:
A must-try at Hoshino Coffee is their thick souffle-style pancakes that are freshly baked upon order. Topped with whipped butter and your choice of honey or maple syrup, the pancakes come in a single or double layer. If you love Matcha, the Matcha Pancake is just the thing to brighten your day. For a special treat, look out for their limited edition Seasonal Pancakes that are coupled with fresh produce available in the current season.
St Marc Cafe at Raffles City Singapore
Another cafe that acts as a safe haven for tired shoppers is St Marc Cafe, a popular Japanese bakery chain. The store’s signature item is the best-selling Choco Cro, an ingenious creation that combines rich chocolate with mini croissants for a light, flaky pastry with a chocolatey inside. Simple yet extremely satisfying. Those with a sweet tooth will find it hard to decide among the parfaits, shaved ice options and other equally irresistible desserts and drinks.
The Ultimate Pick-Me-Up:
St Marc Cafe’s original dessert, the CroToast, is an amalgamation of a croissant loaf and French toast, resulting in a dessert of epic proportions! Accompanied with artisan Italian gelato, a generous amount of sauce and loads of toppings, the CroToast with its crisp exterior and fluffy interior is a terrific dessert to melt any pent-up tensions away.
PARIS BAGUETTE Cafe at Bugis Junction
This French-inspired bakery cafe originating from Korea will tempt you with its glistening pastries, savoury breads and dainty cakes as you enter. Load up on carbs and recharge with their freshly baked goods; or for something more substantial, order a sandwich, salad or a brunch item (like the PB Omelette Plate). Order coffee or freshly squeezed juice to go with your meal for instant rejuvenation!
The Ultimate Pick-Me-Up:
Deceptively simple but sure tastes like heaven on earth - it's none other than Paris Baguette’s famous Royal Pudding! Encased in an adorable glass jar, the sweet milky dessert is soft and smooth and glides down your throat like a dream. The caramel syrup at the bottom gives it extra depth, so make sure to work your spoon all the way down. It comes in Original, Mango and Chocolate, but if you’re lucky you might get to try their occasional special flavours!
Made famous by various K-Dramas including the wildly popular It's Okay, That's Love, Coffeesmith is the perfect chillout place. As its name suggests, coffee here is skilfully crafted – much like a smith proficient in his craft – by blending five kinds of the finest Arabica coffee beans to achieve an intense yet smooth flavour. Non-coffee fans can try other beverages such as teas, frappes, fruit ade or the popular Sweet Potato Latte. Pair your drink with a sandwich, croissant, salad or waffle order for a light yet satisfying meal.
The Ultimate Pick-Me-Up:
Awake your senses with Coffeesmith’s frosty Snow Flake Shakes! A cross between bingsu (Korean shaved ice) and a milkshake, this milky dessert drink comes in an array of exciting flavours. For a taste close to Korea, get the traditional Injeolmi Snowshake with chewy rice cakes and soybean powder. If you prefer something fruity, the Strawberry or Mango Snowshake will hit the spot.
Get a taste of Taiwan at Typhoon Cafe, a hipster and casual dining establishment meant to simulate a hole-in-the-wall cafe commonly found along Taiwan’s famed Fujian Cafe Street. Besides serving iconic dishes native to Taiwan, the cafe also dishes out innovative desserts and thirst-quenching drinks.
From the cafe's intriguing selection of Typhoon Signature Fruit Teas to the various Desserts of the Month (how about a Chendol Panna Cotta, anyone?), fall in love with the unique flavours that cannot be found anywhere else.
The Ultimate Pick-Me-Up:
The Typhoon Pavlova is a sight to behold and a delight to dig into. Reminiscent of a magnificent mountain straight out of a Chinese painting, this meringue-based dessert is elaborately decorated with fruits, cookie crumble and passionfruit curd for an #instaworthy shot. You also wouldn’t want to miss the dramatic Hell Valley Volcano dessert that comes with a mesmerising smoky effect courtesy of liquid nitrogen. Inside the chocolate mountain you'll find sweet surprises of cake and ice cream.
The Coffee Academics at Raffles City Singapore
Hailing from Hong Kong, The Coffee Academics is an excellent cafe to stop by for a respite from your heavy-duty shopping. The best quality coffee beans are sourced globally and lovingly roasted and blended by in-house baristas to produce perfect brews with distinct aromas. Not to be missed are the Signatures such as the Pepper Agave Latte; and the Okinawa for flavourful coffee that’s out of the ordinary. Indeed, there’s nothing better than a shot of caffeine coursing through your veins to revitalise you from your weariness. To fuel yourself even more, hearty all-day breakfast meals, Western mains and desserts are available for a satisfyingly good time.
The Ultimate Pick-Me-Up:
For a truly indulgent dessert that offers an amazing sugar rush, dig into the TCA Signature Egglet, or Gai Dan Zai, a popular street snack in Hong Kong that has been taken up a notch here. The egglet, which is crisp on the outside and airy on the inside, is topped with juicy mango cubes and a scoop of creamy Hong Kong milk tea gelato, then drizzled with a salted egg custard sauce. How awesome does that sound?
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at multiple locations
This popular coffee chain needs no introduction. A favourite hangout spot for people of all ages, there’s no going wrong with getting your java fix here. The cafe not only serves a wide variety of coffees, teas, cakes and other baked goodies, it also has an impressive food menu of all-day breakfasts, sandwiches and pastas to keep your bellies happy. Conveniently located at Bugis+, IMM, JCube, Junction 8 and Plaza Singapura, it's never been easier to find an outlet near you!
The Ultimate Pick-Me-Up:
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is arguably most famous for its Original Ice Blended beverages and it’s not hard to see why. Each Original Ice Blended beverage consists of the cafe’s delicious coffee extract along with other decadent ingredients that come together to form the ultimate icy treat. The combination of the cold crushed concoction and caffeine will definitely invigorate the senses. Non-coffee drinkers need not feel left out, as equally delectable non-caffeinated Ice Blended drinks are available across the outlets, such as the Pure Double Chocolate and Pure Vanilla.
Slappy Cakes is a novel dining establishment to check out if you're looking for something different. Its draw is in its DIY pancakes concept, where you get to choose from a great assortment of batters, fixings and toppings for your very own pancake creations.
Fancy something savoury? The DIY Okonomiyaki allows you to make the Japanese pancake just the way you like it! It's great for letting loose and releasing your inner tensions, through a more creative and yummy outlet.
Also perfect if you're dining with families; the DIY appeal will keep the kids entertained for a long time!
The Ultimate Pick-Me-Up:
It’s a no-brainer, the DIY Pancakes with their fun and tasty factor win the show! Pancake batters are freshly made and come in various flavours like Whole Grain, Buttermilk, Chocolate and Pandan. Pick from fixings of fruits, nuts, bacon, cheese and more. Finish up with toppings like fluffy whipped cream and maple syrup. Unleash your inner creativity and have loads of fun coming up with your own unique pancake designs.
JAB Coffee Co. is a convenient pitstop for a breather or a caffeine buzz. Enjoy specialty coffee sourced from roasters chosen under the highest standards, and ground freshly upon order by dedicated baristas.
Tea lovers can select from the range of artisanal teas sourced from the renowned T2, Australia. Alternatively, those looking for something healthier could go for the cafe's refreshing cold-pressed juices packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
Complement your drink with an assortment of specially curated breakfast fare and handcrafted sandwiches and you’ll be ready to face the world again after a quick energy refuel.
The Ultimate Pick-Me-Up:
Without a doubt, patrons of JAB Coffee Co. have to try out the unique Earl Grey Mocha, something that one doesn’t usually see on regular cafe menus. A touch of French Earl Grey tea is added to regular Mocha to create a smooth, velvety combination of chocolate, caffeine and a lovely floral scent of Earl Grey, completed with intricate latte art.
O’ Coffee Club at Raffles City Singapore
Escape the crowd with O’ Coffee Club, a contemporary cafe that serves premium gourmet coffee in a casual setting. Here, you can slowly savour your cup of aromatic coffee as you take your time to recharge from a long day of shopping. Besides coffee and other beverages that include fruit blends and fruit sodas, the cafe also has an impressive line-up of dishes for those feeling peckish. Be it the Croque Madame or the Eggs Benedict, these moreish dishes are sufficient to provide you with an energy boost to keep you going for the rest of your day.
The Ultimate Pick-Me-Up:
If there’s ever a beverage that scores high on innovation, it's none other than the Frozen Espresso Latte. Espresso is frozen into ice cubes and served with milk so as the ice cubes melt, the coffee will increase in concentration. Pretty clever, yes? You no longer have to worry about your iced coffee becoming watered down, all while getting your stimulating dose of caffeine.
A good cuppa and sweet treat always lifts your spirits. Pay the joy forward and shop the perfect gifts for your loved ones!