Increasingly, cafes are upping their ante in attracting café-hoppers to patronise them. No longer does it suffice for cafes to only serve delectable and photo-worthy food; there needs to be something unique about their café to keep the customer coming back for more.
As a self-professed cafe lover, here are five cafes in Singapore that I think even those who do not frequent cafes should visit at least once.
1. The Study
Entrance of The Study
The exterior of The Study has this quirky and yet vintage feel to it, which is a huge contrast from its interiors. Nonetheless, the interior is equally unique with a retro and funky décor that oozes hipster vibes. As you delve deeper into the café, you will be pleasantly surprised by a day bar that lies in a more intimate setting, well-furnished with velvet sofas and lighting suited to the jazzy atmosphere. Another aspect that sets this cafe apart from others lies in their open concept for the kitchen, where you can see the chef preparing your food near the countertop.
Scrambled Eggs, The Big English and Poached Egg (clockwise from top).
The Study has also recently released a new boozy brunch menu, with free-flow liquor that comes at a reasonable price range of S$38 to S$48. Unlike the mainstream Italian western cuisine served at a typical café, this restaurant-café serves mainly British food fare, as it has always been for their lunch and dinner. Even their appetiser, a mini fruit platter made of kiwi, watermelon, honeydew and tangerine, was a breath of fresh air to us.
49 Keong Saik Road Singapore 089153 | Tel: +65 6221 8338 | Opening hours: Brunch 11am to 3pm (Sat); Closed on Sundays
2. Whisk and Paddle
Outdoor section of Whisk and Paddle.
Whisk and Paddle offers a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle, with an alfresco setting that overlooks the lush greenery along Punggol River. It is perfect for diners who enjoy being near to nature while having their meals. It is also a go-to place for family gatherings, as this place is kids-friendly. Pet owners can even bring their pets along for a hearty brunch, after a walk by the river.
Whisk Breakfast Plate with Scrambled Eggs, Smoked Pork Sausage, Streaky Bacon, Roasted Potatoes, Roasted Cherry Vine Tomatoes, Sauteed Mushrooms, Toasts and Flavoured Butter.
10 Tebing Lane, #01-01, Singapore 828836 | Tel: +65 6242 4617 | Opening hours: Tue to Fri: 3.30pm to 10.30pm; Weekends and public holidays: 9.30am to 10.30pm; Closed on Mondays
3. The Provision Shop
Eggs Benedict with poached eggs, flat white and mocha
Overflowing poached eggs with hollandaise sauce atop thick ham slices and toasted bread.
Situated at a void deck within Everton Park, The Provision Shop gives off a homely vibe that makes you feel at ease. A must-try is their sous vide eggs, a version of poached eggs that is unlike what is usually served in other cafes. The eggy taste blends seamlessly with the crispy and savoury bacon jerky. Coffee-lovers should also try the mocha, where a right balance of the cocoa powder and coffee make for a nice bittersweet taste.
3 Everton Park, #01-79 Bukit Merah Singapore 080003 | Tel: +65 6225 9931 | Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9pm
4. The Daily Roundup
The interiors of the Daily Roundup.
ABC cold pressed juice (left) and Roselle Hibiscus Iced Tea.
The artsy and minimalist feel to the interiors of The Daily Roundup make you feel as though you have just stepped into a modern art gallery. With soothing music playing in the background, this venue makes for an ideal place to catch up over tea. Moreover, the drinks they serve here are pretty unique, such as roselle hibiscus iced tea and fresh seasonal cold pressed juices that come in varying types of blends.
1 Keong Saik Road #01-02 The Working Capitol Singapore 089109 | Tel: +65 6338 8035 | Opening hours: 8am to 9.30pm (Mon to Fri); 9am – 9.30pm (Sat); 9am to 7.30pm (Sun and public holidays)
5. Butter My Buns
Breakfast Platter with scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, sausage and pasta salad.
The newly opened Butter My Buns, from the guys behind Tiramisu Hero, offers your own “DIY” breakfast — you can choose your sides on the breakfast platter. The usual sides from which you can pick, include the classic scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon and the likes. You can even decide how you want your egg to be done, be it sous vide style, sunny side-up or scrambled. Butter My Buns is rather wallet-friendly as their breakfast platter can come up to less than S$15, which one is hard-pressed to find elsewhere.
An otherwise simply baked potato if not for the mustard sauce and flakes drizzled atop it
Another great hit is their Gourmet Baked Potato, which left us craving for more. The slightly spicy mustard sauce drizzled atop it, gave this otherwise simple baked potato a savoury and yet sweet and tangy flavor. It also helped that the baked potato was really soft on the inside and its skin was baked to the right crisp. Given that the cafe is located within a bookstore, one can easily grab a book and have some much-needed quiet reading time, especially for avid readers.
2 College Avenue West Stephen Riady Centre #01-07 University Town National University Singapore S138607 | Tel: +65 6123 4567 | Opening hours: 10.30am – 10.30pm daily
