In the mood for cafe hopping? Finding a ‘cafe near me’ can be headache-inducing when you’re living in Tiong Bahru. With a mix of old and new charm, the area is home to many outstanding cafes that are available at your disposal. The wide variety of cafes is a true reflection of Singapore’s culture and heritage even up till now.
From French delicacies, Hong Kong delights to ice cream, Tiong Bahru has no issues when it comes to satisfying your cravings. So next time, take a walk in your neighbourhood and you’ll be surprised to find some hidden gems just minutes away from home. Here are our 6 favourite cafes in charming Tiong Bahru – best for their food, ambience and service!
Note: This list is strictly not in order.
1. Forty Hands Coffee
Image Credit: Forty Hands
Surrounded by many cafes alongside this stretch, Forty Hands is a quaint cafe found in Tiong Bahru. The cafe specialises in the art of coffee and derives its name from the exact number of people it takes to produce one cup of coffee. The cafe is renowned for its take on Australian style brunch and spectacular coffee. Their team of staff are friendly and cater to your every order, so if you’d like to add more or less of an ingredient, it can be done so!
Their menu is a mix of standard brunch and healthy options so everyone is able to choose something they’ll like. Their signature Big Boy Breakfast features an organic smoked beef sausage, grilled tomatoes, mushroom ragout, organic bacon, beef bolognese, flatbread with sour cream and creamy scrambled free-range eggs. Or if you prefer a sandwich, their 40 Hands Cubanos is an excellent choice. What you’ll get is mojo pork, honey-smoked ham, mayonnaise, jalapeños and cheese on a crusty baguette. This will definitely warm your soul! With a warm ambience and spectacular food, Forty Hands is the cafe for weekend brunch.
Recommended:
- Big Boy Breakfast
- 40 Hands Cubanos
- Latte
Website: https://www.40handscoffee.com/
Contact: +65 6225 8545
Location: 78 Yong Siak Street, Singapore 163078
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5.30pm | Sat-Sun 7.30am-6.30pm
2. Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe
Image Credit: Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe
With multiple outlets islandwide, Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe is easily accessible to all Singaporeans. They’re known for being one of the most successful ‘Cha Chaan Teng’ tea houses in Singapore. Their interior is decorated with simple furniture and lined with cushioned boots, but don’t let their humble setting fool you. They are committed to providing authentic Hong Kong dishes so that anyone can taste this delicious cuisine.
Though they serve the classic HK food like dim sum and luncheon meat noodles, we recommend their desserts too! Known for their thick toasts, the Peanut Butter N Condensed Milk Thick Toast boasts a nutty flavour coupled with the richness from the condensed milk leaving you immensely satisfied. Their Black Sesame Cream With Glutinous Balls sticks to the traditional taste and is the perfect way to end a meal. While you’re there don’t forget to try their HK Yuan Yang! Made with a blend of 70% tea and 30% coffee, it serves as a perfect pick me up at any time of the day.
Recommended:
- HK Yuan Yang
- Peanut Butter N Condensed Milk Thick Toast
- Black Sesame Cream With Glutinous Balls
Website: https://www.xinwang.com.sg/
Contact: +65 6270 9646
Location: 302 Tiong Bahru Road, 136 Tiong Bahru Plaza, #02-109, Singapore 168732
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 11am-10pm
3. Merci Marcel
Image Credit: Merci Marcel
Mixing the aesthetics of French Riviera and the tropics, Merci Marcel features a luxurious setting with a vivid citrus-toned palette and exposed walls paired with mosaic tile flooring. Lush greenery as well as white and caramel tones, this chic place is definitely the brunch spot that calls for photos as you munch away. The cafe boasts a mix of traditional brunch food done in a French manner. With many drinks to choose from, you can either pair your dishes with coffee, tea or wine.
From the menu, we recommend the Ravioles de Royan feature mini ravioli that are filled with cheese and served in a thick bechamel sauce. Their baked goods are also worth trying out. The Merci Marcel signature Croissant is buttery and flakey. For those who enjoy pizza, the Tarte Flambée is a French take on the classic dish. The flatbread is covered in asparagus, blue cheese, rocket leaves and bacon giving the dish a salty, creamy and nutty aroma.
Recommended:
- Ravioles de Royan
- Croissant
- Tarte flambée
Website: https://www.facebook.com/mercimarcelsg/
Contact: +65 6224 0113
Location: 56 Eng Hoon Street, #01-68, Singapore 160056
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 8am-9.30pm
4. Chapter 55
Image Credit: Chapter 55
For affordable Italian fare, Chapter 55 is a homely Italian bistro with friendly staff. The cosy ambience with Italian art decorating the walls and dark furniture is perfect for a cosy dinner. Their menu features a wider array of classic Italian dishes such as spaghetti bolognese, carbonara and Aglio Olio. But what makes them really stand out from the rest is their fusion dishes. Think a Japanese inspired pizza with their Bonito Thin Crust Pizza. The pizza is topped with Tonkatsu sauce, bonito flakes, cheese and ham which gives it a one of a kind taste.
Or if you prefer more traditional dishes, their Vongole Spaghetti would be a perfect choice. Clams cooked down in white wine boost an umami seafood flavour. Don’t miss out on their delicious desserts while you’re here! Their wide range of gelato flavours will be a perfect treat to end your meal. Their Salted Caramel Gelato is our choice for its sweet and salty combo that can be paired with a waffle for a more filling ending.
Recommended:
- Bonito Thin Crust Pizza
- Vongole Spaghetti
- Salted Caramel Gelato
Website: http://chapter55.com.sg/
Contact: +65 6221 2219
Location: Block 55, Tiong Bahru Road, Singapore 160055
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 11.30am-11pm
5. Flock Cafe
Image Credit: Flock Cafe
Flock, an authentic indie cafe, first started out as a family run business. Their love for cafes led them to creating a place where good food and warm service is deemed to be highly important. Their interior boasts a mix of industrial chic so you will definitely feel at home. The cafe has few added touches like a polaroid wall that dates back to their family theme. The team understands that a quiet backdrop is important for customers like yourself to take your mind off worries.
Their menu is an eclectic mix of innovation together with the usual brunch fare. For classics, go for their Flock’s Scrambled Eggs & Toast with a plate of sausages and sourdough bread to get your money’s worth. The Cheeky Eggs is a favourite amongst many diners where poached eggs are drowned in hollandaise sauce with braised pork cheek, all atop a piece of toasted brioche. The tender pork cheat combined with the richness of the yoke makes it a spectacular combo. Their desserts are equally impressive. The Lemon Tart, in particular, has captured the essence of the lemon, making it a delightful way to end the meal.
Recommended:
- Cheeky Eggs
- Lemon Tart
- Flock’s Scrambled Eggs & Toast
Website: http://flockcafe.com.sg/
Contact: +65 6536 3938
Location: 78 Moh Guan Terrace, Tiong Bahru Estate, #01-25, Singapore 162078
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 8am-9.30pm
6. Creamier
Image Credit: Creamier
Specialising in handcrafted ice cream, Creamier is one of the best ice cream shops worth a try. They are committed to using good quality ingredients so that their flavours shine through. Their passion for creating a perfect scoop of ice cream has led them to constantly churn out new ideas for flavours too. Whether you like classic flavours like chocolate, vanilla or strawberry. Creamier invites you to a spectacular roller coaster of flavours that will take your taste buds out for a spin.
Their best seller Rum and Raisin is no doubt delicious. The oaky and sweet depth from the rum lends itself as an enriching flavour that balances with the raisins. Or opt for the Richest Dark Chocolate Ferrero, which is essentially a level-up of your usual chocolate truffle. Not to forget, their local flavours are a hit amongst many. The Sea-Salt Gula Melaka, in particular, is their spin on salted caramel ice cream which will surely please those who enjoy the brown sugar flavour profile.
Recommended:
- Rum and Raisin
- Richest Dark Chocolate Ferrero
- Sea-salt Gula Melaka
Website: https://creamier.com.sg/
Contact: +65 6221 1076
Location: 78 Yong Siak Street, #01-18, Singapore 163078
Opening Hours: Tue-Sun 12pm-9pm | Closed on Monday
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