Do you need a place to unwind, maybe with good food and great company? If so, look no further, here are the top cafes in Singapore for your enjoyment!
What is a Cafe?
Derived from the French word “café”, meaning coffee, a cafe is an establishment serving coffee, snacks, and light meals. It is a place for people to unwind while enjoying their favourite coffee or baked goods.
The Differences between a Cafe and a Restaurant
In Singapore, there is a thin line between the cafe establishments and a restaurant. The difference is marked by the services that offer. Although a restaurant will provide a diverse menu, its primary service isn’t tied down to coffee.
A restaurant will offer a tray of different foods ranging from desserts, soups, salads appetizers, and full course meals. Waiters provide the service, and the service area is primarily inside the establishment.
Cafes
A cafe is synonymous with a coffee house. The establishment has an array of coffees and teas. They provide cappuccinos and light snacks. A cafe menu can consist of pastries and cakes. In Singapore, cafes seem to be taking the form of casual restaurants with a scaled-down menu.
A Cafe Will Offer:
- Comparatively low prices compared to a restaurant
- It operates with a small number of staff
- Service is mainly buffet or self-service
A Restaurant Will Offer:
- A formal dining environment suitable for formal gastronomy experience and
- Dining with prices that are on the higher end
- A service entourage with host/hostess and waiters/waitress who guide your seating and handle service
Tips for Finding an Excellent Cafe in Singapore
Getting the right cafe in Singapore can be difficult. There are hundreds of cafes offering an impressive range of drinks, and you need to get value for your money. Here are tips to help you find an excellent cafe in the Lion state.
Assess their Reputation
Customers have reviewed most cases in the past. Don’t ignore what previous customers have to say about a given eatery. Recommendations can go a long way to help you identify a lovely cafe.
Check the Menu
Before you opt for a cafe, check to see that their menu fits your taste buds. From the coffee, they brew to the snacks, the need to offer variety, and not the same type of servings all the time.
Choose Convenient Locations
A cafe is as good as its location. Nobody wants to stress over traffic jams to get to a specific cafe. Choose locations that are convenient to your workplace or home. If you’re running errands, check whether they have parking, located near banks, shopping, and essential amenities.
Gauge the Staff
A cafe should employ staff who are personable and customer-friendly. Their waiters, waitresses, baristas, and chefs need to have in-depth experience in the foodservice industry.
Check the Ambience
A cafe that offers exceptional cuisine experience is worth your time and money. Today, Singaporean cafes come with excellent ambience. Make sure that your cafe offers all the comfort treats you want.
Check the Costs
Whether you drop into a high-end cafe or one by the street, make sure that their prices fit your wallet. Many factors determine the costs, including ambience, location, and the menu. Be ready to pay a pricey amount if you prefer exotic treats.
Now that you know how to pick your perfect cafe, let’s get to our list of the top cafes in Singapore:
Company | Dutch Colony Coffee |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | Click here to view |
| Website | https://www.dutchcolony.sg/ |
| Address |
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| Telephone | (65) 6448 5852 |
| Operating Hours | Frankel: Mon-Thurs: 8am – 6pm Fri-Sun: 8am – 8pm UE Square: Mon-Sun: 8am – 6pm Defu Lane: Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm (By Appointment Only) Sat-Sun: Closed Fusionopolis One: Mon-Fri: 8am – 6.30pm |
| Review 1 | “Great place to sit and relax, good natural lighting at the back, sitting area out the front with fans, big tables in the middle. Eggs on toast high value and beautifully done.” – Mat.W |
| Review 2 | “They made amazing toast and eggs. Though it’s simple dish, it’s so hearty. Their coffee is great. You should definitely try their brew. The atmosphere is welcoming. Plenty of natural light. There are outdoor seats too. Free wifi is provided.” – Turian.L |
| Review 3 | “Had truffle egg mayo crossiants and its exceeded my expectations! Really good food, ambiance and service. Lookg forward to go back agn.” – Amanda.P |
Company | Brawns and Brains Coffee |
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| Pricing | Click here to view |
| Website | https://www.brawnandbrains.sg/ |
| Address |
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| Telephone | (65) 6348 0501 |
| Operating Hours | Guillemard: Tue – Fri : 0830am – 430pm Weekends & PH : 0830am – 530pm Mon: Closed East Coast: Tue – Sun & PH: 0830am – 530pm Mon: Closed |
| Review 1 | “Quite a hidden gem in Geylang! The menu is short but good and without any fuss. I had a wonderful late breakfast with salmon and baked egg. Definitely worth to visit” – Roman.S |
| Review 2 | “By far the best of the coffee shops we visited in this part of Singapore. The espresso is top-notch, and the avocado toast with a poached egg was generous and delicious. The staff are so friendly, and helpful, and the space is good for working or just hanging out. Bonus: it’s next door to a climbing gym. Highly recommend.” – MLH |
| Review 3 | “Nice Place. Salmon n Avocado toast is recommended!”- Rishi.R |
Company | Penny University |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | Click here to view |
| Website | http://pennyuniversitycafe.com/ |
| Address | 402 East Coast Road, Singapore 428997 |
| Telephone | (65) 6345 9055 |
| Operating Hours | Mon-Sun: 8.30am – 10pm |
| Review 1 | “Food is too good. We loved it” – Shankara.N |
| Review 2 | “The food is great, the coffee is amazing and the staff are outstanding. I’ve also attended an espresso workshop here with a very knowledgeable barista. Definitely a must for all East Coasters !” – Cole.C |
| Review 3 | “Good dining place. Highly recommend the beef steak, truffle fries and affogato ! Rustic ambiance is one of a kind. Great staff serving food. Will definately come back for the breakfast/lunch menu. Keep it up ! 😎👍👍” – Khairil. O |
Company | Cafe Melba |
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| Pricing | Click here to view |
| Website | https://www.cafemelba.com.sg |
| Address |
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| Telephone | (65) 6440 6068 |
| Operating Hours | Mon-Fri: 10am – 10pm Weekends and PH: 8:30am-10pm |
| Review 1 | “Great food and service! Very nice ambience as well. Try the Johnny Walker steak! :)”-Sobrina.I |
| Review 2 | “Amazing and cozy place to dine at. Pizza is really good!” – Clarence.C |
| Review 3 | “Loved the aussie feel.. rosti was awesome! We were fighting for it.😋. the pizza was great! Coffee is strong with a punch! Will go back there for more food gatherings.. Great to bring kids as they have a big play area!” – Audrey. S |
Company | Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters |
| Services |
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| Pricing | Click here to view |
| Website | http://pacamara.sg |
| Address | 185 Upper Thomson Rd, Singapore 574333 |
| Telephone | (65) 6397 5564 |
| Operating Hours | Monday – Sunday 9am – 11pm |
| Review 1 | “Delicious breakfast platter with cold drip coffee. Great way to start the day before heading to Mac Richie for a walk.” – Kate.D |
| Review 2 | “A good brunch option in upper Thomson Road. I like their big breakfast and coffees. My friends tried the pancakes and cakes and overall good.” – Swathi. R |
| Review 3 | “Been there twice n tried different main course. Impressed by it quality and quantity. Spacious n clean place n service is good too.” – Jenny.K |
Company | My Awesome Cafe |
| Services |
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| Pricing | Click here to view |
| Website | http://www.myawesomecafe.com/ |
| Address | 202 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068639 |
| Telephone | (65) 6222 2007 |
| Operating Hours | Mon-Fri 8.45am-12am Sat-Sun 8am-midnight |
| Review 1 | “The name says it all. From the outrageous cheeses duck sandwich to the superb staff. Get to know them and they look after you a treat. Funky old school decor and a healthy / unhealthy menu awaits all. It can be absolutely heaving at all times of the day. Modern day cuisine meets old school architecture. A Singapore institution.” – Sean. H |
| Review 2 | “Great place to dine and chill. This cafe has this unique interior and the staff are also friendly. Delicious food on the menu too. We had a breakfast here and it was really tasty. Will come here again” – Jen.B |
Company | Lola’s Cafe |
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| Pricing | Click here to view |
| Website | https://www.lolascafe.com.sg |
| Address | 5 Simon Rd, Singapore 545893 |
| Telephone | (65) 62840349 |
| Operating Hours | Tues – Thurs, & Sun: 10am–11.30pm Fri & Sat:10am – 12mn Mon: Closed |
| Review 1 | “Really like the flourless chocolate cake and honey paprika chicken 😋” – Wen Yi |
| Review 2 | “Casual hang out place with friends and family. Atmosphere is cozy. Their signature dish is honey paprika wings, a must-order dish for chicken wing lovers. Honey and paprika taste blended so well together! The crab and prawn linguine is nice, seafood is fresh! Coffee and beer also served too.” – Shanny.L |
Company | Common Man Coffee Roasters |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | Click here to view |
| Website | https://commonmancoffeeroasters.com/ |
| Address |
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| Telephone | (65) 6836 4695 |
| Operating Hours | CMCR Singapore (Martin Road, #01-00) Mon – Fri: 7.30am – 5pm Common Man Stan(Stanley Street): Mon-Sun: 7.30am – 5.30pm Grounded by CMCR(Martin Road, #02-00) Mon – Sun, 7:30am – 9:30pm CMCR KL: Mon – Fri: 8am – 5pm |
| As Featured On | Readers Choice Best Café by SG Magazine (2014 &2015) |
| Review 1 | “Great cafe and yoga studio upstairs. Excellent coffee, some good latte art on a few coffees being walked past. The staff are really into the coffee and have great service skills. Lots of single origin coffees and brewing tools available to take home also. The kitchen makes a great range of delicious foods. The yogurt and muesli was so damn tasty, I will be back again.” – Kayne.E |
| Review 2 | “This place is outstanding. Food, juices and coffee of a very high standard. Staff very attentive even on a very busy Sunday.” – WB.C |
| Review 3 | “Very good food, I particularly enjoyed the Turkish breakfast, the eggs were really great and unique. The atmosphere is very casual and trendy (borderline hipster). Overall I would recommend to try the Turkish breakfast option or the vegetarian brunch option which was also great!” – Badr. S |
Company | Forty Hands Coffee |
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| Pricing | Click here to view |
| Website | https://www.40handscoffee.com/ |
| Address |
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| Telephone | (65) +65 97390121 |
| Operating Hours | Tiong Bahru Mon – Sun 7.30am to 8:30pm East Coast |
| Review 1 | “Nice little place in tiong bahru neighbourhood. Like everyone said, the egg benedict is DIVINE.” – FW.P |
| Review 2 | “Forty Hands is my favorite cafe in Singapore right now. The coffee is top notch. Just keep it simple and let them impress you with a long black or espresso. The red bean buns are delicious. I can also heartily recommend the pesto panini, the Cubano, and the burger. For breakfast the eggs Benedict is a classic and they do it well. I’ve not had anything disappoint me here and I doubt you will!” – Eric.W |
Company | Sarnies |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | Click here to view |
| Website | http://sarniescafe.com/ |
| Address | 136 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068601 |
| Telephone | (65) 6224 6091 |
| Operating Hours | Mon & Tues: 7.30am to 10.30pm Wed to Fri: 7.30am to 12am Sat & Sun: 8.30am to 4pm |
| As Featured On |
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| Review 1 | “Sarnies is a great dining experience, I’ve been going for five years and still find new treats to order on the menu every time – the egg and bacon – sandwich (sarnie) is my all time favorite. The beer is cold, the coffee at 57 degrees and service friendly and fast!” – David.K |
| Review 2 | “Always come here when I am craving a high quality western sandwich. TOP notch place. Coffee is fantastic and they also sell roasted beans for those that brew at home” – PB.Mac |
| Review 3 | “Sarnies is an at least once a week destination for breakfast or just coffee. Love the atmosphere, friendly staff and the accommodating nature of the staff…..customer is king! Don’t change, don’t move….and don’t go away. Love your work guys….and those blueberry smoothies…❤️” – Mike. H |
Company | The Populus |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | Click here to view |
| Website | https://thepopulus.cafe/ |
| Address |
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| Telephone | (65) 6635 8420 |
| Operating Hours | Neil Rd: Mon – Tue : 9am – 6pm POPS By Populus (Funan Mall): Mon-Sun: 11.30am – 8pm |
| Review 1 | “Populous cafe serves good food with pretty satisfying portions. Tried the cod with leek and beef ragu pappardelle which both tasted good. Service was attentive too. It is a really popular place for brunch, so do make reservations before going to avoid a long wait.” – Jo Lin |
| Review 2 | “We went to this place twice (tried all-day breakfast) while staying in Singapore for 2 nights. Highly recommend the buckwheat pancakes and coffee The pancakes were delicious, fluffy and moist while the latte was smooth to drink.” – Jared.S |
| Review 3 | “Visited Populus today to give thanks and to enjoy their amazing menu and award-winning coffee. Their “Chicken Rice” Donburi was both super tasty and just the right portion. Their Pork Chop was super juicy while still crispy on the outside. Amazing coffee served up courtesy of 2 Degrees North Roasters where Yi Yang is also the Master Roaster. Great atmosphere to hang out with friends. Truly appreciated the conversation and to learn a bit more about speciality coffees from Yang himself!” – Kai Yi |
Company | Chye Seng Huat Hardware |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | Click here to view |
| Website | https://www.cshhcoffee.com/ |
| Address | 150 Tyrwhitt Rd, Singapore 207563 |
| Telephone | (65) 6396 0609 |
| Operating Hours | Mon-Sun: 9am-9pm |
| Review 1 | “Hip, modern vibe and delicious breakfast and coffee selections. A little higher end on the price side but for the quality of food its worth it. I had an ice latte with oat milk. They give you a full glass which is nice compared to other coffee shops. The hot, fresh breakfast scones w raspberry jam and fresh fruit were scrumptious. My husband had the larger breakfast with fried eggs, sauteed mushrooms, tomatoes, and toast.” – Brittney. S |
| Review 2 | “Great nitro cold brew. Cool place to hang out. Would love to come back for their coffee roasting lessons.” – Ryan.C |
Company | Brunches Cafe |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | Click here to view |
| Website | http://brunches.sg/ |
| Address |
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| Telephone | (65) 8685 8488 |
| Operating Hours | Mon-Fri: 11 am to 10 pm Sat-Sun: 10 am to 10 pm Tues: Closed |
| Review 1 | “Breakfast was satisfied! We had acai bowl, granola parfait, coffee and cold brew ice tea. The place looks really hip with all the deco and the food was nice! Super filling though, they were very generous with the granola! I would visit again to try the other dishes :))” – Eunice.L |
| Review 2 | “Great service and bloody delicious food! Tried the Aglio Olio and Risotto and which was prepared in a creative way without compromising the taste! Highly recommended!” – Damo.W |
| Review 3 | “Old retro ambience. Food is always fast and service fast and friendly. I recommend lobster bisque or breakfast foods.” – Cerys. L |
Company | Wildseed Cafe |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | Click here to view |
| Website | https://www.wildseedcafe.sg/ |
| Address |
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| Telephone | (65) 6220 2330 |
| Operating Hours | The Summerhouse(Parklane): Mon-Fri: 8.30am to 5pm The Alkaff Mansion (Telok Blangah): Mon-Sun: 8am-5pm |
| Review 1 | “Good food, great atmosphere & friendly staff 😀👍Had a scrumptious wagyu burger – generous & juicy that came with a huge serving of delicious curly fries…yum…” – Gloria.S |
| Review 2 | “Was here to treat my old man to some waffles and truffle fries for his birthday. We loved the food so much we came back 2 days later for brunch. Great service and good food. Despite the place being packed, truly appreciate the attentiveness of the staff and the minimal wait.” – Ju.A |
Company | Atlas Coffeehouse |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | Click here to view |
| Website | https://www.atlascoffeehouse.com.sg/ |
| Address |
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| Telephone | (65 ) 6314 2674 |
| Operating Hours | Duke’s Rd: Tues to Sun: 8am to 7pm OUE Downtown: Mon – Fri: 8am to 7pm |
| Review 1 | “Loved the meat balls with sourdough bread and pulled pork with sourdough bread . Absolutely fantastic waffles ! Probably the best waffles I have had ever ! Would highly recommend for breakfast .” – Virdhawal.K |
| Review 2 | “Yummy food and waffles. Tried the salmon soba noodles. Tasty and healthy.”-Camarine.H |
| Review 3 | “Loving the pulled pork and banana pancakes. Expect a crowd so use the booking app – Chope!” – Shermain.N |
Company | Toby’s Estate |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | Click here to view |
| Website | https://www.tobysestate.com.sg/ |
| Address | 8 Rodyk Street, #01-03/04, Singapore 238216 |
| Telephone | (65) 6636 7629 |
| Operating Hours | Sun – Thurs: 7.30am-6pm Fri – Sat: 7.30am-7pm |
| Review 1 | “Fantastic place to have brunch by the river! Good outdoor seating. Loved their eggs Benedict!” – Srishti. L |
| Review 2 | “Arguably the best espresso in Robertson Quay. The breakfast options are also absolutely stunning. From Eggs Benedict to supreme French Toast, you will NOT be disappointed. ” – Kent.R |
Company | Whisk & Paddle |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | Click here to view |
| Website | http://whiskandpaddle.com.sg/ |
| Address | 10 Tebing Lane, #01-01, Singapore 828836 |
| Telephone | (65) 6242 4617 |
| Operating Hours | Mon-Fri: 3.30pm – 10.30pm Sat-Sun & PH: 9.30am – 10.30pm |
| As Featured On | TimeOut Singapore |
| Review 1 | “Hands down my favorite place to eat waffles in Singapore. I always come back for more! You know how some places have soggy waffles or waffles that are so overcooked & hard. The waffles here are nice and crisp on the outside and soft on the inside – a great balance. Extra delicious when it is accompanied with the ice-cream. I have tried both the chocolate and the butter waffle, both are good, but my preference is still the butter waffle!” – Andrew. O |
| Review 2 | “Hundred percent recommend the mac and cheese, and waffle for dessert” – Jia Yi |
| Review 3 | “Eggs Benedict is super yummy! Macaroni and Cheese is pretty awesome too! Value for money with a nice view! Pet friendly too.” – Alex.C |
Company | Ice Edge |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | Click here to view |
| Website | https://iceedgecafe.com.sg/ |
| Address | 2 Kovan Rd, Simon Plaza #01-10, Singapore 548008 |
| Telephone | (65) 6858 5729 |
| Operating Hours | Sun- Thu & Ph: 11:30am-11pm (last order 10:30pm) Fri, Sat & Eve of PH: 11:30am-11:30pm (last order 11:00pm) |
| Review 1 | “we had some waffle ice creams, waffle is thick and a little crispy on the outside. we loved it.” – Wenjie.C |
| Review 2 | “Excellent choice of food, i liked the pasta here, and especially the Roe Pizza it taste amazing.” – Wayne.L |
| Review 3 | “Gelato to die for. Simply awesome. Hood n attentive service too” – Malcolm.G |
Company | PUNCH |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | Click here to view |
| Website | https://punch.sg |
| Address | 32 North Canal Road, Singapore 059288 |
| Telephone | No phone on site, click here to FB message |
| Operating Hours | Mon-Sun: 8am-6pm |
| Review 1 | “The early grey pancakes were great, esp the poached pear on top. We tried the iced soy latte and it was as strong as we expected. Would definitely visit again!” – Chen. M |
| Review 2 | “Really nice breakfast in a restaurant with minimalistic design. Very instagram friendly!! The toast with smashed avocado and poached eggs was delicious and we were satisfied with everything that we ordered” – Henrick.E |
| Review 3 | “Awesome spot for breakfast. Try the pineapple smoothie and the Reuben sandwich and you will leave content.” – Richard. L |
Company | Oriole Coffee + Bar |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | Click here to view |
| Website | https://www.oriole.com.sg/ |
| Address | 96 Somerset Road, Pan Pacific Service Suites #01-01, Singapore 238163 |
| Telephone | (65) 6238 8348 |
| Operating Hours | Mon – Thu, Sun &PH: 8am-11pm Fri – Sat: 8am – 12am |
| As Featured On | TimeOut Singapore |
| Review 1 | “Been coming here for 10 years. I can always count on Oriole for delicious food. If you enjoy people watching, ask for an outdoor table. But don’t worry, even the outdoor tables are fully sheltered from sun and rain. Update: Just visited today and glad to know that they are still maintaining their high standards of good food, good portions and friendly, helpful servers. Had their truffle burger and ginger ale fish and chips. Yummy and good portions! Oriole is still one of my fave restaurants along Orchard Road.” – Jacquie. W |
| Review 2 | “Loved the fish and chips! Solid white flaky fish, not the “nua nua” dory type. I’ll be back just for this.” – Yi Lin |
While most cafes in Singapore would require you to spend around $15-30 for a hearty meal, there are still some cafes you may patron when on a budget. Here are some extremely affordable cafes with items priced under $12:
https://sethlui.com/12-singaporean-cafes-below-12/
https://sethlui.com/affordable-brunch-spots-under-10-dollars-singapore/
- Hatter Street
- Craftsmen Specialty Coffee
- Drury lane
- Oblong
- Prodigal Cafe
- Saveur
- Togather Cafe
- Knuckles
- Shen & Co
- 49 Seats
- Chockfull of Beans
- The Tree Cafe
- Penny University
- On The Table
- Food For Thought
Types of Cafes in Singapore
The ambience of a cafe is just as important as its food or other considerations. Depending on how you’re feeling, the mood it sets can make or break your experience! That’s why we have put together a list of some different types of cafes you might find in Singapore.
Whether you feel like soaking in the thematic feel of the cafe cuddling up to adorable animals or taking instagram-worthy pictures, here are some unique cafes that are bound to show you a good time!
Themed Cafes
Who says we need Halloween to dress up? For an out of this world experience, step into any one of these themed cafes:
- Bricks n Cubes Cafe – Lego Theme
- Central Perk Singapore – F.R.I.E.N.D.S Theme
- Platform 1094 – Harry Potter Theme
- DC SuperHeroes Cafe – DC Superheroes Theme
- Gudetama Cafe Singapore – Gudetama Theme
Dog Cafes
Want to play with puppies but don’t have one? Simply drop by one of these dog cafes to have a fun-filled afternoon watching these puppies playing with these puppies:
- We’re The Furballs
- Menage Cafe
- Sun Ray Cafe
- US Dog Bakery
- Ah B Cafe
Cat Cafes
Not a fan of dogs? Fret not cat-lovers, we have just the thing for you! Watch these fur balls stretch out on a lazy afternoon and get ready for a purr-fectly good time:
- Neko no Niwa
- Meomi Cat Cafe
- The Cat Cafe
Book Cafes
Calling all bookworms, do you need a place to fully immerse in your favorite books? If you feel like snuggling down with a good book and your favorite snack, these cozy book cafes will not disappoint:
- The Moon
- Huggs Epigram Coffee Bookshop (Singapore Literature Only)
- The Reading Room
- The Book Cafe
- Grassroots Book Room (mainly Chinese novels)
Aesthetic Cafes
For our very own Singapore influencers, your feed is simply crying out for pictures from these instagram-worthy cafes. Hop on down in your cutest outfits and start snapping those cameras at:
- Wheeler’s Yard
- Merci Marcel
- Bearded Bella
- Earlybird
- The Glasshouse
What to Know Before Opening a Cafe in Singapore
(https://blog.seedly.sg/average-cost-to-open-cafe/)
In Singapore, new cafes are sprouting like mushrooms. The cafe and restaurant sector is saturated with competitors. If you’re raring to open a cafe, you’ll need to offer more than good coffee. Here are some things to consider starting a cafe.
Comply With Incorporation
Like any other business in Singapore, you need to legitimize the business. There are costs involved, including business and name registration. This is done via the ACRA portal.
Name registration costs $15 for locals, and the business registration fee is between $50 and $600. Foreigners can expect to pay between 300 and $1,200.
Rental Space and Location
Singapore records high rental rates. Your cafe should return high sales volumes to cater to the rent. A cafe in the CBD can cost sky-high amounts. Consider keeping the rent below ten percent of your total sales.
Here are the rental prices for places you can find popular cafes in Singapore:
- Bugis (Purvis Street) – $8,000 ($8.89 psf) for a total of 900 sqft (Note: this particular property comes fully equipped with interior deco and a working kitchen)
- Tanjong Pagar (Keong Saik Road) – $11,810 ($10 psf) for a total of 1,181 sqft
- Duxton (Tanjong Pagar Road) – $13,001 ($8.13 psf) for a total of 1,600 sqft
For prime areas such as Duxton and Tanjong Pagar, the rental costs can go up to:
- $10,000 to $15,000 for a space that is around 1,000 sqft or less
- $18,000 to $25,000 for a space that is closer to 2,000 sqft
- $30,000 and up for spaces that are around 2,500 sqft
Licenses
To operate a cafe in Singapore, there are license costs involved. New businesses can apply for permits through the LicenceOne app. Some cafe licenses you need include:
- Food Shop License
- Basic Food Hygiene Course
- Central Provident Fund Registration
- Government Service Tax Registration
- Liquor License
- Halal certification
Interior Design & Renovation
Opening a cafe in Singapore is almost a science. You need to invest in refined ambience and décor. A cafe that is Instagram-worthy can draw the right traffic fast. Based on your budget, designing a cafe could cost you anywhere between $30,000 to $100,000 or more.
Equipment
Before starting, you need to assess the cost of equipment. You can opt for second-hand kitchenware if you’re starting on a budget.
Some equipment you will be needing would include:
- Espresso machines
- Grinder
- Bar counter
- Cake or food displays
- Dishwashers
- Freezers
- Ice-machines
- Ovens
- Refrigerators
- Tableware, and many, many more…
The estimated cost of equipment would be $30,000.
Manpower
Most importantly, you’re going to need a team you can work with to run your cafe. While this depends on the size of the cafe you’re planning on running, you will at least need:
- Two staff to clear and serve tables
- One barista to make drinks
- One cashier to take orders and help serve tables
- Two cooks or chefs to run the kitchen
Moreover, most cafes hire part-timers to help with serving customers, making drinks and washing up. This will ensure that your full-time staff are not overworked. Part-timers are paid around $7-9 an hour and a full-timer will cost around $2,000-2,500 a month.
Manpower needs to be trained professionally at a coffee academy, costing $200 per individual.
The estimated cost of manpower and training would thus be around $20,000 per month.
(https://blog.seedly.sg/average-cost-to-open-cafe/)
| Breakdown | Cost |
| Rent | $16,000 |
| Renovation & Furniture | $35,000 |
| Equipment | $30,000 |
| Manpower | $19,000 |
| Training | $600 |
| Total | $100,600 |
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for a cafe to hang out at, or thinking about opening one yourself, these top cafes in Singapore are places you would not want to miss out on. Be it a need for inspiration, a chat over your favorite beverage, a light snack for tea time or for a hearty meal and incredible ambience, these cafes have all you need and more. Grab a friend and head on down today!
Editors Note:
While every precaution has been made to ensure the accuracy and fairness of this listing, we acknowledge that they may be inaccuracies. Therefore we urge you to contact the service provider above for the correct information and/or contact us with the correct information.
If you are a service provider and wish to be featured in this listing (MediaOne reviews are read by hundreds of thousands of Singaporeans) – please contact us at [email protected]. There is no charge! Please allow us up to 3 working days to review before adjusting the information or including your entry.
