In Singapore, we are spoilt for choice with the local coffee that ensures a cafe everywhere you turn. Do not get me wrong, I have been to a few where the ambience doesn’t hit the spot, and the coffee doesn’t either. So here I have collated a list that is tried and tested myself. As they say, “You have to kiss a few frogs before you meet Prince Charming”, and can I tell you, I have tested many a coffee just for this article (that’s what I am telling people anyway).
Table of Contents
Singapore Coffee
Location: Singapore Coffee Flagship Store
Raffles Hotel Arcade
328 North Bridge Road #01-13 | Singapore 188719
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 9 am – 6 pm
Ambience: French Colonial Chic (more for catch-ups than a business meeting)
Rating: 9/10
Singapore Coffee to be if you want a flare of French Colonial Chic. Set amongst Singapore’s iconic Raffles hotel, this cafe is one of my favourites; with its signature blends that have all been handcrafted and roasted in Singapore, this truly is a coffee bar. So sit up at the bar, watch the baristas do their thing, and enjoy watching your drip coffee come to life before your eyes. Or sit back, enjoy your company and try something a little different like the Frozen Kopi. This Ice-blended Singapore Kopi comes freshly with whipped cream and is topped off with Gula Melaka Caramel.
Bacha Coffee
Location: ION Orchard (Coffee Room & Boutique)
2 Orchard Turn, #01-15/16 Ground floor
Singapore 238801
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 9.30 am to 10 pm.
Ambience: Moroccan glamour
Rating: 9.5/10
Although there are several speciality coffee shops, Bacha Coffee has only one cafe. However, do not walk past these magnificent Bacha Outlets, as the takeaway experience is just as necessary as the coffee itself (and you have so many speciality coffees to choose from here). Sitting in this cafe, with its book (not menu) of coffee choices, you can’t help but feel that this experience is a little more special than others. You have to look up and see the top to toe choices of coffee locations and flavours worldwide to know you have stepped into something a little magical.
Walking on Sunshine
Location: 181 Orchard Rd, #03-07 Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Opening Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 9 am – 10 pm (Last Call at 9 pm) Friday & Saturday: 9 am – 11 pm (Last Call at 10 pm)
Ambience: cute Korean
Rating: 7.5/10
I will just put it out there; Walking on Sunshine is not your typical cafe. It reminds me of my life in Seoul, where cafes are quirky, cute and fun. Sometimes the coffee isn’t that great, but the ambience is why you are there. You wouldn’t even know this cafe was here if you were not a customer of the nearby hairdressing salon. Whether you choose a standard latte or a ginseng cappuccino, they all come decorated cutely.
The Coffee Academics
Location: 6 Scotts Road, #02-01/02 Singapore 228209 (there are also four other locations to choose from in Singapore)
Opening Hours: Mon – Thurs: 9 am – 6:30 pm (Last order 6 pm)
Fri & Sat: 9 am – 9 pm (Last order 8:30 pm)
Sun: 9 am – 8:30 pm (Last order 8 pm)
Ambience: Serious coffee drinkers
Rating: 9/10
The Coffee Academics is a great place for anyone who appreciates coffee. This Hong Kong franchise is perfect for meetings, family get-togethers or if you want to sit alone and get some work done. This coffee shop sells excellent coffee and offers workshops for coffee enthusiasts. The best part about this cafe is that it is directly traded from unique small plantations or auction-grade coffees and contributes to many charities worldwide. One more reason to try this exquisite coffee shop.
nylon coffee roasters
Location: Tanjong Pagar
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Weekends and public holidays 9 am – 4 pm
Ambience: No fuss coffee lovers
Rating: 8/10
So technically, it isn’t a coffee shop, but you can sit outside if you find a space. However, if you are there for the coffee, not the ambience or an Instagram moment, you must try Nylon Roasters. This little coffee shop is snuck away in an HBD block so that only the coffee snobs of Singapore know about it.
ALCHEMIST
Location: Geylang
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm
Weekends and public holidays 9 am – 6 pm
Ambience: for serious coffee lovers
Rating: 9/10
The Khong Guan Building (Khong guan biscuits) is a heritage landmark and is the flagship outlet for the coffee chain Alchemist, I am sure you have been to one in Singapore, but have you been to this iconic location? It is a walk-in only and has a few pastries to purchase but other than that, it is all about the coffee. I guarantee you will not be disappointed with the espresso here.
Chye Seng Huat hardware
Location: Jalan Besar
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am – 10 pm
Weekends and public holidays 8 am – 10 pm
Ambience: quirky
Rating: 7/10
Chye Send Huat Hardware is one of those coffee shops where you need to experience it to believe it. Quirky is an understatement, as this one-time hardware store now has a walk-in and do your best to get a seat type of cafe. Unfortunately, the cold brew (which they are well known for) makes me feel it is more of a milkshake than a serious coffee. Within the grounds of the cafe, you will find the Roastery, the Coffee Bar and the Annex (where you can buy all things coffee).
Bearded Bella
Location: 8 Craig Road, Tanjong Pagar
Opening Hours: Monday – Wednesday, 7:30 am – 5 pm | Thursday – Saturday, 7:30 am –10 pm
Sunday and public holidays 7:30 am –10 pm
Ambience: A little quirky
Rating: 8/10
Although there are two locations to choose from at The Bearded Bella, I would recommend the trendy area of Tanjong Pagar. You need to have a cool edge if you want to be a regular at this coffee shop. Food is okay, but let’s get serious; we are only really here for coffee! There are many coffees to choose from as the menu has just about everything you can imagine. However, the signature drip coffee is pretty good, but the slushie (yep, you heard me right) is a must in Singapore.
