With Singapore’s cafes (still) popping up like mushrooms, it’s evident that our love affair with coffee is more than just sizzling. In fact, we’re taking it further by delving into the art of roasting; the increasing number of roasters in Singapore says it all. We still love our kopi-o, but specialty coffee is just soooo experiential with over 800 different flavour compounds and aromas – cool beans! Check out these local coffee roasters and get in early on the (r)evolution of the caffeine scene in Singapore; you heard it here first.
Head down to the quiet heartlands of Yio Chu Kang and discover this new specialty coffeehouse. In this hole-in-the-wall boutique coffee roaster, every cuppa is brewed from beans (sourced from Panama) that they roast themselves. Here, you can get aromatic single origin brews or even pick up a pack of its aromatic roasts in 250-gram packages at $15 each. Prodigal Roasters also offers a curated assortment of toothsome sweet delicacies like the miso cheese tart ($4.50) and Rocky Road tart ($4.50). Expect throngs of coffee aficionados and dessert lovers to fill up this cosy space in no time!
Prodigal Roasters, #01-112 Block 625, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 9, Singapore 560625, p. 9450 0484. Open Tue-Thu 9am-8pm; Fri 8am-8pm; Sat 8am-3pm; Sun 8am-6pm. Closed on Mon.
If you swear by the coffee at Common Man Coffee Roasters, you’ll be glad to know that there’s another spot called Grounded by CMCR (just head upstairs!) for you to enjoy more top-notch Joes. Also founded by the team behind CMCR, this breezy, alfresco cafe is a brand new Insta-worthy space where you can slowly sip a great cuppa while taking shots of its lovely interior and latte art. What more could you ask for on a lazy afternoon?
Grounded by CMCR, #02-00, 22 Martin Road, Singapore 239058, p. 6836 4695. Open daily 7.30am-6pm (last orders at 5.30pm).
Believing in their responsibility to get the beans to their drinkers in just-right condition, this Aussie specialty coffee roaster spends time and effort honing, not just their technique, but also the necessary sensitivity which makes coffee roasting such a refined craft. Coffee-lovers rejoiced when Toby’s chose Singapore for their flagship roastery and café in Southeast Asia in 2011. Since then, Toby’s has established itself as a popular brunch spot and go-to café for a mean cuppa. You can pick up packs of their local blends or single origin coffee from the store, and don’t forget to check out their extensive range of brewing equipment while you’re there!
Toby’s Estate,#01-03/04, 8 Rodyk Street, Singapore 238216, p. 6636 7629. Open Mon-Thu 730am-630pm, Fri-Sat 730am-10pm, Sun 730am-9pm.
Right across our office you’ll find this cosy coffee joint that boasts quite the collection of glorious roasts. From mocha to machiatto, all beans here are roasted in house. The tasty lunchtime nosh here is just as much a draw for us, so you’re bound to see some of the Honeycombers team here for an afternoon pick-me-up. Sarnies also aims to bring in ‘under-the-radar’ beans, which are currently only known to coffee experts, so keep a look out for updates!
Sarnies, 136 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068601, p. 6224 6091. Open Mon-Tue 730am-6pm, Wed-Fri 730am-9pm, Sat-Sun 9am-4pm.
If you’ve had a sip of coffee at Common Man Coffee Roasters (or 40 Hands for that matter) and marvelled at the glorious taste of the cuppa, you’re definitely not alone. A partnership between Harry Grover (of 40 Hands), Aussie specialist roaster Five Senses Coffee, and the illustrious Spa Esprit Group, Common Man is the exclusive distributor for Five Senses in Southeast Asia. The beans are imported, roasted in-house (filter roasts are prepared in their Martin Road outlet while bulk espresso roasts are done at their larger roastery in Senoko), blended and distributed to other cafes like Department of Caffeine and Lowercase.
Common Man Coffee Roasters,#01-00, 22 Martin Road, Singapore 239058, p. 68364695. Open daily 8am-7pm.
Opened by Keith Loh, winner of Singapore National Barista Championships (SNBC) in 2010, Oriole has won over a cult following of coffee enthusiasts locally and around the globe. Purveying only the finest and freshest Arabica beans, these beans are roasted locally before being brewed and retailed at Oriole Coffee + Bar’s outlets in the city.
Oriole Coffee Roasters, Pan Pacific Serviced Suites, Capitol Piazza, and Admiralty Street.
Everton Park is a coffee junkie’s heaven, and much of that credit can go to this hole-in-the-wall boutique coffee roaster. With only four seats, though you can BYOC (bring-your-own-chair), an uber-casual atmosphere, and a simple menu (just black or white coffee in two sizes), it’s all about coffee, and only coffee, at Nylon. The good folks of Nylon are very dedicated – they even flew all the way to Central America to visit producers at the source. Check out their blog to find out what new beans they sourced, make your purchase online (or drop by their café), and they’ll have it roasted to order and mailed to you!
Nylon Coffee Roasters,#01-40, 4 Everton Park, Singapore 080004, p. 6220 2330. Open Mon, Wed-Fri 830am-530pm, Sat-Sun 9am-6pm. Closed on Tue.
Nestled in the gourmand wonderland that is Pasarbella farmer’s market, Dutch Colony is a casual, open-concept café space. You’ll surely spot the racks of coffee beans (they retail over 10-12 carefully sourced single origins) and brewing accessories and equipment. It’s all about being involved in the entire bean to cup experience, so travelling to coffee farms and engaging the farmers is something that they earnestly advocate and practise. Interested to learn more about your favourite beverage? Check out Dutch Colony’s Facebook page for information on their slew of coffee workshops (at wallet-friendly prices) like coffee appreciation, coffee cupping, basic barista, and latte art workshops!
Dutch Colony Coffee Co., #02-K67/K68, PasarBella @ The Grandstand, 200 Turf Club Road, Singapore 287994, p. 6467 0255. Open Sun-Thu 930pm-7pm, Fri-Sat 930am-9pm.
With a name that pays homage to the great (and lusty) Francisco Palheta, who charmed the wife of French Guinea’s governor to sneak coffee seeds back into Brazil and successfully kick-started the coffee industry there, you know they mean business when it comes to coffee. Currently operating and retailing through (or at the back of) Chye Seng Huat Hardware, they practise micro-production methods, allowing them to meticulously monitor and tweak the roasting process. They are also active in education, holding a slew of classes and roasting tours for the public and managing the C-Platform – an avenue for coffee enthusiasts to socialise, exchange knowledge, and collectively learn more about coffee.
Papa Palheta, 150 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207563, p. 6299 4321. Open Tue-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat-Sun 9am-10pm.
Here at Liberty, roasting is of utmost priority at its quaint coffee bar. Their outlet is primarily used for roasting and retailing of coffee, and when they do open to public, you can expect throngs of coffee aficionados filling up the narrow shop space. If you’re wondering why their blends, like the signature speakeasy blend, taste familiar, Libery also distributes to other local cafes like Artistry, Carpenter and Cook, and Patisserie G!
Liberty Coffee, #06-01, 37 Mactaggart Road, Singapore 368083, p. 6392 2903.
As one of the pioneer independent coffee wholesalers and micro-roasteries in Singapore, Highlander has paved the way for its peers who’ve sprouted up over the years. Besides working towards the goal of providing top-class hand roasted coffees, Highlander also provides coffee training for public and aspiring baristas, retails espresso machines and other accessories for home and business uses, and offers coffee and café consultancy. Looking to get a taste of their famed Supremo blend, and grab a pack yourself, head down to their espresso bar along Kampong Bahru Road!
Highlander Coffee, 49 Kampong Bahru Road, Singapore 169362, p. 6223 7102. Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm.
This three-in-one establishment boasts an academy, roastery and café, making it another spot where you can learn the fine art of coffee preparation, as well as sip on a toasty latte after class. The house blend here is a robust, full-bodied roast crafted by John Ryan Ting, a three-time champion of the Singapore National Barista Championship. We also really dig the industrial chic-décor that’ll have you whipping out your phones in no time.
A.R.C. Coffee Roasters, 29 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198477. p. 6291 6863. Open Tue-Fri 11am-10pm, weekends 9.30am-10pm. Closed on Mon.
Yet another Australian coffee chain, what’s special about this place is the fact that their coffee beans are sourced from all over the world. They do their roasting on-site, and even offer free tastings for customers! Dedicated to serving the best coffee brewed from the finest single origin beans and brewing techniques, you know your cup of coffee will be a great one. This one also gets our vote for best service.
Yahava Koffeeworks, 4 Jalan Gelenggang, Singapore 578188, p. 6554 7080. Open Mon-Sun 9am-6pm.
You might be surprised to know that this specialty coffee house started back in 1960. Yes, Tiong Hoe exuded hipster vibes before hipster was even a thing. Besides serving a mean mocha, Mr. Tan Tiong Hoe himself also conducts coffee appreciation workshops for coffeephiles. Not to mention, this coffee guru has over 50 years of experience with his craft, so we’re sure you’ll learn a thing… or three. What’s more, these guys have so much respect for their craft that prices are on a tipping basis.
Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee, #01-1133, 170 Stirling Road, Singapore 140170. Open weekdays 8.30am-5.30pm, weekends 9am-4pm.
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]]>Always on the hunt for new, delicious places to frequent for a yummy lunch or decadent dinner, team herworldPLUS headed over to the grand opening party of PasarBella @ Suntec for a foodie funfair. What we found and tasted we thoroughly approved of, and want to share the best bites to try when you head over to the new gourmet food court.
#1 Porsena Deli
This New York-style deli (with the serious NY meat-props to match) fits in perfectly with the Lower East Side decor of PasarBella as a whole. The bread and meat are all made in-house with a lot of TLC. The pastrami alone is brined a week in advance, rubbed with peppercorns and coriander and then smoked in their wood fire to give it melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness!
Must-try: Smoked beef pastrami sandwich, $14 (with preserved cabbage, jack cheddar and spicy dill pickle).
#2 Wolf Burger
For carnivores, there are plenty of options, with Wolf Burger proving a firm favourite of the night with the crowd. The team is the same behind Carvers & Co on East Coast Road, so you should definitely head here if you’re already a fan. A perfect city-slicker lunch-time indulgence or after-work wind down spot.
Must-try: The S'mores sweet potato fries, a guilty pleasure to the max!
#3 Cajun on Wheels
We loved this Louisiana-style seafood stall with a Singapore twist on Southern classics. From fresh chilli crab served in a bucket (and in the heart of the city) to salted egg yolk fries with a sauce to match, this is indulgent dining at its very best!
Must-try: Truffle fries with their choice of sauces, we loved the salted egg yolk one!
#4 Sarnies
For those looking to satisfy their morning caffeine craving or want to keep things healthy and delicious with some cold-pressed juice, PasarBella has you covered. If you’re a fan of Sarnies coffee, you’re in luck! The CBD favourite now has an outlet at Suntec, serving up their drink menu favourites alongside pastries and desserts.
Must-tries: Sarnies’ ‘Bullet’ coffee made with butter and coconut oil rather than your usual milk mix (coconut oil kickstarts your metabolism).
#5 Rollie Ollie
If you want a lunchtime sushi stop-off then head straight to Rollie Ollie for meticulously made rolls. Fresh and delicious, they use Asian and American-inspired sauces to set their offerings apart from the pack.
Must-try: Sunkissed salmon rolls, $16.95 (salmon, crabmeat and avocado).
Full article here.
]]>There is no need to travel too far to get to PasarBella in Bukit Timah anymore.
The marketplace, which opened two years ago at The Grandstand in what was formerly Turf City, now has a branch at the revamped Suntec City mall.
]]>There is no need to travel too far to get to PasarBella in Bukit Timah anymore.
The marketplace, which opened two years ago at The Grandstand in what was formerly Turf City, now has a branch at the revamped Suntec City mall.
The 7,000 sq ft space in the mall's North Wing (near Tower 1) is just a fraction of the 40,000 sq ft flagship, but it is still very much a foodie haven.
Unlike the laidback farmers' market atmosphere at The Grandstand, the 100-seat PasarBella at Suntec City gets its inspiration from the Lower East Side in New York City, with graffiti walls, caricatures, hanging fruit crates as well as paved walkways.
So far, 11 of the 13 food stalls have opened in phases since early this month. They sell everything from skewered meat and vegetables to sandwiches and burgers, with cold-pressed juices, coffee and cocktails to wash it all down.
A salad shop and a Korean fried chicken outlet will open by Jan 21, the official opening date of PasarBella.
Those who want to do some shopping can go to Gifted, which sells handcrafted jewellery and other items made by Singapore artists.
Mr Xian Ong, 31, the marketing director for PasarBella, tells The Sunday Times that the team was approached by Suntec City to open at the mall and this was in line with the brand's plans to expand into the city.
By the third quarter of next year, PasarBella will open in Kuala Lumpur and the Malaysian outpost will be on the "same scale" as the one at The Grandstand.
On how the brand has developed since it started in 2013, he says: "At the start, we didn't have the reputation to get good people. Now, people come to us. The business is evolving and we are learning as we go."
One stall which has followed the brand is Vietnamese stall An-An. It has held pop-ups at PasarBella at The Grandstand and has now opened a stall at Suntec City.
Mr Nicholas Chan, 22, who runs An-An with his aunts, says: "We have been following PasarBella and we like its hipster concept. People are tired of the usual sit-down restaurants. They are used to eating at food courts, but with PasarBella, even Food Republic needs to step up its game." Suntec City has a Food Republic outlet in its basement.
Other food and beverage brands have opened new concepts at PasarBella.
Louisiana-style seafood stall Cajun On Wheels is by the Arteastiq Group, while chef Kyle Henderson has left small-plates restaurant Lolla in Ann Siang Road and has opened sandwich shop Porsena Deli.
The owners of Wolf Burgers banked on the success of the burgers sold at their first restaurant, Carvers & Co, in East Coast Road. Co-owner Soh Wen Ming, 32, says: "So far, the response at Suntec City has been very good as we have kept our prices affordable."
Burgers cost $9.90 each, with the exception of The Alpha, a double patty burger that costs $14.90.
Mr Aviv Zafrir, 40, owner of Mediterranean stall Pita & Olives, closed his shop at 100AM mall in Tanjong Pagar to open at PasarBella.
He says: "People come to PasarBella looking for more unusual food. That's how my stall fits in."
MAD DOGS BAR & GRILL
What: One for the meat-lovers.Mad Dogs specialises in meats such as Angus ribeye ($25, 200g); grain-fed sirloin ($18, 200g) and pork chop ($18). Order the meat platter (above, $50 for three to six people) with a selection of sausages and chicken. Side dishes include creamy spinach, barbecued corn and creamy truffle mash (from $2.50). The stall is run by PasarBella’s owners. It is the sister outlet to James’ Butchery & Co at PasarBella atThe Grandstand.
DRINKS!
What: Another stall by the Pasar- Bella team. Drinks include honey spiced hibiscus lemonade ($4.50); strawberry basil lemonade ($4.50); passionfruit mint iced tea ($4.50) and blackberry lime iced tea ($4.50). After-work options include wines, beer and cocktails (from $15) such as red sangria, negroni and cosmopolitan.
SARNIES
What: Instead of the usual savoury fare sold at its outlet in Telok Ayer, Sarnies at PasarBella specialises in coffee (from $4 for an espresso) and pastries (from $4 for a croissant). Tea and milkshakes are also available. Cocowhip (above, from $6.50), a trendy vegan soft serve from Australia which is made with coconut water, is also sold at Sarnies. Info: www.facebook.com/sarnies.singapore
SQUEEZED
What: Health nuts can head to Squeezed for cold-pressed juices and frozen yogurt. Juice options ($5.20/$6.20) include Guavitate (guava, red apple and papaya), Red Riding Hood (red apple, beetroot and carrot), Citrus Circus (watermelon, pineapple, lime and mint) and Miss Spruce (grapefruit, green apple and strawberries).
Smoothies ($5.80/$6.80) include Yuzu, I do!, with yuzu,orange,honey and yogurt; and Lychee Glee, with lychee, honeydew, mint and yogurt. The stall serves yogurt with a twist – in a special Squeezed Bun (above), where the froyo and toppings are sealed in a sweet bun. Prices start from $3.50 (froyo in a cup) and $4 (Squeezed Bun). Enjoy your juice with salad ($5.50) such as Soba So Good with soba noodles, tofu, edamame, carrots and roasted sesame dressing;and Queen Quinoa, which includes quinoa, walnut,cranberries and yogurt mint dressing.
PIMP MY SALAD
What: Make a salad stop and customise or “pimp” your salad at this stall, which is also by Sarnies. It is slated to open by early next month. Pick protein, greens and cold and hot items.
Meat and fish options include rosemary lamb shoulder, Moroccan chicken and oven-baked salmon with lemon, dill and capers. Greens and grains include baby spinach, couscous with raisins and bell peppers, and wild rice with mint.
Add other ingredients such as Japanese cucumber with chia seeds and mirin, feta cheese, charred baby corn with paprika and grilled Thai asparagus. The average price of a salad is $15. Info: www.facebook.com/pimpmysaladsg/
PORSENA DELI
What: Singapore-born chef Kyle Henderson, formerly from Lolla in Ann Siang Road, offers hearty sandwich options with house-made pastrami and smoked meats.
Menu highlights include smoked beef pastrami ($14) with preserved cabbage, jack cheddar and spicy dill pickle; pork belly banh mi ($9.50); grilled portobello ($9) with provolone cheese and jalapeno salsa; and roasted lamb shoulder ($12.50) with cucumber and yogurt. Add $3 to make it a set with soup or vegetables and a freshly baked cookie.
WOLF BURGERS
What: A gourmet burger stand by the team behind meat-centric restaurant Carvers & Co in East Coast Road. It has a concise menu of four burgers: The Wolf (left, $9.90) with cheese and sauteed onions; buttermilk fried chicken with salted egg sauce and homemade slaw ($9.90); pork go chujang ($9.90) with pork patty, kimchi, cucumbers and spicy go chujang sauce; and The Alpha ($14.90), a double portion of The Wolf burger. Complete your meal with other highlights such as candied sweet potato s'mores fries ($8); kimchi cheese fries ($8); Horlicks vanilla milkshake ($6) and salted caramel peanut butter waffles ($13.90).
PITA & OLIVES
What: Previously located at 100AM mall in Tanjong Pagar, Pita & Olives now serves a variety of Mediterranean dishes at PasarBella. The menu includes a hummus set ($14), falafel set ($15) and the chicken shawarma set ($16), which all come with hummus, pita bread and salad or Mediterranean spiced rice. Other dishes include grilled beef kebab rice ($12) and eggplant rice meal ($10). Info:www.facebook.com/PitaOlives
GRILLLO
What: Grab a quick and convenient lunch at Grilllo, which specialises in grilled skewers of meat and vegetables. For $9.90, pick from six sets.
For example, set A (left) has chicken tsukune, chicken sausage and chicken and leek; set B has sirloin and onion, eggplant and beef tsukune; and set F includes eggplant, tofu and shiitake mushrooms. Choose your base as well - cabbage and carrot salad, sweet potato fries or wild grain rice. Sticks are sold separately, priced from $1.50.
Having an office party? Opt for the Grilllo Megapack ($39.90) with 20 sticks - 15 meat and five vegetable. Info: www.facebook.com/grilllosg
AN-AN
What: Get your pho fix at Vietnamese stall An-An. Prices start at $8.90 for chicken pho.
Other options include a grilled chicken or pork chop broken rice set ($13.90), vermicelli with pork chop ($9.90, $12.90 for set), mixed roll platter (from $9.80) and mango salad ($6.50).
CAJUN ON WHEELS.
What: Seafood fans are not forgotten at Cajun On Wheels, which serves Louisiana-style seafood buckets out of its stall, which is designed like a food truck. For one to two diners, options include Oh Crab with Sri Lankan crab ($38 for 600g, $50 for 800g); and Flexing Mussels ($18) with 250g of mussels and 250g of clams.
For two to three diners, opt for The Poseidon Bucket ($108), with a Sri Lankan Crab (600g), prawns (300g), white clams (300g) and mussels (300g); and for a party of three to four, get The Olympian Bucket ($158), which includes a Scottish Dungeness crab (700g), Sri Lankan crab (600g), prawns (300g), white clams (300g) and mussels (300g). All options come with sweet corn, potatoes and chicken spam. Info: www.facebook.com/CajunOnWheels
ROLLIE OLIE
What: Asian fusion restaurant Rollie Olie opens its second outlet at PasarBella, featuring sushi rolls and trendy poke bowls. Signature rolls include Sunkissed Salmon (from $16.95), salmon, crab meat, and avocado; and Dos Amigos (from $14.95), with eel, cream cheese, avocado and cucumber.
More poke bowl options with salmon and tuna are also available, with a choice of sushi rice, brown rice or tea-infused rice. Options include Seoul Surfer (from $13.95), with flying fish roe, wasabi sprouts and seaweed; Cha Cha Cha (from $13.95), with tamago, purple onion, red watermelon, tomato, feta cheese and sriracha hot sauce; and Wild About Wasabi (from $14.95), which includes radish, salmon roe, wasabi sauce and bonito shavings. Info:www.facebook.com/RollieOlieSingapore.
Full article here.
Since opening in July 2011, Sarnies has been attracting folks with their gourmet sandwiches, freshly roasted coffee, and rustic vibe, not unlike the cafe culture of Melbourne, Australia. The chilled, relaxed vibe of Sarnies and rustic, hormone-free food makes this place suitable even for daily dining.
Ambience at Sarnies calls to mind the hipster cafes of Melbourne, Australia, with their rustic wooden furniture and eclectic decor. The dimly lit interior is heady with the aroma of robust coffee, though the cramped interior can get noisy when crowded. The relaxing exterior al-fresco dining by the roadside allows for people watching, though bad weather can be a concern.
Service at Sarnies is partial self-service, while ordering and payment is done over the counter, staff will serve orders to your table. There's some minimal interaction with the cashier, and staff are generally friendly. The menu cards are small and provide sufficient information, you'll rarely need to ask staff for more. Waiting time for orders can stretch up to 15 minutes during peak periods though.
Food at Sarnies is all about hearty, rustic, filling sandwiches and mains. Primarily British English / Australian in style, the portions at Sarnies are large and filling, made with fresh, tasty ingredients. Presented in a simple, rustic, straight forward manner, the food can be unashamedly greasy at times. They're mostly known for their breakfast / brunch and sandwiches. Prices are typical of a cafe, budget about SGD $27 per person for a meal here.
The Cortado (SGD $5) is robust and strong, great as a morning pick-me-up beverage. You get the good, strong flavour of the roasted coffee beans, and just a hint of the creamy milk.
The Hot Chocolate (SGD $6) here is very good, with a thick, smooth texture, and a rich, deep flavour of chocolate. Love the precise chocolate art pour! Warming like a hug, this is worth ordering!
A little Piccolo (SGD $4.50) which is good and strong, great for a morning shot of energy!
The Fry-Up With Eggs, Shrooms, Baked Beans, Home Cured Bacon & Sausage (SGD $24.50) is their rendition of the classic British English fry-up breakfast. I must say that each component here is done well, the scrambled eggs are soft and fluffy, the baked beans in house made tomato gravy are tangy and sweet, the toasted bread is crusty, firm, and crunches nicely. The sauteed wild button mushrooms are tender and earthy, the large herb pork sausage is meaty and juicy within. Love the generous amount of home cured bacon as well, which is crisp and crunchy! This huge portion is sufficient for 2 people, and while it's not the most tasty, it's a solid, straight forward classic, done well.
The Omelette With Cheddar, Mushrooms & Onion (SGD $21) had a slight drawback, it was more greasy than I would have liked. This is somewhat mitigated by the toasted bread, which helps to soak up the excess oil. Extremely filling, the fluffy egg omelette is stuffed with sauteed onions, wild button mushrooms, and gooey cheddar cheese. Portion is sufficient enough for 2 people, and while it's not the very best I've had, this dish is still pretty good. Pure, straight forward comfort breakfast. Good!
The Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich (SGD $14.50) may only feature 4 ingredients; crunchy roma lettuce, savoury and juicy breaded chicken schnitzel chunks, soft rye bread, and creamy home made mayonnaise, but the combination is incredibly delicious and tasty! Good!
Full article here.
]]>Can you smell it? The gorgeous, seductive aroma wafting out into the streets… Yes, that’s it, freshly roasted coffee beans, imported from the finest sources in the world.
If you’re a serious coffee nut, then you’ll have spent this recent ‘era of the hipster’ revelling at the sound of each new, artisanal coffee roaster or café that’s been opening up in Singapore. It all really started with Papa Palheta’s when the scene took off at breakneck speed, and possibly a hundred have since been opened.
We frequently get asked where to go for the best cup o’ Joe, and we reckon it’s high time we shared the caffeinated love. After spending weeks and months trying and testing coffees, we have narrowed it down to what we think are the top 10… And in the interests of fairness, here is the shortlist of all the contenders that we’ve tried out:
Kiasu Coffee, Penny University, Dimbulah, Revolution Coffee, Common Man Coffee Roasters, Jimmy Monkey Café, Jewel Café and Bar, The Plain Café, Nylon, Loysel’s Toy, Chye Seng Huat, Tiong Bahru Bakery, Dbl Shot, Oriole Café, Highlander Coffee, Liberty Coffee, Papa Pahlita, Kooka Café, Maison Ikkoku, Shots Espresso Bar, Selfish Gene, Strangers Reunion, Hungry Chimps, Lauren Jasmine, Sarnies, The Naked Coffee, Kith Café, Chris’s Coffee, Forty Hands, Toby’s Estate, Carpenter and Cook, SPRMRKT, The Book Café, Department of Caffeine, Kickstart Brewiches, The Spiffy Dapper and The Coffee Shot.
Common Man Coffee Roasters is essentially a genius of a café crafted by the masters of Forty Hands and 5 Senses. Offering their loyal customers a selection of house blends that suit every sort of mood, this joint can be easily regarded as one of the major to-go places for quality coffee in the island. The folks at Common Man have a passion for coffee that is anything but common, only brewing the most delicious coffees from the freshest coffee beans sourced from places around the world that you probably never knew existed. Oh, and they also serve unbelievable all-day breakfasts. If you haven’t been, go. Now.
Common Man Coffee Roasters is located at 22 Martin Road #01-00, Singapore 239058, p. 6836 4695. Open Mon-Sun 7.30am – 6pm.
I’ve only just discovered Nylon recently. This is truly a hidden gem, located at 4 Everton Road (near Neil Road), you’d really never know about it unless you lived on the block or had heard whispers from a friend. There aren’t any seats here, and the place is tiny, but we say this is irrelevant as the coffee is truly outstanding: strong, flavourful roasts, with a beautiful HDB al fresco area to enjoy as your setting. You can tell from the crowd drinking there that they have very loyal followers. Customers even bring their own foldable chairs!
Nylon Coffee Roasters is located at 4 Everton Park #01-40, Singapore 080004, p. 6220 2330. Open Mon 8.30am – 5.30pm, Wed-Fri 8.30am – 5.30pm, Sat-Sun 9am – 6pm.
Granted, I might be biased as City Nomads HQ is just around the corner. But after a few years of being in business I still come here on an almost weekly basis to grab a cold brew or latte and I have never been disappointed. I’m the guessing the same applies for the queue that is always lining up for coffee no matter what time in the morning or afternoon it is!
Chye Seng Huat Hardware is located at 150 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207563, p. 6396 0609. Open Tue-Fri 9am – 7pm, Sat-Sun 9am – 10pm.
It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Artistry since it first opened. It’s been redesigned and has a lot of changes. One of which is the quality of their coffee. To my pleasant surprise, their coffee has gone from good to superb. Great place to sit outside, enjoy some music and have a cuppa.
Artistry is located at 17 Jalan Pinang, Singapore 199149, p. 6298 2420. Open Tue-Fri 10am – 11pm, Sat 9.30am – 11.30pm, Sun 9.30am – 4pm.
I am a Sarnies regular (as are basically 90% of their customers). Food is great, staff there are super friendly and seem to know everyone’s name. My go-to here is their cortado (essentially a double shot short latte) or espresso martini, which is actually better than any cocktail bar version I’ve had!
Sarnies is located at 136 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068601, p. 6224 6091. Open Mon-Tue 7.30am – 10.30pm, Wed-Fri 7.30am – 11.30pm, 8.30am – 4pm.
Kith is one of the relatively older café joints in Singapore, and they’ve deservedly cultivated a very loyal customer-base. One huge bonus here is that Kith’s coffees are not only strong, but massive. Order a large latte and you’ll be taking half of it home to savour later. Their sandwiches and salads are pretty delish as well, packed with tasty fresh ingredients.
Kith Cafe is located at 9 Penang Rd, #01-01E Park Mall, Singapore 238459. Open Mon-Sun 8am – 10pm.
Toby’s rocks….the massive long wooden communal table, the al fresco seating area, the yummy sandwiches and wraps, and of course, above all else, the consistently excellent coffee. Look to the side of Toby’s and you’ll regularly see the fresh beans being roasted right before your eyes, all in the name of preparing for some more of their super coffee offerings. And the smell….mmmmmm.
Toby’s Estate is located at 8 Rodyk Street #01-03/04, Singapore 238216. Open Sun-Wed 7.30am – 6pm, Thu-Sat 6.30am – 10pm.
Jewel Cafe and Bar has certainly proved its worth when it comes to speciality coffees. Roasting its own beans every day, you can choose from single origin coffees, cold brews, Chemed brews, and even V60s. With two spacious levels of well-lit seatings and very knowledgable staff, we’re sure you’ll love this place, coffee nerd or otherwise.
Jewel Cafe and Bar is located at 129 Rangoon Road, Singapore 218407. Open Tue-Thu, Sun 9am – 10pm, Fri-Sat 9am – 11pm.
Granted I am a little biased as I literally live around 300m from Loysel’s (lucky for me!), but nonetheless, this place makes the top 10 pretty comfortably. The coffee here is excellent, as are their yummy cakes and super affordable brunch menu. Add that the super chilled al fresco section by Kallang river and you have a winning location. Also, it’s only of the few places that actually has the cortado coffee on its menu (my fave). Loysel’s Toy is located at TURE, 66 Kampong Bugis
Forty Hands serves up hundreds and hundreds of coffees every day. They are strong, smooth, beautiful and very, very tasty. It’s no wonder that, like a Duracell bunny, their coffee keeps the residents of Tiong Bahru going, and going… and coming back for more!
Forty Hands is located at 78 Yong Siak Street #01-12, Singapore 163078, p. 6225 8545. Open Mon-Sun 7.30am – 6pm.
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]]>Set within one of the city’s most enviable addresses in charming Telok Ayer district, Sarnies Cafe attract’s Singapore’s fashionable crowd with its detached, casual interiors and sumptuous yet affordable food.
However, we were there on a mission – to uncover a myth.
A little birdy once told us of the sweet nectar in the form of coffee available at Sarnies, and only a few have been lucky enough to taste it. The enigmatic Orange Mocha is an off-the-menu drink, made available only to a select few regular customers or personal friends to the baristas. Only a handful of customers would be recommended the drink if they were asking for something different to try.
The Orange Mocha is prepared by soaking orange peels into the coffee, to give off a slight tang. The concoction was a little more intense, mixed with beans that complement the chocolate, orange peel and espresso shot. Velvety body with notes of dark chocolate and a hint of citrus, an exciting brew with an interesting piquancy.
One of their signature coffees, the latte is a Guatemalan blend that featured sweet, bright and fruity notes to the nose. Give it a swirl through your palate and you will notice a roasted dark, nutty and bitter aftertaste that was rather enjoyable.
All the coffee at Sarnies is made with a double ristretto, so you get much more intense flavours than usual. Sarnies also has secret alcoholic coffee that you might want to enquire about.
Smoked Salmon with Scrambled Eggs ($23). Their smoked salmon and scrambled eggs atop some sourdough bread, drizzled with lemon and dill, was a perfect combo. Eggs slightly runny with a milky base, together with not too salty smoked salmon, this dish has managed to secure its place of one of the best I have tried so far.
Sarnies’ Fry Up ($25.90). Fry Up’s in-house cured bacon was crisped to perfection, and together with perfectly cooked sunny-side ups, it was definitely a crowd pleaser. However, I found the taste of their baked beans to be a little off-putting, bordering towards the sour side. Not to my taste, but you just might like it.
Immerse yourself in the relaxed, friendly vibe of Sarnies, perfect for a casual, low key meal with a hip yet not too trendy crowd. The coffee is top-notch too.
Full article here.
If you’re looking for a cafe that’s not too packed yet serves up the perfect cuppa, look no further than Sarnies cafe. First, it’s along Telok Ayer Street, right smack in the Central Business District. People who spend 5 days a week in the CBD would likely choose alternative venues; second, it’s fairly ‘old’ in cafe-speak and third, there’s decent seating capacity (if the weather holds up and you don’t mind outdoor seating – they do have quite a number of seats outside). The coffee is great – just the way I like it.
]]>If you’re looking for a cafe that’s not too packed yet serves up the perfect cuppa, look no further than Sarnies cafe.
First, it’s along Telok Ayer Street, right smack in the Central Business District. People who spend 5 days a week in the CBD would likely choose alternative venues; second, it’s fairly ‘old’ in cafe-speak and third, there’s decent seating capacity (if the weather holds up and you don’t mind outdoor seating – they do have quite a number of seats outside).
The coffee is great – just the way I like it.
I’ve personally not had a brunch here but from what I’ve seen, they do look good. The usual suspects of scrambled eggs and smoked salmon, the big breakfast all exist on the weekend menu. Do note that there is a different menu for weekday lunches, weekend brunches and for dinner.
P.S. the dish of swedish meatballs that is served up during dinner looks pretty good too!
Full article here.
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