It's a bit crazy to continue the coffee search in Singapore, where daytime temperatures average 90 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity induces sweat moments after leaving an air-conditioned metro car. The weather has not prevented local baristas from opening new and engaging coffee shops across the country, thus I will not be deterred either in my neighborhood exploration by coffee shop endeavors.
NYLON COFFEE - 4 EVERTON PARK - 01-40
This is my pick for the one coffee shop you should visit in Singapore. The coffeeshop sits on the ground floor of the Everton Park housing estates and provides an inside glimpse to life in Singapore. It's a ten to fifteen minute walk from the nearest MTR Stations (Chinatown, Outram Park, and Tanjong Payar), however this walk passes through quiet neighborhoods that retain the city's historical architecture, albeit likely refurbished. The walk to the cafe passes the Pinnacle at Duxton, the greatest public housing estates in the world. The coffee's decent as well - a little sweater than I prefer but still a good pour. At $3 per cup it's also one of the best values. No WiFi. No food (one of the few pure play coffee cafes in Singapore).
This is my pick for the one coffee shop you should visit in Singapore. The coffeeshop sits on the ground floor of the Everton Park housing estates and provides an inside glimpse to life in Singapore. It's a ten to fifteen minute walk from the nearest MTR Stations (Chinatown, Outram Park, and Tanjong Payar), however this walk passes through quiet neighborhoods that retain the city's historical architecture, albeit likely refurbished. The walk to the cafe passes the Pinnacle at Duxton, the greatest public housing estates in the world. The coffee's decent as well - a little sweater than I prefer but still a good pour. At $3 per cup it's also one of the best values. No WiFi. No food (one of the few pure play coffee cafes in Singapore).
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TIAN KEE & CO. - DAKOTA CRESCENT
I've only had beer here - after five they stop serving coffee. Great local place in Dakota Crescent - one of Singapore's original public housing communities. It's a similar setup at Nylon Coffee, where the cafe is on the ground floor of a houseblock. It's a very laid back atmosphere near Old Airport Road Food Centre. |
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SNARNIES - 136 TELOK AYER STREET
Popular downtown coffee shop / cafe with a decent range of food options. $4.50 SGD for an Americano and the AC cooled me off by the time the drink arrived. Free WiFi.
Popular downtown coffee shop / cafe with a decent range of food options. $4.50 SGD for an Americano and the AC cooled me off by the time the drink arrived. Free WiFi.
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HANIS CAFE - 100 VICTORIA ROAD - IN THE COURTYARD OUTSIDE THE SINGAPORE NATIONAL LIBRARY
Joyfully stumbled upon this place. Although the cafe serves Illy coffee, what's notable is the packed outdoor public space. On an afternoon it's crowded, mostly with the elderly, discussing current affairs (presumably). No WiFi. |
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RONIN - 17 HONG KONG STREET
A cool and quiet cafe tucked down Hong Kong street in the Clarke Quay area. There's not much signage and the dark door gives an appearance the place is closed but once inside you'll find a large sitting area and a good cup of coffee. A very limited dining menu, mostly sandwiches. WiFi. |
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ORIOLE COFFEE AND BAR - 96 SOMERSET
This cafe, coffee, and bar shop is within the 313 Somerset dining area right up the escalator from the Somerset MTR. Great and one of the strongest coffees to date in Singapore. WiFi.
This cafe, coffee, and bar shop is within the 313 Somerset dining area right up the escalator from the Somerset MTR. Great and one of the strongest coffees to date in Singapore. WiFi.
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THE COFFEE DAILY - 75 BRIGHTON CRESCENT
Cool spot along a commercial block in an otherwise residential area in Serangoon - seems to be a place the neighborhood kids hangout to get work done and socialize. From here it's less than a ten minute walk to the Seragoon Gardens dining area and Chomp Chomp. WiFi. |
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DEPARTMENT OF CAFFEINE - 15 DUXTON ROAD
Situation along a hipster block on Duxton Road, this area shows a whole different side of Chinatown - it's only a block away from Maxwell Food Center. Limited Western Breakfast and Lunch menu. Oddly the place is closed on Wednesday. No WiFi. |
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THE BOOK CAFE - 20 MARTIN ROAD
The Book Cafe is a block up the Singapore River from the northern end of Robinson Quay. There's large couches and one of the better coffee shops to sit down and read or work. The small Americano at $5 SGD is a bit pricy, although, this is a high rent, expat zone so that's to be expected. |
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(WORKING TITLE) - 48 ARAB STREET
It seems like the Arab Street / Kampong Glam area is a bit cafe starved. This cafe, on the ground floor of the hostel, offers a place to sit, rest, and kill some time before a late dinner. Western menu. M-F Deals: Thurs -> $3 coffee. WiFi. |
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JIMMY MONKEY - 9 ONE-NORTH GATEWAY - 01-51
Singapore's quietness is remarkable. Walking to Jimmy Monkey, in the one-north apartment complexes, I saw no one. Heard nothing. It turns out most of the people in the area were at Jimmy Monkey one of the few places open on a Sunday. It's more of a restaurant than a coffee shop, and the coffee is a bit light, however a visit here showcases Singapore's quiet, suburban side.
Singapore's quietness is remarkable. Walking to Jimmy Monkey, in the one-north apartment complexes, I saw no one. Heard nothing. It turns out most of the people in the area were at Jimmy Monkey one of the few places open on a Sunday. It's more of a restaurant than a coffee shop, and the coffee is a bit light, however a visit here showcases Singapore's quiet, suburban side.
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JEWEL CAFE - 129 RANGOON ROAD
$5.89 (GST & SC) for an Americano seems high until the bowl size mug arrives. Unfortunately the larger size dilutes the drink and creates a weaker taste. WiFi and limited Western food available. |
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STRANGER'S REUNION - 35 KAMPONG BAHRU ROAD
This cafe falls into the coffee shop that expanded into a restaurant format that is common throughout Singapore. These places all look different but feel the same. They serve good coffee but the ambiance has much more of a bustling cafe environment not the sort of place where you could sit back, read a book, and contemplate world issues while sipping your coffee. Limited western menu with all day breakfast options. No WiFi. Closed on Tuesdays.
This cafe falls into the coffee shop that expanded into a restaurant format that is common throughout Singapore. These places all look different but feel the same. They serve good coffee but the ambiance has much more of a bustling cafe environment not the sort of place where you could sit back, read a book, and contemplate world issues while sipping your coffee. Limited western menu with all day breakfast options. No WiFi. Closed on Tuesdays.