10 Best Cafes in Singapore for Food and Drinks

Singapore’s cafe scene is, like, next level. It’s actually a little difficult narrowing it down to a few handfuls of the best in business. Constantly pushing culinary innovations, and with a multicultural society (home to expats), I love how creative and diverse the food is from the local eateries. 

Whether you’re in the mood for Singaporean flavors, maybe Korean, Japanese, or Western world classics, you’ll find it all in the Lion City. And if you didn’t realize it before, Singaporeans know how to make a mean coffee! Or matcha if that’s more of your vibe. 

I’ve rounded up 10 of the best cafes in Singapore to get you going for now, with cafes scattered across the different areas. Enjoy, cafe-goers. 

1. Frankie & Fern’s: Whimsical 

There’s a new word trending among Gen Z, and that’s “aesthetic.” I feel like Frankie & Fern’s defines the term. Inspired by art and all things vintage, this shines through its overall decor and ambiance. I especially love the yellow block tiles, reminding me of Singapore’s public swimming pools. It’s tres cool! 

Who loves a cafe with a little shopping section? Me! If you do too, shelves are lined with lifestyle products, from wooden vases to fancy hand creams. 

But we’re ultimately here for the food and drinks, so let’s get down to it. There are separate weekday and weekend menus, FYI. But it’s very much a typical cafe vibe across both. Think truffle mushroom soup, acai smoothie bowls, poached red snapper, avocado toasts, ribeye steak and eggs, duck croquette, basque cheesecake, and my favorite: crispy Brussels sprouts! 

2. Merci Marcel: French vibes  

Boasting five locations around the city, it goes to show how popular this spot is. No wonder it’s among the best cafes in Singapore. Locations include Tiong Bahru, Club Street, Orchard, East Coast, and Robertson Quay. 

Merci Marcel is all about the French cuisine life, doubling as a wine bar too. I mean, it’s French, of course, it’s a bar à vin. With outdoor roadside, soft green umbrellas, and red pin-striped cushions, one can easily imagine being somewhere in the South of France, or Paris (location dependent). 

Open for breakfast rush until dinner, it’s an excellent brunch time spot. The smoothie bowls are baller, as well as their take on the classic Croque Monsieur (topped with parma and a fried egg). Moving to midday, the cocktails here are divine, Aperol Spritz and other aperitifs included. 

3. Folk Yard: Get your carbs on  

Calling all lovers of dough in any form. Folk Yard specializes in sarmies by day, and pizzas by night, all of which are very European-y. And all bread is made and baked (with love) in-house. Portion sizes are massive here too, reminding me of my time living in the United States. Expect generous servings of everything. 

On the sandwich front, order the fried pork belly, or they also do open-face toasts, like ones with basil pesto, mozzarella, and cherry tomatoes. Pizzas are all Naples-style. However, my favorite thing from these guys is the sweet potato fries. This and a huge bowl of fried Brussels sprouts. (I’ve always been big into my sprouts, but I’ve noticed the humble, usually overlooked veg making a serious comeback in the culinary world.) Oh, and the crispy onion rings…

More reasons — apart from the food — why it’s included on my list of the best cafes in Singapore is not only do they sell coffee, matcha, and other hot beverages, but also wine by the glass. 

4. The Hideout: Cool and the gang  

Hipsters, this one is calling your name. The Hideout is where all the cool kids come to play. 

At the beginning of May, they relocated to a new location: 122 Mackenzie Road. They closed temporarily, which caused general sadness among their loyal customers. But finally reopening, it’s retained all of its authentic coolness and trendy vibes. It’s sort of a hole-in-the-wall type situation. 

I’m obsessed with all the vintage posters and art scattered around the space. 

Coffee here is incredible, and if you’re hungry, there are sandwiches and some sweet treats. But expect a bigger menu in the pipeline, which is very much Singaporean-inspired! 

5. Hello Arigato: The best tamago sando 

Any Japanese readers or those interested in the culture already know that ‘arigato’ means thank you in Japanese. So if you guessed that this spot has some Japanese parts to you, you’re spot on! 

The most popular item on the menu is their sandos. If you’ve traveled to Japan before, these are those classic sandwiches you find at any convenience store. It’s made with two slices of extra-thick white bread, and the OG kind is an egg mayo salad with a soft-boiled egg in the middle. Cut open, the yolk is all gooey and delicious. You get loads of sando variations, and that’s exactly what they’re presenting at Hello Arigato.  

Apart from the sandwiches, there are more Japanese food items. The Hokkaido milk udon carbonara always calls my name! They also do shokubuns. 

Hello Arigato is another one of the best cafes in Singapore that has multiple locations to choose from. 

6. Rustica: For flavors of Singapore  

Ever heard of a cereal fish bun before? Me neither. But that’s why I love food so much; because I am always learning new things. Basically, it’s Rustica’s take on a steamed bao bun, which is wavy and sort of seashell-shaped. This is loaded with a deep-fried fish fillet, the batter made from cereal breadcrumbs, and then slaw. Bao buns are one of my weaknesses, so I am already sold. 

Among the best cafes in Singapore, this spot is fantastic for savoring Singaporean cuisine, and all ingredients are sourced from local farmers. 

Another one of my yummiest things to order from Rustica is their bergedil. Think of it like an Indonesian/Malaysian take on a croquette, made from potato. This cafe does its own version, made with blue swimmer crab. Mouth-watering! 

7. Café Quenino: Fancy Asian heritage vibes 

Often, we have this perception that cafes are super casual. But who is to say that a cafe can’t be a little fancy? At Café Quenino, it blends the casualness of café culture with a little bit of refinement that you expect from any fine dining establishment. 

I also love the way they explain their food ethos: ‘This is Southeast Asian cuisine, retold with finesse.’

Dishes celebrate Asian heritage, flavors, ingredients, and time-old recipes, and if you like things spicy, you’ve come to the right place. 

Open from super early (6:30 am) until midnight, the menu caters to every hour. Also, they serve amazing specialty, Singaporean-themed cocktails, such as the Sentosa Breeze, Sultan’s Delight, and Swing Singapore Spritz!

8. Caracara: Japanese zen vibes 

What’s the thing I love most about Caracara? THE FOOD! If I want to visit the best cafes in Singapore, I’m not just after drinks/coffee. For me, a cafe means food and drinks. Otherwise, I’d be looking at the specialty coffee shops instead. 

Oozing a Japanese vibe (both food and interiors), every food item here gets my mouth watering! Order the Hokkaido pork loin, Shibuya toast, yakiniku don (done with premium wagyu), and tofuwuni. 

Natural elements are in abundance at this cafe, too, with plenty of wood, plants, bonsai, and contrasting textures. 

Good to know: It operates as a café during the day, and more of a restaurant at night, with an amazing set menu available. 

9. Moonchild: Fusion flavors  

Icky sticky brioche French toast with hazelnut, truffled grilled cheese sandwich, and spicy chorizo eggs and avocado served on sourdough. Like what you hear? This is just what Moonchild serves for breakfast. 

As the hours pass and midday rolls in, enjoy the likes of pork dan-dan scallion noodles, a grilled chicken and hummus sarmie (with bacon, a fried egg, emmental, tzatziki, and romaine on ciabatta) and a side of curly fries, or scallop rose mafaldine pasta done with pink sauce, basil oil, and gochugaru for a little kick. 

Can you pick up on this eatery’s fusion style? It’s one of the best cafes in Singapore for a heartwarming breakfast or lunch. The coffee is extra strong, and its epic, trendy vibes follow in hot pursuit! Don’t leave without ordering the Pu’er Lavender Teacake!

10. Coffeehouse by Kobashi: Here for the sourdo’nuts

I am a sucker for sweet things. The first time Kobashi caught my eye was for one reason, and one reason only: sourdough donuts (or as they call the signature treat, sourdo’nuts)!!! Yup, that’s right. Don’t worry, up until now, I had never tried a sourdough-based donut either. Not only do they have a very light texture, but the bakery cafe loves to play around with in-your-face and unexpected flavor profiles. 

What began as an online store progressed into so much more after gaining much buzz. Now, they’ve opened up Coffeehouse by Kobashi, and it’s one of the best cafes in Singapore that offers something different than the usual spin. 

Of course, it’s not just donuts here. The menu isn’t excessively large, but it is interesting. You can sense the owner’s playfulness behind each dish. Try the magic mushroom avo toast, chonky chix (a buttermilk chicken thigh burger), chilled truffle capelli (popular), or the Korean fried C.C.B. 

How’s that for some delicious food and drinks?! Next, if you find yourself exploring the Geylang neighborhood, here’s a great read from our local Singaporean Insighter to guide you through his home ‘hood. 

It’s no hidden secret that Singapore is one of Southeast Asia’s most expensive countries. I think this factor is what puts off a lot of travelers from visiting. You think you need hundreds of dollars to spend a couple of days in Singapore. But when there’s a will, there’s always a way. Case in point: our Ultimate Guide to Backpacking in Singapore. 

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