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No matter which area of Singapore you find yourself in, I just love how creative the food scene is across the city. If I sound like a stuck record, I’m sorry, but the island is paradise for foodies.
But if you do find yourself wandering the streets around trendy Tiong Bahru and are looking for a bite to eat or some seriously good coffee, even a scrumptious sweet treat (or five), I’ve got great news.
The area, which five years ago would be dubbed “hipster” paradise – although I don’t think the phrase is really a thing anymore, it still very much is – hipster’s paradise, I mean.
Discover more: How to spend a Jam-Packed 2 Days in Singapore, our Ultimate Itinerary for Food, Culture, Shopping
This means the cafes in Tiong Bahru match the vibes. And, of course, iced matchas and the ceremonies that come along with it are a thing. For fusion bites, flavors of Asia, and European influences, these 7 cafes in Tiong Bahru will truly impress.
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1. Merci Marcel: France meets Bali
Merci Marcel is one of my favorite places to go for a bite, with a casual yet refined atmosphere. Their interiors just do it for me (as much as I love food, if you know me well enough, you’ll know that interiors do matter to me).
Food is always beautifully prepared and presented, with a menu of French-Balinese eats. The breakfast menu comprises classic French bakery bites, such as pain au chocolate and tatin, as well as egg dishes.
On the daytime option, I always order salads, mains like roasted feta or marinated crab tartine. I’m always a sucker for the French cheese and cold cut platters, available on the Daytime and Afternoon (4 PM to 5:30 PM) menus.
There’s a different menu for dinner, and even a brunch one (available from 8 AM to 4 PM). As one of the top cafes in Tiong Bahru, it’s no surprise that there are a whopping total of six locations around the city.
The interiors of this one, with its glasshouse patio, roadside terrace, and boho vibes, really suit TB’s creative buzz.
2. Binge: Best sandwiches
The (relatively) new kid on the Tiong Bahru block is Binge; a super cool cafe serving innovative sandwiches (think Bangkok chicken and salmon teriyaki), burgers, and desserts like cakes and pastries.
Yeah, yeah, it is a carbo-loaded affair at this spot. But it’s an awesome option for something naughty, juicy, or for when you’re hungover!
Also, super random, but their sandwich-inspired logo always reminds me of SpongeBob. It’s kind of foretelling of the fun vibes that the cafe gives off; the colorful interiors are super playful! They serve coffee, matcha, pandan tea, and other yummy drinks.
3. Sunday Morning Coffee Shop: Aesthetics
I (seriously) love everything about Sunday Morning Coffee Shop, and in my humble opinion, it’s easily become one of the most aesthetic cafes in Tiong Bahru.
Not only serving specialty coffee, but the food is all homestyle Japanese cuisine and they also double as a film lab! So bring your vintage and old-school film cameras along if you need a roll developed.
The desserts are magnificent, presented in antiqueware. Chocolate fiends, order the devilishly delicious Dark Chocolate Terrine (available Saturday and Sunday, only). Savory? You can’t go wrong with their pukka katsu chicken curry coated with namo panko – and duh, the sauce is of course homemade.
I’m also a little obsessed with their other yummy bites, such as the hot sando with homemade Japanese curry and the Japanese curry udon.
4. Hello Arigato: Incredible Japanese
I’ve actually mentioned Hello Arigato before, including the eatery among my list of the best cafes in Singapore, and that’s because it really is!
In fact, it has multiple city locations, and it truly is one of the top cafes in Tiong Bahru. Its first shop opened up in 2021, and it was in early 2025 that its door swung open to the Tiong Bahru masses.
If you’ve ever traveled to Japan, you’ll know how insanely popular a Japanese “sando” is, sold at every convenience store. Well, this cafe still honors the traditional with its extra-thick slices of soft white bread, but they have elevated things slightly and are now most famous for their wagyu sando!
Apart from the sandos, Hello Arigato serves other really interesting dishes, like Hokkaido Milk Udon Carbonara, Yuzu Koshu Wings, and Hae Bee Hiam Pasta. Naturally, their matchas are the bomb!
Has this made you dream of a trip to Japan? Well, we have prepared the ultimate 2 week Japan itinerary to help you out!
5. Cloudfields: Foodies will appreciate
Duck bao buns (which you get to build yourself), hamachi corn fritters, cacio e pepe fries, kimchi tuna melts, and breakfast omelets served with maple bacon…Expect a fusion of flavors from around Asia as well as the Western world at Cloudfields.
There’s very much this whimsical sort of feel about it. Not so much in the setting, but the cafe’s concept, and the way its dishes are inspired to start conversations, or built around stories.
The unexpected menu is what deems this one of my top contenders among the cafes in Tiong Bahru. But I mean, the kitchen is headed by a one Michelin starred chef – so go figure! They are also pretty new, only opening in November 2025.
6. Plain Vanilla: Perfect sweet and savory
Whenever I hear the words “vanilla,” I instantly think of cupcakes! What started as a cute bakery all the way back in 2011 has grown to become a firm local Singaporean favorite. Not only part of the cafes in Tiong Bahru, but Plain Vanilla has stores all around the city – 10 to be exact! But, most importantly for any visit to Tiong Bahru, this is the flagship store.
Also, for Singapore’s ever-changing and dynamic food scene, for this bakery cafe to have stood the test of time for nearly 15 years, it really says something about its quality, food, and following!
Honestly, their sweet treats are scrumptious, and transport you to any classic French bakery, or like the trendy ones you find on the streets of NYC or London town. They also serve all-day brekkie, brunch, big plates, like a kale Caesar salad or penne bolognese with fresh burrata.
Whilst your food is being prepared, mosey around the little in-store shop, with shelves lined with all sorts from wine to bath salts. This is actually one of my favorite places to buy more unique Singapore souvenirs.
7. Little Rogue Coffee: The brunch go-to
I’m actually not the biggest bread person around. Although I’ve never been diagnosed (officially), I swear I am gluten-intolerant! Therefore, whenever I am hunting down a place to eat, I always keep my eyes open for a menu that isn’t just bread on bread. Or, dough, dough, dough!
I love how diverse Little Rogue Coffee’s offering is. Think Alfredo malfadine pasta, served with chicken tsukune that is glazed in a house yakitori tare, and a 64° onsen egg. They also love their seasonal dishes, so every visit to this cafe brings a new experience (which I absolutely love).
It’s an awesome spot for brunch when choosing between the cafes in Tiong Bahru, and they’re really well-known for them!
Whilst we’re on the matter of food, here are some of my favorite spots for breakfast in Singapore (next-level specialty coffee included). And for the vegetarians among us, I’ve put together a guide to the ultimate vegetarian restaurants in Singapore.
Swapping hours, when the sun goes to sleep, and the stars come out to play, I suggest you do the same. The city’s nightlife scene is impressive, and here are some of its best bars, rooftops, and clubs to hang.
Moving on from food-related things, discover 8 unusual things to do in Singapore beyond the tourist traps or our budget-friendly guide to Singapore without breaking the bank. Better yet, venture beyond the city perimeters on these fun day trips!
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