Crawford Lane has no shortage of cozy cafes and eateries, making it one of the go-to neighbourhoods in Lavender for a casual, cafe-hopping experience. Adding to this enclave is Simple Cafe, an unpretentious joint with homely vibes.
Formerly located at West Coast Drive, Simple Cafe has earned a reputation as a Taiwanese-style cafe. Stepping in, you feel like you are about to play a calefare in a Mandpop music video with the warm lights and soft Mandopop beats playing in the background.
Going off the menu, you’ll find traditionally-Western cakes and desserts infused with Asian ingredients such as hojicha and winter melon. This is expected with Simple Cafe’s co-owners being graduates of Le Cordon Bleu in Tokyo.
Aside from that, there are also seasonal items that are rotated into the menu, depending on the occasion. Right now, you can try locally-inspired pastries such as Egg Prata and Moon, in line with National Day and Mid Autumn Festival respectively. There is also a Simple Breakfast Set that is sold exclusively on weekdays.
The Satasuma ($7+) caught my eye with its sheer size, compared to the rest of the cakes on display. This roll cake slice is made with Japanese sweet potato and light fresh cream. While the sponge was a little on the dry side, I liked how the sweet potato added some sweetness to the roll without being overwhelming.
It’s also interesting how the cream and sweet potato paste are rolled towards the center, while swiss rolls typically have the cream and spone spread evenly in a snail-like arrangement. Definitely makes for a beautiful cross-section, though!
Satsuma ($7+)
If you’re not an avid espresso fan, Simple Cafe’s Coconut Juice with Espresso ($8+) might just convert you. The acidic notes of the espresso are offset by the sweet, refreshing flavours of the coconut juice, and the coconut shavings soak up the coffee for extra oomph.
Coconut Juice with Espresso ($8+)
Simple Cafe lives up to its name by serving comforting treats in a fuss-free space. You do feel like you’re being invited into someone’s home, and it’s easy to lose track of time over your favourite cakes and beverages. Their whole cakes, coffee beans, and even cutlery are available for purchase on their store if you want to re-create the Simple Cafe experience from home.
Address: 462A Crawford Lane, 01-73, Singapore 191462
Google Maps
Nearest MRT: Lavender EW11
Opening Hours:
Tuesday: 9am – 5.30pm
Wednesday to Sunday: 9am – 6pm
Closed on Monday
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