Update 19 Jan 2025: Acai Brothers has closed.
Singapore’s love for açaí shows no signs of slowing down, as yet another name sets up shop. This time, it’s Acai Brothers, an Australia-based. Established in 2014, this superfood brand has 20 chains across Down Under, with Singapore marking its first Southeast Asian expansion.
I have a soft spot for understated cafes like Dapper Coffee and the now-defunct RONIN, with their barebones decor and unpretentious offerings. So when Ceres Haus popped up on my radar, I knew I had to check it out.
Situated on Circular Road above MISFITS, Ceres Haus offers no indication of its existence in this neighbourhood of eateries and seedy bars, save for a bottle and coffee cup labeled with its name. Looking back on it, the combination of said “decor” indicates Ceres Haus’ business as a cafe by day and wine bar by night.
Update 19 Jan 2025: Tigerlily Patisserie has closed.
With the pandemic putting a damper on eating out and cafe-hopping, it’s heartening to see home-based bakers expanding from online storefronts to brick-and-mortar setups.
Tigerlilly Patisserie, headed by ex-Vianney Massot Restaurant pastry chef Naxine Ngooi, has joined the burgeoning enclave of foodie spots on Joo Chiat Road, a stone’s throw away from Da Dong Prawn Noodles.
Upper Thomson Road has come into its own as a destination for hip cafes and notable eateries. And with the recent opening of the Thomson East Coast Line making it more accessible, there’s no excuse to not go exploring.
Oaks Coffee Co., opened by the team behind The Kins’ at Pasir Panjang, has joined the burgeoning cafe scene on the upper-east side of Singapore.
Update 19 Jan 2025: Lee’s Confectionery has closed.
I have a soft spot for HDB cafes, especially if it’s somewhere I can find artisanal, plated desserts. There’s something understated about savouring elegantly-crafted sweets in the comfort of a humble, familiar neighbourhood.
Lee’s Confectionery is about as unpretentious and heartland as you can get.
Update 19 Jan 2025: Kura Patisserie has closed.
Sometimes, you just might be able to discover hidden gems in the least likely place. South Bridge Road is one place that often gets overlooked as that awkward stretch of seedy bars between Clarke Quay, Chinatown, and Raffles Place. But, the addition of quaint cafes and dessert spots such as Dopa Dopa and Dawn, has made this underrated area a good option for cafe-hopping, minus the busy crowd!
Kura Patisserie is the newest cafe to set up shop along South Bridge Road (and directly opposite my previous workplace!). Helmed by co-founders whose work experiences include hotels and Tiong Bahru Bakery, Kura Patisserie used to operate out of River Valley, before settling on its current, more central location.
Say hello – or rather, hellu to a new cafe in town! Located diagonally across Korio, Hellu Coffee is the latest addition to Far East Square‘s collection of hipster cafes and coffee joints.
Chue On It 