22 Best Restaurants in Singapore

The historic Moroccan coffee brand has a beautiful café/dining room on ION Orchard’s first floor. No visit is a quick one though: you may come for a coffee and pastry, but you’ll soon find yourself whiling away the time exploring the vast array of 100% arabica coffee beans housed in large sunset orange tins.

Head to level 2 of the Amoy Street food center for a cup of traditionally-brewed local kopi with a twist; the menu includes a dizzying array of latte flavors, including black sesame, hazelnut, and butter pecan. For a quick bite, pair it with their equally-eclectic toast flavors, like earl grey creme or matcha coconut.

Grab a quick coffee at this hole-in-the-wall joint, one of the few independent coffee shops in the CBD. The space is definitely small—so you’ll want to take your perfectly-roasted flat white to go—but don’t forget to check out the pastry and waffle options.

Grab a caffeine fix at this premier coffee roastery in sleepy Sunset Way. Founded by a champion barista, Olla is a leading player in Singapore’s burgeoning artisan roasting scene. There’s a menu with great options for brunch, which is when things tend to get a little busier. If you’re still hungry, try Burnt Cones ice cream across the way.

Tucked away in a quiet residential block in Queenstown, this small space is the gold standard of coffee roasting on the island. Initially started as a bean and machine wholesaler, the regular stream of coffee aficionados visiting for a drink soon convinced the owners to turn this space into a working café. You’ll find single-origin beans from across Asia, Africa, and South and Central America, delicious filter blends, and a selection of cakes and pastries. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a great brew and experience a slice of Singaporean life.

Located opposite the historic Bukit Timah Railway Station—and named after the year in which it was built—this bright, open café was once the railway staff quarters. It's a great spot to stop for a quick coffee or ice cream from the all-day menu, particularly if you’re planning on walking another section of the Rail Corridor. The inside dining area uses antique furniture to reflect what life may have looked like then, but the outside, set among lush greenery, is equally as charming. 

For a quick coffee on the go, Alchemist at International Plaza is a small, hole-in-the-wall joint that nevertheless deserves all the attention it gets. Aside from espresso, latte, and iced options, the rotating filter coffee is a great value, and the hot chocolate is rich and addictive.

This bright, airy café in HortPark has a large outdoor space, a pet-friendly area, and an abundance of greenery hanging from the ceilings. There’s an all-day dining menu for larger bites, but the chilled, green space is a great place to grab a coffee and take a break from exploring the city.

Singapore’s vibrant third-wave coffee scene owes a lot to to Chye Seng Huat Hardware, one of the first specialty coffee spots in the area. The former hardware store turned hip coffee space is rarely empty, and regulars swear by both the brews and the robust brunch menu. Inside, the two-story complex includes a coffee school, retail space stocked with coffee gadgets and gear, and a roastery.

A dedicated specialty Arabica coffee roaster just off Robertson Quay, Common Man Coffee Roasters is better known for its exceptional brunch, featuring fluffy pancakes, avocado toasts, and full fry-ups. Many come for the brilliant range of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free breakfast options. As the name suggests, the coffee is great, too, and there’s a wide selection of quality teas. If brunch isn’t your thing, the café serves up great cakes and pastries, and there is a full lunch menu of sandwiches, burgers, and salads. Do expect to queue for a table on weekend mornings.

At the edge of Holland Village, this independent speciality shop is a rare treat in a country where good coffee can be hard to come by. It sources single-origin beans from around the world, focusing on the aromas and tastes of each variety, and serves its coffee alongside simple snacks and meals, from fresh salads and pastas to sandwiches and croissants.

A hole-in-the-wall café and bean-roasting joint just off the Pandan River, this is a quiet spot to stop after a stroll around the Pandan Reservoir. The coffee is excellent, and the outdoor seats are a peaceful spot in the heart of the residential West.

For a serious cup of coffee near Somerset, drop by this pristine-white café that is usually full of coffee aficionados sipping on in-house roasted brews. You can also pick up fresh beans and coffee-making accoutrements to take home.

This cozy neighborhood café has good coffee and plenty of brunch options. The space is fairly small and gets busy on weekends, so if there are no seats, take your coffee down to the river.

This cute Swedish cafe's halal bakes are slightly pricey, but they're favored by local café aficionados. Stick to signature items like the strawberry cream cheese Danish and traditional semla bun, available year round. Other winning menu items include flaky croissants (in flavors like red-velvet cream cheese), kouign amann, and savory quiches for a heartier bite.

This small, blue-decked café on the side of Ann Siang Hill serves some of the best coffee on the island. Grab an iced latte and perch on one of the outside tables for a quick break from the Chinatown sightseeing and shopping. The café often works with local bakers, so make sure to try their pastry and sandwich selections.

“Bringing back the good old taste of Singapore traditional coffee” is the motto here, and you definitely won't be disappointed in the way that's done. Try the strong, sweet kopi ubiquitous in Singapore’s history, in an old-fashioned, bright red coffee house. Brush up on your kopi terms before visiting.

Famed for fluffy iced cupcakes, the company's flagship Tiong Bahru store is self-described as a “bakery cum café cum retail store." Alongside signature bakes, there is a daily brunch menu and a wide selection of grocery and homeware items for purchase. The alfresco dining area is a quiet space to spend the afternoon.

If tea is your thing, be sure to visit Signature Koi—pioneers of the bubble tea culture in Singapore. Try the Earl Grey milk tea with signature pearls (tapioca balls) for the original experience. You’ll find lots of bubble tea stalls are takeaway-only in Singapore, so this well-designed (if small) sit-in space is a real boon.

Sitting, slightly incongruously, in a semi-industrial part of Jurong, this Japanese coffee roaster gives the distinct impression of being transported to the tea houses of Kyoto. Minimalist decor and a zen-like atmosphere make it a peaceful place to enjoy a cup of artisanal filter coffee or a matcha latte. There’s always a good selection of Hokkaido sweets to enjoy.

Hidden in an older housing estate just off the river, Thong Aik Coffee serves traditional kopi and local breakfast options in a casual setting. However, the real star is the affordable, homely Thai food, which makes for an unexpectedly delicious lunchtime bite.

In the historic Alkaff Mansion, this café is a quiet dining spot and patisserie in the verdant surrounds of Telok Blangah Hill. By day, the offers pizzas, pasta, and salads, as well as all-day breakfast (particularly popular on weekends), but the menu is slightly more refined at night, with a good range of cocktails, beers, and wines. The pet-friendly space has a picturesque greenhouse and charming gardens. Takeaway picnic baskets are available if you’d prefer to eat in the park, and a separate kid's menu is available.