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There’s nothing quite like an aromatic cup of Joe to perk you up in the morning. Some people, like myself, drink coffee as a necessity, as I’ll suffer an immense headache (not curable by Panadol) if my body doesn’t get it by early afternoon.
In this caffeine-fuelled article, I’ll be presenting my guide based on one factor only: how good the coffee is. As with all foods and beverages, different people will have their own preference of coffee, but I will try to present the individual coffee flavours at each cafe so you can decide what you like. In the end, you will have to decide what type of taste you prefer but most Singaporeans at this stage of our coffee culture go for a more balanced, easy drinking variety of coffee with milk.
A great guide for getting new cafe ideas, this is for the Singapore cafe-hoppers.
1. Nylon Coffee
Nylon Coffee at 4 Everton Park is a simple small cafe born out of only 1 reason: a passion for coffee. This place does their best to share the background history behind each coffee variety with their customers. Visits to coffee farms are made to witness the hard work that goes into harvesting the coffee beans. The beans are roasted every Wednesday and Friday in small batches and shipped directly from their roastery.
After speaking to countless professional baristas, Nylon is easily the most well-recognised and highly recommended cafe for coffee in Singapore amongst the professionals — their hardcore pursuit to produce the best coffee is all the reason coffee connoisseurs need to patronise this outfit. Sip on a Small 3oz. White at S$5 or go for the Long Black for just S$4.
4 Everton Park, #01-40, Singapore 080004
+65 6220 2330
Mon, Wed to Fri: 8.30am – 4.30pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 4.30pm
Closed on Tue
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2. Kurasu Singapore
The minimalist coffee cafe along Waterloo Street, Kurasu, hails from Kyoto, Japan. Its Singapore branch offers the same coffee menu as its Kyoto outlet— their coffee is shipped fresh weekly from Kyoto too, ensuring that customers get to enjoy the most authentic Japanese brews. It has a takeaway stand at 1 Grange Road in town as well.
Coffee options include the classic Espresso, available as a Single Shot (S$3.50), White (S$6.50) or Black (S$5.50). Opt for filtered coffee if you’d prefer, like the Batch Brew (S$5) or Hand Drip Coffee (S$7.50).
Kurasu also has blends from all over the world, and each cup of coffee comes with a card detailing information about your chosen blend. These include the aromatic Fuyu Moe blend and the sweet, fruity Ethopia blend.
261 Waterloo Street, #01-24, Singapore 180261
Daily: 10am – 6pm
1 Grange Road, #01-03, Singapore 239693
Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 4.30pm
Sat & Sun: 9.30am – 5.30pm
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3. Toby’s Estate Coffee Roasters Singapore
Working together with one common goal of producing the best speciality cup of Joe is the team of Toby’s Estate Coffee Roasters Singapore. It’s made up of world-ranked baristas and championship judges whose common goal is to dedicate themselves to serve the finest speciality coffee in the café. They have coffees from numerous processing methods — washed, honey, carbonic macération, natural, just to name a few.
85% of their green beans are sourced directly which not only means it’s more sustainable, but its also staying ethical and true to the coffee bean farmers. The house blend at Toby’s Estate uses the Woolloomooloo, which (believe it or not) is named after their birthplace in Sydney, Australia. This robust expresso blend is a dynamite in terms of flavour — perfect for perking you up in the morning or battling the after-lunch food coma. This versatile blend has distinct notes of rich chocolate, butterscotch, and dried fruit.
The Mocha ($5.80) is a hot favourite you have to try, using real Ghana Red Chocolate melted with the ristretto. Also check out their signature Cold Brew (S$5), made with their African Mist blend.
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8 Rodyk Street, Singapore 238216
+65 9177 3256
Mon to Fri: 7am – 3pm
Sat & Sun: 7.30am – 5pm
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4. Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee
Though Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee has 10 outlets island-wide, the one and only branch I’m familiar with is tucked away at the void deck of 170 Stirling Road, a quaint neighbourhood that I spent most of my weekends at in the past. If you’re an avid coffee drinker, the warm and friendly baristas here willingly share and talk about their love for their beloved beverage.
The menu mainly features hand-brewed, cold brew, and espresso-based coffee. The hand-brewed coffee displays each coffee bean’s origin as well as its tasting notes.
If you love coffee with milk, enjoy a White (S$5.50), an Intense White (S$5), or Mocha (S$6). If you love a hot hand-brewed coffee, sip on the natural Mogiana (S$8) from Brazil, with hints of red dates, chocolates and honey. For something slightly more fruity, the washed San Vincente (S$8) from Honduras has notes of apples, pears, macadamia and oolong tea.
For a list of locations, opening hours and contact numbers, click here.
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5. King’s Cart Coffee Factory
King’s Cart Coffee has 2 outlets in Singapore, one in Bishan and one in Joo Chiat. This cafe infuses local flavours into its drinks, offering customers with unique and high quality coffee.
The Singapore Signature collection feature interesting drinks like the Coconut Latte (S$9 for hot, S$10 for iced), made with gula melaka and coconut cream, the Pandan Sweet Cream (S$9), served with pandan-infused sweet cream, and “Sng Buey” (S$9), a tangy drink that combines sour plum with espresso. Tang yuan lovers should try Ah Bo Ling (S$7.50), which features glutinous black sesame rice balls with espresso poured on top.
You can even get coffee cocktails here, with alcohol-infused delights such as Rum Pum Pum (S$22), Cold Brew High Ball (S$22) and the Espresso Martini (S$18). Do note that prices differ for each branch.
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5 Bishan Place, Bishan Public Library level 1, Singapore 579841
Daily: 10am – 8pm
328 Joo Chiat Road, #01-05, Singapore 427585
+65 8814 8445
Daily: 9am – 5pm
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6. Tolido’s Espresso Nook
Tolido’s Espresso Nook at 462 Crawford Lane has one of the most intricate looking coffee arts I’ve seen, way more complicated than the typical heart or leaf art — this shows very good control over the temperature of the coffee and milk. As this place is pet friendly, those with furry friends at home can bring them along to chill the day away. CDC and SG60 vouchers can also be utilised over here.
Their signature coffees include the Sea Salt Caramel Latte (S$6.50+), Sea Salt Caramel Mocha (S$7+), Peppermint Mocha (S$6.50+), Orange Mocha (S$6.50+) and more. They even have a Bailey’s Coffee (S$8.50+) for lovers of alcohol and caffeine!
462 Crawford Lane, #01-63, Singapore 190462
+65 6293 0382
Mon & Tue, Thu: 8am – 4pm
Fri to Sun: 8am – 5pm
Closed on Wed
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7. Common Man Coffee Roasters
Common Man Coffee Roasters sources their green coffee beans from all over the world. They work closely with growers then roast the coffee beans locally. Their ultimate goal is to allow people to appreciate, support, and be more familiar with the specialty coffee culture. This is done through the organising of wholesale and retail events to create awareness.
Their Filter Coffees include the Slow Brew (S$8.50), Fast Brew (S$8.50) and Cold Brew (S$8.50), while lovers of Espresso can delight themselves with variations such as Black (S$6/S$7), White (S$6.50/S$7.50) and Mocha (S$7/S$8).
For something more interesting, try the Kaya Toast Latte (S$9.50) that contains espresso, oat milk, coconut, pandan, and kaya foam. There’s also the refreshing Citrus Cloud Cold Brew (S$9.50) with notes of yuzu, calamansi, and lemon.
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For a list of locations, opening hours and contact numbers, click here.
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8. Percolate
Percolate used to occupy a cafe space at 136 Bedok North for over 11 years before it closed its doors in August 2025. It has since moved to a takeaway coffee stand at the basement of TANGS at Tang Plaza and will be opening a new cafe space at Nankin Row along Pickering Street soon.
It uses seasonal coffee beans from selected local and international coffee roasters. Their coffee selections are refreshed weekly, with coffee from roasters like April Coffee in Denmark, Friedhats in the Netherlands and Cru Cafe in the United Kingdom.
Find your standard cup of Joes like Flat White (S$6/S$7), Espresso (S$4 for single, S$5 for double) and Americano (S$5.50/S$6.50). If you love to stand out from the crowd, then sip on interesting blends like the Ginger Latte (S$6.50/S$7.50) and Jasmine Latte (S$6.50/S$7.50) — a nod on familiar Asian flavours.
310 Orchard Road, Tang Plaza, #B1-23, Singapore 238864
+65 8354 8171
Daily: 9am – 9pm
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9. Dutch Colony Coffee Co.
The early stages of Dutch Colony Coffee Co., 5 years to be specific, were spent at the now-defunct Pasarbella which was a farmer’s market concept. This initial period provided the building blocks for the company to strengthen the relationship between people and coffee. This place concentrates in providing only the best quality coffee and the overall experience after the first sip.
The coffee beans are procured and purchased from various premium boutique coffee plantations across the globe that only practice fair and sustainable methods. They also pay special attention in the roasting process, ensuring that the best properties of each coffee bean is brought out for their customers to savour.
Savour Filtered Coffee from Ethiopia or Guatemala with floral and fruity notes for S$8. You can also go for the Black & White Flight (S$$8.80) that serves an espresso and cappuccino of the same origin/blend. To combat Singapore’s heat, you can also go for the iced Mocha (S$7.20) or Latte (S$6.90). Do note that each of their outlets feature different pricing.
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For a list of locations, opening hours and contact numbers, click here.
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10. Takagi Coffee
Takagi Coffee is a well-known cafe originating from Japan. It opened its first international outlet outlet in Singapore in 2023, but it has actually been operating in Japan since 1958!
Located within 100AM, Takagi Coffee is known for its delicious drinks, like the Takagi Coffee Original Blend (S$4.90 for hot, S$5.40 for iced), Takagi Coffee Light Blend (S$4.90) and Cafe Latte (S$6.40 for hot, S$6.90 for iced).
Enjoy the cafe’s Specialty Coffee, which is made with a carefully selected blend of coffee beans from all over the world. The Kenya Mbogo (S$6.90) features beans from Central Kenya that are washed, giving it a distinct acidity, sweetness and aroma. Rwanda CBC RW (S$6.90), on the other hand, is stronger-bodied and more aromatic.
100 Tras Street, 100AM, #01-14B, Singapore 079027
+65 6787 4389
Daily: 8am – 9pm
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11. Highlander Coffee Espresso Bar
Highlander Coffee‘s vision is to build a great coffee company that shares the passion for gourmet coffee with anyone who wants to learn.
Highlander Coffee owns their own factory in Singapore, where they roast and pack their self-sourced supply of beans, as well as sell various coffee making equipment. The house blend uses the Quattro, a mix of Brazilian, Ethiopian, Columbian and Sumatra beans.
A balanced coffee when paired with milk; nutty and smooth with a sweet malt finish. Consistency is key to Highlander’s success, from the evenly roasted beans to the well-trained baristas making the coffee. Enjoy an iced Cafe Latte (S$6) or a hot Flat White (S$4.50).
49 Kampong Bahru Road, Singapore 169362
+65 6223 7102
Mon to Sat: 9am – 4pm
Closed on Sun
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12. Jimmy Monkey Cafe
Opened by a true native Melbournian who craved the authentic coffee culture back home, Jimmy Monkey Cafe aims to bring the ultimate Melbourne coffee experience to Singapore. It initially started out at One-North Residences before opening another outlet at Park Place Residences at Paya Lebar.
Beans are roasted on-site from some of the best socially responsible independent farms, with seasonal green beans sourced from all over the world.
The house Espresso (S$5) is a handpicked blend by Jimmy Monkey’s experienced barista, or occasionally from single origin beans for more distinct characteristics. You can also savour the Iced Long Black (S$6) or Iced Mocha (S$8). If you dislike the acidity of espresso, try the Cortado (S$6), a beverage that offsets the unpleasantness by balancing the espresso with an equal amount of steamed milk.
Are you a cold brew fan? Then sip on the Gula Melaka Cold Brew (S$9) and Salted Caramel Cold Brew (S$9).
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2 Paya Lebar Road, Park Place Residences, #01-10, Singapore 409053
+65 6920 4749
Daily: 8am – 10pm
9 One-north Gateway, One-North Residences, #01-51, Singapore 138643
+65 6777 8470
Daily: 8am – 4pm
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13. Strangers at Work
Strangers at Work, an offshoot of Strangers’ Reunion, is a little nook tucked away at level 1 of the Arcade at the CBD. It offers various filter brews which all bring out different strengths of a coffee.
Choose from beverages like Espresso (S$4), Piccolo Latte (S$5) and Magic (S$5.50), which is made with double ristretto and milk.
Why not both quench your thirst and beat the heat with one of their cold coffees? Try the White Magic (S$7.50) (bottled cold brew) or Iced Mocha (S$7/$8.50) to be delightfully refreshed.
11 Collyer Quay, The Arcade, #01-21, Singapore 049317
Mon to Fri: 8am – 5pm
Closed on Sat & Sun
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14. Sarnies
Sarnies at 136 Telok Ayer Street is a Sydney-inspired cafe which uses double ristrettos in its coffee brews imported from Australia, resulting in a more intense flavour.
The Latte (S$6.50) is a Guatemalan blend that features sweet, bright and fruity notes. Give it a swirl through your palate and you will notice a roasted dark, nutty and bitter yet enjoyable aftertaste.
Something else really interesting to try is their Orange Mocha (S$7.50) — it is prepared by soaking orange peels in the coffee to give off a slight tang. The concoction is a little more intense, mixed with beans that complement the chocolate, orange peel and espresso shot. It has a velvety body, notes of dark chocolate and a hint of citrus, making it an exciting brew with an interesting piquancy.
There’s also the Black Sesame Latte (S$7.50) that packs a unique nutty hint of earthiness.
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136 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068601
+65 8284 2146
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 3.30pm
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15. Atlas Coffeehouse
Opened by the folks behind the now defunct Assembly Coffee, 10-year-old Atlas Coffeehouse along Bukit Timah at Duke’s Road prides itself in presenting artisanal java for the masses. As quoted by them: “Trust Coffee. It never fails to make the day better!”. Indeed, even cold coffee has never broken my heart, unlike my cold ex.
Aside from the classics like Affogato (S$7.10) and Mocha (S$7.20), at Atlas Coffeehouse, you can also get their filter coffees from different countries, such as Kirimahiga AA (S$8.10) from Kenya and Haru Suke (S$7.50) from Ethiopia. There’s also the Einspanner (S$7.10), a unique twist featuring long black coffee topped with their scrumptious creamy umami foam.
6 Duke’s Road, Singapore 268886
+65 6314 2674
Tue to Sun: 8am – 7pm
Closed on Mon
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16. Fore Coffee
Fore Coffee is a famous coffee chain from Indonesia— this popular brand has over 170 stores in the country as of Mar 2024! In late 2023, the brand branched out and opened their first store in Singapore within Bugis Junction, where it serves its delicious drinks and pastries to hungry customers in the city.
Fore Coffee uses only 100% high-grade Arabica beans from Aceh Gayo, Toraja Sapan, Java Pranger and Bali Kintamani, ensuring that your drink is of the best quality and offers an authentic taste of Indonesia.
Savour the cafe’s fragrant Gula Aren Latte (S$6.50), a signature drink made with a kind of palm sugar that is native to Indonesia, or try the similarly aromatic Hot Pandan Oat (S$6.50).
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200 Victoria Street, #01-14/14A, Singapore 188021
+65 9018 7861
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 8.30am – 10pm
2 Handy Road, The Cathay, #01-14, Singapore 229233
+65 9726 5691
Daily: 8am – 9pm
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17. Flock Cafe
Flock Cafe, which has been in operation in Tiong Bahru since 2012 is nestled within an aged apartment building. It offers a neat selection of coffee. Opt for a classic Single Espresso (S$3.50) or Piccolo (S$4), or choose to grab a sweeter option such as the Banana Caramel Latte (S$7), Iced Hazelnut Latte (S$8) or Orange Cinnamon Mocha (S$7).
You can get the iced version for the above beverages for an additional S$1. Plus, all their coffees are available with soy, almond or oat milk, for just S$0.50 more.
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78 Moh Guan Terrace, Tiong Bahru Estate, #01-25, Singapore 162078
+65 6536 3938
Daily: 8am – 9.30pm
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11 cafes & eateries along Kampong Bahru Road for a relaxing & delicious escape while in Outram Park
18. Baristart Coffee
Yes, Baristart Coffee may be renowned for its to-die-for cream puffs, but this place is also no stranger to the local coffee scene. Originating from Hokkaido, Japan, this concept cafe uses imported Hokkaido milk BIEI Jersey milk from Brown Jersey Cows to ensure the highest quality of its drinks. Its high butterfat and protein content has a luscious and creamy profile with a touch of sweetness, making it an excellent addition to coffee.
Speaking of coffee, customers can get to choose from 3 types of beans — their in-house Baristart blend and 2 single origin beans that changes monthly.
Their selection of Black coffees range from the standard Espresso (S$3.50) to the unique Lemonade Espresso (S$7.50). As for their White coffees, you can choose from Hokkaido BIEI Jersey milk, soy milk or oat milk to be added. Some of the coffee varieties include the Flat White (S$6.70), Piccolo Latte (S$5.50) and the signature Baristart Latte (S$6.70), with the option of add-on flavourings (+S$1) like caramel, vanilla or honey.
For a list of locations and opening hours, click here.
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19. % Arabica
% Arabica, otherwise known as the coffee cafe chain with a percentage symbol as its main branding icon, is known for its minimalist decor and stark white interiors. This coffee brand from Kyoto, Japan, has 8 outlets in Singapore, including the bustling 313@Somerset mall and Arab Street.
Try their Caffe Latte Hot Single Origin (S$7) or their Americano Hot % Blend (S$6). They even have a Spanish Latte (S$8.20 for hot, S$9.40 for iced) and Kyoto Latte (S$8.20 for hot, S$9.40 for iced) for a taste of different cultures.
For a list of locations, opening hours and contact numbers, click here.
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20. Thus Coffee
Located in the sleepy neighboourhood of Sembawang Hills, Thus Coffee roasts and serves specialty coffee in Singapore. Established in 2017, this humble cafe serves delectable mains and desserts, on top of its roasted coffees.
Here, you can enjoy a simple Espresso for S$3.50, or opt for a Long Black (S$4.50 for hot, S$5.50 for iced). Alternatively, they also have a Filter Coffee for S$6. Why not check out their White coffees, such as the Piccolo (S$4.50), and Mocha (S$6 for hot, S$7 for iced)? If you have an adventurous palate, try the Grapefruit Espresso Tonic (S$6.50).
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4 Jalan Kuras, Singapore 577723
+65 9363 6380
Mon to Fri: 9am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 9pm
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21. Bearded Bella
The popular Bearded Bella, located along Craig Road in Tanjong Pagar, has a range of coffees that will be sure to awaken you and pump you full of energy. This cafe is opened by 2 female housemates from Melbourne, who wanted to introduce the energetic but slow-paced food scene of their city to Singapore.
Their hot coffees start from S$4.50, with options like the Black Coffee (S$5.50/S$6), Espresso (S$4.50 for single, S$5 for double) and Filter Brew (S$9.50 for hot, S$8.50 for cold).
For a refreshing afternoon perk-me-up, give the Citrus Coffee Spritz (S$6.50) a go. Just imagine orange juice, honey, soda water, and the Bearded Bella seasonal house blend all coming together in perfect harmony. There’s also the Iced Coconut Long Black (S$7), a tropical mix of coconut water, brown sugar syrup, and espresso.
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8 Craig Road, Singapore 089668
+65 9880 0775
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 7.30am – 6pm
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22. SYIP
SYIP (pronounced ‘sip’) is a minimalist cafe in Owen Road where you can sip (no pun intended) on a good cup of coffee while relaxing in their uncluttered, spacious cafe. In 2021, it initially started out as a home-based business run by 2 sisters who focused on tiramisu.
Definitely give their signature SYIP Black Coffee (Iced) (S$7++) and SYIP White Coffee (Iced) (S$7.50++) a go, or enjoy the Maple Latte (S$7++/S$7.50++) for a caramel-like creamy treat. Other standard caffeinated drinks include the Hot Black (S$6++), Hot White (S$6.00++), and Hot Mocha (S$6.50++).
For a list of locations, opening hours and contact numbers, click here.
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23. Chye Seng Huat Hardware Coffee Bar
Chye Seng Huat Hardware Coffee Bar at 150 Tyrwhitt Road is probably the most well-known indie cafe (yes, the irony) in Singapore. It resides within Chye Seng Huat Hardware building. This concept bar provides a one-of-its-kind coffee experience with a 360-degree view of the bar. Watch and interact with the baristas as they meticulously prepare your beverage with all sorts of bean varieties and brewing methods that can be customised to any customer’s preference — if you know what flavours you like, you can get it here.
Definitely check out their cold brews, like the White Cold Brew Coffee (S$9) and Nitro Black Matter (S$8). You can even get an Espresso Flight which is a combination of a single espresso and a 5oz. white for S$9.20.
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150 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 20753
+65 6299 4321
Daily: 8.30am – 10pm
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