Café Coco, Gardens By The Bay: Brown butter waffle that’s too good to miss

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I might be a homebody who prefers ordering in, but when it comes to visually stunning desserts, I’ll willingly travel to the moon and back. That’s probably why I was all excited to check out Café Coco when a post of their waffles appeared on my Instagram feed. “Woo, so pretty! Must try!” was my first reaction.

It has been months since I last stepped foot into Gardens By The Bay. Feeling like a tourist exploring Singapore, I donned a bucket hat, threw on my shades, and made my way to Marina Bay early in the morning. I wanted to explore the different garden areas and work up an appetite before heading to Café Coco. 

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Indeed, Gardens By The Bay remains as peaceful and beautiful as I remembered. With practically no one else in sight, walking amongst the heritage gardens was a much-needed breath of fresh air (literally and metaphorically) away from the hustle and bustle of the city life.

After 2 hours of exploration, I reached the Supertree Food Hall where Café Coco was located. Drenched in perspiration and slightly dehydrated from the hot sun, I was finally ready to replenish those lost energies with food. 

What I tried

Dining at Café Coco felt like a picnic. The alfresco area opens up to unblocked lush greenery of the Supertree Grove. Building on its tranquil and relaxing atmosphere, bossa nova tunes playing softly in the background. This is the kind of place where I can stay for hours, people watching over a cup of coffee or an ice-cold tea. 

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The Summer Peach Tea (S$5.90) was a welcoming treat that scorching Tuesday afternoon. It hits the palate with a subtle sweetness that paired amazingly well with the astringent notes from the black tea. After walking for two hours, this was definitely a joy to savour and I absolutely had no complaints. 

When it comes to coffee, I know Café Coco will not disappoint. After all, they were one of the cold brew delivery that kept me sane during the Circuit Breaker period with their Salted Caramel Latte (S$7) and Midnight Mocha (S$8) (available for order here). 

Like me, if you enjoy flavoured coffee, then their Iced Toasted Hazelnut Latte (S$7) will not disappoint. From the first to the very last sip, the burnt nutty flavour remained strong and undiluted. Good enough to be sipped as a takeaway even as you continue walking in the park after your meal.

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Lunch started with the Rosemary Chicken Sandwich (S$13.90), a never-go-wrong menu option at Café Coco that was dependable and trustworthy. Here, it was the slices of sourdough sandwiching the chunky cuts of grilled chicken that got me marvelling in astonishment. Slathered in butter, they were warm and toasty with an echoing crunch that never seemed to fade. 

After realising that chicken breast was the cut of meat being used, I was expecting the grilled chicken to be hard and dry. It was, instead, surprisingly tender. Herbaceous notes from the chicken were given a piquant zing by the velvety honey mustard sauce. The addition of this sauce elevated this simple Rosemary Chicken Sandwich to a dish which I would come back for as it was comfortingly delicious. 

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Cheese pull from any pizza never fails to get me all hyped up. The moment I lifted the slice of Hawaiian Pizza (S$19.90), I felt my spirits rising altogether. But my enthusiasm fell flat shortly after I took my first bite. 

This was a decent slice of thin-crust pizza filled with honey baked ham, sweet canned pineapples and cheese. But it somehow fell short in the flavour dimension. Perhaps it’s the lack of tomato sauce, or it might be the over-powering cheesiness from the use of both mozzarella and cheddar.

I eventually found myself just picking at the ham, and laying them on top of my Rosemary Chicken Sandwich for that additional boost of protein.

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Of course, I can’t leave Café Coco without trying their Fresh Berries Brown Butter Waffles (S$15.90)—the dish which got me all psyched up about visiting the cafe in the first place. Just like their beauty shots plastered over Instagram, the fresh berries waffle was indeed a heady mix of all things delicious that were too gorgeous to be devoured. 

As the waffle was prepared, the rich aroma of the brown butter batter alone drove me into a frenzy. This swoon-worthy plate of waffles was a delightful play on textures and temperature—a bold contrast between warm and fluffy waffles and a ball of icy cold semi-melted vanilla ice cream. 

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Make sure to get a bit of everything onto your waffles—berries, lotus biscuit crumble, strawberry syrup, maple and a dollop of ice cream—for a taste of happiness in a single bite. 

Final thoughts

Café coco might not be a place that will knock you off your feet with dishes that razzle and dazzle but it sure is an honest cafe with food that warrants a visit. Even if you are just making a pit-stop in the midst of exploring Gardens By The Bay, come for their brown butter waffles. It’s just too good to miss. 

Expected Damage: S$14 – S$25 per pax

Price: $

Our Rating: 3 / 5

Cafe Coco

18 Marina Gardens Drive, Gardens By The Bay, Supertree Food Hall, Singapore 018953

Price
Our Rating 3/5

Cafe Coco

18 Marina Gardens Drive, Gardens By The Bay, Supertree Food Hall, Singapore 018953

Telephone: +65 6420 6848
Operating Hours: 11am - 9pm (Daily)
Telephone: +65 6420 6848

Operating Hours: 11am - 9pm (Daily)
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