Best Coffee Cafes in Singapore: The Ultimate Guide

Following the waves of cafe booms in Singapore, countless cafe guides have been written on this emerging cafe trend with no set criteria. Some cafes might have excellent food and amazing ambience, but ultimately coffee that tastes like brown crayon water, and it’s really hard to decide what is a ‘good’ cafe without agreeing on one consistent criteria.

In this caffeine-fuelled article, I’ll be presenting my guide based on one factor only: how good the coffee is. New cafes are popping up daily as well, but most will probably be using bean suppliers from either Nylon Coffee Roasters, Common Man Coffee Roasters, Liberty Coffee, Papa Palheta or Dutch Colony. Cafes under the same company will be grouped together, since the coffee blend and roasting standard is almost identical.

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 Roasters

A simple small cafe born out of only 1 reason: a passion for coffee. Nylon Coffee Roasters sources their coffee from all over the world and roasts and brews their own amazing coffee not just based on their preferences, but also by experimenting objectively. The espresso blend changes seasonally, while packed beans are available for purchase. While I was there, I had the Four Chairs blend which was a 50-50 mix of Nicaragua and El Salvador beans for a sweet, well-balanced finish with notes of black berries.

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.

4 Everton Park, #01-40, Singapore 080004
+65 6220 2330
Wed to Fri: 8.30am – 4.30pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 4.30pm
Closed on Mon & Tue
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2. Chye Seng Huat Hardware Coffee Bar

Chye Seng Huat Hardware Coffee Bar 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$8.50) and Nitro Black Matter (S$7.50). You can even get an Espresso Flight for S$9.80.

150 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207563
+65 6299 4321
Daily: 8.30am – 10pm
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3. Dutch Colony Coffee Co.

Dutch Colony Coffee Co.‘s Dutch blend ristretto has a citrus-like acidity, is full-bodied, slightly nutty and has a smooth velvety finish. Being coffee suppliers with freshly roasted beans, Dutch Colony also has seasonal single-origin coffees at the outlet which can be prepared in various brewing methods of your choice. Their bottled cold brew coffees is also something to look out for, coming in sweetened and unsweetened states.

For a list of locations, opening hours and contact numbers, click here.
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Toby’s Estate believes in using unwashed or natural coffee, also known as dry processing, as it lifts the aromas without stripping off the flavours unlike wet processing.

The house blend at Toby’s Estate uses the Rodyk Blend, a 5 bean mix of Costa Rica, Uganda, Panama, Brazil and Ethiopia beans.

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.

8 Rodyk Street, Singapore 238216
+65 9177 3256
Mon to Fri: 7am – 3pm
Sat & Sun: 7.30am – 5pm
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5. 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 Filter Coffees include the Slow Brew (S$7), Fast Brew (S$7) 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 a list of locations, opening hours and contact numbers, click here.
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6. King’s Cart Coffee

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 for hot, S$10 for iced), served with pandan-infused sweet cream, and “Sng Buet” (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 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).

For a list of locations, opening hours and contact numbers, click here.
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7. 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$5.90 for hot, S$6.40 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 Nicaragua Las Maris Chat (S$6.90) features beans that have undergone 36-hour anaerobic fermentation, giving it a distinct flavour and aroma. Rwanda Nyamurinda Karora (S$6.90), on the other hand, has stronger and more noticeable flavours. Finally, Indonesia Bali Natural (S$6.90) has a rich tropical fruity flavour.

100 Tras Street, 100AM, #01-14B, Singapore 079027
+65 6787 4389
Daily: 8am – 9pm
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8. Highlander Coffee

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.

49 Kampong Bahru Road, Singapore 169362
+65 6223 7102
Mon to Sat: 9am – 4pm
Closed on Sun
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Sarnies is a Sydney-inspired cafe which use double ristrettos in its coffee brews imported from Australia, resulting in a more intense flavour.

The Latte (S$6) 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.

136 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068601
+65 8284 2146
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 3.30pm
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10. Strangers at Work

Strangers at Work, an offshoot of Strangers’ Reunion, offers various filter brews which all bring out different strengths of a coffee.

Choose from beverages like Espresso (S$3.80), Piccolo Latte (S$4.30) and Magic (S$5.30), 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$6.90), Iced Mocha (S$7) or even their Ice Cream Mocha (S$8.10) to be delightfully refreshed.

11 Collyer Quay, The Arcade, #01-21, Singapore 049317
+65 6222 4869
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 5.30pm
Closed on Sat & Sun
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11. Atlas Coffeehouse

Opened by the folks behind the now defunct Assembly Coffee, Atlas Coffeehouse 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 an Affogato (S$7.10), Einspanner (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.

6 Duke’s Road, Singapore 268886
+65 6314 2674
Tue to Sun: 8am – 7pm
Closed on Mon
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12. Jimmy Monkey Cafe & Bar

Opened by a true native Melbournian who craved the authentic coffee culture back home, Jimmy Monkey Cafe & Bar aims to bring the ultimate Melbourne coffee experience to Singapore.

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$4.50) is a handpicked blend by Jimmy Monkey’s experienced barista, or occasionally from single origin beans for more distinct characteristics.

Check out their unique flavoured Cold Brews in variations like Salted Caramel (S$8.50) and Gula Melaka (S$8.50).

9 One-north Gateway, One-North Residences, #01-51, Singapore 138643
+65 6777 8470
Daily: 8am – 4pm
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Tolido’s Espresso Nook 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.

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
Thu to Tue: 8am – 5pm
Closed on Wed
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The Providore is a local grocery store cafe concept, selling packed merchandise and also serving as a deli cafe at Mandarin Gallery amongst other branches. The Machine Brewed coffees (S$6 / S$7.50) are roasted and blended by Melbourne coffee roaster Brother Basil & Co. Choose from drinks like a Long Black, Cappuccino, Piccolo Latte and Mocha.

The thick Hot Chocolate (S$9.50) is another sinful alternative The Providore is famed for.

For a list of locations, opening hours and contact numbers, click here.
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15. 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).

200 Victoria Street, #01-14/14A, Singapore 188021
+65 9018 7861
Daily: 7am – 10pm
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Flock Cafe, which has been in operation in Tiong Bahru since 2012, 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$6.50), Hazelnut Latte (S$6.50) or Orange Cinnamon Mocha (S$6.50).

You can get the above beverages iced at an additional S$1. Plus, all their coffees are available with soy, almond or oat milk, for just S$0.50 more.

78 Moh Guan Terrace, Tiong Bahru Estate, #01-25, Singapore 162078
+65 6536 3938
Daily: 8am – 8.30pm
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17. Percolate

Percolate 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.

At this cozy cafe in Bedok, try all sorts of delicious coffees, like Thai Coco Black, Espresso Milkshake, Coconut Latte, Ginger Latte and even an Iced Boba Latte.

136 Bedok North Ave 3, #01-152, Singapore 460136
+65 8259 0316
Daily: 9am – 7pm
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One of the pioneers of third wave coffee movement in Singapore since 2008, Oriole Coffee + Bar is a place where coffee enthusiasts gather to enjoy the brew, to learn about the bean from one another and to inspire a love for coffee and the good life.

At Oriole Coffee + Bar, the essence of the perfect coffee experience boils down to the dedication of its roasters and baristas. Only after meticulous and careful consideration do coffees feature in Oriole Coffee’s line-up of espressos and filter coffees.

Oriole’s Signature Coffee, Taisho, is a must-try. Named after an era in Japan that is believed to be when cold coffee was popularised, this in-house cold brew is steeped overnight in low temperature water in order to for it to be of the desired taste and flavour.

A Taisho Black costs S$7.50 while Taisho White comes in at S$8.50. The Taisho Float (S$10.50), on the other hand, is topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Can’t decide on what to get? Why not opt for the Taisho Tasting Flight (S$11), where you can experience 3 variations at once?

Baristart Coffee is no stranger to the local coffee scene. Originating from Hokkaido, Japan, this concept cafe uses important Hokkaido milk a   nd BIEI Jersey milk from Brown Jersey Cows to ensure the highest quality of its drinks.

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. Options include the Flat White (S$6.70), Piccolo (S$5.50) and the signature Baristart Latte (S$6.70), with the option of add-on flavours for an additional S$1.

For a list of locations and opening hours, click here.
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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 6 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$7.80 for hot, S$9 for iced) and Kyoto Latte (S$7.80 for hot, S$9 for iced) for a taste of different cultures.

For a list of locations, opening hours and contact numbers, click here.
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21. Thus Coffee

Located in Sembawang Hills, Thus Coffee roasts and served specialty coffee in Singapore. Estabished 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), Mocha (S$6 for hot, S$7 for iced) and Green Shot (S$6.50 for hot, S$7.50 for iced)?

4 Jalan Kuras, Singapore 577723
+65 9363 6380
Mon to Fri: 9am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 9pm
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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. Their hot coffees start from S$4.50, with options like the Black Coffee (S$5 / 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).

You can even get a unique Coffee Slushie (S$8) here, something that you may not often encounter in local coffee cafes!

8 Craig Road, Singapore 089668
+65 9880 0775
Mon to Wed: 7.30am – 5pm
Thu to Sat: 7.30am – 10pm
Sun: 7.30am – 6pm
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23. SYIP

SYIP (pronounced ‘sip’) is a minimalist cafe in Owen Road where you can sip (no pun intended) on a good cuppa coffee while relaxing in their uncluttered, spacious cafe.

Definitely give their signature SYIP Black Coffee (Iced) (S$7.15) and SYIP White Coffee (Iced) (S$7.70) a go, or enjoy the Espresso Cream Latte (S$5.50) for a creamy delight. Other standard caffeinated drinks include the Hot Black (S$4.95), Hot White (S$6.05) and Hot Mocha (S$7.15).

79 Owen Road, Singapore 218895
+65 8770 9079
Daily: 9am – 6pm
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24. The Coffee Academics

Those who frequent the CBD area are likely familiar with The Coffee Academics— this cafe chain has 4 outlets in Singapore, each of which serve all sorts of cafe food, plus a wide selection of coffee.

The Coffee Academics has 5 kinds of Hand Pour Coffee, each of which are priced at S$9.70 for hot and S$10.80 for iced. Options are the spiced Indonesia Sumatra Mandailing, the fruity Kenya Swara Washed, the nutty Brazil Miñas Gerais, the rich Yunnan Kongque and the floral Ethiopia Yirgacheffe G1 Kochere.

The cafe also has lattes sweetened with natural sugars, like Manuka (S$6.90 for hot, S$8.10 for iced), Jawa (S$6.90 for hot, S$8.10 for iced) and Pepper Agave (S$6.90 for hot). How about a refreshing Espresso Tonic (S$8.10) or Strawberry Basil Espresso Soda (S$8.60) for a sparkling pick-me-up?

For a list of locations, opening hours and contact numbers, click here.
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25. Kurasu Singapore

The 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.

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$4.50) 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
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