33 cafes in the east that'll make you wish you live there

Nestled on East Coast Road, Plain Vanilla offers a big brunch menu, with a larger offering of cupcakes, baked goods, and local art. This cosy space is great for friends and family to gather, relax, and enjoy some downtime away from the city. Of course, we can't go without talking about their popular bakes and hearty mains. With a loyal following, the Plain Vanilla outlet in the East boasts its widest brunch menu yet, featuring dishes like Truffled Cauliflower & Chestnut Soup, Chicken Salad BLAT Croissant, and the Spring Omelette. They also offer a range of cupcakes, bakes, and local artwork and homewares.

199 E Coast Rd, Singapore 428902

Be swept away to the English countryside, when you dine at Nico Cafe. Its furnishing is homey and warm with soothing colours and flowers, perfect for hosting the perfect tea party.

What’s great about this place is it’s pet-friendly, so you can bring doggo out for an afternoon of bonding.

Apart from its brunch menu, Nico Cafe also sells fluffy stacks of pancakes that are IG-worthy.

224 Telok Kurau Road, #01-01, Singapore 423836

If you're looking for some Japanese-inspired cuisines in the East, then you should check Cafe Natsu. Featuring premium Japanese ingredients, cooking techniques, and spices, the cafe has just unveiled its latest all-day dining menu. Think – a range of shareable small plates, satisfying mains, and irresistible desserts. Highlights include the creamy Chawanmushi, indulgent Camembert Mentaiko Mochi, rich Arabiki Carbonara, Salmon Tempura Don, and succulent Wagyu Beef Sando paired with Togarashi Fries. If you still have some space for dessert, try the savoury-sweet Miso Basque Cheesecake or the Matcha Chocolate Tart.

283 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427537

 

 

 

Looking for a relaxing brunch spot to while away the hours during the weekends? PS.Cafe's breezy i12 Katong outlet, which opened last year in 2022, has just launched a new weekend brunch menu available from 8.30am to 4pm. Boasting a contemporary look with a coastal aesthetic inspired by the seaside villas that used to line East Coast Road, the pet-friendly destination forms a gorgeous backdrop for a laid-back brunch meal.

On the menu are classics such as Avocado Eggs Florentine, served with avocado salsa and poached eggs, as well as Lamb Sausage Shakshousa, which features lamb merguez sausage with spiced tomato sauce, labneh and grilled dipping bread. For those with a sweet tooth, opt for the butterscotch pancakes with summer berry compote, poached peaches, and the same butterscotch sauce used in PS.Cafe's famous sticky date pudding.

112 East Coast Road, #01-01/02/03, i12 Katong, Singapore 428802

Kings Cart Coffee Factory was established in 2017 as a mobile pop-up coffee cart, but as of the end of 2020, made its transition into a brick-and-mortar café.

Apart from the standard cups of joe, the coffee-centric café has refreshing concoctions such as the Coconut Cold Brew and Coconut Affogato. The coffee theme also extends into its cocktails (available on Friday and Saturday nights), some of which also feature espressos.

Have your drink with a Pandan Kaya Souffle Pancake, or go for the more substantial Mentaiko Carbonara featuring thick bacon strips, furikake, and a raw egg yolk.

328 Joo Chiat Rd, #01-05, Singapore 427585

If you live in the east and find yourself constantly craving for one of Tiong Bahru Bakery's soft and fluffy croissants, you'll be pleased to know that the bakery has opened up a branch in Crane Road. The Crane Road’s interiors feature artsy embroidery detailing inspired by a trip to the culture-rich city of Budapest with an all-glass facade welcomes an abundance of natural light for that warm homey vibe. The homely establishment is thoughtfully designed with comfy seats and warm wooden finishings for that charming neighbourhood feel, and is the perfect space for an afternoon cuppa, or if you're looking for a nice cafe to work out of.

7 Crane Rd, Singapore 429356

Previously known as The C Café, Nimbus was founded by two friends Ashley Cho and Nicholas Wong, both of whom share a common passion for magic and food. What sets it apart from its competitors in the area is that diners may also be treated to a magic performance while tucking into their meals.

The day menu offers brunch items such as chicken toasties, truffle fries, and a superfood salad for the more health-conscious. Meanwhile, a dinner menu is available on Friday and Saturday evenings, where a good chunk of it is dedicated to pastas and pizzas.

477 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427683

The Whole Kitchen is the brainchild of two Singapore-based Australians, Anne Swain, a nutrition health coach and Susan Soulard, a professional chef. Their aim was to create gourmet and healthy food that is natural, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and free of additives and preservatives.

Aside from their online store, their brick-and-mortar café serves up wholesome granola bowls, smoothies, wildflower honey scones, and the good old Avocado on toast. If you can, visit after 11.00 in order to snag one of the Truffle Brie Toasties – a perfect marriage of De Meaux Truffles, house-made pickle, and oozy Emmental cheese.

11 East Coast Rd, Singapore 428722

The brightly-lit, 70-seater Taiwanese cafe features beautiful wall murals in white, blue, and red, depicting various destinations in Taiwan such as Alishan.

Go for their signature dish, none other than the savoury Hakka-style Braised Meat Rice (Lu Rou Fan), a must-have when visiting Taiwan. Other items that scream Taiwan include the Braised Beef Noodles, Golden Fried Chicken, and Din Tai Feng-esque Egg Fried Rice covered with a slab of marinated pork chop. Then wash down the meal with – you guessed it – an ice-cold cup of Brown Sugar Caramel Pearl Milk Tea, or another Taiwanese drink that tickles your fancy.

224 East Coast Road, Singapore 428921

While this is more of a gelato shop rather than a cafe, we have to give this place a shout-out. The ice cream is made with natural botanical flavours like Strawberry Basil or Pandan, and they taste delicious. The interior is also extremely pretty and will provide a gorgeous backdrop for your Instagram snaps.

63 East Coast Road, #01-05, Singapore 428776

Choice Cuts Goods is a coffee joint and vinyl record shop rolled into one, and offers stacks of records for music aficionados to browse through. Saunter in and linger over a cup of joe or bottle of beer. An all-day food menu is available, but the choices are generally more snackish than an actual meal. Regardless, the Bjorn’s Truffle Egg Mayo Hot Dawg (a crunchy bratwurst topped with truffle egg mayo poised comfortably in a fluffy bun) comes highly recommended and, trust us, was extremely satisfying.

446 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427659

The café scene in Katong shows no signs of slowing with the recent addition of Neptune, opened by the team behind Atlas Coffeehouse at Bukit Timah and Columbus Coffee Co. at Upper Thomson.

Their morning menu starts at 09.00, afternoon menu at 11.00, and dinner menu at 17.00. Café hoppers can expect to find Japanese-inspired plates such as Big in Japan (grana panado scone with three different condiments – yuzu jam, honey mascarpone and shrimp & salmon in dill sauce) in the mornings, a Summer Chicken Stew at noon, and Seafood Somen in the evenings.

237 East Coast Road, Singapore 428930

An offshoot of the original Brawn & Brains at Guillemard, this minimalist café oozes a laid-back, easygoing vibe, perfect for that lazy Sunday brunch meetup.

Menu options include hearty dishes like the Fiery Meatball Spaghetti, as well as more healthy options such as a Hearty Grain Bowl and Grilled Chicken and Avocado on Rustic Sourdough. Drinks wise, they have an extensive list of strong coffees done however you like it, freshly squeezed juices and beer.

218 East Coast Road, Singapore 428916

What began as a collective events space still holds the same beliefs — that the best form of nourishment is forging inter-personal relationships and connections with people. So why not do just that, accompanied with good food?

At this laid-back residential neighbourhood cafe, dig into comfort food like Truffle Carbonara, Smoked Salmon Bagel, Pumpkin Pancakes, and more.

30 East Coast Rd, Katong V, #01-11, Singapore 428751

Mod Cafe is a relatively new cafe in the East – it’s decked in a pretty pink exterior that looks like you’re being transported to Korea. We’re not surprised to see cafe goers taking photos in front of the cafe in Stylenanda (a popular Seoul fashion brand)-inspired poses.

The cafe carries the famous Cheesecake Factory cheesecakes and a simple menu with all-day breakfasts, wraps and pies.

There’s also a hair salon specialising in hair colouring, so you can plan an entire day of pampering and indulge at Mod Cafe.

1A Kuo Chuan Ave, Singapore 426888

Part of The Yards – a hodgepodge of art studios, drama spaces and enrichment centres – in Joo Chiat, this brunch spot is an elegant glasshouse complete with exposed beams and hanging plants. The alfresco deck also offers extra seating for those out with their furry friends.

We highly recommend the Avocado & Ricotta Tartine, an even more souped-up version of smashed avocado on toast. On top of the avocado, we found globs of ricotta, sweet cheery tomatoes, pickled radish slices, and almond flakes, all of which danced perfectly in sync upon our tongues. The burrata and tomato tartine is another delightful option.

406 Joo Chiat Pl, #01-24 The Yards, Singapore 428084

Taking up two shophouse spaces in Tanjong Katong, this Melbourne-inspired café’s name was inspired by the owners’ cheeky and playful characters. In addition to F&B, there’s a small play area for children, and a community library that encourages customers to exchange books.

Chef-owner Aaron Leow cut his knives at several esteemed establishments, and spent short stints at Michelin-star restaurants Noma and Stud!o in Copenhagen. Our picks from the all-day breakfast section would be the umami and creamy Soft Scrambled Eggs with Truffle Cream & Ikura served with sourdough toast, and the Ribeye Steak & Egg – the housemade truffle mash was heavenly. Also a noteworthy mention is the House Marinated Wings, served with a funky – but not overpowering – blue cheese dip.

336 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437109

Popular online bakery Tigerlily Patisserie made the brick-and-mortar leap in mid-June 2021. With just 12 tables, the décor sports a refreshing botanical theme, and serves of course, the gorgeous entremets that made pastry chef Maxine Ngooi, famous.

Must-orders – for both the Gram and your palate – include The Forest Berry Taco (a chocolate taco filled with forest berry mousse, berry jam and chocolate ganache), and the signature Beehive (a citrus-coloured hive of lemon, thyme and lychee honey jelly, light lemon sponge and honey parfait encased in a yuzu mousse.

Beyond the tempting and gorgeous pastries, the café also has a concise savoury menu featuring items like the Monsieur Kim (grilled croque monsieur with kimchi sourdough).

350 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427598

This halal bistro serves innovative dishes of Asian-Western comfort food, where items like the Smoked Duck Laksa, Salted Egg Pasta with Grilled Salmon, and Squid Stuffed with Risotto immediately halted our glancing eye.

However, Walaku’s signature dish is the Nasi Lemak Bakar (bakar loosely means grilled; and Walaku grills their coconut rice that is tightly wrapped in a banana leaf), with your choice of protein; for us, it was the Garlic Cheesy Lobster. If possible, leave space for dessert, for their Steamed Ginger Pudding with Earl Grey topped with vanilla ice cream comes highly recommended.

102 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427396

Little Farms, a local grocer that specialises in bringing in high-quality and fresh produce from independent suppliers in Australia, Europe, and the world, opened its first full-table service bistro in Katong Point in early 2021.

The menu mainly features European fare, so expect hearty mains such as Australian Barramundi Fish, Slow Grilled Little Joe’s Striploin, and Pumpkin Gnocchi. There’s also a short and delicious-sounding list of bar bites to pair with your glass of tipple, where the Cheese & Charcuterie Board gets our nod of approval.

 451 Joo Chiat Rd, #01-04, Singapore 427664

Stroll down memory lane with Chin Mee Chin, a renowned breakfast institution in Katong way before the Ebb & Flow Group became a business partner in the coffeeshop’s latest modern reincarnation.

Stalwarts such as Nanyang-style coffee, soft-boiled eggs, their signature aromatic kaya toast with a cold slab of butter, cream horns and luncheon meat buns are still around, albeit at slightly raised prices. New savoury additions include the otak and hae bee hiam milk buns, while new sweet treats include Chocolate Peanut Butter Tarts, Cheesecake Brownies, and Gula Melaka Coffee Chiffon Cake.

204 East Coast Road, Singapore 428903

The first striking thing about this Insta-worthy café is its calming pastel blue scheme on fixtures in its alfresco area and indoor bar counter, which stands juxtaposed against orange hexagonal tiles.

A top pick from the all-day brunch menu would be the Smoked Trout Rosti, and the Spam Bagel – a thick cut of spam, sunny side up, and oozy cheese – surely a match made in tastebud heaven. Hungry? More substantial stews, pastas and burgers, are also available after noon. Take time to peruse the extensive drink list, which ranges from draught beers and cocktails, to smoothies and no less than 20 coffee choices.

462 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427674

The décor at East Coast Commune is simply an extension of the tropical scenery at East Coast Park – but with air-con. Commissioned local marine-themed art created by local artist Wu Yanrong adorns the brightly lit space, while the walls have been painted in teal.

Head down on a weekday, order a pot of tea or bottle of Kombucha by Fizzicle, relax, and read. We cannot guarantee the same treatment on weekends though, as the place is a family-friendly hangout.

1000 ECP, #01-03, Singapore 449876

Having relocated from Tanjong Pagar to a large space in the east in early 2021, Five Oars Coffee Roasters now sports an industrial-chic theme anchored by a large barista island in the centre.

Open all day, the café offers a daytime menu until 5.15pm, where the Hanging Tender Steak, Corn Fritters, and Crab Scramble sounded like delicious choices to fuel us through the day. Meanwhile, the night menu is available from 6pm till 9pm, and winds down with warm, homely options like the Lobster & Prawn Ravioli, Shellfish Risotto, and Duck Confit, all of which would go well with a glass of wine or one of the craft beers on offer.

6 Upper East Coast, Singapore 455200

For a delicious morning cuppa, look no further than Craftsmen Specialty Coffee, an independent cafe operator with five outlets under its belt. They especially pride themselves in their coffee, sourcing their single-origin coffee beans from growers in countries such as Brazil, Honduras, Kenya, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Costa Rica and Guatemala.

On their Siglap V menu are regular brunch suspects such as a Truffle Scrambled Egg Sourdough, and Black Forest Ham & Bacon Croissant. But give their fusion pasta, the Tom Yum Seafood Cremoso a whirl, where the al dente pasta tossed in the creamy Tom Yum sauce will provide a satisfying sour and fiery kick.

2 First St, #01-01 Siglap V, Singapore 458278

Whether you’re looking for a crisp and aromatic cup of filtered cup of joe from Colombia, or an invigorating bottle of cold brew, Dutch Colony Coffee has your caffeine fix covered.

Pair that with one of Dutch Colony Coffee’s extensive breakfast list of egg-centric options such as the Guac & Soft-Boiled Egg Toast, Shabsouka & Soft-Boiled Egg Toast, or the Avocado, Bacon & Egg Bagel. There are also salads, museli, as well as a selection of pastries and cakes at the counter if a lighter brunch option is preferred.

113 Frankel Ave, Singapore 458230

A 10-minute walk from Kembangan stands this casual dining concept opened by chef-owner Terence Chuah, who sharpened his knives at Michelin-star restaurants overseas.

The menu items can only be described as ingenious comfort food. Who would have thought that adding duck confit, sous vide eggs and spinach onto a golden bed of tater tots could be so delicious? The Short Rib Katsu (braised for eight hours), Squid Ink Bone Marrow, and handmade pastas are also impossible to pass up.

101 Jln Kembangan, Singapore 419139

Opened by Gu Zao Ren Seafood Taiwan Porridge along Changi Road, this industrial-chic café – with gorgeous jade tiles lining the coffee bar – is managed by Seng’s (the owner’s) daughter.

The all-day breakfast menu comprises of stalwarts such as Crab Meat Egg Benedict, and Breakfast Feast (bacon, sausage, mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes and potatoes). Meanwhile, the mains menu is offered after 11.30am until closing, and certainly appeals with mouth-watering items ranging from the Pork Belly Risotto and Mentaiko Mac & Cheese, to the Ginger Sake Clam and Cempedak Crème Brulee.

389 Changi Road, Singapore 419838

A rebrand from Fresh Fruits Lab, Simplicité now oozes a Parisian-chic vibe, modelled after the sidewalk cafes in the City of Light. Make a beeline for their Duck Confit or Chicken Fricassee, highly-recommended items not usually found on brunch menus. There’s also an all-day brunch section one can defer to, alongside a delightful list of tipples ranging from cocktails to red wines.

Interestingly, Simplicité also serves an Afternoon Tea Set from 2pm to 6pm, which features a mix of savoury and sweet bite-sized items – think macarons and crostinis – alongside the staple coffee or tea.

351 Changi Road, Singapore 419818

This coffee roaster is a coffee addict’s dream: It stocks quality beans around the world – from London to San Jose. As expected, the coffee is exceptional and if you’re adventurous, you can savour creative desserts like Thai Coco Black (chilled Thai coconut with a shot of espresso).

Also on the menu are a variety of cakes, organic granola and brunch items like croissants.

136 Bedok North Ave 3, #01-152, Singapore 460136

The Forage Café prides itself in being Singapore’s first honey-themed café, where the liquid gold – harvested from its own farm in Malaysia – has been infused into everything on its menu. Bottles of their honey can also be purchased here.

Their signature Smoked Salmon & Eggs grilled waffle sandwich (think smoked salmon, egg mayo and mozzarella nestled between two fluffy waffles) comes highly recommended. Don’t forget to drizzle some of the honey provided for that extra oomph. There are also more substantial mains such as the St Louis Pork Ribs & Pork Bratwurst and Granchio Pasta (Crab Pasta), as well as honey-based drinks and desserts.

PSA: Pets are allowed for outdoor seating.

30 Jalan Pari Burong, Singapore 488696

If nothing else, this cute cafe’s 3D latte art alone warrants a visit. Not to say that the food won’t tempt you — its Eggs Benedict is topped with rich Hollandaise sauce that marries the perfectly poached eggs and thick crusty homemade toast perfectly. Not a coffee person? Kick back with a pint or two at the alfresco dining area with some cheesy nacho fries.

4 Changi Village Rd, #01-2090, Singapore 500004

Head here for TCS’ versions of local fare. For mains, take on its fiery XO Prawn Aglio Olio, add one a side of sweet potato fries sprinkled with parmesan shavings. Then end the meal with a scoop gelato or ice cream (choose from durian, peanut butter & jelly and more) served in a wafer bowl.

200 Netheravon Rd, 508529

This article was first published in The Finder and has been updated for currency.