5 of the Most Insta-Worthy Cafes in Singapore for Brunch, Cakes and Coffee

It’s no secret that the cafe culture has really caught on here in this sunny tropical island, and with the pandemic putting a halt to all overseas travel plans for the time being, it’s no surprise that we’ve been exploring the best of what Singapore has to offer— including our best cafes.

The cafe scene in Singapore is competitive to say the least, where new players have to fight for a slice of the market with long established perennial favourites.

Read: The Best Cafes in Singapore for Brunch

So big is the cafe scene these days, that several places in Singapore have become somewhat hot spots for aesthetically-pleasing brunches, with neighbourhoods like Tiong Bahru, and the streets around Telok Ayer.

Need a recommendation for some of the most aesthetic cafes around with options for brunch classics, desserts and / or great coffee? Look no further than some of my current favourites below!

Merci Marcel (Tiong Bahru)

Read: Full Review of Merci Marcel

The Merci Marcel group actually consists of several brands, including their branches at Tiong Bahru, Club Street and Orchard of the same name, an upcoming crêpe and cocktail gastrobar called French Fold, and a retail space at Palais Renaissance.

All of the Merci Marcel outlets exude a consistent, streamlined aesthetic and vibe, which I really like.

Think lots of natural light, plenty of greenery to add to the tropical bohemian vibe, as well as the use of warmer colours and tones in furnishing.

The branch at Eng Hoon Street in particular, has a beautiful glasshouse to dine in, where the rays of afternoon sunlight pour in from above.

Mind, it does get a little warm when the sun is relentless, but it’s a beautiful space nonetheless.

Food-wise, Merci Marcel does have a decent menu for brunch, including crowd-pleasers like Eggs Benedict and a Club Sandwich on the menu.

Merci Marcel isn’t just good for brunch though, as they open for dinner as well with a different menu!

The coffee here is good as well, and it’s still one of the most beautiful cafes around, as the crowds everyday will certainly attest to.

WHERE | 56 ENG HOON STREET #01-68, SINGAPORE 160056

Apollo Coffee Bar (Serangoon)

Serangoon Gardens is another hotspot of restaurants and cafes, not unlike Holland Village.

Enter Apollo Coffee Bar, by the same team that brought us Atlas Coffeehouse and Columbus Coffee Co.

Walking in through the doors, you’ll find a big, expansive space with an island coffee bar at the centre of it all, which is also where you make your orders and payment.

The space is bright yet inviting, and in one cafe, offers several settings, from the seats in front of the cafe, the bulk of dining tables inside, and a sunlit courtyard (not completely unlike the space at Merci Marcel!).

I thought the food was good, but more on that in another food-based cafe round up, and is definitely worth making the trek out, especially if you’re in the vicinity!

WHERE | 65 SERANGOON GARDEN WAY, SINGAPORE 555961

Punch (North Canal Rd)

Located opposite the Kreta Ayer Police Post, Punch sits along an unassuming stretch of shophouses at North Canal Road.

I almost walked past Punch several times because of how understated the cafe is from the outside, but entering in, you’re greeted by an open kitchen concept and a rather homely and cosy environment inside.

But for the aesthetics though, you’ll have to head back to, oh yes, yet another courtyard.

This courtyard offers up an al-fresco dining experience, but it’s the greenery around complimenting the wooden furniture that really sets the mood.

Food wise, Punch was a little disappointing I’ll have to admit, with portions being on the smaller side and our Rueben Sandwich and Croque Madame a little dry. Perhaps we might have to go for options outside of the sandwiches the next time.

The coffee however, was fantastic. The mocha was beautifully presented, and had the right mix of coffee, chocolate and milk— easy to do on paper but hard to do well.

Punch is definitely one I’d recommend for the aesthetics and coffee!

WHERE | 32 NORTH CANAL ROAD, SINGAPORE 059288

Lucid (Lavender)

Lavender is another area chockfull of cafe favourites like Chye Seng Huat Hardware and Apartment Coffee.

Joining the fray is Lucid, which opened it’s doors earlier this 2020.

What sets Lucid apart though, is that instead of the tropical theme that so many cafes have gone for and nailed, Lucid has opted for the stark, minimalist and industrial aesthetic. The clean grey walls and metallic furniture gives off a strong look, whilst the cafe specialises in artisanal coffee paired with pastries and dessert.

The menu is simple and unpretentious, and the Iced White is a favourite here.

On the bakes menu, the Cloud Beta v0.1 has become somewhat famous, and is in essence a pastry of a shortbread base, topped with a white chocolate mousse with strawberry filling in the shape of, well, a cloud.

It was surprisingly light on the palette and not cloying, which is a job well done.

Clean and minimalist cafes are popular in many of our favourite cities to travel to, like Bangkok and Seoul, but not many have sprouted around in Singapore.

With the way the tables are full even on weekday afternoons, perhaps Lucid might have hit the jackpot here.

WHERE | 38 HAMILTON ROAD, SINGAPORE 209208

Hvala (CHIJMES)

If you’re looking for Japanese teahouse aesthetics and love matcha beverages and desserts, look no further than Hvala; which sits right next door to Glasshouse Coffee at CHIJMES.

Minimalist, wooden elements and soft light are what characterise the space at Hvala.

On the menu, you’ll find tea, ice blends, lattes, cakes and ice cream.

I was genuinely surprised at the expansive menu, and is honestly a heaven for matcha lovers.

The matcha lattes are great, but I’d personally recommend the Matcha Hojicha Latte, with a delightful balance of sweet, creamy and bitter.

The matcha-based cakes are most certainly indulgent, but they do get very heavy after a few bites, and washing it down with more matcha, well, becomes a little overbearing.

But on their own, they’re fantastic.

WHERE | 30 VICTORIA STREET, SINGAPORE 187996