The Best Cafes in Singapore for Brunch
You’ve been there, I’ve been there, we’ve all been there— visiting a hyped cafe only to pay way too much for the food that is just okay. I mean, given the sheer number of cafes that have sprung up all over the island in recent years, if we’re gonna brunch, why go somewhere mediocre!
Previously, I’d rounded up a list of some of the most aesthetically pleasing cafes around for cakes, coffee, and food.
This go around, I’m focusing squarely on the food, in that they have to be good considering the portions and the price range.
Of course, it would be nigh on impossible to gather an exhaustive list, so these are just some of my current favourites. Apart from these listed below, I’d also highly recommend The Kins’ Specialty Coffee, Merci Marcel, Fuel Plus, Common Man Coffee Roasters, Homeground Cofee Roasters, The Lokal, and Group Therapy Coffee.
So let’s get right to it.
Fika Swedish Cafe and Bistro
Located in the heart of the Arab Street area near Bugis, Fika gains points for being halal-certified, and for specialising in a relatively niche cuisine— Swedish, basically.
Especially considering many cafes in Singapore are usually Australian-inspired, if not American, French or Italian-inspired.
Truthfully though, what I really like about Fika is that their menu for food is pretty expansive, so it’s one that’s great for groups or repeat visits.
Fika might also be able to better take into account dietary limitations, as there are several gluten-free options on the menu.
Here, we tried the Grilled Chicken ($18)— the boneless chicken leg topped with creamy whole grain mustard sauce and alfafa that went along brilliantly with the meat, which was juicy and tender. The dish was also served with a side of baby potatoes and sautéed seasonal vegetables.
We also had the Swedish Lamb Stew ($24) in a creamy dill broth, and Pannbiff ($19), which is a dish featuring beef patties in a similar creamy sauce as the grilled chicken.
To share, we had the Hasselbacks Potato on Cheesy Skagen ($11), a Swedish classic of baked sliced potatoes with cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, red onions and shrimp, which was delicious— if a bit cloying after a while, like most cheesy dishes. It’s done very well though, so it’s well worth a share if you’re in the mood for something cheesy.
Overall, food here’s good, though slightly on the pricier end, but that’s not surprising given the location.
Portions are decent as well; a main and sides to share will be filling enough for most!
PS. They also have a bakery called Konditori just a few minutes away, which supplies Fika with their freshly baked bread.
WHERE | 257 BEACH ROAD, SINGAPORE 199539
Columbus Coffee Co
Brought to you by the folks that gave us Atlas Coffeehouse (read below), Columbus Coffee Co is a popular joint that sits at Upper Thomson Road.
Though Columbus Coffee Co actually has quite a big space for a cafe, you’ll still find snaking queues, especially for brunch on the weekends.
It’s well worth the hype though.
The interior is clean and fuss-free, if not packed to the rafters come brunch time.
The menu here is of a sizeable variety as well, from brunch favourites like pancakes, to burgers and pastas.
The waffles were decent, if anything maybe slightly on the drier side but still fine!
We also had the Classic Wagyu Cheese Burger & Curlies ($20) which satisfied my burger cravings nicely, and I definitely enjoyed the melted aged cheddar!
If you’d like to avoid the crowds, visit on a weekday away from lunch hour.
WHERE | 220 UPPER THOMSON ROAD, SINGAPORE 574352
Atlas Coffeehouse
Atlas Coffeehouse came before Columbus Coffee Co, and has become synonymous for brunch in the Bukit Timah area.
Right at the doorstep of a bus stop, or several minutes on foot from Botanic Gardens MRT, expect to see queues for Atlas on a weekend as well.
The space here isn’t as big as Columbus, but they’ve opened a couple tables outside as well which faces the road. Ordering will still be done via the counter inside though!
Food wise, you won’t find a stark difference between the selection here and Columbus, which is fine because the selection’s decent and the food’s good.
The Summer Chicken Stew here though, is quite the winner.
The chicken leg is tender and juicy, and the stew is creamy and delicious.
WHERE | 6 DUKE’S ROAD, SINGAPORE 268886
Bread Yard
Perhaps not one that tops many ‘Best Of’ lists, Bread Yard is a real gem in the One North area.
Specialising in artisan bakes, Bread Yard does wonderful brunches as well.
Unpretentious and not at all fussed, Bread Yard does what it does well.
For a cafe seemingly a little out of the way for most, this place does attract a queue on the weekends as well, which is testament to it’s popularity.
Food is straightforward like the decor, and all the better for it.
Available is a selection of grain bowls, brunch favourites like Pulled Pork Eggs Benedict, pasta and sandwiches.
I’ve had their Mexican Chicken Bowl ($14) which was filling, though the chicken is (slightly) dry, as well as the aforementioned Pulled Pork Eggs Benedict ($14) which I’d definitely recommend.
They do great coffee and drinks as well, in particular the mocha and matcha latte which were a wonderful pick-me-up in the afternoon.
Perhaps it’s because of it’s location, but prices are beyond reasonable.
Sure, it’s not a cafe with many bells and whistles, but that’s exactly what sets Bread Yard apart.
Oh, I sometimes get my sourdough cravings fix from Bread Yard as well.
WHERE | 1 FUSIONOPOLIS PLACE, #01-23/24, GALAXIS, SINGAPORE 138522
The Populus
Ah yes, another perennial brunch favourite is The Populus.
The interior is refined and polished, which speaks to it’s delivery and execution of the brunch experience.
I’ve been to the The Populus several times over the years and the food never disappoints.
Located in a shophouse, this means that The Populus is narrow but long. Yet the seats and counter are laid out in a way that doesn’t seem suffocating, with space for waiters and diners alike to move around.
Mind, prices here are not cheap, and on par with cafes like Fika.
Expect to spend around $25 or more for a main and a coffee, or if you’re ordering a side to share.
However, the food and coffee here is good, their highlights including the Buckwheat Pancakes which look incredible, as well as The Populus Scramble, which feature strips of bacon on a bed of soft and creamy scrambled eggs.
I’ve also tried the Grass Fed Beef Ragu Pappardelle which is great too.
WHERE | 146 NEIL ROAD, SINGAPORE 088875
Forty Hands Coffee
I’ve been going to Forty Hands for years as well, and it is by far my favourite cafe in the highly competitive Tiong Bahru neighbourhood, a hotspot for coffee houses and brunch options.
The interesting thing about Forty Hands is that it’s menu combines Western and Eastern fare.
On the same menu where you’ll find Smashed Avo on toast, you’ll also find a Banh Mi Bowl, Tau Sar Pau (red bean bun), and Kong Bak Pau (steamed buns with braised pork in soya sauce), because why not eh?
Forty Hands actually opened a second outlet along East Coast Road, but I’ll focus squarely on the OG outlet at Yong Siak St, just steps away from Plain Vanilla, Creamier and Flock Cafe.
A personal favourite of mine is the Eggs Benedict with juicy steak as I’ve always been a fan of the way they’ve marinated and grilled the meat, which is finished to perfection and well matched with the brunch classic that is Eggs Benedict.
I’ve also tried the 40 Hands Cubano sandwich, which is good but nothing to shout about.
40 Hands is also great for coffee lovers who are looking for a good cuppa.
Ambience wise, 40 Hands does try to pack as many diners and tables as it can in it’s narrow storefront, and while there are seats further inside and down the stairs, it does get a little noisy during peak dining hours, which isn’t great for conversations, but the food and coffee is well worth it.
WHERE | 78 YONG SIAK STREET, SINGAPORE 163078
Apollo Coffee Bar
I’ve covered Apollo Coffee Bar in my guide to 5 of the Most Insta-Worthy Cafes in Singapore, but I had to include it in this guide to tasty brunches as well, because I’d definitely recommend it for the food as well.
Oh yes, the folks behind Apollo Coffee Bar in Serangoon are also the same folks that manage Atlas Coffeehouse and Columbus Coffee Co.
Clearly these guys are really on to something, as even on a weekday, Apollo Coffee Bar was completely full to the brim.
We were sat at the high tables near the island counter pictured above, which were unfortunately a little uncomfortable as they were flushed to the wall and felt cramped, not to mention the small seats that had me feeling like I was going to slip right off all throughout brunch. So if at all possible, try to avoid the high tables.
On to the food.
We had the Breakfast Burger which was served with a side of tater tots, which was superb. In between the buns were strips of juicy bacon, cheese and scrambled eggs. Special mention goes to the tater tots as well that were crispy yet not dripping in oil.
The Candied Bacon Buttermilk Waffle was pretty decent too, if not terribly filling, and the savoury crispy bacon went well with the sweet waffles.
Overall, the food here is slightly pricey given the portions and location, but food’s good enough, and the ambience is wonderful as it’s doused in natural light.
Given the crowds that pack this cafe day in and out, well, we have a new winner in the Northeast.
WHERE | 65 SERANGOON GARDEN WAY, SINGAPORE 555961
The Clueless Goat
If you’re looking for a cosy neighbourhood cafe, look no further than The Clueless Goat.
Located just a stone’s throw away from Novena MRT is this small joint that serves simple brunch fare at affordable prices.
Whilst it’s not necessarily a cafe I would travel for unlike the ones listed above, if you’re in the area, this is pleasant enough.
We had the British Breakfast Platter ($14.80; pictured above) and Breakfast Waffle ($9; pictured below) with streaky bacon, which were served in uniquely beautiful plates.
Portions are on the smaller end, but dishes are priced reasonably to match. Moreover, the ambience invokes a homely atmosphere that just makes you feel good.
Other brunch options on the menu mainly involve toast or egg dishes, alongside sandwiches and perennial favourites like Truffle Fries.
Overall, a decent find.
WHERE | 189 THOMSON ROAD, SINGAPORE 307631
