Tiong Bahru is Singapore’s hip hood where modern and old-school vibes exist in a beautiful harmony. Its quaint demeanor houses some of the island’s best cafes, restaurants, indie shops and street art. After a long week, we can’t think of a better way to spend a lazy afternoon than to cafe-hop and explore the neighbourhood. Here are our top picks of the best Tiong Bahru cafes!
1. Tiong Bahru Bakery
You can’t think of Tiong Bahru without thinking of Tiong Bahru Bakery too. A collaboration with celebrity baker Gontran Cherrier, Tiong Bahru Bakery serves up some of Singapore’s best pastries. It would be a sin to come to the neighbourhood and not drop by the bakery! You can’t go wrong with the croissants which are handmade, never frozen, and baked fresh every two hours with French butter and flour. Have them plain, or choose from a wide selection of fillings. And don’t leave without getting the pain au chocolat and kouign amann too!
2. Forty Hands
As one of the pioneers in the local coffee movement, Forty Hands needs no introduction. Its delicious specialty coffee and tasty Australian style brunch turned Tiong Bahru from a sleepy neighbourhood into a hipster spot. Pick your blend and have it black, or as a standard Flat White. Pair your choice of caffeine fix with some grub like smashed avo on toast, homemade granola and toasties. Try their Tau Sar Pau which is extra fluffy, not too sweet, and pairs like a dream with a cold brew!
3. Caffe Pralet By Creative Culinaire
If you’re bored of the typical brunch fare like eggs and pastries, drop by Caffe Pralet for hearty sandwiches and rice bowls. You’ll love that the concoctions are different – think har jeong gai sandwich, sambal matah beef rice bowl and chili crab laksa. Aside from yummy mains, the cafe also serves fresh bakes like sourdough bread, cakes and pie. It’s one of those spots that you can just keep returning to!
4. Merci Marcel
Merci Marcel is probably the most IG-worthy restaurant in all of Tiong Bahru. If you come during the day, it is a breakfast and brunch spot, but it becomes a chic restaurant and wine bar at night. Offering a French Balinese vibe featuring a lush glasshouse garden patio, there’s plenty of greenery here, while the main dining area is in a vivid citrus-toned palette that’ll lift anyone’s mood. You’ll have lots of options here from pastries, salads to hearty mains likeAustralian grass-fed angus beef. For something sweet for brunch, go for the french toast with berries, honey, almonds, and homemade whipped cream.
5. Privé
One of Privé’s newest outposts, this cafe is a casual alfresco and fail-proof spot to satisfy your all-day breakfast fix. We love that the menu is also very vegan-friendly, with options such as the award-winning Heura plant-based Hainanese Chicken Rice and the Japanese TiNDLE Katsu Curry. Others can look forward to the popular Ultimate Big Breakfast – two eggs of any style, 6-inch pork Bratwurst, maple-glazed housemade bacon, baked beans, roasted Roma tomato, sautéed button mushrooms, potato rosti, and housemade wholemeal toast. Move on to drinks and desserts to round up your meal!