This December, decompress from the festive flurry and enjoy a moment of peace at one of Singapore’s new cafés. We’re especially happy with our picks this month, each offering their own specialties and distinctly curated experiences. Picture this: a jazz-soaked afternoon with quality coffee in a kissaten-inspired coffee bar. Or how about a coffee break after Christmas shopping in Orchard, at a rooftop hideout that nobody knows about (yet)? Further away from town in residential Everton Park, a tiny nook specialising in matcha has sprung up, offering unique flavour combinations you’ve probably never seen before. Back in Duxton, tropical vibes are in full swing at a new coconut-themed café with colourful, picture-worthy smoothies. And finally, round off the year by penning a letter to future you at Scape’s newest Korean import: Nuldam Space. Here are the coolest new cafés in Singapore to check out this month.
1. Quiet Corner
You might already be familiar with Corner Corner, the daytime coffee concept in Japanese cocktail bar RPM by Dbespoke, where guests sip on slow-drip coffee against the backdrop of vinyl tunes. Well, DBespoke, the parent bar of RPM, just introduced a similar programme at its Bukit Pasoh hideout. Quiet Corner encourages guests to take an afternoon pause in the bar’s moody, wood-furnished setting, inspired by Japan’s jazz kissatens of the 60s to 80s. On the menu: a tight list of coffees, teas, whisky and coffee cocktails, as well as classic kissaten desserts ($8 each) like pudding, coffee jelly, mizu yokan and the like. Pick from two blends of coffee (from $9): the siphon-style ‘jazz blend’, which is bitter and chocolatey, or the ‘ambient blend’, which is a nel drip style brew with fruity, nutty and wine notes. If day drinking isn’t off the table, try a simple Nikka Whisky highball or one of the cold-brew-based cocktails ($25 each). They’re all complemented by the owner’s collection of 5000 records and 2000 CDs of jazz, ambient, and folk music, which croons in the background.
Address: 2 Bukit Pasoh Rd, Singapore 089816
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1pm-5pm
2. Third Floor
The rooftop of Design Orchard has always been that place to be if you want to get away from the chaos of the stretch. It overlooks the busy intersection of Cairnhill and Orchard Road while still remaining slightly off the beaten path. Previously home to Alchemist Coffee, the area has now been transformed into a stylish living room-inspired lounge, with communal tables, an open kitchen and a bar counter. Running the show are the crew behind well-oiled F&B joints like Maxi Coffee Bar, cocktail bar No Sleep Club and natural wine bar and bistro Wildcard, which each have a cult following of their own. Third Floor is a step-up from the rest in terms of location, size, as well as its menu. Sip on a solid cuppa in the day with Costa Rican beans roasted by Maxi Coffee Bar (from $5 for a black), and tuck into hearty focaccia sandwiches ($15 each) or plates of burrata-topped spinach taglioini ($20). By night, the space takes on an effortless buzz and rhythm – vino is passed around, cocktails shaken and stirred, all while the kitchen team dream up inventive plates for their launch menu.
Address: 250 Orchard Rd, Design Orchard, Level 3, Singapore 238905
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 11am-midnight; Sun 11am-7pm
3. Rituals of Kora
Not done with drinking your body weight in matcha? Here’s a new spot to fuel that obsession. Rituals of Kora is the matcha-focused counterpart of Kora Bakehouse in International Plaza. The joint is nestled in Everton Park, home to some of our other favourite cafés like Nylon Coffee, Dearborn Granola, The Better Half and the newly opened Tina’s Café. Expect well-dressed interiors at this pocket-sized nook – think dark wood, brick walls, soft lighting and a cosy couch by the entrance. What not to expect, is a large dine-in area, with just about six seats indoors. About four types of matcha are available, with five to six variations on the menu, including never-before-seen combinations like Supernova matcha ($9.50) with premium grade matcha, mango purée and strawberry compote, blue pea coconut matcha ($11.90), maple earl grey matcha ($11.90) and taro matcha ($11.90). Make sure to pick up a couple of fresh bakes while you’re here too, from crumbly cookies and mochie brownies to classic pastries like croissants and banana bread. We recommend avoiding peak hours and weekends at least till the hype dies down.
Address: 5 Everton Park, #01-36, Singapore 080005
Opening hours: Wed-Fri 11am-4pm; Sat-Sun 10am-6pm
4. Cococean
It’s an eternal summer at this gorgeous new café in Duxton decked out in tropical-themed furniture. Cocoean is a popular chain from China with around 30 outlets across major cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou, and it’s known for one thing only: coconuts. The chain uses a variety from Nam Hom in Thailand, said to have a distinct milkier flavour. Over 20 items are on the menu, ranging from fresh coconut water and coconut milk, to coconut coffees and teas, energy shots, ice cream and desserts. But everyone visiting is likely here for the signature rainbow coconut yoghurt smoothie ($9), a multicoloured drink with streaks of pink, blue, yellow and white, rivalling Erewhon’s sensational smoothies. Despite its kaleidoscopic, photo-worthy visuals, the concoction is actually pretty healthy, packed with ingredients like fresh coconut, yoghurt, coconut milk, honey, spirulina, turmeric and prickly pear powder. Each purchase of the rainbow smoothie also comes with a free beaded bracelet of your choice, at least for the café’s initial launch phase.
Address: 73 Duxton Rd, Singapore 089532
Opening hours: Daily 10am-10pm
5. Nuldam Space
If pastries and pensive moments are up your alley, you’re sure to fall in love with Nuldam Space, a café from Korea that just opened its first international outlet in Singapore on the second floor of the newly revamped Scape. Whether as part of a self-reflective solo outing, a first date idea, or a bonding activity with close friends, here’s where you can take the time to sit down, look inwards, and get comfortable with a bit of vulnerability as you pen a note to future you. Put your phones away; you’ll be using good old-fashioned pen and paper to write down your thoughts, before filing them away in an envelope using sealing wax. Once done, head on over to the giant letter wall featuring all 365 dates of the year, pick one of your choice for your letter to be mailed to you in the following year, and drop it off. As you get lost in your thoughts, munch on vegan bakes like cream-topped croffles, matcha-filled croissants, and kouign-amann in flavours like pistachio and the locally inspired kaya coconut. The beverage line-up includes black sesame cream latte, matcha cream latte and other creations.
Address: Orchard Link, Scape, #02-14/15, Singapore 237978
Opening hours: Daily 10am-10pm
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