Heading to the East for some East Coast (cafe hopping) Plan? You have come to the right place.
We have compiled 20 (and increasing) cafes that covers Joo Chiat, Katong, East Coast Road, Telok Kurau, Upper East Coast Road to Siglap.
For easier reference, the newly opened ones (those late 2020 and 2021) are listed at the top, while some of the popular cafes are included below. Enjoy!
Neptune
237 East Coast Road, Level 1, Singapore 428930
Opening Hours: 9am – 10pm (Tue – Sat), 9am – 7pm (Sun), Closed Mon
Japanese-Inspired Brunch Cafe By Team Behind Apollo Coffee Bar
This Katong café looks set to pack in the crowd pretty soon, as it is opened by the same group behind Atlas Coffeehouse, Lunar Coffee Brewers, Columbus Coffee Co. and Apollo Coffee Bar.
Focusing on Japanese-inspired dishes in this outlet, 3 different menus are available starting from 9am and 11am for their morning and afternoon menus respectively.
Dinner menu will start at 5pm focusing on Pasta ($19.20 – $24), Seafood Somen ($22.90), Steak ($32.90) and Pork Nikomi & Fried Rice ($25.90).
The outlet exclusive items on their morning menu include plates of Big in Japan ($16.90) and Chilli Crab & Chorizo ($22.50).
The Big in Japan ($16.90) came with grana panado scone with three different condiments served on its side: yuzu jam, honey mascarpone and cold shrimp & salmon in dill sauce.
The cold shrimp & salmon in dill sauce was well balanced, flavourful with a refreshing and addictive kick, enhancing the savour and nutty flavour of the grana padano cheese infused within the scones. Neptune (East Coast Road)
Seng Coffee Bar
389 Changi Road, Singapore 419838
Opening Hours: 11am – 10:30pm (Mon – Fri), 9am – 10:30pm (Sat – Sun)
Hidden Cafe In The East With Interesting Brunch Food
Opened by Gu Zao Ren Seafood Taiwan Porridge along Changi Road, this is a new cafe concept by Seng (thus the name) right next to the former along the stretch of shophouses. It is of short walking distance from Kembangan MRT Station.
There are 2 different menus offered, with All-Day Breakfast available from 10am to 5pm and Mains from 11:30am to 10pm.
The breakfast items included Small Breakfast ($8), Breakfast Feast ($20), Crab Meat Egg Benedict ($18), Smoked Salmon Egg Benedict ($18), and Croissant (Original $4, Salted Egg $7).
I had the Crab Meat Egg Benedict ($18) that was served with English muffin, shredded crab meat and poached egg drizzled with Hollandaise sauce.
The English muffin buns were lightly toasted to give it a crunch with a chewy texture that complemented well with the soft shredded crab meat and creamy poached eggs.
A more comprehensive Mains menu (starts from 11.30am to 10pm) included interesting items such as Salted Egg Chicken Burger ($16), Fried Cod Fish Burger ($23), Truffle Mushroom Risotto ($16), Pork Belly Risotto ($20), Mentaiko Max & Cheese ($18), Prawn Aglio Olio ($22), Vongole Pasta ($18), Ribeye Steak ($28), Grilled Sea Bass ($22) and Quinoa Tomato Salad ($16). Seng Coffee Bar (Changi Road)
The Brewing Ground
406 Joo Chiat Place, The Yards, #01-24, Singapore 428084
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 5pm (Mon – Sun)
“Glasshouse” Cafe In The Yards With Brunch & Desserts
Situated at The Yards in Joo Chiat which is a space focusing on arts, dance and drama, The Brewing Ground is the latest addition to the compound, just a stone throw away from Cafe De Nicole’s Flower and Sundays Ice Cream.
Previously, this was a sheltered training shed and it is now transformed into a gorgeous “glasshouse” filled with hanging plants and potteries.
Opened by the folks behind Mischief at Esplanade Mall, Breakfast ($4 – $18), Sweets ($11 – $14) and Sides ($10 – $14) are available from opening till 4pm whereas for Brunch ($19 – $25), Salads ($15 – $18) and Mains ($15 – $25) starts from 11am till 4pm.
Their Breakfast menu features classic options such as Homemade Granola ($12++), Avocado & Ricotta Tartine ($17), Burrata & Tomatoes Tartine ($18) and Grilled Cheese Sandwich ($12).
Their Brunch selection looks more interesting such as Breakfast Burger ($19++), Crab & Signature Scrambled Eggs on Toast ($24), Not an Eggs Benedict ($21) and Brewers Breakfast ($25).
The Grilled Cheese Sandwich ($12) was served like a Cuban sandwich, stuffed with the 3 cheeses and shredded smoked salmon before grilling to give it a golden-brown shade and crispy on the edges. The Brewing Ground (Joo Chiat)
East Coast Commune
Marine Cove, 1000 East Coast Parkway, #01-03, Singapore 449876
Opening Hours: 9am – 6pm (Mon, Wed – Sun), Closed Tues
Tropical Concept Cafe With Sourdough Waffles At East Coast Park
East Coast Commune is strategically located right at the 3500 square metre Marine Cove along East Coast Park where most of the F&Bs are.
With both indoors and alfresco dining areas, East Coast Commune features an interior that reflects the natural landscape at East Coast.
Walls are painted in teal to represent the surround greenery, marine-themed artwork to represent the sea and potted plants on every table to symbolise the diverse floral in the vicinity.
The menu features a selection of Sourdough Sandwiches such Chicken, Fish and Vegan ($9), Granola Bowl ($8), Pan Fried Barramundi/ Roasted Soy Chicken Rice Bowl ($13), Pasta ($14 – $16) and Sourdough Waffles ($8 – $15).
The Sourdough Waffles caught my attention, especially when it comes in both Sweet ($8 – $12) and Savoury ($14 – $15) options.
The sourdough waffle had a texture that is on the soft and chewy side.
It was also slightly thinner than usual and has a denser texture with a distinctive sourness that was different from buttermilk counterparts that we are more familiar with. East Coast Commune (East Cost)
Sundays Ice Cream
201 Telok Kurau Road (Kurau Court), Singapore 423910
Opening Hours: 4pm – 11pm (Mon – Thurs), 3pm – 11pm (Fri – Sun)
East Coast Ice Cream Bar Opens Till 11PM Daily
Located diagonally opposite Cafe De Nicole’s Flower, the 34-seater space has a simple interior with 12 indoors seats and 22 alfresco seats in their mini “courtyard”.
16 flavours are available each time, with classic flavours such as Black Sesame Street, Coco Lychee, Honeycomb, Coco Mint, Stracciatella (milk with chocolate shavings), Salty Caramel, Hazel’s Nut, Hazel’s Coco and Crema Mama (condensed milk).
Premium flavours include Honey Nougat, Fifty Shades of Earl Grey, Avocado Fellow, Hazel’s Kopi, Gingerbread Cookies, Caramelised Banana and Butterscotch.
My favourite of those tried was the Avocado Fellow – rich, creamy and smooth in texture with a distinctive avocado taste that tasted almost like the real fruit.
However, even though the Buttermilk Waffle ($4.90) was fragrant with butter and vanilla flavour, it was rather cakey with minimum crisp on the surface.
The Buttermilk waffle also came with a choice of chocolate or caramel sauce, sprinkled with lotus biscuit and icing sugar for the extra garnishing. Sundays Ice Cream (Telok Kurau Road)
Isshin Machi 一心一町
224 East Coast Road, Singapore 428921
Opening Hours: 11am – 9.30pm (Mon – Sat), 9am – 9:30pm (Sun)
Taiwanese Café with Lu Rou Fan and Taiwanese Street Food
Isshin Machi 一心一町 might sound like the name of a Japanese izakaya at a glance, but in fact, this is a Taiwanese eatery which has strong Taiwan vibes.
The 70-seater space is considered cosy, beautifully decked with wooden furniture pieces and mural art painted in white and blue, depicting the various iconic places in Taiwan such as the Jiemei (Sister) Lakes (姊妹潭) in Alishan, Taiwan.
There is an extensive menu of more than 80 dishes ranging from Appetisers ($1 – $7.20), Fried dishes ($5.90 – $12), Snacks ($6 – $18), Rice ($7.80 – $13), Soup ($3.90 – $9.90), Noodles ($5 – $13), to Coffee ($3.50 – $6) and Tea ($7.90).
I decided to go with their signature bowl of Hakka-style Braised Meat Rice ($9) aka Lu Rou Fan, the must-have iconic dish when in Taiwan.
The bowl came with both fatty and lean strips of braised pork, pickled vegetables, sliced cucumber and a whole braised egg.
There was an almost-equal ratio of lean to fatty braised meat, which enhanced the chewy sensation whereas the braised sauce leaned towards a viscous texture, with flavours on the robust and savoury side. Isshin Machi 一心一町 (East Coast Road)
Kings Cart Coffee Factory
328 Joo Chiat Road #01-05, Singapore 427585
Opening Hours: 9am – 6pm (Sun – Thu), 9am – 10:30pm (Fri, Sat)
For Devilish Chocolate Cake And Coconut Affogato
Showcasing a series of coffee-centric food, bakes and desserts, they focus on specially crafted recipes using coffee as a key ingredient.
Customers may also find food pairings which can further complement or enhance the taste profile of specialty coffee.
I was recommended to their Coconut Cold Brew ($9) which features an espresso shot into fresh coconut juice with chunky coconut flesh.
The concoction came light and refreshing, which coupled well with occasional fruity and floral notes from the dosage of Ethiopia Yirgacheffe single origin beans espresso.
Some of the bakes and desserts available were such as Devilish Chocolate Cake ($15), Coconut Affogato ($7) and Thyme Buttermilk Scones ($5). Kings Cart Coffee Factory (Joo Chiat)
C Cafe
477 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427683
Opening Hours: 8am – 6pm (Mon – Thurs, Sun), 8am – 10pm (Fri – Sat)
Brunch & Magic Tricks Cafe
At C Cafe, the “C” refers to Cards, Choices and Connections.
The 40-seater space is white and minimalist, with a Magic Table in the middle of the cafe for the magic-enthusiast owners to pull a magic trick or two to interact with the diners.
Their menu is specially designed to look like a deck of cards, with brunch items such as Avocado on Sourdough Toast ($18), Breakfast for Champions ($24), Toasties – Chicken/ Leg Ham/ Smoked Salmon ($18) and Chicken on Waffle ($18).
Unlike most dessert menu featuring cakes and ice cream, C Cafe offers healthier options such as Chia Seed Pudini ($8), Greek Yogurt ($8) and Tropical Acai Bowl ($12). C Café (Joo Chiat)
Birds Of Paradise Gelato Boutique
63 East Coast Road #01-05 (Opposite Katong I12 and Roxy Square) Singapore 428776
Tel: +65 9678 6092
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon
Gelato Of Natural, Delicate Flavours With Michelin Recommendation
Have to include BOP, right? Birds of Paradise is so named because the shop creates gelato inspired by the botanical flavours of nature. That means fruits, flowers, pods, herbs, and spices.
Not many may know that the Michelin Guide Singapore actually recommended this ice cream café with a “Michelin Plate”.
The owner was inspired to make ice cream since more than a decade ago, experimenting with all types of flavours, till he wanted to settle for something more natural, unique and healthy at the same time.
Some of its signature flavours include Basil, Lychee Raspberry, Spiced Pear, Mint Cacao, Strawberry Basil, Pandan and White Chrysanthemum.
The accompanying Thyme Cone (additional $1) which was made fresh on-the-spot, was absolutely the best thing. Especially when the scent fills up the entire space. Birds Of Paradise (East Coast Road)
Micro Bakery & Kitchen – Red House
63 East Coast Road #01-06 Singapore 428776
Opening Hours: 8:30pm – 4pm Last Order 3pm (Wed – Fri), 8:30pm – 5pm, Last Order 4:30pm (Sat – Sun)
Bakery Café With Delicious Breads Hidden Within The Iconic Red House
The Red House is an iconic fixture along East Coast Building, now housed by Micro Bakery & Kitchen.
Their breads are naturally leavened using organic and sustainable flour, using natural ingredients and no additives.
Its brunch menu includes Big Breakfast ($18), Granola ($8), Smoked Salmon on Sourdough English Muffin ($18), Micro Club Sandwich ($14), Grilled 3 Cheese Sandwich ($12), Ricotta Tartine ($12), Smashed Avocado Tartine ($14) and Scrambled Free Range Egg Tartine ($14).
The Brownies ($5, $6 each) here are not to be missed – chocolatey, dense and moist, sometimes coming with interesting flavours such as cookies and cream, Bischof, and even miso with coconut flakes suitable for vegans. Micro Bakery & Kitchen Red House (East Coast)
Sinpopo Brand
458 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427671
Tel: +65 6345 5034
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Popular Cakes With Heritage Twist
Sinpopo Brand is a familiar restaurant-café located at Katong known for its heritage menu with a twist.
Also look forward to traditional kueh recipes with modern presentations.
Think Pandan Kaya Cake, Gula Melaka Cake, Pulut Hitam Cake, Dar Dar Mille Crepe and Putu Piring Cake – familiar nostalgic treats of well-loved local flavours made into cake forms.
The Pandan Kaya Cake is the best-seller. Inspired by the tiered dessert kueh salat, the cake is tinged with a beautiful natural blue from Blue Pea flowers, often used in Peranakan cuisine.
In between the cake layers is the luscious slow-cooked slow-stirred pandan kaya spread and fresh coconut cream.
What I really like about this cake is that you get a bit of that fluffy chiffon and creamy nostalgic kaya coming together – a blend of two favourite cakes coming together. Good to go with black coffee. Sinpopo Brand (Katong)
Homeground Coffee Roasters
475 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427682
Opening Hours: 9am – 6pm (Mon – Sun)
Artisanal Coffee Place At Joo Chiat
Homeground Coffee Roasters is a cafe with a retail space and coffee beans roastery within.
The menu is short and concise, with coffee such as Black ($4.50), White ($4.50/$5.50), Filter Coffee ($6), Cold Brew ($5), Mocha ($6.50) and Hot Chocolate ($6).
An extra espresso shot or the Iced version is available at an additional $0.50.
2 options for the coffee beans are available: Vanta (blend of 50% Brazil, 50% Colombia) recommended for espresso-based drinks and Las Esperanza, Cacua Valley (single origin from Colombia) for filtered coffee.
Food wise, they have a concise menu (items rotating) with mains such as Level Up Kaya Toast ($8), Chicken’s Party ($12), B Experience ($13) which is lemon avocado mash on sour dough, It’s A Wrap ($14) of Italian pork sausage, scrambled egg and hash sticks in tortilla wrap, and What A Chick ($16) of flame-grilled whole chicken leg in sundried tomato cream sauce served with sourdough.
There used to be an art gallery space, though it was removed to make space for additional seating area. Homeground Coffee Roasters (Katong)
Group Therapy Cafe – Katong
30 East Coast Road, Katong V, Singapore 428751
Opening Hours: 8am – 6pm (Mon – Sun)
Group Therapy Café which has been around since 2011 first started at Duxton Road, and found another home at Katong V (the former Paramount Hotel) in 2013.
The good thing is there is no service charge here.
You can head for their hearty brunch items such as Poached Eggs Salmon ($16), Sunnyside Ups & Smoked Ham ($16), Croque Madame ($15) to Pull Pork Focaccia ($17).
Group Therapy Coffee’s 4 Layer Carrot Cake ($7.50, $45 for 8 inch) has some online reviews claiming it is “the best in Singapore”.
While it looked deceptively simple, the cake studded with raisins, walnuts and pineapple had a pleasing wet texture – in fact the wettest I had tasted, at a cold temperature which surprisingly worked.
If not, there is always a less indulgent Pandan Sponge Cake ($5.50) with fluffy texture, gula melaka sauce and coconut flakes sprinkled over.
Forty Hands – East Coast
226 East Coast Road Singapore 428923
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 6pm (Mon – Sun)
From Tiong Bahru To 2nd Outlet at East Coast
The café was named 40 Hands because 20 people are required in the production of its coffee, from plant to cup.
Other than coffee, the café at East Coast serves up brunch items such as Smashed Avo on Toast, Eggs Benedict, Homemade Granola, Banana Bacon French Toast and Eggs Cocotte.
People do go for the Tau Sar Pau – not cheap, but somehow extra fluffy, not too sweet, and goes well with a Cold Brew. Forty Hands (East Coast)
Brawn & Brains Coffee
218 East Coast Road Singapore 428916
Opening Hours: 8am – 5:30pm (Tues – Fri), 8:30am – 6pm (Sat – Sun), Closed Mon
Quality Coffee With Minimalist Vibes
While the coffee place is seldom in-your-face and not often in the radar, it has gathered quite a loyal fan-base over the years who vouch for their quality of coffee.
The Easties should like this space, it has natural light, minimalist decor and this easy-going calm vibes.
In terms of food, you can look forward to the Crispy Fried Chicken Burger ($16.50), Eggs and Bacon Cheeseburger ($14.90), Juicy Grilled Bratwurst with Poached Eggs, Hash and Mesclun Salad ($18.80), Crispy Grilled Cheese Sandwich ($15.80), Scrambled Eggs on Sourdough with Grilled Portobello Mushrooms ($16) and Good Ol’ Classic Pancake ($13.90).
As for coffee, a house blend of “Pen & Pencil” is used, with beans from Brazil, Columbia, Ethopia, offering black, white, mocha, and iced versions. Brawn & Brains Coffee (East Coast Road)
Mod Cafe
1A Kuo Chuan Avenue Singapore 426888
Tel: +65 9816 1877
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 6:30pm (Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sun), 10:30am – 8:30pm (Fri – Sat), Closed Tues
Hidden Café Serving Delicious Cheesecakes
Unless you specifically knew that there is a café within this single storey long house along East Coast Road, chances of you entering it would be low.
Mod Café is situated in refurnished pink-coloured single storey detached house (with ample outdoor parking space), right next to a hair salon.
There was a revamp after Bill Ho (from Eight Cafe & Bar) was brought in.
For mains, there are items House Special Crispy Brown Rice Risotto (vegetarian) ($16.90), Simply Breakfast with Portobello Mushroom ($16.90), Asian Truffle Soba with Mushroom ($15.90), ‘ChongYouBing’ Waffle ($7.90, $12.90), Gratin Potatoes with melts burn cheese ($10.90).
Moving to the desserts, expect Earl Grey Waffle With Maple Syrup, Stawberry & Banana ($7.90), Coconut Waffle With Gula Melaka Sauce & Grated Coconut ($790) and Chocolate Banana Waffle w/ Melted Chocolate Chips & Fruits ($7.90).
A highlight is that they also serve up Cheesecakes ($7.90, $8.90 a slice) from The Cheesecake Factory, in flavours of original, key lime and caramel.
Mad Nest
378/380 East Coast Road Singapore 428986
Opening Hours: 4pm – 1am (Mon – Fri), 12pm – 1am (Sat), 12pm – 12am (Sun)
Multi-Cuisine Space With Food from Japan, North India, Thailand and China
Mad Nest is a restobar-cafe which offers an eclectic and colourful array of cuisines, from Japanese, Thai-Chinese, Western to North Indian.
Each cuisine is helmed by individual head chefs with years of experience.
With such an interesting mix of backgrounds, look forward to tapas items from Gambas Al Ajiilo ($14), Mini Chicken Quesadillas ($8), Chicken & Mushroom with Black Truffles Vol Au Vent ($12), Beef Sliders ($13), to Truffle Fries with Parmesan ($13).
The signature dish is Tortilla chips “Mad Nest” ($14) of crispy tortilla chips topped with spicy minced beef with melted cheese, tomato salsa, avocado salsa, cheese sauce, mayonnaise and fresh herbs.
Penny University
402 East Coast Road, Singapore 428997
Tel: +65 6345 9055
Opening Hours: 8am – 8:30pm (Mon – Sun)
All-Day Brunch, Cakes And Halal Food
Penny University is one of the longest standing hipster café along East Coast, having been around since 2012.
They source specialty beans from local roasters, freshly baked bread, and artisanal cakes by local bakers.
Prices of the brunch items have been kept relatively inexpensive, with popular items including French Toast ($11.90), Turkish Eggs ($9.50), Eggs Benedict ($15), Turkey Ham and Cheese Croissant ($5.80), Mediterranean Breakfast ($17), Penny’s Mac & Cheese ($14.80), Moroccan Baked Egg ($14.50), and Folded Eggs with Crab & Chillies ($10.50).
Cafe De Nicole’s Flower
224 Telok Kurau Road, #01-01, Singapore 423836
Opening Hours: 9am – 10:30pm (Mon – Sun)
Floral-Themed Café With Soufflé Pancakes
While many new cafes in Singapore has gone for a minimalist or industrial concept, Cafe De Nicole’s Flower focuses on a garden theme.
And this is not just about the aesthetical aspect but also through its presentation and scent.
Something that caught my attention is the addition of flowers, be it dried or fresh flowers, in all the desserts and drinks that I ordered.
Even though the souffle pancakes may not seem as tall, wobbly or bouncy (worthy for a Boomerang shot), this plate of soufflé pancakes is a piece of art on its own, with sauces, fruits and flowers used for plating. Cafe De Nicole’s Flower (Telok Kurau Road)
Stamping Ground Coffee
87 Upper East Coast Road, Singapore 455223
Tel: +65 9070 7610
Opening Hours: 8am – 6pm (Mon – Wed), 8am – 19:30pm (Thurs – Fri), 9am – 10:30pm (Sat), 9am – 6pm (Sun)
Good Coffee, Good Vibes, and Good Conversations
Stamping Ground Coffee is a great place in the east to chill the afternoon away with friends, provided the space does not get too crowded.
The name “Stamping ground” mean a habitual or favourite gathering place, and the choice of name for chic-contemporary coffee place is quite appropriate.
Items on the menu include Avocado & Smoked Salmon Toast, Creamy Truffle Mushroom Toast, Bacon Jam Sandwich, Roast Beef Burger, Hawaiian Pulled Pork Burger and Umami Egg Croissant.
The Bacon Jam ($13) is one of its most popular item, with sweetish-savoury bacon jam tasting like soft ang-moh version bak kwa spreaded on soft, lightly toasted brioche.
Cutting it through would reveal oozy baked egg in the middle.
Five Oars Coffee Roasters
6 Upper East Coast Rd, Singapore 455200
(Opening soon)
Five Oars Coffee Roasters which has gained quite a good following among cafe lovers, has closed its Tanjong Pagar outlet and will be opening soon at Upper East Coast Road.
They are known for coffee, an extensive list of brunch items, pastas and rice bowls.
Some of their recommended items include Sea-salt Ricotta Avocado Toast, Corn Fritters, Baked Eggs, Crab Scramble, Salmon Rosti, Beef Hash, Pork Cheek Benedict, and Chicken and Pancake.
Other Related Entries
10 Singapore Brunch Cafes With 1-For-1 Mains
9 Clementi & West Coast Cafes
9 TAMPINES Cafes
10 Alexandra & Redhill Cafes
10 BEDOK Cafes And Ice Cream Shops
* Compiled by Daniel Ang @DanielFoodDiary, Nicholas Tan @stormscape and Lewis Tan @juicyfingers.
