Category: Cafes In Singapore

The Peranakan Festival offers the most immersive chance to learn about the vibrant Straits Chinese culture in Singapore!

[caption id="attachment_26611" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] Image Credit: The Peranakan Festival[/caption]

Expect a slew of performances, including the traditional Dondang Sayang, a humourous love ballad.

Kids will love the arts and crafts workshops, where they’ll learn stamp carving, silk screen printing and book cover art. You’ll also get to have fun dressing up and taking pictures in Nyonya or Baba traditional kebayas!

Try your hand at making (or wolfing down) traditional desserts, Nasi Ulam, sireh and betel nut, at the cooking classes and food tastings here.

Finally, sit down for high tea with the less privileged elderly and children from Lengkong Bahru and beneficiaries from Prison Fellowship Singapore, and learn the heart of the Peranakan community.

Peranakan Festival
Where: Claymore Connect, 442 Orchard Rd, S238879
When: May 27 – June 17, 11am – 6pm
Contact no.: 6262 4428
Lo And Behold Group Festival

This one’s for those who live for decadent food and extravagant parties.

Lo & Behold’s month-long festival shows us Singaporeans how to party with class and style!

[caption id="attachment_26610" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Image Credit: Party like Grace Kelly at Electroball: The Golden Age of Hollywood, at swanky 1930s bistro-bar The Black Swan. Or head to OverEasy Orchard, for a Riverdale-themed bash!

If you’d rather eat than party, catch an epic Pizza-Off happening at Extra Virgin Pizza. As part of the festivities, Tanjong Beach Club will also be serving up an All You Can Eat Bottomless Brunch.

If you want to learn a little something, The Rabbit Hole will be playing host to a snazzy Gin Workshop, so bottoms up!

Lo And Behold Group Festival
Where: Various locations
When: 29 May – 25 June
Contact no.: 6338 8035
Website

4. DBS Marina Regatta

Been dreaming of the perfect beach getaway, but haven’t got the time to go?

Well, DBS brings the beach to you at this year’s DBS Marina Regatta, Singapore’s first and only urban pop-up beach!

[caption id="attachment_26607" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Image Credit: DBS Marina Regatta[/caption]

Held at Marina Bay, there’ll be plenty to do, eat and drink–like a real beach, but better.

Laze around in hammocks with an ice cold cocktail in hand (we recommend one from Potato Head’s Coconut Bar), take yoga classes hosted by lululemon, or get your blood pumping by tackling Singapore’s largest inflatable water obstacle course.

DBS Marina Regatta 2017
Where: The Promontory@Marina Bay
When: 1 – 4 June | (1 June) 4pm – 9pm; (2, 3, 4 June) 10am – 10pm
Remember how much you loved listening to stories as a kid?

StoryFest brings that spark back, with a showcase of the best storytelling from Singapore and around the world.

[caption id="attachment_26612" align="aligncenter" width="1400"] Image Credit: StoryFest SG[/caption]

There are workshops and performances for everyone–kids, adults, and aspiring storytellers themselves!

Families will be transported to faraway lands at Enchanted Tales, which features folk and fairy tales from Russia, Africa and France.

Adults too can choose from a selection of adult audience shows, including a monologue and a story slam in the Singapore Showcase.

There’s even a workshop where you can learn to use stories to build emotional literacy in children, and one where the audience themselves are used to form a story.

It’ll surely be a happy ending to the day, no matter which you choose!

International Storytelling Storyfest
Where: The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane, S179429
When: 2 – 4 June
Contact no.: 6332 6919
Website

6. Beerkini Rocks

Beach, beer, bands and babes…

That, and a whole lot more, is what you’ll find at Bikini Bar’s quarterly beach party, Beerkini Rocks!

[caption id="attachment_26603" align="aligncenter" width="2270"] Image Credit: Music fans can look forward to rock classics and chart-toppers by talented local rock and alternative acts O.K Ready! and Rockweller.

Also not to be missed are their crazy drink offers, with Jaeger Shots at $8, Monster Bombs at $9, and Buckets of Bintang going at $40.

Bikini Babes will also be challenging rock and rollers to exciting beach games with prizes to be won!

Beerkini Rocks
Where: Bikini Bar 50 Siloso Beach Walk #01-01, Singapore, S099000
When: 3 June, 3.00pm – 11.30pm
Contact no: 6631 8938
Bangkok’s famous April’s Bakery has finally opened in Singapore!

And it’s serving up Hong Kong-style Lao Po Bing (Wife Cake) with a twist.

Choose between sweet and savoury options depending on your mood–both are stuffed with flavourful, colourful fillings, wrapped in a thin, flaky crust.

For an afternoon snack, try the fragrant Pork with Gravy, or the subtly sweet Pork with Honey.

For dessert, get the Thai Milk Tea, Green Tea, or go for the popular Taro (with a hidden gingko nut within!) and Pumpkin flavours.

These Cantonese-style pies are handmade and baked fresh daily to ensure they taste great, and they’re all priced at only $2 each!

We suggest you head down early, because the yummier flavours get snapped up real quick.

April’s Bakery
Where: April’s Bakery Singapore, Tampines MRT Station, #01-31, S529538
Opening Hours: 8.00am – 10.00pm, or till sold out (Mon-Sun)
Contact no.: 8122 7604
This newest addition to the themed cafe scene may be the most magical one yet.

The quirky Enchanted Cafe charms at first sight with its beautiful decor, complete with a magical garden and collection of spell books.

[caption id="attachment_26606" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Image Credit: Enchanted Cafe[/caption]

But what’s most striking is the presentation of its dishes.

Think: Bright red cherry compote, blackberries and blueberries in a vivid splash against a deep blue plate, sprinkled with seemingly handpicked bits of nuts and leaves. That’s what makes up the tangy, yet sweet Berries Compote French Toast ($14.90).

For something traditional with a twist, there’s the Ngoh Hiang Burger ($18.90), which is exactly what it sounds like, complete with bits of water chestnut and black garlic sauce made from scratch.

The most instagramable thing here is the Sorcerer’s Elixir ($9.90), a blue drink that turns glittery purple after an orange liquid is added.

This has to be the most enchanting cafe to open since the Harry Potter Cafe.

Enchanted Cafe
Where: Rangoon Road, Singapore 218374
Opening Hours: Closed on Mon; Tue: 10am – 10pm; Wed – Thur: 12pm – 10pm; Fri: 11am – 11pm; Sat: 10am – 11pm; Sun: 9am – 8pm
Contact no.: 8813 1086
Facebook

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9. PC Show

Maybe you’ve been thinking of swapping out your laggy PC for a new one.

Well, there’s no better time than the annual PC Show!

[caption id="attachment_26608" align="aligncenter" width="1170"] Image Credit: Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, S018956
When: 1 – 4 June, 12pm – 9pm
Contact no.: 6299 8633
Shopping. Many of us do a whole lot of it–often, more than we should.

Well, a 10 week period starting from 9 June just gave us even more reason to do so!

[caption id="attachment_26609" align="aligncenter" width="1480"] Image Credit: Your Singapore[/caption]

For both tourists and locals alike, there’s no better time to hit the stores than during the Great Singapore Sale!

This is the time when retail stores in Singapore feature their greatest sales and markdowns.

Had your eye on a dress, but couldn’t bear to part with that kind of cash? We say it’s now or never.

Stretch your dollar and fill those shopping bags with bargains of all kinds–from fashion to jewellery, electronics to toys, to spa treatments, hotel stays, food, and visits to local attractions!

The Great Singapore Sale
Where: All over Singapore!
When: 9 June – 13 August
The Projector: How An Abandoned Theatre Became An Artsy Alternative Cinema

8 Instagram-Worthy Drinks That Will Have Your Followers Spamming The Like Button

Hands up if you can’t resist snapping a photo of your avocado toast or your latte during brunch.

Most of us are guilty of snapping a pic or two of our food, especially if they’re pretty because #foodgoals. And why shouldn’t you? After all, someone put hard work into plating up or creating these dishes–appreciating it is the least we can do.

If you’re a foodie who loves digging into nosh that not just tastes but looks amazing, we’ve shortlisted 10 beverages from all over Singapore that are not just a treat for the taste buds, but for the eyes as well.

1. Unicorn Tears @ Dapper Coffee 

While unicorns sadly do not exist, here’s something we’d happily make do with: Unicorn Tears. Created by the good people at Dapper Coffee, a small cafe along Amoy Street, Unicorn Tears is the cafe’s best known product.

A shimmery swirl of aqua blue with flecks of sparkle, this beverage is not just to be consumed–it’s to be admired as well. The one thing you MUST do when you get your hands on a bottle of Unicorn Tears is give it a good shake! This will bring out all the sparkle and the mesmerising shades of blue.

At $10 a bottle, Unicorn Tears does not come cheap, but it is free of alcohol, caffeine, nuts, soy, eggs and it’s gluten-free.

So what is it made of? We can’t quite pinpoint the ingredients that go into this magical potion but according to the people at Dapper Coffee, Unicorn Tears “is some pure-ass stuff”.

For the animal lovers out there, don’t worry! No unicorns were harmed in the making of Unicorn Tears.

Dapper Coffee
Address: 73A Amoy Street, Second Floor, Singapore 069892.
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 8am – 5pm; Weekends & PH: Closed
Website

2. Ombre Drinks @ The Juicy Way & The Talad Drink 

If you were at Artbox this year, you would have noticed some epic-ly long queues at stalls serving up ombre drinks. The Juicy Way and The Talad Drink were two stalls that saw excited Singaporeans queueing up for hours to get their hands on these colourful bottles of fruit juices and smoothies.

Crafted from an assortment of fruits, The Juicy Way serves up bottles of juice that come in alluring ombre shades. The Big Bang, crafted from dragonfruit, guava, honeydew and blue pea flower is one of the more eye-catching ones with its galaxy-like hues of purple, grey and blue.

Unfortunately, The Juicy Way is primarily a pop up store, so you’ll have to follow them on Instagram and Facebook to get updates on where they’ll be popping up next!

The Juicy Way 
Facebook
Instagram

Serving up authentic Thai nosh, alongside an assortment of juices and traditional Thai drinks, the Talad Drink & Thai Kitchen was a crowd favourite at this year’s Artbox. If you missed the chance to try The Talad Drink at Artbox, fret not! They have a kiosk at Toa Payoh just a stone’s throw away from the Toa Payoh Bus Interchange.

While you can expect your favourite Thai drinks here like Thai Ice Milk Tea and Thai Iced Lemon Grass, don’t expect them to come in their usual dull colours–The Talad Drink serves up all their beverages in giant bottles of ombre tones.

Want a refreshing tea? Opt for the An Chan Orange or An Chan Kiwi. The colours are gorgeous and are bound to up your ‘Gram game!

Talad Drink & Thai Kitchen
Address: 190 Toa Payoh Lorong 6, #01-520, S10190
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm
Facebook

3. Rainbow Lattes @ I AM & Dazzling Cafe 

At one point, edible rainbows were the only food trend worth chasing (get it?). Food items served in all the colours of the rainbow may seem ridiculous to some, but to Instagram foodies, they spell an Instagram moment.

There are not one but two well known joints in Singapore serving up the photogenic Rainbow Lattes: I AM cafe, a popular halal eatery that serves up Western fare, and Dazzling Cafe, a Taiwanese franchise known for its thick toasts.

For those unacquainted with the concept of Rainbow Lattes, it typically involves dripping food colouring into a pitcher of steamed milk. A skilled barista then pours the milk into the coffee, as with any other cup of latte.

Rainbow Lattes, like most rainbow-coloured food, do not taste any different from their less colourful counterparts, so they really are your average cup of coffee with a colourful twist!

I AM 
Address: 674 North Bridge Road, S199486
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 11am – 11pm; Fri & Sat: 11am – 1am; Sun: 11am – 10pm

Address: #03-04, Tampines Hub, 51 Tampines Ave 4, S520940
Opening Hours: Daily, 11 am – 11 pm
Website

Bubbs serves your favourite Bubble Tea flavours in plastic light bulbs, from the classic Milk Tea to an assortment of Fruit Teas. But here’s the bad news–Bubbs only has one outlet and it certainly is out of the way for many Singaporeans.

Located in Tai Seng, it’s great for those working in the area, and not so great for, well, the rest of us.

What’s a light bulb that doesn’t light up, am I right? Oh My Cafe at Westgate takes the Light Bulb drink to the next level but serving it with a glowing straw. Serving drinks in all sorts of eye-catching colours, we have to say, the drinks here have won our hearts.

Bubbs
Address: 1 Irving Place #01-06, S369546

Oh My Cafe
Address: #B1-01, Westgate Mall, 3 Gateway Drive , S608532

8. Coffee In A Cone @ Coffee Academics

One caffeinated treat that will have your followers double tapping away is the Coffee In A Cone. No, it’s not as simple as pouring a cuppa into an ice cream cone. Instead, the process involves coating the ice cream cones with different chocolate compounds, giving them that hardened exterior and extra integrity. Warm, slightly sweet and with a crunch, this is a whole new way to enjoy your cuppa.

Coffee Academics
Address: Scotts Square, #02-01/02, 6 Scotts Road, S228209
Opening Hours: Daily: 9am – 9pm
Forget Sugar Glazed, This Cafe Serves Up Savoury Donuts Like ‘Cheeseburger’ And ‘Bacon’ At Only $2.90 A Pop

Queenstown Is More Than Just IKEA – Here Are 10 Other Eating Spots You Should Not Miss

Most people know Queenstown for two things: IKEA and Queensway Shopping Centre. What many people may not know is Queenstown is also Singapore’s first satellite town.

An area rich with history, those who live in Queenstown know it is more than just a place to get cheap furniture and cheap sport shoes. In fact, Queenstown is home to many underrated food gems that residents have been keeping to themselves!

Offering tasty local grub, trendy desserts, and everything in between, even the pickiest eater will be able to find something here!

For those with a taste for local delights,

1. Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa

Believe it or not, this Michelin-starred laska only costs $3/$4/$5, depending on the portion you order.

Here, they are generous with their prawns, tau pok (fried beancurd), cockles and fish cakes, which are all soaked in their deliciously thick, savory broth. Serving the laksa in a claypot is a stroke of genius, as it keeps the broth nice and warm up till the very last mouthful.

Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa
Address: Blk 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1 #01-75, Alexandra Village, Singapore 150120
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat, 9am – 3.30pm; Closed Sun

2. Master Prata

Hidden between a row of shops at Alexandra Central Mall, you might miss this prata shop if you’re not looking out for it. Master Prata has an extensive menu, featuring a whopping 108 flavors of prata, alongside items like mee goreng and roti john.

The plain prata ($1.20), or kosong prata, as we Singaporeans affectionately know it, is crispy without being excessively oily. You can choose from 3 different curries: chicken, fish and mutton.

Another popular choice is the tissue prata with chocolate sauce ($3). It is crispy on the outside, and light and fluffy on the inside. The dark chocolate sauce plays the role of the supporting character well, and doesn’t overpower the prata.

Be prepared to be spoiled for choice when you pay this eatery a visit. Go for a safe option with the egg prata or opt for a more daring alternative, such as the milo prata and egg floss prata! You can even order one of each–who says you have to stop at one?

Master Prata
Address: 321 Alexandra Road, Alexandra Central Mall, #01-02, Singapore
Opening Hours: Daily, 10am – 12am
Website

3. Wow Wow West

Wow Wow West whips up value for money food that warms the heart. As supporters of the Yellow Ribbon Project, they hire ex-offenders and ex-drug addicts to help in the kitchen.

Try their Dory Fish & Chips ($6). With its outside cooked to a perfect golden brown, it reveals tender fish meat when you cut into it.

Alternatively, try the chicken chop, which is priced at a super affordable $5. The huge portion of meat is juicy and well-seasoned with basil and tarragon. Paired with coleslaw, this dish beats KFC’s fried chicken hands-down.

Wow Wow West
Address: 6 Jalan Bukit Merah, #01-133 ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre, Singapore 150006
Opening Hours: Mon, Wed – Sat: 10.30am – 7.30pm; Closed Tue and Sun
Website

For the hipsters,

4. The Bakehouse (Permanently Closed)

The Bakehouse is a quaint joint opened by artisan café Carpenter and Cook–and you can tell the instant you walk in.

Both cafes boast a rustic aesthetic, with vintage furniture strategically placed in every nook and cranny of the area. Pleasing on the eyes, it’s also very Insta-worthy.

One thing that sets this café apart from its sister counterpart is their focus on main courses such as pizza, pasta and sandwiches.

The chili crab linguine ($22) has finely shredded crab meat tossed into the springy pasta noodle. Its fusion chili sauce is reminiscent of the sauce in chili crab–spicy, with the tang and sweetness of tomato sauce. It’ll take you more than a little effort to keep yourself from licking the whole plate clean!

Another fantastic dish worth a taste is the Parma Ham Pizza ($18), which is good for sharing between 4 people. Topped with tomato, parma ham, mozzarella and shaved parmesan cheese, with truffle oil drizzled over it, every bite of this pizza delivers a kick of flavour.

If you like your pizza crust thin and crispy, you’ll love this pizza. Baked to perfection, it won’t leave you feeling bloated from all that extra pizza dough.

The Bakehouse
Address: Alexandra Central, 321 Alexandra Road, #01-14, Singapore 159971
Opening Hours: Sun – Thurs: 8am – 10pm; Fri, Sat, eve of PH: 8am – 11pm
Image Credit: Boufe Boutique Café Facebook[/caption]

Just take a look at the Milky Way cake, a masterpiece in terms of both looks and taste. Beneath the star spangled layer lies an Italian sponge cake with white chocolate and yogurt mousse. There is also calamansi jelly interspersed through the cake, keeping the cake from being overly sweet.

One of those foods that look too good to eat, you’ll be torn on whether to eat it or to keep admiring it.

If you swing more savoury than sweet, try the smoked salmon croissant ($19). The buttery croissant is served in bite-size portions, accompanied by smoked salmon and fluffy scrambled eggs. A brunch classic that never gets old!

Boufe Boutique Café
Address: 308 Tanglin Road, Phoenix Park #01-01, Singapore 247974
Opening Hours: Tues – Sun: 10am – 10pm; Closed Mon
old-school bakery located just opposite Alexandra Food Village will have you reliving your childhood with their wide array of pastries.

Another must try at this confectionery would be their pandan chiffon cake ($0.80). Fragrant, with its subtle flavour lingering on your palate even after you’ve finished eating it, it’ll have you craving for a second slice. If you want to give this a try, make sure to do it early in the day! We hear these cakes run out fast!

Love Confectionery
Address: Blk 122 Bukit Merah Lane 1, Singapore 150122
Opening Hours: Daily, 12pm – 9pm

7. King Avocado

It is a well-known fact that Alexandra Food Village is the home of avocado juice. Of the 5 stalls selling avocado juice there, King Avocado, the pioneer of avocado juices, emerges victorious.

The top-grade avocadoes used here blends well with the infusion of gula melaka, giving the avocado juice served at this particular store a smoothness and creaminess that’s hard to beat. At $3.50 for a regular-sized cup and $5 for the large cup, it may not be the cheapest, but it’s definitely worth every dollar.

King Avocado
Address: Blk 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1, Alexandra Village Hawker Centre, Stall 01-19, Singapore
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri, Sun: 9.30am – 9.30pm; Closed Sat

8. The Milky Way

Opened by Campus Superstar alumni Renfred Ng and managed by his brother Alfred Ng, The Milky Way serves a host of delectable, unique ice-cream flavours. Priced at $3.80 for a regular scoop and $4.50 for a premium scoop, this is the perfect pick-me-up for a hot summer day typical day in Singapore.

One interesting flavour the Ng brothers have created is the ‘Smurf’. Coloured blue like a Smurf, no artificial colouring was used to give the ice-cream this blue hue. Instead, the colour comes from blue butterfly pea flowers. Flavour-wise, it tastes like a cross between bubblegum and a paddlepop ice-cream.

Another must-try flavour would be the Strawberry Cheesecake. Expect chunks of biscuits and strawberry hidden within the velvety texture of this ice-cream.

You can also pair your ice-cream with waffles here! The waffle batter is home-made daily by Renfred and Alfred’s mum. With a crispy exterior that doesn’t turn soggy from the ice-cream, a whole waffle will set you back $8.80, while a half waffle will only set you back $5.

The Milky Way
Address: Blk 48, Tanglin Halt Road, Singapore 142048
Opening Hours: Sun, Mon, Wed, Thu: 1pm – 10pm; Fri – Sat: 1pm – 1am; Closed Tue (except PH)
Website

9. All The Batter

Some of you have tried banoffee pies (a dessert pie made from bananas, cream and toffee) before, but how many of you have tried a banoffee pie drink?

All The Batter has taken a creative approach to making the English classic by using fresh bananas, chocolate chips, caramel, honey and milk to make a liquid version of the pie. Priced at $4.90, wholesome ingredients are used to create this drink, such as their hand-made honey cream.

One of their latest creations is the Fruit Bran ($4.90), a hand-roasted rolled oats drink blended with fruits and honey. It is a refreshing mid-day perk for those working in the area.

All The Batter also sells a range of superfoods such as granola and flax seeds, so to all the health nuts out there, don’t say bojio!

All The Batter
Address: 370 Alexandra Road, #B1-46 Anchorpoint, Singapore 189953
Opening Hours: Mon – Wed, Fri – Sun: 11.30am – 9.30pm; Closed Thurs
Image Credit: Nine Fresh Facebook[/caption]

Beat the sweltering Singapore heat with Nine Fresh Signature, a mixture of bean curd and grass jelly, generously topped with red beans, green beans, pinto beans, peanuts and taro balls. A perfect harmony of tastes and textures, this is a real treat for the taste buds.

The customers’ favourite here is the Grass Jelly Special. This $2 bowl of goodness has aloe vera, pearl jelly, taro balls, black sugar jelly dice and milk balls. You won’t be able to get a scoop of grass jelly without all the other ingredients getting into your spoon!

Don’t be deceived by the size of their portions–these desserts are so filling, they could pass as a full meal.