By Emma Di Salvo
I always enjoy visiting Singapore. Living in Malaysia, Singapore is less than an hour away by plane, making it perfect for those cheeky weekend getaways!
As a creature of habit, whenever I visit my neighbouring city-state, I tend to stay in the same hotel, eat in the same places, and go to the same cafes. Still, I am really impressed with the standard of coffee and the variety and choices offered. Join me as I reveal my top five best cafes in Singapore for your next visit.
Coffee Is Life
Since becoming a teacher, I have come to truly appreciate a good cup of coffee. Shameful it took so long, really, as I am half Italian! However, I feel I am more than making up for it now.
I try my best to avoid chain cafes, as the quality of the coffee beans could be better, and the coffee usually ends up tasting bitter. Not only that but the cakes and pastries are often unpleasant and overpriced. This is an important detail for me because I love to dip my croissant in my coffee (don’t knock it till you’ve tried it!).
I love a coffee shop that serves delicious coffee and scrummy fresh pastries, has a friendly ambience and provides excellent service. So, without further ado, let’s check out the first on my list!
Merci Marcel Orchard
Merci Marcel Orchard is a wonderfully French-inspired coffee shop conveniently located on Orchard Road. Whenever I’m in the area, I always pop in because the coffee is high-quality, and the pastries from their French bakery are to die for (plus the decor is quite beautiful).
I usually go for their plain croissant and cafe latte, but there are many other options available. And if you’re lactose intolerant, have no fear! They offer soy, oat, and almond milk as substitutes. If you’re feeling peckish, I highly recommend their “Benedict eggs” for breakfast (8 a.m. to 11 a.m.) or their chocolate cake, complete with homemade whipped cream. Heaven!
Dolcetto
Within the Conrad Singapore Orchard Hotel lies the beautiful Dolcetto, an artisanal pasticceria inspired by the little shops that line the streets of Italy. This one is definitely worth a visit. The coffee here is what I call a proper Italian coffee. They use only the best beans, and the aroma is simply too enticing to ignore.
The ambience of this place is cosy yet sophisticated, and the staff is friendly and helpful. I decided to go for their cappuccino, which I was pleased to see is served as in Italy without the chocolate dust on top. It had the perfect balance of espresso, milk, and foam and was rich but not too overpowering. Overall, I was very impressed!
Illy
Illy is the only exception to my “no chain” rule. Wherever you are in the world, it is consistent when it comes to one thing: quality. It has been making coffee since 1933 and has sold millions of cups of coffee to many satisfied customers during that time.
Their shops may have a less indulgent environment than other cafes on my list, but vitally, their drinks are made from high-quality Arabica coffee beans. So, if you want a quick cup of Joe that is rich and flavourful, Illy is an excellent choice. I have visited the Illy cafe at Tang Plaza on Orchard Road many times and have always been satisfied.
The White Label
Fancy splashing out on some truly fantastic food and equally excellent coffee? Then The White Label, situated on Jalan Sultan, is worth checking out. I first became aware of this place a few years back when out for a meal with friends. After my lip-smacking food (a highly recommended duck confit!) I fancied something sweet.
After the meal, I was a little low on funds, so I decided to get a coffee for dessert. I ordered the Sea Salt Macchiato, and it was absolutely heavenly! I was really surprised by the coffee’s quality, aroma, and balance. All in all, it was a very luxurious experience.
Prive Paragon
Back on Orchard Road (can you tell I’ve spent a lot of time there?), our last entry on the list is Prive Paragon, a quaint little cafe with an inviting atmosphere perfect for the whole family. Not only are the cakes here delish, but if you fancy something a bit sexier than your usual Cafe Latte or Americano, why not try their Turmeric-Ginger Soy or Beetroot Soy Latte?
It may be too adventurous for my taste, but it’s nice to see something different and experimental on the menu rather than just the same old, same old. Go on, give it a try!
So there you have it—my personal recommendations for the 5 best cafes in Singapore. Share your recommendations in the comments below, and let’s build a community of coffee-lover travellers!