The Best Cafés in Singapore: A Complete Guide

Singapore punches way above its weight in the specialty coffee world. In a city-state smaller than most metro areas, you'll find over 400 independent cafés, many of them roasting their own beans and pushing creative boundaries that rival Melbourne or Tokyo.

What makes Singapore unique is the collision of cultures. You get Southeast Asian flavors (pandan, gula melaka, coconut) blended with third-wave coffee techniques. The result is a café scene that feels familiar enough for any coffee lover but surprising enough to keep things interesting.

For food creators, Singapore cafés are a goldmine. The interiors are designed for photography, the plating is immaculate, and café owners here understand the value of social media visibility.

Tiong Bahru is Singapore's original hipster neighborhood, and its cafés set the standard for the rest of the island.

Common Man Coffee Roasters. A spacious, warehouse-style space with communal tables and their own roastery visible through glass walls. Their single-origin filter coffees rotate weekly. The brunch menu is equally serious: think sourdough topped with slow-roasted tomatoes and stracciatella.

Forty Hands. One of the pioneers of Singapore's third-wave coffee movement. A cozy two-story shophouse with concrete floors, exposed pipes, and a no-frills approach to great coffee. Their flat white is a benchmark.

Nylon Coffee Roasters. A tiny roastery tucked into a corner shophouse. No fancy food menu, just incredible beans roasted in small batches. If you care about the craft of coffee more than aesthetics, this is your spot.

The Arab Quarter brings a different energy: colorful shophouses, street art, and cafés that lean into bold design.

Symmetry. A converted shophouse with soaring ceilings, hanging plants, and a menu that spans all-day brunch to cocktails. Their buttermilk fried chicken waffle is famous for a reason. Creators love the natural light that floods through the front windows.

Atlas Coffeehouse. Tucked along a quiet stretch of Haji Lane, Atlas has a clean, minimalist interior with a focus on pour-over and filter coffee. The baristas are knowledgeable without being pretentious. Their banana bread is baked fresh daily and sells out by noon.

Glasshouse. A newer addition with floor-to-ceiling glass walls (hence the name) and an emphasis on matcha and specialty teas alongside coffee. The green-and-white aesthetic photographs beautifully.

These leafy neighborhoods offer a slower, more relaxed café experience away from the downtown rush.

The Halia. Set inside the Singapore Botanic Gardens (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), The Halia combines serious food with stunning tropical surroundings. The ginger-infused drinks are signatures. It's not cheap, but the setting is unmatched.

Creamier. A homegrown ice cream brand with a café that serves excellent coffee alongside creative scoops. Their sea salt gula melaka ice cream with an affogato shot is iconic Singapore in a cup.

Sunday Folks. Known for their handmade waffles and soft serve, but the coffee program is equally thoughtful. The interior is warm and rustic with wooden accents and just enough greenery.

Apartment Coffee. A sleek, modern café in the business district that caters to the pre-work crowd and remote workers alike. Clean lines, fast service, and consistently good espresso. Their iced oat latte is a staple.

PPP Coffee. Papa Palheta's flagship café roasts beans from across Southeast Asia and beyond. The space is industrial-cool with exposed brick and metal fixtures. Their tasting flights let you sample three different origins side by side.

Mavrx. A newer spot near Raffles Place with a focus on innovation. Think nitrogen cold brew on tap, deconstructed lattes, and house-made syrups using local ingredients like butterfly pea flower and lemongrass.

Singapore's café owners are some of the most creator-friendly in the world. Many actively seek partnerships because they understand that one well-shot reel can drive weeks of foot traffic.

The combination of stunning interiors, photogenic food, and a dense urban layout (you can visit four cafés in an afternoon) makes Singapore one of the best cities for building a food content portfolio.

If you're a creator in Singapore looking for collab opportunities, SipCollab connects you with cafés actively looking for content partners. For café owners wanting to attract more creators, list your café and start receiving applications.