Guide to affordable coffee and matcha in the CBD
Being caffeine-reliant in Singapore is not exactly cheap. Even a simple latte can set you back around $7, while a matcha latte often goes for $8 or more. If you work in the CBD and need a daily cuppa to get by, this guide will come in handy. Surprisingly, not everything in the area comes with a premium price tag—save this list of 10 cheap matcha and coffee spots in the CBD so you can get your caffeine fix without hurting your wallet. FYI: Most drinks featured here are under $5!
1. SOE Coffee
SOE Coffee leads this list because their prices are just too good. Located at Raffles Place MRT Station, they offer coffee on tap from just $1.99. This brightly lit kiosk serves only two Arabica-based drinks: Americano ($1.99) and Latte ($2.99), both available hot or iced.
During our visit, we found the coffee to be on the thinner side, but for the price point, we’re not complaining. If you’re just looking for a quick caffeine fix and aren’t too fussy, this is a solid spot to get the job done.
Read our SOE Coffee feature.
Address: 5 Raffles Place, #B1-42, Exit A, Raffles Place MRT Station, Singapore 048618
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Sat 9am to 1pm
SOE Coffee is not halal-certified.
Get $1.99 Americano At This Futuristic Kiosk In Raffles Place MRT
2. Life Coffee
Though primarily a kopi stall specialising in Vietnamese coffee, Life Coffee at Amoy Street Food Centre also has an extensive selection of matcha lattes and other beverages—all priced at just $3.80 each. Their matcha is sourced from Kyoto, and comes in flavours such as Matcha Strawberry Latte, Matcha Mango, Caramel Matcha Latte, and Honey Lemon Matcha, among others. If matcha isn’t your thing, we recommend their Vietnamese Drip Coffee (from $2.50), which has a strong and intense flavour.
Read our Life Coffee feature.
Address: 7 Maxwell Road, #02-134, Singapore 069111
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 6:30am to 4pm, Sat 8am to 3:30pm, Sun 7:30am to 3:30pm
Website
Life Coffee is not halal-certified.
Get $3.80 Matcha Latte And Vietnamese Coffee At This Amoy Street Stall
3. Ton Coffee
Image credit: Ton Coffee
Another Vietnamese drink stall in the CBD, this spot serves affordable coffee from just $3.50. Their most popular item is the Iced Egg Coffee ($3.50), featuring a sweet, airy egg cream, and Salt Coffee ($3.50). For something tea-based, consider their Iced Matcha Latte ($4.50) instead.
They also offer set meals, including Kaya and Butter Baguette ($3.90), and the more substantial Roast Pork Belly with Hot Black Coffee ($7.50).
Website | Full list of outlets
Ton Coffee is not halal-certified.
4. Coffee Break
Coffee Break is best known for their flavoured kopi and teh, with options such as Black Sesame ($3), Ginger ($3), Taro ($3) and more. They also offer lattes ($4) in a wider range of flavours, including Butter Pecan, French Vanilla, and Pistachio. Do note that there’s a $0.50 top-up for iced drinks, and you can also upgrade to oat milk or soy milk for $1.20.
While there are no matcha lattes here, Coffee Break’s varied menu should be able to keep you satisfied.
Read our Coffee Break feature.
Address: 7 Maxwell Rd, #02-78, Singapore 069111
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am to 2:30pm
Coffee Break is not halal-certified.
Coffee Break Opens At Holland Drive With Pistachio Latte, Black Sesame Toast And More
5. What the Cup
What The Cup is a unique beverage vending machine with over 300 drinks to choose from. Even better, beverages are affordably priced from just $1.50. Simply use the touchscreen to customise your drink, make payment, and the machine gets to work.Â
We’ve tried their Thai Tea Cafe Latte (from $3), which blends fragrant Thai milk tea with coffee, as well as the Strawmilk Smoothie ($3.50)—a riff on the classic strawberry smoothie. They also offer matcha lattes from $3.
Within the CBD, What The Cup has vending machines at Outram Park, Dhoby Ghaut, SMU, and Boat Quay.
Check out our What the Cup feature.
Website | Full list of outletsÂ
What the Cup is not halal-certified.
This Vending Machine Has Thai Milk Tea Latte, Oreo Smoothie And More From $1.50
6. Daylight Coffee
Daylight Coffee at Amoy Street Food Centre is a hawker stall offering cafe-style beverages. Those who can’t decide what to get can consider their bestselling Spanish Latte ($5), featuring a blend of espresso, milk, and condensed milk, giving it a slightly sweeter profile than a regular latte. Other unique latte flavours on their menu include Vanilla and Caramel, priced from $5.
Read our Daylight Coffee feature.
Address: 7 Maxwell Road, #02-126, Amoy Street Food Centre, Singapore 069111
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am to 3pm, Sat-Sun 10:30am to 2:30pm
Website
Daylight Coffee is not halal-certified.
This Amoy Hawker Stall Has Spanish Latte And Matcha Under $4.50
7. Hi Coffee
Image credit: @sipnotes_
Hi Coffee first drew long queues after going viral at their Chinatown outlet, with wait times reportedly stretching up to an hour. They’ve since moved to Guoco Tower, located just a short walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT Station.
The coffee menu leans more traditional, with beverages such as Coffee O ($2.30) and Coffee C ($2.50). Matcha fans can go for Hi Coffee’s best-selling Ajisai Matcha Latte ($5.80) instead, featuring Niko Neko’s ceremonial grade matcha powder.
Address: 7 Wallich St, B2-K1 Guoco Tower, Singapore 078884
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10:45am to 7:15pm, Sat-Sun 10:45am to 5:15pm
Website
Hi Coffee is not halal-certified.
8. Pretty Good Muffins
When Pretty Good Muffins first opened at Hong Lim Complex, they quickly took TikTok by storm with their delicious muffins. Their snaking queues also make a lot more sense when you factor in their affordable matcha lattes.
Pretty Good Muffins’ Ceremonial Grade Matcha Latte ($6) uses Niko Neko’s Yuri matcha powder, giving you a creamier, more indulgent sip without the hefty price tag. If you prefer something simpler, their Just Matcha ($5) keeps it minimal with akagashi matcha powder and water.
Read our Pretty Good Muffins feature.
Address: 531 Upper Cross Street, #02-57B, Hong Lim Complex, Singapore 050531
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10:30am to 5:30pm, Sat 11am to 3pm
Website
Pretty Good Muffins is not halal-certified but uses no pork or lard.Â
Get Fresh Muffins From $1.40 And Legit Matcha Latte At This New Bakery In Chinatown
9. Green Green Matcha
Image credit: @greengreen.sg
The simply named Telok Ayer Coffee Shop is your typical non-air-conditioned kopitiam in the CBD, home to Green Green Matcha. The small matcha kiosk keeps its menu lean with just five matcha lattes, including Matcha Tea ($5) and Matcha Latte ($6). If you’re craving something sweeter, we recommend their Strawberry Matcha Latte ($7). Plus, all their drinks are made with ceremonial grade Uji matcha from Kyoto, Japan.
Address: 121 Telok Ayer Street, #01-01, Singapore 068590
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:30am to 3:30pm
Website
Green Green Matcha is not halal-certified.
10. Munchi Pancakes
Image credit: @iloafbready
I bet you weren’t expecting to see Munchi Pancakes on this list, but they now have matcha drinks too, in collaboration with Sei-Cha. The drinks come packaged in a can and are available at their Lau Pa Sat and Guoco Tower outlets. We recommend getting the Matcha Latte ($4.80) if you want something straightforward, or consider their Earl Grey Matcha Latte ($6.80), which comes with specks of blended tea leaves for a floral twist.
Website | Full list of outlets
Munchi Pancakes is halal-certified.
Where to find cheap matcha and coffee in the CBD
Even if payday is a little far away, there’s no need to put your caffeine cravings on hold. With these spots around, you can still treat yourself to a good matcha or coffee run without feeling the pinch. If you’re on the hunt for more affordable eats in the area, read our cheap CBD food places guide. For more matcha recommendations, read our list of best matcha cafes in Singapore.
Feature image adapted from @greengreen.sg
Drop us your email so you won't miss the latest news.
