As cool, trendy cafes sprout up in the quaint Chinatown neighbourhood, this area is no longer just frequented for authentic Chinese food. If you, like me, enjoy exploring new places with good food and coffee at reasonable prices, this guide to the best affordable cafes in Chinatown is curated specially for you.
Rise Bakehouse is one of the prettiest cafes on this list; the heritage cafe in Chinatown exudes a quaint and nostalgic vibe. It has everything you would expect from a decent cafe in the CBD—drinks, mains, and desserts.
One of the affordable options for mains is the Crab Scrambled Eggs Tartine ($18.90+): creamy scrambled eggs, crab chunks, and chilli oil atop a sourdough toast. To quench your thirst, pair your main with a cup of Black Sesame Peanut Cream Latte ($9+), said to be creamy and nutty altogether.
Read our Rise Bakehouse feature.
Address: 273 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058822
Opening hours: Sun-Mon 11:30am to 8:30pm, Wed-Thurs 11:30am to 8:30pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am to 10pm
Website
Rise Bakehouse is not halal-certified.
Popular Japanese cafe Baristart Coffee is in Chinatown, offering seven mains all priced under $20. It’s also a comfy spot for quiet conversations over coffee and the cafe’s signature Hokkaido cream puffs.
For mains, there’s the Obihiro Butadon ($19.80++), which comes with a bowl of Japanese rice topped with grilled pork belly, nori, and a drizzle of house-made teriyaki sweet sauce. You also get a warm miso soup on the side! Otherwise, pasta lovers can consider the Wafu Pasta ($19.80++) instead, where spaghetti is tossed in butter, garlic, bacon, prawns, and asparagus.
Read our Baristart Coffee feature.
Address: 65 Tras Street, Singapore 079004
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 10pm
Website
Baristart Coffee is not halal-certified.
Nett prices and an accessible location are what make the Korean-themed Snap Cafe well-loved by those working in the area. The cafe specialises in coffee and freshly grilled sourdough toasties, all priced under $15.
There are six toast flavours on the menu, and the most popular has got to be the Ham & Cheese ($10). It’s hard to go wrong with the combination of honey-baked chicken ham, mozzarella, red cheddar, and Gouda cheese. For a bit of spice in your toast, consider the Hot Honey Prawn ($12), which stars house-made hot honey sauce. As for drinks, you have the classics, such as Americano ($5.50) and Flat White ($6.50), but since you’re already there, we recommend trying Pistachio Cloud Latte ($10.50), a house special here.
Read our Snap Cafe review.
Address: 21 McCallum Street, #01-01/02, The Clift, Singapore 069047
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am to 4:30pm, Sat-Sun 9am to 4:30pm
Website
Snap Cafe is not halal-certified.
Avid cafe hoppers will surely know of September Coffee, a popular cafe that’s been around since 2022, offering an interesting lineup of drinks. Two years after their successful launch, they opened another popular cafe named June Coffee in the East.
For hearty lunch options, we recommend the crowd-favourite Carbonara Udon ($21++) or Fried Chicken French Toast ($19++). The former is made extra creamy as it comes topped with a sous-vide egg, while the latter features a deep-fried chicken chunk with spicy maple syrup and some pickled shallots atop a block of brioche French toast. Don’t forget to order their nutty and bittersweet Brown Butter Latte ($8.50++) or the refreshing White Peach Matcha ($8.50++) to pair with your meal.
Read our September Coffee feature.
Address: 8 Craig Road, #01-01, Singapore 089668
Opening hours: Tue-Thurs 11:30am to 7pm, Fri-Sat 11am to 8:30pm, Sun 11am to 6:30pm
Website
September Coffee is not halal-certified.
Dubbed Singapore’s first 2D cafe, Cafe Monochrome is a one-of-a-kind eatery with all-day breakfast, pasta and more. Unlike their Bugis branch, the Chinatown outlet boasts an oriental-inspired interior with gorgeous hand-drawn illustrations of Chinese architecture.
You can’t go wrong with the classic pasta and fries pairing; get a plate of their Aglio e Olio ($19.50+) comprising three types of mushrooms: shimeiji, Swiss brown, and white button. There are nine different sides to complement your pasta, including the flavour-packed Beef Ragout Fries ($17.90+), sweet-salty Soy Garlic Winglets ($17.90+), and lesser-seen Singapore Chilli Crab Fries ($16.50++). As for drinks, the menu is relatively extensive with more than 15 choices. If you can’t decide, try the Strawberry Matcha Latte ($8.80+) or Yuzu Osmanthus (from $6.30+) tea.
Read our Cafe Monochrome feature.
Address: 25 Trengganu Street, #01-12, Singapore 058476
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 8:30pm
Website
Cafe Monochrome is not halal-certified.
Maxi Coffee Bar is a great breakfast or lunch spot for those working or living in the area. The cafe is tucked away at the back entrance of the alley, making it a cosy and quiet spot for those who want a break from the hustle and bustle.
If you’re heading in for brekkie, consider the Miso PBJ ($5.50) and Kaya Butter ($4.80). Both feature soft, airy milk buns with house-made spreads; the former stars a sweet-salty combination of miso peanut butter and jam, while the latter uses kaya and French butter. Come noon, there are four sandwiches to fill yourself up with. We liked the Tuna Melt ($14) best, packed with melted, stretchy cheddar and tuna. There’s also the Eggplant Parm ($14) and Beef Pastrami ($15.50), the latter made with spiced beef pastrami and coleslaw, topped with Russian dressing.
Read our Maxi Coffee Bar feature.
Address: 64 Club Street, Singapore 069438
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 8am to 4pm, Sat-Sun 9am to 4pm
Website
Maxi Coffee Bar is not halal-certified.
Cafe Gui is a Japanese-Korean cafe decked out in Hanok-inspired decor reminiscent of a traditional Korean house. Here, you’ll find everything from rice and noodles to sides and drinks. While it’s located in Chinatown along South Bridge Road, it’s a two-minute walk from Maxwell MRT Station.
Try their Signature Dosirak Rice Box ($17+); this traditional tinned lunch box comes neatly packed with a bed of rice topped with a sunny-side-up, shredded seaweed, luncheon meat, and stir-fried kimchi with pork. For a Japanese touch, the Cold Japanese Somen Ikura ($15+) is a great choice, especially in Singapore’s sultry weather. This refreshing meal comes with cold somen topped with ikura, nori, soba sauce, and sea cabbage. Pair your rice or noodles with the popular Signature Dalgona Honeycomb Coffee ($9.90+) that’s served with blocks of honeycomb candy.
Read our Cafe Gui feature.
Address: 278 South Bridge Road, #01-01, Singapore 058827
Opening hours: Mon 11am to 9:30pm, Wed-Sat 11am to 9:30pm, Sun 11am to 6pm
Website
Cafe Gui is not halal-certified.
Good Luck Bagels is a new cafe in Chinatown selling fresh bagels from as low as $3.50, alongside other Korean-style dessert bagels and specialty coffee creations. Choose from a wide variety of flavours, ranging from the classic Plain ($3.50) to more unique flavours such as Kopi Boy ($3.90) and Cinnamon Pecan ($4.50).
Their lunch menu, starting from 11am, features open-faced sandwiches piled high with toppings. During our visit, we liked their Crunchy Garden ($12) best: a bagel with an umami cheese spread, topped with air-flown candy tomatoes and crunchy Japanese cucumbers. For those with a sweet tooth, get their Double Chocolate Matcha ($12), which comprises a thicc layer of matcha nama chocolate. Wash everything down with their Salted Maple Vanilla Americano ($8), topped with a maple-infused cream and crushed Biscoff.
Read our Good Luck Bagels feature.
Address: 531 Upper Cross Street, #02-41, Hong Lim Complex, Singapore 050531
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 8.30am to 3.30pm
Website
Good Luck Bagels is not halal-certified.
Muro Coffee is a cafe in Chinatown best known for their coffee and focaccia; you can enjoy the latter in five variations.
Start with their Mad Cheese ($12.90), a sweet-cheesy Italian bread made using three types of cheese: gorgonzola, cheddar, and mozzarella. It’s also drizzled with maple syrup and finished with some peppery arugula. Alternatively, the Ponzu Salmon ($15.90) is an equally delicious choice, starring marinated salmon with a touch of tangy ponzu sauce, accompanied by mascarpone cheese and some veggies. For drinks, get something different with the likes of Orange Tonic Espresso ($8.50) and Smoked Mocha Affogato ($9).
Address: 214a South Bridge Road, Singapore 058763
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am to 6pm, Sat-Sun 10am to 6pm
Website
Muro Coffee is not halal-certified.
The Food Peeps Coffee and Deli always pops up on the Internet whenever I’m searching for cafes in Chinatown. With a 4.6-star rating and over 800 reviews on Google, this popular cafe has made a name for itself, offering house-made items at wallet-friendly prices.
Pasta lovers can go for the classic T.F.P. Carbonara ($19), comprising linguine tossed with bacon, mushrooms, shallots, arugula, and truffle oil. If you appreciate heavier, more robust flavours, consider the Rendang on Toast ($18), made with beef rendang, crispy shallots, and cilantro. Besides pasta dishes, you can indulge in the tangy-creamy Prawn and Avo on Toast ($19): garlic prawns, smashed avo, sundried tomatoes, and mango salsa on a slice of sourdough.
Address: 34 Sago Street, #01-01, Singapore 059026
Opening hours: Thurs-Tue 8am to 5pm
Website
The Food Peeps Coffee and Deli is not halal-certified.
This cafe is for fans of Taiwanese fare. Open from 7:30am every day, Breakfast Hola offers an extensive menu ranging from egg crepe roll and noodles to finger food and club sandwiches. The interior sports a warm, homely atmosphere, especially great for solo diners to enjoy a meal out at their own pace.
We recommend the Double Cheese ($7.50) egg crepe roll for a delicious breakfast or a midday pick-me-up snack. There are over 10 different fillings to choose from, with popular options including Spicy Cai Poh ($7), Pork Floss ($7.60), and Grilled Pork Meat ($8.10). Pair your crepe roll with their Fresh Soy Milk (from $2.80) or Good Morning Milk Tea ($3.20), a common breakfast choice among Taiwanese! It’d be remiss of you to leave without trying their Authentic Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice ($9.40); each bowl comes loaded with tender braised pork bits, an egg, and cucumbers.
Address: 280 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058829
Opening hours: Daily 7:30am to 7pm
Tel: 8482 8938
Website
Breakfast Hola is not halal-certified.
I’m a huge fan of old-school breakfast spots, so I have to include Nanyang Old Coffee on this list. This traditional cafe opens at 7am every day, so you can start the day on the best note with typical Singaporean breakfast items.
There are value-for-money set meals here such as the Nanyang Braised Pork Wanton Mee ($9.90). FYI, you can pay an additional $1 to swap the hot coffee for iced! A la carte items are also available, with the Kaya Butter Toast priced at $2.80, while a cup of Hot Kopi costs $2.40.
Address: 268 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058817
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am to 6:30pm, Sat-Sun 7am to 9pm
Tel: 8980 2680
Website
Nanyang Old Coffee is not halal-certified.
SMU Students are probably well acquainted with Kuro Kare, a Japanese curry cafe previously located in SMU. The eatery has since relocated to Havelock II, a four-minute walk from Chinatown MRT Station.
This long-queue spot isn’t exactly a cafe, but it’s worth mentioning for its signature Kuro Fried Chicken Curry ($12.90), featuring Japanese curry rice, paired with a crispy 24-hour brined chicken katsu drizzled with smoky tare sauce. If pork is more your thing, their Iberico Pork Katsu Curry ($16.90) is equally popular, featuring a 250g slab of acorn-fed Iberico pork cutlet instead.
Address: 2 Havelock Road, B1-32 Havelock II, Singapore 059763
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am to 2:30pm, 6pm to 8:30pm
Website
Kuro Kare is not halal-certified.
Located in the heart of Chinatown, Whiskdom Cafe had previously gone viral for their fudgy Oozy Brownies ($8.50++) and gooey, chunky cookies, priced at $8.50++ each. However, the real ones know that their mains are not to be missed, too.
Their Chinatown outlet has an exclusive dish worth ordering: the Spicy Aglio Olio ($19++), with juicy tiger prawns sitting on a bed of spicy, savoury aglio olio pasta. Otherwise, those looking to try their signature bagelwiches can opt for the Otah Avo ($19++), served only at this outlet: spicy otah fillet, fresh avocado, and crisp lettuce sandwiched between two chewy bagel slices.
Address: 15 Smith Street, Singapore 058929
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 11am to 8:30pm, Fri-Sun 10am to 9pm
Website
Whiskdom is not halal-certified.
For those who grew up watching Mediacorp dramas, Rebecca Lim is a household name. Her family-run business, The Test Kitchen, is located in Chinatown, selling aesthetic bakes that are perfect for the ‘gram.
In addition to their bakes, they have a lunch menu offering a variety of affordable bowls that’ll fill you up. Their most popular options are the Mezze Bowls, Mediterranean-inspired salad bowls built around creamy hummus, kale, and wholegrains. Choose from Mushroom Beef ($16), Cauliflower Salmon ($16), and Eggplant Yakitori ($14), the first topped with rich mushroom ragu and roasted beef rump.
For those looking for something heartier, their Teriyaki Salmon Rice Bowl ($16) features a salmon fillet slathered in sweet-and-salty teriyaki sauce, sitting on a bed of furikake tare shortgrain rice, and paired with a variety of Korean-inspired side dishes.
Read our The Test Kitchen coverage.
Address: 18 Cross Street, #01-13, Cross Street Exchange, Singapore 048423
Opening hours: Mon-Tue 8:30am to 6pm, Wed-Fri 8:30am to 9:30pm, Sat 8:30am to 2:30pm
Website
The Test Kitchen is not halal-certified.
Cafe experiences don’t always have to be pricey in Singapore; if you look closely enough, you’ll realise that there are plenty of affordable options that won’t burn a hole in your pocket!
For more good eats in the area, read our Chinatown food guide, where we tried cheap hotpot buffet, Michelin-approved curry mee and more. Alternatively, read our Chinatown Complex Food Centre guide.
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