Alchemist Review: Popular Alfresco Cafe Near Somerset MRT With Coffee From $4

If you love coffee as much as we do, you’ve likely heard of Alchemist. Founded in 2016, the homegrown roastery and cafe has grown into one of Singapore’s most well-known speciality coffee brands.

Following its humble beginnings in Tanjong Pagar 10 years ago, Alchemist has grown steadily, with several outlets to its name today at the time of writing. We recently visited their popular The Heeren outlet for a quick taste test.

Drinks at Alchemist The Heeren

Similar to its other outlets, Alchemist’s Somerset cafe keeps things simple menu-wise, focusing on executing the basics well rather than offering overly complex drinks. Expect the usual black, white, and mocha, available hot or iced, alongside seasonal filter options. Espresso starts at $4.

Our regular-sized White ($6), served hot, was prepared with Dark Matter, the brand’s signature blend. Sourced from Brazil, the espresso is described as bold and velvety, with notes of roasted nuts, chocolate, and black plum.

The full-bodied espresso held up well against the milk, though I found the latte a touch milkier than I’d prefer. That said, I tend to favour stronger coffees with less milk, so the espresso flavour comes through more clearly. Perhaps I’ll order Dark Matter as an espresso next time.