It’s always interesting how certain words are derived by combining two different words into one. Spork: fork and spoon; liger: a cross between a male lion and female tiger – there are actually quite a few portmanteau words. As ticklishly amusing this sounds, the tastiest word combination has to be brunch.
A marriage between breakfast and lunch, brunch combines morning fare such as pancakes and waffles with hearty lunch ingredients such as seafood and meats. And as the name implies, it’s typically eaten between breakfast and lunch, which makes for a great time to catch up and relax over a cuppa with a group of friends.
Finding an easily accessible meetup spot can be difficult, so to help you with that, we’ve come up with a list of 10 brunch cafes that are located next to MRT stations. Serving up hearty brunch fare, along with a beautiful ambience, it’s not difficult to find yourself staying in these cafes all afternoon.
One of Singapore’s most popular brunch spots, PS.Cafe at Raffles City has an impressive high ceiling that brings in loads of sunlight. The decor is similarly noteworthy, with loads of comfortable chairs and a towering foliage wall.
Be sure to order their Crab Tart ($32++) to share around. Featuring chunks of hand-picked blue swimmer crabs, the crustaceans are served with a flavourful prawn bisque, then baked in a buttery shortcrust that’s accompanied by a mildly-spiced house-made harissa sauce. They’re certainly not shy with their portions, with plenty of crab meat appearing in every bite.
Address: 252 North Bridge Road, #03-37, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore 179103
Opening hours: Daily 9:30am to 10pm
Tel: 6708 9288
Website
With a comfortable indoor and al-fresco area, it’s all about the chill vibes at The Botanic. Don’t expect standard breakfast fare such as eggs Benedict here. Instead, the food is a kaleidoscope of flavours with Western and Asian influences.
We are a big fan of the Grilled Squid ($22++), which features freshly grilled squid laid on a bed of jet-black inked rice. The squid is simply seasoned with a pinch of salt to bring out its natural flavours, while the rice packs in loads of flavour, thanks to the rich and briny broth that it’s carefully cooked in.
Address: 252 North Bridge Road, #01-22A, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore 179103
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 11pm
Tel: 6837 0995
Website
Hong Kong coffee concept The Coffee Academïcs is another firm favourite on the list of brunch spots. Head for the sofas that are located near the entrance. Plump and incredibly comfortable, we found ourselves sinking right into them as we sipped on the aromatic coffees here.
Le Smoked Salmon ($23++) may sound overly pretentious, but have a taste of it and you might just be a convert. While some may find brunch food to be too simple and easy to make, this dish ought to win some over with its intricate components.
Smoked salmon is served on a bed of crispy pea shoots, beetroot rosti, mango tzatziki, and topped with a sous vide egg and ikura. The beetroot rosti was something special, with a crispy texture that reminded us of freshly fried hash browns.
Address: 252 North Bridge Road, #B1-12, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore 179103
Opening hours: Mon-Thur 8am to 8:30pm, Fri 8am to 9pm, Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 9am to 8pm
Tel: 6266 0560
Website
Ranked high on my list of favourite brunch food, fluffy pancakes are something that’s hard to say no to. Opened by the Tung Lok Group, Slappy Cakes adds on to the pancake fun by letting you make them yourself. From squarish pancakes to controlling how much toppings you want, the possibilities are endless.
We wanted to add a little Japanese flair to our dishes and went for the DIY Okonomiyaki ($18++). This includes everything you will need to make two very large okonomiyaki, including shredded cabbage, prawns, squid, ham, and a variety of sauces.
Address: 68 Orchard Road, #03-02, Plaza Singapura, Singapore 238839
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am to 10pm, Sat-Sun 9:30am to 10pm
Tel: 6738 7207
Website
Attracting long queues at both its Tokyo and Waikiki outlets, Hawaiian restaurant Eggs ‘n Things brings on the beach vibe with its cheerfully decorated interior and crew that are decked out in cute floral prints.
The Panedict ($18.90++) is a Singapore-exclusive special that puts regular eggs Benedict to shame. Instead of English muffins, a tower of pancakes studded with bits of candied bacon is used. To bring this up to the next level, sheets of melted Emmental cheese are stacked between each pancake, along with a generous drizzle of Hollandaise sauce and a poached egg that’s perched atop this luxurious breakfast.
Address: 68 Orchard Road, #03-79/83, Plaza Singapura, Singapore 238839
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Tel: 6835 9988
Website
With more than 180 outlets in Japan, Japanese coffee chain Hoshino Coffee is no stranger in the coffee and brunch scene. This Japanese-style cafe is located in a posh setting that overlooks the centre of Plaza Singapura.
Souffle Style Matcha Pancake ($13.50++) gives a sweet start to the day, with green tea ice-cream that’s scooped onto two Japanese-style pancakes. The bittersweet green tea combines nicely with the fluffy pancakes, making it a real treat for matcha lovers. The pancakes are prepared on demand and require a 20-minute wait, so take the time to catch up with friends!
Address: 68 Orchard Road, #03-84, Plaza Singapura, Singapore 238839
Opening hours: Mon-Thur 11:30am to 10pm, Fri 11:30am to 10:30pm. Sat 10:30am-10:30pm. Sun 10:30am to 10pm
Tel: 6338 3277
Website
Filled with a generous amount of sunlight and huge seats that look more like sofa beds, Arteastiq Bistro makes for an ideal place to laze the day away. For those who are looking for post-meal plans, there’s also an art-jam studio that’s located next to the bistro.
The Prince of Monte Carlo ($21++) is a step-up from regular sandwiches, with bold flavours from the duck confit and burst of freshness from the purple cabbage coleslaw. It’s then garnished with a beautiful sunny-side up and crispy sweet potato fries on the side.
Address: 68 Orchard Road, #03-70/72, Plaza Singapura, Singapore 238839
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6336 0951
Website
Overlooking the busy Victoria Street and National Design Centre, Platypus Kitchen is a comfortable spot to chill out and watch the world go by. Bringing gourmet dining to the masses, the restaurant serves up Western favourites that are tweaked with a slight Asian flair.
Crustacean Mac & Cheese ($26.90++) is a good example of this, with conchiglie pasta that’s mixed with a trio of Mozzarella, cheddar, and cheese sauce. A generous serving of seafood goodies such as Boston lobster claw, lump crab meat, and caviar are then garnished on top. The souped-up mac and cheese is then given a final blast with the blow torch to meld everything together.
Address: 200 Victoria Street, #01-90/91, Bugis Junction, Singapore 188021
Opening hours: Mon-Thur 11:30am to 10:30pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am to 11:30pm, Sun 11:15am to 10:30pm
Tel: 6333 4434
Website
One of the oldest Japanese restaurants in Singapore, Ma Maison is a grand dame when compared with the influx of new Japanese restaurants. This 37-year-old restaurant chain has expanded globally, but it’s the Bugis outlet that has stood the test of time, existing in the mall for 25 years.
Serving up yōshoku, or Japanese-Western food, we were impressed with their Beef Stroganoff Butter Rice ($16.80++). Butter rice is blanketed with a large portion of creamy scrambled eggs, along with flavourful cubes of beef tenderloin that are drenched in a tasty brown sauce that’s stewed for 28 days.
Address: 200 Victoria Street, #02-51, Bugis Junction, Singapore 188021
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm, Sat-Sun 11:30am to 10pm
Tel: 6338 4819
Website
Wrapping up the list is Japanese and French cafe-restaurant Miam Miam. Centrally located in the heart of Bugis Junction, just next to the elevators, there’s no excuse to avoid any meet-ups for brunch here.
They’re known for their dessert souffle, but credit has to be given to their Souffle Au Curry ($17.90++). Combining the earthy and rich flavours of curry with fluffy egg souffle, this decadent combination is a hearty start to any brunch diet. Sausages and broccoli are also included inside to give a nice variety of textures.
Address: 200 Victoria Street, #02-14, Bugis Junction, Singapore 188021
Opening hours: Mon-Thur 11:30am to 10pm, Fri 11:30am to 10:30pm, Sat 11am to 10:30pm, Sun 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6837 0301
Website
Just like how the early bird catches the worm, waking up early for brunch is never a bad idea, especially when it’s for tasty food. Literally located a stone’s throw away from MRT stations in town, these cafes are a breeze to get to.
For the latest news on deals, events and new openings, be sure to follow Bugis Junction on Facebook and Instagram, Plaza Singapura on Facebook and Instagram, and Raffles City on Facebook and Instagram. Happy brunching!
Photos taken by Pichan Cruz.
This post is brought to you by CapitaLand malls.
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