It may sound sacrilegious, but my café haunts in Telok Ayer and Tiong Bahru have become mundane. I have since travelled around Singapore in search of the next bona fide café district. Bugis surfaced as my favourite. Here are 17 Bugis cafes that I feel are the best in Bugis, serving Instagrammable and tasty grub.
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Image credit: @twentygrammes
If you’re looking for a quiet spot to enjoy some desserts, Twenty Grammes dishes out waffles and ice cream. Their ingenious Smores Waffle ($16) has a torched marshmallow, which imparts a pleasantly smoky aroma. Top it with their selection of house-made ice cream flavours that are dense and sticky. They melt onto the waffles, giving them a sugary oomph.
The Hojicha Soft Serve on Waffle ($11) is a crowd favourite amongst hojicha lovers. A bed of brownie and waffle pieces rests below a towering swirl of hojicha ice cream.
Address: 753 North Bridge Road, #01-01, Singapore 198721
Opening hours: Sun-Thu 12pm to 10pm, Fri-Sat 12pm to 1am
Tel: 9447 2020
Website
Twenty Grammes is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: Yummo Chow
Blended into the white-washed facade of Purvis Street lies Yummo Chow. Marvel at the gorgeous interior as you enter the café, with its plain white walls and colourful impressionism paintings.
They’ve got affordable weekday lunch sets at $11.90++, which come with a pasta or rice main, a beverage, and a side. Alternatively, visit for their 90-minute a la carte buffet, priced at $29.90++ per person on weekdays and $32.90++ on weekends. You get unlimited fish and meats, with options including Pan-Seared Salmon and Australian Sirloin Steak, along with free-flow sides and pasta such as Carbonara and Bacon Aglio Olio.
Address: 13 Purvis Street, Singapore 188592
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 9:30pm
Tel: 6873 1295
Website
Yummo Chow is not a halal-certified eatery.
Wan Wan Thai is a neon-lit dessert cafe that matches its pretty decor with equally stunning desserts. This includes fare like their Thai Milk Tea Bingsu ($10.90++), served with milk tea ice cream, and their Shibuya style thick Kaya Toast ($10.90++), accompanied by fragrant pandan jam and aromatic kaya. They are also open till 3am, making it a great spot to satisfy your sweet tooth in the wee hours of the morning.
Check out our Wan Wan Thai review!
Address: 127A Bencoolen Street, Singapore 189637
Opening hours: Daily 12:30pm to 3am
Tel: 6336 8812
Website
Wan Wan Thai Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @themassessg
The Masses was opened by Saveur’s co-founder. They aim to serve French fare at affordable prices. The CCCC Pasta, for instance, comes with crab, caviar, clams and chorizo from $18.90++. It’s an indulgent treat that gives an oceanic explosion in your mouth, with delicate notes of crab shining through. If you’re feeling rich, you could also add uni for $7++.
One of my favourites here is the Deep-Fried Camembert ($13.90++). It comprises a crunchy and slightly sweet batter that coats soft and gooey camembert. It’s accompanied by a dollop of yogurt ice cream that provides tartness, balancing the heaviness of the fried cheese.
Address: 85 Beach Road, #01-02, Singapore 189694
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 3pm, Mon-Sat 5:30pm to 9:30pm, Sun 5:30pm to 9pm
Tel: 6266 0061
Website
The Masses is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @symmetrysg
Symmetry is synonymous with quality brunches in Singapore. Their Symmetry Big Breakfast ($28++) is a signature, served with all the works—scrambled eggs, tater tots, smoked salmon, chicken cheese sausage, mixed mushrooms, maple-glazed bacon, sourdough, and berry butter.
For a sweet treat, the Symmetry Waffles ($24++) feature a colourful plate of petals and fruits with salted nut and seed brittle for crunch. The waffles have a dense centre that complements the velvety ice cream. It’s a must-order for anyone looking for an indulgent morning treat.
Address: 9 Jalan Kubor #01-01, Singapore 199206
Opening hours: Mon 11am to 9pm, Tue-Fri 11am to 11pm, Sat 9am to 11:30pm, Sun 9am to 7pm
Tel: 6291 9901
Website
Symmetry is not a halal eatery.
Image credit: Fika Swedish Cafe & Bistro
Serving halal Swedish dishes, Fika Swedish Cafe and Bistro is a great place to experience Swedish cuisine that isn’t IKEA. Try their Swedish Meatballs ($22++) for a juicy meatball that has a profound beefy taste. The cream sauce used also has a herbaceous perfume that gives depth to the rich meatballs.
They also have pasta options including the Fishermans Pasta ($26++), which comes with mussels, white fish, squid, and prawns, served in a lemon butter sauce. A vegetarian version is available at $16++.
Address: 257 Beach Road, Singapore 199539
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 11am to 9pm, Fri-Sat 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6396 9096
Website
Fika is a halal-certified eatery.
Belle-Ville serves up fuwa fuwa Japanese pancakes. They are basically a wobblier rendition of traditional pancakes, quite similar to castella cakes. To achieve this fluffy consistency, they used a meringue base. This also means that the pancakes are light—so you can eat more!
Opt for the Millefeuille Pancake ($12.20++ for four) to taste its unadulterated flavour. Buttery and eggy notes are very apparent, with the maple syrup giving a subtle sweetness. You could also try the Strawberry and Mixed Berry Pancake ($14.40++ for four). It has a nice tartness that cuts through the meringue’s eggy flavours, making it a good choice for those who aren’t too keen on plain pancakes.
Check out our full Belle-Ville Pancakes review, or read our guide to souffle pancakes!
Address: 230 Victoria Street, #01-01B, Bugis Junction Towers, Singapore 188024
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 9am to 8pm, Fri-Sat 9am to 9pm
Tel: 6255 5456
Website
Belle-ville is not a halal-certified eatery.
Another spot for Japanese souffle pancakes is Flipper’s at Bugis Junction. This halal-certified pancake cafe serves thick and fluffy Kiseki pancakes in savoury and sweet flavours, including Avocado Salmon ($22.80++), Eggs Benedict ($24.80++), and Fresh Fruits with Honeycomb and Nut Butter ($23.80++).
Also look out for their limited-run specials, including the popular Japanese Awayuki Strawberry Souffle, which comes with dollops of strawberry-infused cream, fresh whipped cream, and strawberry syrup, and premium Awayuki strawberries.
Read our Flipper’s review.
Address: 80 Middle Road, Bugis Junction, #01-97, Singapore 188966
Opening Hours: Daily 11:30am to 10pm
Website
Flipper’s is a halal-certified eatery.
The IG-famous Fluff Bakery recently found a new home along the busy North Bridge Road, spanning two spacious units. Currently, their store only allows for takeaways, but the menu is pretty extensive with a wide variety of fresh bakes, ice cream, and barista-brewed coffee-to-go.
Go for the doughnuts ($4.50), available in flavours such as Maple Cinnamon Toast, which features a cinnamon sugar-dusted doughnut filled with a maple-spiked custard. If you prefer something savoury, get the Miso Butter Mushroom Galette ($5.50), topped with chunky, umami-ladened mushrooms.
Check out our Fluff Bakery review
Address: 795 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198763
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11:30am to 7pm, Sun 11am to 6pm
Tel: 9144 7729
Website
Fluff Bakery is a Muslim-owned eatery.
Sort your late-night hunger pangs at Smile Dessert, a cafe along North Bridge Road that opens till 6am daily. Tuck into the aesthetically pleasing Multi-Layer Sweet Potato Cake ($10.90), which sees purple-hued sweet potato and cream sandwiched between thin crepe layers. They’re also known for their fluffy souffle pancakes, including the Tiramisu Souffle ($16.90) and Honey Souffle ($19.90).
Address: 534 North Bridge Road, #01-01, Singapore 188749
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 6am
Tel: 6232 7801
Website
Smile Dessert is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: Tolido’s Espresso Nook
Sandwiched between Bugis and Lavender, Tolido’s Espresso Nook regularly draws long queues for their twists on cafe fare. Enjoy dishes such as the Stout Glazed Bacon French Toast ($18++), a sweet-and-salty spin on classic french toast, Rosti (from $18++), and 462 Prawn Laksa Pasta ($19++), a crowd favourite. Try to make reservations in advance by calling them so you can avoid the queue.
Address: 462 Crawford Lane, #01-63, Singapore 190462
Opening hours: Thurs-Tue 8am to 5pm
Tel: 6293 0382
Website
Tolido’s Espresso Nook is not a halal-certified eatery.
Earlybird serves a menu of all-day breakfast fare, but they are best known for their Chicken And Pancakes ($19), where a towering hunk of fried chicken is served on maple-dressed pancakes. Apart from the signature, expect the likes of Steak & Truffle Mash ($24), featuring sous vide flank steak with chimichurri sauce, or Tom Yum Prawn Pasta ($20). Prices are nett, too! Apart from the food, Earlybird also has a pretty alfresco area, decked in sunny yellow, with monochrome furniture that’s great for the ‘gram.
Check out our Earlybird review! Or read our full guide to brunch cafes in Singapore.
Address: 17 Jalan Pinang Singapore, Singapore 199149
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 5pm
Tel: 9788 6856
Website
Earlybird is not a halal-certified eatery.
For lava cookies and brownies, head to Whiskdom along North Bridge Road. We recommend their Hojicha Brownie ($6.50), comprising molten chocolate lava with a hojicha-infused ganache. Alternatively, try their Matcha Lava Cookie ($6.50), a chunky cookie with a rich matcha flavour, studded with white chocolate bits. The cosy cafe also offers XXL fries from homegrown brand Big Big Fries, priced at $12.90 per serving. Flavours include Mentaiko Mayo, Nacho Cheese, and Himalayan Pink Salt.
Check out our Whiskdom review!
Address: 757 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198725
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12pm to 8pm
Website
Whiskdom is not a halal-certified eatery, but uses no pork or lard
Cornercove is a hidden gem cafe in City Gate, a mall along Beach Road with famous Thai restaurants that had moved from the now-defunct Golden Mile Complex. This acai bar offers customisable acai and smoothie bowls with more than 30 toppings to choose from, in two sizes: Regular ($9.90) and Large ($14.90). You get to pick as many bases as you like, with options such as Acai, Pitaya, Matcha, and Coconut. For your toppings, the options are endless, though you’re limited to the size of your chosen bowl. There are mixed fruits, granola, and an assortment of nut butters, so you can go crazy!
Read our Cornercove review!
Address: 371 Beach Road, B1-48, City Gate, Singapore 199597
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11am to 7pm
Website
Cornercove is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard
For Muslim-friendly pancake and waffle stacks in Bugis, head to Pancake & Waffle Place. This cafe offers a wide range of flavours, both sweet and savoury, including Tiger Prawn ($20.90++): grilled fresh tiger prawns with a spicy cream sauce, baby spinach, and hashbrowns, served with your choice of pancakes or waffles. Other popular picks are the Ham & Cheese Waffle ($22.90++), which comes with a house-made tomato sauce, three cheeses, and savoury ham, atop buttery waffles. If you’re up for something sweet, get the Smores Pancakes ($17.90++), a sinful stack with marshmallows, chocolate sauce, and Biscoff crumbs.
Read our Pancake & Waffle Place review!
Address: 56 Kandahar Street, Singapore 198904
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 3:15pm, 5pm to 9:15pm
Tel: 6518 9368
Website
Pancake & Waffle Place is a Muslim-owned eatery.
IG-famous Sinful Cakes is now at City Gate along Beach Road! The cosy cafe serves up their signature bakes, including their popular macarons in flavours such as Yuang Yang, Hazelnut Praline, and Waffle Crisps. These are priced at $2.50 a pop. Their Cookie MAK ($15) is another must-try; this gets you a thicc slice of dense and fudgy cookie-cake, with a middle of honeycomb, Maltesers, and chocolate chips—great for those with a sweet tooth. Wash down all the sugar with a cup of joe, priced from $4 for an Americano.
Read our Sinful Cakes feature!
Address: 371 Beach Rd, #02-44/45 City Gate, Singapore 199597
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12pm to 8pm
Website
Sinful Cakes is not a halal-certified eatery, but is Muslim-owned.
Fans of Louisa Coffee no longer have to take a plane to Taiwan for their caffeine fix, as the popular Taiwanese cafe chain has opened along Beach Road! Look forward to an SG-exclusive menu with a small range of house-baked cakes and tarts, freshly toasted sandwiches, and barista-brewed coffee. A signature bake is their Boston Cream Pie ($6.50), available in flavours such as Matcha, Black Sesame, and Taro. Treat yourself to one of their specialty drinks, the Iced Black Coffee Latte, which combines charcoal, black sesame, espresso, and milk.
Address: 130 Beach Road, #01-13/14 Guoco Midtown, Singapore 189774
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 8am to 9pm, Fri 8am to 12am, Sat 9:30am to 12am, Sun 9:30am to 9pm
Website
Louisa Coffee is not a halal-certified eatery.
Save this cafe list for the next time you’re in Bugis! For more food in the area, check out Frites along Arab Street for their loaded mentaiko beef fries and more. Otherwise, read our full guide to the best food in Bugis!
This article was originally written on 15 February 2019.
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