Cheap cafes in Singapore
There’s a reason why many of us are willing to bring our passports and cross the border just to visit the cafes in Johor Bahru: prices are so much cheaper there. But with our guide to the best cheap cafes in Singapore with mains under $20, you no longer need to travel abroad just to experience the joys of cafe-hopping without feeling too guilty about your spending.
1. Ne Ne Neko
Let’s start the list with a Japanese cafe in the East: Ne Ne Neko. Located right next to Paya Lebar MRT Station, this Japanese-themed cafe doubles as an izakaya bar at night, with them open till 11pm on most days.
For mentaiko fans, we recommend the Oishi Mentai Shokupan ($14++), starring a thick charcoal-toasted shokupan that comes generously topped with aburi mentaiko, furikake, and shredded seaweed. Worry not if sweet-savoury combinations are not your thing as they also offer a range of sandos, with the likes of Chicken Katsu Sando ($17++), where you get a huge fried chicken katsu and shredded cabbage salad sandwiched between two pieces of bread. This tastes best when paired with their popular Kuro Goma Latte ($7++), which comes with a black sesame cracker atop.
Read our Ne Ne Neko review.
Address: 10 Paya Lebar Road, #01-K7, PLQ PLAZA, Singapore 409057
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 11am to 11pm, Fri-Sat 11am to 12am, Sun 11am to 10pm
Website
Ne Ne Neko is not a halal-certified eatery.
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2. Go Rogue
Previously known as 46Mittsu, my go-to sando store, this cafe has since rebranded to Go Rogue. You can find them in Clarke Quay with a brand-new simple and industrial look, though they still specialise in sandwiches.
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You can’t go wrong with the Cow Me In ($18), featuring a medley of all things delicious: 48-hour braised beef brisket, a sunny-side up egg, pickled jalapeno, and radicchio, which is similar to red cabbage but crunchier. Those who missed 46Mittsu’s classic BEC ($14) can still get the popular sandwich, starring the must-haves of bacon, eggs, and cheese here! For a balanced meal, we recommend pairing your sandos with the Backyard Greens ($13), packed with a vibrant mix of baby spinach, quail egg, slices of orange and more.Â
Read our Go Rogue review.
Address: 20 North Canal Road, #01-01, Singapore 048832
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9am to 3pm, 6:30pm to 10:30pm
Website
Go Rogue is not a halal-certified eatery.
Go Rogue Review: New Sando Cafe By 46 Mittsu Owners In Clarke Quay
3. Daily Mujo
Daily Mujo is a cosy under-HDB cafe in Bedok, where you can indulge in affordable mains while enjoying the Japandi vibes here. Plus, everything on the menu is nett!
Their Laksa Hokkien Mee ($11) caught our attention as it’s a lesser-seen option at cafes. A plate comes with thick bee hoon and tau kwa mixed with laksa sauce, then generously topped with three tiger prawns. Pair your main with their Kopi Latte ($4) or Mango Matcha Latte ($7); the former features a creamy milk foam atop kopi bing, while the latter gives you a lovely balance of bittersweet flavours thanks to the combination of mango puree and matcha.
Read our Daily Mujo review.Â
Address: 84 Bedok North Street 4, #01-27, Singapore 460084
Opening hours: Daily 8:30am to 9pm
Website
Daily Mujo is not a halal-certified eatery.
This Under-HDB Cafe In Bedok Has Japandi Vibes And Mains Under $20
4. Swee Lee Clarke Quay
If we had to pick one vibey cafe in Singapore that brings food and music together, we’d choose Swee Lee Clarke Quay in a heartbeat. Here’s a tip: the cafe has Wi-Fi and power points, which makes for an ideal space for work-from-home days.
For something different yet familiar, we recommend the Kaya Toast & Dippy Eggs ($17). This comes with a thick brioche French toast with two soft-boiled eggs, and a side of pandan kaya custard to drizzle over. Else, their Spinach + Cheese Toastie ($15) is the way to go—you get a neatly halved, toasted sourdough sandwich packed with melted cheese and spinach, alongside a house-made marinara sauce. Since you’re already there, get their Kopiccino ($10), a specialty drink comprising double espresso, crunchy chocolate balls, oat milk, and a bit of Baileys.
Read our Swee Lee Clarke Quay review.
Address: Blk 3B River Valley Road, #01-06, Clarke Quay, Singapore 179021
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9pm
Website
Swee Lee Clarke Quay is not a halal-certified eatery.
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5. Great Nanyang Heritage Cafe
When Great Nanyang Heritage Cafe opened their first outlet in Tanjong Pagar, there was a snaking long queue in front of the old-school eatery even during off-peak hours. Now that they have found a second home at 111 Somerset, getting a seat is no longer a hassle.
If you’re planning a visit to their Somerset cafe, make sure to get their outlet-exclusive items such as Claypot Mee Tai Mak ($9.90), Curry Chicken Chee Cheong Fun ($9.90), and Milo Toast ($4). Out of the lot, we recommend the Claypot Mee Tai Mak for a hearty and delicious meal. This tastes best when you mix the raw egg with all the other ingredients: prawns, minced meat, and mushrooms drenched in a savoury black sauce. Also, don’t forget to give their Sai Ka Hor ($3 for hot, $5 for cold) a try. This indulgent drink blends tea and milo for a sweet and refreshing treat.Â
Read our Great Nanyang Heritage Cafe review.
Tanjong Pagar outlet
Address: 5 Craig Road, Singapore 089665
Opening hours: Daily 7:30am to 3pm, 5pm to 8:30pm
Somerset outlet
Address: 111 Somerset Rd, #01-09, Singapore 238164
Opening hours: Daily 7:30am to 8:30pm
Website
Great Nanyang Heritage Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery.Â
6. B For Bagel
B For Bagel, a popular Korean bagel brand, has come a long way since opening at Tanglin Mall in 2022. Currently, they have a total of three outlets, including one at Great World and another at Parkway Parade, though only their Tanglin Mall branch has a dine-in space.
Their display sees a huge range of bagels, and our top picks are the Bacon Cheese Omelette ($14.90) and Green Onion Cream Cheese ($7.90). These are not just great to have on the go but are also sure to fill you up! The former bagel is generously packed with an omelette, bacon, and cheddar cheese, and drizzled with dill yoghurt sauce and maple syrup as the finishing touches. Then, the latter is a lesser-seen flavour starring chewy sesame bagel loaded with cream cheese and chopped green onion.Â
Read our B For Bagel review.
Website | Full list of locations
B For Bagel is not a halal-certified eatery.
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7. Cafe Gui
Image credit: @saltyaaron
Not all brunch spots are about Western fare and floor-to-ceiling windows with plenty of sunlight. Cafe Gui in Chinatown is a great example as you can dine at a traditional Korean house-inspired space with Japanese and Korean-themed mains.
Their Dosirak ($17.90+) sells like hotcakes here. This traditional Korean-inspired lunch box comes packed with rice topped with an egg, seaweed shreds, and sesame seeds, alongside vegan luncheon meat on the side and fresh kimchi on the other. If this alone isn’t substantial enough, get the Black Truffle Gyoza ($9.90+) for five pieces of fried dumplings served with truffle mayo on the side. Finally, wash everything down with a Dalgona Honeycomb Coffee ($9.90+). This drink is essentially an iced latte topped with crunchy honeycomb toffee.
Read our Cafe Gui review.
Address: 278 South Bridge Road, #01-01, Singapore 058827
Opening hours: Thurs-Sat 10:30am to 9:30pm, Sun 10:30am to 5pm, Mon-Tue 10:30am to 6:30pm
Website
Cafe Gui is not a halal-certified eatery.
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8. Jakarta Ropang Project
Bring your loved ones to Jakarta Ropang Project, an Indonesian cafe in Somerset, to indulge in hearty Balinese rice dishes and desserts this weekend. The minimalist cafe with Bali vibes provides a cosy, inviting space for quality time over lunch or dinner.
It’s a must to get their signature Nasi Bali ($12.90++); this traditional Balinese dish sees shredded chicken and eggplant as the main ingredients, alongside some veggies, hard-boiled egg, and crackers to go with the rice. If you prefer noods to rice, consider their Sop Bakso ($11.90++): a bowl of noodles and soup with Indonesian beef balls, which are known to be firmer and meatier. And finally, end your meal on a sweet note with the Keju Coklat Susu ($7.50++), which is essentially banana fritters drenched in condensed milk and topped with cheese and chocolate sprinkles.
Read our Jakarta Ropang Project review.
Address: 111 Somerset Road, #01-08, TripleOne Somerset, Singapore 238164
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am to 10pm
Website
Jakarta Ropang Project is not a halal-certified eatery.
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9. Pancakes and Friends
Tucked away at Far East Plaza is Pancakes and Friends, a cafe serving up wallet-friendly pancakes, bagels, and rosti at nett prices.
Most of their bagels are priced under $10, such as the savoury Smoked Salmon Cheese ($8), which comes loaded with smoked salmon and fresh arugula. For something sweet, get the Hokkaido Milk Pancake ($12) instead—a huge plate of souffle pancakes topped with house-made milk cream and muesli, alongside a scoop of Hokkaido milk gelato on the side.
Read our Pancakes and Friends review.
Address: 14 Scotts Road, #01-34, Far East Plaza, Singapore 228213
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 9:30pm
Website
Pancakes and Friends is not a halal-certified eatery.
This Hidden Cafe At Far East Plaza Has Affordable Bagels And Souffle Pancakes
10. Jack Marzoni’s
Jack Marzoni’s is a fairly new kid on the Bugis block. This Muslim-friendly cafe has loaded sandwiches in a range of 10 different flavours, all under $18, and is a nine-minute walk from Bugis or Jalan Besar MRT Station.
If you can’t decide what to get, go for their Cheeky Tongue ($16.90). This hearty sandwich is packed with braised beef tongue and cheek with kombu butter, mozzarella, seared tomatoes, pickled salad, fried shallots, and kerisik cream cheese. For the uninitiated, kerisik is grated coconut that’s fried and pounded to achieve a paste-like consistency! Then there’s Burrrrr ($13.90), which sees burrata, smashed hashbrowns, sauteed bell peppers and peach for a sweet-savoury finish.
Read our Jack Marzoni’s review.Â
Address: 7 Jalan Pisang, Singapore 199074
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11am to 9pm
Website
Jack Marzoni’s is not a halal-certified eatery.
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Best cheap cafes in Singapore
With this handy list of cheap cafes in Singapore, the 9% GST will be less of a problem for your wallet. If you’re on a tighter budget, worry not—check out our guide to cheap Korean food places in Singapore. Otherwise, find out the best cheap restaurants in Singapore.
30 Must-Try Cheap Restaurants In Singapore, Including Those With Mains Under $10
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