Momolato Review: Popular Gelato Cafe Opens In Bugis With Kunafa Waffle, Smash Burgers And More

Momolato opens in Bugis with famous gelato and more

If you’re like me and can’t resist indulging in sweet treats, Momolato is the place to go. With the recent opening of its second outlet at North Bridge Road, this dessert haven blends the latest food trends with an impressive menu of desserts, savoury mains, and premium gelato crafted by an award-winning gelato master—all at nett prices.

Sharon Tay, the founder of Momolato, is a gelato champion who clinched the top prize at the Asia Pacific leg of the Gelato World Tourn in 2017, and represented Singapore at the Gelato World Tour Finals in Italy two years later. 

Food at Momolato

Upon entering Momolato, you’re greeted by a generous, vibrant display of 24 gelato flavours, each more tempting than the last. The gelato is priced from $5.30 for a single scoop, with an additional $1 required for premium flavours. The most popular choices are the Hibiscus Apple and Chocolate Hazelnut Kunafa, while the Yuzu Hibiscus Flower is one of Sharon’s personal favourites. 

The Hibiscus Apple gelato is a crowd favourite for a good reason. Made with apple bits, this gelato boasted a refreshing flavour and a delicate floral undertone, perfect to have on a sunny day. 

Feeling adventurous, we tried the Mango Chilli Lime gelato. Despite its name, it wasn’t as spicy as we had anticipated. Instead, the subtle kick of spices beautifully complemented the tangy sweetness of the mango, creating a perfectly balanced and unexpected treat.

We also tried their highly anticipated Kunafa Waffle Series. The Sicilian Pistachio Kunafa Waffle ($21) features a waffle topped with a generous layer of kunafa, caramelised bananas, fresh figs, and a scoop of gelato for textural contrast. 

The boat-shaped waffle added a unique twist, offering something a little different from the usual circular or rectangular waffles.

The waffle was thick and hefty—it could easily pass off as a meal! We loved how the buttery richness of the waffle paired seamlessly with the nutty, velvety pistachio gelato and the crisp kunafa, creating a medley of textures and flavours with every mouthful. We recommend drizzling the chocolate sauce bit by bit so it doesn’t get cloying towards the end. 

Next was the Korean Strawberry Cheesecake Fried Mochi Gelato ($12). At first glance, the dessert looked a tad underwhelming, but it only took one bite to know that I was too quick to judge. The mochi was perfectly soft on the inside and deep-fried to achieve a golden brown crisp on the outside. The sweet strawberry drizzle on top complemented the dessert beautifully, though I wished the cheese in the gelato was more pronounced.

The Yellow Fever ($16), a mango pudding paired with coconut gelato, was a sweet-tangy dessert. The mango sauce added a refreshing zest, perfectly complementing the spongy and thick consistency of the pudding.

Aside from the sweet treats, Momolato has an entirely separate menu of savoury dishes. The sweet-savoury Fried Buttermilk Garlic Chicken Waffle ($16.90) did not disappoint. I appreciated that the chicken tenders were delightfully meaty, with just the right amount of batter to give them a satisfying crunch. Also, enjoying the chicken with the waffles was easy as the tenders came in strips instead of one huge piece.

Like the Sicilian Pistachio Kunafa Waffle, the waffle served with this dish was thick and filling, and unquestionably worth every buck.

We also had to try their Momo Smashed Burger ($22), which featured a double layer of Australian grass-fed beef patties with cheddar, cheese sauce, caramelised onions, pickles, and fried mozzarella that delivered a satisfying crunch. This dish was paired with freshly fried, well-seasoned fries. While the beef patty didn’t have a wow factor, it comfortably met the standard for a good, juicy burger patty.

You can also find the popular cheese coin bread here, a cheesy, savoury treat that went viral in 2024. The Cheddar Cheese Coin ($6.50) was crisp on the outside with gooey cheese on the inside. It was indulgent yet light enough to enjoy as a snack or a side dish.

For drinks, we tried their Emerald Beast ($8.50) and Lilac Cream ($7.50). 

I really enjoyed the former in green, which boasted a rich blend of roasted Sicilian pistachios, creamy pistachio milk, and bold espresso, topped with chewy warabimochi for a delightful mix of flavours and textures. 

On the other hand, I didn’t fancy the Lilac Cream, made primarily with ube milk and espresso, as I’m not particularly fond of ube. Nevertheless, the presentation deserves praise; I loved the addition of the vibrant flower petals on top. 

Ambience at Momolato

Momolato’s second outlet at New Bridge Road is slightly bigger than its sister outlet at Haji Lane. The cosy 20-seater charms with its warm, inviting interior, featuring soft lighting and thoughtfully arranged seating that encourages intimate conversations and relaxation. Just a nine-minute walk from Bugis or Jalan Besar MRT Station, it’s a convenient spot for those seeking a quiet escape to enjoy excellent gelato and desserts. 

The verdict

Momolato may be on the pricey side, but for the quality of food served during our visit, I’d totally come back to try other menu items.

That’s not all. You’ll be happy to know that Momolato is also open till 1am on selected days—good news for the night owls!

For more supper recommendations, check out our list of late-night dessert places in Singapore. Or if you can’t have enough ice cream, read our guide to the best waffles and ice cream shops in Singapore!

Address: 723 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198691
Opening hours: Sun, Tue-Thurs 11am to 11pm, Fri-Sat 11am to 1am
Tel: 9679 7268
Website
Momolato is in the process of getting halal certified.

Photos taken by Paula Formantes.
This was a media tasting at Momolato.