Rise Review: Pastel Cafe In Potong Pasir With Brown Butter Waffles And Black Sesame Cakes

Rise cafe has gelato, waffles, and cakes in Potong Pasir

I feel like I have a knack for unearthing hidden dessert cafes in Singapore. While I’d like to think that it’s a hidden talent, it’s more probable that it comes from an intrinsic motivation—knowing that such knowledge will come in handy when going on dates. Recently, I discovered Rise, an under-HDB cafe in Potong Pasir that serves coffee, fresh waffles and gelato, as well as artisanal cakes. I was incredibly thrilled to try out what they had to offer.

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Food at Rise

We started with the Brown Butter Waffles ($7.90), which we topped with a Double Scoop ($7.90) of gelato for extra indulgence. The first flavour we tried was Shizuoka Genmaicha, one of their premium flavours available at a top-up of $1. The earthy notes of green tea were prominent on the first bite, rounded off by the roasted flavour of brown rice. Its strong taste might be a tad overwhelming for some, but I found it a refreshing change from the usual matcha.

We got the Earl Grey Lavender for our other scoop. I particularly enjoyed the citrusy taste of bergamot and floral fragrance of lavender here, which was well-balanced and light on the palate. 

The brown butter waffles here lean dense, with a crispy exterior and fluffy interior. I appreciated how the buttery waffles complemented the gelato well, allowing its flavour to shine without being too overpowering. Don’t forget to drizzle these with maple syrup for an additional touch of sweetness. 

We tried some of their signature cakes, such as Yuzu Mascarpone Cheesecake ($8.20), a Japanese-inspired cake which features rich, creamy cheese and yuzu puree atop a golden graham cracker base. I was won over by its refreshing, tangy hit, with the delightfully crispy base adding some texture to the luscious cheesecake. 

Another cake we tried was the Black Sesame Kinako Cake ($8.20). This cake sports a black sesame sponge with soy chantilly cream and black sesame ganache, dusted with kinako powder on top. I’d recommend this cake only if you’re a fan of the bold, nutty flavour of black sesame; otherwise, it might be too cloying.

Rise also offers a selection of specialty coffee and drinks, starting from $4 for a single shot of Espresso. An interesting beverage that caught my eye was Grape Yakult Honey Sencha ($6.50), which sees Japanese sencha mixed with grape Yakult, before being topped with honey. Being a tea-lover who also grew up drinking Yakult, this was a refreshing and fun treat with sweet, fruity, and grassy notes. This drink is an acquired taste, so it’ll take a while to get accustomed to it.

If the previous item sounds too exotic for you, consider going for the Orange Chocolate ($7.50), an iced chocolate infused with orange, and topped with a slice of orange. After giving the drink a thorough mix, I enjoyed the combination of rich, intense chocolatey notes with tangy citrus hints. 

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Ambience at Rise

Decked in light pink interiors and chic wood furnishings, Rise is the perfect place to unwind with its clean, tranquil vibes. The cafe is also well-lit with a large circular window that allows natural light to stream in, adding a sense of cosiness while you enjoy your desserts. However, the cafe is rather small, so you’ll have to factor in additional waiting time during their busy periods—especially during the weekends.

Rise is a convenient two-minute walk from Potong Pasir MRT Station.

The verdict

While I feel the items at Rise lean pricey, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed their desserts, especially their gelato and Grape Yakult Honey Sencha. Their unique flavours undoubtedly challenged my taste buds, and were memorable enough to tempt me to come back to try out their other items. I’d be more than happy to bring my girlfriend here for future dates—that is, if I do get one sometime soon.

If you’re hunting for more cafes, check out Equate Coffee, which has sandos, croissants, and filter coffee at Orchard Central. Otherwise, if you’re a fan of durians, you’d probably love Ms Durian, which has durian high tea and Mao Shang Wang cakes.

Address: 148 Potong Pasir Avenue 1, #01-53, Singapore 350148
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs, Sun 10am to 6pm, Fri-Sat 10am to 9pm
Website
Rise is not a halal-certified eatery.

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Photos taken by Tan Jia Hui.
This was an independent review by Eatbook.sg