This Underrated Cafe Is My New Favourite Brunch Spot In Jalan Besar—Here’s Why

Space 23 is an underrated brunch cafe in Jalan Besar

Jalan Besar is full of under-the-radar food gems, from Asylum Coffeehouse‘s delicious Mont Blanc to the famous Jin Xi Lai BCM. On a recent stroll, I stumbled upon another underrated cafe: Space 23, a relatively new brunch and coffee spot conveniently located along the main stretch of shophouses.

Despite opening only in June 2025, Space 23 has already earned an impressive 4.9-star Google rating from over 400 reviews. Personally, I’ve visited the cafe more than five times and can confidently say it’s become one of my go-to spots for coffee and brunch in the area. Keep reading to find out why!

Food at Space 23

All-day breakfast is available, with a small selection of mains served from 11am onwards. During our lunch visit, we tried the Salmon Mentaiko Donburi ($21+): short-grain rice topped with miso corn, tamago, and a generous slab of torched salmon with mentaiko mayo.

The star of the bowl was the salmon fillet, a generous portion for the price. The fish was cooked perfectly, with slightly crispy skin that paired beautifully with the creamy, umami-rich mentaiko mayo.

I also enjoyed the smoky note from the torched salmon, which added a charred depth that elevated the donburi bowl.

If you only have room for one main, go for the Blueberry Pancake ($17+). Usually cooked in a cast-iron pan and finished in the oven, these thick hotcakes have been trending on social media, and Space 23 puts its own twist on this brunch favourite.

When I first tried them a few months ago, I was blown away. Thick and fluffy with a lightly crisped, caramelised edge, they were the hotcakes of my dreams. I’m happy to report they’re consistently excellent—this was my third time ordering them, and they didn’t disappoint.

You don’t really need extra sweetness, as the hotcake is already lightly sweetened, but you can drizzle some maple syrup on top if you like. Special mention goes to the lemon chantilly cream, delicately scented with citrus, which paired beautifully with the juicy blueberries.

Speaking of blueberries, the cafe is generous with the fruit. As you can see from the photo above, saying the pancake was loaded with blueberries is an understatement. In spots where the berries were abundant, the pancake was a little wet from the bursting fruit, though I didn’t mind it. Otherwise, the batter remained fluffy and light.

My only minor gripe was that the butter was unsalted—but honestly, that’s nitpicking at this point.

Other than its brunch offerings, Space 23 also has a small selection of freshly baked goods displayed at the counter.

One standout is the in-house baked Lemon Drizzle Cake ($7.50+), which has earned its bestseller status for good reason.

The cake was slightly crumbly on the outside yet moist in the centre, with a bright lemon aroma and flavour that came through beautifully in every bite. It was easily one of the better lemon cakes I’ve had in recent memory.

Based on my previous visits, Space 23’s coffee and matcha latte have been consistently well executed.

The Piccolo ($5.50) is my go-to order at any cafe, and Space 23’s version didn’t disappoint. The espresso was well extracted, offering nutty, chocolatey notes that paired beautifully with the silky, creamy milk.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the Iced Matcha Latte ($8.50+). While it’s on the pricier side, the drink had the perfect ratio of milk to matcha, allowing the earthy tea notes to shine through without being overpowering. I just wish it were a tad less sweet.

Ambience at Space 23

One of my favourite things about Space 23 is its ambience. The tables are generously spaced out, so the cafe never feels cramped even when it’s busy. Floor-to-ceiling windows by the entrance let in plenty of natural light, creating a bright yet cosy atmosphere without making the space feel overly warm.

If you’re visiting on a weekday during off-peak hours, it’s also a great spot to get some work done. There are a handful of power points located around the cafe, making it easy to settle in with your laptop for a few hours. Just note that seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s worth having a backup plan if the cafe is crowded.

The cafe sits along the main stretch of shophouses at Jalan Besar, a nine-minute walk from Bendemeer MRT Station.

Space 23 – Eatbook review

Space 23 ticks all the right boxes with its cosy ambience, delicious bakes, and excellent coffee. What stands out most to me is its consistency—the food and drinks are reliably good, which is increasingly rare these days.

For more cafe recommendations, check out our guide to the best Johor Bahru cafes if you’re crossing the Causeway soon!

Otherwise, read our guide to the best 1-for-1 buffet deals this 2026 if you want a value-for-money deal.

Address: 393 Jalan Besar, Singapore 209005
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 9am to 6pm
Website
Space 23 is not halal-certified.

Photos taken by Marcus Neo.
This was an independent review by Eatbook.sg