Telok Ayer is well-known for its blend of street and cafe food in the CBD, with hawker behemoths such as Amoy Street Food Centre just a stone’s throw from hipster hotspots and cafes. With such an abundance of cafe options in the area, it may be difficult to decipher what each has to offer. To help, we’ve compiled a list of the best Telok Ayer cafes to reward yourself after a gruelling spin class.
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Image credit: @roland_of_the_lowlands
Since raising its shutters in 2014, Frenchman Franck Hardy’s My Awesome Cafe has become a stalwart amidst the Telok Ayer cafes, renowned for its tasty food and old-world charm. The cafe complements its throwback Chung Hwa Free Clinic facade with retro, industrial fittings inside. The bare bulbs and school desks imbue the space with vintage Singaporean charisma, even as you chow down on European cafe fare.
Image credit: @euniceatsalot
Their Awesome Crispy Quesadilla ($28++) makes for a great sharing meal to have with your friends and family. There are five options for you to choose from: French Shredded Duck Confit, Honey-Glazed Ham & Fresh Pineapple, Thai Inspired Beef, Spicy Lemongrass Mushroom, and Herb Chicken Breast & Sundried Tomato Pesto. An expansive menu for drinks is also available here! They have homemade sodas, along with coffee, tea, and a wide range of boozy options too.
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My Awesome Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @cafeteriors
While our previous French cafe integrated Asian culture, Merci Marcel remains firmly entrenched in its roots, making customers feel like they’ve been whisked off to a pretty Parisian street. Expanding from its original space in Tiong Bahru, this Club Street outlet has a stylish yet relaxed vibe, the kind of place you’d imagine a gaggle of pretty Parisian people would spend their Saturday at.
Image credit: @mercimarcel
It seems almost rudely stereotypical to order French Toast ($20++) at a French cafe, but whoever Marcel is, his rendition of this brunch classic is stonking. Fluffy and lightly crisp brioche slices are bathed in berries and honey for a decadent way to start the morning. This is only, however, on their brunch menu, available from 8am to 5pm. During dinnertime, sharing plates dominate the menu, with Tarte Flambee ($27++), a thin crust pizza with blue cheese, apple and bacon, and Duck Parmentier ($29++) ranking amongst the most popular choices.
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Merci Marcel is not a halal-certified eatery.
French Fold, the sister cafe to Merci Marcel, may be new, but it made its presence in Singapore known with aplomb. Specialising in Breton buckwheat galettes and French crepes, the bistro is complete with a chic Paris-style interior, framed by lush greenery.
When it comes to food, go for the No.4 ($19++), where a crispy crepe nestles cheese, egg, ham, and mushrooms, and finishes off strong with any of their sweets on the menu. We love the No.24 ($13++) crepe topped with a scoop of Sea Salt Hojicha ice cream from Birds of Paradise, but we hear rave things about the No.21 ($11++) too, topped with a 70% dark Valrhona chocolate sauce.
Check out our French Fold review.
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French Fold is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @meeniemee
Ask your nearest “white girl” about their favourite Telok Ayer cafes and Sarnies will invariably enter the conversation. This Australian-inspired cafe has become an absolute fixture in Singapore’s cafe scene, with its unpretentious and comfortable atmosphere attracting a loyal legion of regular customers.
Image credit: @_food_for_foodies_
“Sarnie” is a British-Australian slang for sandwiches, so you won’t go wrong ordering any of their eponymous items. Chicken Schnitzel ($24.20++) adds German influence to your lunchtime routine, featuring thick and juicy fried chicken cutlets between white bread. Steak Wrap ($17.60++) also makes for a substantial meal as it’s packed with grass-fed steak, mixed cheese, mixed mushrooms, scrambled eggs, and tomato relish.
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Sarnies is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @marcellameilyne
As implied by its name, Free The Robot is an android-themed cafe, with cute robot-inspired art and accessories everywhere you look. In the evening, this eccentric cafe undergoes a complete metamorphosis, becoming Bitter and Love, an uber-cool cocktail bar.
Image credit: @v.imperatix
The FTR Beef Burger ($25+) is an unpretentious and satisfying burger headlined by a juicy beef patty and robust rashers of bacon, with backup from a jiggly sunny-side-up egg. For a fresh start to the day that won’t empty your pockets, Mushroom Medley ($12+) soup and Free The Robot Signature Coffee ($6+) come to mind, the latter being a coconut-oil laced espresso.
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Free The Robot is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @lettherebe.food
Singapore’s OG cupcakery, Plain Vanilla, has a Telok Ayer cafe with an array of cafe-style fare to start your weekend on a sweet note.
Their weekend brunch includes items such as classics like Smashed Avocado Toast ($20++) and Mixed Berries French Toast ($18++). On the other hand, their weekday menu sees Banana Nutella Toast ($14++) made with caramelised banana, toasted hazelnuts, and of course, Nutella. For a savoury option, there’s the Jambon Royale ($12.50++), a deli sandwich featuring smoked ham, cheddar cheese, and a lick of wholegrain mustard.
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Plain Vanilla is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: Genius Central
Nestled in Far East Square is Genius Central, a whole foods haven amongst the Telok Ayer cafes that focuses on meals that are good for you. Most of the menu is vegan-friendly, and includes gluten-free choices too.
Image credit: Genius Central
Don’t let that put you off, as nothing on the menu is lacking in flavour. Their Vegan Zinger Burger ($20++) for instance, stars fried oyster mushrooms in a spicy batter layered with pickled greens, while the Vegan Laksa ($19++) spotlights a creamy coconutty broth loaded with nutritious greens.
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Genius Central is not a halal-certified eatery.
LUNA may be new, but this patisserie has already made a name for itself as a go-to cafe if your idea of a good brunch is just desserts. Their cakes are inspired by Asian flavours and taste as good as they look.
One of the most famous cakes to order is the Orh Nee Cake ($8.50++), where a fragrant yam paste is layered over a vanilla sponge. We also recommend their Pistachio Hazelnut ($8.50++) for a glorious combination of roasted pistachio, whipped hazelnut ganache, and vanilla cream.
Check out our full review of LUNA.
Website
LUNA is not a halal-certified eatery.
Newly opened in 2023, Hellu Coffee is located just a minute by foot from Telok Ayer MRT Station. This cosy cafe has both indoor and outdoor seats, and it can house about 16 people at once.
Known for cream coffee, their Matcha Creamu ($8.90) is a must-try. You get a dollop of house-made cream mixed with earthy matcha, which gives the drink a good balance of sweet and bitter notes. To go with your drink, we recommend their croffles in four different flavours: Maple Bacon, Spicy Tuna, Ham & Cheese, and Sesame Cream. Each croffle is priced at $7.90!
Read our Hellu Coffee review.
Website
Hellu Coffee is not a halal-certified eatery.
Maxi Coffee Bar is a cosy cafe tucked away in Ann Siang Hill, and you can easily spot their space thanks to the conspicuous theme of blue and white colours that stands out.
Fans of sweet-salty combo will dig their Miso PBJ ($5.50), a fun twist to the regular peanut butter and jelly toast. Their creative rendition features a toasted milk bun packed with house-made miso peanut butter, and of course, jam. Alternatively, get their Tuna Melt ($14), comprising melty cheddar goodness mixed with tuna mayo. They also offer unique drinks such as the Iced Cereal Milk Latte ($7.50). It’s made with a house-made cereal-infused milk and a shot of espresso.
Read our Maxi Coffee Bar review.
Website
Maxi Coffee Bar is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @the_wholekitchen
The Whole Kitchen has two outlets across Singapore, with one outlet in Katong and the other in the heart of the CBD.
Image credit: @the_wholekitchen
They take healthly food and snacks very seriously here, and you can opt for alternatives such as vegan, dairy-free, no-sugar, and low-carb versions. For starters, we recommend their gluten-free Tomato & Cheese Toastie ($9+). You can pay an additional $2+ for vegan cheese instead! There’s also a variety of salads for you to choose from, including Rainbow Raw, Kale Pesto Pasta, Clean Green Goddess, and Quinoa Salad. Each bowl is priced at $8+.
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The Whole Kitchen is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @grouptherapycafe
Another popular CBD spot is Group Therapy Coffee, a cafe located in Cross Street Exchange. Their menu sees an extensive range of mains from cheeseburgers and pasta to crepes and pancakes.
Image credit: @herdarksecret
Their Smoked Salmon Avocado Sandwich ($19+) is a constant favourite among patrons. It features sourdough with smoked salmon, avocado, a dollop of cream cheese, and a side of salad. For something more substantial, there’s the Black Truffle Chicken ($22+), a pasta dish that uses linguine as its base. It’s topped with smoked chicken, cream sauce, and shaved truffle. If you’re a fan of pancakes, get their Pancake Stack ($19+) for a hearty combination of berries, bananas, honeycomb, and maple syrup.
Website
Group Therapy Coffee is not a halal-certified eatery.
Common Man Coffee Roasters has made a name for their own with six outlets spread across the island, including one in the CBD. Their newest branch is situated in Alexandra!
Image credit: @commonmancoffee
For something more unique, try their Kouign Amann Toast ($25++) served with cherries, ice cream, plum syrup, chocolate granola nuts, flaked almonds, and a drizzle of chocolate sauce. If you’re heading down for lunch between 10am and 5pm, their Cubanos Sandwich ($29++) is worth a shot. It features ham, sliced slow cooked pork, jalapenos, pickled cucumber, mustard mayo, aged cheddar, and a side of herbed fries.
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Common Man Coffee Roasters is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @carrotsticksandcravings
Those looking for a cafe in Telok Ayer with healthy food can swing by Carrotsticks @ Stanley. The cafe has a variety of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options, making it a great spot to take friends with dietary restrictions.
Image credit: @carrotsticksandcravings
For breakfast, their Pancakes The Right Way ($23++) is worth trying. You get gluten-free and refined-sugar-free blueberry oat pancakes, topped with fresh berries, maple syrup, and Greek yoghurt. If you prefer something savoury, grab a bite from their range of sandwiches. The Cheeses Christ! ($15++) is particularly popular—sweet Japanese shokupan is packed with melty cheddar and mozzarella, then griddled till the cheese is all molten.
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Carrotsticks is not a halal-certified eatery.
Sandwiched in between Tanjong Pagar and Telok Ayer is Snap Cafe, a minimalist cafe with Korean baked goods and unique coffee drinks. When we visited, the cafe had six Korean-inspired pastries on the menu, including a Hotteok Sticky Roll ($6++) and Matcha Injeolmi Canele ($4++).
If sweets aren’t your thing, don’t worry—Snap Cafe has a handful of savoury toasties that make for a convenient, easy lunch. While the Honey-Baked Chicken Ham & Cheese ($9++) is a classic, we recommend getting their Korean fusion toasties, such as their Gochujang Prawn ($12++), instead!
Read our Snap Cafe review.
Website
Snap Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery.
Telok Ayer is one of Singapore’s most popular cafe-hopping areas, and it’s easy to see why. From classic Melbourne cafe experiences to quirky eateries with local flair and sleek patisseries, it’s hard to find a greater variety than the stream of Telok Ayer cafes that exist.
For more eats in the area, check out our Telok Ayer food guide and our Telok Ayer restaurant guide.
Feature image adapted from @herdarksecret and @the_wholekitchen
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