25 best coffee shops in Singapore for specialty brews

Making stunning coffees accessible out of a humble nook since 2019, the folks at Narrative Coffee Stand let their craft speak for themselves; it’s loud within the discerning coffee community in Singapore. While the no-frills interior design takes minimalism a little too seriously, one always finds themselves in good company of the friendly baristas, who are more than willing to serve up warm cuppas and conversations.

Tatler Tip Not in a hurry? Opt for filter coffees, from the bubblegummy watermelon honeydew-like Finca Milan from Colombia to the Ethiopian citrusy Kello Idido.

Narrative Coffee Stand
Address: Blk 231 Bain Street, #01-05,  Bras Basah Complex, S(180231)

Bridging the gap between the coffee enthusiast and the small independent coffee grower, Cata Coffee is an independent roastery that recently unveiled a brick-and-mortar cafe in vibrant Joo Chiat. Quality and seasonality are, first and foremost, of utmost reverence in this joint. Led by founders Han and Marian, the husband-and-wife duo don’t just aim to serve a good cup of coffee, they go the extra mile to consciously honour the provenance and people behind each bean, offering one of the best bean-to-cup experiences in town. The attention to detail is impeccable, from the brewing specifics that go into each cup to the unpretentious spatial design that features mainly ethically sourced raw materials.

Tatler Tip The current space is shared with Saga Bakeshop, whose naturally leavened sourdough and bakes go hand in hand with Cata’s stellar pours.

Cata Coffee
Address: 56 Joo Chiat Place, S(427780)

Recently opened along buzzy Neil Road, Caracara quickly rose to prominence, thanks to its ultra-intentional spatial design. From aesthetically pleasing woodwork applied in various eye-catching mediums to dottings of lush greenery, the space is picture-perfect. But what matters most to us is ultimately the coffee. Here, the “Aurora” beans take centre stage. A straight pour—without milk, if you may—lives up to its hype: it offers a sultry and nectary finish and even a hint of rum. 

Tatler Tip For coffee drinkers who prefer their latte or cappuccino, Caracara’s special milk blend is an indulgent mix of whole milk and chocolate milk.

Caracara
Address: 77 Neil Road, Level 1, S(088903)

Run by a serious band of coffee lovers, brew junkies and roast masters, Pocket by Flip Coffee Roasters is the coffee scene’s little secret. Instead of snooty aficionados and judgy baristas, the vibe is welcoming and at times, educational and informative for the open-minded. While the double house ‘spro’ (barista speak for espresso) is the choice pour, there are also the usual suspects from the classic black and white options to even the filthy pour. The single-origin coffee selection is meticulously curated, featuring a rotating selection of the best beans of the season.

Tatler Tip Pocket by Flip Coffee Roaster also brews with water specifics, which contains three unique mineral concentrates, promising a smoother and tastier cup.

Pocket by Flip Coffee Roasters
Address: 619H Bukit Timah Road, S(269728)

In the heartlands of Bukit Merah is Rookie’s Coffee, a cosy caffeinated coffee shop run by former Aeropress champion Junior Lim. Despite the no-frills yet industrial-inspired interiors, Lim’s genuine hospitality and dedication to craft allow Rookie’s to stand out from many. Of course, Aeropress-brewed coffee is available, and one can cherry-pick from Lim’s seasonal selection that may hail from Kenya, Ethiopia, Guatemala, and more. When the hole-in-the-wall cafe is full indoors, outdoor camping chairs are a common sight—that is where it feels truly communal.

Tatler Tip While there isn’t a menu, Lim’s offers up homemade bakes in limited quantities every day so that the peckish can pair their coffees with a light snack

Rookie’s Coffee Shop
Address: 123 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-112, S(150123)

Keep an eye out for an empty wine bottle hung by a stairway entrance along Circular Road, and you’ll find Ceres Haus. The second-floor shophouse cafe is a masterclass in minimalist interiors. The philosophy extends to the coffee menu, offering a tight curation of beans that can be expressed in classic coffee styles and pour-overs. When the sun goes down, the space transforms into a natural wine bar for those who love their vino too.

Tatler Tip The popular dirty oat chai is served in limited portions daily, and the madeleines are baked fresh upon order

Ceres Haus
Address: 18A Circular Road, S(049374)

Come lunchtime, discerning coffee folks in the CBD flock to this coffee shop, no matter the time crunch. Known for its signature creamu coffee, the toothsome serve takes after the once-viral Einspanner coffee but is only perfected. But if you’re not after something fancy, the regular pours promise consistency and well, quality. The house coffee beans at Hellu Coffee are a tried-and-tested blend of darker roast beans from Brazil and India, redolent of chocolate and drinks nuttier than floral.

Tatler Tip Got time to spare? Kick back in the 15-seater, where beautiful earthenware and rustic earth tones hug the space, and the friendly baristas welcome with a smile.

Hellu Coffee
Address: 137 Amoy Street, #01-05, Far East Square, S(049965)
 

Dawn Kissa is a popular coffee shop that is a portal to some quiet amid the buzzy central district. It earns brownie points for serving up satisfying cups of coffee alongside downright delicious bakes. At the coffee bar, both single-origin beans and seasonal beans are offered so one can enjoy favourite coffee classics such as Americanos, lattes, flat whites and more. For those who enjoy filter coffee, you’ll have options here too.

Tatler Tip Don’t leave without a slice of the crowd-pleasing galette, or the chewy dark chocolate cookies

Dawn Kissa
Address: 78 South Bridge Road, S(058708)

At this speciality coffee shop, look forward to a variety of fresh cups featuring beans sourced from independent farmers across the world. While featured beans rotate regularly, you can expect brews like the light to medium Ethiopian gesha, a bright roast with fruity and earthy notes. Beans are also available for purchase in-store and online.

Tatler Tip Besides classic black and white coffee, look out for unique cups like the macadamia latte.

Glass Roasters
Address: 108 Faber Dr, Singapore 129418

Trust the folks at Kings Cart to push the envelope in the sphere of coffee innovation. Besides serving up great classic coffees, Kings Cart Coffee Factory showcases innovative cups, including flat white, coconut latte and mocha bloom. The latter is a vegan concoction comprising Oatside chocolate milk, coffee and orange; have a sip and revel in creamy and zesty flavours.

Tatler Tip If you need something with a kick, try its coffee cocktails, like the tropical cold brew highball, a blend of Singapore Dry Gin, Curacao and pineapple.

Kings Cart Coffee Factory
Address: 328 Joo Chiat Rd, #01-05, Singapore 427585

Kurasu brings Japan’s coffee culture to Singapore. Each week, beans are roasted in Kyoto, Japan, before being shipped here. Its aromatic house blend is dark roasted and rich with flavours of orange peel and dark chocolate. But if you prefer something lighter, the house blend medium has a caramel candy-like sweetness with notes of cacao and dried prune.

Tatler Tip Ask for the ceremonial grade matcha for a multi-sensory treat

Kurasu Singapore
Address: 261 Waterloo Street, 01-24, S(180261)

Apart from brunch fare, this Japanese roastery offers an extensive selection of coffee featuring in-house roasted beans sourced from Indonesia, Nicaragua, Rwanda and more. Try its signature blend, made with beans from Brazil and Indonesia. Have a sip and revel in strong and complex flavours, balanced with light citrusy notes.

Tatler Tip If you prefer a lighter roast, ask for the light blend, which delivers more floral and citrus aromas.

Takagi Coffee
Address: 100 Tras Street, 01-14B, S(079027)

Things always tastes better when it’s for a good cause. Foreword Coffee Roasters embraces inclusivity by providing employment opportunities to those with disabilities and special needs. When it comes to brews, the social outfit’s coffee sourcing philosophy focuses on sourcing directly from smallholder farms in Asia, including China, Laos, Thailand and Indonesia.

Tatler Tip For something special, try the Hello Neighbour, a fresh addition with rich notes of cherry, dark chocolate and raisins.

Foreword Coffee Roasters (multiple locations)
Address: 28 Orchard Road, S(238832), +65 8949 0142

Nylon Coffee prides itself on its sustainable sourcing of coffee beans through its visits to farms and cooperatives in El Salvador, Nicaragua, Ethiopia and more, meaning a diverse range of premium coffee that’s perfect for a midday perk.

Tatler Tip Savour filter highlights like Rwanda Aime Gitesi by Gahizi, which carries floral and fruity notes of dried orange, plum, red apples, and chrysanthemum.

Nylon Coffee Roasters
Address: 4 Everton Park 01-40, S(080004), +65 6220 2330

Quietly situated between Club Street and Ann Siang Hill is this cosy coffee bar. Apart from regular mainstays, this coffee shop is also known for its unique cups, like The Dirty, a cheeky take on the dirty chai, promising a fragrant mix of oat milk, house-made seven-spice chai, and cold brew. The joint replaces the traditional espresso shot with a cold brew, resulting in a stronger and smoother finish.  

Tatler Tip The crowd-pleasing iced cereal milk latte is a popular choice that sees a mix of aromatic espresso topped with house-made cereal milk. The result is a sweet and creamy cup, with nutty flavours and a smooth finish.

Maxi Coffee Bar
Address: 6 Ann Siang Hill, S(069787), +65 9776 7400

This artisanal coffee bar offers a simple selection of coffee, aromatic teas and special lattes. Its espresso is a classic and is brewed using medium-roasted Allpress Espresso Blend, comprising coffee beans from Brazil, Sumatra, Colombia and Guatemala. It’s the perfect morning pick-me-up with its rich blend boasting notes of caramel and cocoa.

Tatler Tip The vibey second outlet sits in the heart of Holland Village, pairing signature brews alongside a unique collaboration with home goods outfit Sunday Bedding

Mavrx Coffee Bar
Address: 1 Kim Seng Promenade, 01-129 Great World Office Lobby, S(237994), +65 8780 3813

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This coffee joint keeps your daily caffeine ritual exciting with its impressive selection of coffee. Its flagship outlet, located at Khong Guan Building, offers stellar options which rotate on a regular basis. Apart from classics, they also have delectable signature blends to cater to discerning coffee enthusiasts.

Tatler Tip Try Equilibrium, a balanced blend that brings together a mellow acidity from Gaitania beans and sweet toffee flavours from Pixcaya beans.

Alchemist (multiple locations)
Address: 5 Jalan Kilang, #02-02 The Mill, S(159405)

Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee is only a few years old, but it has a fifty-year legacy going back to co-founder Mr Jacob Tan’s father, coffee connoisseur Mr Tan Tiong Hoe. Today, Tiong Hoe carries at least 20 different origins of specialty coffee across Africa, Asia, and South and Central America. Try the Missing Ruby, a blend of Ethiopian and Brazilian beans for fruity notes and a chocolate finish that will satisfy both lovers of fruitier and nuttier coffees.

Tatler Tip Go for the Jet Candy if you’re looking for a burnt caramel, chocolate aroma to your espresso.

Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee
Address: 170 Stirling Road, 01-1133, S(140170)

Nestled in an old hardware shophouse on Tyrwhitt Road in Jalan Besar is Chye Seng Huat Hardware Coffee Bar, a place whose diverse range of coffee charms as much as its Art Deco exteriors. 

Tatler Tip For a burst of unique flavours, try the Ethiopian Bensa Shanteweni, processed in an anaerobic environment for 72 hours to get a flavour profile that’s boozy and reminiscent of starfruit, mango, and cacao nibs. For a cup closer to home, go for the Indonesian Muhlisin, a sweeter coffee that carries notes of pineapple, rock melon, and Maraschino cherry. 

Chye Seng Huat Hardware Coffee Bar
Address: 150 Tyrwhitt Road, S(207563), +65 6299 4321

Tucked in Jalan Bukit Merah, Round Boy Roasters offers a passion reserved for producing the best cup of joe for coffee aficionados. Here, beans sourced from Colombia and Ethiopia are degassed after roasting, ensuring that they retain their robust flavour for a complex coffee. Premium offerings include the Konga Amederaro, a bean grown in the Yirgacheffe highlands to produce a coffee with profiles of wild berries, black tea, and honey.

Tatler Tip Enjoy a cup redolent of whisky and overripe apricots? The Santa Monica grown in Armenia, Quindio region in Colombia, is a stellar choice, featuring a dry anaerobic fermentation process, and is placed in rum barrels for 20 days.

Round Boy Roasters
Address: 146 Jalan Bukit Merah, #01-1092, S(160146), +65 8874-1998

Apartment Coffee’s coffee studio at its corner on Selegie Road provides a rich variety of premium coffees and blends. You can sip on coffee sourced from the main coffee-producing regions of the world. Beans from Kintamani, Bali, for one, are handpicked, dry fermented, then dried in a carbon dioxide-rich environment. It produces a full-bodied coffee with hints of redcurrant and a sweetness that’s best enjoyed sitting in Apartment Coffee’s calming, white interiors, savouring its depth and complexity. 

Tatler Tip Expect no lulls at this exemplary coffee shop; even more so after clinching the 6th Best Coffee Shop in the World and 1st in Asia at The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops award ceremony in February 2025.

Apartment Coffee
Address: 139 Selegie Rd, #01-01, S(188309)

Generation Coffee is shaking up the hawker centre scene by blending specialty coffee with local favourites at its humble corner at Tekka Hawker Centre. Beans are roasted every Monday and Thursday, ensuring a fresh cup of coffee no matter when you drop by. Your classic latte or espresso will be made with its range of coffee beans sourced from Colombia, Ethiopia, Nicaragua, and Indonesia.

Tatler Tip The Pioneer Blend here is a twist on the traditional local coffee, made with Brazil Arabica and Vietnam Robusta to mimic the boldness and intensity of the sugar or margarine that’s typically added in the roasting process, but omitted here. Enjoy it with condensed milk as a traditional kopi or evaporated milk as a Kopi-C, or simply with sugar with Kopi-O.

Generation Coffee (multiple locations)
Address: 665 Buffalo Rd, #01-321, S(210665), +65 8891 2911

PPP Coffee is the parent company of Chye Seng Huat Hardware, and at its small outlet at Funan, you’ll be treated to the same high-quality coffee. The filter menu changes every day with a different daily batch brew made with beans sourced from Brazil, India, Peru, Brazil, and Ethiopia. You’ll even be able to choose a filter coffee from a curated frozen collection of vintage coffees from 2009.

Tatler Tip If you’re looking for a twist on the classic iced latte, you’ll find that at PPP Coffee too. With Papa’s Iced Coffee, you’ll get homemade coffee jelly with your latte to turn your midday perk into a dessert. 

PPP Coffee (multiple outlets)
Address: 107 North Bridge Rd, #02-19, Singapore 179105, +65 6299 4321

Glyph Supply Co is another minimalist café at Somerset with an impressive array of specialty coffee. Besides a simple coffee menu that includes an oat cold brew for a smoother finish, there’s an extensive filter menu that will please coffee connoisseurs.

Tatler Tip If you’re looking for a fruity filter coffee, go for CCD Don Ruben No. 16 from Panama, which gives off complex flavours of stewed pineapple, mango, and hawthorn flower. The Finca El Retiro from El Salvador doesn’t disappoint either, with a taste reminiscent of stone fruits and black tea.

Glyph Supply Co
Address: 1 Venture Avenue, #02-04, S(608521)

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