Cover Food spread at Lou Shang, the new sister bar to Mama Diam that has gone viral on TikTok and Instagram (Photo: Mama Diam)
Food spread at Lou Shang, the new sister bar to Mama Diam that has gone viral on TikTok and Instagram (Photo: Mama Diam)
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From authentic German pretzels and book-themed cafés to a vintage clothing blended concept, here are all the new cafés to visit this month
Just when we thought everything had been done in the café scene here, some ingenious minds are proving us wrong with the most charming and exciting café concepts thus far. Take Uptown, a vintage clothing retail-café blended concept by former fashion buyer Timothy Koh, or Book Bar, which shines a spotlight on Singaporean literature. For those with an eye for retro aesthetics, head to Lou Shang, the new Dhoby Ghaut café that has gone viral online for looking exactly like an HDB block.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for authentic German pretzels, make your way down to Park Bäckerei, which offers classic Swabian-style pretzels, bagels, and sandwiches. For a delightful Japanese-Italian twist, head to Onné, which offers delicious pastas, rice bowls, and mochi waffles.
Don’t miss: 5 trendiest cafés in Singapore to visit this August
1. Park Bäckerei
Above Swabian-style pretzels from Park Bäckerei
Swabian-style pretzels from Park Bäckerei
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You don’t have to go to Germany to find authentic German pretzels. Park Bäckerei, located at Icon Village at Tanjong Pagar, is opened by German-native Dennis von Berlepsch and his wife Jane Lee Richard, who have perfected the hand-shaped Swabian-style pretzels from southwest Germany. Each pretzel is dipped in a traditional lye solution for its beautiful, characteristic brown crust. Also on the menu are adorable pretzel buns shaped like hedgehogs and filled with a homemade caramel spread. If you’re looking for a quick weekday lunch, opt for the savoury bagels and sandwiches, such as the Caprese pesto bagel and the “Sausage Kraut” sandwich starring smoked bratwurst and crispy fried onions.
Park Bäckerei, 12 Gopeng Street, 01-41/42 and 52/53, S(078877), +65 8756 2029
2. Book Bar
Bibliophiles here have long dreamed of more spaces to chill, eat and read in the good company of books. At Book Bar, you can do exactly that. This independent bookstore-cum-café spotlights Singaporean voices in literature alongside a café menu that includes drinks like coffee and green tea, perfect when served with pandan chiffon cake and kaya. As for food, munch on sides like truffle fries and onion rings, or go for sandwiches as simple as a grilled cheese or as magnificent as a croque madame or a roast beef sandwich.
Book Bar, 57 Duxton Road, S(089521), +65 8398 7871
3. Onné
The latest in a long line of Japanese-Italian fusion eateries, Onné sets itself apart with its ingenious pasta creations such as the carbonara miso, replacing the usual guanciale (cured pork jowl) with a torched miso pork jowl instead. If not in the mood for pasta, go for donburi bowls such as the “Melting Beef don”, which features pan-seared beef over fluffy Japanese rice, accompanied by truffle and an onsen egg. But do make sure to order its signature mochi waffles, which comes in flavours like charcoal and matcha green tea, to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Onné, 5 Kampong Bahru Road, S(169341), +65 9760 4004
Read more: The best fusion restaurants in Singapore
4. Lou Shang
Above Coffee at Lou Shang (Photo: Mama Diam)
Coffee at Lou Shang (Photo: Mama Diam)
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This HDB-themed café in Dhoby Ghaut has been making its rounds on social media for its imaginative replication of HDB blocks from a not-so-distant past. Fans love the inherent charm of this hidden café, which pays homage to HDB estates built in the ‘70s and ‘80s. A hidden elevator within sister bar Mama Diam takes you up to the café, which offers local classics served with a twist. A crab and ricotta ravioli, for instance, is tossed in a chilli crab sauce, while tiger prawns and Nonya chicken curry are served alongside a French baguette. Here, even the iconic Chinese herbal syrup Pei Pa Koa is made into a latte, perfect for washing this hearty café fare down.
Make sure to stick around by night, where the space turns into a cocktail bar. Creations include the “Osmanthus”, after the classic Chinese dessert, starring osmanthus-infused Old Tom gin, Barsol Pisco Quebranta, Lilet Blanc, and St-Germain.
Lou Shang, 38 Prinsep Street, 02-02, S(188665), +65 8714 0012
5. Uptown
The perfect spot for café-hoppers and vintage clothing shoppers alike, Uptown is a new café along Zion Road that’s the brainchild of former fashion buyer Timothy Koh. Here, delights like truffle cream pasta and kimchi fried chicken burger rub shoulders with vintage Céline and Louis Vuitton bags, as well as a curated range of apparel that will appeal to anyone looking to refresh their wardrobe. Don’t forget to fill up on creative spins on local and international cuisines, like the “Butter Chicken naan’wich”, featuring fluffy pieces of naan wrapped around a butter chicken filling.
Uptown, 55 Zion Road, S(247780)
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About
Ethan is a dining writer with Tatler Singapore. Trained in literary arts and filmmaking, their work has previously been published in Esquire Singapore, Men's Folio, and with the Asian Film Archive and the Singapore International and Film Festival, across a wide range of interests from gastronomy to fashion and arts criticism.
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Ethan writes about exciting news in the F&B industry, specialising in fine dining, exclusive spirits launches, and new restaurants. They are always looking for riveting voices to bring something fresh to an already-dynamic industry.
Follow them on Instagram at @faustiangourmand.
