The best patisseries in Singapore for scintillating sweet treats

The chic yet monastic Lobby Bar at The Singapore Edition is where mid-day revellers and discerning sweet tooths can now muse over French viennoiseries and dainty entremets alongside some serious bubbles. From the whimsical Grand Cru Cacao, a chocolate lover’s dream crafted from rich Ghanaian chocolate, to the refreshing Tarte Citron Kochi Yuzu, which features yuzu jelly atop a crumbly vanilla almond tart shell, each creation is a feast for the senses.

The pièce de résistance has to be the Le Royale Noisette Praline, an indulgent treat that marries milk gianduja ganache with dark chocolate hazelnut mousse, all resting on a crunchy base of chocolate biscuit and hazelnut feuilletine.

Lobby Bar at The Singapore Edition
Address: 38 Cuscaden Road, Level 1, The Singapore Edition, S(249731)

There’s nothing flaky about Queic by Olivia’s undisputed title as Singapore’s favourite cheesecake; it does not need further introduction. With the opening of a second outlet in Scotts Square along Orchard Road, it means only one thing: more cheesecake for everyone. While most seek the signature Olivia, a clever combination of velvety thick blue cheese cream and crumbly almond sable crust base, the hyper-realistic speciality cheesecake selection is equally tempting. Think cheeses of brie, gruyère, valençay and stilton, all made to look as is. But slice into one of the artful entremets and one will discover that it is, after all, cake—a perfect accompaniment to a dinner party.

And if you’re still not over the Basque burnt cheesecake craze, Queic may still be the best spot in town to enjoy one today.

Queic by Olivia
Address: 41 Kreta Ayer Road, S(089003) or 6 Scotts Road, #B1-25, S(282209)

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As for homegrown pastry darlings, Banelé takes the cake. As advertised, it is not quite banana bread, brownie or canelé. Instead, it is a plump square with a beautifully caramelised crust and moist centre chock-full of banana and chocolatey goodness. It is no wonder the internet went nuts over this newfound creation. Now, the former teacher turned accidental home baker is cashing in with a brick-and-mortar outlet to satiate her fervent fans. On the menu, there are three main flavours: classic with Valrhona Guanaja 70 per cent dark chocolate centre; almond, replacing chocolate with Valrhona ground almond couverture; and contrasting peanut butter and jelly.

Fervent fans would know to keep their eyes peeled on Banelé’s socials for when they announce seasonal specials. For maximum pleasure, eat while warm. The dessert joint also serves proper caffeinated brews, using only arabica beans from Parallel Coffee Roasters.

Banelé
Address: 36H Dunearn Road, #02-44, Chancery Court, S(309433)

Cult patisserie Lee’s Confectionery returns in the form of Nickel. Once tucked away under an HDB estate in Jurong East, the patisserie café—known to produce restaurant-quality desserts—has found itself a cosy new home on Middle Road. The new moniker takes after the French saying of C’est Nickel which means great or perfect.

Holding down the fort is chef-owner Lee Yin Quan, who honed his French pastry skills at Ferrandi Paris, one of Europe’s most prestigious culinary institutes. Besides viennoiseries and coffees, most should make a beeline for the signature Madu. This original is a whimsical hexagon-shaped cake made using honey caramel, dusted with cornflake crumble and topped with Horlicks flavoured ice cream. For seasonal entremets and specials, look out for Lee’s Instagram where he regularly teases upcoming releases.

Nickel
Address: 258 Middle Road, #01-01, S(188987)

Fans of French pastry chef Cédric Grolet won’t have to hop on a plane to Paris or London for a taste of his pastries with the opening of his first outlet at Como Orchard. Here, he serves signature and Singapore-exclusive trompel’œil, or desserts that bear an uncanny resemblance to the fruits they are inspired by. Take, for instance, the lychee, which reveals an aromatic fruit gel specked with bits of fresh lychee and coconut ganache once the ultra-thin white chocolate shell is cracked apart.

Other eye-catching versions include cameos of luscious purple dragonfruit, tropical mango and lemon. These are complemented by classic viennoiseries, among which are the pain au chocolat and croissant, which you can dip in a hot cup of coffee—just how Grolet enjoys them.

Cédric Grolet Singapore
Address: 30 Bideford Road, Level 1, COMO Orchard, S(229922)

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Japanese pastry chef Makoto Arami believes that desserts are no afterthought, and he showcases this in his brand new Kyo Machiya-inspired concept hidden in the tranquillity of Scotts Road. There, an encompassing experience of a pastry-led chef’s table discovery menu awaits where he fuses classic French techniques he learnt in renowned kitchens like Biege Alain Ducasse in Ginza, Japan with his Japanese heritage to create desserts that toe the fine line between sweet and savoury.

Arami’s alcohol-infused seasonal fruit tarts are always a massive hit, especially the best-selling Shizuoka crown melon tart, made up of beautiful layers of Cointreau vanilla custard within flaky filo tarte and textures of crown melon balls. His creations are fine examples of the shokunin spirit.

Ami Patisserie
Address: 27 Scotts Road, S(228222)

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By Clé translating to ‘key’ in French, local pastry chefs Germaine Li and Joy Chiam meant for their French pastries to be the key to the hearts of their customers. At their biggest and newest outlet in River Valley, one that remains highly sought after today is the orh blanc tart. A Teochew yam dessert version of the classic Mont Blanc dessert, it showcases a harmony of coconut cream, fresh yam purée, vanilla Chantilly, and a candied ginkgo nut. Weaving in nostalgic local flavours, the prolific pair also dreamt up an enchanting apple nutmeg cake that showcases nutmeg and apples in varying textures, in honour of the locale’s former roots as a nutmeg plantation.

For those in search of a great pastry escape away from the cityscape, look out for Patisserie Clé’s second outpost which promises a cosy 16-seater cafe located in Dairy Farm.

Patisserie Clé
Address: 415 River Valley Road, S(248314)

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