Coffee in Singapore - 15 Coffee Cafes & Roasters for Old School Kopi
There are only a few things that Singaporeans love more than kicking back at a kopitiam (coffee shops) with a cup of the old-school kopi (coffee). The kopitiams (tiam being the Hokkien word for shop) are often open shopfront cafes, usually lined with a handful of other stalls, with a couple of uncles and aunties taking the orders. The coffee beans in Singapore are roasted with sugar and margarine, rendering a distinctive aroma and taste. The coffee from Singapore, is thus, dark and strong with smooth caramel and butter aftertaste. This kopi is either drunk blank or mixed with evaporated or condensed milk.
For the people whose birthstone is coffee beans, the Lion City has some of the best cafes and roasteries. We have collated a list of 15 best coffee shops in Singapore to enjoy a cup of the authentic kopi.
Specialities: 22 Martin Espresso Blend, Double chocolate cone, Milo Dinosaur, Cherry cheesecake, Gachika AA source
3. Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters
The place aims at offering its guests kicking-taste coffees apart from the graceful and relaxed setting that it is known for. With the look usually referred to as 'Clean state of white', it is something that augments its beauty. Apart from the elegance that one can witness in their latte art, Roadster blend is a forever favourite with nutty notes of roasted nuts along with chocolates, caramel and butterscotch. The place is an ideal one for get-togethers and reunions.
Address: Yew Lian Park, 185 Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 574333
Nearest MRT: Marymount MRT Station
Timings: Daily: 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Specialities: Truffle Benedict, The Brazilian Roast Cold Brew of the Day, Barista Breakfast, Red Velvet Pancakes, Pacamara Hawks House Roasts source
4. Prodigal Roasters - Hole In The Wall Hipster Cafe
From every cup of prodigal coffee brewed from the beans, they roast themselves, to tarts, pastries and other handcrafted desserts baked in-house, the costs are much more relevant and affordable to the residents as well as students. Being a bunch of coffee lovers, Prodigal Roasters aims at bringing the best of their craft to the guests as well. Their passion towards their purpose is reflected in the flavour profile of the beans changing every month - introducing new flavours to coffee lovers.
Address: #01-112, 625 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 9, Singapore 560625
Nearest MRT: Ang Mo Kio
Timings: Tuesday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Saturday: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Sunday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Closed on Monday
Reflecting the seasonal change in their coffee offerings, Little Big Coffee Roasters is a small roaster located in Biopolis. They serve a special roast of Miravelle coffee sourced from El Salvador - a complex flavor profile with a sweeter and deeper body.
Address: #01-06, 8 Biomedical Grove, Singapore 138665
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista
Timings: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Closed on Saturday & Sunday
Using coffee that is certified by the Rainforest Alliance for sustainability in coffee farm management, Spinelli Coffee Company is a San Francisco based coffee chain that serves coffee roasted at its own plant. Signature beverages range from freshly roasted coffee beverages to icy frost blended treats known as Spins & Twists. Give a great start to your day with its fresh range of delicious and tasty gourmet fare.
Address: #B2-01 One Raffles Quay, 1 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048583
Nearest MRT: Downtown
Timings: Monday - Friday: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Specialities: Caffe Latte, Ebony & Ivory Cheesecake, Mocha, Original San Francisco Spin
Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee was set up in 2014 with the hope to set the standard of speciality coffee in Singapore. With no specifically defined menu, this place offers brews from the rotational range of single-origin coffee beans that is roasted, grounded and brewed in-house. Famous for its signature lemon honey coffee that took Tan Tiong three days to prepare the beans for, the cafe is also known for its authentic black brews coming out from the vintage Elektra Espresso machine in a redefined reddish-brown colour.
Home to perennial Singaporean national barista champion, this coffee roaster is located in Central Business District of Singapore. It serves their renowned craft coffee roasts in numerous styles from drip to syphon technique to espresso on a Synesso machine. With a dynamic coffee menu varying with seasons, it regularly features coffee from a farm in Thailand apart from its common origins including Ethiopia and Colombia. The place always seems crowded despite being spacious enough - inviting tall ceilings and a cool breeze indeed makes it a go-to.
Specialities: Cold Iced Brew, Salmon & Kale source
12. The Coffee Roaster
Founded with a mission to deliver positive energy and nourishment to their guests, The Coffee Roaster's concept of serving speciality coffee with great service standard at affordable rates has served as a key to its success over the past few years. Located in NUS, other than offering quality coffee, the coffee roaster is also known for its house-baked pastries and handcrafted biscotti.
Address: #01-02 Block AS8, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore 119260
Nearest MRT: Kent Ridge MRT Station
Timings: Monday - Friday: 7:30 AM - 6:30 PM, Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Closed on Sunday & Public Holidays
Specializing in filtered and brewed coffees, Liberty coffee beans are sourced from around the world including America, Asia and Africa. Expertise in the area of coffee roasting and an example of craftsmanship, Liberty Coffee is fuelled with a passion for getting along burgeoning speciality coffee markets like London, Australia, Korea and the United States. From fancy stuff to a good old cup of coffee, this coffee roaster has a lot in the bag for every kind of coffee lover. Liberty Coffee also distributes its blends like the signature speakeasy blend to other local cafes in Singapore like Artistry and Carpenter & Cook.
Address: 387 Jalan Besar, Singapore 209002
Nearest MRT: Bendemeer MRT Station
Timings: Tuesday - Friday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Saturday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Closed on Sunday, Monday & Public Holidays
Specialities: Mexy Bombinos, Flat White, Blue and Shells, Rodeo Hero source
Timings: Sunday - Thursday: 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM, Friday - Saturday: 7:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Specialities: Cocoa nutty Colombian Roast, Toby's Rosa Moka source
Kopi Primer - How to Talk Coffee in Singapore?
The Singapore coffee-hopers, try this coffee primer and order your cuppa like a true local!
Kopi: Coffe with condensed milk and no sugar. The condensed milk makes the coffee a little sweet to taste.
Kopi-O: Black coffee served with sugar.
Kopi-O Kosong: Black coffee served without sugar.
Kopi-C: Coffee with evaporated milk and sugar.
Kopi-C Kosong: Coffee with evaporated milk and no sugar.
Kopi Peng: Iced coffee served with condensed milk.
Kopi Gao: Thick concoction made with a double espresso.
Kopi Poh: A mild coffee
Kopi O Siew Dai: Coffee served with less sugar.
Kopi Gah Dai: Black coffee with extra condensed milk.
Kopi Ta Bao: Coffee To-go.
With this caffeine-fueled article and the new-found knowledge about the Singapore kopi culture, get ready to be charged by a big cuppa, because coffee is always a good idea! Isn't it? Have you been to any of these coffee shops in Singapore? How was the experience? Let us know in the comment section below!