The best hidden cafés in Singapore

Simply put, Dawn is a pretty cafe with darn good coffee. It’s one of many along the Clarke Quay stretch and has a simple door front with its name in small print. Understated? Yes, very. Yet, it’s quickly becoming one of the more popular cafes that’s populating our social media feeds. The menu is simple, with single-origin coffee beans from El Salvador and a couple of seasonal hand pours with tasty bakes to complement.

The door leading to Butter Tgt can be easy to miss if you’re not attentive. At first glance, the plain white door can be mistaken for any utility door, but upon entering, you’ll see Butter Tgt’s sign illuminated in a warm yellow light. If you’re lucky, you might snag the best seats in the house – right by the huge art deco windows. We absolutely love the signature madeleines ($7.50 for three). While you have to wait 15 minutes as these are baked to order, the madeleines are some of the best we’ve ever had – think crisp edges with a soft and buttery interior.

You might miss this café if you aren’t paying attention, for Fahrenheit Coffee resides within SPA CLUB. This unassumingly intimate café hides well from the crowds, so it’s unlikely that you’re unable to find a seat – even on weekends. Opt for a cup of coffee (from $4.50), or enjoy a dessert in a drink with Fahrenheit’s affogato (from $9). No afternoon coffee would be complete without a snack, so indulge in fresh bakes like canelés ($7) or Swedish chocolate buns ($7).

Canteen by Trapeze Rec. Club is tucked away on the second floor of a beautifully restored heritage shophouse on Tanjong Pagar Road. Part of wellness club Trapeze Rec. Club, it’s a tranquil and pastel-hued hidey-hole for anyone who wants a quiet meal or work session. On the menu, you’ll find healthy yet hearty options like bagel sandwiches (from $9), acai bowls (from $15), and yoghurt bowls (from $14). Pair with a hot cup of coffee or fruit smoothie to round out your meal. We recommend heading outside to the terrace to soak up some sun – and maybe even snap an IG-worthy shot at the elegant spiral staircase.

Nesting itself in one of the many shophouses along South Bridge Road, this trendy coffee shop is dreamt up by a pair of young baristas where one of them hailed from popular artisanal coffeehouse Kurasu and the other, the former brainchild of Beng Who Cooks. Things are kept plain and simple as seen from their minimalist approach to a monochromatic interior headlined by a sleek coffee bar and furnished with geometrically-shaped furniture. Here, coffee is definitely in focus. The standard espresso pour (from $3.50) uses washed beans from El Jaguar, Mexico that has hints of dark chocolate and oolong tea.

Right under the void deck of an unassuming HDB in Bukit Merah is Rookie's Coffee Shop. Boasting a seating capacity for just under six exclusive guests, this trendy alcove is plastered in muted colours contrasted with some brightly coloured furniture and lush green plant babies. If you can't snag a seat indoors, fret not and slug it out over the camper chairs and tables right outside to enjoy your cuppa. Here, coffee remains the focus as you can expect to find your standard pours served over the counter while the Aeropress option uses beans from Colombia, Ethiopia and Kenya to offer a range of fruity to earthy flavour profiles.

Hidden amongst a block of flats at Alexandra, Kyuukei Coffee is a peaceful café with a minimalistic interior inspired by Japanese Zen aesthetics. Enjoy yummy brews made with beans from Kenya and Papua New Guinea, and dig into one of the many toasties and pastries on display, such as the canelés ($4.50) and sticky buns ($6). If you have time to spare, try one of Kyuukei’s coffee omakase sessions ($40), and try two different brews paired with housemade desserts that complement the coffees’ flavour profiles.

Quietly tucked away in the sleepy Kovan neighbourhood is Alkove, a cheerful café helmed by chef Haikal Johari. Best known for his modern French cuisine and stints in lauded kitchens of Les Amis and Joel Robuchon, the former headman of Alma by Juan Amador now presents an approachable selection of baked goodies and hearty brunch-worthy plates. Finish your meal with a decadent dessert like the bread butter pudding ($13.90), which comes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a generous amount of mixed berries.

Most of you may know of Stay Gold Flamingo for its nighttime alter-ego, Stay Gold, and its bespoke cocktails. However, stopping by during the day gives you access to Flamingo, the space’s daytime experience, complete with delicious brunch and coffee options. Look forward to a cheery spread of chocolate banana bread ($5), matcha tiramisu ($12), and sandwiches with Jamon Iberico Bellota ham ($17). Enjoy your meal with a coffee or a refreshing Flamingo Fizz ($8) – a blend of raspberry, lime, and grapefruit soda. Of course, those who fancy a boozy brunch are more than welcome to order a cocktail or two.

Teh tarik is a local fave that we’ve never given a second thought – just because it’s so commonly found in hawker centres. It’s no bubble tea nor coconut shake, yet this cosy hole-in-the-wall café along Arab Street has taken it upon itself to forge a trendy teh tarik comeback. It’s a takeaway joint only, where you can get, obviously, teh tarik ($1.80) and other drinks like teh hanyit ($2.90) and teh halia ($2.90).

Dining at Chu and Co feels like entering someone’s private backyard. Potted plants and random tchotchkes are strewn across the adjacent outdoor patio, guests are happily sitting on the pavement sipping coffee, munching on fresh bakes and in deep conversation. Orders are made at the counter which has a hole-in-the-wall vibe. Come hungry because there is a plethora of fresh bakes to sink your teeth into. If being out in the sun gets too intense, head to the sister concept Chulato (it's on the same stretch) for some creamy scoops of gelato.

Tucked away on the second floor of Hong Lim Complex, Spring Coffee is a quaint café that serves various brews and bakes. Despite opening in December 2023 and gaining a fair bit of traction on social media, the café remains relatively quiet, so you’re likely to find a seat even over the weekend. While the coffees at Spring Coffee are pretty good, we recommend trying the various teas instead – think wild chrysanthemum ($5) and magnolia Jinxuan ($6). The fragrant teas pair well with assorted pastries like the cheese and scallion scone ($5.50).

It’s not a large space over at Pinhole Coffee Bar. In fact, there’s just a handful of tables – alfresco and counter seats along the barista bar. It’s along Purvis Street, near Bugis and City Hall, so it’s perfect for nearby office workers to grab a quick morning joe – especially since it opens at 8am daily. Try the “Hello, Good Morning” ($7), a smorgasbord of their bestsellers. It’s served on a wooden tray, featuring a single shot espresso, 4oz white coffee and a cold brew tea that’s intended as a palate cleanser. 

You wouldn’t expect to find an artisanal coffee house along Upper Changi Road – but there’s one, tucked away at the East Village shopping mall. At Cafe Cartisan, many have commented that the coffee is reminiscent of what their orders are like in a typical Melburnian cafe. It’s the handcrafted cold iced brews that are their speciality, with drinks like golden matcha latte and red velvet beetroot latte – both priced at $6.90.