The most Instagrammable dessert shops in Singapore

Deemed as the first dessert parlour in Singapore to serve ice cream in an egglet waffle, Lickety boasts colourful sweet treats of various flavours including lavender honey, gula Melaka coconut, avocado chocolate, and earl grey which comes complete with toppings such as sprinkles and cookies, as well as sauces and cereal. Lickety also draws crowds in Haji Lane with its eye-catching pastel-hued shopfront which makes a pretty backdrop for snaps of its equally Instagrammable desserts.

Plain Vanilla is anything but plain. This quaint café at Tiong Bahru greets you with rows of vintage bicycles at its shopfront. And once you're inside, you'll find platters of pretty made-in-house pastries and cakes on display, all ready to tempt your taste buds. Choose from a dozen flavours ($4.50 each) from a Nutella-fuelled prize crowned with more nuts to a red velvet made with Valrhona chocolate and capped with a thick cream cheese frosting. Then indulge them at its indoor seating area, surrounded by artworks, books, and plants.

Retaining its old-world charm, its Telok Ayer outlet also oozes Kinfolk-esque vibes with plenty of earthy wooden tones and exposed white brick walls, which are all elevated with emerald green marble tables and gold-tinted wallpaper.

Behind the blush pink shophouse facade in Tanjong Pagar is a cake shop waiting to satisfy your sweet tooth. With chic dining interiors and a pink neon sign that screams ‘I want it all’, Cake Spade makes all our Alice in Wonderland wishes come true. It's hard to resist when faced with a phalanx of cake slices from strawberry tofu cheesecakes to Speculoos cookie butter cheesecakes (from $6.90 per slice). The giant cake shakes (from $16.90) will make you weak at the knees, too – think milkshakes stacked with wafers, cake bits, sprinkles and so much treacly stuff, it’s amazing these mason jars don’t topple over.

A sweet surprise awaits in the quiet neighbourhood of Kaki Bukit. Hidden within an industrial park lies Nasty Cookie Factory, the first, and largest, dine-in outlet of the homegrown bakery. Choose from an expanded selection of cookies that come filled with a molten centre: there’s the birthday cake ($5.50), created in conjunction with the brand’s anniversary; Matcha Mania ($5.50) with molten matcha lava; and the malty Milo Stylo ($5.50). There’s also a retail nook, filled with cute merchandise of reusable masks, socks, and tote bags for those looking to spice up their wardrobe. And before leaving, head over to the photo booth and strike a pose – the neat rows of Nasty Cookie boxes will make for a sweet addition to your Instagram feed. 

We may have a perpetual summer in Singapore, but this café at Maxwell Chambers offers an autumnal escape filled with sun-faded leaves. Stepping into Kreams Krafthouse feels like venturing into an indoor park; maple trees, in varying hues of orange and yellow, decorate the ceiling of its roomy interior. Settle down under the canopy of foliage and sip on aromatic brews best paired with some freshly baked scones. Beyond regular espresso-based drinks, highlights from this Korean-inspired café include the Summer Latte ($10), where coffee comes served with a scoop of ice cream, and the Dalgona Latte ($8), its version of the whipped coffee fad that has taken over social media.

Nestled within the MacPherson neighbourhood, this dessert shop features a modest exterior that can easily fool the unacquainted. But all that changes the moment you step foot inside – there's a massive pink Sakura tree standing ready to welcome you. This centrepiece adds vibrancy to the store's simple interiors and provides a backdrop that’s Insta-worthy. Cool down with a scoop of ice-cream ($3.50 for single; $6 for double) that is housemade using fresh milk, with flavours ranging from classics like vanilla and strawberry to unique ones like Japanese sweet potato and sesame.

There’s a new ice cream parlour in town, opened by the same people behind French restaurant Saveur. Here, the waffle cones are perfumed with lavender ($1), and flavours (from $5 per scoop) come with a botanical theme. Uncommon ingredients of tomatoes and miso find their way into flavours (from $5) that include apple cucumber, strawberry tomato, white chocolate miso, and the blue vanilla finished with smoky Black Sea salt. While it doesn't have a dine-in space, it has small kaleidoscopic booths where you can take pictures of your delicious goodies.

Sometimes, it's better to keep things simple. Lucid's interiors of grey and white – with its milky countertops, concrete floor and metallic accents – make for an Instagrammable spot. But it's more than just a treat for the eyes. The minimalist hide-out also serves cups of quality brews by co-owner Andrea Tan, the first National Brewers’ Cup champion in Singapore. Pull up and settle down in an industrial-looking, matte-grey chair. Lucid's menu reflects its minimalist philosophy as well – you’ll only find that coffee (from $4) and a small selection of bakes such as brownies ($4.50) and banana bread ($4.50) are available.