Sweet Spots for Your Sweet Tooth: Singapore Edition

Introduction

Whenever you’re feeling low and sluggish, an almost instant solution would be to increase your sugar intake, either with a refreshing carbonated beverage or with your favorite bread and pastries. Since they are light snacks, they are often viewed as easy pick-me-ups and might give you temporary happiness from the sugar rush. And what’s one of the best ways to enjoy all these delectable delights? By going cafe-hopping of course! There’s nothing like finding a quaint, adorable cafe to sit down and have a relaxing Sunday brunch with your friends and family or stumbling upon the best cake in singapore, am I right? Thus, for all our readers out there with a serious sweet tooth, here’s a list of some of the best cafes Singapore has to offer.

Tarte by Cheryl Koh

With a simple yet tasteful title, Tarte by Cheryl Koh is definitely a must-visit. As the head baker of the reputable Les Amis group, Cheryl Koh has formulated a way to fuse her personal touch into her delicious recipes, resulting in equally simple yet mesmerizing tarts. Characterized by colorful toppings, buttery crusts, and fresh fruits, it’s truly a beautiful composition of vibrant colors to look at. A few of the top favorites include the likes of her Tasmanian Cherry tart and her Macadamia Chocolate tart. Indeed, Cheryl exemplifies her artistry through her delicate and ingenious use of ingredients as the focal decorative points of her tarts almost seem to put us all in a trance. 

Although admittedly, her prices might be on the steeper end with her individual tarts starting off at $10 at a base price; but we can assure you, every bite into the tarts is well worth the money.

The Fabulous Baker Boy

Another fabulous entry on our list is the one and only, The Fabulous Baker Boy. Right smack in the heart of CBD, this cafe is a great option and alternative for busy office workers who don’t have time for a full meal or just simply need a little sugar boost. 

In this bakery, they take great pride and joy in giving unique and memorable names to each of their pastries. They stand out from the crowd through deriving their naming inspiration for their pastries from some of the top, world-famous divas such as Beyonce or Diana Ross for prices as low as $9 to $9.50 per slice while also offering more deluxe delights like Strawberry Shortcake that costs $95 for the whole cake — truly offering the best of both worlds. Undoubtedly, The Fabulous Baker Boy puts the sugar and spice, and everything nice into these iconic pastries.

Antoinette

In many anecdotes of wildly successful people, you’ll notice that many of their origin stories hardly ever begin by playing it safe — instead, it’s always the risk-takers willing to take a leap of faith that end up achieving their goals and aspirations. Pioneering local pastry chef Pang Kok Keong is a great exemplar of that. He didn’t want to conform to the norms by opting for standard locations or themes when it came to concocting his cafe. Instead, he went for a pastel, Parisian cafe dream situated awkwardly in between Lavender and Jalan Besar. 

Despite the strange location choice, talent and recognition are recognized where due. Boasting an impressive spread of food ranging from confectionary to all-day-breakfast ala carte, pasta, and so on. Moreover, his risk-taking attitude is also translated into his bold, fusion recipes that incorporate salted egg and croissants into a mouth-watering blend. Chef Pang has definitely managed to make a mark in the culinary world with his exquisite expertise.

Atlas Coffeehouse

As its name suggests, get ready for an intercontinental spread of delectable desserts from the Atlas Coffeehouse situated along central Singapore, Bukit Timah. Have a taste of their sweetened waffles, topped off with a generous coating of salted caramel and vanilla ice cream, or how about a warm, hearty cup of coffee blends. Alternatively, if you’re patronizing during brunchtime, they also offer a selection of brunch platters inclusive of Summer French Toast with unique additions of poached pears and lemon hotcakes. Best of all, enjoy these desserts at a reasonable mid-price range starting from $3.50 to $21. 

Butter Studio

For our Muslim friends out there, we have a halal-option just for you. Butter Studio is a local cake brand that’s amassed a commendable following since its inception, having successfully opened two takeaway outlets both located within the city. However, its rustic, cottage-like flagship branch at Jalan Besar definitely takes the cake, perfect for those spontaneous insta-worthy photoshoots. 

Moreover, their value for heritage and roots is made evident through their homage to owner Shannon Lua’s grandmother’s old recipes from back in the day. Additionally, they’ve managed to integrate new with the old, by adapting these recipes to fit popular dessert trends seen on social media sites like Pinterest — one such being frost-tiered cakes garnished with foliage and fruits. It’s no wonder why they’re such a popular choice for wedding cakes. Depending on your budget, their cakes can range anywhere between $7.90 for a slice or $280 onwards for banquet cakes. Apart from sweet desserts, they also provide more savory, affordable options like Eggs Benedict or Turkey Bacon French Toast ranging from $13 to $15. 

Tiong Bahru Bakery Diner

Last but not least, we’re finishing it off old-school by re-visiting one of Singapore’s more famous dining spots of the past — Tiong Bahru. Known for having been a bustling scene of Singapore’s culinary heritage, establishments like Tiong Bahru Bakery Diner seek to carry on the legacy. A famous homegrown bakery, their standard is nothing short of amazing with their scrumptious spread of pastry assortments and savory treats. Truly, get ready to feel a tinge of nostalgia and homeliness when you taste their croissants ($3.50) or perhaps their unique airy and fluffy sourdough waffles ($23).

For the true cafe junkie, you’ll be glad to know that they also have a secret menu item — their special blend of kaya for $0.50 that’s only available when requested. Indeed, this 158-year-old bakery is the place to be to indulge your taste buds with a taste of the past. 

Conclusion

More often than not, we hear Singaporeans whine and complain that “there’s nothing to do” or “Singapore is too boring”. However, if you’re willing to do a little bit of research or look a little harder, you’ll realize that Singapore has many gems, like cafes and bakeries, tucked away in the corners of this urban jungle. After all, who doesn’t love a plate of sweet treats or an aromatic blend of coffee every now and then?