Top 10 Understated Cafes in Toa Payoh Singapore
No Time to Read? Here’s a Snappy Summary of This Article
- 1. Hidden Gems Await: Discover charming, off-the-beaten-path cafes in Toa Payoh, Singapore, offering delightful culinary surprises.
- 2. Culinary Diversity: Experience a fusion of flavors from local to international cuisines, all within this cozy neighborhood.
- 3. Instagrammable Ambiance: Snap Insta-worthy moments amid unique decor and cozy atmospheres, perfect for your social media feed.
- 4. Wallet-Friendly Eats: Enjoy budget-friendly menus without compromising on quality, making these cafes ideal for foodies on a budget.
- 5. Local Favorites: Uncover the secret spots cherished by locals, where the community thrives, and stories unfold.
- 6. Hidden Patios and Gardens: Sip your coffee or tea in tranquil gardens and charming patios, providing an oasis in the city.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Nestled in the heart of Singapore, Toa Payoh is more than just an old residential neighborhood. This unassuming town is brimming with hidden gems that even the most avid café-hoppers might not know about. If you’re tired of the usual crowded spots, why not venture off the beaten path and into the cozy corners of Toa Payoh? From artisanal coffee spots to pastry heaven, Toa Payoh offers a myriad of café experiences that will delight even the most discerning palate. So put on your comfiest outfit and come with us on a journey to discover the top 10 understated cafes in Toa Payoh, Singapore. Trust us, these are the spots where locals go to escape the hustle and bustle, and they offer a slice of serenity alongside their delicious fare.
Ditch the predictable picks and opt for an authentic, laid-back experience as you explore Toa Payoh’s cafe culture. Whether you’re into specialty brews, homemade cakes, or even just a charming spot to read a book, this guide has you covered. And for our fellow Singaporeans who think they’ve seen it all, prepare to be surprised by these lesser-known cafes that deserve way more hype than they’re getting. So, grab your reusable cup and your favorite book, because we’re about to spill the tea (and coffee) on the must-visit cafes in Toa Payoh.
#1 – Carrara
Introduction:
Carrara Cafe is a cafe that serves artisanal gelato, waffles, brunch and western fusion food in the heartlands of Singapore. The cafe was founded in 2018 by a couple who wanted to share their passion for gelato and food with the community. The cafe is known for its homemade gelato, which uses fresh ingredients and natural flavours. Some of the popular flavours include Earl Grey Lavender, Pistachio, and Salted Caramel. The cafe also offers a variety of waffles, such as charcoal, pandan, and red velvet, which can be paired with gelato or savoury toppings.
Over the years, besides serving our handcrafted artisanal gelato at our cafe outlets, we also supply them wholesale to more than 200 over F&B establishments such as ice cream parlours, cafes, bistros, pubs, hotels, restaurants & supermarkets in Singapore. We also provide OEM white label contract manufacturing services for various brands to sell our products under their own brands. We currently also export our products overseas to overseas distributors.
Menu Items:
- Gelato Ice Cream
- Classic Artisanal Gelato
- Premium Artisanal Gelato
- Connoisseur Arisanal Gelato
- Homemade waffle
- All Day Breakfast
- Sausage Cheese Swiss Rori
- Smoked Salmon Cheese Roti
- Sausage Cheese Swiss Roti
- Big Breakfast
- And many more…
- Pasta
- Premium Truffle Breakfast Pasta
- Truffle Breakfast Pasta
- Signature Chili Crab Seafood Pasta
Location:
Blk 206 Toa Payoh North #01-1225
S310206
Contact: Toa Payoh outlet 62504833
Website: Website Link Here
#2 – Kopifellas Café
Introduction:
Kopifellas Cafe is a Singapore-founded company that aims to preserve and promote Singapore’s local food heritage through its Nanyang coffee (kopi), tea, toast and other local delights.
The company was started in 2016 by three friends who wanted to offer a modern Asian cafe experience with a nostalgic touch. The company has since expanded to eight outlets across Singapore and one outlet in New York City, USA.
The company is known for its Nanyang kopi, which is unique because of its roasting process, giving it a caramelised taste. The company uses its own blend of beans, which are freshly ground in-store daily before making a fresh brew. The company also offers a variety of other beverages.The company prides itself on the quality and freshness of its food, which are prepared daily using traditional recipes and ingredients.
Menu Items:
- Traditional Nanyang Coffee
- Kopi O
- Kopi C
- Kopi
- Teh O
- Teh
- Teh C
- Toast Sets
- Premium Toast Set
- Traditional Toast Sets
- Noodles
- Sliced Abalone Noodles
- Fishball Noodles
- Laksa
- Assorted Beverages
- Matcha Latte
- Yuzu Tea
- Coke Float
Location:
190 Lor 6 Toa Payoh, #01-532, Singapore 310190
Contact: +65 6902 7105
Website: Website Link Here
#3 – The Larder Café
Introduction:
The cafe was established in 2015 by a group of friends who shared a love for food and wanted to create a place where people can enjoy good food and good company.
The Larder Cafe is a cafe that offers a range of dishes from breakfast to dinner, with a focus on healthy and wholesome food. The Larder Cafe serves variety of quality food and drinks. Its a good place to meet friends and chill out in the heartland of Toa Payoh and Serangoon Garden.
Menu Items:
- STARTERS
- SOUP OF THE DAY
- Homemade soup with toast
- SWEET POTATO FRIES
- Straight-cut sweet potato fries
- NACHO CHIPS
- Tortilla chips with salsa cheese dip
- CHEESE FRIES
- Straight-cut fries with cheese dip
- SOUP OF THE DAY
- SALADS
- HOUSE SALAD
- Greens, cherry tomatoes & cucumbers in balsamic vinaigrette dressing
- CAESAR SALAD
- Romaine lettuce tossed with croutons, parmesan cheese, bacon,egg and homemade caesar dressing
- SMOKED DUCK SALAD
- Duck breast & greens in asian vinaigrette dressing
- GRILLED SALMON SALAD
- Grilled salmon fillet, mixed greens, cherry tomatoes,
- cucumbers and onions in yuzu wasabi dressing.
- HOUSE SALAD
- PASTAS
- CARBONARA SPAGHETTI
- Spaghetti w/bacon, button mushrooms in Cream Sauce
- CHICKEN LINGUINI
- Linguini w/chicken & seasonal veg in tomato sauce
- MUSHROOM AGLIO OLIO SPAGHETTI
- Spaghetti, w/assorted mushroom sautéed with garlic, olive oil, chilli padi & parsley
- ARRABBIATA LINGUINE
- Spicy pork sausage, seasonal veggie cooked in fiery tomato sauce
- CARBONARA SPAGHETTI
- ALL DAY BRUNCH
- CHICKEN & AVOCADO WRAP
- Tortilla, grilled chicken, avocados, tomatoes & greens
- CLUB SANDWICH
- Pide wholemeal, honey-baked ham, bacon, egg,
- cheddar cheese, tomatoes & lettuce
- BREAKFAST TOAST
- Focaccia bread topped with prosciutto and sautéed mushrooms, garlic cream cheese, mozzarella cheese and truffle oil.
- AVOCADO SMOKED SALMON TOAST
- Avocados smoked salmon on focaccia bread,drizzled with pesto
- CHICKEN & AVOCADO WRAP
Location:
Blk 177 Toa Payoh Central #01-124
Singapore 310177 (Toa Payoh MRT)
Contact: +65 6246 4431
Website: Website Link Here
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Read Also:
Top 10 Best Eats at Toa Payoh Lorong 5 Food Centre
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#4 – Shrove Tuesday
Introduction:
The cafe was founded in 2013 by a couple who wanted to share their passion for pancakes and crepes with the public. The name of the cafe comes from the tradition of eating pancakes on the day before Ash Wednesday, also known as Shrove Tuesday.
Shrove Tuesday is a cafe that specialises in pancakes, crepes, and waffles, with a variety of sweet and savoury toppings and fillings.
The cafe is known for its fluffy pancakes, crispy crepes, and golden waffles, which can be customised with different flavours, such as chocolate, banana, cheese, ham, and chicken. Some of the popular choices include the Nutella banana pancake, the cheese mushroom crepe, and the honey butter waffle. The cafe also offers a selection of drinks, such as coffee, tea, milkshakes, and sodas.
Menu Items:
- Signature Waffles
- Milo Dinosaur
- Nyonya Cendol
- Plain Waffles
- Original Waffle
- Charcoal Waffle
- Gelato
- Vanilla
- Earl Grey
- Chrysanthemum
- Milo
- Mango
- And many more…
- Desserts
- Chocolate Lava Cake with 1 Scoop of Vanilla
- Oreo Crepe
- Vanilla Crepe
Location:
94 lorong 4 Toa Payoh, Toa Payoh, Singapore, Singapore, 310094
Contact:
Phone number: +65 6258 2254
Email: [email protected]
Website: Website Link Here
#5 – Creamier Handcrafted Ice Cream and Coffee
Introduction:
Creamier Handcrafted Ice Cream and Coffee is a cafe that serves premium ice cream, freshly baked waffles, and specialty coffee in Singapore.
The cafe was launched in 2011 by three friends who wanted to create a place where people can enjoy simple pleasures and create memorable moments. The cafe has since grown to four outlets across Singapore and has won several awards and accolades for its ice cream and waffles.
The cafe is known for its handcrafted ice cream, which is made from scratch using natural ingredients and no artificial flavourings or preservatives.
They believe the magic of making delicious ice cream is in using the best quality ingredients they can find- carefully sourced from different parts of the world, lots of hard work, a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and a strive for perfection.
Menu Items:
- Ice Cream Pints – Premium Flavours
- Roasted Pistachio
- Blue Pea Vanilla
- Butterscotch Almond
- Ice Cream Pints – Standard Flavours
- Earl Grey Lavender
- Plain Ole Chocolate
- Sea Salt Gula Melaka
- Pastries
- Freshly Baked Waffles
- Frozen Golden Waffles
- Coffee & Beverages
- Espresso
- Black
- Iced Black
- And lots more.
- Doggie Ice Cream
- Doggie Ice Cream: Good Boy
- Doggie Ice Cream: Good Girl
- Doggie Ice Cream: Tutti Frutti
Location:
Blk 131 Toa Payoh Lorong 1
#01-02
Singapore 310131
Contact: +65 6250 1476
Website: Website Link Here
#6 – Ya Kun Family Café
Introduction:
Ya Kun Family Cafe is a cafe that offers traditional Singaporean breakfast.
The cafe traces its history back to 1944, when Loi Ah Koon started selling coffee and toast from a humble stall in Telok Ayer Basin. He later named his business Ya Kun, which means “grateful” in Hokkien. He passed on his legacy to his children, who expanded the business to more outlets and countries.
From its humble beginnings as a modest coffee stall in the 1940s, the name of Ya Kun has become synonymous with unparalleled kaya toast and irresistibly fragrant coffee and tea, enjoyed amidst a cosy atmosphere. Today, Ya Kun continues to delight fans and to attract converts.
Menu Items:
- Traditional Favorites
- Butter Sugar Toast
- Cheezy French Toast with Kaya
- French Toast with Kaya
- Kaya Butter Steamed Bread
- Kaya Peanut Steamed Bread
- Beverages
- Iced Kopi range
- Iced Lemon Tea
- Kopi Range
- Value Set Meal
- Cheezy French Set
- Kaya Butter Steamed Bread Set
- Kaya Butter Toast Set
- Asian Signatures
- Mee Rebus
- Mee Siam
- Laksa
Location:
HDB Hub
490 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh #01-16
Singapore 310490
Contact: +65 6358 1134
Website: Website Link Here
#7 – Coffee by CSS
Introduction:
Coffee by CSS is a cafe that serves specialty coffee, tea, and pastries in a stylish and minimalist setting.
The cafe was opened in 2019 by a team of web developers who wanted to combine their love for coffee and coding. The name of the cafe stands for Coffee Style Sheets, a reference to Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), a web design language.
The cafe is known for its specialty coffee, which is sourced from ethical and sustainable farms around the world. The cafe roasts its own beans and brews them using various methods, such as pour-over, siphon, and cold brew. The cafe also offers a range of tea, such as green tea, black tea, and herbal tea.
The cafe also serves pastries, such as croissants, muffins, and cakes, which are baked fresh daily. The cafe also offers vegan and gluten-free options for customers with dietary preferences or restrictions.
Menu Items:
- Ice Cream & Frozen Yoghurt
- Kinako Brown Sugar
- Tahitian Vanilla
- Tea + Coffee
- Mango Sherbet
- Smores
- Coffee & Tea
- Gula Melaka Coconut Latte (hot/iced) +
a scoop of Gelato for $8.90 - Hot and Iced Spanish Latte
- Rose Latte
- Gula Melaka Coconut Latte (hot/iced) +
- Cakes
- Pineapple Upside Down Banana Choc Chip Cake
- Chocolate Pear n Green Apple cake
- Carrot Cheese Crumble cake
- Pastries
- Burnt Cheesecake
- Chocolate Chips Cookie with Pecan
- Lemon Blueberry Muffins
Location:
185 Toa Payoh Central #01-320 Singapore 310185
Contact: N/A
Website: Website Link Here
#8 – DÉLIFRANCE
Introduction:
DÉLIFRANCE is a French bakery and cafe that offers a range of breads, pastries, sandwiches, salads, soups, and beverages.
DÉLIFRANCE was established in 1983 as the first French cafe concept in Singapore. Since then, DÉLIFRANCE has become a well-known brand that has 18 outlets island-wide. DÉLIFRANCE is driven by the French food culture that believes in a sense of balance, indulgence, and convenience.
A journey to France – this is their promise to you. For over 30 years, Délifrance Singapore has dedicated itself to bringing a taste of Paris closer to home with their aromatic coffee and authentic French delicacies, wherein an innate Parisian charm is bound to transport and delight.
Menu Items:
- ALL DAY BREAKFAST
- Breakfast Platter (Chicken Ham,Cheesy Chicken Sausages, Eggs,Side Salad with choice of toast or Croissant)
- Brioche French Toast with Mixed Berries
- Lotus Speculoos Pancakes
- Signature Sandwiches
- Egg D’vine
- Chicken D’Light
- Tuna D’Licious
- Seafood D’sire
- Grilled Sandwiches
- Chicken Ham and Cheese
- Triple Cheese Mushroom
- Triple Cheese with Pesto
- Beverages
- Coffee
- Tea
- Ice Blended
Location:
Toa Payoh HDB Hub
Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, #01-10, Délifrance HDB Hub, Singapore 310480
Contact: +65 6353 6233
Website: Website Link Here
#9 – CHAGEE @ Toa Payoh Central
Introduction:
Toa Payoh Central is a Chinese tea shop that serves freshly brewed tea, milk tea, fruit tea, and snacks.
CHAGEE was founded in 2019 by a team of tea lovers who wanted to resuscitate and reintroduce the Chinese tea culture to the world with a modern twist. They are honed with knowledge and essence in the art of tea culture dated thousands of years ago and are able to present the purest of premium brewed tea through this modern bustling city life.
Together they are inviting you to enter into the new era of traditional tea drinking in the contemporary and modern methods.
CHAGEE uses high-quality tea leaves and natural ingredients to create their beverages. Like their tea beverages, the design of their stores displays the perfect balance between traditional and modern elements.
Menu Items:
- Cheezy Snow Series
- Tie Guan Yin Top
- Fresh Milk Tea Series
- Tian Guan Yin Milk Tea
- Premium Brew Tea Series
- Tian Guan Yin Milk Tea
- Fresh Fruit Tea Series
Location:
Blk 192 Toa Payoh Lorong 4 #01-647 S310192
Contact: +65 90673119
Website: Website Link Here
#10 – Niche Savoureuse Pte Ltd
Introduction:
Niche Savoureuse Pte Ltd is a bakery and cafe that specializes in cakes, pastries, breads, and coffee. Niche Savoureuse was founded in 2015 by a pastry chef who wanted to create exquisite and affordable desserts for everyone. Niche Savoureuse uses premium ingredients and original recipes to craft their products.
Niche Savoureusewith the rather grand name is really an unpretentious cafe serving a terrific Gula Melaka Cappucino.
Menu Items:
- Cakes
- Black Diamond
- Dark Chocolate Fudge
- Earl Grey Tiramisu
- Tartes
- Albinao Dark Chocolate
- French Apple
- Fresh Fruit
- HOT FOODS
- Pizza
- Lasagne
Location:
Blk 128 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, #01-833, Singapore, Singapore
Contact:
Phone: +65 9710 1469
Email: [email protected]
Website: Website Link Here
Conclusion
Hidden gems await in Toa Payoh, Singapore’s underrated cafe scene. These spots serve up diverse culinary experiences, from local delights to international flavors. And the best part? They won’t break the bank!
Picture this: Instagrammable ambiance with cozy decor, making your feed pop. Locals love these places, so you know they’re the real deal. Plus, some have hidden patios and gardens, offering an oasis in the midst of the city hustle.
So, if you’re in Toa Payoh and crave a unique cafe experience, these hidden gems have got you covered. Tropika Club Magazine invites you to explore and savor these understated treasures, one cup of coffee at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Q: What makes these cafes in Toa Payoh “understated”?
A: These cafes are considered “understated” because they may not be as well-known or crowded as those in more prominent areas of Singapore, but they offer unique and delightful dining experiences.
2. Q: Are these cafes suitable for budget-conscious diners?
A: Absolutely! Many of these cafes offer wallet-friendly menus without compromising on quality, making them perfect for those on a budget.
3. Q: Can I find international cuisines at these cafes, or are they predominantly local?
A: You can enjoy a diverse range of cuisines, from local Singaporean dishes to international flavors, all within the cozy neighborhood of Toa Payoh.
4. Q: Are these cafes Instagram-worthy?
A: Yes, definitely! These cafes feature charming decor and cozy atmospheres, making them perfect for snapping Insta-worthy photos to fill your social media feed.
5. Q: Do these cafes have outdoor seating areas?
A: Some of them do. You can relax and enjoy your coffee or meal in tranquil gardens or charming patios, creating a serene oasis within the city.
6. Q: Are reservations recommended for these cafes?
A: It’s a good idea to make reservations, especially during peak dining hours or weekends, to secure a table at these popular but understated cafes.
Have a Place to Recommend?
Your contribution is valuable to us! Are there any outstanding businesses that you believe should be added to our list? If so, please send your recommendations to us at [email protected]. Tropika Club will review your suggestions and update the list accordingly. Thank you for your help in making our list of businesses as comprehensive and accurate as possible.
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