Cheeky Cuppas at Upper Thomson is a quaint Melbourne-inspired cafe born from the founder’s love for coffee

Upper Thomson is a vibrant enclave of brunch spots, bakeries, and coffee shops — it’s arguably one of the best districts for food gems in Singapore. 

However, as someone who resides in the northeast, it’s not the most accessible of locations to visit, especially when there are plenty more nearby eats in my neighbourhood. 

I’m about this close to changing my mind, though, with the recent discovery of a new spot I’d be more than happy to make the trip down for: Cheeky Cuppas at Upper Thomson.

Swathed in shades of browns and beiges, Cheeky Cuppas is a quaint and idyllic nook offering respite from the busier Upper Thomson stretch. 

It’s located underneath a HDB block, just a few stores away from homegrown sourdough bakery Bake Anthem and speciality bao shop Fu Bao Zi. 

But what exactly sets Cheeky Cuppas at Upper Thomson apart from other coffee joints?

The founders — a couple — had designed the place to be a cosy hideaway where pals can gather and unwind. It’s also elevated with knick-knacks, potted succulents, and a cool vinyl player in a corner, for that personal touch.

The service here was impeccable, too.  

From the moment we pushed open those glass doors, Phoebe, one of the owners and a super sweet lady, greeted us warmly. 

She had returned from Australia not too long ago, and while in Melbourne, she’d developed a deep love for the city’s coffee culture. She’d wanted to recreate that same nostalgic experience on our shores and thus, Cheeky Cuppas was born.

Together with her partner — who grew up in a hawker family and wanted to branch out to newer F&B ventures — they decided to set up Cheeky Cuppas together.

Cheeky Cuppas at Upper Thomson boasts a laundry list of sips on its menu, but most notable is its series of Spanner drinks that are topped with a sweet housemade cream — its take on the Einspanner. (It was what drew us to this cafe in the first place!) 

We hear its matcha beverages are popular here, too. They’re said to be prepared with premium matcha powder imported from Japan, so the texture is smooth and their flavours robust — which is exactly how the signature matcha Chaspanner (from S$9) tasted.

The highlight for me was the aromatic hojicha latte (from S$6). 

I kid you not, but Cheeky Cuppa’s version is probably the best hojicha that I have ever tried in my entire hojicha-tasting career.

Not only is it creamy and light, but it’s also imbued with a delicious, roasted nuttiness that keeps you going back for more.

If you’re hankering for a bite to go with your brews, Cheeky Cuppa’s savoury sammies, served hot and fresh, are a must-try here. 

They come in intriguing flavours, such as Hammie Cheese (S$7.90) and Otah Pei Ya Som (S$7.90) — loaded sandwiches with a local spin that comprises fragrant banana leaf otah, fresh mesclun greens, and cheese “kiap-ed” (wedged) between two toasts.

One bite, and you’re treated to an explosion of flavour. 

The uber-jiggly London Fog (S$6.90), an earl grey chiffon cake, is a luscious dessert baked to fluffy perfection and crowned with a buttery coffee cream. 

I often find chiffon cakes too dense for my liking and am not usually a fan, but this was surprisingly soft, pillowy, and oozed strong caffeine notes. 

Overall, I had a lovely time at Cheeky Cuppas. Considering the service and fare here, it’s worth the trek to Upper Thomson — especially if you’re gunning for top-notch matcha or hojicha.

For the latest eats, read about new hawker stall 1030 Breakfast Shop in Chinatown with Taiwanese breakfast-style dishes, and Edith Patisserie’s latest sister concept Tina’s Cafe in Everton Park. Alternatively, check out the newest openings in Singapore here. 

Cheeky Cuppas Upper Thomson is on the GrabFood Delivery Service and offers free delivery (up to S$3 off with GrabUnlimited). 

Enjoy up to 50% off when you dine with GrabFood Dine Out.

You can also book a ride to Cheeky Cuppas at Upper Thomson for its brews and bakes.