Nibbies Cafe: Japanese-inspired spot at Telok Ayer with brunch, matcha and customisable moru dolls

We’ve found a new spot that’s perfect for matcha and brunch dates: Nibbies Cafe at Telok Ayer. 

Tucked away on the second floor of a quaint shophouse, the cafe is nestled above the popular coffeeshop, Gold Ocean Curry Fish Head. Head up a short flight of stairs, and you’ll find Nibbies Cafe just around the corner, hidden behind a curtain with the cafe’s name emblazoned on it. 

The place is quite the hidden gem — despite being located in the lively Telok Ayer district, being upstairs shields it from all the noise and bustle of the streets below. It’s also a tranquil spot, offering a much-needed respite from the chaos of our lives. 

A cosy, living room-inspired space 

As you push past the curtain and enter the cosy lil’ space, it’s as if you’ve stepped into someone’s abode — their living room, to be exact.

Decked in soothing neutral tones, Nibbies Cafe is lined with shelves of adorable trinkets — retro film cameras, figurines, you name it — and plastered with nostalgic Godzilla-themed posters. It’s a place surrounded by quaint knick-knacks, which sets the tone for a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Nibbies Cafe at Telok Ayer takes inspiration from the Japandi style, too, with its bright and airy space — courtesy of the natural light streaming in from the bay windows. If you’d like to watch the world go by, then the cushioned seats by the bay windows offer a lovely view of the streets below. 

Staying true to its theme of a Japanese-inspired home, Nibbies Cafe also features tatami-style seating where you’ll have to sit, cross-legged, on a raised platform. 

Unfortunately, we found the space a tad narrow to move about — it may be quite uncomfortable to dine at after a while. 

Customise your own moru dolls

While you’re there, check out Nibbies Cafe’s do-it-yourself corner, where you can get crafty and customise your very own moru dolls (an adorable, fluffy doll made from soft, chenille yarn). 

The dolls (from S$15 onwards) come in an assortment of animal-themed designs, spanning the gamut of dogs, bunnies, elephants, and more, depending on whichever character catches your eye. (Our favourite is the tiny dog!)

After you’ve picked out your figurine, dress it up with cute clothes and accessories! You can even opt to have your moru doll made into a keychain, or leave it as-is.

Nibbies Cafe’s menu

Foodwise, the menu at Nibbies Cafe revolves around Japanese-inspired brunch fare, with the likes of rice bowls, toasts and sides. We found the dishes straightforward, nothing too out of the ordinary — good enough as a light bite to pair with brews.

To share, we ordered the tamago set (S$14) — one of the bestsellers on Nibbies Cafe’s menu. It sees shokupan (Japanese milk bread) sandwiches stuffed with a light and creamy egg mayo filling. 

We would have preferred the bread to be lightly toasted for that delicious crunch and bite — but instead, found it limp and rather soggy, as though the egg mayo spread had soaked through the bread. 

The set also arrived at the table with an odd combination of greens, nuggets and chips — everything that kids would love, but not quite what we’d expect for adult brunch fare. It was more an assortment of nibbles, rather than a full meal.

The classic karaage (S$8), was surprisingly delicious, though. With its crispy skin and succulent meat, it’s the perfect snack to munch on over coffee. We attribute its addictiveness to the drizzle of mayonnaise on it, which gives the protein a sweet, slightly tangy flair.

While we found the dishes on Nibbies Cafe’s menu to be slightly lacklustre — and pretty steep for the quality of its fare as well — the drinks did make up for it. We’d come back solely for that (and the vibes). 

The creamy hot matcha latte (S$6.50) is a comforting alternative, if you’re not a fan of the usual caffeinated beverages, and you can taste its fragrant grassy notes with every sip. We relished the iced matcha ichigou (S$8, matcha with strawberry syrup), too — creamy without being overly cloying.

For the latest eats, read about new Korean-style “cai fan” concept, Koggii, and authentic Carribean spot, Camp Carribean. Alternatively, check out the newest eats in Singapore here. 

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

You can also book a ride to Nibbies Cafe at Telok Ayer to try its brunch fare.