Nomads Cafe: Dine in tents at new camping-themed spot at Seletar Aerospace Park

Here’s another uniquely themed establishment to visit this weekend: Nomads Cafe. 

This cafe strays from the norm by boasting a rustic, camping-style concept that appeals to outdoor and nature lovers alike. 

Launched in September, Nomads Cafe is tucked away in the tranquil, idyllic Seletar Aerospace Park, where it sits in a two-storey colonial house surrounded by lush greenery. 

It’s a quiet spot that’s sequestered from the hustle and bustle of the city, which is ideal if you’re looking for a serene getaway amid nature. 

As you would on an actual hike, stretch your legs and prepare for a trek: Nomads Cafe is quite a distance from the nearest LRT station, though — so you may want to travel here via car instead.

A camping-inspired concept 

Indoors, Nomads Cafe is on-theme. The place is decked out in full camping gear — you’ll find paraphernalia, trinkets and camping-related posters donning the walls.

Its design follows a utilitarian approach, with a neutral colour palette of greys and browns. You’ll dine on camping chairs and tables (as you would, while camping outdoors), which makes patrons feel like they’re on a camping trip.

But step outside and its al fresco, pet-friendly dining area will surprise you. 

In Gen-Z slang, it’s serving true “camping realness”. Casually set up outside Nomads Cafe’s doorstep are large camping tents filled with tables and chairs — the cafe’s quirky take on outdoor dining. 

Neatly laid out on the grass are also rows of camping chairs that overlook the nearby estate — each chair is paired with a small side table and a lantern lamp that lights up at night. If you’d like to catch the sunset, these are the perfect seats to lounge on during the evening.

An all-day brunch menu

Headlining Nomads Cafe’s menu are all-day brunch items, with various mains served in mess tins and beverages in steel cups. It’s a neat lil’ touch to have dishes served in compact camping ware instead of the usual plates and bowls, a la actual outdoor camping.

The team intends for Nomads Cafe’s menu to stay true to its camping-core aesthetic, with dishes inspired by what one would typically eat on an outdoor trip. Although instead of pre-made sandwiches, fresh fish from the pond and instant ramen, Nomads has put an elevated spin on common campground staples.

There’s even a section on its menu labelled as “foil cooking”, where you’re served seafood and meat wrapped in aluminium foil — just like how you’d cook your proteins outdoors

We were immediately drawn to the Garlic Glow prawn pasta (S$28), which promised juicy, succulent prawns atop a silky bed of aglio olio. 

It’s generously peppered with chilli padi flakes, onions and garlic for an aromatic, fiery punch, which brings out the fresh flavours of the seafood. 

The prawns were large, plump and nicely grilled, while the poached egg coated the dish with a velvety creaminess.

It was ample enough for sharing between two diners, which gave us more tummy space to try Nomads Cafe’s other dishes.

For a dish that screams “outdoor cooking”, you’ll have to opt for the tom yum seafood noodles (S$25). 

It’s a zhnged-up version of the usual instant noodles, with myriad fresh seafood and a poached egg swimming in a spicy-sour tom yum broth. The soup soaks up the brininess of the seafood well, which in turn, imbues it with a slight sweetness. 

We found the taste of the dish to be nostalgic and familiar, as it reminded us of the times when we were craving a comforting bowl of instant noodles in the middle of the night.

Dessert was an indulgent affair with the ice cream with caramelised banana (S$16). Served on a stainless steel plate was a large, fluffy slice of banana cake, accompanied by two dollops of vanilla ice cream and caramelised banana halves.

We loved how the banana cake was soft and airy — not too overly dense — with icing sugar sprinkled all over its crust for a sweet finish. The bananas had a golden-brown, caramelised shell that melted in our mouths to reveal a tender, juicy body underneath. 

The list of drinks on the menu is extensive, ranging from coffees, juices, smoothies, beers and cocktails, depending on what you’re craving for the day. 

Those with a sweet-tooth will enjoy the cafe Milo (S$7). Alternatively, the avocado banana smoothie (S$9) is a refreshing delight that will perk you up on a sunny day, too.

Final thoughts

Themed cafes have our whole heart, especially when they’re done right — and Nomads Cafe has certainly left an impression. 

While we stopped by during the afternoon this time around, we think the vibes at night will be impeccable, where we can chill on its outdoor camping ground and gaze at the stars with a drink in hand. 

For the latest eats, read about HK milk tea brand Silk at Orchard or takeaway sushi bar concept Roll Sushi by Ippudo. Alternatively, check out the newest openings in Singapore here.

Nomads Cafe 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 Nomads Cafe to check out its fare.