From loaded toasts to evening drinks, To;asta at Boat Quay is built for any time of day

“Cafe by day, bar by night” is a concept that never really gets old. Whether you’re after a morning coffee, a hearty meal, or post-work drinks, having it all under one roof means there’s a reason to come by at any time of day.

This is exactly what To;asta, tucked along the bustling Boat Quay, sets out to be. Since opening in September last year, the cafe has already made its rounds on social media for its aesthetics and enticing menu items. 

While the name points you straight to its signature toasts (obviously), you’ll also find a good spread of hearty mains and snacks that draw from both Asian and western influences, and an equally extensive drinks menu.

The space itself is cosy and inviting. We dropped by in the afternoon, and its dimly lit interiors offered a welcome escape from the midday heat.

There’s a bar tucked into one corner of the space that hints at its second life after dark.

There are outdoor seats, too, which we’d imagine become especially pleasant in the evenings once the sun eases up. (PS: Its outdoor seats are pet-friendly, if you plan to bring your furry companion along!)

Toasts and more

You can probably guess what takes centrestage here: Its toasts. 

You can choose between a fluffy, lightly sweet shokupan or a satisfyingly chewy sourdough as your base, before loading it up with one of its sweet or savoury combinations.

Our favourite was easily the Jussy beef sandwich (S$16), piled with short-plate beef, king oyster mushrooms, cheese, and chilli mayonnaise. It’s one of the cafe’s most popular offerings, and it’s easy to see why, when you look at the majesty of this toast.

The slices of beef are not only stacked generously, but are tender, rich, and savoury. Plenty of that onion sweetness comes through, while the pillowy toast offers plenty of support. We had no trouble finishing this one.

The croque monsieur (S$14), made with mortadella, mustard mornay, harissa, and torched cheese, is a take on the classic French ham-and-cheese sandwich. While the cheese lends plenty of richness, we found ourselves wishing for just a little more savoury punch to tie everything together.

Despite the cafe’s penchant for all things toasty, there are plenty of non-bread mains worth looking at instead.

The udon e pepe (S$14) stood out to us from the menu, and features udon tossed with tallow, crispy leeks, and tobiko.

While using udon in place of pasta isn’t exactly new, To;asta pulls it off well. The noodles retain a satisfying chew, while the generous crack of pepper gives the dish plenty of character.

Another dish that caught our eye is the scallop risotto (S$22), paired with roasted daikon, cheese, XO sauce, and puffed rice. We didn’t get to try it ourselves, but it’s one of the menu items we kept seeing recommended online.

The specials board also rotates with more indulgent options. During our visit, these included the A5 wagyu sando (S$49), layered with A5 Miyazaki wagyu striploin, mustard, curry, onions, and shokupan, alongside the Wagyu’d Up ragu (S$28), featuring A4 wagyu short rib ragu simmered with red wine, tomatoes, herbs, and cheese.

For sides, the glazed ngo hiang (S$10) was an easy pick. It immediately stood out to us, and after hearing it was another crowd favourite, we had to order it.

It’s coated in a glossy sweet soy glaze and finished with onions and shichimi — simple and familiar, but done well. It’s a good one to have on the table for sharing.

An extensive drinks menu

To wash everything down, we had the flat white (S$5) and a glass of naturally farmed Kamairicha tea (S$8) from Shizuoka, Japan.

The pan-fired green tea was mellow and rounded, with subtle roasted notes, rather than the grassy character typical of many Japanese green teas. It made for a soothing palate cleanser between the richer dishes.

Drinks are clearly a big part of To;asta’s identity. When evening comes, the cafe transitions into a laid-back bar, complete with a dedicated drinks menu spanning signature cocktails, sake, soju, house pours, and more.

If you’re dropping by after work, keep an eye out for its “Get Toasted” Happy Hour from 5pm to 7pm. Draft beers start from S$6 (U.P. S$10) for an Asahi Dry. Meanwhile, whisky highballs are S$8 (U.P. S$10), and cocktails are available at two for S$30 (U.P. S$20).

We visited during the day, when the dimly lit interiors already gave the space a laidback feel, but it’s easy to imagine it taking on a different, vibey energy once evening rolls around and the drinks start flowing. 

For more ideas on where to eat at Boat Quay, read on the hidden bistro Patchwork Kitchen and the burger concept Riverside Buns. If you love bread, check out our top picks for the best sandwiches around town.