Tomo Cafe: Homegrown Japanese-style cafe opens new pet-friendly outlet at Upper Thomson
As a North-eastie, the northern region is not a neighbourhood that I often set foot into. But on days when I’m inclined to venture to that further part of town, the lively Upper Thomson stretch is where I’d go.
It’s an enclave of food gems, brimming with artisanal ice-cream shops, restaurants and eateries that open past midnight. The latest to join this fray is Tomo Cafe, a homegrown Japanese-style chain with modern Japanese fusion fare.
Opened on October 8, this is the brand’s third outlet on our sunny shores — the other two are located along the vibrant streets of Joo Chiat and Neil Road.
But what makes Tomo Cafe at Upper Thomson unlike its predecessors is its pet-friendly, outdoor dining space, where fur babies can enjoy a meal alongside their owners. Its menu is different as well, with a couple of new outlet-exclusives added to the list.
The space
Tomo Cafe aims to be more than just your run-of-the-mill cafe — it intends to be a cosy hangout spot, where loved ones can gather and catch up over a freshly ground cuppa.
The cafe chain has a heartwarming philosophy: “Come as you are, leave as a friend” and hopes to build a safe space where all are welcome.
And if you haven’t noticed yet, its adorable name, “Tomo”, is also a reference to the Japanese word “tomodachi”, which means “friends”.
When we were at the cafe, business was astir. The fragrant aroma of freshly brewed coffee , coupled with the familiar whistling of the espresso machine in the background, wafts through the air.
But if you prefer to savour the natural breeze instead, head outdoors. An al fresco dining area, which will have a full view of the Upper Thomson ’hood, is in the works — perfect if you’d like to stop and watch the world go by.
Best of all, the space is pet-friendly, so your furkids can unwind and relax with you.
Outlet-exclusive dishes
Tomo Cafe at Upper Thomson has a handful of outlet-exclusive dishes up its sleeve, particularly its stacked burgers and hearty rice dons.
Tomo’s premium hamburg (S$30) is one of the new items on the Upper Thomson menu and features a juicy wagyu beef patty, topped with crunchy onion rings, caramelised onions and a creamy scrambled egg.
The burger is then dressed with a fragrant truffle mayo and nacho cheese for added flavour and aroma. If you prefer the dish to have more heart and substance, feel free to spruce it all up with additional sides, such as mentaiko fries (top-up S$2) and truffle tater tots (top-up S$4).
Of the rice dons, the new pastrami don (S$21) seemed the most intriguing (we’d never ordered such a dish before), and we were tempted to give it a try.
Very limited quantities are available each day — only two portions of beef brisket are prepared daily — so it’s fastest fingers first, if you’d like to get a share.
The pastrami is freshly made in-house and undergoes a meticulous five-day treatment for the utmost flavour and texture. A side of gooey sous vide egg complements the protein, coating it with a gentle creaminess when the yolk breaks apart.
Regulars at Tomo Cafe may be familiar with its signature honey almond toast (S$12), though the soft-serve ice cream is new. The dessert usually comes with a standard scoop of vanilla ice cream, but we’d recommend pairing it with the soft-serve instead — you can put it in a request for this, without having to top-up extra.
The soft-serve ice cream is milkier and lighter on the palate, as compared to the usual vanilla ice cream, which balances out any heavy richness from the toasted shokupan bread.
Tomo Cafe already has a comprehensive selection of lattes and sodas, but it has expanded to include the likes of the floral-scented lychee Rosey Blossom (S$8) and Bisukofu brew Cloud (S$8).
Both make for very pretty shots for the ’gram, complete with a velvety cloud of cream on top and swirls of coffee or tea at the bottom. The former is sprinkled with vibrant, pastel rose petals for a pop of colour, while the latter is dusted with crunchy Biscoff bits.
Our two cents
If you’re looking for a place to chill at, Tomo Cafe at Upper Thomson is a good spot to kick back and unwind over coffee and food.
However, we do find that the food isn’t as much of a draw for us as its pet-friendly offerings, especially if we’re looking for a cafe where we can easily dine at with our furry friends.
This was a hosted tasting.
For the latest eats, read about Chinese ice cream and BBT brand BingXue at Yishun and popular Hong Kong-style cafe Hong Kong Cha Kee at Novena. Alternatively, check out the newest openings in Singapore here.
Tomo Cafe is on the GrabFood Delivery Service and offers free delivery (up to S$3 off with GrabUnlimited).
You can also book a ride to Tomo Cafe at Upper Thomson to savour its new outlet-exclusives.
Do explore the GrabFood Dine Out service for awesome deals.
Tomo Cafe
185 Upper Thomson Road
Nearest MRT station: Upper Thomson
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (9.30am to 9.30pm)
185 Upper Thomson Road
Nearest MRT station: Upper Thomson
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (9.30am to 9.30pm)
