Uptown Cafe at Great World is a vibey spot with vintage fashion finds and all-day brunch grub

It was a warm and sunny afternoon when we popped into Uptown Cafe, a charming spot nestled along the quiet stretch of Zion Road. 

Prior to our visit, we had heard good things about the place — it was a vibey two-in-one concept with luxury vintage apparel up for grabs, as well as an extensive array of nosh on both its day and evening menu.

You might prefer to stop by Uptown Cafe at night during its “lounge hours”, though. That’s when the lights are dimmed and groovy bangers hit the speakers.

And if you’re over during the weekend, deejays would also occasionally be spinning live, turning the space up with their electric sets. 

As much as we love having lit nights out, we were also looking for a versatile spot that would suit just as well for a chill brunch, which is why we decided to visit Uptown Cafe on a weekday afternoon instead.

We hear the space at Uptown Cafe is heavily inspired by its founder’s love for New York. The man in question, Timothy Koh, wanted the cafe to be more than just a run-of-the-mill establishment.

He’d thought to spruce things up by incorporating a slice of the Big Apple in its decor, such as the classic, minimalist shades of beiges and whites on the walls. The place is also accented with antique knick-knacks (some are even family heirlooms), plush couches and rugs, which all add up to create a cosy hangout spot.

A curated vintage collection 

Impeccable interior design aside, Uptown Cafe also boasts a curated vintage collection that you can browse, while your order is in the kitchen. It carries various luxury brands, and specialises mainly in men’s apparel. 

Each piece is unique and sourced internationally by Timothy himself, who’d cut his teeth on the fashion industry. He has quite the eye for trendy products and stocks the racks with new products every week, so keep your eyes peeled for a fashionable surprise whenever you’re here!

All-day brunch fare on Uptown Cafe’s menu

When we swung by Uptown Cafe at noon, we immediately gravitated towards its all-day brunch fare, which comprised English muffins (that were stamped with the brand’s logo), brioche and sourdough toasts.

We had the Uptown Little Muffin (S$14), which sees a juicy homemade chicken sage patty, egg and cheddar cheese wedged between two halves of a toasted English muffin. It’s also joined by tater tots, which lend an addictive, feel-good crispiness to the entire dish.

We do have one gripe, though. While the protein was succulent and meaty, with a slight peppery kick, we did find the muffin to be dry.

While the Uptown Little Muffin left us bereft, the sweet CMB. toast (S$15.50) was a pleasant surprise, with crisp brioche bread topped with tart blueberry compote, fresh strawberries and caramelised bananas.

The brioche bread is thoroughly laden with an indulgent cashew maple butter (made in-house with Uptown Cafe’s secret recipe) that brims with a nutty, flavourful richness. The strawberries and blueberry jam lend a refreshing, zesty tang to the toast, providing a much-needed counterpoint against the rich decadence of the cashew maple butter spread.

For light bites to be shared between friends, the tantalising masala karaage (S$16) sees pieces of plump, rotund karaage chicken elevated with black pepper and fragrant masala spice. 

We were expecting the masala spice to pack an earthier, smokier punch, but we still enjoyed the dish nonetheless — it’s a great snack to munch on while sipping on coffee (and yapping). 

Otherwise, the chewy mochi ball dippers (S$14) seem pretty enticing, too. These come with a medley of sweet potato and yam mochi balls paired with a velvety truffle mayo dip.

Drinks are a luxurious, gratifying affair with the assortment of caffeinated beverages on Uptown Cafe’s menu. But if you’d like boozier, alcoholic tipples — think cocktail fountains — then come by during the evening instead. 

We were all for the chill, laidback vibes at Uptown Cafe. And if you’re in the area looking for a quiet spot where you can relax, or get some work done, this is the place to head to.

For the latest eats, read about new “blind box” bingsu spot, Nana and Friends Cafe, and ceramic pottery date spot, Clayful Art Cafe. Alternatively, check out the newest openings in Singapore here. 

Uptown 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 Uptown Cafe to check out its chic space.