8 best places in Singapore to get atas kopi for a productivity boost

For many of us, coffee serves an essential role in our lives. Some need the caffeine to survive the midday slump, while others just enjoy the unrivalled comfort of a warm cuppa to start the day.

While fancy lattes and flat whites are nice, the fierce kick from a cup of kopi (traditional Singapore coffee) is just what you need sometimes. 

What makes kopi in Singapore different is the roasting process, which sees robusta beans — instead of the more nuanced arabica beans usually used in Western coffee — roasted in margarine or butter for that extra caramelisation.

The coffee grounds are then traditionally filtered through a sock — quite unlike Western cuppas that go through espresso machines or coffee drippers.

If you need a perk-me-up, your best bet is a slightly acidic and full-bodied cuppa (kopi c gah dai, anyone?) from the nearby hawker centre or coffee shop.

But with the proliferation of specialty coffee places and fancy cafes in Singapore, the bar for coffee, local or otherwise, has never been higher. We’re now seeing a slew of young hawkers and cafe owners venturing out of the box and putting their own elevated spin on the beloved classic. 

Curious what a cup of “atas kopi” would taste like? Read on to find out where you can go for the best kopi in Singapore your next coffee session.

8 best places for atas kopi in Singapore

1. Coffee Break

Amoy Street Food Centre, 02-78, 7 Maxwell Road 
Open: Monday to Friday (7.30am to 2.30pm)

Hong Lim Food Centre, 02-41, 531A Upper Cross Street
Open: Monday to Friday (7.30am to 2.30pm)

Market Street Food Centre, 02-21, 50 Market Street
Open: Monday to Friday (7.30am to 2.30pm)

Why visit? Coffee Break is one of the more well-known “new-age” kopi stalls in Singapore. It’s a third-generation business run by a group of young siblings who have decided to add an unusual modern twist to their menu — a move that has made the brand a social media sensation.

While it started off at Amoy Street Food Centre, Coffee Break has since expanded to a outlets at Hong Lim Food Centre and Market Street Food Centre.

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: What’s the best companion for kopi? Kaya toast, of course. Coffee Break serves up a crunchy traditional toast (S$3), but also offers an array of flavoured toasts (S$3.50), such as earl grey creme toast and black sesame butter toast. 

Beverage-wise, the simple kopi (S$1.60) won’t go wrong, but you can also opt for the more quirky flavoured kopi (choose from flavours such as almond and hazelnut, S$3.20). If you’re feeling more bougie, get the flavoured lattes (S$4), with unique options such as pumpkin spice and pistachio.

2. Kopifellas

Various outlets across Singapore
Open: Operating hours vary across outlets

Why visit? With eight outlets scattered throughout Singapore, you’d probably have noticed Kopifellas at many different hawker centres and shopping centres, each with its own long queue.

Not only is it a dependable spot for hearty cups of traditional Nanyang coffee, the popular franchise has also become a beloved spot for trendy drinks such as milk tea. Fun fact: It is one of the vendors that set up shop at the swanky Urban Hawker concept in New York City.

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: The menu varies across stores, but popular staples include non-coffee favourites such as Thai green milk tea (from S$3.10) and yuzu green tea (from S$3.30). Of course, if you’re looking for simplicity, then get the signature kopi (from S$1.60).

3. Kopi More

Golden Mile Food Centre, B1-49, 505 Beach Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (10.30am to 4pm)

Why visit? Found in the basement of Golden Mile Food Centre, Kopi More is one of those #iykyk hidden gems that have amassed quite a cult following. It often boasts long queues, fequently made up of regulars.

The hawker stall started in 2016 and has since become known for its punchy blend of robusta and arabica beans, which are made into cups of fragrant kopi using a modern espresso machine for a truly elevated cuppa.

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: This stall keeps its menu lean and simple, you won’t find newfangled concoctions such as pumpkin spice lattes here — just pick between the hot coffee (S$2.40) and iced coffee (S$2.70), depending on your preference or mood.

4. Singapore Coffee

Raffles Hotel Arcade, 01-13, 328 North Bridge Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (9am to 6pm)

Why visit? Kopi served in a fancy cafe at Raffles Hotel? That’s not something most people would expect, but Singapore Coffee is a rather unique establishment that prides itself on sourcing the finest coffee beans from around the region, roasting them in Singapore, and then creating one-of-a-kind beverages.

Some might call it a tourist attraction, but there are few places where you can indulge in a cup of kopi while munching on luxe croissant sandwiches and desserts such as tiramisu.

Price range: $$

Crowd favourites: This hotel cafe endeavours to elevate and bring forward the best local coffee in Singapore. The result of these efforts are original creations such as the creamy kopi shake (S$14) served in a coupe glass, and the refreshing frozen kopi (S$16), an ice-blended drink that’s topped with whipped cream and gula melaka caramel.

5. Kopiboy

Online delivery service

Why visit? We’ve all seen the slew of online cold brew delivery services pop up during the pandemic. But what about cold brew kopi? Kopiboy makes its signature cold brew from robusta beans instead.

The drink is completed with condensed milk and evaporated milk so you are ensured authenticity, but better yet, you can have it siew dai by selecting the “less sweet” option. Kopi peng from the fridge whenever you’re craving it? Yes, please!

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: If you’re looking for bottled options of your favourite local beverages, Kopiboy’s menu includes a selection of authentic kopi (from S$5.50), kopi o kosong (from S$5.50) and even teh tarik (S$5.50).

For those with adventurous palettes, it also carries a myriad of flavoured espresso drinks ranging from gula melaka (from S$5.50) to buttered popcorn (from S$5.50).

6. Generation Coffee

Tekka Centre, 1-321, 665 Buffalo Road
Open: Monday to Friday (7am to 3pm), Saturday (7am to 1pm)

Blk 216 Bedok Food Centre and Market, 01-32, 216 Bedok North Street 1
Open: Monday to Sunday (7am to 2.30pm)

Why visit? Generation Coffee, a charming hawker concept run by ex-baristas, offers the best of both worlds to all coffee lovers. 

As its name suggests, it bridges the gap between different generations, serving up both old-school kopi and trendy specialty coffee at the same location, and at an affordable price.

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: Priced from S$1.40, the kopi options here are pretty worth their while. There’s even a nifty bubble tea-style sugar level meter — just in case you need to verify what “siew dai” (less sweet) or “gah dai” (more sweet) mean.

The selection is equally affordable even if specialty coffee is more your beat. It’s one of the few hawker settings where you can get a cappuccino, finished with nice latte art, for just S$3.50.

7. Shashlik

Far East Shopping Centre, 06-19, 545 Orchard Road
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm)

Why visit? Unlike many of the new upstarts found on this list, Shashlik has established itself as a stalwart in Singapore’s restaurant scene. The storied Russo-Hainanese restaurant is unquestionably one of Orchard Road’s most iconic fixtures, having been in operation for over 30 years.

Its Hainanese ties also means Shashlik puts emphasis on its coffee — you can expect it to brew up rustic cups of Hainanese kopi while also incorporating pyrotechnics into its flaming coffee cocktails.

Price range: $$

Crowd favourites: There are plenty of legendary dishes on Shashlik’s food menu, such as the majestic bombe alaska. However, if you’re a coffee aficionado, the Shashlik kopi (S$4) or signature coffee-based flaming cocktails (S$22) might have more allure.

Available in Russian or Irish, you’d be treated to a flamboyant performance where the coffee cocktails will be flambeed with either vodka or Irish whisky, depending on your choice of poison.

8. Coffeeman

Various outlets across Singapore
Open: Operating hours vary across outlets

Why visit? Coffeeman is a new entrant to the list of best kopi in Singapore, having only opened its first outlet in Toa Payoh in May. The brand is working fast, though, and has already opened up another location in Tanjong Pagar’s Icon Village, with another planned for the Devan Nair Institute in Jurong East.

Decked in a distinct pastel green, its kiosks serve up all manners of comfort, with caffeinated choices ranging from old-school kopi to latte and tummy-fillers such as kaya toast sets and sandwiches.

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: Coffeeman’s menu has the usual suspects, ranging from kopi o (from S$1.70) to yuan yang (from S$2) and teh halia (from S$2), which are the perfect foil to its affordable traditional toasts (S$4.80 for set, S$2.10 for ala carte).

For more ideas on what to eat, check out our guide on unique waffles in Singapore and places for black sesame snacks. 

Coffee Break, Kopifellas, Generation Coffee and Singapore Coffee are on the GrabFood delivery service and offer free delivery (up to S$3 off) with GrabUnlimited.

You can also book a ride to these places for the best kopi in Singapore.