15 best Holland Village cafes for the ’gram
Looking for a new neighbourhood to explore for cafes? There’s just something magical about Holland Village cafes, or the area for that matter.
Maybe it’s the stretch along Lorong Mambong that makes us think we’re in Europe, or the sight of Thambi Magazine Store that reminds us of our younger days. Or perhaps it’s the fact that there are just so many food options there — great for all budgets and taste buds.
There’s Chip Bee Gardens, formerly home to members of the British Army, Holland Drive Market and Food Centre for our favourite local fare and Holland Road Shopping Centre with a mix of food and retail options.
Named after the English architect Hugh Holland, the area has become more easily accessible in recent years with the opening of Holland Village MRT station. So you have no excuse to head here next time you get the munchies, whether you’re in the mood for a snack or something heavier.
Here’s our pick of 15 Holland Village cafes to try.
1. [Closed] Sunday Folks
Chip Bee Gardens, 01-52, 44 Jalan Merah Saga
Open: Monday to Friday (2pm to 10pm), Saturday and Sunday (12pm to 10pm)
Why visit? Every day is Sunday at this cafe, so don’t wait for the weekend and give yourself a much-deserved treat any time you fancy one. Sunday Folks specialises in ice cream, cakes and waffles, and you’ll need to be patient when you get here as snaking queues are not out of the ordinary. Most diners come for the waffles, often cited as among the best in Singapore, and we definitely agree with this perspective.
Price range: $$
Crowd favourites: The ice creams are made fresh in the kitchen and come in flavours such as earl grey lavender and dark chocolate ferrero, with toppings such as fresh strawberries, caramel marshmallows and cornflakes. Get a signature waffle with ice cream (S$11.50) or create your own (S$13.50). You can also double-up the waffle for an extra S$2.80. The generous serving of ice cream means you might want to get two waffles instead, especially if you’re sharing.
Cakes such as strawberry chantilly cake and winter yuzu and lychee cake are available, too, from S$9 a slice. Grab something from its coffee menu to balance out the cold ice cream or order one of its interesting cold drinks, such as the watermelon lime and mint pop (S$7 per glass).
2. Baker & Cook
Chip Bee Gardens, 01-56, 44 Jalan Merah Saga
Open: Monday to Thursday (7.30am to 7pm), Friday to Sunday (7.30am to 8pm)
Why visit? An artisan bakery and food store, Baker & Cook was opened by celebrated baker Dean Brettschneider in 2012. You’ll find handcrafted baked products that are sometimes too pretty to eat, but can’t miss scoffing them down because they’re so good. There isn’t an extensive menu, but you’ll definitely want to come back for more as it has the kind of ambience that pulls you in. There’s super friendly service, too, which is always a bonus.
Price range: $$
Crowd favourites: Brunch is served until 3pm daily, so you can try hearty classics such as mushroom omelette (S$17.20), avo smash (S$22.70) or good ol’ pancake (S$18.50). Other popular all-day items include B&C tartines (French open-faced sandwich, S$14.50), ham and cheese croissant (S$8) and a daily selection of savoury tarts (from S$8.50).
Don’t forget to order your beverage of choice — coffees are Allpress Coffee from New Zealand and teas are Teapigs Tea from the United Kingdom. Baker & Cook also sells freshly squeezed juices (S$7) and smoothies (S$9.80) such as raspberry rage, choc oreo and vitamin burst.
3. Project Acai
27 Lorong Liput
Open: Monday to Sunday (11.30am to 10pm)
Why visit? Get a dose of superfood for the day by picking up an acaí bowl at Project Acai. Acai berries are known for their low calorie count, heart-healthy fats and antioxidant benefits. The acai base here is blended fresh in small batches every hour. Plus, everything on the menu here is dairy-free, vegetarian, as well as vegan- and gluten-friendly.
Price range: $$
Crowd favourites: Start with the original flower bowl (from S$7.50), with blended acai base, granola, banana, fruits and superfoods. If you’re crazy about nuts, try the nuts for acai bowl (from S$9.90), which has a blended acai base, granola, banana, cacao nibs, chia seeds and a choice of two butters. You can also create your own acai bowl (from S$10.50) if you prefer mixing and matching specific items.
Pick up a smoothie if you want something lighter, such as the yogi wannabe-rry (S$9), with organic acai, apple juice, banana, blueberries, strawberries and bee pollen, or can’t let that man-go (S$9), with organic acai, coconut water, banana, mango and chia seeds. If you want an acai-free meal, order avocado toast (S$8.50) with matcha latte (from S$4.80).
4. Two Men Bagel House
17D Lorong Liput
Open: Monday to Sunday (9am to 3pm)
Why visit? If bagels are your bread rolls of choice, you will love the menu here. Two Men Bagel House is a well-known Holland Village cafe in Singapore that serves a selection of creative bagel sandwiches that have won over the hearts and minds of diners here. Forget your boring bagels — these are hearty meals that will keep you full for hours. Wash it down with a cup of Melbourne-roasted coffee from St Ali.
Price range: $$
Crowd favourites: Love fish and chips? Then you have to try its signature dish, what she order (S$19.50), which is basically that dish in a bagel — beer-battered fish, sliced cheddar, tartar sauce, fried capers and jalapeno onion crunch.
Also not to be missed is the hangover II (S$18.50), with English breakfast pork patty, black eyed peas baked beans, hash brown, sunny side up and spicy ketchup; and berkeley chix (S$17.50), with chicken breast, smoked paprika and garlic butter, sweet pickled peppers, baby spinach, sunny side up and almonds.
You can build your own bagel with a wide selection of ingredients or have a light one with just your bagel, spreads and cream cheese of choice.
Find out more about the two men behind Two Men Bagel House.
5. Tai Cheong Bakery
31 Lorong Liput
Open: Monday to Sunday (10am to 8pm)
Why visit? A Hong Kong bakery that started way back in 1954, Tai Cheong Bakery is best known for its egg tarts and attracted long queues when it first entered the market here as several pop-up stores in 2016. This Holland Village branch is the brand’s only cha chaan teng outlet and the menu is inspired by Hong Kong classics but reinvented with a modern twist.
Price range: $$
Crowd favourites: Hong Kong milk egg tart (S$2.60) are a must-try and we highly recommend getting a few extra to take home because you’ll definitely be craving it once you leave the cafe. Get something from its ‘taste of Hong Kong’ list of dishes, such as the scrambled egg with bolo bun and chicken chop (S$11.80). It’s also a good spot to chill with a hot drink and a snack — we say go for a chicken pie (S$3) or char siu pie (S$3.50).
6. Craftsmen Specialty Coffee
275 Holland Avenue
Open: Sunday to Thursday (8.30am to 8pm), Friday and Saturday (8.30am to 10pm)
Why visit? Some might say brewing a good cup of coffee is a craft and the folks at Craftsmen Specialty Coffee certainly take their cup of joe seriously. The coffee here is made with the finest globally-sourced coffee beans that are roasted to perfection, and you must try its East-meets-West offering, gula melaka latte (from S$7.50), if you love a sweet brew.
The chilled-out ambiance at this Holland Village cafe also makes it a good spot to chill with a book or catch up on emails while sipping on a dirty chai (from S$7.50) or iced espresso latte (S$8).
Price range: $$
Crowd favourites: This eatery is especially recommended for brunch, with dishes such as grilled chicken French toast (S$20) and truffle and egg sourdough (S$22). Its buttermilk waffles are also great morning pick-me-ups: try strawberry sweetheart (S$18) or wurst waffle (S$19), with pork bratwurst, caramelised banana, bacon and maple syrup. You can pop in at any other time of the day too and try the burgers, pizza and pasta. It also serves an all-day big breakfast (S$26) or veggie breakfast (S$26).
7. Lola’s
48 Lorong Mambong
Open: Tuesday to Friday (10am to 10.30pm), Saturday and Sunday (9am to 10.30pm)
Why visit? Lola’s is a cosy neighbourhood cafe with calm surroundings, so don’t be surprised if you end up staying here longer than planned. It’s more well-known for its OG Kovan outlet, which got a gorgeous makeover earlier this year. However, don’t sleep on its Holland Village outlet — its second — for it’s equally beautiful with a Scandinavian aesthetic.
You’d be mesmerised by the smell of fresh bakes wafting through the cafe as you walk in, and it helps that there are wooden fixtures and plants dotted around the venue. Expect a delicious brunch and all-day menu that’s similar to the Kovan branch. It serves great coffee, too, roasted by Dutch Colony Co.
Price range: $$
Crowd favourites: The loaded tater tots (S$13) is an excellent dish to share — it’s a hearty dish of tater tots, bacon bits, housemade smoked ketchup, sour cream and spring onion. Add S$3.50 for guacamole. Get the pulled pork and avocado eggs benedict (S$18) or a grilled cheese sandwich (S$17) if you’re there for brunch.
If you’re dropping in at any other time of the day, get the spicy crab rigatoni (S$20), black garlic fried chicken burger (S$18), or the outlet-exclusive tsukune sando (S$17). There’s also a selection of cakes, tarts and waffles for dessert.
8. Tiong Bahru Bakery
Chip Bee Gardens, 01-74, 43 Jalan Merah Saga
Open: Monday to Sunday (7.30am to 7pm)
Why visit? If you love croissants, you’d know by now that Tiong Bahru Bakery serves highly lauded handmade ones that are freshly baked daily. In fact, despite the local name, the bakery specialises in French pastries and artisanal breads, made with 100% French butter and flour.
Founded in 2012 as a bakery in the neighbourhood it’s named after, there are now 19 outlets across Singapore, each giving customers a delicious taste of France. A testament to its popularity — the brand attracted long snaking queues on April 1 when it decided to give out free croissants (it wasn’t a joke).
Price range: $$
Crowd favourites: Grab a croissant (S$4) or pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant, S$4.50) for a snack that hits the spot. If you want something more filling, pick up a roast beef croissant (S$12) or ham and cheese croissant (S$9). Craving something sweet? Get a slice of lemon drizzle (S$5) and pair that with a hot drink. Coffee is available from S$4.80 and if you’re adventurous with your teas, order the iced red and mint tea (S$7) or turmeric latte (S$6.20).
9. The Daily Scoop
Chip Bee Gardens, 01-78, 43 Jalan Merah Saga
Open: Monday to Thursday (11am to 10pm), Friday and Saturday (11am to 10.30pm)
Why visit? What’s not to love about an ice cream cafe, especially with our sometimes unbearable tropical climate? The Daily Scoop began in 2004 as a little cafe in Sunset Way, where locals flocked to try its experimental flavours. It has since gained itself a strong following who love the brand for its unique hand-churned offerings that are made with fresh ingredients.
This outlet in Holland Village opened in 2009 and you can get intriguing flavours such as pandan blue pea mochi, raspberry honeycomb, mao shan wang and lychee martini.
Price range: $$
Crowd favourites: What goes best with ice cream? Waffles, of course. Try the classic waffle and ice-cream set (S$8.50) or the churro waffle and ice-cream set (S$9.50). If you want a burst of local flavour that is sure to invoke some childhood memories, go for the Milo wafflesaur and ice-cream set (S$9.50), which consists of crisp mini waffles served with Milo balls, condensed milk drizzle and Milo powder.
Ice cream is available from S$4 for a single scoop and you can get a thick milkshake with your choice of two scoops of ice cream at S$7.80.
10. Keong Saik Bakery
Chip Bee Gardens, 01-42, 44 Jalan Merah Saga
Open: Monday to Friday (8.30am to 6pm), Saturday and Sunday (8am to 5pm)
Why visit? You get old-school meets contemporary when you visit the popular Keong Saik Bakery. Its signature pastry is sor hei (S$5), a black and white Danish pastry with chocolate chips that’s shaped like a hair bun as a tribute to the majies (female domestic workers) who resided on the street the bakery is named after.
First opened in 2017 at Keong Saik Road, this outlet is Keong Saik Bakery’s second. Boasting retro tiles and an aesthetic storefront, you can’t go wrong with this one if you’re looking for a nice cafe in Holland Village.
Price range: $$
Crowd favourites: The French butter croissant (S$3.70), truffle egg mayo croissant (S$7), or ABC Danish (streaky bacon, egg and mozzarella, S$4.40) are good breakfast options. If you want something sweeter later in the day, grab a slice of cake — the matcha Swiss roll (S$7.20), toffee pecan (S$8) or chocolate indulgence (S$7.20) are all good options. There are loads of local flavours to try here, too, such as the ondeh Swiss roll (S$8) or garlic otak baguette (S$4.30).
11. Hoshino Coffee
Raffles Holland V Mall, 02-02, 118 Holland Avenue
Open: Monday to Thursday (11.30am to 9pm), Friday (11.30am to 9.30pm), Saturday (9am to 9.30pm) and Sunday (9am to 9pm)
Why visit? Hoshino Coffee is a Japanese coffee brand that’s known for its hand drip coffee. The roasted Arabica coffee beans are carefully selected by the brand’s coffee blend specialist, Master Kanno, then delicately hand-dripped for you to enjoy. It’s not just about the coffee here, though. It is also known for its souffle pancakes — creamy and fluffy creations that are served with homemade whipped butter and your choice of syrup.
Price range: $$
Crowd favourites: Get the Hoshino blend (S$6.90) and savour its sweet chestnut flavour, or opt for the orihime blend (S$6.90), which has a savoury butter-biscuit flavour. The souffle-style pancakes (from S$10.30) are a must — choose from flavours such as strawberry and matcha or just have the regular pancake. They’re available in single or double options and baked fresh on demand, so order early as there’s a 20 minute waiting time.
Hot dishes are available, too; the menu is filled with options such as spaghetti, rice dishes including omu rice with beef steak, sandwiches and meats with your choice of rice or toast. Lunch sets are available if you want to make it a complete meal, with each main coming with a mini soup and drink.
12. Drinks&Co Kitchen
27 Lorong Mambong
Open: Tuesday to Thursday (3pm to 11pm), Friday (3pm to 1am), Saturday (1pm to 2am)
Why visit? You might think of Drinks&Co as a place to go to get bottles of alcohol for a party, but did you know you can also dine at its outlets? Each of its branches offer a different concept and Drinks&Co Kitchen at Holland Village is a casual wine bar with an alfresco area for fun, laid-back dining. There’s a wide variety in its menu, from burgers and pizza made with handmade dough to tacos, tapas and platters that are great for sharing.
Price range: $$
Crowd favourites: The mentaiko prawns pizza (S$27), with mentaiko paste, garlic prawns and kazami nori is an interesting choice, while the salt and pepper squid (S$18) is a recommended snack.
Order one of its signature boards that are ideal for sharing between two or four persons — we say go for the mixed meat platter (from S$45) that comes with New Zealand lamb rack, Australian beef, pork ribs and chicken tikka with mint jelly, mixed olives and mesclun salad.
13. % Arabica
44 Jalan Merah Saga
Open: Sunday to Thursday (8am to 6pm), Friday and Saturday (8am to 7pm)
Why visit? This independent coffee brand from Kyoto has more than 160 stores around the world and you’ll understand why once you have a drink here. % Arabica is the brainchild of founder and creative director Kenneth Shoji, whose aim is for everyone to ‘see the world through coffee’.
The brand believes in keeping things simple, whether it’s its coffee or the design of the store. The clean, minimalist, all-white decor screams out for photos to be taken and, thankfully, the coffee is worth talking about, too.
Price range: $
Crowd favourites: Its latte is extremely popular — boasting a creamy, milky and bittersweet mouthfeel, you’ll be converted after just one sip. There are a few variations to choose from and you can have them hot or iced.
The caffe latte (from S$7.40) is a bestseller, but if you like your coffees chocolatey, go for the dark latte (from S$8.90), which comes with premium French cocoa for a rich chocolatey taste). You can also try the matcha latte (from S$8.90) made from quality matcha from Kyoto. Pick up a pastry to enjoy with your meal — the croissants (from S$4.80) are especially tasty.
14. 2am: dessertbar
21A Lorong Liput
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (3pm to 2am)
Why visit? Opened in 2007, the charming cafe-bar is known for its artistic dessert creations, and has remained popular throughout the years. It’s helmed by chef Janice Wong, who has redefined the dessert experience with 2am: dessertbar. With her many ‘best pastry chef’ accolades, Wong has proven that she is a force to be reckoned with, so you can be sure you’d have a good meal if you’re craving dessert.
With each dish an intricate concoction and beautifully presented, you know you’re getting more than just a mere dessert — it’s about having an experience that involves all of your senses. Contrary to its name, you don’t have to wait till the middle of the night to visit; you can enter this dessert paradise at any time (during opening hours, that is).
Price range: $$
Crowd favourites: Each dessert here has a recommended drink pairing to complete the experience — while you don’t have to order the drink, we suggest trying it out to fully enjoy your dish.
Indulge in the chocolate H2O (S$22), which has Pure Imagination 65% dark chocolate, chocolate soil (something like a chocolate crumble), salted caramel and kochi yuzu sorbet; or try shades of green (S$22), with pandan kaya ice cream, pistachio sponge, coconut foam, pandan yoghurt and brown butter tulle. The chocolate tart (S$18) and tiramisu (S$18) are also recommended if you prefer more “familiar” desserts.
15. Caffeine Xpress
One Holland Village, 01-39, Holland Village Way
Open: TBA
Why visit? Caffeine Xpress was a hole-in-the-wall stall located within the famous Thambi Magazine Store, an icon in the area that has seen generations of youths thumb through their favourite magazines (often without even buying any).
At present, it’s taking a short break, but regulars need not fret — it will be back from Dec 1 at a new location, One Holland Village.
For those who’ve frequented the hidden gem, Caffeine Xpress was a popular spot to pick-up-and-go as there were limited seats. While we’re not sure what its new space will look like, we hope it will have more seating options for people to savour the coffee and small bites.
Price range: $$
Crowd favourites: We don’t know if the menu will be changed along with the venue. But we do hope it keeps its popular Dalgona latte (S$6), a creamy whipped coffee that’s highly recommended for anyone who loves anything fluffy. Its cold brews (from S$5) were always a treat on scorching days and the matcha latte (from S$4.50) scored bonus points as it oozed a thick, earthy flavour.
Still hungry? Read our guide on where to get creative and unusual waffles in Singapore or check out our list of mouthwatering fare in Ang Mo Kio.
All Holland Village cafes except The Daily Scoop are on the GrabFood delivery service and offer free delivery (up to S$3 off) with GrabUnlimited.
Do explore the new GrabFood Dine-in service for awesome deals.
You can also book a ride to any of the Holland Village cafes mentioned here.
Balvinder Sandhu
Author
Balvinder has been writing professionally for more than 25 years. She needs a dose of spice every other day and will tell anyone who listens that Singapore has the best and most-affordable food in the world, okay?
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