10 home-based cafes around Singapore for cosy sips & tasty bites
Whenever you think of new cafes to explore in Singapore, you might gravitate towards trendy and chic spots in town — but in the past year, some of the more exciting drinks, nibbles and concepts are being served from homes all across Singapore.
These home-based cafes may not have fancy shopfronts, but the food and drinks dished out by these budding entrepreneurs are just as good, if not better than some conventional cafes, we think!
From creamy oat lattes to nostalgic kopi and refreshing smoothies, here are some of our favourite home-based cafes around Singapore that are well worth the trek to.
1. Waterloo Coffee
Given that there are so many cafes and trendy dining spots in the bustling Bugis area, the last thing you’d probably expect is a home-based cafe. But there’s one that’s been gaining quite a bit of traction — located right opposite Bras Basah Complex, within a HDB estate is Waterloo Coffee, a cosy little spot serving drinks straight from its window.
Run by a friendly couple, Waterloo Coffee serves up canned matcha and coffee, a medium that we think is perfect for those always on the go. The thoughtful duo also adds a sweet touch to every order in the form of a mini brownie, lovingly baked by the owner’s mother. (Yes, it’s also a home-based business, Brownie Palette, which you can purchase from!)
The menu offers plenty of options, but crowd-favourites include the Spanish latte (from S$8.50), mango matcha (from S$9), and French mint mocha (from S$9) — all of which can be enjoyed hot or iced. The iced lime eucalyptus tea (S$6.50) is a great refresher, too, if you’re craving something cool and refreshing.
2. Room Cafe Home
Here’s one for the Easties — Room Cafe Home was started by Bryan Kuah, who graduated recently, and whose cafe idea was born out of his love for cooking his favourite pasta dish, aglio olio. What makes this Pasir Ris spot extra special is its unique setup for those who opt to dine-in — Bryan has laid out camping chairs for a cosy, relaxed vibe to complement his menu of home-cooked food and housemade drinks.
Since the cafe was born out of Bryan’s passion for aglio olio, his mastery of the dish definitely shines through. During our visit in end-July, we tried the smoked duck aglio olio (S$15.90), which was perfectly al dente with a generous portion of smoked duck.
Another standout was the curry baked rice (S$13.90) — warm, hearty, and satisfying. While the menu switches up weekly to keep things fresh and exciting, you can always expect a few hearty mains, nibbles, and drinks.
On the drinks side, Room Cafe Home has both caffeinated and non-caffeinated options. Some highlights for us included the creamy Biscoff latte (S$7.50) and banana pudding matcha latte (S$8.50). For those who prefer refreshing drinks, there’re also iced teas that are great for cooling down in Singapore’s heat.
3. Autumn Brews
For those living in Sengkang, you’ll know that options for a good cuppa coffee are admittedly few and far between (this writer knows as she lives nearby), so imagine how glad we were when we found out about Autumn Brews, a home-based gem just a short walk from Sengkang MRT.
Autumn Brews specialises in speciality coffee, with a carefully curated selection of beans that have been chosen for their fruit-forward sweetness and acidity. Coffee lovers, you’ll find all the familiar favourites here: Black coffee (from S$3), white coffee (from S$4), and even filter coffee (from S$5), which is a rare treat for a home-based set-up.
For those who love adventurous flavours, its ice blueberry lavender matcha latte (from S$6) and ice yuzu houjicha latte (from S$5) are unique blends worth trying, too.
Do note that drinks are available by pre-order on its website only, so be sure to place your order at least 30 to 45 minutes in advance, during its operating hours, to avoid disappointment.
4. Knead Kopi
At Knead Kopi, founders Rachel Neo and Glenndon Khoo, both in their mid-20s, have put a unique retro spin on the home-based cafe experience, opting to serve kopitiam-style drinks and classic bites instead of the usual espresso-based brews.
Their cafe, located in Bukit Timah, not only celebrates Singapore’s coffee shop culture, but is also decorated as such, and even comes with a comprehensive kopi guide showing you how you can and should order your desired brew.
Occupying the front porch of their house, the cafe comes with an adjacent laid-back dine-in space where customers can enjoy their food and drinks. Beverage options include kopi, teh, Horlicks, and Milo, with prices starting from S$1.60.
While there are local staples such as kaya toast and eggs, it was its robust and creamy curry chicken (S$9.50) served with baguette slices for dipping that really stole our hearts and stomachs. For dessert, the mochi brownie (S$5) — a rich, chocolatey treat with a chewy mochi centre — is a great finisher.
5. U1 Coffee
U1 Coffee is a cosy little home-based spot in Ubi that opened its doors to customers earlier this year. It’s been styled in a manner which resembles a hole-in-the-wall cafe, and looks so chic and ‘gram-worthy that if you just relied on the photos alone, you might have just thought this was a new trendy spot in the east.
The idea of U1 Coffee began when its owners moved into their house and realised there wasn’t a speciality coffee joint nearby, and so they decided to take matters into their own hands and create one themselves. The home-based cafe’s name “U1” is a riff off the phrase “you want (coffee)?” and also a nod to its location at Ubi Avenue 1.
What makes U1 stand out is its rotating selection of coffee beans, and matcha powders, which it switches up every two weeks to offer its customers new flavours. This switch-up is also made easier by the owner’s globetrotting partner who often brings back unique picks from her travels to places such as Australia and Indonesia.
Some of the picks we really enjoyed were its ice black with orange spritz (S$4.50) — a lighter, fruit-forward cold brew with a tangy lift — and the refreshing strawberry matcha latte (S$6), a seasonal special when we visited. For the non-caffeine drinkers, the Mork 70% chocolate (S$6) was deeply chocolatey.
6. Brewprint Coffee
Located in Tampines Street 22, Brewprint Coffee is a Muslim-owned, home-based cafe known for its creative and flavourful drinks, such as the cinnamon latte (from S$5.90), a cosy twist on a classic brew.
Other popular picks that regulars love heading back for is its rich and creamy strawberry matcha (S$6.80) that brings the well-loved combination of strawberry and matcha into a smooth and satisfying drink.
If you’re up for something more adventurous, we suggest trying the black forest macchiato (S$6.90). Inspired by the well-loved cake dessert. Here, you get chocolatey notes with a touch of fruity sweetness — an unexpected but very delightful pairing for coffee that works.
7. Kopi Khoo
You might’ve seen the warm and affectionate Auntie Khoo, more affectionately known as Paulin Khoo, on TikTok — serving up affordable coffee from a hole-in-the-wall coffee spot tucked away in an alley in Joo Chiat.
For those who haven’t heard or seen the clips, Auntie Khoo is the face of Kopi Khoo, a humble, family-run home-based cafe. If you stop by during off-peak hours for a cuppa, you might even get a side of conversation with the warm and friendly barista.
Kopi Khoo’s menu is straightforward, offering hot coffees such as the Americano, double espresso, latte, and cappuccino at just S$3, and iced versions for S$4. For something a little sweeter, try the iced caramel latte (S$4.50), which is said to be Auntie Khoo’s personal favourite, and an overall yummy brew.
Whether you’re in the Joo Chiat area for a cafe-hop, or simply craving a feel-good coffee break, Kopi Khoo is worth the visit — for both its drinks and heartwarming vibes with Auntie Khoo.
8. Lazy Cup
This cosy (mainly) takeaway home-based cafe, a short walk from Nibong LRT, Lazy Cup serves up creamy, comforting coffee, set against coastal views of the Punggol shoreline — perfect for a slow, laid-back weekend.
Its signature drink, The Lazy Cup (S$6), is its take on Cloud coffee drink that’s been quite popular in Taiwan recently, and comes topped with a rich, velvety cream. Another of its drinks making waves on TikTok is the iced banana pudding matcha (S$7.20), thanks to the current craze for banana pudding-related drinks.
It also has its own take on the iced strawberry milk matcha (S$5.50), and uses Niko Neko Yuri matcha for that high-quality flavour.
While there’s no dine-in space at Lazy Cup, you can enjoy your drink right outside the owners’ home — there are two stools and a peaceful coastal view waiting for you.
9. Toi Kofihaus
Toi Kofihaus is a home-based cafe in Toa Payoh that stands out for its espresso brews and interesting flavours such as honey and rose, both of which offer a floral and subtly sweet twist to your usual coffee fix.
Apart from its regular black (S$4) and white (S$4.50) espresso brews, some other popular drinks include the honey oat white and rose white, both priced at S$5.50 — perfect for those who prefer a smooth, fragrant finish to their brews.
If you are the sort that prefers your coffee on-the-go, or prefer buying in bulk for convenience, Toi Kofihaus makes it easier with its mix-and-match takeaway bottles that are sold by bundles. These come in sets of three or six bottled brews, starting from S$18.
10. Two Sisters’ Smoothies
Non-coffee drinks, don’t worry, you can still enjoy the home-based cafe experience at Two Sisters’ Smoothies, an eastside spot run by two sisters-in-law Lydia Batricia and Lew Su Ling.
Beat Singapore’s killer heat with its robust smoothies picks such as The Islander, a tropical mango-based smoothie, and Say Cheezz, — a lychee-orange blend with a zesty twist.
The menu changes up every two months and the last time we visited, its latest creation was Liquid Gold, a bold, passionfruit-forward smoothie. Drinks are priced between S$5.90 to S$7.90, and are available in medium or large cups.
The best part about this non-caffeinated spot? There’s a chill dining area at the sisters’ front porch, decked out with camping stools and space. There’s space for a good 10 to 20 people, and it’s just the spot to sit back on a weekend, sip on something pretty, and snap a photo or two for the ’gram.
For more ideas on what to eat, read our stories on this cosy coffee spot in a nail salon and cafes to use your CDC vouchers.
Shannon’s eyes are bigger than her stomach — she builds buffets out of menus, forgetting she has the appetite of a mouse.
Read more stories from this writer.
