Quirky Boulangeries: 10 Places in Singapore offering French pastries with a unique twist

Lim Han 17 May 2017

1/10
Tiong Bahru Bakery
What started out as an unassuming neighbourhood bakery has now grown into a full-fledged elegant café, and we couldn’t be happier for them. Tiong Bahru Bakery boasts of a wondrous selection of savoury mains and of course, French desserts. Go for their hearty Squid Ink Baguette enclosing luscious smoked salmon or indulge in their Garlic Koiugn Amann with a savoury twist. For a sweet finish, a decadent Matcha Almond Croissant is a sure crowd-pleaser.

56 Eng Hoon Street

Photo: @tiongbahrubakery
2/10
The 1872 Clipper Tea Co.
Renown for their luxurious sterling teas, The 1872 Clipper Tea Co is definitely not messing around when it comes to their work. Besides their aromatic teas, they also specialise in delightful treats. One pastry that’s a sure stand-out from the crowd is their tea puffs. These French profiteroles have undergone a vibrant makeover and the result is a platter of luscious vibrant cream puffs in an array of exotic flavours. From eternal rose to earl grey, these tea-infused profiteroles will make you spoilt for choice.

2 Orchard Turn, #B4-07 ION Orchard

Photo: The 1872 Clipper Tea Co. Facebook
3/10
Antoinette
Carrying a name that translates into “highly praiseworthy” in French, you can bet we had high expectations for Antoinette. And, they certainly did not disappoint. This exquisite French patisserie is basically synonymous with their world-famous croissants, which brag of high quality French butter and impeccable flakiness. But, that’s not all – these babies come in 6 stunning flavours, such as luscious salted egg yolk, charcoal kaya, and even chili crab. If you’re amazed, wait till you sink your teeth into their Croissant a la crème, a macaron-croissant hybrid chockful of crème chantilly. Croissants aside, green tea lovers can also pamper themselves with their matcha macarons and matcha madeleines.

30 Penhas Rd

Photo: Antoinette Facebook
4/10
Sinpopo Brand
Hipsters, this vintage café will be right up your alley. A former coffee shop dishing out simple nostalgic fare, Sinpopo Brand has revamped itself and is now clad in ravishing furnishings with a vintage feel. Their menu now flaunts personalised renditions of local favourites and has graciously welcomed gorgeous exquisite pastries with a local twist. Beat the heat with their Chilled Pandan Soufflé that will slide right into your mouth or indulge in their Orange Kaya Pisang Crėme Brûlée draped in caramelised magnificence.

458 Joo Chiat Road

Photo: Sinpopo Brand
5/10
Kumoya Cafe
A relatively new café nestled within a row of rustic shops, Kumoya Café is a sure stand-out with its minimalistic interior and clean bright lighting. Of course, its interior isn’t the only thing that has caught out attention – their stellar French pastries have too. With éclairs being their forte, you simply can’t leave without getting a bite of their Petit Éclair, which come in well-loved Asian flavours such as Yuzu, Sakura and Matcha. For a dessert with more crisp and bite, their Houjicha and Sakura macarons may be just your cup of tea. Let’s not forget about their madeleines too, which flaunt a myriad of flavours, from Matcha to Sakura.

8 Jalan Klapa

Photo: Kumoya Singapore Facebook
6/10
Two Bakers
Don’t underestimate this humble hipster café, Two Bakers – it’s spearheaded by a remarkable Le Cordon Bleu Paris trained chef. Dishing out French and fusion pastries, amongst savoury mains and speciality brews, Two Bakers is more than ready to cater to your demanding sweet tooth. For starters, how about their opulent Mount Fuji, a chocolate sablée tart base mounted with a matcha white chocolate ganache? If that leaves you craving for more, their Chendol Éclair and Thai Iced Tea Éclair are ready to satisfy your tastebuds.

88 Horne Rd

Photo: @jazparphotography
7/10
Le Canelé d’Or
If you don’t know what a canelé is, we don’t blame you. This caramelized-crusted pastry filled with a creamy custard center isn’t the most ubiquitous French dessert in the local bakery scene. But, for those who do, and absolutely adore them, you’ll be elated to know that there’s a patisserie that specialises in these glorious creations. Le Canelé d’Or churns out fresh house-made canelés every day, some with a fantastic local twist. Feast your eyes and stomachs on their Ondeh Ondeh canelé, which entails a spongy pandan filling, topped with a delicate gula melaka meringue.

The Concourse Skyline, 302 Beach Rd #01-06

Photo: @veravah
8/10
Asanoya Bakery
We’ve seen matcha croissants and salted egg ones, but two of these flavours melded together? We’d never seen it happen before. That’s until we chanced upon Asanoya Bakery, a French-Japanese bakery that produces the most magnificent gourmet breads and pastries. It’s no surprise that their Matcha Salted Egg Croissant took Singapore by storm when it was launched, drawing eager crowds hungry for this matrimony of flavours. And, you can bet it did not disappoint with its savoury buttery flavours and subtly bitter aftertaste. If you’ve had your fill of croissants, why not try their circular counterpart, the danish? Asanoya Bakery would be happy to indulge you with their Matcha White Chocolate Danish. Their Salted Egg choux is one to take home with you as well!

15 Queen Street #01-03

Photo: @_eunifoodie
9/10
Patisserie G
What’s not to love about this French-style café? They serve up the most delicious breakfasts and lunches and opulent pastries and cakes. Feast on their stunning macarons dripping with vibrant decadence, bragging of flavours from Oreo Cheesecake and Lychee Rose to Corn and White Miso Milk Chocolate. It’s the ultimate saccharine treat to end off a satisfying meal. If the sweetness is getting too cloying, you can wash it all down with a fragrant cup of their freshly brewed coffee.

9 Raffles Boulevard, #01-40 Millenia Walk

Photo: @patisserieg
10/10
DONQ Bakery
What else can you expect from a French-Japanese boulangerie than fusion French pastries? DONQ Bakery is one heck of a bakery, with each of their products being exhilarating masterpieces that are bound to pamper the tastebuds. Don’t miss out on their ever-popular Mentaiko Baguette, blanketed in a crispy goodness and slathered in a creamy mentaiko sauce. For those with a sweet tooth, their Matcha Choux will be right up your alley.

391 Orchard Road, #B2-03 Takashimaya, Ngee Ann City, Tower A

Photo: @dairyandcream

Don’t expect your usual croissants and baguettes.

Let’s face it, no one does pastries better than the French. I mean, buttery flaky croissants and silky crême brulée? They’re the winners, hands down. But, even with their glorious textures and perfectly curated flavours, there’s always room for innovation. And, thank God we’re not the only ones who feel that way.

A plethora of talented bakers around the world have taken it upon themselves to experiment with delightful classic French pastries and transforming them into a whole new persona. The bakery world is witnessing an inundation of French desserts infused with a unique twist into the pastry scene, some borrowing influence from Japanese cultures while others, Singaporean. From savoury kouign amanns to mentaiko baguettes, our local bakery scene certainly has no lack of these exotic creations. Boy, are we excited to try them!

Ready to get your hands on these decadent treats that have broken ground in the world of French patisseries? Leap into our gallery where we’ve stashed away a treasure trove of 10 august boulangeries and cafes which have worked their creative magic on traditional French pastries!

Lim Han

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