Under the Radar: 10 Secret cafe spots you have to visit

Yijie Zhang 30 Jun 2015 updated the 6 October 2015 à 23:02

1/10
Privé @ Keppel Bay
Located on Keppel Island, Singapore's only private island, Privé Cafe allows patrons paranomic views of the gorgeous Keppel Bay. Besides an all-day breakfast offering, they also serve great pancakes and an entire selection of comfort foods. Remember to book 24 hours in advance to secure a place!
How to get there: Alight at Harbourfront MRT station, and take 97 at the bus stop 14121 towards Carribean at Keppel Bay. Then take an approximately 10 mins walk along Keppel Bay Drive to reach Marine At Keppel Bay, where Privé is located.
2 Keppel Bay Vista, S098382
Photo credit: Privé @ Keppel Bay
2/10
Group Therapy Coffee
An unassuming cafe located on the second floor of a row of shophouses along Duxton Hill, the crowd at Group Therapy cafe has mostly grown thanks to word-of-mouth (and a Lady Iron Chef) recommendations. With its simple and minimalistic decor, this is definitely a great place to visit if you want to get away from the crowd.
How to get there: Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station (Exit A) and walk to Orchid Hotel. Walk through the hotel and you'll see Tanjong Pajar road, turn left and walk till you see Tanjong Pagar Food Center. Cross the road and walk along Craig Road, and turn in at the first junction. The cafe is directly above the Etna Italian restaurant.
49 Duxton Road #02-01, S089513
Photo credit: Group Therapy Coffee
3/10
Whale & Cloud
The tagline of Whale & Clould, 'many will seek but not all shall find' sets the mood for the hunt. Only open for a few hours on weekends, this secretive cafe is only accessible via the back entrance of a shophouse. Quaint and cosy, it operates in the well-decorated backyard of an office, and can only accomodate about 12 people at most. With no menu or price list, the cafe also operates by a trust, pay-as-you-want concept.
How to get there: Alight at Little India MRT (Exit A) and head to Rex Cinema on Mackenzie Road. Instead of going down Niven road, take the alley in front. Once you stop a 'Keep the Faith' graffiti on the wall, the iconic blue back door should be right in front. Knock to be admitted!
48 Niven Road, S228396
Photo credit: Whale & Cloud
4/10
Necessary Provisions
Tucked away in a residential estate in Upper Bukit Timah, Necessary Provisions' inaccessibility has not deterred throngs from flocking there for its amazing coffee and weekend brunch. Besides, the cafe has free WiFi and power plugs, making it perfect to get some work done while getting your caffeine fix.
How to get there: Alight at Bukit Batok MRT station and walk towards the bus stop opposite Blk 120 (43399) to take bus 173. Alight before Eng Kong Place and walk along Lor Kismis till you see Kismis Lodge. Turn into Eng Kong Road, and the cafe is at the first junction.
21 Eng Kong Terrace, S598993

Photo credit: Necessary Provisions
5/10
Department of Caffeine
In an unassuming corner unit of Duxton Road lies Department of Caffeine, a bustling coffee joint which dedicates itself to using sustainably-sourced coffee beans from Five Senses coffee. It also serves an assortment of simple comfort foods like steaks and burgers, all of which are superbly done and are a treat to the senses.
How to get there: Alight at Outram MRT station (Exit H) and walk straight along New Bridge Road. Cross the road when you see Oriental Plaza across the street. Turn into Kreta Ayer Road and walk to the end. Cross the road and turn left on Neil Road. Turn in at the first junction to find the cafe.
15 Duxton Road, S089481
Photo credit: Department of Caffeine
6/10
5 Little Monkeys Cafe
Located on the 11th floor of the Pico Creative Centre, this chic cafe is only open on weekdays during office hours. Interestingly, they offer a wide selection of tasty Peranakan dishes, which is rare for cafes. We also love that they have no GST or service charge, which means you won't have to face an extra shock when you get your bill. It also makes for a great place to relax if you're looking for somewhere quiet and spacious.
How to get there: Alight at Lavender MRT station, turn right and walk along Kallang Road. Cross the road after you see Tai Pei Buddhist Center. Pico Creative Center is just to the right.
#11-00 Pico Creative Centre, 20 Kallang Avenue, S339411
Photo credit: 5 Little Monkeys Cafe
7/10
The Bravery Cafe
Opened by the team behind The Plain on Craig Road, The Bravery Cafe is a true hipster hangout. There's no sign on the door, and even the entrace can be confusing as there's a motley of door-like glass panes (push the gold pane). Its high ceilings, minimalistic interiors, and rugged wooden furnishing further adds to the stylish aura, and their excellent coffee and service don't hurt either.
How to get there: Alight at Lavender MRT station (Exit B) and cross the road to walk along Horne Road. Once you see Jalan Besar stadium on your left, cross the road and the cafe is just along the row of shophouses.
66 Horne Road, S209073
Photo credit: The Bravery Cafe
8/10
Kombi Rocks
If you're looking for a trip down memory lane, then Kombi Rocks is definitely for you. Nestled in a corner of Yio Chu Kang, this cozy vintage cafe is modeled after an old-school kopitiam and has their own collection of gorgeous Kombi vans. They're especially great for Chinese fares and chicken wings.
How to get there: Alight at Serangoon MRT station, cross the road, and turn right, walking along the highway. Turn left into Yio Chu Kang road and walk straight to Serangoon stadium. The cafe is just opposite the stadium.
66 Yio Chu Kang Road, S545568
Photo credit: Kombi Rocks/Bobby Kiran Photography
9/10
Old School Delights
Another one for the vintage fans out there. Built to resemble a retro school room, this quirky cafe is sure to bring back all those fond school day memories. Besides, they also have card and traditional games that you can play with your friends! And they serve some killer Nasi Lemak, so don't leave before getting your fill of that.
How to get there: Alight at Marymount MRT station and cross Marymount Road. Walk along Marymount Lane until you see Upper Thomson Road, then turn right and walk along the latter. Cross the road after you see Thomson Community Club, and continue walking straight You'll see the cafe at your left.
215M Upper Thomson Road, S574349
Photo credit: Old School Delights
10/10
FFL Fresh Fruits Lab
Located in the far reaches of Changi, this hidden gem is one of the coolest cafes in the city. With a mad laboratory theme, Fresh Fruits Lab serves their drinks in various flasks and provides a complementary rack of beverage-filled test tubes as a taster. And that doesn't come at the expense of food quality. Just try their Angus Fillet, and you'll know what we mean.
How to get there: Alight at Kembangan MRT station and turn right to walk along Sims Avenue E. Turn left once you see Lor Marzuki coming up in from of you, and cross Changi Road. You'll see FFL right in front.
351 Changi Road, S419818

Photo credit: FFL Fresh Fruits Lab

Love your morning caffeine fix and Instagram-worthy shots? Then check out our 10 favourite hidden cafe spots in Singapore, and get bragging rights to boot.

With cafe-hopping being all the rage now, it is no longer trendy – or even sufficient – to just pop by the those regulars that we all know about. Plus, we’re sure that you’d be getting bored of the same ol’ menus by now. With a visit to the cafe being one of the best ways to treat yourself on a lazy Sunday morning, there’s no reason to compromise, or put up with the throngs of hyperactive teenagers who are colonizing the place.

So why not check yourself into one of our 10 recommended hidden cafe gems? Granted, they may be rather difficult to find (especially the ones with no signs), but that’s also the beauty of the experience. Plus, you’ll no longer have to put up with noisy crowds and excessive queues to get to your delectable all-day breakfast offering. Doesn’t hurt that you’ll have some amazing Instagram photos to up your bragging rights amongst your friends as well!

So be it beverages in conical flasks or the cafe only accessed by an unmarked door in the back alley, we’re here to make the trendy trendier.

Yijie Zhang

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Under the Radar: 10 Secret cafe spots you have to visit

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