Queenstown is a sorely underrated neighbourhood in terms of cafés. Just within a one-kilometre radius, you’ll chance upon unassuming joints underneath HDB blocks or nestled in industrial buildings – places like Kyuukei, Rookie’s, Cupo Coffee, Alchemist The Mill, Creamie Sippies, Tiong Hoe, and more.
Add one to the list: EG Coffee is a new café located below the apartment complex Alexis, which is an eight-minute walk from Queenstown MRT. The setup is simple – white and light-wood tones with four small tables indoors, and foldable camping chairs outdoors, where pets are welcome. The interiors are peppered with quirky knick-knacks, including a mini Sudoku corner where you can have a go at a puzzle while waiting. A friendly couple, Esther and Gavin (after whom the café is named), run the place. We pop by before lunchtime on a Sunday and the café is still relatively quiet.
For a small neighbourhood café, EG Coffee offers a surprisingly extensive drinks menu. It’s got the usual roster of espresso-based drinks (a latte starts at $6.50, which is not the cheapest), filter coffee (from $9) and cold brews ($9). The proprietary Icons Blend is a medium-to-dark roast Guatemala and Uganda blend which is smooth and chocolatey with hints of caramel. You can also opt for Geisha and Yirgacheffe beans at a top-up, or ask the barista for the origin of the day.
There are also interesting options like the dried orange latte ($6.90), mint coconut latte ($7.90), black sesame latte ($6.50), osmanthus latte ($6.90), as well as strawberry matcha ($9.50) and hojicha ($7.90). The black sesame latte ($7.50) is one of the most ordered items here, with a thick, velvety consistency, and a toasty, slightly savoury flavour. To beat the heat, EG also has refreshing soda-based coolers like the Strawberry Bliss ($6.50), Apple Tree ($7.50), Orange Sea ($7.50) and yuzu matcha ($8.90), as well as iced teas (from $5.90) on the menu.
Get breakfast or brunch sorted with a varied selection of pastries, bagels, sandwiches and even acai bowls ($12.90). There’s the classic hearty chicken sando ($9.90) or stuffed croissant sandwiches ($12.90), as well as savouries like curry chicken puffs and black pepper chicken pies ($5.80). Cakes by the slice ($10.90) are available too, in flavours like cempedak cheese and tiramisu. If you have to pick, order the rum canele ($5.90), which has a slightly crunchy exterior and dense middle, perfect for nibbling with coffee.
EG Coffee is open all days except Tuesdays from 8am to 5pm at 354 Alexandra Rd, Alexis, #01-09, Singapore 159948.
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