Dining at Singapore's largest modern art museum has always been seen as a fancier affair, with National Gallery Singapore housing F&B institutions like the three-Michelin-starred Odette and Peranakan restaurant National Kitchen by Violet Oon. Next month however, the Gallery will be introducing two affordable dining options to the mix – local cafés Kopi 1930 and Twenty Eight. This is part of its ongoing F&B refresh, which has been underway since early this year.
Previously, the museum housed cocktail bar Smoke & Mirrors and Cantonese restaurant Yan, both iconic fixtures perched on its rooftop. One-Michelin-starred establishment Art di Daniele Sperindio, Italian steakhouse Gemma and omakase restaurant Hachi also once called the Gallery home. These have all bid farewell to the building over the course of a few months this year.
In their place, new dining options have popped up. One of them is the popular homegrown artisanal bakery, Bakery Brera, which opened in August, known for French pastries like croissants, cruffins, kouign amann and hot cross buns. And come November 1, Kopi 1930 and Twenty Eight Café will take over the first-floor unit once occupied by Catalan restaurant The Great Mischief. On top of offering more wallet-friendly eats to visitors, both cafés will open from 8am daily, adding much-needed breakfast options to the museum.
At Kopi 1930, diners can tuck into local classics like laksa ($10.90), mee rebus ($10.90) and traditional breakfast sets with toast, half-boiled eggs and coffee (from $7.50). The brand's signature 'min jiang kueh' UFO bun (from $3) will also be available. This creation features two fluffy bread slices spread with peanut butter, sugar, crushed peanuts and butter – a twist on the min jiang kueh snack. Craving some light bites? Kopi 1930 also sells homemade cakes by the slice, including butter, kaya roll and butter roll cakes, perfect for a midday refuel between exhibitions.
Meanwhile, Twenty Eight Café, which is already a popular work-friendly brunch spot at Wilkie Road, will offer a more diverse and modern menu at this new outlet. Must-tries include the fluffy soufflé pancakes ($20) with Kopi 1930's homemade kaya, coconut cream, butter and coconut flakes, accompanied by toasted bread biscuits or roti kauk on the side. The menu will also include brunch favourites like the shakshouka and avo smash ($20 each), a range of pastas (from $20), sandwiches, burgers and mains. While the price tag here is higher than Kopi 1930, you can still get the toast and egg set with butter and jam for $10, with the choice of sourdough, brioche or wholemeal, and eggs done to your liking.
Kopi 1930 and Twenty Eight Café officially open on November 1, 2025 at National Gallery Singapore, City Hall Wing, First Floor, Singapore 178957. Opening hours are 8am to 7pm daily.
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