The best brunch spots in Singapore

Butter Tgt is the first physical café by the people behind the popular home bakery @youkneadcakes. Occupying a second-floor shophouse space on Duxton Road, the café is all cosy charm. The madeleines ($7.50 for three) here are a big reason why we love this place – they are wonderfully soft and buttery with a hint of crispiness on the edges. Citrusy bakes like the lemon pistachio cake ($6.80) are also perfectly tart and dense. For a proper brunch, opt for savouries like avocado toast ($12) – a simple dish elevated by super fresh ingredients. Make sure to arrive early, preferably on a weekday, to avoid the queues. This also ups your chances of snagging a seat by the windows, which provide maximum sunlight (and Instagram potential).

Trust the trendy New Bahru enclave to have something as unique as a granola bar. The folks at Dearborn serve elevated creations of the granola bowl – a brekkie staple. The brand started at its humble digs in Everton Park, but now brings chef Christopher Kang’s expertise to its New Bahru branch with a wider menu. Of course, you can get your granola fix, either with the basic ($9) or advanced (15) bowl, both featuring Dearborn’s freshly baked granola or dark chocolate hazelnut and sea salt granola. But do try the newer items on the menu too. The potato and egg ($15) is a house favourite, with 63-degree sous vide egg with roasted potatoes, sourdough croutons, chive oil, and the star of the show – a creamy, crowning layer of potato espuma topped with crispy puffed grains.

24/7 retro American joint Joji’s Diner needs no introduction, but not many know of its adjacent sandwich parlour that serves up glorious stacks stuffed with brisket, shrimp, and all kinds of hearty fillings. Joji’s Sandwich Parlour rocks a camp-themed aesthetic with metal flooring, wooden picnic tables, and chipboard walls. The first order of business here: get yourself the Classic Reuben ($24), where Black Angus brisket is brined for 14 days and smoked over hickory wood, then stuffed between slices of sourdough or focaccia. The loaded stack is made complete with yellow mustard, Russian dressing, sauerkraut and a slice of Swiss cheese. The portions are pretty generous, but make space for sharing snacks, especially the fresh calamari ($12) with a marinara dip, as well as a side of fried okra ($8) served with sriracha. 

This Bali-like haven is well-deserving of a mention, seeing that it’s a go-to spot for delicious vegan eats smack dab in the busy city, with a wallet-friendly menu to boot. Ahimsa Sanctuary’s menu mainly consists of inventive bagels and burritos, sourdough plates, and a grain bowl option. The remaining bulk of its menu includes smoothies and acai bowls, as well as plenty of coffee, teas, and fresh juices. Table favourites include the filling Nourish Bae-rrito Bowl ($11.90) and BLT Bagel ($13.90) with smoky tempeh, veggies, pickled onions, and garlic aioli. Make sure to quench your thirst with the assortment of drinks here. We especially like the ashwagandha latte ($6.50), made with oat milk and coconut sugar. Mosey up to the second-floor space for a quiet spot to read, work, or just hang out.

This café along Neil Road is thoughtfully lined with acoustic panels to reduce residual sound, making it the ideal spot for crisp conversations and a cosy dining experience. Interiors aside, Acoustics Coffee Bar wins our hearts with its relatively wallet-friendly brunch menu. Yes, the hefty Acoustics Breakfast still goes at $24, but you can also find around eight items on the menu that are priced at less than $15, including the homemade granola bowl ($10), brie and raspberry over sourdough ($12), breakfast burger ($13), Egg in a hole ($14), and more. What’s more, head down on weekdays from 11am to snag a good deal with Acoustics’ weekday set lunch, where the rice bowl and iced tea set goes at $12, with the options of breaded pollock fish or laksa roasted chicken as toppings.

Boho-chic Jypsy draws inspiration from the stunning waterfront towns of Japan, and its glistening view of Marina Bay is proof of that. Next is its menu, which offers sophisticated, modern Japanese dishes that are equal parts photogenic and delicious – the restaurant is a concept by PS.Cafe, after all. Start with the charcoal sticks (tsukune, from $13) and choose from chicken thigh, Kurobuta pork, or wagyu beef. Then, snack on a towering Nest of Fries ($16), featuring crispy shredded potato doused with white truffle oil and a teriyaki-balsamic drizzle. The Jypsy salmon tacos ($18) are another good shout, where salmon tartare, avocado, tomato salsa, wasabi mayo, and ikura are encased in crispy seaweed shells. For mains, fill up on the king prawn and unagi aglio olio ($29) or wagyu beef ‘dripping’ fried rice ($32). And for the adventurous, the oyster shots ($16 for two) are a must-try.

Located along North Canal Road, Punch appeals to your senses even before the food arrives. Its interiors of mostly white furniture with dashes of marble and wood are built for Instagram, while the open courtyard at the back offers a boost of Vitamin D, wooden benches, greenery and a glimpse into the kitchen. Its breakfast menu is a simple but punchy lineup of fruits and grains, pancakes, and egg-based dishes. Dig into a comforting bowl of banana porridge ($15) – brûléed sliced banana atop creamy oatmeal; earl grey tea-infused pancakes ($21) with poached pears and macadamia crumble; or the hearty Dean’s Breakfast ($18) for lovers of vegemite on toast, topped with poached eggs, cheese, and avocado. Visiting a little later? Good for you, as you’ll get to try some of our lunch menu favourites, including the tiger prawns and scallop aglio olio ($25).

Hip café Hello Arigato makes a good first impression – all its outlets across the island are welcoming abodes, cosy and chic, with an equally solid food menu to boot. Opened by the same people behind the Japanese-inspired eatery The Refinery, you can expect familiar Japanese influences here. A freshly constructed sando, or sandwich, is the main draw. Slices of toasted milk bread might cradle teriyaki-glazed chicken ($15) or pink-hued beef tenderloin katsu ($28). Our favourite: bread stuffed with 12-hour sous vide thick-cut Kurobuta pork collar ($26) – the meat is tender, juicy, and full of flavour. Throw in a side of tater tots ($8), featuring mini hash browns laced with plenty of umami from shio kombu and seaweed-hinted mayonnaise. A tea-skewed beverage programme sees iced dirty matcha ($8) making an appearance on almost every table; its bright, toasty quality is highly alluring. 

This African-themed café has a rooftop lounge that overlooks neighbouring shophouses and the CBD area. It’s also notoriously hard to find African food in Singapore, so Kafe Utu immediately stands out from the crowd with its menu. Brunch offerings include the Mbuzi Breakfast ($33) with goat sausage, marinated carrots, scrambled eggs, goat cheese, and batbout (Moroccan pita bread) with smoked harissa sauce. Don’t mind a little spice in the morning? Try the Shamba Plate ($28) with cassava greens, bean stew, and scrambled eggs served with chapati and kachumbari (a fresh tomato and onion salad relish). Skip the usual flat whites and long blacks when dining at Kafe Utu. Instead, opt for one of its 10 special drinks, like a latte mixed with homemade ginger syrup ($8) or the Karanga ($12) – an iced white topped with peanut butter mascarpone cream.

Occupying the iconic Red House in Katong, it's really hard to miss Micro Bakery. You'll feel comfortable right away at this café with its warm decor and the smell of freshly baked bread in the air. Despite having a few locations scattered across the island, the Red House outlet is our favourite. If you could only order one item, you have to get the persimmon tartine ($18). This seasonal item features smoked and fresh persimmon, housemade ricotta, and candied hazelnuts atop fluffy sourdough bread, which come together to create a burst of sweet, refreshing, and tangy flavours in your mouth. The grilled four cheese sandwich ($16) is another good choice, featuring a sinful mix of smoked ricotta, raclette, mozzarella and cheddar, plus additions of sauerkraut and tomato jam to cut through the grease.