The best chill cafés in the west of Singapore

Assembly Coffee gets a sibling café in the Coronation neigbourhood. Atlas Coffeehouse is owners Daphne Goh and Lionel Ang realisation of a goal to serve more hot food than Assembly's tiny kitchen can handle. Atlas only opened its doors in mid-January, but dishes like creamy mushrooms on sourdough ($12) with the option to add a sunny side ($2) or scrambled eggs ($3), and glazed salmon and a fried egg with crisped edges on soba noodles ($17) are their early stars. Assembly's ever-popular waffles ($12-$14) are also on the menu here, and Atlas has also introduced pancakes topped with caramelised bananas or honeycomb ice cream ($18) to its desserts menu – more sweets are on the way, including a pavlova topped with lemon curd and berry compote. 

If you plan on being productive after a meal like that, the coffee programme's ($3.50-$4.50) worth buying into. Two Degrees South has designed different blends for them with Land's chocolate and nutty flavours coming in as a safe bet, and Air a lighter Ethiopian roast with welcome acidity. Sea is a rotational assortment of seasonal single-origins.

Suzuki Gourmet Coffee may look like a zen Japanese teahouse, but the menu at this café is, in fact, largely dedicated to espresso-based brews. After all, this tranquil hideout tucked away in an industrial building in Jurong is opened by one of the oldest roasteries in town. Its dedication to the bean is plain on the drinks-only menu, which features a lean selection shining the spotlight on aromatic brews. The pager on filter coffee might see options of a medium-roast blend from Costa Rica Aquiares Estate ($7.50) or light-roasted Yemen Mocha Matari ($9.50).

More approachable options are also available, including flat white ($8) and cappuccino ($8). Also worth a try: the seasonal yuzu summer fizz ($8), a refreshing, bittersweet blend of citrus and espresso.

Another chill café hidden in the industrial west, Coexist Coffee is a secret rooftop venue that exudes minimalist charm. An impressive cantilevered table splits the space into half – one white, the other red – with a rooftop patio offering partial views of Bukit Batok Nature Park. Those who've come hungry from a morning walk can fill up with its all-day breakfast selection, including classics of avocado on toast ($14) and a greasy fry-up ($22) of bacon, sausages, and mushrooms. Asian-inspired dishes like smoked duck bao ($12) or chilli crab shakshuka ($16) are also delightful. 

Much like the duo-coloured room, the drinks program is an equal representation of coffee- and tea-based options. Choose from the usual espresso-based variants of mocha ($5.50) and piccolo ($4.50), or opt for cups of matcha and hojicha spiked with double-shot espresso ($6.50) for an extra dosage of caffeine.

Inspired by the buzzy Australian café scene, the owners of Dewgather sought to recreate their own buzzy coffee spot back in Singapore. Stepping into the 120-seater space feels like entering an indoor oasis; the 3m-long aquamarine-hued coffee bar churns our cups of aromatic brews, while the glass-panelled ceiling and terracotta motifs add a touch of summery vibe.

Need a dose of caffeine? Dewgather serves an exclusive blend that is roasted in-house, using sustainably sourced beans from Brazil and Guatemala, to bring out notes of caramel and chocolate in each sip (from $3). Or try the houjicha latte ($8), with a hazelnut-like aroma that settles into umami, seaweed fragrance. Classic café grub comes tinged with Asian influences, like the usual waffle and chicken ($20), but with Korean-style fried chicken and finished with kimchi and strips of pickled radish to help cut through the grease.

There is a hidden backyard garden café at Cluny Court; to uncover its entrance, you will have to first walk down a bamboo-flanked pathway. And those who make the trek will be greeted by the idyllic alfresco deck of Prairie by Craftsmen – a sunroom-inspired space filled with various potted greens. Prairie by Craftsmen rewards early risers with a breakfast spread that runs from 8.30am to 11.45am. Drop by after, and expect to tuck into the usual hearty selection of pasta, sandwiches, burgers, and meats.

The café is opened by the team behind Craftsmen Specialty Coffee, so you know the cups of Joe here are good. Arabica beans are used in its espresso-based brews, which run the range from the classic flat white to cups of latte flavoured with coconut, macadamia nut, butterscotch, and more. Not in the mood for caffeine? Sip on the iced taro latte ($8) instead.

This cosy corner café in the West is the place to go for hearty café fare that is also value for money. What's popular is the fully customisable breakfast meal – options are not out of this world (think buttery croissants, hefty sausages, baked beans and eggs done the way you like), but what matters is that they are done well. Mains include the recommended FlagWhite Burger ($16) and chicken parmigiana ($15). If it's something sweet you're after, pick from their selection of in-house bakes and treats from the likes of Keong Saik Bakery. Don't miss out on the excellent coffee and cold brews too.  

Can't decide on Asian or Western cuisine? Go for fusion at Cuppafield Café, a cosy joint in Bukit Batok. Here, classic marinara pasta ($9.8) is served alongside Asian-inspired dishes like curry cremoso ($11.80), a twist on the curry chicken dish we know and love. You can get more filling mains such as the chicken on the beach ($10.8), a fried buttermilk chicken with salad and fries or grilled chicken served with its special blend of Thai sweet chilli sauce ($10.80). With mains that are this affordable, there's little reason to hesitate trying out Cuppafield's toasty Belgian waffles with gelato (from $7.30).

You know what to expect: high ceilings, exposed beams, bulbs hung at the end of wires, wood-topped tables, and an open coffee bar with a beaming more colour (pastel blue, yellow lights), the machine’s the island’s first Slayer Espresso that drips from beans roasted on-site, and the floors have been worked to a warm marbled wood. Apart from single-origin espresso, pour-over, French press and siphon coffees, there is also a full menu of bread-led items and a more substantial night menu. 

This minimalist patisserie in Jurong belongs to Lee Yin Quan, who has a diploma in French pastry from Ferrandi Paris, one of Europe’s most prestigious culinary institutes. Having worked with famous pastry chefs from around the world, Lee serves stunningly plated and meticulous desserts that you wouldn’t be surprised to find at a fine-dining establishment. Enjoy your entremets with one of its locally sourced teas and coffee.

It’s always Sunday at W39 Bistro. Its casual and homey atmosphere make you want to leave your worries behind as you savour drinks like iced PEM tea ($7.90) – passionfruit, elderflower and mint – and cakes such as pistachio rose ($7.80), ondeh ondeh ($6.80) and chocolate ($6.80). If you’re up for a hearty meal, this bistro’s menu is filled with great options like chicken roulade ($22), pan-seared lamb rack ($28), salmon ceviche ($12) and the W39 baked Caesar salad ($14).

Bok’s Kitchen has been cooking up honest-to-goodness and affordable food for almost two years. Aside from its main menu that offers rice bowls and pastas ($9) and mains like its creamy chicken bread bowl ($12), it also has a brunch menu available only during weekends and public holidays. There, you’ll find favourites like eggs Benedict ($12), a smoked salmon breakfast burger ($13) and a classic BLT sandwich ($10).

Another ice cream parlour to add to your list, The Daily Scoop has over 40 flavours of ice cream on offer. Interesting picks include the maple crisp, strawberry shortcake, lychee martini and a salty-sweet-chocolatey concoction named salted mr brown. Have it in a cup or cone or complete your sweet treat with either freshly baked waffles or brownies.

Apart from being a Thai-style dessert place, Oh My Mango is – as its name suggests – a mango-focused café. Get your Thai dessert fix with a plate of its mango sticky rice or get creative with the fresh mango bingsu, mango yogurt frappe, coconut frappe, Thai milk tea shibuya toast and tom yum goong toast.

Calling all health enthusiasts! Indulge in Smoocht’s ice creams, called r’ice creams. There are guilt-free and made using only the best ingredients – organic crystal brown rice and evaporated sugarcane juice, real fruit, and pure nut butters. Flavours include Thai tea, matcha, PB n’ choc, and coconut. It’s also got waffles, brownies, smoothies and savoury items like truffle porcini pizza and creamy chicken pasta.