In an era marked by competitiveness, it’s all too common to adopt a me-against-them mindset, with a fixation on individual success. However, Siësta defies this narrative, opting instead to cultivate a community that is built on mutual support. This cosy café stands as more than just a place to grab a drink: it’s a space where collaboration and connections are celebrated.
You’ve probably seen Siësta on social media and news sites as it is known for being run by two teenage girls who are still attending school. Located along Sultan Gate, Siësta is a quaint little café run by Qays Zara and Aesha Patel, two 17-year-olds who struck up a friendship after meeting in their third year of secondary school. Qays was working part-time at Overrice, a Muslim-owned eatery that serves rice bowls and falafel bites, and her hard work and resilience caught the attention of Overrice’s owner, Megan Lim.
Megan had been looking for a way to revamp the space on the second floor of Overrice and approached Qays with an exciting proposition. Qays, who has always been interested in managing her own business, eagerly embraced the opportunity and brainstormed ideas to maximise the space’s potential. Recognising the demanding nature of launching a business, Megan emphasised the importance of finding a partner to share the responsibilities and make the journey more manageable before funding the idea. With this in mind, Qays roped in her best friend, Aesha, as they shared common values and possessed complementary skill sets –and the rest is history.
“The best toastie I’ve ever had was the one I made myself.”
Siësta stays true to its meaning – “to rest” – with Qays and Aesha envisioning the café to be a chill space where people can relax and spend time together. And for Qays and Aesha, the best way to unwind is with a delicious grilled cheese sandwich. Siësta’s signature item, toasties, has a charming backstory: it was the snack Aesha would whip up for them whenever the duo were hanging out at her house. When crafting the café’s menu, Qays proposed featuring Aesha’s grilled cheeses as their signature item.
“The best toastie I’ve ever had was the one I made myself,” Aesha says proudly, “but that’s also because it’s hard to find places that serve toasties in Singapore.”
The best toastie indeed. Biting into Aesha’s grilled cheese sandwich was an enjoyable experience: the tender beef chunks, succulent tomatoes, and tangy pickles melded seamlessly with gooey cheese and creamy mayonnaise, all nestled between two pieces of toast with a crispy golden-brown exterior. The effect is satisfying and flavourful without feeling too greasy. This sandwich was the Uh… Anything ($17), one that’s cooked up by Qays and Aesha according to your taste and preferences – the perfect option for people who tend to get overwhelmed by a wide array of choices.
Other toastie options include the ever-popular Beefin’ It Up ($16) — a toastie with grain-fed beef, caramelised onions, honey mustard, and a drizzle of maple syrup — and Cinnamon Girl ($10), a dessert option comprising of cinnamon toasties with a yoghurt dip. The menu doesn’t stop there, offering small bites and desserts with unique names such as flaming hot wings named Huh Cheetos? ($12) and New York cheesecake aptly named Concrete Jungle ($6), paying homage to Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ 2009 hit “Empire State of Mind”.
“It took me about 15 minutes to come up with the names for the initial menu. It’s a lot of references to songs and things we already liked, so I didn’t have to think too hard about it,” says Qays.
When asked about their favourite item names, Qays proudly selected Going Loco ($14), grilled spicy tacos that were inspired by a popular meme that perfectly captures the essence of their new menu addition. Conversely, Aesha favoured the Can (We) Be Friends? chilli beef fries ($14), as she was drawn to the fact that the phrase and the food item shared the same initials.
“It’s great building a network where we help each other to achieve our goals.”
This idea of friendship and a desire for connection can also be seen in the café’s cosy interior design. Everything has been carefully chosen to create the experience of hanging out at a friend’s house, from the warm lighting and plush seats to the choice of mellow R&B music playing in the background. Qays and Aesha have also included a small section with card games such as Uno, Cards Against Humanity, and We’re Not Really Strangers which they are more than happy to play with you if the café isn’t too busy.
“We chose games that encourage communication and are more meaningful and thought out,” says Qays.
Fostering connections with others is a guiding principle for Qays and Aesha, who find fulfilment in empowering like-minded teenagers. Budding creators have reached out to host events at Siësta, such as a film screening of Singapore-based DAC Studio’s latest short film Tone Deaf, and a book launch party celebrating aspiring poet Iman Misha’s latest poetry book currents of my core. Original prints by aspiring artist Qali, also known as wilderfyre on Instagram, also grace the café’s shelves, offering patrons the opportunity to purchase these unique artworks. Despite its size, Siësta is slowly growing a community of aspiring creators through its diverse range of events.
“I think it’s cool working with similarly-aged people who also share the same goal of wanting to achieve something great at a young age,” says Qays. “It’s great building a network where we help each other to achieve our goals.”
Currently, Qays and Aesha are hoping to set up a dedicated corner within the café to showcase more works by local creators, available for customers to purchase. Additionally, they aspire to organise a flea market in the future, providing a platform for young creatives to exhibit their crafts and connect with each other and the public.
That’s probably our favourite thing about Siësta – its kampung spirit, where a community of individuals continuously inspires and uplifts one another. This can be felt deeply in the roots and ongoing journey of the café. Megan acts as a mentor and a pillar of support for Qays and Aesha, guiding them in the intricacies of managing and sustaining a business while also taking care of them during stressful times, like exams and test submission periods. They in turn pay it forward by nurturing a growing community of like-minded creatives. In a bustling city where the hustle never seems to cease, Siësta stands proudly as a safe space for patrons to unwind and forge meaningful connections with others.
Be sure to check out Siësta's Instagram to get updates on future events and menu additions.
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Visit Siësta at 41 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198489.
Qays and Aesha’s responses have been edited for conciseness and flow.
