The best bakeries in Singapore

What is it? Small-batch sourdough and focaccia bakery with humble origins as a pandemic-era home-based business.

Why we love it: Sweet or savoury, MMBH has all your cravings covered – from a drunken chicken pot pie (from $18.80) to apple and rhubarb custard pie (from $15.90) and a more adventurous matcha and hibiscus lime pie (from $16.90)

Time Out tip: Save space for the perfectly al dente pastas (from $22), which are innovatively handcrafted using sourdough scraps rather than the usual noodles.

Address: 421 Race Course Road, Singapore 218668
Opening hours: Tue 9am-3pm; Wed-Sun 9am-6pm

What is it? A love letter to French pastries, founded by a pair of like-minded dessert-lovers who both studied pastry arts in Paris and worked at Micheline-decorated establishments – Les Amis and Joel Robuchon included.

Why we love it: While French-forward classics like croissants and noisette cakes ($10.30) make up most of the selection, our Asian taste buds are catered to with creations like the orh nee blanc tart ($9.80) and sesame matcha cake.

Time Out tip: Matcha drinks here are a hit, especially the dirty matcha ($8) and strawberry matcha ($8.50).

Address: 415 River Valley Road, Singapore 248314
Opening hours: Daily 9am-6pm

What is it? Italian-inspired bakery-café helmed by the former head baker of Seoul’s popular Tartine Bakery.

Why we love it: Lean & Rich’s name refers to the types of dough used, but we’d also say that its offerings are lean in frills yet rich in flavour. It’s not about ‘gram-worthy interiors nor a giant smorgasbord of bakes – it's about letting the food speak for itself, with consistent quality and care each time.

Time Out tip: Certain items are only available during specific hours. Come early to try the bestselling apple and brie ($12) – it’s officially hot off the oven between 8.30am to 3pm, but often sells out by lunchtime, especially on weekends.

Address: 81 Clemenceau Avenue, #01-14 UE Square, Singapore 239917
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 8.30am-5pm; Sat-Sun 8.30am-4pm

What is it? Tiny bakery in the west serving pies, galettes, and sandwiches made from scratch.

Why we love it: There’s an almost religious emphasis on the quality of ingredients used. Case in point? Wheathead’s OG plum and coconut cake is only made when the team manages to source excellent plums, which isn’t that often, despite how it’s a longstanding bestseller. 

Time Out tip: There’s no dine-in space, but you’re welcome to rest your bum on one of the pebble-shaped seats at the open space right outside, or even bring your own camping chair.

Address: 8 Slim Barracks Rise, #01-01, Singapore 138492
Opening hours: Thu-Fri 8am-2pm; Sat 9am-1pm; Sun 8am-2pm

What is it? Homely forest cabin-like cake parlour that’s entirely run by a husband-and-wife duo. Find it tucked in a little corner of an Everton void deck.

Why we love it: It’s always a party of flavours here, with mainstays like earl grey lavender and pistachio raspberry, to rotational ones like honey kinako and pear crumble – with each cake (from $6) being satisfyingly moist and dense. From time to time, the couple experiments with new flavours to add to their ever-expanding line-up. 

Time Out tip: The Better Half serves a solid cuppa, but those who prefer leaves to beans should try the genmaicha latte – a roastier take on the matcha latte – or the palate-cleansing tomatino tea, made using a black-based blend of tomatoes and carrots. Unconventional, but wonderful nonetheless. 

Address: 1 Everton Park, #01-43, Singapore 081001
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 10.30am-4pm; Sat-Sun 10am-4pm

What is it? Quaint spot in the East with loaded spring onion cream cheese rolls ($6.80), lemon pound cake with pistachio ($4.50), delicious cruffins ($6.50) and more.

Why we love it: Top-notch croissants, madeleines, and focaccia aside, Les Mains serves hot drinks with the cutest latte art featuring less commonly seen animal designs like seahorses, pigs, monkeys, unicorns and bunnies. Its outdoor terrace seats are pet-friendly.

Time Out tip: The bakehouse closes at 2.30pm but transforms into an ice cream parlour Micro Creamery from 3pm to 10pm, and coffee is served till four.

Address: 47 Jalan Tua Kong, #01-00, Singapore 457247
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 8am-2.30pm

What is it? Solo-run dessert store that operates out of Takara House, a Japanese-style vintage thrift store. Fun fact: The owners of the two businesses are siblings.

Why we love it: At $15 for a strawberry shortcake or matcha tart, things here are on the pricier end, but take one bite and any doubts will instantly fade. You’ll be even more impressed knowing that everything is painstakingly made by just one person. Coffee starts from $4, with other comforting brews including Alishan oolong ($6) and lychee tea ($5.50).

Time Out tip: Desserts offered are on a rotational basis. Peep each day’s selection on Takara House’s Instagram stories. The matcha pistachio shortcake ($15) is a favourite among customers – it’s even approved by our colleague who typically dislikes pistachio.

Address: 674 North Bridge Road, Level 2, Takara House, Singapore 188804
Opening hours: Wed-Sat 10am-8pm; Sun 10am to 6.30pm

What is it? A former home-based business that’s now a full-fledged café in a cosy Duxton shophouse. 

Why we love it: Avo sourdough toast, a sunny-side up egg, and homemade garlic butter on the side for just $14 sans GST – in this economy? We’re sold. The madeleines ($7.50 for 3) are baked fresh to order and well worth the 15-minute wait.

Time Out tip: Matcha might be the trendy default beverage of choice for most, but try the iced hojicha latte ($8) instead – hands down one of the best and most full-bodied you’ll find in Singapore.

Address: 76a Duxton Road, Singapore 089535
Opening hours: Mon, Wed-Fri 9.30am to 6pm; Sat-Sun 9am-6pm

What is it? An inexpensive, laidback joint in Yishun that specialises in handmade sourdough and naturally leavened loaves in flavours like pumpkin, matcha, and banana walnut.

Why we love it: Toast with your choice of spread costs just $3.10 per slice. Old-school kaya and almond butter are popular picks, but avocado and chia seed (additional $0.30) is the most value for money, given how generously it’s slathered on. That scenic view of Yishun Pond certainly doesn’t hurt either.

Time Out tip: Top up $4.95 to make it a set with soft-boiled eggs and a drink. Popular items sell out fast, but you can pre-order your fave loaves and other bakes like cinnamon rolls and matcha mochi red bean buns here.

Address: 30A Yishun Central 1, #01-08 Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre, Singapore 768796
Opening hours: Daily 7am-2pm

What is it? A humble couple-run venture that’s nestled at a HDB void deck in the heart of Tampines.

Why we love it: Madeleines in unconventional flavours like kinako mochi, and fig and cream cheese ($13 for 5); miso sesame dulcey cookie ($4); and even cempedak crumble cake ($6) – this small yet experimental dessert parlour has sweet treats that no one else has dreamt up.

Time Out tip: Celebrating a special occasion? Order the custom boxes with your desired combination of bakes, or go all out with a gorgeous dessert table setup complete with balloons and florals.

Address: 406 Tampines Street 41, #01-23 Sun Plaza Green, Singapore 520406
Opening hours: Mon, Wed-Fri 11.30am-5pm; Sat-Sun 10am-3.30pm

What is it? Our reliable go-to for honest-to-goodness dessert pies (from $7.30 per slice) since 2011.

Why we love it: Trend-chasing and gimmicks aren’t on the agenda here. The pie specialist has been serving pretty much the same tried-and-true flavours like pecan, s’mores, and morello sour cherry since its beginnings, with occasional seasonal specials to shake things up a little. And it works.

Time out tip: Windowsill Pies has fully pivoted to takeaway kiosks as of 2022, but you can still savour its confections in a sit-down space at Same Days Coffee Stand, located within Grafunkt at Joo Chiat. 

Address: 1 Kim Seng Promenade, B1-K114 Great World, Singapore 237994
Opening hours: Daily 11am-9pm

What is it? A rustic, pet-friendly space that’s named after a dog, filled with furniture and fixtures handmade by the owner’s friends.

Why we love it: There’s a sense of community here, with a large sharing table in the middle for people to gather around and forge new friendships. Try the cardamom bun ($6), sweet-savoury four cheese with honey loaf ($6.50), and Iranian pistachio tart ($14).

Time out tip: Fans of Maxi Coffee Bar will be glad to know that the coffee (from $4) here is made using its beans. 

Address: 174 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427445
Opening hours: Wed-Fri 8.30am-4.30pm; Sat-Sun 8.30am-5.30pm

What is it? This rustic café is hidden amongst the private residential estates at Serangoon Garden and is known for its unique bakes.

Why we love it: Dining at Chu and Co feels like attending a friend’s casual backyard party. It’s not the most glamorous set-up – you’ll see everyone scattered across the outdoor patio, sitting on the pavement, and mingling around as they sip on their coffees. Grab one of Chu and Co’s warm, savoury bakes on display, like the smoked salmon rillette with scallion pesto ($9), burratina with maple bacon ($9.50), French toast bagel ($10), or Trio cheese ($8). Meanwhile, sweet tooths can go for the house nut butter blueberry ($7.50) or the Kopi Bomb (from $7).

Time Out tip: It gets pretty hot in the day, and while the café provides several stools, it’s best to bring along camping chairs or mats if you plan on enjoying your coffees and bakes here.

Address: 15 Lichfield Road, Singapore 556835
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 8.30am-4pm
Expect to pay: Around $15 for a coffee and one pastry

What is it? A charming sourdough bakery-café set in a heritage red-brick house in Katong.

Why we love it: Despite having a few outlets scattered across the country, including its humble digs at Serene Centre where it first started, as well as Tiong Bahru, Micro Bakery’s Red House location is our favourite. Look past the striking red exterior of the former Katong Bakery & Confectionery building, and you’ll find gorgeous tiled floors, subway decals, and ample seating for a leisurely brunch. Micro Bakery bakes its sourdough loaves in small batches daily, adopting a 16-hour slow fermentation and high-temperature bold-baking method to achieve a dark, caramelised crust. Our go-to orders are the grilled four-cheese sandwich ($16) with smoked ricotta, raclette, mozzarella, and cheddar; as well as the roasted tomato and ricotta tartine ($16).

Time Out tip: If you can only order one thing, it’s got to be the persimmon tartine ($18). This seasonal item brings together smoked and fresh persimmon, housemade ricotta, candied hazelnuts, and sourdough for a medley of sweet, refreshing, and tangy flavours.

Address: 63 East Coast Road, Red House, #01-06, Singapore 428776
Opening hours: Wed-Fri 8.30am-4pm; Sat-Sun 8.30am-5pm
Expect to pay: Around $25 for a main and a coffee

What is it? Innovation takes a whole new meaning at La Levain, a bakery-café that specialises in unique bakes and flavours.

Why we love it: Prepare to be greeted with the scent of freshly baked bread and sweets the moment you step into La Levain. Look a little closer and you’ll find numerous French classics and reinvented localised bakes that have gained immense popularity, such as the ever-popular onigiri croissants (from $7.20) that come in flavours like Lao Gan Man, taro orh nee, and mentaiko cheese, as well as the weekend-exclusive doughnut croissants that are light and sweet. Pair your bakes with a cup of coffee (from $4.10), and you'll be good to go.

Time Out tip: La Levain’s more popular bakes like the onigiri croissant and smashed croissants sell out fast, so place an order online to avoid disappointment.

Address: 23 Hamilton Road, Singapore 209193
Opening hours: Tue 8am-6pm; Wed 8am-4.30pm; Thu-Sun 8am-6pm
Expect to pay: More than $10 for a pastry and coffee