The best grilled cheese sandwiches in Singapore

It might not read like a lengthy menu, but at Punch along North Canal Road, they do up a solid grilled cheese ($14). It comes sliced up into four relatively small triangles, with three types of melted cheese: emmental, grated parmesan, and a soft brie. And since everyone knows that grilled cheese is best paired with a hearty tomato soup – there’s a small bowl on the side for dipping. 

At halal brunch spot Missus, it’s not just another Instagrammable café – they also have a range of unique dishes to try. Since we’re all obvious fans of the grilled cheese, it’s the Missus Melt ($16.90) that we’d be ordering, for its signature four cheese blend that’s been generously smeared with a truffle paste. There’s also a roasted tomato soup. For a more unique take on the grilled cheese, order the kaya cheese toast ($9) which comes with a kaya spread alongside colby and provolone cheese, as well as the traditional soft boiled eggs for dipping. 

It’s just opened in the East earlier this year, but Breakfast Grill has already made a name for itself with its slew of savoury sandwiches. While creamy egg salad Sunday Cals ($12) or five-spices deep-fried chicken sandwich Hot Chick ($15.50) might be tempting, it's the garlic grilled cheese ($10) that’s a reliable favourite. If you want to add on a tomato soup, prepare to fork up an additional $4.50.

While Lola's Café might have first started in the quiet neighbourhood of Hougang, they’ve since expanded with a second outlet in Holland Village. The menus are just a tad bit different – you can only order up a grilled cheese sandwich at their newest café along Lorong Mambong. At $16, look forward to a medley of cheddar, mozzarella, and halloumi between rustic sourdough. It all comes together with a drizzle of honey mustard and smoked ketchup.

Maxi Coffee might be most known for coffee, but they do also have a lineup of grilled sandwiches for an easy takeaway lunch. From a french onion grilled cheese ($12) to a bacon grilled cheese ($13), both are painstakingly grilled for the optimal melty cheese effect. There’s even a kimchi grilled cheese ($14) on the menu, generously smeared with gochujang mayo, ham and two cheeses. 

When it comes to loaded sandwiches, Korio is top of mind. They might do massive sammies that are dripping with delish sauce, such as the Tuna Melt ($14) or luncheon meat-filled Bobby Smalls ($12), but it’s the grilled cheese that we’re eyeing. At $13, it makes for a delish lunch, especially since it comes packed with melted cheddar and American cheese, as well as caramelised onions – all between a whole wheat sourdough. 

At Little Rogue Coffee, they give an interesting twist to the standard grilled cheese – instead of tomato soup, it comes with cauliflower soup. Otherwise, it’s the usual sammy with brie, mozzarella, and gruyere – with bacon jam and mustard for a slight kick. We like this space, since it’s a bicycle-friendly joint of sorts: they’ve got nifty bicycle stands right in the middle of the café so you can keep an eye while brunching.

This one’s a tad bit different from other grilled cheeses out there, since their rendition adds on oven-roasted mushrooms and truffle salsa. Here, the grilled cheese ($18) is chock-full with cheese but there’s also a unique touch with caramelised onions and chive cream. When it’s on a rustic country sourdough, this provides a nice crunch when paired with the melty cheese. 

In Amoy Street Food Centre lies Mad Roaster, a surprising find at a hawker centre. Since they solely use specialty roasted beans, the coffee is a must-order, but they do also occasionally have an OG Grilled Cheese ($6) or a kimchi grilled cheese ($6). Otherwise, make sure to try the babka ($2.20) too, a fluffy brioche bread that’s breaded with chocolate.

While there’s plenty to try at sourdough café Starter Lab, give the Starter Lab 3 Cheese ($19) a chance. It comes with melty cheese between a rosemary sourdough, and you can also choose to add either vegemite or housemade jam for a dollar. They do also have a range of other sandwiches too, such as the pork belly on a potato sourdough bun ($22) or the roasted garlic mushroom on a country sourdough ($18).

It’s just along Club Street, Parallel Coffee – it’s almost a hidden gem of sorts since unlike other cafés in the area, it’s never crowded. While they do have a full brunch menu here, it’s the four-cheese grilled sandwich ($17) that we’ll be ordering, for its mix of mozzarella, cheddar, gruyere, and parmesan – all torched over a thick slice of sourdough. Try one of the acai smoothies (from $7) too, for a refreshing pick-me-up. 

Micro Red Bakery is housed in an iconic heritage building along East Coast Road, in what was once the Red House Bakery. They’re still baking up a storm here though, with freshly baked baguettes and sourdough loaves. While they serve up two variations of the grilled cheese, with the Grilled 4 Cheese Sandwich ($15) and simpler Artisanal Cheese Toast ($12), it’s the former we’d certainly opt for. This comes with an overload of cheesy goodness: smoked ricotta, raclette, mozzarella, and cheddar. Choose to add on pastrami for $3.