Café Fest: The Essential Guide
After a long day of walking around and coffee sampling, we can't think of anything better than sitting down with a Pat and Stick's Homemade Ice Cream Co's ice cream sandwich. Actually...we can. Make that a real treat with a cup of perfect hot chocolate and chai! You'll feel like a happy kid after a long day out.
As Tastemaker Rachel Xie puts it, "The waffles here are lighter and crisper on the outside than any other I've had". Well, you're in luck! Hatter Street will be showcasing their Whoaffles (waffles) at the Fest, alongside pandan ice cream with gula melaka, and their stunning Smoked Sawdust Pudding. This is them pushing the boundaries of food and flavours we've come to regard as normal.
A beloved institution of river-side coffee and brunch, don't miss Toby's at Cafe Fest. These good people are committed to spreading their love for and the importance of good coffee by ensuring you get a taste of their gibraltar latte and espresso available at the Fest. Make sure you drop by and say hi!
Experience overflowing sweet decadence at this quirky Halal cafe/ customised cake boutique/ academy. At Cafe Fest, indulge in their most popular flavours of cakes, cupcakes and macarons. Since you're already there, forget that diet and just indulge.
Named after the location of Le Cordon Bleu London in Bloomsbury Square, this cafe brings part of England to the Bendemeer neighbourhood. Their specialty cakes offered at Cafe Fest include the Banana Peanut Butter Cake (truly one of the best marriages in food history) and a brand new item - Speculoos Cheesecake. Speculoos. Cheesecake. Need we say more?
Synonymous with Tiong Bahru Bakery is their signature pastry - the royally delicious Kouign Amann. This flaky, buttery, caramelized, sugar-filled pastry is the stuff dreams are made of. Thank you, Gontran Cherrier. Paired with coffee brewed by the award-winning 40 Hands, it's the perfect treat. You might want to try the canele too, their latest addition. It's ok, go right ahead and treat yourself to both pastries, we won't judge ;)
It's always refreshing when a place commits to serving simple, good quality food and drinks, and that's exactly what Necessary Provision does. They'll be featuring their signature homemade Banana Bread, perfect with a cup of joe. For something different, go for their Iced Espresso in Milk - two frozen cubes of their specially curated espresso blend topped with cold milk. This is one unique drink you won't want to miss!
I Am cafe has attracted diners by the dozen to their humble, airy space at Haji Lane since its opening. Their unexpectedly good food is what brings diners back again and again. At Cafe Fest, expect their signature fries & mayo, which can be accompanied by extra dips - garlic mint, cucumber dill, and sweet honey mustard. Wash it all down with a cup of fizzy lemonade! *Muslim-owned, not Halal-certified but Halal supplier
Jimmy Monkey is an Australian-style cafe that offers a range of delectable comforting meals and artisanal coffee. Caffeine junkies - you would've heard about the legendary Slayer Espresso Machine before, right? Some say it makes coffee taste that much better. If you're skeptical, why not grab a Flat White or Piccolo Latte? They'll be pumping out tasty brews from their custom built Slayer Machine all day long!
Maison Ikkoku is set in the heart of Kampong Glam, where in recent years, many shophouses have been restored to their former glory. This cafe is staffed with Sawada-trained baristas - Hiroshi Sawada being a Japanese celebrity barista, and serves up some of the best specialty coffee around. Get your dose of great coffee, including various single origin coffees brewed on Chemex at Cafe Fest!
Oz Specialty Coffee works hand in hand with Thailand's largest boutique coffee roaster, Pacamara, offering Pacamara's exceptional roasted coffee on a fixed basis. They sometimes feature other guest blends from time to time too. If the weather's too hot for a hot coffee, go for their bottled cold brew - it's much less acidic and is the perfect thirst quencher. If you have any questions about coffee, they'll be more than happy to answer them!
Common Man Coffee Roasters encompasses a cafe, coffee bar, and wholesale roasting arm, so you know you can trust them to always make you a great cup of coffee with stunning latte art. Besides the usual espresso based coffee, they will also be showcasing single origin coffee through filter brewing methods like the chemex and aeropress at Cafe Fest, which will definitely interest all you coffee fanatics!
The top picks, popular finds and newly opened places in Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines, curated by Burpple editors!