Singapore Coffee Crawl
5 Must-Have Caffeinated Experiences in the Lion City
Story and photos by Franz Domasian
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Third time’s the charm! Annual family travel for 2019 brought me back to Singapore and coffee crawling in the Lion City.
Here are some of my coffee finds which you might want to include in your next trip:
Quarter Life Coffee
Housed in a container van in an arts space called DECK, Quarter Life Coffee is a gem hidden in plain sight. It was my first stop as it’s the closest shop to our hotel. To get here, take the Downtown train (blue line) either to Bencoolen (around 400m away) or to Rochor (240m away).
From Bencoolen station, walk along Bencoolen Street then turn left to Middle Road then right to Prinsep Street. Quarter Life Coffee will be on your right, in front of Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church. From Rochor station, exit at Prinsep Street and Quarter Life will be on your left.
I initially wanted to try their manually brewed coffee as they roast their own beans. Unfortunately, the coffee guys were out on the day of my visit so I went with what was available. The cold brew was very bright, cider-like. Great refreshment under the heat of the afternoon sun!
Quarter Life Coffee
Address: 120A Prinsep St, Singapore 187937
FB: https://www.facebook.com/quarterlifecoffee
IG: @quarterlifecoffee
Nylon Coffee Roasters
First morning of this travel is spent hunting Nylon Coffee Roasters. Another awesome find that is out of one’s sight! The nearest train station is Northeast line’s (purple) Outram Park.
From the station, take Exit G and walk along Cantonment Road. Just walk straight ahead when you’re at the intersection of Cantonment and Neil Roads. At the first bus stop after the intersection, turn right at the narrow complex. You will see Nylon Coffee Roasters on one of the shops on your right.
The people behind the bar welcomed us warmly and gave us time to choose our beans for brewing. We got El Suspiro from Nicaragua which has a taste profile of dried apricot, red plum and chocolate. The brew we had was light-bodied, almost tea-like with complex bright and sweet flavors.
Nylon Coffee Roasters
Address: Block 4, Everton Park, #01-40, Singapore 080004
FB: https://www.facebook.com/nyloncoffeeroasters
IG: @nyloncoffee
Kurasu SG
A long walk from our hotel is Raffles City Mall. Across Raffles, on the second floor of Odeon Towers, Kurasu SG brews mean cups for the caffeine-thirsty patrons. The shop shares a dimly-lit space with coworking spot The Company.
If you’re taking the train, ride the Circle line (orange) and exit at either Bras Basah (400 m away) or Esplanade (350m away). From both stations, exit along Bras Basah Road and head to North Bridge Road.
We tried beans from Brazil, the lowest acidity of the coffee origins we have tried so far on this trip. They also stock brewing equipment, beans and drip bags in the shop, so you might as well grab a thing or two.
Kurasu SG
Address: 331 North Bridge Rd, #02-01, Odeon Towers, Singapore 188720
FB: https://www.facebook.com/kurasusg
IG: @kurasusg
CCSH Coffee Bar
Whenever I’m asked to recommend a Singapore coffee shop, I always blurt out CSHH Coffee Bar. Serving coffee by Papa Palheta, CSHH is a pillar of the specialty coffee scene in Singapore and in Southeast Asia. This place inspired Andre Chanco to bring the wave to Manila with Yardstick back in 2013.
It was brunch time when we visited, so the place was packed with a vibrant crowd. From the extensive selection of single origins, we chose beans from Myanmar which tasted like grapes!
Going here is easy. Take the Downtown line (blue) and alight at Bendemeer station. Take Exit B and walk along Kallang Bahru towards Lavender Street. Cross the street and walk towards your right. Turn right to Tyrwhitt Road. Straight ahead, you will find CSHH on your right.
Hit two birds with one stone when you come here, as on the corner of Tyrwhitt Road and Lavender Street, you will find Apartment Coffee!
CCSH Coffee Bar
Address: 150 Tyrwhitt Rd, Singapore 207563
FB: https://www.facebook.com/cshhcoffee
IG: @cshhcoffee
Apartment Coffee
I got a cortado here, and I’m glad I did! It tasted like melted ice cream. The only time I had a similar experience was when I tasted Philippine Barista Champion 2019 Michael Harris Conlin’s milk beverage competition drink.
Aside from coffee, this place boasts a clean, all-white aesthetic and large-leafed plants. It’s perfect for your Instagram-worthy coffee photos!
Better get those caffeine engines ready, as Apartment Coffee is only a few meters away from CSHH Coffee Bar.
Apartment Coffee
Address: 161 Lavender St, #01-12, Singapore 338750
FB: https://www.facebook.com/apartmentcoffeeco
IG: @apartmentcoffee
Other shops I visited on my previous trips:
Common Man Coffee Roasters
Address: #01, 22 Martin Rd, 00, Singapore 239058
FB: https://www.facebook.com/commonmancoffeeroasters
IG: @commonmancoffee
Maison Ikkoku
Address: 20 Kandahar St, Singapore 198885
FB: https://www.facebook.com/maison.ikkoku.sg
IG: @apartmentcoffee
Symmetry
Address: 9 Jln Kubor, #01-01, Singapore 199206
FB: https://www.facebook.com/symmetry.com.sg/
IG: @symmetrysg
A few days is not enough to cover all the amazing coffee shops in Singapore! I can’t wait to be back to explore more.
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