With Singapore’s cafes (still) popping up like mushrooms, it’s evident that our love affair with coffee is more than just sizzling. In fact, we’re taking it further by delving into the art of roasting; the increasing number of roasters in Singapore says it all. We still love our kopi-o, but specialty coffee is just soooo experiential with over 800 different flavour compounds and aromas – cool beans! Check out these local coffee roasters and get in early on the (r)evolution of the caffeine scene in Singapore; you heard it here first.
Prodigal Roasters
Head down to the quiet heartlands of Yio Chu Kang and discover this new specialty coffeehouse. In this hole-in-the-wall boutique coffee roaster, every cuppa is brewed from beans (sourced from Panama) that they roast themselves. Here, you can get aromatic single origin brews or even pick up a pack of its aromatic roasts in 250-gram packages at $15 each. Prodigal Roasters also offers a curated assortment of toothsome sweet delicacies like the miso cheese tart ($4.50) and Rocky Road tart ($4.50). Expect throngs of coffee aficionados and dessert lovers to fill up this cosy space in no time!
Prodigal Roasters, #01-112 Block 625, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 9, Singapore 560625, p. 9450 0484. Open Tue-Thu 9am-8pm; Fri 8am-8pm; Sat 8am-3pm; Sun 8am-6pm. Closed on Mon.
Grounded by CMCR
If you swear by the coffee at Common Man Coffee Roasters, you’ll be glad to know that there’s another spot called Grounded by CMCR (just head upstairs!) for you to enjoy more top-notch Joes. Also founded by the team behind CMCR, this breezy, alfresco cafe is a brand new Insta-worthy space where you can slowly sip a great cuppa while taking shots of its lovely interior and latte art. What more could you ask for on a lazy afternoon?
Grounded by CMCR, #02-00, 22 Martin Road, Singapore 239058, p. 6836 4695. Open daily 7.30am-6pm (last orders at 5.30pm).
Toby’s Estate
Believing in their responsibility to get the beans to their drinkers in just-right condition, this Aussie specialty coffee roaster spends time and effort honing, not just their technique, but also the necessary sensitivity which makes coffee roasting such a refined craft. Coffee-lovers rejoiced when Toby’s chose Singapore for their flagship roastery and café in Southeast Asia in 2011. Since then, Toby’s has established itself as a popular brunch spot and go-to café for a mean cuppa. You can pick up packs of their local blends or single origin coffee from the store, and don’t forget to check out their extensive range of brewing equipment while you’re there!
Toby’s Estate,#01-03/04, 8 Rodyk Street, Singapore 238216, p. 6636 7629. Open Mon-Thu 730am-630pm, Fri-Sat 730am-10pm, Sun 730am-9pm.
Sarnies
Right across our office you’ll find this cosy coffee joint that boasts quite the collection of glorious roasts. From mocha to machiatto, all beans here are roasted in house. The tasty lunchtime nosh here is just as much a draw for us, so you’re bound to see some of the Honeycombers team here for an afternoon pick-me-up. Sarnies also aims to bring in ‘under-the-radar’ beans, which are currently only known to coffee experts, so keep a look out for updates!
Sarnies, 136 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068601, p. 6224 6091. Open Mon-Tue 730am-6pm, Wed-Fri 730am-9pm, Sat-Sun 9am-4pm.
Common Man Coffee Roasters
If you’ve had a sip of coffee at Common Man Coffee Roasters (or 40 Hands for that matter) and marvelled at the glorious taste of the cuppa, you’re definitely not alone. A partnership between Harry Grover (of 40 Hands), Aussie specialist roaster Five Senses Coffee, and the illustrious Spa Esprit Group, Common Man is the exclusive distributor for Five Senses in Southeast Asia. The beans are imported, roasted in-house (filter roasts are prepared in their Martin Road outlet while bulk espresso roasts are done at their larger roastery in Senoko), blended and distributed to other cafes like Department of Caffeine and Lowercase.
Common Man Coffee Roasters,#01-00, 22 Martin Road, Singapore 239058, p. 68364695. Open daily 8am-7pm.
Oriole Coffee + Bar
Opened by Keith Loh, winner of Singapore National Barista Championships (SNBC) in 2010, Oriole has won over a cult following of coffee enthusiasts locally and around the globe. Purveying only the finest and freshest Arabica beans, these beans are roasted locally before being brewed and retailed at Oriole Coffee + Bar’s outlets in the city.
Oriole Coffee Roasters, Pan Pacific Serviced Suites, Capitol Piazza, and Admiralty Street.
Nylon Coffee Roasters
Everton Park is a coffee junkie’s heaven, and much of that credit can go to this hole-in-the-wall boutique coffee roaster. With only four seats, though you can BYOC (bring-your-own-chair), an uber-casual atmosphere, and a simple menu (just black or white coffee in two sizes), it’s all about coffee, and only coffee, at Nylon. The good folks of Nylon are very dedicated – they even flew all the way to Central America to visit producers at the source. Check out their blog to find out what new beans they sourced, make your purchase online (or drop by their café), and they’ll have it roasted to order and mailed to you!
Nylon Coffee Roasters,#01-40, 4 Everton Park, Singapore 080004, p. 6220 2330. Open Mon, Wed-Fri 830am-530pm, Sat-Sun 9am-6pm. Closed on Tue.
Dutch Colony Coffee Co.
Nestled in the gourmand wonderland that is Pasarbella farmer’s market, Dutch Colony is a casual, open-concept café space. You’ll surely spot the racks of coffee beans (they retail over 10-12 carefully sourced single origins) and brewing accessories and equipment. It’s all about being involved in the entire bean to cup experience, so travelling to coffee farms and engaging the farmers is something that they earnestly advocate and practise. Interested to learn more about your favourite beverage? Check out Dutch Colony’s Facebook page for information on their slew of coffee workshops (at wallet-friendly prices) like coffee appreciation, coffee cupping, basic barista, and latte art workshops!
Dutch Colony Coffee Co., #02-K67/K68, PasarBella @ The Grandstand, 200 Turf Club Road, Singapore 287994, p. 6467 0255. Open Sun-Thu 930pm-7pm, Fri-Sat 930am-9pm.
Papa Palheta
With a name that pays homage to the great (and lusty) Francisco Palheta, who charmed the wife of French Guinea’s governor to sneak coffee seeds back into Brazil and successfully kick-started the coffee industry there, you know they mean business when it comes to coffee. Currently operating and retailing through (or at the back of) Chye Seng Huat Hardware, they practise micro-production methods, allowing them to meticulously monitor and tweak the roasting process. They are also active in education, holding a slew of classes and roasting tours for the public and managing the C-Platform – an avenue for coffee enthusiasts to socialise, exchange knowledge, and collectively learn more about coffee.
Papa Palheta, 150 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207563, p. 6299 4321. Open Tue-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat-Sun 9am-10pm.
Liberty Coffee
Here at Liberty, roasting is of utmost priority at its quaint coffee bar. Their outlet is primarily used for roasting and retailing of coffee, and when they do open to public, you can expect throngs of coffee aficionados filling up the narrow shop space. If you’re wondering why their blends, like the signature speakeasy blend, taste familiar, Libery also distributes to other local cafes like Artistry, Carpenter and Cook, and Patisserie G!
Liberty Coffee, #06-01, 37 Mactaggart Road, Singapore 368083, p. 6392 2903.
Highlander Coffee
As one of the pioneer independent coffee wholesalers and micro-roasteries in Singapore, Highlander has paved the way for its peers who’ve sprouted up over the years. Besides working towards the goal of providing top-class hand roasted coffees, Highlander also provides coffee training for public and aspiring baristas, retails espresso machines and other accessories for home and business uses, and offers coffee and café consultancy. Looking to get a taste of their famed Supremo blend, and grab a pack yourself, head down to their espresso bar along Kampong Bahru Road!
Highlander Coffee, 49 Kampong Bahru Road, Singapore 169362, p. 6223 7102. Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm.
A.R.C. Coffee Roasters
This three-in-one establishment boasts an academy, roastery and café, making it another spot where you can learn the fine art of coffee preparation, as well as sip on a toasty latte after class. The house blend here is a robust, full-bodied roast crafted by John Ryan Ting, a three-time champion of the Singapore National Barista Championship. We also really dig the industrial chic-décor that’ll have you whipping out your phones in no time.
A.R.C. Coffee Roasters, 29 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198477. p. 6291 6863. Open Tue-Fri 11am-10pm, weekends 9.30am-10pm. Closed on Mon.
Yahava Koffeeworks
Yet another Australian coffee chain, what’s special about this place is the fact that their coffee beans are sourced from all over the world. They do their roasting on-site, and even offer free tastings for customers! Dedicated to serving the best coffee brewed from the finest single origin beans and brewing techniques, you know your cup of coffee will be a great one. This one also gets our vote for best service.
Yahava Koffeeworks, 4 Jalan Gelenggang, Singapore 578188, p. 6554 7080. Open Mon-Sun 9am-6pm.
Tiong Hoe Speciality Coffee
You might be surprised to know that this specialty coffee house started back in 1960. Yes, Tiong Hoe exuded hipster vibes before hipster was even a thing. Besides serving a mean mocha, Mr. Tan Tiong Hoe himself also conducts coffee appreciation workshops for coffeephiles. Not to mention, this coffee guru has over 50 years of experience with his craft, so we’re sure you’ll learn a thing… or three. What’s more, these guys have so much respect for their craft that prices are on a tipping basis.
Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee, #01-1133, 170 Stirling Road, Singapore 140170. Open weekdays 8.30am-5.30pm, weekends 9am-4pm.
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