When dining at a cafe, one must be prepared for some heart pain when it's time to pay the bill. Most cafes are known for their somewhat overpriced food that comes with the ambience and Insta factor of the interior, but that's not always the case.
We've found seven cafes in Singapore that offer great ambience and photo opportunities as well as affordable food that won't break your budget.
Keep reading to check them out!
#1 Good Bites
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Located a short walk from Bishan MRT station, this halal cafe is a heartland favourite that sees long queues on weekends. On Monday to Fridays from 11am to 5pm, they offer Set Meals ($9.99 - $13.89) which include a starter of soup or salad, a main dish and a drink. We recommend the Tom Yum Seafood Pasta set meal ($12.98) which comes with a generous portion of seafood.
Photo from Good Bites
Another reason to visit this cafe is the ambience. The alfresco dining area is lit with hanging lights and there are a couple of cute birdcage seats, while the indoor area has a stylish and sleek look. There's also a large green wall with colourful chairs and neon signs for photo taking while you wait for a seat.
Read more about Good Bites here.
#2 The Tree Cafe
Photo from The Tree Cafe
Photo from @shawntandiary via Instagram
This halal cafe has three outlets in Singapore and they all have cosy, homey vibes with greenery and pencil-like illustrations on the walls.
Photo from The Tree Cafe
Photo from The Tree Cafe
Considering that the cafes are located in shopping malls, the food is surprisingly affordable. Mains like Grilled Chicken and Pan-Fried Dory are priced at $9.50, pasta at $8.50 - $8.90, burgers at $9.90 - $10.50 and rice bowls at $8.50. They also serve all-day breakfast like Eggs Benedict and Chic & Waffles at $9.50 each.
The Tree Cafe
Locations: Downtown East, The Cathay and Funan Mall
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#3 Ice Edge Cafe
Photo from Ice Edge Cafe
Located a short walk from Kovan MRT Station, Ice Edge Cafe is a casual dining spot that's popular among heartlanders for their wide variety of artisanal gelato flavours. The interior has a bizarre mix of traditional-style black banquette seats and chandeliers, industrial-style metal accents, steampunk decor, pop culture posters and greenery. It somehow works though!
Photo from Ice Edge Cafe
Photo from Ice Edge Cafe
Their menu has typical cafe pricing, but they have a weekday lunch menu that will go easy on your wallet. From Monday to Friday, 11.30am to 3pm, you can get 1-for-1 starters by itself and 1-for-1 pastas, mains, stews and pizza as a group (the highest items in the total bill will be charged). That means you'll be spending less than $10 per pax as almost all the dishes are under $20 like Wild Mushroom Truffle Sauce Linguine ($16.80), Giant Chicken Schnitzel ($17.80) and Pizza Japanese Bonito ($19.80).
Photo from @sharonachia via Instagram
This hidden cafe near Chinatown MRT Station serves major 80s Hong Kong film vibes with glamorous interiors and a balcony overlooking the picturesque surrounding buildings.
Photo from Sweetea Caffe
On their menu are Burger Sets ($6.80 - $13.80) which come with a hash brown and drink, pastas ($13.90), vegetarian meals ($10.90 - $13.90) and pies & sandwiches ($5.80 - $8.90). They also offer afternoon tea for two (from $38.80) and a variety of cakes ($4.80 - $8.80).
Read more about Sweetea Caffe here.
#5 Bread Yard
Photo from Bread Yard
Bread Yard sounds like it would be just a bakery but it's also a breakfast and lunch cafe that offers proper meals. On their menu are pastas, grain bowls, sandwiches and brunch dishes like shakshuka and a full English breakfast. There are a few items that are under $15 like the Prawn & Bacon Aglio Olio ($12), Garlic Lime Salmon Bowl ($14) and Pulled Pork Eggs Benedict ($14).
The interior design isn't as flashy as the other cafes on this list, but the ambience is pleasant and there's a brick-effect wall that would look good as a photo backdrop.
Photo from Bread Yard
Photo from Bread Yard
The cafe also offers sourdough breads in different flavours like olive and miso sesame, bagels, shokupan bread and gluten-free bread.
Photo from @vivianj_22 via Instagram
Photo from CAF Clickafood
This Upper Paya Lebar cafe-bistro has a pretty pastel theme with corners designed to serve as photo backdrops. Some have Hangul characters for that Korean feelz and the one at the entrance has a cheeky quote that every foodie can relate to.
Photo from CAF Clickafood
Photo from CAF Clickafood
They serve a mix of Korean, Thai, Western and local food that will go easy on your wallet. Their must-tries are the Korean Mama Fried Chicken Burger ($8.90), Seoul Army Stew for two ($19.90), Pad Thai "Bomb" ($12.90) and Thaitanium Fried Rice ($12.90).
Read more about CAF Clickafood here.
#7 La Ristrettos Coffee Roastery
Photo from La Ristrettos
Located at Novena Medical Centre, La Ristrettos is known for their artisanal coffee made with coffee beans that are roasted in-house to create their own distinct flavours. The cafe is decorated to look like a cosy cottage with plenty of greenery.
Photo from La Ristrettos
On their food menu are burgers ($8.90 - $13.50), pasta ($12.90 - $14.90) and all-day breakfast ($13.80 -$15.80).
Cafes in Singapore for when you're in the mood to spend more:
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Text by: GirlStyle SG
