The Place Located just opposite the now-defunct Lavender Food Square, 20F Specialty Coffeehouse joins the growing crowd of cafes in the Jalan Besar area. Retaining the original character of the shophouse, you will notice the old tiles, metal shutter gates, antiquated window grills and the long spacious open yard at the back of the cafe.

*20F Specialty Coffeehouse is part of our list of 22 Top Food Hunts in Jalan Besar Neighbourhood.


We love that you actually get to choose which ambience you prefer at 20F, from the front pouch coffee bar, to the dark dining room complete with old stairways and peek-a-boo antique windows, to the bright and mood up-lifting back yard.

The Food As you may have noticed, we have been writing less about cafe and brunch in recent months, more due to the lack of interesting and noteworthy cafes, and also our fatigue with just how many new cafes kept mushrooming. Visiting 20F took some convincing initially, having decided to push ahead only after hearing some encouraging reviews. from fellow foodies.

You cannot not have this while at 20F, their Duck & Waffle ($22); Duck Confit topped on buttermilk waffles and paired with mixed berries sorbet. This combination of savoury, sweet and sour does sound, and is in fact, a tad too much. Without either the Duck Confit, which score high points in retaining its moisture and tenderness, or the Sorbet, which was absolutely refreshing, this main will be more desirable.

Another 20F’s highly recommended mains here was the Pulled Pork Flatbread ($17), which as it name suggest, had pulled pork laid out on a flatbread done Mexican-styled. Topped with Chipotle mayo and served with a bowl of nacho chips and guacamole dip. Despite it being too moist for my liking and with the pulled pork tasting rather bland, this flatbread creation does come across very hearty. Best to have this with a coffee, and you just had an awesome breakfast combi.

We were too full but wanted to give their Truffle Fries ($12) a try, only to wish we didn’t after having it.

The Espresso Kahlua Waffles ($12) is a must here. Both the Dark Chocolate Sorbet and the Vanilla Ice Cream went really well with the espresso shot, if that waffles could have been more crisp, I will definitely be returning even sooner for this.

Rants There are just too many cafes around, with many serving the usual suspects done mediocrely.

Will I Return Again? For the coffee (Liberty Coffee’s roasted beans) and desserts. The mains here seeks to make a distinction, but didn’t score high on satisfaction.

TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 3/5
Hole in the pocket: 3.5/5
Ambience: 3.5/5
Overall Experience: 3/5

20F Specialty Coffeehouse
20 Foch Road
Singapore 20926
Tel: +65 6291 4940

Opening Hours:
Daily 10am to 10pm
Closed on Monday

Ranted by The Rantee