There’s a certain charm to the Katong and Joo Chiat precinct. With frequent new café openings, and the recently revamped malls of i12 Katong and Katong Point bringing more vibrancy to the area, we thought it is about time to update on the list of cafes in the area for your next caffeine fix!

Merci Marcel East Coast 
After locations in Club Street, Tiong Bahru and Orchard, the latest Merci Marcel concept opened in Katong. It is a gorgeous interior at its East Coast Road outlet which exudes a tropical neighbourhood vibe, with both indoor and outdoor seatings. The interior space is kids-friendly and suit small groups as well, with different menus throughout the day featuring dishes from eggs benedict to sandwiches and pizzas.
At 171 East Coast Road, Singapore 428877

Two Men Bagel House Joo Chiat
The popular bagel brand in Singapore needs no further introduction with the opening of its fourth outlet in the buzzing Joo Chiat Road. The Joo Chiat outlet is a proper dine-in concept in a canteen like style, with Joo Chiat exclusive items such as Bagelwiches (think Bagel & Sandwich) where the Firebird, a combination of hot fried chicken with brussels sprouts, seaweed and garlic is delicious. Coffee by popular Melbourne coffee roaster brand St. Ali is another highlight.
At 465 Joo Chiat Road

Petit Pain 
One of the most popular bakeries in Singapore is this unassuming shop in Joo Chiat, Petit Pain. It is not difficult to spot it since there is usually a long queue even before it opens, and I love the buttery and crispy croissant most from Petit Pain. No dine-in space, only takeaways.  [Read more here…]
At 315 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427566  

Wooly’s Bagels 
A Muslim-owned bagel shop which first opened at Rangoon Road, Wooly’s Bagels just opened its second outlet in Joo Chiat (close to Common Man Coffee Roasters). Expect a wide selection of bagels such as the signature GTFBagel, which literally stands for “Get The Freak Bagel!”, a combination of Chicken ham slices, scrambled eggs, crispy hashbrowns & a truffle mayo party on a bagel. Choose your bagel flavour from plain, cheese or sesame! No dine-in space, only takeaways.    
At 162 Joo Chiat Road 

Luna
The Singaporean homegrown patisserie Luna has opened its second outlet in Joo Chiat (its first at Amoy Street), where its new menu features sweet and savoury treats. It is a charming industrial minimalist interior which is much more spacious than the Amoy outlet, along with dessert flavours exclusive to Joo Chiat such as our favourite of the lot, Tofu (S$8.50) – Vanilla sponge, vanilla mousse, hazelnut praline, silken tofu, toasted buckwheat. Other new highlights include Cassis Chocolate (S$9), Caramel Banana Chocolate (S$9), Rhubarb Strawberry (S$9) and Strawberry Vanilla Panna Cotta (S$9.50).
At 121 Joo Chiat Road

Janie The Bakery
A hole-in-the-wall and hidden gem in Katong Shopping Centre, Janie The Bakery specialises in old-world European style sourdough breads and the occasional pastry, a no-commercial-yeast and no-white-sugar bakery. Fillings, condiments and spreads are made in-house and from scratch. Expect the likes of freshly baked Coconut Gula Melaka Bun, Sourdough Toast with Homemade Kaya & Butter and Bolo Bun. Head here for bragging rights of being a Katong insider.  [Read more here…]
At 865 Mountbatten Road, Katong Shopping Centre, #02-72, Singapore 437844 

Beastly Girls Sandwich Bar
Located at The Odeon Katong, Beastly Girls Sandwich Bar is a new casual concept just few doors down from The Whole Kitchen, where there are limited outdoor seats which makes it pet-friendly as well. Expect a concise breakfast and lunch menu with the likes of Avo & Eggs (S$14.50) toast, Kayalicious (S$9) toast and Magic Mushrooms (S$14.80) with sourdough toast. Coffee and pastries are also available, and the best part is that there is no GST or service charge. 
At 11 East Coast Road, #01-18, Singapore 428722

Creamier Handcrafted Ice Cream and Coffee (East Coast)
The popular ice cream brand which started in Toa Payoh has finally landed in the east, taking over the space of the now defunct Forty Hands East Coast. The Katong outlet has a decent seating capacity to enjoy their signature waffles and ice cream flavours, and is yet another ice cream addition to the buzzing neighbourhood in addition to Hay Gelato and Birds of Paradise Gelato.
At 226 East Coast Road

Humble Origins Coffee Roasters 
Taking over what used to be the space of Homeground Coffee Roaster, the few days old Humble Origins Coffee Roasters is one of the newest additions to the café scene in Katong. The space is a simple and minimalist interior design with wooden and rattan furniture, where there is a limited food menu in its soft launch phase. The coffee uses beans from Shan Hills, Myanmar, where this is probably the only café I know in Singapore which uses coffee from Myanmar.    
At 475 Joo Chiat Road

Nimbus 
Nimbus is the new C Café, as the latter was closed and reopened and rebranded as Nimbus. The space spots a sophisticated interior for a café, with cosy booth seats and ambient lighting. Think of lobster roll, sandwiches and toast on its brunch menu.  
At 477 Joo Chiat Road 

Plain Vanilla East Coast 
The established bakery cafe brand Plain Vanilla opened its sixth outlet in along East Coast Road in the hip Katong enclave at a charming shophouse location few doors down from Neptune. The space is split into the indoor dining, and a backyard space with a skylight over the yard. In terms of food, it serves a Breakfast menu (8am to 3:30pm) and Brunch menu (11am to 3:30pm), with the likes of toast, granola bowls, Eggs Benedict (S$22), Smashed Avocado Toast (S$22) and even handmade pastas. [Read more here…]
At 199 East Coast Road 

233 Banh Mi  
A Vietnamese-style café? The goal of 233 Banh Mi is to mimic Banh Mi Hawkers in Vietnam and it is a contemporary dine-in space with dishes like Beef Stew with Banh Mi (Banh Mi Bo Kho), Vietnamese meatballs with egg, Vietnamese sizzling steak with egg, and more.  
At 157 Joo Chiat Road

Hello Arigato 
With its first outlet in Upper Thomson last year, Hello Arigato serves Japanese comfort food and is most well-known for its sando, or Japanese sandwich. The second outlet opened in Joo Chiat last month, with an exclusive Har Cheong Sando option in addition to its all-time favourite Tamago Sando and Beef Sando. Grab a coffee and sando, and brunch is great. 
At 314 Joo Chiat Road 

Cafe Natsu 
A concept by the Ebb & Flow Group (Tigerlily, Willow), Cafe Natsu is strategically located at the junction of Joo Chiat and Koon Seng Road, right beside hole-in-the-wall Kohi Roastery & Coffee Bar. Expect dishes with Japanese influences such as Wagyu Sando, Wagyu Hamburg with Okonomiyaki, Shortrib Ragu Kare Casarecce, Cold Somen with Confit Egg Yolk and Soy Dashi, and BBQ Shirobuta Don with Soy Caramel and Shishito Peppers. The gorgeous space is framed by wooden window panes and has great natural lighting in the day. 
Address: 283 Joo Chiat Road 

Hay Gelato Katong
It first opened in Bedok North two years ago, and the popular gelato brand opened in the heart of Katong in October 2022. It is a narrow shophouse space with seats at the back of the store, and their gelato flavours are infused with hay. Signatures include the Roasted Pistachio and Roasted Cacao, top it up with waffles if you have space.
At 121 East Coast Road

Tigerlily Patisserie  
A pastry, tart and brunch space in the heart of Joo Chiat by Executive Pastry Chef is Maxine Ngooi. There is a good mix of savoury and sweet offerings, where you cannot go wrong with the tarts. [Read more here…]
At 350 Joo Chiat Road 

Prairie by Craftsman 
A chain café by now, with multiple branches across the island, Prairie by Craftsman is amongst the  group’s latest concept. Unlike the group’s mainstay Craftsman Specialty Coffee, the Prairie concepts ditch the industrial theme interiors for a cleaner colour-blocking aesthetics.  
At 462 Joo Chia Road 

Micro Bakery & Kitchen Red House 
Located in the iconic Red House in the heart of Katong, this popular café is known for its freshly baked bread and pastries, with a brunch menu as well. Go for the scrambled eggs on sourdough for a simple brunch fix. Service can be patchy though.
At: 63 East Coast Road 

Choice Cuts Goods + Coffee 
A lifestyle concept store with a café, vinyl records retail and co-working space coming together, Choice Cuts is perhaps of one the must visit along Joo Chiat. The level 1 space has been undergoing some renovation, which saw various delays since. You can visit level 2 for drip coffee if you are not rushing for time.  
At 446 Joo Chiat Road 

Little Farms 
Little Farms at Joo Chiat is not that little, housing both a supermarket and a bistro at Katong Point. Expect a constant crowd here, with the alfresco dining seats being popular. Head here for some Aussie vibe.  
At 451 Joo Chiat Road 

Kohi Roastery & Coffee Bar 
A concept housed within Crane Joo Chiat. Kohi is a Japanese influenced cafe from Bangkok, Thailand. Now still operating as a back-alley take-out store, with the cafe itself opening shortly.  
At 283 Joo Chiat Road 

Common Man Coffee Roasters 
This institution joins in the crowded cafe scene at the Joo Chiat area, operating as CMCR in the day and Drunken Farmer at night. Ever-popular, try to reserve before heading here. Good coffee, satisfying but pricey brunch items, and awesome dinner menu. [Read more here…]
At 185 Joo Chiat Road 

Neptune 
Another cafe by the group behind Atlas, Apollo, Colombus and Lunar, the space at Neptune has a modern take of old school cafeteria with a bold use of green tiles and wooden frames. Expect the same good coffee and food that got us going back to many of the group’s other cafes.  
At 237 East Coast Road 

Brawn & Brains 
Their second cafe, though we love their original space more for their bright interiors. Had experienced less than positive service twice at this branch, though their Grilled Cheese Melt Sandwich is worth returning for again.  
At 218 East Coast Road 

Chin Mee Chin 
An iconic local Singapore coffeehouse in Katong getting hyped up by its new owners Ebb & Flow Group, also behind Tigerlily Patisserie, Sommer Dining and Dragon Chamber. Enjoy the local toasts with other traditional bakes with a cup of Kopi O Kosong.
At 204 East Coast Road 

The Whole Kitchen 
Opened by 2 Aussies looking to bring healthy yet tasty food into the Katong district. Be here for freshly baked goods focusing on natural goodness. Though customer service is not their forte.  
At 11 East Coast Road 

Wan Mei Dessert 碗美
Located right beside The Whole Kitchen, this is a traditional Chinese-style dessert cafe which serves up delicious desserts like Black Sesame Paste, Mango Sago Pudding, ‘Tang Yuan’ and Snow Ice. I had the Black Sesame Paste which spots a rich black sesame flavour with mini ‘tang yuan’ within; and you also cannot go wrong with the ‘Tang Yuan’ with Ginger Soup where the glutinous rice ball is soft in texture and has a nice chewy texture.
At 11 East Coast Road, #01-14 The Odeon, Singapore 428722

Ambling Turtle 
A Peranakan themed café in The Flow, Ambling Turtle is a quiet spot in Katong where the spacious woody setting spans across two levels. The food menu here has a Nonya element, such as Beef Rendang Croissant, along with sweet tarts on the menu. Tea and coffee options are available.  
At 66 East Coast Road 

Huggs 
Located in the newest shopping mall in the Katong district, I12 Katong reopened in late December 2021 with a newly revamped space but disappointing tenant mix. Largest homegrown coffee brand Huggs opened their latest outlet here too, perhaps one of the few reasons to enter the mall for now. 
At I12 East Coast Road 

Starbucks 
We cannot leave them out from this list, can we? Their branch at Katong Square is amongst the nicest Starbucks in Singapore to chill at. Located within a conserved building which used to be Joo Chiat Police Station, Katong Square is also home to Hotel Indigo and a Holiday Inn Express.  
At 86 East Coast Road 

Ranted by the Rantee