There’s a certain charm to the Katong and Joo Chiat precinct. With frequent new café openings and the opening of the long-awaited Marine Parade MRT Station on the Thomson East Coast Line (TEL), here is the list of cafes and coffeeshops in this hip enclave for your brunch and caffeine fix inspo!

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Petit Pain
After a hiatus from its previous location at Joo Chiat Road, one of our favourite bakeries in Singapore Petit Pain has reopened at 17 Joo Chiat Place. It is still the same minimalist shop with no dine-in seats and is purely for takeaways. That said, it is a more extensive array of bakes with new items at the counter such as brioche with hazelnut and financiers to name a few. The pro tip is to head here before its opening hours as most items are sold out fast.
At 17 Joo Chiat Place, Singapore 427747

Don’t Runaway
Free sandwich in Joo Chiat? Yes, you read it right with no strings attached! Don’t Runaway is a new sandwich concept by The Platform Collective – the team behind the viral Champion Bolo Bun and Dickson Nasi Lemak. This Don’t Runaway pop-up space (where Dickson Nasi Lemak used to be at) serves as a test kitchen for the team to explore and refine the menu concepts for the future permanent location. Diners are also encouraged to share feedback after having the sandwiches! It is only available from Friday to Sundays (no end date for now) from 11.30am till sold out, where every weekend showcases one different sandwich flavour. No repeats, so it will be something new each weekend (limited to one sandwich per person, per weekend drop!). All you have to do is download the “Don’t Runaway” app from the App Store or Google Play, sign up as a member and flash your in-app QR code. It includes a soft drink or water as well. 
320 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427571 

Bastille Bakery
A new bakery cafe, Bastille Bakery took over the space of the now-defunct Blue Smoke. It is a spacious interior with ample seating where their pastries are displayed over the counter, with a good variety of savoury and sweet items. Notable ones include the delicious Chocolate Almond Croissant (their almond is infused with rum as we understood from the staff), their Plain Croissant which leans towards the buttery profile, and eclairs like hazelnut chocolate flavour and lemon pound cake. Coffee is also available.
At 261 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427515

Chin Mee Chin Confectionery
An iconic local institutional coffeeshop in Katong with a history that dates back to 1925. Chin Mei Chin is now managed by Ebb & Flow Group, but you can still enjoy the local toasts with other traditional bakes with a cup of Kopi O Kosong in a traditional coffeeshop setting with both indoor and outdoor terrace seatings. The outdoor space is also pet-friendly so bring your furry kids along.
At 204 East Coast Road, Singapore 428903

Bee Hoe Coffee 
Out of sight to the world, Bee Hoe Coffee is a hidden coffeeshop located in the back alley where only the most discerning coffee junkies are aware of. It is located at the back of Autocutt Barbershop, and it is the coffee arm of the brand where it serves up Vietnamese style egg coffee along with other regular coffee options, including Iced Coconut Coffee. Food options are limited to some Penang inspired street food such as Bakwa Roti. Space wise, limited indoor seats and a couple of outdoor chairs along the back alley which is quite the quintessential Singaporean street experience.
At 55 Joo Chiat Place, Singapore 427779

Drops Coffee Studio
Located at The Flow Mall beside the iconic Starbucks Katong, the cosy size Drops Coffee Studio is a brand from China, and this is their first Singapore outpost. This is part of the Chinese brand Drops Fromseed which has operations in China in cities like Shanghai. There are house blends and different types of Single Origin Beans selections on the coffee menu here, including the highly coveted Geisha coffee as well.
At 66 East Coast Road, #01-02 The Flow Mall, Singapore 428778

About Coffee Co.
Located in Katong Shopping Centre, About Coffee Co. breaths a new lease of life to the rustic Katong Shopping Centre. It is a minimalist coffeeshop which specialises in filter coffee using coffee beans from around the world such as Thailand and Colombia. It also carries their homemade Kuehs along with a small selection of pastries.
At 865 Mountbatten Road, #01-29, Katong Shopping Centre, Singapore 437844

Cafe Wabi Sabi Joo Chiat
Located in the heart of Joo Chiat Road taking over the space of the now-defunct Cafe Natsu, this is Cafe Wabi Sabi second outlet after their first in Everton Park. The spacious setting focuses on Japanese inspired dishes like Donburi, Sando, Soba and more. It is an extensive menu and if you love Japanese food in a casual setting, this is one spot to bookmark.
At 283 Joo Chiat Road, 01-00, Singapore 427537

Cata Coffee
A new bakery cafe which is a collaboration between Cata Coffee and Saga Bakeshop, Cata means tasting in Spanish where Cata Coffee is a roastery brand established since 2016 with an online footprint. Their first physical space along the heritage rich Joo Chiat Place dedicates a large part of the space to their on-site roastery, coffee merchandise as well as a display of the bakes by Saga Bakeshop. That said, there is limited indoor dining space with standing-style high tabletops.
At 56 Joo Chiat Place, Singapore 427780

Same Days Coffee
The new coffeeshop in the heart of Joo Chiat is tucked away in luxury furniture shop Grafunkt, and it exudes Omotesando Koffee vibes for us. The interior is a gorgeous minimalist wooden look with a nice juxtaposition with the rustic Joo Chiat neighbourhood on the outside. It serves primarily coffee with limited selection of bakes like canelé. Limited indoor seating is available, or you can just browse the furniture store with coffee on hand (just be cautious).
At 292 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427544 

174 Bingo
Another new exciting bakery cafe to the buzzing Joo Chiat is174 Bingo, a new bakery cafe located right opposite 808 Eating House and it is already creating a small buzz in the Joo Chiat community. Love the rustic wooden industrial vibes with a pet-friendly outdoor seating area and an indoor space with a communal wooden table as the centrepiece. The range of pastries and bread are on full display at the counter, where I spotted options like Plain Croissant, Cardamom Bun, Chicken Pie, Pistachio Tart, and more. There is no fixed menu as the team prefers to bake with the flow for now. 
At 174 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427445

June Coffee
The latest cafe addition to Katong is June Coffee, run by the same team behind the hugely popular September Coffee along South Bridge Road in Chinatown. June Coffee occupies a strategic corner shophouse spot at what used to be Lime House and Rabbit Carrot Gun, and it is a beautifully design minimalist space with a robust food menu. The egg mayo sandwich and beef croffle will not disappoint.
At 49 East Coast Road, Singapore 428768

Kopikhoo   
Kopikhoo is a (literally) hole-in-the-wall takeaway coffee kiosk operated out of a house in the Joo Chiat enclave.  Run by an elderly woman in her 70s named Paulin, Kopikhoo has a simple coffee menu with prices from S$3. Hot and cold coffee are served, and it is a standard offering of Hot Americano (SS$3.50), Iced Latte (S$4) to the likes of Babycinno (S$3). [Read more here…]
At Tembeling Road, Singapore 423606 

Caro Patisserie
The second outlet of the original shop from Yio Chu Kang offers a slice of France now in Joo Chiat, located at a small space right beside Cafe Wabi Sabi Joo Chiat. Expect a selection of their signature tarts such as Hazelnut Praline, Pistachio & Chocolate tarts, and more. Limited outdoor seats available.
At 285 Joo Chiat Road, Koon Seng Rd, Entrance on, 427539

Dona Manis Cake Shop vs Auntie Peng Banana Pie
The battle of banana pies continues in Katong. Both shops are located in the basement of Katong Shopping Centre, where Dona Manis is the OG shop here since 1992, though Auntie Peng is the co-business partner and baker with the late uncle Tan. Other than the namesake banana pies, you can expect other old-school treats like chocolate cake. Our take is that consumers are the biggest winners since we have more options now.
At 865 Mountbatten Road, #B1-92 & 93, Katong Shopping Centre, Singapore 437844

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, Singapore 427677

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, Singapore 427437

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, Singapore 428923

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, Singapore 427682

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, Singapore 427683

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, Singapore 428902

Waved
An interesting coffee and juice concept, Waved is a small shop which specialises in using their patented electromagnetic wave technology to make their coffee and cold pressed juices. Limited seats but the friendly baristas are there to answer your questions about this novel way of making coffee, at least for the intrigued me. You can choose to try their coffee flight experience too. 
At 2 Fowlie Road, #01-06, Singapore 428505

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, Singapore 427435

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, Singapore 427565 

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, Singapore 428807

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, Singapore 427674 

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, Singapore 428776 

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, Singapore 427659

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, Singapore 427664

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, Singapore 427456

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, Singapore 428930 

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

Huggs Coffee I12
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, #01-20, I12, Singapore 428802

Starbucks Katong Square
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, #01-02 Conservation Building, Katong Square, Singapore 428788

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