Cafes I Wan To Go

Italian bistro and gelateria Chapter 55 (sister to Ice Edge Cafe) has opened up shop in Tiong Bahru, adding to the already extensive list of eateries there. Their fluffy waffles topped with homemade gelato and range of Italian bites and desserts from pastas and pizzas to tiramisus and lava cakes are already drawing in the lunchtime crowd. Their signature gelato waffles ($14-$18.50) may be slightly on the pricey end, but hey - you get what you pay for in quality, with light, fluffy waffles, and rich, flavourful gelato.

With 10-12 free (and refillable) side dishes, Kim's Family Food is known to satisfy many with it's authentic, hearty food, and generous portions at reasonable prices. Some go as far as dubbing it their favourite Korean restaurant ever! Go for the seafood pancake, and the dak-bulgogi marinated chicken hot plate.

This new-ish cafe in Duxton has some of the best cafe food around, with their satisfying breakfast platter, pulled pork sandwich, and the all-time Burppler favourite- D.O.C banana rum waffles with vanilla bean ice cream. The clean, industrial look with a warm, welcoming feel makes you wanna spend the whole day here.

The warm, earnest attitude at Penny U is something you pick up on quickly once stepping into this homey space. These guys don't believe in mass production, and have a small, rotating selection of desserts from artisanal bakers around Singapore. Inspired by the cafes in London, Penny U spearheaded the cafe culture in the East, and is already highly regarded by cafe lovers- Easties and Westies alike.

The Book Cafe isn't exactly easily accessible, but its extensive brunch menu, and its consistency in food quality are the drawing factors for its regulars. A veteran in the cafe industry, it has definitely lived up to the expectations of its customers with its hearty, satisfying dishes. If you are a beginner in cafes, The Book Cafe should be your first stop. FYI, it's also one of the few places Burpple co-founder Elisha, loves to work from.

With desserts that are not too-perfect-to-eat but just perfectly delightful, Carpenter & Cook manages to transport you to the 50s in an unpretentious, cosy way. The old benches and their authentic cutlery creates a lovely ambience for a peaceful afternoon. Don't miss out on their Passionfruit Meringue Tart- a perfect balance of sweet and tart.

Located in the most obscure place ever, La Ristrettos can be found within the maze of private clinics at Novena Medical Centre. You are in for a treat, with one of the best coffees, and latte art around. The kick - the mobile reception here is really poor (hey, it's a good thing sometimes!). Rest assured, no one can disturb your escapism.

The Plain aims to be the kind of place that feels like stepping into a friends 'home. You'd be hard-pressed to find better service than what you'd get here,and that goes for the quality of your coffee too. Don't miss out on their Humpty Dumpty- come on, what's better than 2 perfectly runny eggs sitting in little cups, beckoning you to dip your little Vegemite toast soldiers in? If you're not a Vegemite fan, try their Pastrami Ciabatta.

While quickly becoming a coffee institution, CSHH still manages to be a cosy space. The gorgeously modified industrial-chic interior of this old hardwarestore provides the perfect setting for enjoying a good cup of coffee. If you'refeeling adventurous, give their galvanized ale a try- literally coffee beer. It's strangely good!

Nestled in a quiet residential area in Bukit Timah, this cafe offers an escape from the buzz of traffic and fast-paced city life. It hosts a relaxed environment for out-of-office work or some enjoyable book-reading. Try their innovative take on iced espresso in milk, which involves frozen cubes of espresso, served with a small jar of chilled milk to pour in as you wish.