Tired of the usual cafés with the same hipster-ish interiors? We have the remedy for you in the form of themed cafés that cater to your whim and fancy.
JAPAN RAIL CAFÉ
5 Wallich Street
#01-20 Tanjong Pagar Centre
Singapore 078883
www.japanrailcafe.com.sg
TEL: 6385 5422
DAILY: 11AM–9PM
PARKING: WITHIN BUILDING
If you’ve been to Tokyo before, you’d surely be well acquainted with East Japan Railway, or more commonly abbreviated as JR-East. From the same folks behind JR-East comes the Japan Rail Café, which isn’t just a place for train otaku (enthusiasts) to hang out and bond over their love of the transport mode, but more of a travel-themed café where one can plan their travels to the Land of the Rising Sun. Not surprisingly, JR railway tickets are also available for purchase here — if that’s not on your itinerary yet, then the numerous Japanese travel posters, brochures and grub should inspire you.
Come here for: Nippon-esque drinks, such as the Royal Milk Tea and Kuromitsu Kinako Latte.
PLATFORM 1094
1094 Serangoon Road
Singapore 328192
www.ffl.com.sg/Platform1094/
TEL: 6204 6003
TUE–SUN: 11AM–10PM (CLOSED ON MON)
PARKING: STREET PARKING ON BENG WAN ROAD
As King’s Cross Station Platform 9¾ is very far away, fans of the Harry Potter movies would surely relish spending time in this establishment, which boasts a wizardry and magic theme. It should also easily satiate fans with menu items such as Mrs Lich’s Butterscotch Ale, Platform 1094’s version of Butter Beer. Making this place extra Instagram-worthy is the availability of props — that witch’s hat and wand should take your selfie game up by a notch.
Come here for: Besides the ambience, the food here is equally magical, and has garnered quite a following. Good things have been said about their mains, such as the Crab Meat Aglio Olio, which fans praise for its quality and quantity.
GUDETAMA CAFÉ
3 Temasek Boulevard
#01-361 Suntec City Mall
Singapore 038983
www.gudetamacafe.sg
TEL: 6677 6195
DAILY: 10AM–10PM
PARKING: WITHIN BUILDING
Gudetama is an adorable but lazy Japanese egg character who just wants to lie around all day — something most of us can relate to, especially on Mondays. Luckily, this beloved cartoon’s themed café is anything but lazy and uninspired — the interiors are awash in eggy hues of yellow and white, and generously endowed with Gudetama graphics, including the food. It is a strangely gratifying experience to pierce an oozy egg yolk with a face on it. And, yes, it’s highly Instagrammable!
Come here for: The Citrus Pan is an edible trompe-l’œil — the ‘soft-boiled egg‘ is actually a dessert consisting of a lemon curd ‘yolk’ and meringue ‘egg white’.
MEOMI CAT CAFÉ
668 North Bridge Road
Singapore 188801
www.facebook.com/meomicatcafe
TEL: 6296 0339
SAT–THU: 11AM–10PM (CLOSED ON FRI)
PARKING: AT RAFFLES HOSPITAL
Cat cafés are not a new concept, and when they first started in Singapore a few years ago, cat lovers rejoiced and immediately declared these places — where you get to enjoy the company of fluffy felines together with a cuppa or a teatime treat— their haven. Meomi Cat Café offers just that, with its stable of furry residents waiting for you to give them a nice belly rub.
Come here for: A relaxing afternoon in the company of cats and discovering the unique traits of each of these creatures.
CHEF-IN-BOX VENDCAFÉ
Multiple locations. For full list, visit chefinbox.com.sg/vendings-location
TEL: 9222 2206
DAILY: 24 HOURS A DAY
What Chef-in-Box VendCafé lacks when it comes to an actual eating area, it makes up for with a dizzying selection of food and drinks — all dispensed from vending machines! The menu options aren’t your usual insipid sandwiches or soggy pizza slices. Expect fresh, hot dishes such as Seafood Hor Fun, something one could imagine being served by a pot-bellied hawker rather than dispensed from a machine.
Come here for: Whatever craving you have! The offerings range from traditional Nasi Briyani to trendy grub such as paella with salmon patty and black pepper sauce.
ALL THE BATTER
370 Alexandra Road
#B1-46 Anchorpoint Shopping Centre
Singapore 159953
FRI–WED: 11.30AM–9.30PM
(CLOSED ON THU)
PARKING: WITHIN BUILDING17 Jasmine Road
Singapore 576585
SAT & SUN: 11AM–9.30PM
PARKING: AT THOMSON PLAZAwww.allthebatter.com
TEL: 8510 6313
Behold the Millennial’s favourite fruit, the avocado! At All The Batter, the creamy fruit is celebrated and revered not only in classics such as Avocado and Eggs, but also in unexpected menu items such as the Avocado Rhapsody, a chocolate cake with avocado cream and studded with avocadoes.
Come here for: The food, which has been highly praised. The menu items here have even made fans out of non-avocado lovers.
