Cafes that Offer More than Coffee & Food

Besides loving cafes with a great ambience, we’ve taken special interest in those that up the ante to offer more than just food and coffee. Here’s a list of dual concept cafes that have been sprouting up since the start of the year. Some notable ones include a wedding photography gelato café, as well as another that doubles up as a multipurpose event space.

1. Top Deck Multi-purpose event space and cafe

Top Deck is an extension of Habitat Coffee that doubles up as a creative event venue available for rent. Besides furniture that is ready for usage, you can even hire along an on-site barista to brew up some aromatic cuppas with their Synessi Hydra espresso machine. If this minimalist space isn’t busy being a host to any private parties, workshops, pop-up stores or corporate events, it makes for quite a peaceful hideout for some dedicated reading and of course, coffee. Top Deck, 223A Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 574355 (Image: Top Deck’s Facebook page)

2. 5 The Moments Wedding photography studio and gelato cafe

Bridal studios are aplenty along Tanjong Pagar Road but one stands out among the crowd – 5 The Moments, a film photography café that specialises in house-made gelato made with ingredients directly imported from Italy. Whilst you gasp in awe at the pleasant vintage interior, try the Pistachio Gelato ($4.80; single scoop), which is smooth in texture with absolute nutty goodness. 5 The Moments, 73 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088494 (Image: 5 The Moments’ Facebook page)

3. Boufe Boutique Local women’s fashion boutique and cafe

Boufe Boutique is an Instagrammer’s heaven with full white walls, tables and furniture with ample natural lighting. This café is also home to Ohvola, a local women’s fashion boutique, so diners can do a little shopping whilst waiting for seats or food. Like many newly opened cafes, Boufe serves brunch fare during lunch hours and changes their menu during dinner hours. If you drop by during lunch, try their Classic Croque Madame ($19) – a sunny side up egg crowning a fluffy and savoury ham & cheese sandwich. Phoenix Park, 308 Tanglin Road #01-01, Singapore 247974 (Image: Boufe Boutique’s Facebook page)

4. The Monocle Café Fashion retail store for men and coffee house

The Monocle is a leading International lifestyle magazine and The Monocle Café , at Chip Bee Gardens is the group’s fourth café venture after its successful run in London, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Coffee is free here if you grab their latest issue, otherwise it will cost you $4-$6 for a cup. The main draw of Monocle Café is its quaint little outdoor back yard to hang out at. And besides coffee, a retail section is available for you to browse or shop for high-street men’s clothing and accessories from brands such as Comme des Garcons. Monocle Café, 74 Jalan Kelabu Asap, Singapore 278267 (Image: Monocle Café)

5. Kki Sweets Local novelty store and dessert cafe

Dubbed as one of the best cake shops in Singapore, Kki came back in full force after a semi-hiatus back in early 2014. It returns with local brand, The Little Drom Store by its side once more so loyal followers can continue to shop for quirky items inspired by Singapore’s culture and heritage, while having those dainty Japanese cakes. A must-try here is the NAO ($9), one of the most photogenic of the lot. The raspberry mousse envelops the inner pistachio mousse and raspberry jam. The mousse used is incredibly light and not overly sweet hence, making it very pleasant to eat. Other cakes to try include the – White Chocolate & Mango ($9.80) and Little Red Riding Hood ($9.80). Kki Sweets, School Of The Arts Singapore, 1 Zubir Said Drive #02-01, Singapore 227968 (Image: Openrice user, melodyju)

6. SPRMRKT Café, kitchenware retail store and art installation showcase space

More than a one-stop shop for food, coffee, kitchenware retail, lifestyle café SPRMRKT (pronounced ‘Supermarket’) goes one step further to act as an art installation showcase as well, bringing convenience to a whole other level. Every product on sale is hand-picked and sourced from producers around the world by the owners, while most art exhibitions feature works by local talents. We hear they serve one of the best truffle fries in Singapore, with many swearing on the Truffle Fries with Kelp and Parmesan ($12), tossed with actual bits of black truffle and truffle oil. SPRMRKT, 2 McCallum Street, Singapore069043 (Image: Openrice user, mycc)

7. Carpenter and Cook Vintage home décor & furniture store and cafe

Upper Bukit Timah’s food-filled street, Lorong Kilat, houses the wildly popular Carpenter and Cook, known for its quaint and comforting vintage interior and seriously good desserts. Most items displayed in the café, from the chairs you sit on to the typewriters that line the ledge, come with price tags for you to purchase and take home. Try this – Passion Fruit Meringue Tart ($6.50), a perfect combination of tangy and sweet with a torched meringue crown. The tart base is light and a perfect ratio to the passion fruit curd filling. Also grab a cup of their freshly-brewed coffee for a pleasant accompaniment to your meal. Carpenter & Cook, 19 Lorong Kilat #01-06, Singapore 598120 (Image: Openrice user, mycc)

8. The Book Café Reading space and café

Just as its name suggests, The Book Café is a perfect place for both book and coffee lovers to visit. It exudes a comforting and homely vibe with couches and arm chairs heavily surrounded by shelves and shelves of books in varying genres. Chomp on their Grilled Chicken Burger or Berries Shibuya Toast whilst you immerse yourself in a good read. We won’t be surprised if the hours go fleeting by so it’s good to know that this café stays open till midnight on weekends. (Read about more Late Night Cafes here.) The Book Café, Seng Kee Building, 20 Martin Road #01-02, Singapore 239070 (Image: The Book Café’s Facebook page)

Written by Cheryl Chong and Peh Yi Wen, header image by Boufe Boutique See Also: Check out these new spots for your cafe adventures Love coffee? Indulge in your favourite coffee with cute latte art!