Author Archives: Crystal Wee

Jan 25 2026
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Cafe, Food, singapore

Living Room – New Café Opening in the Late Morning Lifestyle Shop in Chinatown

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My first café visit in Singapore for the year was to Living Room – newly opened within a curated lifestyle store, Late Morning. The store has been around for nearly 2 years in Chinatown, bringing in aesthetic tableware, cutlery and home décor items from designer brands all over the world. Some of these boutique brands include APFR and Kinto.

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Recently, they received the F&B license to operate the cozy nook at the back of the store as a café which is now in soft opening phase. Maintaining the same minimalist setup as the store, the café features a small coffee and matcha counter where orders are taken and drinks are made, a compact kitchen where simple food is prepared, and wooden chairs and tables in the humble dine-in area.

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Though the space was narrow and probably would not fit more than 10, the atmosphere was snug and homely like a living room, a space to unwind.

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The drinks menu was similar to what was previously being served from Late Morning. For coffee, I had the White ($7, +$1 for oat milk), made with light roasted beans from Costa Rica, with tasting notes of dried mango, orange and whipped cream. For filter coffee, there were 2 types of Ethiopian beans available.

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While for matcha, I tried their Matcha Latte ($7, +$1 for oat milk) in both hot and iced versions. They were using matcha powder from Zhejiang which had a good intensity. Though many preferred the iced matcha, I personally liked the hot one better.

Both coffee and matcha were above average and I could see myself returning for a regular cup.

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As for the food menu, it was kept simple, with a roasted capsicum salad, 4 types of open-faced sandwiches and a cheesecake for dessert. I had the Sun-dried tomato, pesto ricotta on sourdough ($13) and Charred chili, ricotta on sourdough ($13) in a Half & half arrangement (additional $3)

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The sourdough was sourced from 174bingo, one of my favourite artisanal bakeries in Singapore, while the toppings were homemade in the kitchen. I liked the creamy, savoury pesto ricotta which paired with the sun-dried tomato, and the interesting charred chili which was smoky, sweet, with just a tinge of spiciness.

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I ended with the Homemade Basque cheesecake ($8) with salt and pepper and lemon curd on the side. It paired best with the lemon curd (wished there was more!) for me.

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Tues to Sun 11am – 7pm

1F, 230 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058779

Jan 12 2026
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Cafe, Food, Malaysia - Johor Bahru

OTTO Café, Johor Bahru – New Aesthetic JB Café in Taman Melodies

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Opened in September 2025, OTTO café is one of the latest cafes in JB to check out on your weekend or holiday getaway. It occupies a plot in a private residential area where many other cafes can be found in the vicinity, making it a good addition into your café-hopping agenda.

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The walkway leading to the entrance of the café featured brick-red aesthetics with neat landscaping. Stepping into the inviting and spacious indoor dining space, I could see there was an attention to detail in putting together the interior. From the clever use of contrasting curved and sleek lines, brick and terracotta designs, and primarily orange and grey tones, the space was well-designed like a model house featured in an interior webzine.

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With a large glass window at the front and an area with a see-through transparent ceiling, the cafe allowed much natural light to fill the space.

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From the selection of drinks, I tried both the coffee and matcha. My preference here was for the Latte (RM14, SGD4), followed by the Mocha (RM14, SGD4) and then Matcha Latte (RM19, SGD6).

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If I were to pick my favourite item from the dishes I’ve tried, it would be their Soft Shell Crab Toast (RM35, SGD11) which was also one of their signatures on the menu. I loved the distinct but not overwhelming curry flavour in the dish, which paired well with the creamy egg mayo and crispy and substantial soft shell crab. Non-spicy eaters could also enjoy this dish.

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Another main course that was recommended was the Mum’s Aglio Olio (RM38, SGD12) comprising spaghetti, vannamei prawns, chili flakes, confit garlic and ginger flower. The al dente spaghetti packed a garlicky punch.

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We also had the Golden Salmon Fillet (RM38, SGD12) which was a fusion Thai dish. The coconut toh kha, green pea, and papaya brought a good balance of sweet, tangy and savoury flavours to the dish.

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For the appetizers, you could go for a healthy option such as the Summer Garden Salad (RM23, SGD7) which featured an aesthetic plating of mesclun, yogurt honey dressing, seasonal fruits, and crumbled feta, or you could go for the less healthy but more tantalizing Crispy Cauliflower with Sour Plum Dust and Almond Flakes (RM23, SGD7).

Living up to its namesake, the cauliflower had a crispy batter which and made a crunchy dish together with the almond flakes, while the plum dust gave a sweet-sour edge. As sinful and addictive as it could get.

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As a dessert, we had the Tropical Acai Bowl (RM24, SGD8) which featured three small scoops of acai with homemade granola, banana, jackfruit, kiwi, mango, peanut cream, and chia seeds. The acai had a smooth and creamy texture, with notes of dark chocolate and berries.

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Meanwhile, I found the OTTO’s Brownie with Toffee Sauce (RM26, SGD8) slightly too dry for my liking.

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While the cafe is still new to the scene, the owner is a chef and entrepreneur with experience in cafe operations in Singapore, and that was evident from the overall quality of the food, service and ambiance.

81 Jalan Chengai 80250 Taman Melodies, Johor Bahru, 80250 Johor, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia

Mon to Fri 10am – 6pm

Sat to Sun 9am – 6pm

Jan 01 2026
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Cafe, China, Food, Guangzhou

Fulley 馥里 – Japanese-inspired Guangzhou Café with Aesthetic Desserts and Interior

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One of my favourite cafes that I discovered in Guangzhou this year has got to be Fulley. Occupying 3 storeys of a residential building, the café operates by a reservation-only system, where reservations can be made 1 week in advance on their WeChat mini program. I didn’t do sufficient research and made 1 wasted trip initially.

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You get to choose your table on a first-come, first-serve basis within your reservation time slot. I sat on the third floor, which has good natural lighting with window views of the greenery. The white walls, linen curtains, wooden chairs and tables, and concrete floor made a minimalistic interior with a serene atmosphere.

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Their menu boasted an array of Japanese-inspired desserts with pictures – the signature item is the Parfait which changed seasonally. When I went, I had the September – October Parfait Cup (CNY98, SGD17.9). It came with a card to describe the ingredients belonging to each layer of the intricate parfait. Mine featured fig and chestnut as the main fruits, paired with a long, curated list of ingredients – buckwheat crisps, chestnut rum gelato, chestnut puree, candied orange peel, Brittany shortbread, thousand silk cakes, fig sorbet, fig, wuyi rock tea milk jelly, black tea bergamot crisps, fig leaf butter, caramel chocolate chip, lemon jelly, red wine fig jam.

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I liked the balance of fruity and nutty flavours, creamy and crisp textures, and that it was only subtly sweet. I finished it easily on my own.

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The parfait set also came with a dainty cup of Jasmine Silver Needle Tea – premium chinese white tea made from the unopened buds of the tea plant and scented with fresh jasmine flowers. It was a good palate cleanser.

I was surprised to see a Durian Cheese Tart (CNY45, SGD 8.2) on the menu so I tried it – the overall durian and cheese flavours were not too heavy, and the texture was rather light like a souffle cheese tart.

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The Peach Cheese Tart (CNY55, SGD10.1) tasted as good as it looked. I sliced through its glossy pink surface into the layers of juicy peach flesh, peach compote and creamy cheese tart, all of which came together excellently.

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For a smaller, lighter snack, there was the Matcha Genmaicha Rice Mousse (CNY48, SGD8.8) – though I wished the matcha flavour could be more pronounced.

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There were no non-dairy milk options here for the Hojicha Latte (CNY38, SGD6.9) and Matcha Latte (CNY38, SGD 6.9). Both were sufficiently intense, without much sweeteners.

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I haven’t had such good quality desserts in a while and the entire experience truly reminded me of my time spent in cafes in Japan (even the people at the table next to mine were Japanese).

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广东省-广州市-越秀区-寺右新马路南二街12号3F

五羊邨站（A口步行4分钟）

3F, 12 Nan Er Jie, Si You Xin Ma Lu, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou city, Guangdong province, China

Wuyangcun Station (4 mins walk from Exit A)

12pm – 7pm Fri to Mon (by reservation only)

Dec 25 2025
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Cafe, China, Food, Guangzhou

Kaa Room – Guangzhou Café Specialising in Filter Coffee

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Near the Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou is the district of Huadu, where I stopped by before heading to the airport to catch my flight back to Singapore. From the Huadu Plaza subway station, I hopped on a Didi to Kaa Room, a café on my list.

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Housed along a small street away from the main road, the café stood out from the surrounding older buildings, especially with its bright blue door. Stepping in, it felt as though I was transported to another city, as the atmosphere turned relaxing and peaceful.

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There was a group of customers sitting at the coffee bar, engaged in light-hearted conversations with the owner cum barista who brewed each cup of filter coffee from behind the wooden counter. The café serves only hand brewed coffee and a non-coffee beverage according to the season, with no pastries or bakes. The menu had a range of single origin coffee from Panama and Ethiopia, with prices ranging from CNY 58 to 158.

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As I was already caffeinated in the morning, I chose the non-coffee beverage – the Green Plum Cold Brew (CNY 45). I loved the balanced sweet-sour flavour profile, making a refreshing iced drink in the heat and humidity.

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After the group left, it was my turn to make casual conversation with the owner – we talked about the aesthetics of the café, about how the light and shadows moved in the café.

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The café was also pet-friendly – I sat across the table from the owner’s unabashed cat which perched itself on the chair, feeling less lonely.

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12pm – 6pm Thu to Fri (check their rednote for the exact schedule of the current month)

13-32 Meigui Road, Huadu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China 510813

Nearest station: Huadu Plaza Exit C

广东省 广州市 花都区 玫瑰路 13-32 号

花都广场站C口

Dec 21 2025
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Cafe, China, Food, Guangzhou

Che Cha 迠茶 – Modern, Minimalistic Tea House and Café in Guangzhou

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Along a small lane of the touristy Beijing Road in the old town of Guangzhou was Che Cha, a tranquil tea house which specialises in traditional tea, kombucha and tea cocktails. The main tea house was on the first floor, divided into 3 areas with moody lighting and tones – the outer veranda, tea hall and private rooms.

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Heading up the stairs, you could find creative spaces on the second and third floor, housing art exhibitions. And finally, up on the fourth floor was where I found myself spending the rest of my time at the café.

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The white, minimalistic space featured their handmade objects, primarily white pieces of porcelain, lit by natural light from the windows. In the center, there was a kombucha bar displaying glass jars of kombucha undergoing fermentation, with a communal table right in front. Through a door, you could also step outside to sit in a backyard with bamboo chairs and wooden benches in the cooler season.

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I ordered a drink and tea snack on the first floor where the cashier was, and the owner kindly brought them up to the fourth floor where I wanted to sit.

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The Ginger Lemon Kombucha (RMB 48, SGD 8.8) I had was made with 2 rounds of fermentation – the first round with oolong and the second round with ginger lemon. I liked the subtle spiciness of ginger blended with the refreshing acidity of lemon, creating a bright, aromatic flavour that was refreshing in the heat and humidity. It also came with a small piece of peanut candy on the side for a sweet finish.

Alongside the kombucha, I ordered a Red Bean Yokan (RMB 28, SGD 5.2) which made a substantial snack.

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As I was the only customer that morning, I could indulge fully in the quiet, peaceful atmosphere of the tea house and gallery, leaving behind the touristy Beijing Road below and the busy CBD district where I was working at.

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10.30am to 8pm

广东省广州市越秀区北京街道北京路昌兴街7号

地铁1号线/2号线公园前地铁站出口

7 Changxing Street, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province

Nearest MRT Station: Gongyuanqian station

Nov 23 2025
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Cafe, Seoul, South Korea

Jo & Dawson Tearoom, Seoul – Is their French Toast Worth the Hype?

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Touted as the café serving the best French toast in Seoul, Jo and Dawson came to life in the café abundant neighbourhood of Yeonnam-dong in 2021. It has been attracting a steady stream of customers, both locals and foreigners since then, and is known for having long queues.

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Last year, they expanded to a more spacious, dedicated “Tearoom” just a few blocks away from the main store. I happened to be in the area, looking for a café to kill some time before my lunch reservation, and decided to pop by to take a look. Surprisingly, there was no queue at all around 1pm, so I took the opportunity to grab a seat.

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Their Signature Classic French Toast (KRW10,000, SGD8.9) was good for 1 pax. The inside was extremely soft and moist with a custard-like texture, while the top was crusty and crisp with a layer of torched sugar and powder. On the side of the plate is a pinch of sea salt for dipping as you wish, and there is a layer of syrup at the bottom. Personally, I thought the sweet and savoury flavours were well-balanced, and I loved the overall texture.

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Apart from their French Toast, Jo & Dawson is also known for their teas – the tearoom here had a dedicated display of their flavoured tea boxes on sale. These classic teas (white tea, green tea, black tea, rooibos tea) are also available on their drink menu.

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Between their classic teas and milk teas, I chose the tearoom-exclusive Matcha Milk Tea (KRW8000, SGD7.1) since there was an option to change to oat milk (only for the matcha milk tea).  The milk tea was blended with matcha powder from Marukyu Koyamaen and Okinawa brown sugar. The consistency was thick and rich, though I would prefer the sweetness level to be slightly lower and the matcha notes to be more bitter and umami. Do note that there is a minimum 1 drink per pax policy.

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Overall, I thought my experience at Jo & Dawson Tearoom was above expectation, given that I’ve heard mixed reviews. However I might not say the same if I had to queue for it. I highly recommend to try heading to the Tearoom instead of the main store which is tighter in space with limited seats.

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Also, just heard that they will be opening a third outlet in Gwanghwamun end of this month – if you’re curious to check it out.

Jo & Dawson (Main Store)

1F, 31 Donggyo-ro 41-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

12pm – 9pm daily

Jo & Dawson Tearoom

3F,  24 Seongmisan-ro 29-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

12pm – 9pm daily

Nov 09 2025
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Food, Johor Bahru

Podd @ Taman Mount Austin, Johor Bahru – Best Matcha Latte in JB?

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Tucked in an industrial building in Taman Mount Austin is Podd Café, opened by the same team behind Vanilla Bean end last year. Promoting the slow living concept, the cafe warmly inviting guests to decompress and relax with their coffee, matcha and bakes.

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The 2-storey café prominently featured a modern industrial interior, making use of wooden furniture and concrete floors and walls for a moody feel paired with a raw, unfinished yet contemporary look.

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On the first floor, right past the display of baked goods and ordering counter is a coffee and matcha counter/bar where you can watch the baristas whisking and pouring away, and where you can chat with the friendly baristas.

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For the indecisive me who wanted to have the best of both worlds, I got both coffee and matcha and a cake to pair with each of them.

My White (RM15, SGD4.7) Coffee, brewed with Brewsmith Coffee Roasters’s espresso blend of Brazilian and Ethiopian beans, was my kind of coffee, light and well-balanced, with a smooth mouthfeel.

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The Matcha Latte (RM20, SGD6) was also high in quality. Initially, I was bumped that the only matcha available on the menu (Ajisai from Yame, Japan) was the lowest quality out of the original 3 selections they had, but it exceeded my expectation. There were adequate umami and nuttiness with just a hint of lingering bitterness, a rich flavour in totality. I could not imagine how much better the quality would be if the Kiku (RM30, SGD9.4) or Ren (RM50, SGD15.6) were not in short supply.

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I loved that the barista thoughtfully recommended me specific cakes to go with each of my drinks. He picked the Yuri Matcha Strawberry Cake (RM28, SGD8.7) to pair with the coffee – it had layers of sponge, matcha cream and strawberry white chocolate cream, and was subtly sweet.

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The Cherry Tart (RM30, SGD9.4), together with the matcha latte, was unexpectedly an interesting and impressive pairing. On its own, the tart was great, with sweet, juicy and slightly tart cherries topped on a bitter chocolate ganache tart. With the matcha, neither masked each other’s flavours but enhanced them instead.

Apart from cakes and tarts, there were also a range of yogurt bowls and their signature waffles on the menu.

While the café is still an underrated gem in JB, I highly recommend the trip here to unwind this year-end.

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B03 Lakeside, Jalan Austin Perdana 1, Taman Austin Perdana, Johor Bahru 81100

Mon, Tue, Thu 11am – 9pm

Fri – Sun 11am – 11pm

Closed Wed

Nov 01 2025
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Food, France, paris, Travel

Reviewing the 10 Cafes I Visited in Paris 2025

1. Candle Kids Coffee

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Candle Kids is situated in the charming neighbourhood of Belleville in the 20th arrondissement in Paris, which I explored for the first time. The constantly packed café boasts a minimalist, Japanese-inspired interior with tall floor to ceiling windows, exposed stone pillars and oak wood furniture paired with white lamps and linen curtains.

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I had a Cappuccino (EUR5, +0.5 for oat milk) brewed from the Brazil Stardust espresso blend – it featured a velvety taste profile with notes of ripe fruits.

To pair with my coffee, I ordered both the Orange Cake (EUR4.5) and Carrot Cake (EUR4.5) which were recommended by the barista as I was famished. Both were comparable but if I could only pick one to recommend, it would be the former which was a seasonal item, made with olive oil and cardamom.

All their pastries are homemade and freshly baked everyday in their kitchen at the back of the café.

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Be it a solo café date with a book, a coffee catch-up with a friend, or a work-from-café arrangement (no laptops on the weekend), the space has a simple and warm atmosphere suitable for all agendas.

107 Rue des Couronnes, 75020 Paris, France

Wed to Fri 8.30am – 5.30pm

Sat to Sun 10am – 6pm

2. Bokbar

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Just a 10 mins’ walk away from Candle Kids is Bokbar, which is prided as the only Nordic bookshop and café in Paris. Its concept is the marriage of all the things the founder loves – literature, pastries and wine. Specializing in books from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Iceland and homemade Swedish pastries, the café also hosts monthly literary events.  

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The coffee I had was just alright, instead the highlight for me was the Brioche du Jour (EUR6) aka Bread of the Day, displayed on the wooden bar counter which caught my eye. It was an upgraded version of the cardamom bun, with rhubarb jam in the middle. The tanginess of the jam balanced out the sweetness of the sugar-dusted cardamom bun, and the portion was huge.

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Not being able to read the foreign books did not stop me from indulging in a slow, relaxing afternoon in the cosy nook of the café.

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72 Rue Julien Lacroix, 75020 Paris, France

Tues to Fri 9.30am – 5.30pm

Sat 11am – 5pm, Sun 11am – 4pm

3. Recto Verso

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One of the hottest cafes in Paris among Instagrammers is Recto Verso, a small but chic space tucked in a quiet street in the Marais district. It is founded in 2023 by a creative couple with backgrounds in graphic design, set design and art direction – this was evident in all aspects of the café, from the rustic wooden aesthetics of the round tables, stools, coffee counter, to the playful illustrations pinned on different corners. The prime spot is the bay window seat where you can often find the owner taking a break when it’s less busy, though most of the time the café is buzzing with patrons, with many spilling out onto the curbside benches.

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My Cortado (EUR4.5, +0.5 for oat milk) was excellent, made with a blend from Fuglen. Unfortunately, their signature logo-stamped chocolate biscuit which I had been eyeing was not available when I visited, so I had the soft lemon cookie instead.

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Note that the cafe has strict rules – no laptops, no outside food, no intense photography (especially those for sponsored content).

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6 Rue Portefoin, 75003 Paris, France

Tues to Sat 9am – 5pm

4. Fauna

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If you’re craving an authentic Scandinavian breakfast in Paris, Fauna is one of the cafes not to be skipped. Opened by a Swedish duo at the start of 2024, this breakfast spot has quickly risen as a perennial favourite among locals and tourists alike.

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With several café visits planned right after, I had a hard time deciding on just a couple of items. Ultimately, I had the classic Scandinavian Breakfast (EUR9) which was served with sourdough bread, slices of matured cheese, whipped butter and a soft boiled egg.

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As a cardamom bun lover, I could not resist the Cardamom Knot (EUR5) as well and I was thankful that I ordered it. Both the savoury breakfast plate and the fluffy cardamom bun were reminiscent of the Danish and Swedish breakfasts I had in Scandinavia last year, with high quality ingredients used.

Interestingly, the Matcha Latte (EUR5.5, +0.5 for oat milk) here seemed to be a regularly ordered item here, so I opted for it. It was rich and smooth, pairing surprisingly well with the Scandinavian fare.

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The coffee shop gets filled quickly right from the morning, so be there early for a quieter experience.

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12 Rue Oberkampf, 75011 Paris, France

Mon to Fri 8am – 5.30pm

Sat to Sun 10am – 6.30pm

5. Sevenly Heart

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A romantic haven for the Instagram girlies, Sevenly Heart has one of the loveliest café interiors. Cream coloured concrete and brick walls form the canvas of the café. Vintage furniture and objects such as a gramophone and mirrors lay in different corners of the rustic space, lit by soft light from both the front and back windows.

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The café’s most distinctive trait has got to be its asymmetric heart, stamped on their takeaway cups and poured as latte art for their coffee and special drinks here.

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I ordered both the Red Velvet Latte (EUR7, +1 for oat milk) and Matcha Latte (EUR6.5, +1 for oat milk) for the visuals, and was pleasantly surprised that they were as good as they looked.

Apart from the drinks, there was a humble selection of pastries displayed – amongst the carrot cake, banana cake, velvet cake and assorted cookies, I had the Carrot Cake which was dense and moist.

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This was worth the hype.

55 Rue des Archives, 75003 Paris, France

Mon to Fri 9.30am – 8pm

Sat to Sun 10am – 8pm

6. Dreamin’ Man Roastery

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One of my favourite coffee shops in Paris is Dreamin’ Man, which I first visited 3 years ago. Fast forward, they now have a new roastery just a stroll away from the Louvre. This is a bigger space than its first location, with an expanded menu offering not just coffee and pastries but also breakfast items like granola and ricotta orange pancakes and homely Japanese fare such as tori bentos and tamago sando.

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The interior of the roastery-cafe was of a similar vibe to their café on Rue Amelot – wabi-sabi infused with grunge. And like its first café, there were several outdoor tables and seats where locals were basking in the morning sunlight.

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Coffee was just as good as I remembered it to be. My Cappuccino (EUR5, +1 for oat milk) was made with beans from April Coffee Roasters in Copenhagen which I had fond memories of.

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Meanwhile, the Seasonal Homemade Granola (EUR12) was hearty and delicious. It came with generous toppings of fromage blanc, strawberries and compote, served like a proper main course.

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If you prefer something lighter, you can opt for their pastries baked daily by the co-owner – scones, pear cake, coffee crumble, passion brownie and banana bread were some of the items available when I went.

31 Rue Coquillière, 75001 Paris, France

Mon to Sat 8.30am – 5pm

7. Noir – Coffee Shop & Torréfacteur

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With at least 20 outlets in Paris, Noir Coffee Shop is undoubtedly one of the fastest growing specialty coffee group I’ve ever heard of.

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Within 4 days, I made 3 trips to Noir – twice at the Faubourg-Montmartre store and once at the Saint-Germain branch. I did my research and can conclude that the outlet at Faubourg-Montmartre has one of the most gorgeous interiors out of all the branches. The floor to ceiling arched window, vibrant colour palette and the spiral staircase leading to a small mezzanine were the main features.

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I tried both the Cappuccino (EUR5.8, + 0.6 for oat milk) and Matcha Latte (EUR6.2, +0.6 for oat milk) – their matcha was not bad, but the coffee outshined with its smooth and velvety texture and well-balanced notes.

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There were also some small pastries such as cookies, scones, and financier. We tried a scone but thought it was just alright.

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33 Rue Richer, 75009 Paris, France (Faubourg-Montmartre)

Mon to Fri 8am – 6pm

Sat to Sun 9am – 7pm

9 Rue de Luynes, 75007 Paris, France (Saint-Germain)

Mon to Fri 8am – 6pm

Sat to Sun 9am – 6pm

8. Clove Coffee Shop

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Clove is a multiroaster specialty coffee shop in Montmartre, just a stone’s throw away from the flight of stairs leading to the Sacre-Coeur. The interior is minimalist and features exposed brick walls, black machinery atop a white countertop, black round tables and wooden chairs and benches.Clove is a multiroaster specialty coffee shop in Montmartre, just a stone’s throw away from the flight of stairs leading to the Sacre-Coeur. The interior is minimalist and features exposed brick walls, black machinery atop a white countertop, black round tables and wooden chairs and benches.

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The pastry display case was already cleanly emptied out as I visited near closing hour at 4pm, so I had just a cup of coffee. On the menu were 2 types of espressos, both sourced from Dak Coffee Roasters based in Amsterdam, and 5 types of filter, sourced from Dak and The Picky Chemist based in Belgium. I chose the Espresso du Jour – Dak Coffee Roaster’s Magnolia for my Cappuccino (EUR5.25, +0.5 for plant milk). From Finca Voo in Costa Rica, this coffee won first place in the Cup of Excellence in the experimental category, I could tell why. The taste was unique and funky, bright and vibrant.

I also noticed the beautiful ceramic cups used here, each of them was specially crafted for the menu by the owner, who took up pottery during COVID.

Close to 4pm, the café was still packed to the brim and I had to wait for a table – this was a testament to their high-quality coffee.

14 Rue Chappe, 75018 Paris, France

Thurs to Mon 9am – 4pm

9. Saint Pearl

A charming breakfast spot nestled in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Saint Pearl offers all-day aesthetic brunch dishes with a blend of Western and Japanese cuisine. 

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Arriving on the dot at their opening hour, we got the coveted indoor round marble-topped table by the window. We chose a savoury and a sweet dish from the menu to try.

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The Vegan Avocado Toast (EUR13.5, +EUR2 for 1 poached egg) came topped with a medley of fresh fruits and vegetables – avocado, roasted tomatoes, roasted cauliflower, herb, roasted sweet potato, roasted baby corns – making a healthy and satisfying fare.

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We also loved the gluten free Flowery Pancakes (EUR14.5) – we were wowed by the generous topping of banana, oat, maple syrup, vanilla ice cream, fruits, roasted granola, herb, and caramel tuile. In addition, the pancakes had an interesting texture which felt like a cross between an unsweetened banana bread and the classic American pancake.

Over the years, they have expanded to establish 3 other outlets with some outlet-exclusive dishes which I would love to check out on my next Paris escapade.

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38 Rue des Saints-Pères, 75007 Paris, France

Mon to Fri 8am – 7pm

Sat to Sun 10am – 6pm

10. On Partage

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With a cozy and inviting warm atmosphere, On Partage is a Parisian café for simple brunch fare. We ordered 2 dishes to share, the Grilled Cheese Sandwich (EUR13 +EUR3 for salad), and Homemade Granola (EUR12). I thought the portions were pretty small. We had to pay an additional 3 euros for a salad for the grilled cheese sandwich, but only a few pieces of lettuce were added.

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Meanwhile, the peanut butter granola came with fresh seasonal fruits and organic fromage blanc, homemade compote and syrup, and puffed rice for the added texture. I also had the Black Sesame Latte (EUR5.5,EUR0.5 for oat milk), which unfortunately did not have the richness and intensity of black sesame I was expecting.

137 bis Rue de Charonne, 75011 Paris, France

Mon to Fri 8.30am – 5pm

Sat to Sun 9am – 5pm

Oct 18 2025
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Cafe, Food, singapore

Komunal – New Muslim-owned Café at Eunos with Homemade Bakes

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Occupying a small and cosy unit along the ground floor of the WIS@Changi building is Komunal, a café which I first came to know as a café with a cause. The café employs a neurodivergent crew, allowing them to hone skills such as barista skills while fostering inclusivity.

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On a clear morning, sunlight pours into the café for the first couple of hours from opening, and the café basks in strong golden hues which enliven it.    

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On my first 2 visits, the food menu was unfortunately limited, and desserts were out of stock, so I went with just coffee and scones. I had the White coffee ($6, +$1 for oat milk) made using the Vanta espresso blend from Colombia and Brazil. This came with tasting notes of milk chocolate, pecan, vanilla cream. I also tried the Tasting Flight ($9) which came with the White and an espresso shot.

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Their Scones ($6.5), served with housemade strawberry jam and rich clotted cream, were on the flaky side, somewhat different from the classic British scones which tend to be fluffy on the inside.

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There were 2 types of matcha on the menu – the Shinpeki ($8) and Sora ($7). I had the Shinpeki on my first visit as a latte, but I later found out from their updated menu that it should be drank pure as usucha instead. The Sora, a matcha latte ceremonial blend from Shizuoka, Japan, which I had on my subsequent visits, was more suitable to be drank as a latte, with a rich, creamy and smooth texture.

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When I went back to try the food menu, I had the Turkish Eggs ($7). The soft-boiled eggs, with runny yolks, were served on creamy yogurt, drizzled with chili oil, and accompanied with white bread. It was a simple and satisfying dish.

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To end, I had the recommended Tiramisu ($8.5) – made inhouse with layers of mascarpone, espresso-soaked ladyfingers brewed from their house blend, dusted with cocoa on top. It was rich and creamy, with a good ratio of mascarpone to sponge.

I loved that the café exuded warm, friendly, kind vibes, and I felt at ease whenever I dropped by.

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116 Changi Road, #01-11, Singapore 419718

Mon 8am – 4pm

Tue to Sun 8am – 6pm

Oct 07 2025
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Cafe, singapore

POUT Rooftop Café – New Viral Cafe in Singapore’s CBD with Specialty Coffee and Bakes

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Quite possibly the hottest café in town now, POUT is a newly opened rooftop café perched on the 6th floor of the CMO building along Boat Quay. As soon as I stepped out of the elevator into the café, I felt like I got transported out of the hustle of the CBD into a vibey lounge in NYC.

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In the morning, sunlight filtered through the front windows, naturally lighting up the otherwise dimly lit interior of the café, and casting angular shadows. One of the highlights here is the view. Despite the café being located on a relatively low rooftop, the skyline view of some of our iconic landmarks – Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands, the Merlion – is still partially unobstructed. There are outdoor seats from where you can directly enjoy the view, though I prefer the much more comfortable and cooling indoor seating.

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Order directly from the front counter – the menu is compact with classic coffee options (Black and White), interesting iced drinks (Honeycomb Latte, Salted Caramel Mocha, Peanut Butter Mocha, Strawberry Matcha, Coconut Matcha Cloud), homemade desserts (Cheesecake, Tiramisu) and sweet and savoury pastries (Brown Sugar Kouign Amann, Sticky Cinnamon Bun with Pecan, Matcha Croissant, Matcha Cruffin, Smoked Chicken Pain Suisse).

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I had the Classic White ($5.90, +$1 for oat milk), using the Sunbird espresso blend which was recommended by the barista as a lighter option vs. the alternative option, Apache. A full-bodied medium roast blend of Ethiopia, Brazil and Laos beans, the coffee was indeed on the lighter side, with very mild acidity.

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I also tried their Matcha Latte ($6.90), which was just lightly sweetened.

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Though the viennoiseries in the glass display on the coffee counter were tempting, I decided to go for their homemade Brulee Basque Cheesecake ($9.90). The slice of cheesecake was brûléed with a layer of caramelized sugar and served with a dollop of yogurt on the side. The tartness of the yogurt helped balance the density and sweetness of the cake, which I felt could have a creamier, lava core.

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Apart from the atmosphere and coffee, I found the service here to be very welcoming, warm and friendly – a missing element in many cafes these days. I heard that queues are snaking on the weekday afternoons, so I highly recommend to visit early in the morning for the uninterrupted chill moment.

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50 South Bridge Rd, Unit 06-00, Singapore 058682

Mon – Fri 8am to 5pm

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