Author Archives: Crystal Wee

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

Sep 06 2025
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Cafe, Food, singapore

Simple Café  簡單。- Taiwanese-style Brunch and Cakes in NEWest

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Having previously moved out of NEWest mall to Crawford Lane, folks living in the west are lucky that Simple Café has now shifted back to their original location. They have retained their original concept and philosophy of keeping things “簡單”, or simple, with a minimalistic interior and homely atmosphere that would seemingly transport you to a café in Taiwan. There were also pet-friendly outdoor seats.

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Since its reopening, the menu has expanded to offer a wider variety of items, and changes on a seasonal basis. When I went, I had the Jul – Aug menu which has now been refreshed to their Sep – Oct menu. I noted that the prices were on the lower side for a typical café in Singapore.

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On the drinks menu were some unique drinks such as the Osmanthus Latte and Pineapple Topic, however I stuck with my usual Hot White ($5). If you’re a matcha fan, there are the Uji Matcha Latte, Dirty Macha and Matcha Lemonade for you to choose from.

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Amongst the dishes I tried, my top pick would be the Pink Guava Salad with Saba Fish ($14). The colourful and aesthetically pleasing dish came with a variety of vegetables such as pumpkin, kale, baby carrot, baby corn, baby tomatoes, broccoli. Surprisingly, the saba paired well with the pink guava sauce and partly masked its fishiness. It was overall a very well-balanced dish, with a suitable amount of vegetables, carbs, and protein.

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I also had the Sweet Potato Apple Soup with their Seasonal Sweet Potato Bread ($12). Interestingly, the soup had a combination of sweet and savoury flavours. The bread was a tad dry on its own but satisfying when dipped in the soup.  

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Sadly, I only had space for 1 dessert after having the salad and soup – I selected what looked to be the most interesting and pretty option – the Guava Cheesecake ($9). The cheesecake was light enough for me to finish it on my own, with the subtle sweetness and tanginess from the pink guava.  

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Despite its location in the far west, it was well worth the commute time for the unpretentious fare and vibes.

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1 West Coast Dr, #01-92, Singapore 128020

9am – 6pm Tue to Sun (closed on Mon)

Aug 30 2025
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Amsterdam, Cafe, Food, Netherlands

Scandinavian Embassy – Best Scandinavian-style bakes in Amsterdam

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Combining specialty Scandinavian-style roasted coffee and Scandinavian-style pastries in a cosy, intimate setting, Scandinavian Embassy is one of the go-to cafes in Amsterdam. When I headed into the café at opening hour, it was already getting lively with patrons streaming in and out, either for takeout or dine in. The baristas were incredibly friendly, making small talk with customers without disrupting their own flow of work. There also seemed to be many regulars.

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I sat along the counter by the window of the front entrance, which overlooked the greenery of Sarphatipark. Sunlight illuminated the café through this very window, creating harsh, slant shadows in the café. Towards the back of the store you will find communal tables in a serene, courtyard setting. Even the interior design was so Scandinavian-like.

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For coffee, they bring in beans from various specialty Nordic coffee roasters such as The Coffee Collective, Koppi, Drop Coffee among others. I had the Flat White (EUR4.2, +0.5 for oat milk), which was made with the Espresso Vista Hermosa from Coffee Collective. This was a sweet and clean espresso with the aroma of hazelnut praline, pine nuts and plum.

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They had a small selection of freshly baked, homemade pastries from which I tried the Cardamom Bun (EUR4.6) and Cinnamon Bun (EUR4.4). They made me reminisce the numerous cardamom and cinnamon buns I had in Denmark and Sweden last year in a good way. I would say get both, but if you only have the space for 1, the cardamom bun would be the priority.

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A little down south is their second location at Europaplein 87, with a wider range of buns and pastries (e.g. almond bun), albeit with limited seating along the window and outdoor benches. I didn’t get to go, but would definitely put it in my itinerary if I ever return to the Netherlands.

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Sarphatipark 34, 1072 PB Amsterdam, Netherlands

Mon to Fri 8am – 4pm, Sat to Sun 9am – 4pm

Aug 10 2025
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Cafe

Apartment Roastery – Best Coffee Shop in Asia Opens New Roastery in Serangoon

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Apartment Coffee, recently crowned as the 6th best coffee shop in the world and 1st in Asia, opened their new roastery in Jalan Riang, Serangoon. I have been their avid fan ever since their very first outlet was established at Lavender Street, and which has now moved to Selegie Road. I was elated to find out about the new roastery setting up shop in the northeast where I also reside.

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Similar to their main outlet (a.k.a. Coffee Studio), the Roastery boasts a minimalist interior with mainly wooden furnishings paired with white concrete and brick walls and ceilings. The space may be smaller and dimmer than the Studio but still exudes the same vibes which made me feel comfortable, at ease.

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And just like their Coffee Studio, the Roastery only offers dine-in coffee and tea with no food or takeaway options. There were 3 hand brew filter coffees, 1 espresso and 1 espresso with milk option to choose from when I visited. As per my usual order, I had the Coffee with Milk ($6), featuring Ethiopia Kello Raro beans. It had sensory notes of nougat, dried fruits and milk tea.

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For non-coffee drinkers, the only option you have is the Seasonal Kombucha ($7), freshly brewed in house in small batches.

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Unfortunately, the Roastery only operates on the weekends for now, and you might want to check their Instagram page in case of any closure before heading down (I made a wasted trip on one Saturday when the cafe happened to be closed). Due to their rising popularity, do expect that there will be a wait outside for seats.

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Jalan Riang, 15-9, Singapore 358987

Nearest train station: Serangoon MRT Exit A

10am – 5pm on weekends only

Aug 02 2025
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Cafe, singapore

Mad Roaster’s Slow Bar – Cosy Brunch Café at Enabling Village, Redhill

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Mad Roaster is not a stranger to the coffee scene in Singapore. Years ago, they started serving coffee and bakes with a social cause to support the refugee community through NGO partners such as Habibi International and People Serving People Foundation.

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Most recently, they opened a full-fledged café serving all-day brunch, coffee and pastries situated in Enabling Village in Redhill, a very apt location befitting of their purpose to advocate for the less fortunate.

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The standalone brick-and-mortar café is both pet-friendly (at the lawn and backyard) and kid-friendly (both indoors and outdoors), so be prepared for the friendly chaos if you’re thinking of visiting over the weekend. Bonus point for book lovers – there is a mini library set up by the Casual Poet Library (a community library based in Redhill) in the café.

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I visited the café on two separate occasions, one on a weekday morning and one on a weekend morning and I highly recommend the former. It was peaceful such that I could read the books on the shelves while enjoying my breakfast.

I played safe and went for the White Coffee ($6) – a double shot ristretto, made with their house blend (aka Mad Blend).

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On my first visit, I had the Matcha Latte ($7) and opted for no sugar, but oddly on my second visit, I was not asked to pick the sugar level and was served with a matcha latte that was too sweet for me.

Each of my drinks came with a small card which featured a unique logo coloured by a refugee in Asia who was commissioned by the cafe, and it was heartening to know that I was indirectly helping the refugees.

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The breakfast menu is served from 8am – 3pm with vegetarian and vegan options. I had the Granola Bowl ($16) which came with house-made longan and gula melaka granola, grape compote, macadamia praline butter, coconut yogurt and coconut chia pudding. The granola bowl was on the sweeter side but I enjoyed every component coming together nonetheless.

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I also had the ‘3-Chilli’ Fried Eggs and Avocado Skillet ($18). The fried eggs were incorporated with 3 types of chilli – Mojo- Picon, lao gan ma chilli crisp, and green chilli chutney. Despite that, the amount of chilli used was minimal so it was not quite spicy. With the addition of marinated kale, avocado and freshly-baked and crisp sticks of focaccia on the side, the dish was well-balanced (with carbs, protein and fat) and hearty.I also had the ‘3-Chilli’ Fried Eggs and Avocado Skillet ($18). The fried eggs were incorporated with 3 types of chilli – Mojo- Picon, lao gan ma chilli crisp, and green chilli chutney. Despite that, the amount of chilli used was minimal so it was not quite spicy. With the addition of marinated kale, avocado and freshly-baked and crisp sticks of focaccia on the side, the dish was well-balanced (with carbs, protein and fat) and hearty.

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In the glass display was a range of bakes that can also be found in their other outlets. Perhaps the signature one would be their Chocolate Babka slice ($4), which came toasted and topped with house-made custard followed by salted chocolate crumble. Though I found the babka to be slightly dry on its own, the custard helped.  

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Mains are served from 11am – 8.30pm. I didn’t get to try them, but some of the dishes like the Beef & Marrow rice bowl ($22) and Seafood ‘Al Ajillo’ with lime rice ($26) sound delicious.

With the warm service, cosy atmosphere and unpretentious, comfort food and drinks, I could see why the café was buzzing with people from as early as 8am.

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20 Lengkok Bahru, #01-20 Enabling Village Outpost, Singapore 159053

8am – 9pm daily

Jul 13 2025
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Cafe, Food, Netherlands, Rotterdam, Travel

Rotterdam Cafe Hop – 3 Cafes to Visit

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Within an hour away by train, Rotterdam is one of the most popular day trip destinations from Amsterdam. You can easily hop on a train from either one of the major train stations in Amsterdam (e.g. Amsterdam Centraal) just tapping your international credit or debit card without purchasing any ticket.

I arrived in Rotterdam Centraal in the morning, made cultural visits to the Huis Sonneveld and Nieuwe Instituut, then started my café-hopping adventure in the city.

1. Blend Artwork + Coffee

A combination of a café, art gallery, and design shop, Blend Artwork + Coffee was my first stop of the day. With an aesthetic round wooden communal table and art pieces decorating the interior and a tranquil garden with outdoor seating in the backyard, the café made a charming spot for breakfast and brunch. The staff were friendly to introduce the menu and recommend the labnehs.

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I was surprised to find a section of the menu dedicated to different types of labneh, a Middle Eastern dish, in a Dutch café. There were different flavours of the labneh such as crispy chilli, dukkah, and coffee honey. All their labneh was made with a combination of yogurt and goat yogurt strained every night in their fridges.

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Since I was feeling peckish, I ordered the Breakfast Platter (EUR 14.95, SGD 22.4) which came with a small classic labneh, croissant, jam, soft boiled egg, and sourdough bread on the side. The classic labneh, topped with olive oil, za’atar, sumac and blueberries, was fresh and creamy, pairing well with the sourdough.

I also had a regular sized Latte (EUR 4.25, SGD 6.4), made with coffee roasted by Manhattan Coffee Roasters in Rotterdam. There was a range of non-coffee drinks available as well.

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Thanks to the fresh and artisanal ingredients used, I had a hearty and satisfying brunch. The atmosphere was also cozy and peaceful, and I could imagine myself going regularly if I resided in the city.

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Nieuwe Binnenweg 305A, 3021 GH Rotterdam, Netherlands

Mon, Wed – Fri 8.30am – 5pm

Sat to Sun 9.30am – 5.30pm

2. Büro Bobo

Located in a secluded corner in the creative Delfshaven district, Büro Bobo, or Buero Bobo, was a café that one might easily miss. This small, 15 square meters space, was a concept store integrating interior design, espresso and filter coffee, and natural wine.

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As I chatted with the barista, I found out that the owner was an architectural designer who moved from Germany to Rotterdam, and who built the café interior – minimalist and warm at the same time.

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The coffee served here featured rotating selections from top European roasters such as Prolog Coffee from Copenhagen, Schot Coffee Roasters from Rotterdam, and Sprout Coffee Roasters from Eindhoven.

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I had an Espresso with Milk (EUR 4, SGD 6), which had a creamy mouthfeel and a slight acidity which I enjoyed. The best part of the experience was definitely the conversations I’ve had with the barista and other patrons who dropped by, made possible by the small and cozy gathering space.

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Coolhavenstraat 3, 3024 TD Rotterdam, Netherlands

Mon to Fri 8.15am – 3pm

3. âme cafe and concept store

As the last café stop before heading back to Amsterdam, I dropped by âme cafe and concept store, located within âme Hotel. The hotel was housed in a monumental building with an old yet charming structure and façade. The owners kept most of the old elements and designed the interior with Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics, with the use of natural materials and colours.

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In the café, there were displays of interior and lifestyle items for purchase along with communal and individual tables to have breakfast and drinks. Unfortunately, it was already late afternoon when I went so I could not try the dishes on the breakfast menu (available everyday till 1pm) – think eggs on toast, avocado toast, yogurt bowls.

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Instead, I had a Matcha Latte (EUR 5.8, + 0.3 for oat milk, SGD 8.7) and a Cardamom Bun (EUR 4.95, SGD 7.4) at the counter table. There were also some interesting options, such as their Special soda made with yuzu matcha and espresso yuzu tonic, and a Strawberry matcha, but I decided to play it safe and basic. Both the matcha and bun were above average, though not the best I’ve had in Europe.

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Eendrachtsweg 19, 3012 LB Rotterdam, Netherlands

9am – 5pm daily

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