Category Archives: Food

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

樱汝 – An unexpected café find in Huangshan, China

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I was not expecting to find a modern, Japanese style café in the less-known city of Huangshan where mountains, farmlands and old streets and restaurants were more prominent. Even the locals who were with me were surprised to find such a place.

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The first floor of the cozy café was designed like a wooden hut, with just 2 small wooden tables that can fit 2 people on each. I was attracted to the rustic coffee and tea counter, with a display of vintage cups and saucers, reminiscent of an antique flea market. Beside them, I also took notice of the range of coffee beans, tea leaves and matcha powder available – it seemed like the owner was passionate in coffee and tea.

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On the second floor, there was a long counter table by the window and another standalone table for dining. The rest of the space was adorned with items displayed on sale such as small pieces of jewelry and tea cloths. While the lighting on the first floor was warm and moody, the second floor was bright and inviting with strong sunlight cascading through the window.

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The menu, written in cursive Chinese, was not the easiest to decipher. It took me a while to learn that there were several coffee, tea and soda options on the menu, together with a list of desserts.

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To beat the early summer heat outside, I skipped my usual hot coffee order and we had the Iced Matcha Latte (CNY36, SGD6.4 +CNY5, SGD0.9 for vanilla ice cream) and the Plum Soda (CNY36) recommended by the owner. The soda was indeed refreshing, sweet and tartly flavoured from the plum syrup.

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We also had a slice of Earl Grey Tea Honeydew Cream Cake (CNY36) to share – it was light and fluffy, though the earl grey flavour could be more pronounced.

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Conveniently located just 5 minutes away by car from the popular Tunxi Old Street, I highly recommend the café as a pit stop for an afternoon tea or coffee after sightseeing.

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Address: 安徽省-黄山市-屯溪区-戴震路2-70号

Tanny Cake 甜莺蛋糕 – Popular Cake Shop in Guangzhou with Lava Basque Cheesecake

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I found yet another Japanese inspired café in Guangzhou, Tanny Cake. It was housed in a standalone, 2 storey wooden hut right along the main road, looking as though it popped right out from a Japanese anime.

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When I entered, the cafe was rather packed with ladies, many of them trying to pose for photos at different corners of the 2-storey wooden café. I felt a little uncomfortable as it was obvious that some of them were doing product shoots, but the staff did not seem bothered by it.

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I went up to the second floor for the tables by the window that overlook the busy main street below. Apart from the traffic and construction noises, the ambiance was relaxing, fit for a lazy afternoon tea session.

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From the selection of cakes, I ordered the Matcha Lava Basque Cheesecake (RMB 35, SGD 6.2) which was very creamy, rich and intense, with distinct bitter and earthy tones from the matcha. The consistency of the cake was also lava-like in the middle.

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If you prefer something more fruity and less bitter, the Blueberry Lava Basque Cheesecake (RMB 35, SGD 6.2) would be a great choice.

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As a café specialising in cakes, I was not expecting much from their coffee but the Latte (RMB 24, SGD 4.3) that I had, made from their blackberry blend, was well-balanced.

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With a comfortable price point for such quality cakes and coffee, paired with the lovely atmosphere and aesthetics of the wooden shophouse, it was no wonder that the café has been booming with popularity in Guangzhou.

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Address: 广东省-广州市-海珠区-沙园街道沙园街广州重型机器厂宿舍西141米

Directions: 地铁8号线/广佛线沙园站C口出来步行几百米就到

Opening Hours: 12pm – 9pm daily

Atipico Room 15 at New Bahru

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Synonymous with unusual, unconventional, atypical, is Atipico – an Italian all-day bakery and restaurant situated on the ground floor of New Bahru. It is helmed by an Italian chef who started the brand offering private chef services and catering for events, then expanding it to open Atipico Atelier – a bakery at West Coast. Since then, it has further branched out to a full-fledged restaurant-bakery Atipico Room 15.

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The display of laminated pastries by the shop window had always tempted me on my past visits to New Bahru, and I finally had the opportunity to try them out for myself recently.

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From the all-day bakery menu, I had a few pastries – one of which was recommended to me by the waitress was the Burrata and Fig Danish ($13) which I skipped initially but later added on to my order. I was so glad I did so, because the crispy and flaky tart had a rich interior of fresh quality burrata, caramelised figs and balsamic reduction. It was unassumingly delightful.

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The Egg Mayo Croissant ($10) was an elevated affair of the common breakfast pastry. The deviled egg mayo filling, with crunchy cucumber, was generously stuffed into their house made flaky croissant with French butter.

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The Pain Suisse ($7), which was only available on weekends, had a flaky exterior which when cut, revealed creamy vanilla custard and dark chocolate chips inside. I wished there could be more filling.

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As basic as I am, I also tried the Granola Bowl ($15) – it comprised their homemade Singapore granola, Greek yogurt and their homemade mango & passion fruit jam. Both the granola and jam were available to purchase individually in packs. The dish was the epitome of “not too sweet”, with tart, tangy, sour and nutty flavours dominating.

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We had a sandwich and 2 main dishes from the lunch menu (served 11am – 3pm). I highly recommend the Ricotta Tartine ($22), not just for its exquisite, aesthetic plating. The unconventional combination of the crispy toasted sourdough bread base, sweet juicy melon and confit tomatoes, savoury house made ricotta, spicy chili jam, and crunchy toasted almonds – was a burst of textures and flavours.

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If you’re a fan of creamy rich pasta, go for the Pumpkin Ravioli ($34), which featured handmade ravioli filled with roasted pumpkin, served with toasted hazelnuts, sage butter, and smoked ricotta. I loved the addition of the hazelnuts which gave the dish a nutty and crunchy kick.

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Moving on to the heavier dish – the Beef Cheek 2.0 ($42), I was satisfied by the huge chunks of tender meat, paired with house beef jus, celeriac and potato mousseline, and olive oil confit heirloom carrots.

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Since Atipico is known for their artisanal cakes, I did not skip their desserts. Their best-selling cake is probably the French Kiss ($13), a pistachio raspberry cake with aesthetic layers of pink and green. The flavours of the pistachio almond cream and pistachio ganache paired well with that of the raspberry confit.

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Meanwhile, the Gateau St. Honore ($13) was a creamier affair, with vanilla pastry cream, mascarpone Chantilly and choux puff on a base of caramelized house made feuilletage. What surprised me were the choux puffs on either side of the slice – I wish I could have a box of them!

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From the attentive service to the relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant to the high quality pastries, cakes and dishes, I thoroughly enjoyed my two experiences at Atipico.

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46 Kim Yam Rd, #01-15, New Bahru, Singapore 239351

9am – 6pm Tues to Thurs, Sun

9am – 10pm Fri to Sat

Alani – Rooftop Bakery at KADA with Greek Mediterranean Pastries

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One of the most awaited openings at KADA, a newly opened creative lifestyle hub at 5 Kadayanallur St right outside Maxwell MRT station, is Alani, a Greek Mediterranean bakery-café and restaurant. I was anticipating its official opening 2 months ago since it is opened by the same team behind Proud Potato Peeler, a private dining concept which I visited and left with good reviews of the food.

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In Greek, “Alani” is used to describe someone who lives life without restrictions, embodying a free and wandering way of life. The ambiance of the open-air rooftop contributes to the overall theme of the café, with potted greenery, large communal tables and rattan chairs. Plus point: the outdoor dining area is also dog-friendly.

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Upon stepping into the indoor dining area (with just a few dining tables) where the ordering counter is, we were greeted by a wooden display of tantalizing bread and pastries which were mostly Greek/mediterranean-inspired. Despite the wide range of options of brunch dishes on the main menu, the visuals of the bakes made us lean towards the bakery menu.

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The café also serves coffee made from beans from Morph Coffee Roasters, who partners with One Fifteenth Coffee from Jakarta. My white with oat milk was delightful.

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At $18, the Fermented Pumpkin Pesto & Wagyu Beef Sourdough was easily one of the priciest items in the bakery which we still readily paid for. The chewy, slightly charred sourdough bread, together with the pumpkin pesto filling, melted cheese, wagyu beef bits, and a drizzle of homemade spiced chili oil, felt like a hearty brunch dish I would love to have for breakfast every day. Their sourdoughs are made from a 14-year-old hand carried Greek sourdough starter.

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Another one of the highly raved items here is the Pistachio Cinnamon Roll ($9). This is also made with the sourdough starter and perhaps one of the most sinful items here, with a generous filling of homemade pistachio praline with crushed and candied pistachios. Not for the faint-hearted.

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The only item we had from the brunch menu was the Avocado on toast with burnt sherry tomato vinaigrette, feta cheese, poached eggs and seeds ($24). Unfortunately, the 2 poached eggs were overcooked and the yolks already firm.

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We ended off with the Portokalopita ($10), a Greek orange cake made with layers of custard, phyllo dough and honey-orange syrup. I loved the moist and juicy insides of the cake which has absorbed the saccharine syrup, well-balanced with the zesty, citrusy orange flavours. The dollop of bitter chocolate ganache and thin sheet of phyllo pastry topped on the cake perfected the sweet ending.

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The space gets filled up quickly on the weekends, so I recommend being there early morning to grab the most comfortable seats.

KADA, Kadayanallur St, #04-095, Singapore 069183

11am – 3pm Thurs to Fri

9.30am – 2.30pm Sat to Sun

Lot of Taste, Chiang Mai

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It was an early Saturday morning in the Chiang Mai, when the roads were still rather empty and footfall still low. I went into Lot of Taste, the latest outpost of Taste Cafe. On that cloudless morning, the café was directly lit by the rising sun which cast beautiful long shadows. It was a lovely sight to behold while having my coffee – though if you cannot deal with sun exposure, and don’t mind dealing with a busy/packed café, I would advise to come later in the afternoon or evening.

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The interior was spacious, with a mix of wooden and stainless steel furniture, and the speakers played jazz music, building a relaxed atmosphere.

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I could tell that the café was serious about their coffee when I chanced upon their in house coffee roasting machine at the back, which you may get to see in action if you’re lucky. Along the back wall of the café, there was also a huge glass display of the different roasted beans packaged for sale.

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The signature item here was the Soft Latte, with the dollop of silky cream on top, but I went for the basic hot Flat White (THB100/SGD4, +oatly THB25/SGD1) with Oat Milk instead as I normally have hot coffee in the morning. There were also extensive options for both espresso and filter coffee. The coffee lived up to my expectations with a deep flavour and smooth mouthfeel.

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The food menu was simple and limited to just 3 sandwiches and 3 muffins when I visited. I ordered the Spinach and Cheese Sandwich (THB125, SGD5) just as a stomach filler without much expectations since the focus here seemed to be much heavier on coffee, but it turned out to be very decent, with a generous portion of each ingredient of toast, spinach and cheese that I couldn’t finish it (I had to save space for a few more cafes I planned to visit on the same day).

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If you’re looking for good specialty coffee in Chiang Mai, Lot of Taste is that cafe you should save and tick off in your itinerary. Apart from being conveniently located in the bustling Nimmamhaemin area, it is also opened from as early as 8am to as late as 10pm.

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8/5 Nimmanahaeminda Road, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

8am – 10pm daily

Lean and Rich Bakery – Minimalistic Bakery Café in UE Square with Northern European Bread and Pastries

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Helmed by a Korean baker from the famed Tartine Bakery in Seoul, Lean and Rich Bakery opened in UE Square last year as a Northern European, minimalistic style bakery. The bakery café occupies a modest space on the first floor of UE Square, with a bold red branding for their name/logo and storefront. The interior is kept minimal with cement floors, exposed ceilings and simple wooden tables and stools.

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On the weekends, the indoor area got filled up quickly about an hour into their opening and patrons started to take up seats in the outdoor area where more tables were placed.

“Lean and Rich” refers to the type of dough used in the menu items. Lean dough, made with basic ingredients, is used to bake bread such as their signature sourdough and focaccia; Rich dough, made with additional ingredients like eggs, butter, sugar and milk, is used in the pastries.

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From the “Rich” menu, I tried both the Vanilla ($7) and Pistachio ($7). My pick would be the Vanilla – I thought the smooth and creamy vanilla filling with vanilla beans paired better with the flaky and buttery croissant layers. On the other hand, I felt that the Pistachio custard was a tad too sweet and lacked the distinct nuttiness I was expecting.

For drinks, I tried the Vanilla Bean Latte ($7), Vanilla Bean Milk ($5.5), White ($5.7, +$1 for oat milk) and Matcha Latte ($7). The vanilla drinks and matcha latte were too sweet for my liking and I would stick with the White.

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Post-opening, the café also launched breakfast/brunch dishes. Reminiscent of the Scandinavian breakfast was the Morning Platter ($11) which came with sourdough, soft-boiled egg, cheese, whipped butter and fig jam. I enjoyed the simple yet classic dish.

The Apple and Brie ($12) was a good surprise – I particularly liked the balance between the subtly sweet apple, candied pecan and honey and the savoury brie cheese, wild rocket and pastry layers. The mix of textures was also commendable.                                                                  

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Perhaps the most luxurious item on the menu, the Caponata and Burrata ($21) came with sourdough, a goulash-like mixture of eggplant, tomato, onion, celery, pine nuts, and burrata cheese. The burrata unveiled a soft and creamy filling, which when spread on the vegetables topped on the crispy, toasted sourdough, made a scrumptious open-faced sandwich.

With the emphasis and focus on serving consistently quality bread and pastries, I could see why the bakery gets crowded right from the early morning.

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81 Clemenceau Ave, UE Square, #01-14, Singapore 239917

Tues to Fri 8.30am – 5pm

Sat and Sun 8.30am – 4pm

Enough for Life – Vintage Café, Shop and B&B in Chiang Mai

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Tucked in a corner of Rampoeng Village away from the bustling urban life in central Chiang Mai is Enough for Life. I walked over within 5-10 mins from Baan Kang Wat, a popular charming art village home to a community of local artists.

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The space serves multiple functions – as a Bed and Breakfast on the second floor which you can book directly on their website or via AirBnB, a store selling vintage trinkets, and a café. The accommodation also comes with a private pool with guest-only access.

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With the many different aesthetic corners you could find here, it’s no wonder that both locals and tourists go a little out of the way to explore the café and shop. I particularly loved the mishmash of vintage furniture and purposefully placed decorative items.

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The café menu was lean, with just 3 cakes and several drink options available. Out of the carrot cake, lemon cream cake, and tiramisu cake, I had the Tiramisu Cake (THB160, SGD6.3). Unlike the usual Italian tiramisu I was expecting, their version was simpler, made with cake dipped in espresso, layered with whipped cream and flavoured with cocoa. With the lack of mascarpone and ladyfingers, it felt more like a chocolate and cream sponge cake rather than a tiramisu. I also wished that the cake could be more soaked with espresso.

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I also had the Café Latte (THB75, SGD3) to pair with the cake – take note that there are no alternative milk options here.

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While there was outdoor seating, I took respite in the well air-conditioned indoor area where I could just idle my time away,thinking how the name of this place was so apt. Enough for Life.

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160/7 Moo 5 (in front of Wat Ram Poeng) Soi 7 Dok Kaew, Suthep Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chiang Mai 50200

8.30am – 5pm daily

Atrium, Malmö – Brunch in an Aesthetic Cafe in Sweden

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For my day trip to Malmö (in Sweden) from Copenhagen, I researched and shortlisted a few cafes to visit. Atrium was the first café stop of the day for breakfast. Stepping into the cafe, I was greeted with cozy and relaxed vibes, akin to visiting a grandma’s cottage for comfort food.

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There were plenty of seats in different corners to choose from – the outdoor terrace allows you to bask in laid-back vibes of a charming outdoor garden and is perfect in the spring and summer, the indoor communal tables allow for gatherings, while the smaller tables and countertop table allow for an intimate meal alone or with a plus one.

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What I also noticed and appreciated was the emphasis on greenery – apart from the plants in the outdoor garden, there were also many plants and even small trees thriving indoors thanks to the naturally, brightly lit interior.

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I started off with coffee and was delighted to find that the coffee quality was just as good as those from specialty coffee roasters I visited in Copenhagen.

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The café offers typical brunch fare, with both vegetarian and vegan options available on the menu. I had the Turkish Eggs (98 kr, SGD 12), which features 2 poached eggs in garlic yogurt topped with browned butter, chilli, fennel and pomegranate served with toasted sourdough. The spice level was mild, balanced with the savoury garlic yogurt which was the highlight for me.

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The Avocado Sandwich (125 kr, SGD 15.4) was the next dish I had. Nothing too fancy, it was a simple dish of a poached egg, tomatoes, avocado cream served on sourdough bread with cream cheese. I did wish that the portion could be bigger, e.g. serving 2 poached eggs and 2 slices of sourdough instead of 1 each.

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For a sweet (but not overly sweet) ending, I opted for the Roasted Banana Bread with White Chocolate Mascarpone (69 kr, SGD 8.5). Not sure if it was due to the roasting process, but I thought that the banana bread could be more moist inside.

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Compared to the cafes in Copenhagen, the atmosphere was less busy, and sitting here feels like getting a respite from city life, indulging in slow living. Furthermore, prices in Sweden were significantly lower than that in Denmark which is an additional plus point.

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Skvadronsgatan 13, 217 49 Malmö, Sweden

8am – 5pm weekdays, 9am – 5pm weekends

Andersen & Maillard – Delicious Pastries and Coffee in Copenhagen, Denmark

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Opened by former Noma pastry chef Milton Abel and barista Hans Kristian Andersen, Andersen & Maillard is a go-to spot in Copenhagen for delicious pastries and coffee. They opened their first location at Nørrebrogade in 2018 as a coffee roastery and bakery. I’ve passed by the outlet on several occasions and couldn’t help but notice that it was always bustling with patrons flowing in and out no matter the time of the day.

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When I properly visited the first outlet one late afternoon, it was unfortunate that most of the pastries were already sold out. Among the remaining ones, I was recommended the Brunsviger (DKK30). This is their twist of the classic yeast-based coffee cake which originated from the Danish island of Funen (Fyn). It is made from croissant dough baked with extra sugar and cinnamon and best eaten by tearing it apart with your hands.

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I also had the Almond Croissant (DKK44, SGD8.3), filled with rich almond cream and topped with a generous amount of almond flakes. Since the portion is larger than a usual croissant, I highly recommend to share it between two.

I was still very interested to try more of their signature pastries so I visited the other outlet at Nordhavn. The outlet was designed by a local architectural designer and I particularly loved the raw and minimal aesthetics, with an intertwine of vintage and modern pieces of furniture.

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Here, I managed to get my hands on their viral, iconic Croissant Cube – I went for the Pistachio flavoured one (DKK40, SGD 7.6). Peeling the buttery, flaky layers open revealed a filling of creamy pistachio ganache.

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On the other hand, the Chocolate Croissant (DKK48, SGD 9.1) is made by setting aside some portion of the croissant dough, mixing it with melted chocolate, and then reincorporating back into the lamination process, giving it the bi-colour look. Once baked and cooled, it is then piped with a silky-smooth dark chocolate ganache. This is a must for chocolate lovers.

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I also tried their coffee – both the Flat White (DKK42, SGD8) and Cappuccino (DKK44, SGD8.3) were well-balanced and very suitable to pair with the pastries.

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There may be several good artisan bakeries, and also high-quality specialty coffee shops in Copenhagen that I’ve visited, but if you’re short on time and want the best of both worlds, Andersen & Maillard is the place to be.   

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Locations visited:

  1. Coffee Shop & Roastery – Norrebrogade 62, 2200 Kovenhavn. Weekdays 7am – 6pm, Weekends & Holidays 8am – 6pm
  2. Bakery – Antwerpengade 10, 2150 Nordhavn. 7am – 6pm daily