Singapore's 5 New Standout Cafes

The new wave of cafes is led by established names in the food and beverage industry, who are leveraging their experience to navigate Singapore's competitive market. This includes the group behind the popular PS.Cafe chain, which has launched a new concept, Park Side, at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Park Side will offer a different menu from its sister cafes, focusing on brunch and desserts, but notably without their famous truffle fries. One of the most anticipated arrivals is the first international branch of the popular Filipino bakery and cafe, Mary Grace. Opening on March 13 in Tras Street, it will introduce Singapore to its signature ensaymada and cheese rolls. This marks a significant step for the family-run chain from the Philippines. Long-standing local favorites are also adapting. Dona Manis Cake Shop, renowned for its banana pies, has opened its first-ever dine-in cafe in Joo Chiat. This move was partly prompted by the uncertain future of its original Katong Shopping Centre location, which has faced multiple collective sale attempts. The new Dona Manis Heritage Bakehouse is a 20-seat cafe located in a two-storey shophouse. Innovation extends to specialized concepts, such as local chef Pang Kok Keong's dessert and tea-focused cafe, Error 404, located at Capitol Singapore. Another niche offering comes from Merle & Co at the Lentor Modern mixed-use development, which caters to pet owners with plant-based fare in a pet-friendly environment. This push for unique concepts comes as the F&B climate in Singapore proves challenging, with several cafes recently closing. Operators of these new establishments emphasize the need to innovate in food, drinks, and design to stay competitive. The closures of places like Kwaasong Bakehouse and Cafe Q Classified underscore the difficulties of the current market.