Tiong Bahru in Singapore has been transformed into a hipster hangout and serves what are arguably the city’s most impressive lattes, long blacks and flat whites, along with some seriously delicious food. Here is a guide to some of the best coffee in Tiong Bahru.

Flock Café

“Morning has broken and the coffee has spoken” is the motto at Flock Cafe. This family-run café serves great coffee and an all-day brekkie menu catering for late starters. The decor is urban chic and the breakfast will probably see you through until dinner. Try the Cheeky Eggs, two poached eggs and braised pork cheek piled on an English muffin and topped with creamy hollandaise sauce.

Forty Hands

This was one of Tiong Bahru’s first hip coffee shops, sparking the arrival of other funky new stores and cafes. With a heavy dose of hipster café cool, 40 Hands is reminiscent of Melbourne’s coffee scene with grunge-inspired style and seriously good coffee.

Plain Vanilla Bakery

If you prefer a cafe that is more pretty than trendy, Plain Vanilla Bakery could be the place for you. While the coffee is good, it’s all about the sweet treats here. Grab a cupcake and a latte, sit at the communal table outside and watch the world go by.

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Tiong Bahru Bakery

This is a bit of an institution in Singapore and certainly no ‘hidden gem’ so expect a queue. However, the wait is worth it for melt-in-the-mouth croissants and divine vanilla éclairs. Lunch options at Tiong Bahru Bakery include roasted mushroom and brie or classic roast beef sandwiches created using the bakery’s housemade bread.

When you’ve had enough coffee…

Tiong Bahru is also home to galleries, bookshops, record bars and all things cool. Don’t miss funky independent bookshop Books Actually and vinyl-centric Curated Records, both spots have friendly staff and are ideal for browsing. With loads of small curio stores and galleries dotted around the neighbourhood, you will likely return to your hotel with more than a coffee buzz.

Disclosure: The writer paid for her food and drinks at Tiong Bahru and managed to resist buying souvenirs (this time).

Looking for some things to do in Singapore?  Check out our reviews of Singapore ZooRiver Safari , the Orangutan Breakfast at Singapore Zoo, and our Sentosa suggestions for couples.