Starbucks and Coffee Bean, what? For true coffee connoisseurs, you don’t get any fresher than coffee roasters. And we know 11 of the finest in town.
Oriole Coffee Roasters
This outlet features a dedicated roasting facility, a research laboratory for experimenting with new beans and new methods, and a training lab. While this is mostly off limits to the public, there is also a boutique café on site. They offer a variety of single origins and serves seasonal blends. While the focus is on craft drinks like piccolo lattes and flat whites, they also pay homage to the traditional kopitiam culture with their décor and snack menu featuring local classics like kaya toast.
Oriole Coffee Roasters, 10/10A Jiak Chuan Road, Singapore 089264, p. 6224 8131. Open Mon-Sat 830am-10pm, Sun 830am-6pm.
Highlander Coffee
These pioneers in the coffee scene have been around since 2004, but it’s still the go-to place for excellent coffee, and even has it’s own ‘Coffee Academy’! They roast their own beans daily, so make sure you try their house blend, Supremo, or choose from a selection of single origin beans. Try an espresso, which is pure perfection, or a latte, which goes down a treat.
Highlander Coffee, 49 Kampong Bahru Road, Singapore 169362, p. 6226 1686. Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm.
Liberty Coffee
We’re not kidding when we say that Liberty puts out one of the best coffee beans in Singapore. These guys operate primarily as a micro-roastery so if you’re looking for coffee beans to take home, this is our first pick. They’ve also got quite the cult following but zealous coffee drinkers, take note: these guys only do tastings by appointment. If you can’t get to Liberty itself, you can also pick up their beans from places like Flock Café, Artistry, and Carpenter & Cook.
Liberty Coffee, 131 Rangoon Road, Singapore 218409, p. 6392 2903. Open by appointment only.
Toby’s Estate
This Aussie arrival is situated on the Robertson waterfront and is home to a state-of-the art smokeless roaster. Toby’s first outlet in Singapore features its signature caffeinated drinks and cakes produced by local bakeries. The counter is split between a “fast” espresso bar, and a “slow” bar serving black coffee. This is a perfect spot to chill out at with some brunch, a good book and a hot coffee.
Toby’s Estate, 8 Rodyk Street, Singapore 238216, p. 6636 7629. Open Mon-Sun 730am-6pm.
Yahava Koffeeworks
Yahava Koffeeworks
Yet another Australian coffee chain, what’s special about this place is the fact that their coffee beans are sourced from all over the world. They do their roasting onsite, and even offer free tastings for customers! Dedicated to serving the best coffee brewed from the finest single origin beans and brewing techniques, you know your cup of coffee will be a great one. This one also gets our vote for best service.
Yahava Koffeeworks, 4 Jalan Gelenggang, Singapore 578188, p. 6554 7080. Open Mon-Sun 9am-6pm.
Strangers’ Reunion
Home to three-time Singapore National Barista Champion, Ryan Tan serves up seasonal blends from several well-known Australian roasters like Seven Seeds and Axil Coffee Roasters on weekends and their own roasted coffee on weekdays. Try the Magic, which truly is something worthy of its name.
Strangers’ Reunion, 33/35/37 Kampong Bahru Road, Singapore 169354, p. 6222 4869. Open Mon 9am-10pm, Wed-Sun 9am-10pm.
Smitten Coffee & Tea Bar
With a name like that, you know this is a place where coffee and tea are in harmony. They do their own roasting on-site with carefully sourced beans that rotate every so often. If you’re in the mood for something brewed, give the Chemex pour over or ice drip coffees a go. For those who don’t fancy coffee, they stock single origin and single estate whole leaf teas too. Note: you can also get their coffee at their sister – and current It café – Necessary Provisions.
Smitten Coffee & Tea Bar, #01-11 The Quayside, 60 Robertson Quay, Singapore 238252, p. 9876 2347. Open Mon 10am-930pm, Wed-Thu 10am-930pm, Fri 10am-1015pm, Sat 9am-1015pm, Sun 9am-830pm.
Common Man Coffee Roasters
This new joint houses a coffee roaster, a specialty coffee bar, a 60-seater restaurant that offers all-day dining, and a retail space that offers coffee accessories. Beans are roasted daily here. They have various single origin coffees, a home roasted coffee blend, and a menu full of yummy-sounding items.
Common Man Coffee Roasters, #01-00 22 Martin Road, Singapore 239058, p. 6836 4695. Open Mon-Sun 8am-7pm.
Jewel Coffee/ Liberty Coffee
Chye Seng Huat Hardware
Don’t be misled by its name, this place brews one of the best coffees in Singapore. They roast and sell their own beans and there’s a coffee bar where you can sample their different blends and brewing methods. Try the bottled cold brew coffee, served with milk and syrup on the side, for you to adjust the taste to your liking. They also serve breakfast all day, sandwiches, plus some freshly baked goodies like croissants and cakes.
Chye Seng Huat Hardware, 150 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207563, p. 6396 0609. Open Tue-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat-Sun 9am-10pm.
Nylon Coffee Roasters
This place is a must for serious coffee lovers. Primarily a coffee roaster, this small and no-frills cafe is best for a quickie takeaway. A range of different Ethiopian blends is on offer, and the menu is kept exceedingly simple, so no need to decipher pretentious coffee terms here. This is truly a hidden gem.
Nylon Coffee Roasters, #01-40 4 Everton Park, Singapore 080004, p. 6220 2330. Open Mon 830am-530pm, Wed-Fri 830am-530pm, Sat-Sun 9am-6pm.
Jewel Cafe & Bar
All espresso-based drinks here are double shots so you get a no-nonsense caffeine buzz. They use only single-origin imported beans, roasted no more than a couple of weeks prior. The place puts out great coffee, from standards like the long black to the less common cold drip manual brews like the Portland ice coffee. There’s also a full menu for those who are hungry! They also have a smaller outlet, Jewel Coffee, in the CBD.
Jewel Café & Bar, 129 Rangoon Road, Singapore, 218407, p. 6298 9216. open Tue-Thu 9am-10pm, Fri-Sat 9am-12am, Sun 9am-10pm.
Top image: Smitten Coffee
