With cafes (still) popping up like mushrooms, it’s evident our love affair with coffee is more than just sizzling. In fact, we’re taking it further by delving into the art of roasting; the increasing number of roasteries in Singapore says it all. We still love our kopi-o but specialty coffee is just sooo experiential with over 800 different flavor compounds and aromas – cool beans! Check out these local coffee roasters and get in early on the (r)evolution of the caffeine scene in Singapore; you heard it here first.
Common Man Coffee Roasters
If you’ve had a sip of coffee at Common Man Coffee Roasters (or 40 Hands for that matter) and marveled at the glorious taste of the cuppa, you’re definitely not alone. A partnership between Harry Grover (of 40 Hands), Aussie specialist roaster Five Senses Coffee, and the illustrious Spa Esprit Group, Common Man is the exclusive distributor for Five Senses in South-east Asia. The beans are imported, roasted in-house (filter roasts are prepared in their Martin Road outlet while bulk espresso roasts are done at their larger roastery in Senoko), blended and distributed to other cafes like Department of Caffeine and Lowercase. If you’re interested to find out how they roast their coffee, what single origin blends they carry, and learn more about coffee appreciation, check out Common Man’s coffee cupping sessions (no charge!) every Wednesday.
Common Man Coffee Roasters, 22 Martin Road, #01-00, Singapore 239058, p. 68364695. Open daily 8am-7pm.
Nylon Coffee Roasters
Nylon Coffee Roasters
Everton Park is a coffee junkie’s heaven, and much of that credit can go to this hole-in-the-wall boutique coffee roaster. With only four seats, though you can BYOC (bring-your-own-chair), an uber-casual atmosphere, and a simple menu (just black or white coffee in two sizes), it’s all about coffee, and only coffee, at Nylon. The good folks of Nylon are very dedicated – they even flew all the way to Central America to visit producers at the source. Check out their blog to find out what new beans they sourced, make your purchase online (or drop by their café), and they’ll have it roasted to order and mailed to you!
Nylon Coffee Roasters, 4 Everton Park, #01-40, Singapore 080004, p. 6220 2330. Open Mon, Wed-Fri 830am-530pm, Sat-Sun 9am-6pm. Closed on Tue.
Papa Palheta
With a name that pays homage to the great (and lusty) Francisco Palheta, who charmed the wife of French Guinea’s governor to sneak coffee seeds back into Brazil and successfully kickstarted the coffee industry there, you know they mean business when it comes to coffee. Currently operating and retailing through (or at the back of) Chye Seng Huat Hardware, they practice micro production methods, allowing them to meticulously monitor and tweak the roasting process. They are also active in education, holding a slew of classes and roasting tours for the public and managing the C-Platform – an avenue for coffee enthusiasts to socialise, exchange knowledge, and collectively learn more about coffee. Eager to brew the beans you bought from them? Their step-by-step brew guides are extremely handy!
Papa Palheta, 150 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207563, p. 6299 4321. Open Tue-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat-Sun 9am-10pm.
Liberty Coffee
Here at Liberty, roasting is of utmost priority followed by its quaint coffee bar – which is known for its mysterious, irregular opening hours (check out their Facebook page for updates). Their outlet is primarily used for roasting and retailing of coffee, and when they do open to public, you can expect throngs of coffee aficionados filling up the narrow shop space. If you’re wondering why their blends, like the signature speakeasy blend, tastes familiar, Libery also distributes to other local cafes like Artistry, Carpenter and Cook, and Patisserie G!
Liberty Coffee, 131 Rangoon Road, Singapore 218409, p. 6392 2903.
Toby’s Estate
Toby’s Estate
‘There are millions of ways to mess a bean, but only a few ways to get it right’. Believing in their responsibility to get the beans to their drinkers in just right condition, this Aussie specialty coffee roaster spends time and effort honing, not just their technique, but also the necessary sensitivity which makes coffee roasting such a refined craft. Coffee-lovers rejoiced when Toby’s chose Singapore for their flagship roastery and café in Southeast Asia in 2011. Since then, Toby’s has established itself as a popular brunch spot and go-to café for a mean cuppa. You can pick up packs of their local blends or single origin coffee from the store, and don’t forget to check out their extensive range of brewing equipment while you’re there!
Toby’s Estate, 8 Rodyk Street, #01-03/04, Singapore 238216, p. 6636 7629. Open Mon-Thu 730am-630pm, Fri-Sat 730am-10pm, Sun 730am-9pm.
Oriole Coffee Roasters
Opened by Keith Loh, winner of Singapore National Barista Championships (SNBC) in 2010, Oriole has won over a cult following of coffee enthusiasts locally and around the globe. Purveying only the finest and freshest Arabica beans, these beans are roasted in their Jiak Chuan Road roastery, before being brewed and retailed at Oriole Café and Bar in Somerset and Oriole Espresso and Brew Bar in Raffles Place (heaven-sent for the CBD folks). Their signature yellow bird blend is a seasonal blend designed to offer a sweet, creamy, and rich chocolate flavour.
Oriole Coffee Roasters, Pan Pacific Serviced Suites, Republic Plaza, and Jiak Chuan Road.
Highlander Coffee
As one of the pioneer independent coffee wholesalers and micro-roasteries in Singapore, Highlander has paved the way for its peers who sprouted up over the years. Besides working towards the goal of providing top-class hand roasted coffees, Highlander also provides coffee training for public and aspiring baristas, retails espresso machines and other accessories for home and business uses, and offers coffee and café consultancy. Looking to get a taste of their famed Supremo blend, and grab a pack yourself, head down to their espresso bar along Kampong Bahru Road!
Highlander Coffee, 49 Kampong Bahru Road, Singapore 169362, p. 6223 7102. Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm.
Smitten Coffee and Tea Bar
Smitten Coffee and Tea Bar
Run by husband and wife duo, Darren and Hongyuan (Darren is the coffee dude while Hongyuan is the tea gal), Smitten is your paradise if you love your tea as much as your coffee. Their signature Thumper blend is a real standout – though you can get single origin brews too – and you can pick up a pack at Smitten or their sister café Necessary Provision (and dig into their fab sandwiches and cakes while you’re at it). Both cafes are small and cosy, with friendly service to boot, so feel free to approach their staff if you have any coffee-related questions!
Smitten Coffee and Tea Bar, #01-11 The Quayside, 60 Robertson Quay, Singapore 238252, p. 9876 2347. Open Mon, Wed & Thu 10am-930pm, Fri 10am-1015pm, Sat 9am-1015pm, Sun 9am-830pm. Closed on Tue.
Dutch Colony Coffee Co.
Nestled in the gourmand wonderland that is Pasarbella farmer’s market, Dutch Colony is a casual, open concept café space. You’ll surely spot the racks of coffee beans (they retail over 10-12 carefully sourced single origins) and brewing accessories and equipment. It’s all about being involved in the entire bean to cup experience, so travelling to coffee farms and engaging the farmers is something that they earnestly advocate and practice. Interested to learn more about your favourite beverage? Check out Dutch Colony’s Facebook page for information on their slew of coffee workshops (at wallet-friendly prices) like coffee appreciation, coffee cupping, basic barista, and latte art workshops!
Dutch Colony Coffee Co., #02-K67/K68, PasarBella @ The Grandstand, 200 Turf Club Road, Singapore 287994, p. 6467 0255. Open Sun-Thu 930pm-7pm, Fri-Sat 930am-9pm.
Sarnies
If you haven’t heard of Passionate Pav, shame on you! If he’s not jet setting and visiting coffee plantations, or brewing up glorious cups of goodness at CBD gem Sarnies, it’s likely he’s involved in the café’s in-house coffee roasting. They are also looking to bring in ‘under-the-radar’ beans, which are currently only known to coffee experts, so keep a look out for updates. The next time you’re at Sarnies grabbing one of their delish subs, make sure you try their coffee too!
Sarnies, 136 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068601, p. 6224 6091. Open Mon-Tue 730am-6pm, Wed-Fri 730am-9pm, Sat-Sun 9am-4pm.
Top Image: Highlander Coffee