Specialty coffee culture in Singapore has much to offer when it comes to high-quality cups of coffee all over the island, from coffee roasters based in the CBD to niche finds within neighborhood locations. Here are the top 10 coffee shops in Singapore that top the list of best coffee places to visit when you are looking for a great place to enjoy a coffee or a sip or two of the best espresso that specialty cafes have to offer.
Short Answer
The best coffee shops in Singapore are Common Man Coffee Roasters, Nylon Coffee Roasters, Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee, and Homeground Coffee Roasters, located in Martin Road, Everton Park, Kallang, and Orchard.
Why Singapore’s Coffee Culture is different from the rest of the world
Over the last ten years, Singapore has emerged as a destination for specialty coffee. Its coffee bar Singapore rivals those of more established coffee capitals; local roasters source beans directly from farms while training their baristas to competition standards.
Specialized coffee shops are defined by the emphasis on quality over quantity. Most specialty cafes roast their own beans or work closely with local roasters to ensure freshness and traceability.
Top 10 Specialty Coffee Shops in Singapore
1. Common Man Coffee Roasters
Location: Martin Road, (several outlets islandwide)
Common Man Coffee Roasters also functions as a roastery and a trusted coffee house in Singapore, known for its consistency and quality. The flagship Martin Road location fills with industrial aesthetics and comfortable seating.
What makes it special is
- In-house roasted beans with rotation single-origin offerings
- Comprehensive brew methods, including V60, AeroPress, and syphon
- Rich food menu with all-day breakfast options
Coffee Quality: Great espresso-based drinks that are well-developed in flavour. Flat whites are also done proper, with good technique for microfoam.
Atmosphere: Spacious with natural light, good for working or meetings. Busy during the weekends.
2. Nylon Coffee Roasters
Place: Everton Park
Nylon Coffee Roasters was one of Singapore’s specialty coffee movement pioneers. As the name goes, this is a compact space that focuses purely on serving exceptional coffee-no distractions to cloud your mind.
What Makes It Special:
- Fastidious brew methods, with measured ingredients
- Seasonal single-origin picks from the most famous farms.
- Minimalist approach, prioritization of the quality of coffee
Coffee Quality: Certain some of the best filter coffee in town. Baristas describe tasting notes and brewing parameters.
Atmosphere: Small and often very crowded, best for takeout or brief visits. Not laptop-friendly because there is a total lack of seating.
3. Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee
Location: Moh Guan Terrace
Tiong Hoe is a bridge between the traditional kopitiam culture and the modern specialty standards. This family-run business has been operating since the 1960s.
What sets it apart:
- Local heritage combined with specialty coffee expertise
- Price competitively compared with other specialty stores
- Traditional atmosphere of a coffee shop with quality beans
Quality of Coffee: Excellent espresso and filter options, ethically sourced beans. Signature blends from them have an excellence in balancing tradition with contemporary tastes.
Ambiance: Genuine neighborhood coffeehouse Singapore setting. Casual and low key.
4. Homeground Coffee Roasters
Location: TripleOne Somerset, Number of outlets: more than one
Homeground has several outlets and can be easily accessible across Singapore. Its consistent quality and training programs set industry standards.
Special reason:
- On-site Barista training academy
- Transparent Sourcing Practices
- Reliable quality across all locations
Quality of Coffee: The espresso drinks here are well-made with well-integrated milk. Great value batch brew.
Ambiance: Modern Cafe with ample seating. This place is ideal for casual meetings and productive sessions for singles.
5. PPP Coffee
Venue: Prinsep Street
PPP Coffee does all their roasting in-store at their tiny Prinsep Street space. It functions as much as a roastery, where all customers can come in and see the entire process.
What Makes It Special:
- Available beans fresh roasted for purchase
- Featured guest roasters-rotated regularly
- Knowledgeable, friendly staff happy to chat about coffee details
Coffee Quality: Bright, clean filter coffee that accentuates origin characteristics of the bean. Espresso pulls are technically correct.
Atmosphere Industrial-chic interior with counter seating; limited space encourages in-and-out visits.
6. Chye Seng Huat Hardware
Location: Tyrwhitt Road
Situated within a restored 1960s hardware store, Chye Seng Huat Hardware (run by Papa Palheta) offers a unique setting for specialty coffee, steeped in heritage.
What Makes It Special:
- It has a very impressive architecture conservation.
- Full roastery visible from the café
- Extensive seating including courtyard space
Quality of Coffee: Great single-origin offerings and signature blends. Cold brew on tap during warmer months.
Atmosphere: Atmosphere: Highly Instagrammable and often considered a top instagrammable cafe in Singapore, featuring spacious interiors with a tint of vintage charm.
7. The Glasshouse
Venue: Changi Airport Terminal 3
For people traveling who require better coffee, The Glasshouse is a real specialty experience and one of the best coffee shops in Singapore airport, offering high standards despite the terminal location.
What makes it special:
- Rare specialty coffee option in an airport
- Espresso menu with options for different types of milk.
- Comfortable seating away from gate areas
Quality of Coffee: Well-extracted espresso beverages that are on par with city centre standards; beans from well-regarded roasters.
Atmosphere: Quiet haven inside the airport. Perfect for pre-flight coffee rituals.
8. Apartment Coffee
Location: Bussorah Street, Arab Quarter
Apartment Coffee sits in a quaint shophouse near Sultan Mosque. The multi-storey space is fitted with a variety of seating rooms.
What Makes It Special:
- Beautiful heritage architecture
- Cozy, residential style of interior design
- Popular among tourists and locals alike
Quality of Coffee: Good espresso program with seasonal bean rotations. Their iced coffees work well against Singapore’s climate.
Ambiance: Look very Instagrammable due to the different photo opportunities. Can get crowded during the weekend.
9. Sarnies
Address: Telok Ayer (several outlets)
Sarnies marries specialty coffee with great food within a slick setting. While several chains of coffee operate more than one outlet in Singapore, Sarnies maintains quality control consistently.
What Makes It Special
- Equal focus on food and coffee quality
- Professional service standards
- Convenient CBD locations
Coffee Quality: Consistent espresso-based drinks; good milk texturing. Consistent batch brew throughout the day.
Ambiance: Modern, clean design with efficient table turnover. Business casual meetings are fitting.
10. Loysel’s Toy
Location: Jalan Riang
Loysel’s Toy operates out of a residential estate, offering the local coffee house singapore experience away from the tourists.
What Makes It Special:
- Neighbourhood cafe vibe
- House-roasted beans
- Devoted local constituency
Quality of Coffee: Excellent balanced espresso and filter options. Flat whites well prepared with accurate steaming.
Atmosphere: Casual, communal spot. Tables shared at peak hours.
Quick Comparison Guide
| Coffee Shop | Area | Best For | Price Range |
| Common Man Coffee Roasters | Central | All-day dining + coffee | ££ |
| Nylon Coffee Roasters | Chinatown | Purist filter coffee | ££ |
| Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee | Kallang | Value + tradition | £ |
| Homeground Coffee Roasters | Orchard | Consistent quality | ££ |
| PPP Coffee | City | Fresh roasted beans | ££ |
| Chye Seng Huat Hardware | Lavender | Atmosphere + space | ££ |
| The Glasshouse | Changi Airport | Pre-flight coffee | ££ |
| Apartment Coffee | Arab Quarter | Instagram photos | ££ |
| Sarnies | CBD | Coffee + food | ££ |
| Loysel’s Toy | East Coast | Neighbourhood vibe | ££ |
Specialty Coffee Shops Tips
Timing Matters: The specialty coffee bars start getting busy between 9-11 am on weekends. Go during off-peak hours for better seating and interaction with the baristas.
Ask Questions: At these establishments, the baristas will not mind questions about the brewing method, bean origin, or flavor profile. And feel free to ask for a recommendation.
Be Sure to Try Beyond Lattes: While milk-based drinks are still popular, these shops really shine for filter coffee that highlights particular bean characteristics.
What Separates These from the Chains of Coffee?
Unlike those commercial coffee chains in Singapore, the specialty coffee shop prioritizes:
- The possibility to develop direct trade relationships with farmers who grow coffee
- Small-batch roasting for optimum freshness
- Trained baristas using proper extraction techniques
- Seasonal menu influenced by harvest cycles
The Singapore coffee bar scene stresses craft over convenience, but many places now offer efficient service without a quality loss.
Finding Your Perfect Coffee Shop
Your ideal choice depends on priorities:
- For coffee quality alone: Nylon Coffee Roasters or PPP Coffee
- For atmosphere: Chye Seng Huat Hardware or Apartment Coffee
- For convenience: Homeground Coffee Roasters or Sarnies
- For value: Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee
Singapore’s specialty coffee shops offer something for everyone, from serious coffee enthusiasts to casual drinkers seeking better quality. Each location brings unique strengths whilst maintaining high standards.
For more cafe recommendations across different cities, visit Best Cafes UK to discover curated coffee shop guides.
