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Support local: New cafés on the radar for your 5-person gatherings

Additional notes: Reta Lee

SINGAPORE – COVID-19 has proven to be a huge challenge for businesses, especially those in the F&B industry. With the pandemic slowing down people’s spendings and in turn, shutting down businesses, it is heartening to see new cafés and outlets opening despite fresh obstacles.

Café-hopping might not be recommended but you can still pick a new cafe to try out with your friends whenever you meet up. Yahoo Lifestyle SEA has put together a list of nine new cafes that you can check out the next time you head out.

Jurassic World Cafe

Jurassic World Burger. (PHOTO: Jurassic World Cafe)
Jurassic World Burger. (PHOTO: Jurassic World Cafe)

Step back millions of years into the world of the dinosaurs with us at Southeast Asia’s very first Jurassic World Cafe pop-up. Based on the original concept first seen in Japan, this exclusive pop-up will be located at ION Sky from tomorrow (6 November) until 3 January 2021, featuring menu items and exclusive merchandise inspired by the well-loved movie franchise, for families and fanatics alike.

Be greeted by a life-sized model of Blue, the fan-favourite Velociraptor, before feasting on themed menu items influenced by local flavours and key elements of the movie franchise, such as the Volcano Curry and Jurassic World Burger. A dedicated merchandise section is also available within the cafe, for fans to get their hands on limited-edition collectibles.

Volcano Curry. (PHOTO: Jurassic World Cafe)
Volcano Curry. (PHOTO: Jurassic World Cafe)

Due to the current social distancing precautions, reservations are highly encouraged. The cafe will be open daily from 11am to 10pm, and tables will be available for booking from tomorrow onwards. To book your table, call +65 8028 1489 or write in to reservation@jurassicworldcafe.sg.

East Coast Commune

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We had an amazing first day 😊

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East Coast Commune is a new F&B addition to the Marine Cove enclave along East Coast Park, and from the looks of it, it’s very Instagrammable. Rattan furniture are stacked strategically alongside trees that highlight the high, airy ceilings.

The space also features teal walls that create a warm and cosy atmosphere, commissioned marine-themed artwork by local artist Wu Yanrong. East Coast Commune aims to be family-friendly, and you’ll find a nursing room and baby changing room for the comfort of bub and mum.

The menu, on the other hand, offers a wide range of bites such as sandwiches, sourdough waffles, pasta and a kid’s menu.

Address: 1000 East Coast Parkway, #01-03 Singapore

Kreams Krafthouse

Kreams Krafthouse is a spacious autumn-themed Korean café that makes it seem as though you are transported into a park with its hues of orange, yellow, and red maple leaves.

Save yourself the trouble of whisking 400 times and get that Dalgona coffee, the Instagram-trendy drink that gave us some fun and respite during the circuit breaker. Otherwise, try the other Korean-centric drinks such as Sweet Potato Latte and Cloud Latte. Another highlight of the café is its scones, which come in unique flavours such as dalgona, yuzu, and sweet potato.

Address: 32 Maxwell Road, #01-07 Maxwell Chambers, 069115

Pipes by Hattendo

Once located at Tanjong Pagar Centre, where snaking queues for their Japanese cream buns were formed in front of their café, Hattendo is now Pipes by Hattendo and has relocated to Dorsett Residences with a bigger menu.

You can feast on familiar Japanese cuisine Teriyaki Pork Chop Don, Una Don, Iberico Pork Belly Don, and more. Pipes by Hattendo also collaborated with Kuro Maguro to offer sashimi platters during dinner time. Finish the meal with a serving of their famous cream buns, available in custard, matcha, chocolate, whipped cream, and azuki beans.

Address: 331 New Bridge Road, #01-02 Dorsett Residences, 088764

Jimmy Monkey at PLQ

Well-loved for their coffee blends, Jimmy Monkey at PLQ is located in the conserved army barracks at Paya Lebar. Featuring an alfresco seating space with plenty of greenery and a children’s playground nearby, the café offers a breakfast menu, including Egg’s n’ Toast and Quiche of the Day, from 8:30am to 5pm daily.

Unique to the outlet at PLQ is the dinner menu, available from 6pm to 9pm. Take your pick from appetisers like Cracked Rosemary Tots, Leek & Comte Croquettes, or mains such as Thai Laksa Beef Short Ribs, Sticky Honey Chili Sakura Pork Belly, Prawn & Chorizo Burger.

Address: 2 Paya Lebar Road #01-10, Park Place Residences at PLQ, 409053

Leckerbaer Singapore

Snack on Danish butter cookies that do not come from the typical blue tin box at Leckerbaer Singapore. Founded in Copenhagen Denmark, their first outlet in Singapore at Isetan Scotts serves up a rotating menu of eight småkagers (butter cookies) daily, handmade from scratch.

Leckerbaer’s cookies will feature textured Danish butter base and will usually complement seasonal celebrations of Nordic flavours such as verbena and blackcurrant. The café also serves cakes and limited savoury dishes.

Address: 350 Orchard Road, #01-K2 & 01-K3, Shaw House Isetan Scotts, 238868

Coffee Plus

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You are invited!

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Opening slightly before the circuit breaker was imposed, Coffee Plus serves artisanal coffee that are in-house roasted with their custom-made coffee roaster Giesen W6A. To pair with their coffees are simple bakes such as croissants and baguettes, along with house-churned gelatos.

Open only from Wednesday to Sunday, the café also sells a limited quantity of their filtered coffee beans such as Ethiopian Amhara and Indonesian Sweet Lakshana.

Address: 4 Queen’s Road, #02-109 Farrer Garden, 260004

Gelato Labo

A new creamery at Jalan Besar, Gelato Labo churns small batches of uniquely-flavoured gelatos daily using fresh fruits and locally-sourced organic ingredients as much as possible. Offering fruit-herb mix flavours, such as Sousoup and Fresh Mint, Pink Lady Apple and Dill, and Strawberry and Rosemary, that are not found anywhere else, Gelato Labo has something for the curious and adventurous.

Try their seasonal flavours such as Smoked Artichoke & Pear Compote or Shiso and Yuzu Jelly. Flavours are always rotating and you can check out their Instagram for updates on upcoming gelato flavours. Limited seating is available in the store but you can always get your gelato on-the-go in a regular cone or cup, or in a special lavender-flavoured cone.

Address: 11 Cavan Road, 01-09, 209848

The Food Peeps Coffee & Deli

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The OG rendang toast

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Situated opposite Maxwell Food Centre, The Food Peeps Coffee & Deli serves up experimental and fusion dishes such as Rendang Pasta, Spicy Garlic Prawn Burger, and Rendang Toast. Take your pick from other filling mains such as Mushroom Spinach Omelette Crêpe, Ranch Chicken & Avo Sandwich, and Mushroom Melt Sourdough, or desserts like Peanut Butter Jelly Waffle and Sesame Charcoal Waffle with Açai Sorbet.

Close on Mondays, the café has only four indoor seating and one outdoor table available. Offering free delivery to Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar for orders above S$20, prices at The Food Peeps Coffee & Deli are nett and free from GST and service charges.

Address: 20 Maxwell Road, Maxwell House #01-11 069113

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