Tiong Bahru bakery stop
Don Pie - Tiong Bahru
Neighbourhood bakery-café in Tiong Bahru known for handheld savoury pies and specialty coffee....
The Ultimate Cafe Hopping Guide to Tiong Bahru
A practical Singapore neighbourhood guide to the best cafes, bakeries and brunch spots in Tiong Bahru, with route suggestions, what to order and insider tips for the perfect cafe-hopping morning or afternoon.
Tiong Bahru is where old-school kopitiam charm and modern coffee craft meet — perfect for a relaxed cafe crawl.
Start at the market, follow your nose to a bakery, and let the neighbourhood reveal its small cafés one lane at a time.
Why Tiong Bahru is Singapore’s cafe-hopping heartland
Tiong Bahru blends pre-war art-deco charm with a thriving independent cafe scene — a compact neighbourhood where heritage meets modern coffee culture. Locals and visitors alike come here to relax over kopi, sample bakery favourites, and sit out long brunches under shady trees.
Unlike the CBD brunch crowd, cafe hopping in Tiong Bahru is a relaxed neighbourhood ritual: expect a mix of small-batch roasters, homegrown bakeries and cafes that double as community hubs. It’s an ideal area for a morning or late-afternoon trail without having to cross town.
Where to start: cafés, bakeries and market coffee stalls
Begin at Tiong Bahru Market (a short walk from the MRT) for an authentic kopitiam or a kopi c to wake up — then drift to nearby bakeries and independent cafés. The neighbourhood’s tight streets mean you can visit several places on foot.
Look for a mix of formats: heritage kopitiams for local breakfast, small-batch cafes for specialty coffee, and bakeries for pastries and cakes to share.
- Tiong Bahru Market — start here for kopi, kaya toast and local breakfast favourites.
- Don Pie - Tiong Bahru — a quick stop for savoury pies and comforting bakes.
- Mother Dough Bakery & Fluff Bakery — look for fresh loaves, croissants and seasonal tarts.
- Try a mix: kopitiam kopi, a specialty espresso, then a shared dessert at a bakery.
What to order: café classics and local twists
Cafés in Tiong Bahru serve everything from single-origin espresso to kopi-o and kopi-c; don’t miss the localised items like pandan chiffon, kaya-topped pastries or a well-made egg tart. Many bakeries also do signature cakes and savoury pies perfect for sharing.
If you want to recreate the cafe vibe at home, try popular café-style desserts such as Burnt Basque cheesecake or a pandan chiffon slice — both easy to pair with coffee or tea.
- Must-try drinks: single-origin espresso, flat white, kopi (local coffee) and cold brew on hot days.
- Must-try bites: Burnt Basque cheesecake, pandan chiffon cake, Portuguese egg tarts and freshly baked croissants.
- Savoury options: pies, tartines and small plates to share between two or three.
How to plan a perfect cafe-hopping route
Plan your trail by time and appetite: a half-day loop (3–4 stops) works best for first-timers; a full-day outing lets you include Tiong Bahru Bookshop, art galleries and the market hawker stalls for a heartier meal.
Transit is simple: Tiong Bahru MRT (EW17) is the central access point. From the MRT, walk to the market and then head along Yong Siak, Tiong Bahru and Eng Hoon Streets to discover hidden spots.
- Sample half-day route: Tiong Bahru Market kopi → bakery pastry stop → specialty coffee cafe → dessert at a cake shop.
- Sample full-day route: Market breakfast → gallery or bookshop → long lunch at a nearby bistro → coffee and cake afternoon.
- Timing tip: arrive early (8–10am) for shorter lines; late afternoon (3–5pm) is ideal for relaxed seating and good light for photos.
Insider tips, etiquette and common mistakes
Respect queues and table-sharing norms: some cafes have order-first-then-seat policies while bakeries may be takeaway-focused. If a shop is busy, ask staff about seating rather than assuming it’s free.
Bring cash and a phone payment option — many cafes take cards or PayNow, but smaller stalls at the market may still prefer cash.
- Don’t linger at peak breakfast times if you’re in a hurry — cafes are neighbourhood spaces and locals appreciate the turnover.
- Try local coffee styles (kopi, kopi-c) to compare with specialty espresso — you’ll learn how Singaporeans like their coffee.
- If you plan to photograph food, be mindful of other diners and avoid long setups during busy periods.
