As the holiday season peaks, Singapore’s café scene offers curated escapes for those seeking solace, specialty brews, and unique culinary experiences. December arrivals include five distinct venues: a kissaten-inspired bar, a stylish rooftop lounge in Orchard, a dedicated matcha nook in Everton Park, a vibrant coconut-themed café in Duxton, and a contemplative Korean import focused on reflective writing. These new spots blend artisanal quality with novel aesthetics, providing fresh reasons to explore the city’s diverse coffee and dessert culture.
Seeking Solace: Quiet Corner and Third Floor Offer Urban Retreats
For those who find peace in the moody ambiance of vintage jazz, Quiet Corner provides a sophisticated daytime pause. Located at Dbespoke’s Bukit Pasoh venue, this concept draws inspiration from Japan’s 1960s to 1980s jazz kissatens—traditional coffee houses known for excellent music and strong coffee. Against a backdrop of dark wood furnishings and the owner’s collection of over 7,000 vinyl records and CDs spanning jazz, ambient, and folk genres, guests can enjoy meticulously prepared brews.
The menu highlights Japanese classic desserts, such as pudding and coffee jelly (priced at $8), alongside a selection of coffee and tea. Coffee aficionados can choose between two specialized blends (starting at $9): the bittersweet, chocolatey “jazz blend,” prepared using the siphon method, or the fruitier, nuttier “ambient blend,” a nel drip brew. For a slightly stronger afternoon treat, the spot offers cold-brew cocktails ($25) and classic highballs.
Meanwhile, for an above-the-fray retreat following holiday shopping, Third Floor redefines the rooftop experience at Design Orchard. This venue, spearheaded by the team behind established F&B concepts like Maxi Coffee Bar and No Sleep Club, replaces a former coffee spot with a spacious, sophisticated lounge. Overlooking the bustling Orchard Road intersection, the location remains accessible yet provides an essential separation from the retail chaos.
Daytime visitors can enjoy Costa Rican beans roasted by Maxi Coffee Bar (black coffee from $5), complemented by satisfying meals that include focaccia sandwiches ($15) and burrata-topped spinach tagliolini ($20). As evening descends, the space transitions seamlessly, offering wine and craft cocktails alongside innovative dinner plates, transforming the spot into a vibrant yet relaxed social hub.
Specialty Focus: Matcha and Tropical Vibes
Away from the central retail districts, Rituals of Kora has opened in the residential enclave of Everton Park, catering to Singapore’s growing fascination with matcha. This pocket-sized counterpart to Kora Bakehouse features dark wood and brick walls, creating a cozy atmosphere, though seating is limited to about six indoors.
Rituals of Kora elevates the category by offering five to six unique, often unexpected, matcha combinations. Highlights include the vibrant Supernova matcha ($9.50), mixing premium matcha with mango purée and strawberry compote, and the intriguing taro matcha ($11.90). Visitors are advised to visit on weekdays or off-peak hours to sample their specialized drinks and accompanying fresh bakes, such as mochie brownies and classic croissants.
In Duxton, the tropical influence is strong at Cococean, a popular chain making its international debut from China. Known for its dedication to coconuts, particularly the distinct milkier flavor of Thai Nam Hom coconuts, the café offers over 20 items. While the menu includes refreshing coconut water, coffees, teas, and desserts, the centerpiece is the signature rainbow coconut yogurt smoothie ($9). This visually stunning, layered drink draws comparisons to high-end Californian smoothies but maintains a focus on health, incorporating fresh coconut, spirulina, turmeric, and prickly pear powder.
The Reflective Pause: Nuldam Space
Offering an entirely different type of mental escape, Nuldam Space, a Korean import, has arrived on the second floor of Scape. This café blends artisanal bakery offerings with a unique, introspective ritual: writing letters to one’s future self. Visitors use classic pen and paper to compose their thoughts, which are then filed away and scheduled for mailing on a specific date the following year, chosen from a giant letter wall listing all 365 days.
As guests engage in this deliberate, phone-free activity, they can enjoy a variety of vegan bakes, including cream-topped croffles and specialized croissants, and inventive beverages like the black sesame cream latte. Nuldam Space encourages self-reflection, making it ideal for a solo visit, a meaningful first date, or a bonding session over pastry and pensive moments.
These additions confirm Singapore’s status as a dynamic hub for curated lifestyle experiences, ensuring that even amidst the festive frenzy, an ideal spot for a moment of peace, specialty coffee, or exotic flavor is never far away.