Seoul is one of the most colourful cities in Asia, with quirky and trendy cafes on virtually every corner. See some of our picks for cafes worthy of ending up on your Instagram feed, all just a train ride away.
Cafe Ann House
Seoul, South Korea: Cafe Ann House (Wikimedia/Zubro)
Feel like a life-sized doll and host your own tea party in this dainty cafe. With a wide menu of desserts, coffee, and hot chocolate and interiors filled with plump sofas and chandeliers, dining at Cafe Ann House feels much like hosting your own tea party.
Enjoy art pieces from Korea’s up-and-coming artists as you sip Takeout Drawing’s Meringue coffee, as this place doubles as both a cafe and art exhibition space. With its great customer service and rustic interior, be sure to leave a tip; all proceeds from the cafe are used to maintain the art space.
Seoul, South Korea: Insadong Chatjip Cafe (Flickr/LWYang)
In the middle of all of Korea’s modern novelty shops and cafes, Insadong Chatjip is a welcome haven for anyone looking for a taste of Korea’s traditional tea culture. Small, unassuming, and tucked away from the busy streets of Insadong, the warm and earthy interiors make for a great experience. Enjoy a pot of hot tea paired with some rice cakes as traditional music plays in the background.
Address: 33-1, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (near Anguk Station, Exit 6) Hours: Daily, 10am to 10pm
Hello Kitty Cafe
Seoul, Korea: Hello Kitty Cafe
Perhaps Seoul’s most popular novelty cafe. After a long day of exploring Seoul’s top tourist destinations, enjoy a snack in this fun and playful cafe that’s sure to amuse the kids. With excellent customer service and a menu full of sugary desserts, this cafe will appeal to traveler’s of all ages.
Address: 28, Myeongdong 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul Book: 1-Day Seoul City TourYour with KKday!
Kakao Friends Cafe
South Korea: Kakao Friends (Pixabay)
One thing you should have with you on your trip to Korea is the Kakao Talk App. It’s the most common messaging app in the country and a definite travel essential (READ: Essential Smarthphone Apps for your South Korea Trip). The app is so popular that there’s even a whole cafe dedicated to its cute characters! See the Kakao Friends come to life as you order specially designed pastries and and shop around for all sorts of Kakao-themed souvenirs. There are branches in both Seoul and Busan.
Address: 1st to 3rd floors of Yoochang Building 1305-7 Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul Hours: Daily, 10am to 10pm
Coffee Prince Cafe
Seoul, South Korea: Coffee Prince Cafe (Wikimedia/Michaela Den)
How many times have you pictured your love story unfolding right at your favorite coffee shop? That’s exactly the premise of the 2007 hit Korean Drama, ‘The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince.” The show stars the ever-charming Gong Yoo as the owner/manager of the quaint coffee space. Experience the iconic moments as you visit the real-life coffee shop and sip your own cappuccino.
Address: 5, Wausan-ro 29-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (near Hongik University Station, Exit 8)
If there’s anything Seoul is known for other than its pop culture and spicy fire noodles, it’s their string of insta-worthy cafes. The capital of South Korea is flourishing with themed cafes — the wonderland of every fervent cafe hopper. Here is a list of the cutest themed cafes in Seoul that are way more adorable than Song Joong Ki himself.
Banana Tree Cafe in Seoul is probably the only place on Earth where dirt tastes as good as rainbows. The garden-themed cafe offers desserts served in actual flower pots, with accompanying spoons that resembles shovels. Who else could have thought of this plating method? Only the Koreans. Remember to grab a few insta-worthy shots of your blooms in Banana Tree Cafe before digging in!
Even the most unpalatable dishes becomes appetising with Ddo-ong Cafe. Ddong, which literally translates to poop in Korean, is Ddo-ong Cafe‘s selling point — drinks are served in ceramic toilet mugs while food is shaped uncannily like stools. But that’s not all. Ddo-ong Cafe is decked with quirky ornaments that further accentuates its poop concept. We gotta give Ddo-ong Cafe a thumbs up for its brave go at novelty.
Cosy up with raccoons for some afternoon tea at Blind Alley Cafe in Seoul. Situated near Sookmyung Women’s University Station, Blind Alley cafe is home to friendly and playful raccoons that sure know how to sweeten up every animal lover’s day. Visitors are more than welcome to interact with the critters, but beware of sneaky paws as raccoons own quite a reputation when it comes to being professional bandits.
We bet all Hello Kitty fanatics are going to agree with us on this: Hello Kitty Cafe in Hongdae is one cafe that makes Seoul better than it already is. Furnished in pink from roof to floor, and even offering adorable Hello Kitty-themed menu, you know where to be for a huge dose of cuteness while on vacation in Seoul.
LINE Cafe — located in Garosu-sil, Seoul — will have even the most mature adults gushing over its endearing LINE characters. Ranked the first and biggest flagship LINE store in the world, LINE Cafe is a popular attraction in Seoul for both tourists and locals. Drop by the LINE cafe for a snapshot against their towering Brown bear to complete your cafe hopping experience in Seoul!
Don’t scrimp even when you’re travelling on a budget! Although Australia is infamous for its expensive food, KKday discovered these 6 eateries in Melbourne serving yummy but cheap food. If you’re looking for food you can’t buy in Singapore, it’s time to add these eateries to your itinerary — especially if you’re on a budget holiday to Melbourne.
//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js Pizza? $1? When do these words ever come together? You can get pizza for just one Australian dollar at 29th Apartment every Wednesday from 8pm to 10pm! All you have to do is purchase any drink priced at $5 during happy hour to enjoy this deal. That’s a meal and booze settled at $6 in an expensive city like Melbourne. Sweet.
It takes only $5 to fill your stomach with a burger, nachos and poutine at Mr Scruff’s. However, you may have to wait up to 30 minutes for the kitchen to prepare your food as the eatery is often filled with patrons.
Rumoured to be the only authentic Philly Cheesesteaks in Australia, Sparrow’s Philly Cheesesteaks is a bare-brick space that serves authentic American steak sandwiches with melted cheese inside Catfish Bar. Don’t miss this mean cheesesteak frequently raved by locals when you’re holidaying in Melbourne.
Beach Burrito has been offering Australians the option of cheap Mexican food since 2006, and its popularity allowed it to expand across Australia, with branches popping up in cities like Sydney and Adelaide.
An ideal spot for both locals and tourists alike, Beach Burrito is known for the mix of Australian beachside culture with a healthy Californian-style Mexican delights.
Changz Canteen is almost equivalent to cheap eats in Melbourne. A meal consisting of cheeseburger, fries and coke costs only $10 from Tuesday to Friday.
Changz Canteen is even more affordable Sundays when you can get fried chicken ribs at just a dollar! If you’re a fan of spicy food (which Singaporean isn’t?), you will love Changz hot sauce — this condiment brings the taste of your dishes up to a notch.
Address
256 Glen Eira Rd, Elsternwick VIC 3185
Opening hours
Tuesday to Thursday
4pm to 9:30pm
Friday and Saturday
12pm to 9:30pm
Sunday
12 to 9pm
Closed on Mondays
It’s time to nom on these cheap yet delicious food while exploring the beauty of Melbourne.
Omotesando and Harajuku are best known as Japan’s center of youth and street-fashion, but between the alleys of these streets lies unsuspecting desserts that you might miss if you’re not aware of that these sweet treats exist. You don’t return satisfied till you taste the delectable dishes these 5 cafes in Tokyo are serving!
Nestled comfortably in Takeshita street, is a popular pastry shop, Croquant Chou Zaku Zaku, known for its puffs filled with vanilla custard cream fillings and Hokkaido milk ice cream with crispy almond crumbs.
Croquant Chou Zaku Zaku‘s open concept store with transparent windows allows let you see the pastry cafe at work. On most days, Croquant Chou Zaku Zaku is crowded with patrons, however, with such Japanese’s fast and efficient service, you can expect to get your desserts without waiting too long in the queue!
Ever wanted to try warm, crisp potato chips? You’re in luck! Fresh out of the oven, you can try Calbee‘s potato chips or fries firsthand before deciding on your purchase.
After indulging in Calbee chips on the first floor, move over to Calbee Plus‘ second floor where they have tons of merchandise on display ranging from food keychains to Calbee souvenirs. If your family and friends are huge fans of Calbee, you know what to bring home for them.
Address:
Calbee Plus Tokyo Station 9-1 Marunouchi 1 Chome Chiyoda-ku Tokyo
Inside Tokyo Okashi land B1 floor
Opening hours:
9am to 9pm
Address:
1-16-8 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku,
Tokyo Harajuku Station / Meiji-Jingumae Station
Tucked away in the streets of Omotesando, you’ll have to follow their advertisements and their indicators along the street to find PABLO Cafe.
Upon arrival, you’ll notice that PABLO Cafe‘s Omotesando outlet is split into two cafes separated by the different levels. You’ll be handed both menus while you’re queuing up so you can decide which of PABLO Cafe‘s two levels you’d like to dine in. If you’re looking for an escape from the crowd while enjoying your desserts, go up to the second floor, where it’s relatively more peaceful.
Known for serving “the best breakfast in the world”, Bills Omotesando is a popular western style cafe located on the 7th floor of Tokyu Plaza. By 8.30am you will be able to see women poised and ready to wait in line!
We recommend getting their muffin, coming with a roasted banana that compliments the taste of this seemingly simple dish. You can even drizzle honey over your muffins if you prefer to have a sweet breakfast.
Address:
7F Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku, 4-30-3 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku Tokyo
Operating hours:
8.30am to 11pm (last order at 10pm)
Move over Starbucks, Blue Bottle Coffee is the newest hipster coffee place — evident by its minimalist logo of a simple blue bottle. The coffee place prefers placing its emphasis on the production of their coffee, as shown by their extensive brewing guides.
Originated from United States, Blue Bottle Coffee currently only has two outlets in Asia, one of which is situated right in Tokyo. This is a good place to relax and unwind after shopping in Harajuku.
Address:
Japan, 〒135-0023 Tokyo, Hirano, 1−4−8
Operating hours:
8am to 7pm
Heard so much about the desserts in Tokyo, but not sure how you navigate your way to these delicious cafes?
Once the capital of Japan for over a millennium, Kyoto is the land to seek if you’re looking to immerse yourself in the beauty of Japanese tradition and culture. The city may have retained most of its historical charm, but Kyoto is not always about Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples. Hidden behind all that zen and architecture, is a culture of food that that isn’t your typical sushi or ramen fare. Here, KKday brings you 4 underrated food gems in Kyoto, that all foodies are bound to fall head over heels in love with.
1. Cafe Rhineback
Craving for some pancakes in Kyoto? Have your pancakes the New York way with Cafe Rhineback. The pancake house prides itself for its fluffy cakes highly raved about by Japanese magazines.
Start your day right and pop by in the morning for their breakfast menu but hurry as the pancakes are only available till 10am!
Doesn’t matter if you’re a local or tourist, Nishiki Market is the district to go for the best traditional Japanese food in the city. Dashimaki, a rolled omelette consisting of a frothy egg broth and light dashi stock, is a Kyoto specialty loved by all.
To get your hands on the most authentic of these golden rolls, head over to Miki Keiran. The shop sells Dashimaki that are soft and always freshly made; we bet just one will have you begging for more.
How can matcha not come to mind when we’re talking about Kyoto? Nakamura Tokichi Honten is the closest to heaven that green tea lovers can get. Nestled away in an alley, this cafe serves superb Matcha Anmitsu, a Japanese jelly dessert topped with chewy dango, azuki red beans, as well as ice cream. Yum.
If you’re looking for a unique experience, visit Nakamura Tokichi‘s headquarter located at Uji. The outlet offers tea-grinding workshops that involve guests making their own matcha with a millstone. There’s no better way to immerse yourself in the Japanese culture than this.
Address: 10 Uji Ichiban, Uji City, Kyoto (Main Branch)
Kyoto Station Store
Tea Shop: 11am – 9.15pm
Cafe: 11am – 10pm
Kyoto Station Store NEXT
11am – 10pm
4. Umenohana
If you have a love affair with tofu, then Umenohana may just be the Utopia for you. Named after plum blossoms the restaurant holds an array of incredible tofu dishes guaranteed to placate your soy-hungry tastebuds. Best known for its tofu kaiseki cuisine, there’s no better place to fix your tofu obsession than with Umenohana.
Address: West 18 Building. B1F, Kita-Higashi-kado, Rokkaku, Karasuma-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
Operating Hours:
11am – 4pm (Lunch)
5pm – 9pm (Dinner)
Thought Kyoto was only meant for sightseeing? Think again. The ancient capital of Japan is more than the fancy monuments and wooden houses it houses. Explore beyond and you’ll find yourself in an exclusive culture of Japanese food you won’t forget anytime soon.
Just like how truffle, salted egg and salted caramel made a big hoo-ha in Singapore‘s food scene, green tea has also made its presence known on our little red dot. From drinks, cakes, ice creams to masks — it’s everywhere! What happens when you’re on a holiday in Taiwan and you need a quick fix for your matcha craving? You hunt for matcha-flavoured food if that’s the last thing you do! KKday hops on the matcha bandwagon to find five places in Taiwan that serves the best matcha flavoured food!
1. Myowa Japanese Sweet Cafe
Mention Myowa Japanese Sweet Cafe anywhere in Taiwan to hear matcha-crazed fans screaming at you, “die die also must try.” So what are the things you must try in Myowa Japanese Sweet Cafe?
You’ve tried hotplate tofu, but have you tried hotplate matcha cake? Another must-try of Myowa Cafe, hotplate matcha cake appeals not only to your taste buds, but your other senses. Listen to the sizzling sound of matcha, see how it bubbles on the hotplate, have a whiff of the aromatic and distinctive matcha scent and finally, prepare your tastebuds for what they call the smokin’ hot matcha cake.
If you’re heading to their stores in Taipei, brace yourself for a long line of matcha fans because Taiwanese are as crazy about their food as Singaporeans are!
Taipei Flagship Store
Address:
No. 221, Jinhua St, Da’an District, Taipei City, 106
Opening hours:
12pm to 10pm
Zhong Xiao Store
Address:
No. 40, Lane 31, Section 1, Da’an Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City, 106
Opening hours:
Sunday to Thursday: 1pm to 10pm
Friday and Saturday: 1pm to 11pm
Shilin Store
Address:
No. 205, Zhongzheng Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City, 111
Opening hours:
Sunday to Thursday: 12pm to 9pm
Friday and Saturday: 12pm to 10pm
During the Edo period (circa 1860), Tsujiri was established by a man named Riemon Tsuji in Uji, Kyoto. His passion for tea led him to produce only the highest quality Gyokuro tea leaves with prolonged freshness and enhanced flavour and sweetness, revolutionise the tea industry.
If you decide to pop by Tsujiri, head straight for their classic matcha dessert. Tsujiri is even better during summer — don’t miss their limited edition seasonal matcha desserts that you can only get your hands on during summer!
Tsujiri Locations
Address:
No. 8, Section 5, Zhongxiao E Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei City, 110 (Tong Yi Shi Dai Departmental Store, B2)
Opening hours:
Sunday to Thursday: 11am to 9:30pm
Friday, Saturday and eve of public holiday: 11am to 10pm
Address:
No. 11, Songshan Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei City, 110 (Citylink, Songshan station 2nd Floor, at the sun deck)
Opening hours:
11am to 10pm
Address:
No. 68, Section 5, Zhongxiao E Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei City, 110 (Weifeng Xinyi Mall, 4th floor)
Opening hours:
Sunday to Wednesday: 11am to 9.30pm
Thursday to Saturday: 11am to 10pm
Address:
No. 45, Section 4, Zhongxiao E Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City, 106 (SOGO Mall, B1)
Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday and public holiday: 11am to 9:30pm
Eve of public holiday: 11am to 10pm
3. Heiankyo Japanese Tea House
Stepping into Heiankyo Japanese Tea House, you’ll notice Heiankyo‘s architecture and interior is designed to resemble one of Japan’s ancient cities. They prize themselves as one of the more classic cafes with elegant settings and Tatami rooms to complete the ancient Japan feel.
Have a taste of matcha tea made by the owner himself accompanied by other matcha delights like matcha ice cream, matcha crepe, matcha affogato and who knows what other goodies is in store for us?
Address:
No. 165, Shida Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, 100 (Taipower Building MRT Station Exit 5)
Opening hours:
12.30pm to 9.30pm (closed on every second and fourth Monday of the month)
You’ve spent a ton on travelling and shopping and you’re left with only coins for food? Oh boy, you’re in luck — Matcha One, one of the famous cafe in the neighbourhood, is known to be kind to their patrons’ wallet. With the thick matcha sauce bursting out of their cakes, Matcha One is definitely another cafe worth checking out.
Address:
No.16, Lane 75, Yongkang St. Da’an District, Taipei City, 106 (East Station Exit 4 or 5)
Opening hours:
12.30pm to 9.30pm (last order at 9pm)
Originated from a matcha specialty shop in Hokkaido, 108 Matcha Saro has two branches in Taiwan. Besides trying their all time favourite matcha ice cream, go for the other well-received desserts of 108 Matcha Saro — matcha warabimochi (a jelly-like confection) and matcha pancake.
Unlike the normal flat pancake, Matcha Saro‘s pancake is similar to Mr Bean’s pancake — round with green tea or red bean fillings. Take a bite and taste the feeling of green tea oozing out into your mouth.
You’re packing your luggage for a jolly good time in Taiwan, then you blink your eyes and you realise you’re back home. Bummer. Time is never on our side, especially when we’re having fun. We share your pain. Skip the night markets, hipster cafes and Taipei 101, those are for travellers who have too much time on their watch. Get dirty with your hands and sip tea like a true Taiwanese because this is how you pass time Taiwan — by living like a a local.
1. You Knead Your Hands For This
If you love cafe-hopping yet hate the idea of having to queue and pay for overpriced food which looks extremely adorable but in actuality tastes meh, then you’ll definitely enjoy what we have in mind for you.
Ongoing baking lesson
Make your own sweet treats as Maokong, a cafe located in Taipei, guides you on how to knead your way to cakes, cookies and sweets. They’ll share with you every of their secret techniques, from getting the right amount of ingredients to pounding the dough. If you ask, the staff of Maokong will even reveal the best places to chill and learn the Taiwanese culture.
If you’re lazy — like us — and don’t mind paying,you can get comfy and enjoy a cup of tea with the cafe’s specialty dessert, Tieguanyin Strawberry Honey Toast, while you watch your friends do the hard work.
Taiwan is almost synonymous to Shifen and Jiufen. “Light the lanterns and make a wish at Shifen, don’t forget to bargain at Jiufen!” You’ll never go wrong heeding their advice because there is just so much to do at Shifen and Jiufen.
Teahouse
Apart from the typical tourist activities like shopping and eating, why not take the time out to people watch? It’s not a waste your time — you need to get away from the hustle and bustle of Singapore’s city life and give yourself a break from all the walking and bargaining. Manoeuvre your way around the alleys of Shifen and Jiufen on a day tour to find some quaint tea houses perfect for resting. Take a sip of tea as you calm your nerves and enjoy the buzz-free moments.
3. Childhood Memories
Ask any Taiwanese what’s something they do most when they were a kid but has diminished over the years, and they’ll tell you, “I miss roasting sweet potato by the bricks.” BBQs were a common occurrence throughout our childhood too, whether it was done at a chalet or East Coast Park. But here’s the catch: rumour has it that Taiwan’ssweet potatoes are sweeter than ours..
Roasting sweet potatos
Roasting sweet potato isn’t only about eating, it’s also the process of getting dirty and building a ‘brick fortress’, harnessing the power of fire as you fan and heat up the charcoal. Finally, you place your precious sweet potato into the ‘fortress’! Have a taste of how people in the olden times survive during war with sweet potato as their only staple — cherish what you have now and don’t ever take it for granted again.
4. Get Dirty
Everyone wants to bring home a piece of something from their vacation as gifts for family and friends. Keychains are the most fuss-free souvenir, but not exactly what the receiver is hoping for… Our suggestion?
Pottery class
Give pottery a shot over at The Shu’s Pottery. If you’re not embarrassed by the end-product, you can bring it home and show off the new skill you’ve acquired! You can also get to see perfectly preserved pottery and familiarise yourself on the history of pottery in Taiwan at the same time. When you’re done crafting your very first pottery, grab a bite at their cafe just next door.
If you have a sweet tooth and endless love for desserts, welcome to Taiwan — the country responsible for snow ice (aka shaved ice), the mother of all iced desserts, before bingsu took over Singapore by storm. Taipei is a vibrant city that accommodates both aspiring cafe owners and cafe lovers alike with no lack of cafes popping up in every corner. KKday picked out the 5 best dessert cafes that will complete your travel experience in Taiwan, whether you’re seeking a dessert to satisfy your craving, update your Instagram with insta-worthy desserts or simply looking for a place to chill with your travel buddies.
At first glance, BW General Store seemed like nothing rave-worthy with its plain and simple desserts. However, upon exploring further, we were pleasantly surprised to find the cafe selling quirky items like one of a kind handmade gifts, vintage tools for your everyday life or even Japanese albums handpicked by the owner.
The absence of exaggerated designs or furniture in this eccentric cafe provides its patrons with a sense of serenity in the hustle and bustle of city life in Taipei.
In line with its peculiar theme, there are some days when customers are allowed to dine in but on other days, you can only do takeaways. Be sure to check out BW General Store‘s Facebook page to prevent ruining your itinerary with a wasted trip.
Address: No. 35, Lane 194, Songjiang Rd, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
2. Flügel Studio: Delicious desserts with a great diversity
From pies to chiffon cakes, there’s a diverse range of desserts served at this cafe,but here’s the catch: whether a dessert is a hit or miss with your tastebuds, it’s virtually impossible to purchase the same dessert again because Flügel Studio has a new menu everyday! The menus are posted on their Facebook page daily to keep their fans in suspense.
Opening Hours: 1pm — 7pm
Address: No. 3, Lane 34, Section 1, Xinhai Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City
The owner of La Vie Friande uses her living room as dining area for its customers every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 1pm — 3:30pm. Bookings have to be done beforehand and slots are opened every last Sunday of the month.
Although the concept of exclusive private-dining is still foreign in most Asia countries, La Vie Friande is evidently becoming increasingly popular with dining slots being completely wiped out within minutes.
Each dining session consists of six people and if you’re lucky enough to grab a slot, each dessert set costs NT500 (~SGD$22), consisting of three different desserts and tea. With no specific menu, your tastebuds are in for a surprise every visit you make to La Vie Friande.
The hospitable host and cosy environment allow diners to relax and feel right at home, making it perfect for Taiwanese after a long day of work or for homesick tourists. You can check out their Facebook or website for more information.
Address: No. 22, Huanhe Rd, Xindian District, New Taipei City
Wood White House rose in popularity shortly after its opening. Although they serve beverages and savoury items like quiche, Wood White House is mainly known for its variety of sweet pies that comes in an interesting mixture of flavours, winning the hearts of many diners.
The lemon matcha pie — one of Wood White House‘s most popular pies — is sour with a tinge of sweetness from its white chocolate decorations and has an underlying green tea taste, filling your mouth with an explosion of flavours.
If their pies aren’t enough reasons to visit Wood White House, you’ll be glad to know that they have free wifi and charging sockets provided with no service fee! (Now you know where to charge your phones after a day of playing Pokemon Go.)
You can check out their Facebook for more information.
Previously known as Project 25, the owner of this cafe took their dessert dreams to the next level after rebranding themselves as CHANTEZ Pâtisserie. In the past, there were limited seats as the cafe got more popular, and the snaking long queues have forced latecomers to get takeaways instead, even if they had wished to dine in.
After the renovation, CHANTEZ Pâtisserie is now more spacious and is capable of hosting more diners. They have also added new items into their menu after their reopening, attracting both returning and new customers.
If there’s one thing Singaporeans are passionate about, it’s food. Cafe-hopping has been rising steadily as a favourite pastime amongst Singaporeans in the recent years. You’ve visited the “must go” cafes and the new ones are similar to each other. What’s next? Hop on a plane to our neighbouring country, Thailand, where you have endless choices of cafes. From all day brunch to dog cafes, there’s certainly a place for you to chill in after your retail therapy.
Don’t leave Bangkok till you visit this little establishment. Famous for their Shibuya Honey Style Toast, After You is a dessert cafe with several branches, including one on the ground floor of Siam Paragon. Given the prime location, this cafe is a great option after your retail therapy.
Within walking distance from Thonglor BTS Station lies the flagship store of Audrey, a Thai and European fusion food noted for their crepe cake, Thai iced tea and Milo volcano.
Address:
>> 136/3 Soi Thonglo 11, Vaddhana, Sukhumvit 55 Bangkok, Thailand 10110
Opening hours: 11am to 10pm
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On top of serving specialty coffee, Roast is a casual all-day eatery that serves brunch, pasta and even seafood. Relaxing ambience, check. Amazing coffee, check. Wide selection of food to choose from, check. All day breakfast till 4pm, check. When you’re there, remember to try Crab Cake Benedict, a crowd pleaser.
Opened by the same people behind Roast, Roots offers coffee prepared in a variety of ways including Aeropress and drip coffee — a paradise for coffee lovers. If you prefer your coffee cold, go for their newest creation, Summer Peach Cold Brew, an El Salvador coffee mixed with hand-crafted syrup made from fresh peaches. Perfect for beating the heat in Bangkok!
Despite the newly opened Hello Kitty Orchid Garden on our sunny island, Bangkok’s Hello Kitty House is still packed Singaporeans seeking the cafe’s spa facilities. Step inside the home of Hello Kitty, pamper yourself to a manicure and pick up some Hello Kitty merchandise at the basement before you leave.
Nestled away from the hustle and bustle, D’ARK is headed by two Michelin-trained chefs. With no lack of breakfast, brunch and even weekday set lunches, you’ll be spoilt for choice by their extensive menu. Hot favourites include Meatball Spaghetti, Norwegian Salmon Spaghetti, Pulled Pork or Beef Burger with a choice of tomato soup or mixed salad from just 290 Baht (~ SGD $11.15).
Forget cat cafes — this Siberian husky cafe in Phahon Yothin should be on the top of your list (dog lovers, we’re looking at you). For only 350 baht (~SGD $14), you’ll get a drink and cake plus an hour’s worth of playtime with the huskies. If you come at 12:30 pm, 3:30 pm or 6:30 pm, you can even catch a show put up by these cuties. If you’re not familar with the streets of Bangok, take a cab from Ari or Sanam Pao BTS as the cafe is quite inaccessible.
If you have to pick one thing to eat for the rest of your life, pick the pancakes from Pancake House. A local favourite, this traditional American pancake eatery offers a wide selection of dishes: their pancakes made from a secret family recipe, crepes, waffles etc. With both sweet and savoury choices, nobody can ever resist stepping into Pancake House!
Address:
>> Siam Square One (first floor)
Opening hours: 10am to 10pm, daily
Also located in Siam Square One, White Flower Factory is an modern European-styled cafe that serves both Thai and Western food. Some of their recommended items include Crispy Shrimp Cake and Penne with Pink Salmon and Cream Sauce.
Address:
>> Siam Square One (4th floor), Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
Opening hours: 10am to 10pm, daily
Situated near the Chao Phraya River, this space used to be a warehouse before it was transformed into the present day rustic industrial restaurant that serves authentic local cuisine that have been passed on from generations to generations.
Bored of cafe hopping in Singapore? Sick of the ever rising prices here? Take advantage of the low ringgit exchange rates and hop over to our neighbouring country Malaysia to continue venturing for new Instagrammable cafes! Cafes are starting to bloom right now in Johor Bahru and many Singaporean Instagrammers have already started hunting down cafes in that area. Here are some cafes in Johor Bahru serving food that taste just as good as they look!
1. The Replacement – Lodge & Kitchen
The Replacement Lodge & Kitchen (Credits: Explodingbelly)
This cafe is just a short 10-minute walk from Johor-Singapore causeway. Its all white interiors, potted plants and minimalistic furnishings exude a kinfolk vibe for your Instagram feed! This cafe is open everyday, including Mondays when most cafes are closed. With abundance of natural lighting shining into the store, you will be able to witness many Instagrammers whipping our their DSLRs to shoot their food. Bonus: The Replacement – Lodge & Kitchen blasts their aircon, providing respite from the heat and they have free wifi too, for you to upload your photos on Instagram immediately!
The Replacement – Lodge & Kitchen has an all day brunch menu that ranges from RM$16.90 to RM$26.90 (~SGD $6 to $9). This is one of the rising cafes in Johor Bahru and we urge you to give it a visit before cafe hoppers start flooding this place!
Address: 33,34 Jalan Dhouby, 80000 Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: Daily, 10am-10pm
Sangkaya has 36 outlets across Malaysia and they finally opened an outlet in Johor Bahru, just a walk away from the checkpoint as well. Their tagline, “Nuts about Coconuts” literally implies to their entire menu consisting of mainly coconuts. The prices are as follow,
Ice cream in a husk – RM$9.90 (~SGD $3.30), in a cup – RM$6.90 (~SGD $2.30), in a cone – RM$2.90 (~SGD $1)
Their ice cream, prepared using coconut water, is available in the following flavours: Coconut, Thai Milk Tea, Teh Tarik and Matcha. You can choose three out of the six different toppings available: coconut flakes, roasted peanuts, cereal, corn flakes, sweet corn and kidney beans. Additional toppings cost RM$0.50 (~SGD $0.20) each.
This is the best place to have some refreshing desserts and chilling with your friends away from the heat. P.S. We recommend getting ice cream in a husk for a more Insta-worthy shot!
Address: 14 Jalan Dhouby Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: Daily, 11am-11pm
Another cafe that many hipsters have been flocking to recently, Bev C’s first floor showcases a Malaysian Fashion Label, The Girl Next Door. But if you are just here for the food, go ahead and head on upstairs.
As much as the food is great here, people are mostly here for their espresso cubes. Unleash your creativity with those espresso cubes and create “pour shots” like the above! Overall, Bev C is another pleasant place to hang out with your friends while enjoying some lovely cafe food.
Address: 54 Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Johor Bahru 80000, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Tues to Fri 1pm-11pm, Sat & Sun 12pm-11pm
4. Roost
Chicken Meatballs and Mash Potatoes
You won’t miss the feature wall of vintage stuff as you walk past Roost. Originally a salad bar that served up… well… salads, now they have a refurbished menu including many new dishes such as meatballs and potatoes and eggs benedict too!
Address: 14 Jalan Trus, Johor Bahru 80000, Malaysia Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday: 6pm to 12am
This is one of Malaysia’s first cafes with a container concept. Chaiwalla & Co. is fully refurnished with a modern vintage look. Its unique backdrop makes a perfect OOTD opportunity
Another factor that makes this cafe distinctive is that you can customise your own drink! To do so, you have to first select your own base (tea, milk tea, coffee, fresh milk or smoothie), add your favourite flavour (caramel, winter melon, strawberry, vanilla and many more), choose your toppings (ice cream, nata de coco, pearls etc.), lastly, choose your sweetness level! They also have a range of pies for you to choose from!
Chaiwalla Green Milk Tea
Address: Lot 2180, Tan Hiok Nee Street, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor Malaysia
Opening Hours: Sun to Thurs 12pm-12am, Fri & Sat 12pm-1am
With all these cafes just across the straits, it’s time you grab a couple of friends with DSLR and go for a cafe hopping road trip! You might even want to stop over at Legoland for some fun or Hello Kitty Town for a phototaking sessions with your girlfriends! Whoever said you needed to travel far for a holiday! //platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js
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