5 Must-Visit Cafés near NUS

This article was written in collaboration with Grace Mak, another one of our talented content writers here at CNM Types! Do check out her other articles too ~

“What y’all wanna eat?”

“Anything lah…”

Ever found yourself stuck in this loop with your friends? Well, not to worry because we’re here to introduce some places to help your indecisive inclinations! The best part is, they’re all near NUS!

Bread Yard

Photo Credit: sethlui.com

Prior to contrary belief, one-north isn’t just all office buildings and science-y stuff. Located in Fusionopolis (less than 5 min walk from the MRT) is Bread Yard, a humble café with smells of freshly baked bread and aromatic coffee that’s sure to perk you up at any time of the day!

Photo Credits: Bread Yard

On weekdays, they open as early as 8am – perfect for grabbing a quick espresso fix before your morning classes. If you have a little more time to spare, sit down and indulge in their range of café classics! From healthy grain bowls to their insta-worthy eggs benedict, this place is peak #cafevibes. (P.S, they also sell cruffins )

They also have a counter for freshly baked loaves of bread available for purchase if you want to jazz up your breakfast at home! Do note that it can get pretty crowded during brunch hours so don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Bread Yard

1 Fusionopolis Pl, #01 - 23 / 24, Galaxis

Singapore 138522

Mon - Fri, 8am - 6pm; Sat, 8am - 5pm

Closed on Sundays

Expected Damage: $15 ~ $20 per pax (less if you’re just grabbing a quick snack!)

Dewgather

Photo Credit: Dewgather

A fairly new addition to the hustle and bustle of Buona Vista is Dewgather, a chic Aussie-inspired coffeehouse that serves as a welcome pop of color inside The Star Vista.

Decked out in dusty pink and wooden furniture with tons of natural lighting, the space is practically begging for an insta-story feature. Their food is no visual slouch either, each dish beautifully plated on pastel plates. (fyi, cotton candy French toast, I’ll just let you take in that one)

​​Photo Credit: Eatbook

Taking after the coffee culture of Melbourne, rest assured that their 3-beans-blend creates flavorful enough roasts that can appease any self-proclaimed café aficionado. While their mains are priced a tad bit higher than other places, they do offer a coffee and toastie set in the morning that hits all the right notes. Open at 8am every day, it’s a great way to make your day of lessons just a little bit less dreadful.

Dewgather

1 Vista Exchange Green, #01-46, The Star Vista

Singapore 138617

Mon - Sun, 8am - 10pm

Expected Damage: $20 ~ $28 per pax ($10 for the morning coffee + toastie set!)

Hundred Acre Creamery

Photo Credit: Danielfooddiary.com

Craving something sweet after a long day at school? Look no further, Hundred Acre Creamery is a quaint whimsical Ice Cream Café that serves delectable gelato ice cream and waffles, free of artificial flavoring or coloring.

Open till 11PM, this café is conveniently located at Sunset Way. The cafe’s interior features cute splashes of bright yellow paint on their walls – a nod to Pooh’s love for “hunny”. The space is relaxing and welcoming with many Pooh plushies lying around.

Photo Credit: Danielfooddiary.com

We love how there is something for everyone to choose from their thoughtfully curated menu. Conventional flavors such as Chocolate Sorbet and Strawberry Cheesecake were creamy and well-balanced without being overly sweet. Best sellers include their unique artisanal flavors such as Roasted Pistachio, Honey Chrysanthemum and Hojicha Mochi. The Hojicha Mochi flavor was particularly outstanding – the blend of roasted earthy notes, texture from the grinded tea leaves with generous amounts of mochi hit all the right sensory spots, making this ice cream flavor a notch above the rest.

Their rosemary cones were herbaceous and fragrant but for those who prefer a safer option, do give their Coco Pandan Waffle a try as well. Curious about other flavors? Add this to your next café hopping spot as you share happiness with your friends one scoop at a time, here at Hundred Acre Creamery!

Hundred Acre Creamery

109 Clementi Street 11, #01-37

Singapore 120109

Mon- Sun, 12pm - 11pm

Expected Damage: $10 ~ $15 per pax (share your waffles!)

Glass Roasters

Photo Credit: Middleclass.sg

One of the lesser-known aesthetic cafés, Glass Roasters is starting to gain traction with its rustic charm and excellent coffees at affordable price points.

Nestled along Faber Drive, Glass Roasters’ space is cozy and laid-back. Inside, the unfinished concrete ceiling and warm lighting make the perfect background for your insta-worthy picture.

Photo Credit: Danielfooddiary.com

Glass Roasters offers simple selections that are fuss-free. Their single-origin Columbia coffees (Black or White) are crafted with love, served in an elegant glass cup. Coffee addicts will surely not be disappointed with the well-balanced, aromatic fruity notes. Prices for coffees start at $4.50 and customisations are allowed, subjected to additional charges. The teas are slightly pricier ($6) and feature popular infusions such as Rose Lychee and Honey Pear.

During a visit to the café last week, it was rather quiet on a weekday. I found myself soaking in the tranquil atmosphere, and people-watching whilst enjoying the ambient white noise before jumping back to do my readings.

Glass Roasters shares a space with Gelato Labo that sells ice cream and waffles right next door so you will get to enjoy the best of both worlds’! There are limited seats and studying is probably not ideal, but it is definitely a place to head to for a quick coffee run or to simply unwind and destress.

Glass Roasters

108 Faber Dr

Singapore 129418

Wed - Mon, 9am - 6pm

Closed on Tuesdays

Expected Damage: $5 ~ $10 per pax (gelato sold separately)

Foreword Coffee Roasters

Photo Credit: mothership.sg

Talk about hidden gems, this cafe is right under our noses and yet, so many people don’t know it exists! Located in the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music next to the Museum, Foreword Coffee Roasters is an all-inclusive social enterprise that employs persons with special needs and champions for sustainability in the coffee world.

Their space may be small amidst the industrial white lobby of YSTCM but don’t let that fool you! Foreword serves up a wide range of pastries and drinks alongside reusable cups for the environmentally conscious among us. Feel free to have lunch there as well as they have a small menu of affordable rice bowls - a nice change of pace from our usual Deck or Utown fare.

Speaking from personal experience, the vast floor to ceiling windows also gives you the perfect amount of lighting to capture some stunning shots. Who says NUS doesn’t have nice things? Anyways, keep this place in mind the next time you’re looking for a caffeine boost. After all, it’s coffee for a good cause!

Foreword Coffee Roasters

3 Conservatory Dr, Level 1, Lounge, Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music

Singapore, 117376

Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm

Closed on weekends

Expected Damage: $5 ~ $13 per pax (depends on how hungry you are)

So the next time you and your friends need somewhere to chill, grab a drink or take some aesthetic pics, keep these places in mind! See you in the next article ~