There’s a reason the classics never go out of style. Whether it’s fashion or music, literature or film, they possess a timeless sense of appeal by virtue of their craftsmanship or enduring impact on culture (and oftentimes both). And in the food and beverage world, coffee is most definitely one of those classics.
It is the second most popular drink in the world behind tea. It’s more than just a vehicle for caffeine, too. Coffee beans offer complex tasting notes, with more than twice the amount of recognised flavour compounds as compared to wine. This rings particularly true with third-wave coffee, a broader movement in the industry that focuses on sourcing, roasting and brewing high quality, single origin beans. Darker roasted beans offer a bolder, earthier, more chocolatey flavour profile, and are often found in espresso-based drinks like long blacks, lattes and, well, shots of espresso. Beans on the lighter roasted end of the spectrum tend to yield more acidic notes that lean toward the floral or fruity. For those, brewing methods involving an Aeropress or any number of pour-over devices are used.
To no one’s surprise, Singapore has no shortage of options for good cafes that serve a great cup of joe. In the early 2010s, now-defunct OGs like The Plain and Oriole Coffee took cues from practitioners in Melbourne, widely considered to be the coffee capital of the world, to popularise the flat white. Now, the next generation of cafes in Singapore are carrying the torch forward with undeniable passion and uncompromising authenticity. Apartment won sixth place on this year’s World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops. Nylon have been around since 2012 but are still pulling their weight at the highest levels of competition. And despite rising cost-of-living demands, establishments like Maxi Coffee Bar are finding ways to stick around and serve their communities.
Read on to discover Vogue Singapore’s shortlist of cafes from all over Singapore serving the best specialty cups of coffee.
1 / 8
Ji Yue Coffee
At the time of writing, this cafe boasts a frankly unbelievable five-star average rating on Google (out of 164 reviews). While this might sound too good to be true, it is fully deserved. Occupying two narrow storefronts on the side of an out-of-the-way mall in Pasir Panjang, Ji Yue is a small, unassuming, but exceedingly cosy cafe with warm lighting and wooden fixtures that will make you feel like you’ve been transported to Japan. Husband-and-wife duo Kevin and Velin bear a deep appreciation for the craft of coffeemaking, with the technical skills to match—and beans straight from Johor Bahru mainstay, Sweet Blossom Coffee Roasters.
Ji Yue Coffee, 3 South Buona Vista Rd, #01-13/14 Viva Vista, Singapore 118136
2 / 8
Apartment Coffee
Winning sixth place in this year’s World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops—and first in all of Asia—means Apartment has the credentials to back up their goods. Their peerless craftsmanship takes place in a sizeable, elegantly designed storefront awash with comforting eggshell white tones. In this minimalist haven, founder and owner Qing He Yeo and his team offer a coffee-going experience that is as kind to intimate gatherings as it is to larger get-togethers. If their main location gets too packed, you can still get your coffee kick—they opened a second location housing their roastery in Serangoon earlier this July.
Apartment Coffee, 139 Selegie Rd, #01-01, Singapore 188309
Apartment Roastery, Jln Riang, #15-9, Singapore 358987
3 / 8
Nylon Coffee
The longest running specialty coffee shop on this list, Nylon’s beans have been a source of comfort for connoisseurs across the island since 2012. Founders Dennis Tang and Jia Min Lee have a clear vision for their craft, grounded in a commitment to provenance and community. This is reflected in the cafe’s location—nestled on the ground floor of the Everton Park public housing estate, the space is a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the nearby city centre. Inside is their roastery and retail space, accompanied by a team of dedicated professionals who are as at home warmly interacting with customers as they are brewing exceptional drinks.
Nylon Coffee, 4 Everton Park, #01-40, Singapore 080004
4 / 8
Narrative Coffee Stand
You might just walk right past this no-frills hole in the wall cafe on the ground floor of the storied Bras Basah Complex. After all, it can be easy to get lost in the myriad of storefronts occupying this historic shopping centre. But if you’re on the lookout for quality specialty coffee in the cultural capital of Bugis, you’d be hard pressed to find a better brew. Founder Thong Vilaivongse cut his teeth in the Melbourne cafe scene as a student, and now, Narrative is his small, but mighty love letter to the craft of coffee. It’s fully on-brand, then, that all the beans are roasted in-house and brewed to exacting standards.
Narrative Coffee Stand, Blk 231 Bain St, #01-05, Bras Basah Complex, Singapore 180231
5 / 8
Same Days Coffee Stand
It looks like a pop-up surrounded by pop-ups, but don’t let its exterior fool you. The menu at Same Days balances the old and new with remarkable ease, driven in large part by a refreshing suite of espresso-based drinks (and an equally delightful array of bakes). Glin Gwee, Briano Yong and Nicholas Lau founded Same Days at the end of 2024, setting up shop in buzzy Joo Chiat—and in the even buzzier luxury designer furniture store, Grafunkt. Their beans come roasted courtesy of Cumulo Coffee Roasters and are put to good use in their take on one of the past year’s best drinks trends: the espresso tonic. Their tonic is made in-house, as well, with yuzu, orange and even matcha peach variations available.
Same Days Coffee Stand, 292 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427544
6 / 8
Corner Corner
This kissaten a long ways away from the land of the rising sun is the morningside tenant of the storefront long held by bar scene staple, RPM by D.Bespoke. Founded by Carmen Cheang, the cafe mirrors much of what makes RPM so lovable. There’s jazz music aplenty—much of the main wall is covered in shelves overflowing with vinyl records. And, of course, the drinks are top-tier. But instead of cocktails, the menu has everything a coffee lover would want—from espresso to filter and back.
Corner Corner, 16 Duxton Rd, Singapore 089482
7 / 8
Maxi Coffee Bar
Even on their back foot—forced to vacate their premises, pivot to online orders and find a new space altogether—Denise Lum and Joy Cheng have found a way to keep their passion for both coffee and community alive. Thankfully, they’ve found a new location, just a few storefronts away from their original spot at the ever-popular Ann Siang Hill. Set to open this month (stay tuned to their Instagram for more updates), the duo are sure to continue their incredibly capable juggling act of warm hospitality and expert technique going into 2026. Not to worry, their beans are still sourced from quality wholesalers, roasted in-house and brewed with love and care.
Maxi Coffee Bar, 64 Club St (Back Entrance), Singapore 069438
8 / 8
Kurasu Singapore
Founder Yozo Otsuki initially focused on selling brewing tools in Australia circa 2013, only opening his principal coffee shop in Kyoto in 2016. Since then, the brand has moved from strength to strength with confidence—and in relatively short fashion. Now Kurasu has two locations in Singapore, both of which bring a slice of Japanese coffee culture to Southeast Asia. The team imports beans roasted in-house from Kyoto, carefully brewed with the kind of self-assured technical precision and love for craftsmanship long associated with the work ethic embodied by the best Japanese artisans.
Kurasu Singapore, 261 Waterloo St, #01-24, Singapore 180261
Kurasu: The Stand, 1 Grange Rd, #01-03, Singapore 239693
