Categories > Guides and Tips
Top 7 Affordable Cafes in Singapore That Prove Great Coffee Doesn’t Cost a Fortune
I used to dream of being that person who spent weekends hopping from café to café, sipping coffee and snapping pics of pretty plates for social media. But every time I actually walked into one, most were way out of my budget.
I’d end up nursing the smallest drink on the menu or sharing a single pastry, pretending I wasn’t hungry. And I knew I wasn’t alone. For many students (like I was back then), the café scene felt more like window shopping.
That’s why I made it my duty to track down affordable cafés in Singapore—places where you can actually order a full meal, enjoy a good cup of coffee, and still have some change left for the MRT ride home.
So if you’ve been wanting to café-hop without the guilt, here are some spots that won’t burn a hole in your wallet.
1. Kaffe & Toast
Media credit: @kaffeandtoastsg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaffeandtoastsg/?hl=en
Website: https://www.kaffeandtoast.sg
Address: 10 Eunos Road 8, #B1-157 SingPost Centre
Phone: +65 9366 0322
Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, except Friday and Saturday – 8 AM to 9 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 8 AM to 9:30 PM
Must-order: Classic Kopi
A place your grandparents would probably approve of is Kaffe & Toast. Founded in 2005, this cafe is known to make breakfast the traditional way.
I’m talking about thick kaya spread, toasted bread with a good crunch, and soft-boiled eggs with a gooey centre. Even their Classic Kopi has that sharp, almost nostalgic punch.
But don’t write it off as a breakfast-only spot. The place has expanded its menu to include heavier stuff like Chicken Rendang and Mee Rebus—still very affordable, still very satisfying.
It’s halal too, which makes it a bit more accessible for everyone.
| Pro Tip: If you’re going to take out food, you can bring your own container to save on packaging and stay eco-friendly. |
2. Refuel Cafe
Media credit: @refuelcafesg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/refuelcafesg/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Refuelcafesg/
Website: https://refuel.sg
Address: 744 Bedok Reservoir Road, #01-3029 Reservoir Village
Phone: +65 6448 0015
Hours: Daily – 9 AM to 9 PM
Must-order: Full Tank
Tucked near Bedok Reservoir, Refuel Cafe aims to deliver full plates of comfort food at prices that don’t hurt.
You’ll find lots of people here on slow Sundays with a latte in hand and a “Full Tank” breakfast set that lives up to its name (bacon, smoked salmon, eggs, and beans, all crammed onto one very satisfying plate).
The Salmon Benedict is another crowd-pleaser. This one’s got avocado, runny eggs, and well-toasted bread—it ticks the boxes, and then some.
I also need to give their coffee some credit. The Iced Latte and Matcha hold their own without going watery or veering into syrupy territory.
It gets pretty packed on weekends, and yeah, you’ll probably have to wait a bit. But with generous portions and genuinely good coffee, it’s worth sticking around.
| Pro Tip: Always reserve ahead to make sure you get a seat. |
3. Nylon Coffee
Media credit: @nyloncoffee
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyloncoffee/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nyloncoffeeroasters/
Website: https://nylon.coffee/
Address: 4 Everton Park, #01-40
Phone: +65 6220 2330
Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 9 AM to 4:30 PM
Must-order: Iced Long Blacks
Nylon Coffee was founded in 2012 by two very avid coffee lovers who, interestingly enough, left their corporate jobs to try their hand at the world of specialty coffee.
Their philosophy is more than serving a good cup of joe, but honouring the journey of every bean they roast.
I’ve been told that they built direct relationships with producers around the world, travelling to farms and co-ops to understand each harvest, each process.
You can certainly taste it in every cup, too: their filter coffees are bright and layered, while their whites are smooth and balanced.
But I honestly can’t (and won’t) shut up about their Iced Long Blacks. They’ve got a fruity hint and stay refreshingly crisp, even on sweltering afternoons.
And the ones who prepare these are their friendly baristas who take the time to share tips and stories behind the beans, especially when you’re buying a bag to take home.
| Pro Tip: Choose an outdoor seat since the indoor space is quite tight. |
4. Zerah Coffee Roasters
Media credit: @far.more.coffee
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zerah.coffee.roasters/?hl=en
Website: http://zerahcoffeeroasters.com/
Address: 465 N Bridge Road, #02-5063
Hours:
- Monday – Closed
- Tuesday to Friday – 10 AM to 4 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 10 AM to 5 PM
Must-order: Geisha Pour-Over
Zerah is built around a science-forward approach to coffee. Most of what they serve—whether it’s a Pour-Over or an Espresso—is made using their own roasted single-origin beans, and the team clearly takes the process seriously.
I noticed that their baristas are always up for a chat, especially if you’re unsure what to order. They’ll usually walk you through what’s on the menu, suggest beans based on what you like, and sometimes let you taste before deciding.
If you’re lucky enough to catch their Geisha or Ethiopian beans, expect a cup that’s balanced, complex, and brewed with care. Fans of Iced Long Blacks and Pour-Overs will find their drinks here bright and incredibly satisfying.
They also run workshops from time to time, which is a nice way to see how much thought goes into what they do.
| Pro Tip: You can brew your own cup at home! Grab their Tablon de Gomez beans for notes of blackberry, caramel, and apricot. |
5. The Community Coffee
Media credit: @thecommunitycoffee
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommunitycoffee/?hl=en
Facebook:
Website: http://www.thecommunitycoffee.com/
Address: 14 Scotts Road #02-94 Far East Plaza
Hours: Daily – 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM
Must-order: Piccolo
The Community Coffee Bar might be small, but they’re doing big things with their beans. Right at the edge of Orchard Road, this hidden café has garnered quite the attention, thanks to its focus on top-notch coffee and barista team.
You’ll find their Pour-Overs have their beans precisely weighed and brewed, and the baristas taste-test each cup before serving, sometimes even rebrewing if it’s not hitting the right notes.
The Ethiopian filters, on the other hand, tend to be bright and fragrant, while their seasonal Single Origins often bring out deeper, juicier profiles.
If you prefer milk-based drinks, I recommend their Piccolo—a bit tiny but loud, with the espresso shining through creamy milk.
| Pro Tip: If you’re not feeling the small space, get your coffee to go and enjoy it in a shaded spot along Orchard Road. |
6. The Wired Monkey SG
Media credit: @thewiredmonkeysg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewiredmonkeysg/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWiredMonkeySG/
Website: https://thewiredmonkeysg.com/
Address: 5 Amoy Street, Far Eastern Square
Phone: +65 9069 4569
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM
- Friday – 7:30 AM to 3 PM
- Saturday – 8:30 AM to 2 PM
- Sunday – Closed
Must-order: Pan Au Chocolat
I’d describe the Wired Monkey Cafe not as the usual coffee joint but as an artsy space with stadium-style seating and a hand-painted mural.
I was genuinely impressed by their coffee. Their Long Black is light but fragrant, with a crisp acidity that doesn’t overpower.
Their milk-based drinks are another competitor I wasn’t expecting. Their Oat Milk Lattes and Cappuccinos are slightly nutty and always served with charming latte art that goes beyond the typical heart or rosetta.
They’ve even got different house blends to choose from, so whether you’re into something chocolatey or bright and fruity, there’s likely a brew that’ll suit you.
There’s no heavy food here, but their pastries are more than enough to round out your visit. Just like the Pan Au Chocolat, it’s so flaky and rich that it was on almost everyone’s table.
| Pro Tip: Don’t skip the brownie—the sea salt in it makes each bite hit just right. |
7. Heap Seng Leong Coffeeshop
Media credit: @thedoggerbank
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heapsengleong/
Address: 10 N Bridge Road, #01-5109
Phone: +65 6292 2368
Hours: Daily – 5 AM to 3 PM
Must-order: Butter Kopi
With its weathered tiles, faded signage, and uncles brewing kopi in singlets and pyjama pants, I’d say Heap Seng Leong represents old-school Singapore.
It’s been around since 1974, and if you squint a little, it’s not hard to imagine the same exact scene playing out decades ago.
The go-to here is the classic local breakfast set: Kaya Butter Toast grilled over charcoal, soft-boiled eggs, and a cup of kopi or eh. Their Butter Kopi is famous, and I swear, it feels so silky down the throat—even if you’re not usually a coffee drinker, it’s worth a try.
Even the toast comes with a generous slab of cold butter and sweet kaya that melts just right.
| Pro Tip: Visit in the morning for a calm breakfast before the lunchtime rush kicks in. |
