Café hopping is one of the favourite pastimes of Singaporeans; nothing beats chilling out to a creamy cup of latte with some best buddies on a quiet afternoon. But if you are an avid café-hopper who is getting bored of going for your usual Starbucks and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, here are five special vintage-themed cafés and restaurants you need to visit if you haven’t.
Free The Robot
This café has the cosy vibes that make you want to order your favourite cup of drink and chill around in it the whole day. Located on Telok Ayer Street, one of the oldest roads in Singapore, Free The Robot features quirky exteriors with mural illustrations of their mascots, and they play a fantastic selection of music from an indie playlist. We suggest ordering the Truffle Carbonara Pasta or Homemade Mac & Cheese if you are hungry, or a bowl of Love Truffle Chips if feel like snacking only, and wash down all the food with a bottle of their Signature Cold Brew. The café also transforms into a hip bar called Bitters & Love after 6 pm.
Free The Robot is located at 118 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068587. Visit www.freetherobotcoffee.com
Photo: @freetherobot.sg
Old Habits
Stepping into Old Habits is like stepping back in time to childhood times. The restaurant is filled with all kinds of memorabilia, from vintage toys to retro knick-knacks, and you’ll be tempted to explore its nooks and crannies to uncover these nostalgic treasures. Old Habits serves up fusion fare which combines western style dishes with a touch of Asian flavours. The must-tries here include their savoury Rice Bowl Specials (at only $6.00 each), the Sea Salt Caramel Roast Chicken and the Tom Yum Seafood Spaghetti.
Old Habits is located at SAFRA Mount Faber, 2 Telok Blangah Way, Singapore 098803. Visit oldhabits.com.sg
Photo: @oldhabitssg
The Coastal Settlement
Surrounded by lush greenery, this casual dining restaurant, café and bar might be hard to get to, but you will be glad you got to it when you settle down into its unique settings which feature beautiful views of the sea. When you step into the restaurant, you will be greeted by all manners of retro memorabilia, paintings, vintage vehicles, nostalgic gadgets and antique furniture. For the food, we suggest trying the seafood items here – dishes like the Halibut Fish & Chips or the Assam Fish Head Curry will surely satisfy. They also have a range of Asian-style noodles and rice dishes and lots of light bites to choose from which are great for sharing.
The Coastal Settlement is located at 200 Netheravon Rd, Singapore 508529. Visit www.thecoastalsettlement.com
Photo: @thecoastalsettlement
Old School Delights
Remember your old Primary School classroom? Going to Old School Delights is akin to being transported back in time where you get to experience again going for class during your old school days. With its retro green-tiled walls, wooden chairs and tables, and walls lined with chalkboards, it’s a place which can spark nostalgia in anyone. The menu here features some of our local favourites like Mee Siam, Nasi Lemak and Laksa. Be sure to try their freshly baked goodies which are recreations of classic recipes of butter and banana cakes. While eating, you can indulge in a retro game of Happy Family, Old Maid, erasers, Snakes & Ladders or Five Stones.
Old School Delights is located at 8 Raffles Ave,#02-25, The Esplanade Mall, Singapore 039802. Visit www.oldschooldelights.com
Photo: @oldschooldelights
Carpenter And Cook
From their love of collecting vintage furniture, the owners of Carpenter And Cook have created a unique dining concept for everyone to enjoy great food amidst a space with retro charm. The owner of Carpenter And Cook, Shenn, trained at the prestigious Cordon Bleu in London where she honed her skills at artisan bakery and chocolate shop Cocomaya, so you know you are in for a treat when you visit. The brunch and pasta items in their menu are all great, but be sure to save some stomach space for the artisanal bakes like their cakes and tarts!
Carpenter And Cook is located at 19 Lorong Kilat, #01-06, Singapore 598120. Visit www.carpenterandcook.com
Photo: @carpenterandcook
Featured Image: Courtesy of @teoelisha
