You gotta admit, we Singaporeans love our coffee. Be it a classic latte or kopi siew dai, we probably wouldn’t be able to get through the day without our daily dose of caffeine. It’s no wonder cold brews are such a hit in Singapore, with their richer and more intense flavours, and more importantly, being chilled so it keeps us chill in this sweltering weather. Here, we list some of the best places to get an iced coffee.
Boyle’s Coffee
Tucked away in a cosy shop outside Bukit Timah Plaza, Boyle’s Coffee claims to be the world’s first cold brew coffee bar. Seems legit? Come by and give it a whirl. Boyle’s Coffee does it the Dutch way—which may commonly be confused with the normal cold brew method. The Dutch style uses the drip coffee method only, simply dropping cold water over ground coffee. They serve a wide array of iced and hot coffee such as Dutch Vanilla Latte, Nitro Caramel Latte, and the Dutch Americano. The actual Dutch coffee concentrate is also sold here, so if you have a coffee maker at home, bring some home to explore this cold brew wonderland. The cold brewed coffee is sweet and bright when served chilled, but has a deep aroma and a smooth texture when served hot.
Brawn & Brains
Since their expansion to a bigger space on Guillemard Road, east side favourite Brawn & Brains has only gotten better. Their own house blend cold brews are delicious as always, dishing out bold notes of chocolate and nuts. Have it with a good selection of pastries and brunch items to complete your coffee run here. Want something even more refreshing? Have their Coffee Beer made in collaboration with Singapore’s own Rye & Pint.
Chye Seng Huat Hardware
This chic industrial-looking cafe in a former hardware store needs no introduction; they sell gourmet coffee, as well as other gadgets and gifts. Their classic black cold brew is made from Ethiopian coffee beans from the Suke Quto farm, which gives off citrus and floral notes. The white version is creamier, and has a rich hazelnut and dark chocolate taste. Also give their nitro cold brew a try—it’s creamy and has a malty flavour. A cool place to hang out with your friends if you’re tired of the buzzing city or typical cafes.
Common Man Coffee Roasters
No stranger to the Singapore coffee scene, Common Man Coffee Roasters is a specialty coffee roaster, wholesaler, cafe and academy all wrapped into one. Their cold brews are roasted in-house, but do note that they only serve the black version. You’ll find them brewing coffee twice a week, and making fresh nitro cold brew with their favourite single-origin coffees to produce a silky smooth coffee texture.
Curious Palette
This cafe from the same guys behind Stangers’ Reunion has a few cold brews. Their White Magic is ever-popular, thanks to it offering plenty of flavour while being light drinking, making it a good post-meal choice. Or try their newer—and our favourite—Oatgasm, for a vegan-friendly version of their signature white brew. Nutty and oozing decadence, this is a truly refreshing cold brew that is smooth and fragrant in more ways than one.
Dapper Coffee
Hidden on the second floor of a shophouse along Amoy street, Dapper Coffee is not only making cold brew coffee, but also baking plenty of tantalizing pastries. Truth be told, they’ve caught our eye with their signature sparkling drinks. Yes, it’s as gimmicky as it sounds—shimmering gold dust infused into their usual cold brew to make Gold Brew, priced at a whopping $10 per bottle. But we guess it does make for a good party drink; you can order them by the pack online here, too. They make cold brew coffee from Ethiopian Yirgacheffe beans, which is strong yet light with the right amount of acidity. And if you prefer it the classic way, fret not because you can also get Dapper Coffee’s Cold Fashioned (an apt name) at a more reasonable price of $8.
Enchanted Cafe
Previously notable mainly for its mystical theme and quintessential brunch eats, Enchanted Cafe along Rangoon Road has now gained traction for its cold brew beverages too. Apart from the usual White, Black and Mocha flavours, the diner also offers the Matcha Latte, Rose Chocolate and Bandung. Plus, if you’re still working from home and desperately need the additional pick-me-up, get the entire slew of brews delivered to your doorstep by ordering via the cafe’s website.
Geylang Drip City
With a name like that, you know this cafe’s got (coffee) game. And its line-up of delicious cold brews won’t disappoint, as drinks like Weezy, Drizzy and Oatkast will delight you. The Oatkast is pretty much self-explanatory; while Weezy is a dark yet flavourful blend and Drizzy is a light, creamy dream. We’d recommend heading down to check out the uber cool joint, and if you get addicted, you can always get their brews delivered to you.
Kafe Utu
Known for its African theme and unconventional mains, Kafe Utu serves some of the best cold brews around Jiak Chuan Road. Find the Utu Ink, a bottled black brew that comes with a slice of lemon to enhance the acidic flavours in the coffee; as well as Uchawi, the bottled white brew that’s insanely creamy thanks to the addition of heavy cream and fresh milk. And don’t forget to give their Ibada “Ritual” a try while you’re there too. It’s a strong and bold quad ristretto shot over chilled Hokkaido milk.
Lunar Coffee Brewers
This CBD cafe is so aesthetic you’ll be tempted to dine-in even though you initially only came to get a cold brew to-go. Go black or white with their Cosmos and Milky Way cold brews. The former is balanced with plenty of kick, while the latter is creamy and silky—both are out of this world. If you prefer eating your coffees, try their soft serve version of the Milky Way. Better yet, have both together for a cosmic explosion in your mouth sure to perk you up.
Old Hen Coffee
This classic coffee bar is most famous for its creamy white cold brew coffee which strikes a delicious balance between bitter and sweet. Besides their black cold brew, they also have other interesting flavors such as Mocha, Dark Cocoa and Matcha, so try this if you’re looking to expand your cold brew coffee horizons. Oh, their cold brews are uniquely packaged in a beer bottle too, which should put you in a fun mood.
The Populus Coffee & Food Co.
Another cafe that takes its coffee very seriously is The Populus Coffee & Food Co. at Neil Road, that offers one special cold brew beverage for those who like their coffee steeped and chilled. Populus’ White Cold Brew Coffee is bound to satisfy all caffeine addicts with its bold coffee notes, but if you want more, the cafe serves cold brew iced teas and plenty of other espresso-based beverages too.
Smoke Signature
Stamping Ground Coffee
Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee
Now a go-to brand of ours, Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee is the perfect place to grab brews while stocking up on beans and coffee equipment. If you’re not in the River Valley neighbourhood, you can always visit its branch in Vivocity’s Fairprice Xtra to grab the Pollen White Cold Brew Coffee. Those who prefer their coffee black or with oat milk have got options too.
Tolido’s Espresso Nook
Having introduced their bottled cold brews during Circuit Breaker 2020, Tolido’s Espresso Nook’s got a special black brew named after the lengthy saga. So try the Circuit Waker for a burst of energy or the Great White that will leave you wanting more. Non-coffee drinkers need not feel left out as the cafe’s got Just Peachy too, a refreshing tea alternative boasting notes of peach.
Iced Coffee and More at These Cold Brew Cafes in Singapore
You can find a regular drink in any coffee shop, or brew your own with hot water at home. But coffee brewed with the cold brew method stands out by being far richer and stronger. Get yourself a refreshing drink and energize yourself today, at these sixteen cafes that do coffee just right!
