Lactose-intolerant folks have struggled with finding alternative sources of calcium for years. But with more cafes serving other forms of milk such as soy, almond and oat milk that don’t compromise on taste or nutrition, we now have more choices when it comes to our calcium intake.
Plant milk — or nut milk — made of almond, cashew or other nuts offer a host of nutrients, antioxidants, and healthy fats, making them nutritional powerhouses. Made of nuts and blended with water before being strained, these milk sources offer nutrients such as vitamin E and D, which prevent heart disease and inflammation (thanks, omega-3!), support immune function, and maintain strong bones, among other benefits. They also contain no saturated fat and less than half the amount of calories in cow’s milk, and are beneficial to gut health as they are rich in fibre and easier to digest.
Little surprise, then that brands and cafes are jumping on the bandwagon to fulfill the growing demand for dairy-free alternatives. Here are some options available.
The latest addition to the plant milk game, Oatside is a homegrown brand started by Singaporean Benedict Lim in 2020. Created during the height of lockdown, Oatside currently offers three variants of oat milk – Barista Blend, Chocolate and Chocolate Hazelnut, with all three being 100% plant-based with no saturated fats and lactose-free (a win for us lactose-intolerant folks!).
Made with the finest Australian oats that are known for their creaminess, the malty texture is achieved without any sort of gums or emulsifiers, making this a go-to for your next cup of coffee or even on its own. Not to mention, their adorable, snappy recyclable paper carton packaging is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified. We definitely have our eyes peeled for their next drop.
Available on Redmart, Shopee and major supermarkets
Calling all matcha and Japanese dessert lovers, Hvala now offers oat milk as an alternative to dairy milk at all three of their outlets. For an additional $1, you can savour their matcha and hojicha creations alongside the vegan dessert items such as the Dairy-Free Waffles, served with a scoop of oatmilk or matcha °1 gelato, Matcha Mont Blanc and a myriad of vegan gelato.
They’ve recently started using local plant milk brand, Oatside, for their oat milk alternative to achieve the same rich creaminess that is traditionally found in dairy milk.
Where: Multiple locations
Hours: 12pm – 9:30pm daily
With several outlets spanning from Jurong East to Changi, Huggs Coffee is one to look out for. Started in 2008, they’ve become one of the fastest growing brands offering great coffee (and other non-caffeinated drinks) and a wide selection of cuisines at affordable prices, all while building a people-first culture and supporting various social causes. You can switch to either soy or oat milk for 50 cents, and even switch up the flavour of your drink with flavoured syrups.
Vegan and vegetarian dishes are aplenty at Huggs Coffee. Their food and drinks are best described as a fusion of Eastern and Western flavours – dishes like Konjac Pad Thai, Salmon Teriyaki Rice and Green Curry Pasta are just some that they offer.
Where: Multiple locations
Hours: Various hours
First established in Holland Village as a two-storey shophouse in 2012, this London-inspired cafe specialises in custom-blend coffee and specialty teas. It has also caught on to the plant-based trend and now offers milk alternatives in its regular coffee. You can choose to swap the fresh milk in your latte or cappuccino with soy or oat milk.
Their food menu boasts a wide selection of grub and even includes an all-day breakfast, so don’t worry if you woke up past noon. A rarity in the dessert scene in Singapore, d’Good offers deutsch skillet pancakes that are served in mini cast-iron skillets, with flavours such as Durian & Coconut and Banana Rum & Raisin that are to die for. And if you’re up for it, give their Pomegranate Citrus Smoked Duck pancake a shot.
Where: Holland Village
273 Holland Avenue, #02-01/02, Singapore 278992
Hours: 10am – 10.30pm daily
When mentioning wholesome options that are hearty and healthy, Kitchen by Food Rebel comes to mind. This eatery is best known for its Asian fusion rice, but its focus is really just on good, healthy food that everyone — including people with allergies and dietary restrictions, vegans and vegetarians, meat-lovers, post-surgery patients, and more — can enjoy.
As it strongly believes in understanding how one’s food is produced and the impact food has on one’s body, Kitchen by Food Rebel sources organically and seasonally wherever possible. Aside from organic-based salads, sandwiches and smoothies, its cakes are also gluten, sugar and dairy-free, and ingredients for its dishes here are organic and hormone-free with no MSG or artificial preservatives. It also makes its own blend of nut milks that you can buy home in jugs.
Where: 28 Stanley St, Singapore 068737
Hours: 3pm – 10.30pm, closed on the weekends
Touted as one of the best places for gluten-free dining, this restaurant also offers dairy-free, vegan and vegetarian options, including salads, sandwiches and a decadent chocolate cake
Carb fans, have a go at its ciabatta and sourdough breads, which are dairy- and egg-free. For dairy-free beverages, try the Princess Smoothie, which is made of almond milk, yoghurt, bananas, three types of berries, mint, chia seeds and cinnamon, and the turmeric latte, which consists of cold-brew coffee, almond milk, organic turmeric and coconut sugar.
Wild Honey now also offers Oatly oat milk — a vegan, plant-based milk made from gluten-free oats — at its Scotts Square and Mandarin Gallery branches, as well as non-dairy yoghurt and ice-cream, almond and soy milk.
Where: Mandarin Gallery
333A Orchard Rd, 03-01/02, Singapore 238897
Hours: 9am -6pm, Sunday to Thursday / 9am – 10pm, Friday & Saturday
Where: Scotts Square
6 Scotts Rd, #03 – K1 /01 / 02, Singapore 228209
Hours: 9am – 7pm daily
Where: South Beach Tower
26 Beach Rd, #B1-18, Singapore 189768
Hours: 8am – 4pm, Tuesday to Friday / 8am – 6pm, weekends
This Australian grocery sells a variety of organic products, including fresh produce and gourmet sauces, as well as deli and gluten-free baked goods that fit into different types of diet, such as paleolithic, ketogenic and vegan.
Check out its dairy-free range of yoghurt, such as Bondi Yoghurt, a Sydney-based label that offers coconut-based yoghurt made from fresh coconut juice and flesh, and Coco Tribe, another Australian company that makes organic artisanal coconut and vanilla bean yoghurt.
There is also a cafe that serves food grown using organic farming methods. Wraps, sandwiches, salads are made fresh daily with the products that you can find on their shelves too.
Where: Multiple locations
Hours: Various hours
The Living Café is actually non-vegetarian, but it emphasises natural and holistic living, which is why most of its menu is dedicated to raw vegan cuisine (non-meat food cooked below 48 degree Celsius for health reasons).
The menu features many food staples such as soups, salads and even zucchini pasta. Its drinks menu is pretty extensive as well. Aside from kombuchas, organic wines and teas, cold-pressed juices and smoothies, and nut milkshakes. Coffee lovers don’t have to fret over their choices either. The milk coffee selection – latte, cappuccino and flat white – are made of soy, hazelnut or homemade almond milk.
Where: Sixth Avenue
779 Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 269758
Hours: 10am – 7pm, Tuesday to Saturday / 9am – 7pm, Sunday
This restaurant just next to Dempsey Road aims to get its diners more in touch with the food they eat by understanding how they are grown and what goes into their plate. It even has an edible garden in its compound to allow diners to interact and learn about their food from the staff.
From pastas to omelettes and grain bowls to salads, herbs and ingredients are grown in-house. Hitting it up for happy hour? It has a range of cocktails with, yes, ingredients plucked from its garden too. If you’re looking for lactose-free options, try the homemade almond milk, or swap regular milk for almond or soy milk for an additional $2.
Where: 130E Minden Rd, Singapore 248819
Hours: 12pm – 2.30pm / 6pm – 9pm, Monday to Friday
11am – 3.30pm / 6pm – 9pm, Saturday and Sunday
By popular demand, this coffee chain has now incorporated non-dairy options into its menu. You can request for oat milk in your latte (and other beverages, of course) instead of regular cow’s milk at CMCR Martin Rd, Grounded by CMCR, and Common Man Stan for no extra cost.
Oat milk is low in fat and lactose-free. It is made of pre-soaked oat groats (fragmented hulled grains) and has a light, slightly sweet taste, similar to low-fat or skim milk. Oatly, as mentioned above, is a brand of organic Swedish oats that contains no added sugar and is full of heart-friendly beta glucans, a form of soluble dietary fibre that helps to improve cholesterol levels and boost heart health – so you can enjoy your cuppa while guarding your heart.
Where: Multiple locations
Hours: Various hours