11 unique cafes in Singapore to try bold and creative drinks

We’ve all queued 30 minutes for a mediocre, TikTok-recommended matcha latte – only to regret it halfway through. And if the disappointment wasn’t enough, your next cup of “Gen Z green juice” might also cost more. 

Is matcha hard to get?

Yes – and it’s not just your imagination. An ongoing global matcha supply squeeze, fuelled by skyrocketing international demand, U.S. tariffs, and unpredictable weather in Japan’s tea-growing regions, has made high-grade matcha scarcer and more expensive. 

In July 2025, The Straits Times reported that severe heatwaves in the Kyoto region – which accounts for about 25 per cent of Japan’s production of tencha leaves, which are dried and ground into matcha, slashed harvests to just 75 per cent of full capability. At the same time, global demand for matcha jumped 25 per cent in 2024, while Kyoto auction prices for tencha soared more than 1.5 times. 

With lower yields expected again in 2025, cafes are already downsizing batches and experimenting with creative new drinks.

But, for us, it’s a good excuse to broaden our beverage horizons.

Is it good to drink matcha every day?

There’s also the health side of the story. Matcha is rich in antioxidants – more than coffee beans, at least – and is praised as a gentler caffeine source than coffee. But dietitians warn that drinking too much – particularly alongside iron-rich meals – may hinder your body’s ability to absorb iron. 

This is due to high concentrations of tannins and catechins, plant compounds that can bind to non-heme iron – the type found in plant-based foods – and limit absorption. Over time, that could contribute to iron-deficiency anaemia, especially if your diet is already low in the mineral.

While pairing iron-rich meals with vitamin C sources can improve absorption, many nutrition experts recommend a simpler strategy: alternate your go-to drink with other beverages. This not only reduces the risk of nutrient interference but also avoids ‘habituation’ – a diminished response to the same taste and potential benefits over repeated exposure, even for “healthy” drinks like matcha.

Why this matters – and what’s next

Given the above factors, there’s no better time to diversify your cafe order – because even the best drinks are best enjoyed in moderation.

Fortunately, Singapore’s cafe scene is brimming with inventive alternatives. From corn-milk kopi to durian-flavoured matcha, these 11 creative concoctions prove there’s plenty brewing beyond your usual cup – and they’re actually worth the buzz.

Iced Corn Soy Milk with Kopi by Kopi Kia

First popularised on TikTok, Kopi Kia is a weekends-only, home-based coffee spot in Hillview known for its corn-based coffee creations.

Its signature Iced Corn Soy Milk with Kopi ($5) blends house-made corn soy milk – made from corn kernels and plain soy milk – with traditionally brewed kopi. Kopi Kia also offers a kid-friendly chocolate version ($5.50), and, for both iterations, customers can choose between 40 or 60 per cent corn milk. For purists, the standard kopi menu ranges from $1.70 to $2.50.

Hungry? Light bites are available – sweet toasts and french loaves slathered with kaya and butter ($5), as well as Kopi Kia’s Sliders ($6.90) – a mantou bun sandwiched with pork sausages, lettuce, and house-made spicy mayonnaise.

Kopi Kia’s opening hours are updated weekly on their Instagram page.

Kopi Kia is located at 46 Chu Lin Rd, Singapore 669940.

Mango Sticky Rice Cold Brew by Big Short Coffee

Known for its seasonal specialty menus, Big Short Coffee’s latest summer line-up features six new drinks, including a Mango Sticky Rice-inspired cold brew ($9) and a Key Lime Pie coffee-tea blend ($9).

In particular, the Mango Sticky Rice Cold Brew uses Ruby Urbano, a washed Colombian roast, infused with flavours of mango, pandan, and gula melaka. Topped with roasted glutinous rice cream and sprinkled with salted mung beans, it offers a sweet, tropical take on your typical coffee.

The cafe has only four counter seats and a few stools, making it an intimate spot suited to both casual coffee drinkers and enthusiasts seeking something different.

Big Short Coffee is located at 2 Fowlie Road, #01-01.

Kaya Pandan Latte by TAG Espresso

TAG Espresso’s Kaya Pandan Latte ($9.50) blends the floral aroma of pandan with the rich sweetness of kaya, offering a local twist on the classic latte. Though a long-standing menu item, it remains a quiet favourite for those looking for something familiar yet distinctive.

For a more unconventional option, the new Nutty Cucumber Latte ($9) combines double espresso with cucumber syrup and a topping of peanut cream. Though an unlikely triad, it comes across as refreshing in a curious way – or, for the regretful, at least an excellent conversation starter.

TAG Espresso has various outlets, including Raffles City and Guoco Midtown II.

Espresso Tonic by Narrative Coffee Stand

Narrative Coffee Stand’s Espresso Tonic ($8.50) pairs full-bodied espresso with carbonated tonic, creating a lightly effervescent drink with a nutty, fragrant finish. The tonic highlights the coffee’s flavour without overpowering it, making it a refreshing pick-me-up in Singapore’s heat – and a lactose-friendly option.

For those who prefer something milder, the cafe also offers a Hot White Coffee ($6) and Iced White Coffee ($7), noted for its subtly sweet, berry-like notes. Narrative Coffee Stand roasts all its coffee in-house and emphasises sustainable sourcing and third-wave brewing techniques, with a rotating selection of single-origin espressos and pour-over options.

Narrative Coffee Stand is located at Blk 231 Bain St, #01-05, Complex 180231.

Einspänner by a slow cup

The Einspänner, a traditional Viennese coffee drink consisting of espresso topped with a generous layer of whipped cream, has gained popularity following its adoption in Korean cafes and, more recently, in Singapore alike. 

a slow cup’s version – the Slow Einspänner ($7.50) – pairs rich, smooth espresso with sweetened cream, offering a slightly nutty, dessert-like flavour. The espresso, on the other hand, is made from specialty blends crafted by Singapore-owned Flip Coffee Roasters.

The cafe shares a space with Painted Nail Bar, allowing customers to enjoy coffee while getting their nails done. After relocating from Robertson Walk to The Cathay, the cafe-and-nail-salon duo’s new space is also pet-friendly, so you can bring your little furkids along, but you just have to make sure that they are safely tucked in a pram or carrier.

a slow cup is located at The Cathay, #06-06.

Iced Black Sesame Latte by September Coffee

September Coffee’s Iced Black Sesame Latte ($8) – combining non-dairy sesame cream, double espresso, and fresh milk – is a modern twist on an Asian favourite, in liquid form. Oat and soy substitutions are available at an additional cost. 

Known, also, for its specialty udons – Mentaiko ($22) and Rose ($20), for one – and sides like its Uni Mayo Tater Tots/Fries (from $7), September Coffee has remained a preferred spot for the millennial-Gen Z brunch crowd.

With a variety in drinks as well – it offers iced fruit tea ‘refreshers’ ($7), variants of matcha lattes ($6–8), and even non-caffeinated signature drinks like a Burnt Chocolate ($7) – September Coffee offers something for everyone.

September Coffee is located at 258 South Bridge Rd, #01-01.

Hojicha Milo by brwd / KINN

Originally just a chain of boutique hotels, brwd / KINN is a sleek addition to KINN’s check-in counters. Situated right in the lobby of KINN’s Keong Saik Road and Hongkong Street properties, brwd / KINN serves up a mostly straightforward menu of beverages and bakes, barring its new Hojicha Harvest menu – a limited-time offering available until the end of September.

The most inventive of the lot includes the Hojicha Milo ($7.50) – a malty blend of hojicha, creamy Milo, and a touch of nostalgia that offsets a roastiness perhaps off-putting to the hojicha-unacquainted. brwd / KINN also offers the Hojicha Harmony ($7) – a mellow, floral mix of hojicha, milk, red dates, and longan – as well as the refreshing Hojicha Coconut ($7).

brwd / KINN has two outlets at Keong Saik Road and Hongkong Street.

Matcha Beer by Hello Arigato

Feeling experimental? Here’s an unconventional pairing – Matcha Beer ($14). More popularly found in Japan’s izakayas, mainstay cafe Hello Arigato has brought the concoction to Singapore’s shores – of Asahi beer, known for a clean, crisp finish and light body, matched with a shot of Matcha.

Still not sure? It might be worth a try to stay chill and caffeinated this sweltering summer season – Hello Arigato’s Matcha Beer is currently sold at a promotional price of $12.

Hello Arigato has various outlets, including Upper Thomson Road and Everton Park.

Matcha Lemonade by Warabimochi Kamakura

Warabimochi Kamakura, a Japan-based matcha chain, pairs earthy matcha with a tangy splash of lemonade in its Matcha Lemonade, available in small ($6.90) and medium ($8.90) sizes. A few citrus-syrup-soaked warabimochi pieces at the bottom add a subtle sweetness and chewy bite, making it a refreshing, playful twist on a classic drink – and the perfect thirst-quencher in Singapore’s heat.

If you prefer a safer option, the Asakawa-en Matcha (from $6.90) features matcha with sweet red beans, warabimochi, and whipped cream, while the Coffee Milk (from $6.90) combines brewed coffee, milk, and a fragrant kuromitsu warabimochi base.

Warabimochi Kamakura has various outlets. At the time of writing, its Matcha Lemonade is only available at its One Holland Village and Taste Orchard locations.

Durian Matcha Latte by Ichigo by Tea Cottage

For a bold twist on matcha, Ichigo by Tea Cottage serves the Durian Matcha Latte ($11.90), combining the creamy richness of fresh durian with the umami depth of ceremonial-grade Uji matcha. A barista-grade version ($9.90) offers a stronger, more robust flavour, while the lighter ceremonial option is said to provide additional health benefits.

The cafe allows extensive customisation, letting you adjust matcha intensity, sugar, and milk levels to create your ideal blend. Other fruit-based Uji matcha lattes, including strawberry and mango, are also available for those seeking something equally enticing.

Ichigo by Tea Cottage is located at 3 Temasek Boulevard, #B1-136.

Banana Pudding Matcha by Haus Coffee

Haus Coffee’s Banana Pudding Matcha ($9.50) needs no explanation – unless you’ve been living under a (TikTok) rock. Popularised internationally by the New York-famous Magnolia Bakery, this internet-famous thrift store-cum-cafe’s Singapore iteration has taken Singapore by storm. Its already-rich iced matcha latte is topped with a dollop of pudding – made with whipped cream, custard, banana slices, and sponge cake – in addition to a generous serving of Biscoff cookie crumbs for a playful mix of textures and flavours.

Not in the mood to wait? You can grab Just Banana Pudding ($6) if you’d rather make your matcha at home.

Haus Coffee is located at the Rookie & Haus Concept Store, 6001 Beach Rd, Golden Mile Tower, #01-57.