From The Straits Times    |

cool cafes in toa payoh 640.jpg

Image: Tiffany Goh/The Straits Times

1. THE DAILY PRESS

What: People have been flocking to this three-week-old cafe that specialises in grilled sandwiches with a twist. Think Babi Pongteh ($12) with pork belly slices between ciabatta and beetroot-cured salmon sandwich ($15) with a walnut crumble on rye sourdough. Three dishes ($9 each) are available for sharing or you may want it as a meal for one. They are roasted brussel sprouts, baked egg with polenta fritters and mixed quinoa salad with edamame. Coffee (from $3.50 for an espresso) is made from local roaster Liberty Coffee’s beans and the cafe also serves smoothies, juices and Allerines tea.

Where: Block 126 Toa Payoh Lorong 1, 01-561

Open: 10.30am to 9.30pm (Tuesday to Sunday), closed on Monday

Info: Call 6258-0167 or go to www.facebook.com/thedailypresssg

2. STUDIO CAFE SG

What: Head to this two-week-old cafe for local fare and Western cuisine. Local dishes include Nasi Goreng Kampong Special ($6.50), which comes with satay, sunny side up egg and crackers, Maggi goreng Pattaya ($5.50) and nasi ayam penyet ($6). Western-style items include Studio Oglio ($14.90) with calamari, mussels and prawns and That Bleu Mussell ($11.90), mussels cooked in saffron sauce or spicy arrabiatta sauce. If you are lucky, you might spot Suria star Nurul Aini Abdul Rahim, who owns the place with three other Suria artistes. Where: Block 47 Toa Payoh Lorong 6, 01-131

Open: 9am to 11pm (Tuesday to Sunday), noon to 10pm (Monday, sandwich and drinks only)

Info: Go to www.facebook.com/studiocafesg or e-mail studiocafesg@ gmail.com

3. THE LITTLE PRINCE CREAMERY

What: Fans of the Little Prince Cafe in Somme Road which closed in September last year can now go to its new home in Toa Payoh. Surrounded by the whimsical, hand-drawn illustrations from the children’s book, diners can tuck into waffles topped with home- made gelato (from $6.50). Flavours include avocado gula melaka and Sawadee (Thai milk tea).

Where: Block 47 Toa Payoh Lorong 6, 01-134

Open: Noon to 10pm (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday), noon to 11pm (Friday and Saturday), closed on Tuesday

Info: www.facebook.com/LittlePrinceCafe

4. FROZEN BY A THOUSAND BLESSINGS

What: Instead of ice cream and waffles, have frozen yogurt at this Melbourne franchise’s first outlet in Singapore. Flavours include green tea, pomegranate, coconut, and mango and soya. Fill your cup and add toppings such as fresh fruit, nuts and Turkish delight. Prices are by weight ($3.80 per 100g).

Where: Block 126 Toa Payoh Lorong 1, 01-551

Open: 11.30am to 10pm (Sunday to Thursday), 11.30am to 11pm (Friday and Saturday)

Info: Call 6259-8028

5. LES PATISSERIES

What: The four-month-old cafe has a mix of both savoury and sweet. Main dishes include truffle baked mushroom pasta ($9.90), club sandwich ($11.90) and smoked salmon avocado set ($10.90). Waffle fans can opt for Horffles ($8.90, with two scoops of ice cream), waffles and a sauce made with Horlicks. Cakes include apple mousse cake and chestnut and pear. Coffee, tea, milkshakes and smoothies are also available.

Where: Block 186 Toa Payoh Central, 01-428

Open: 10am to 10pm daily

Info: www.facebook.com/lespatisseries.com.sg

6. RAMEN BAR SUZUKI

What: This ramen joint opened at Boat Quay in 2013 to snaking queues during lunchtime. Now, it has opened in a coffee shop, offering the same tonkotsu ramen items. Prices start from $9 for the Pure White ramen and $10 for the Cardinal Red (spicy) ramen, Jet Black (squid ink) ramen and Emerald Green (cheese and basil) ramen.

Where: Block 203 Toa Payoh North

Open: 11am to 3pm, 5 to 9pm daily, except public holidays

This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on January 11, 2015. For similar stories, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore. You will not be able to access the Premium section of The Straits Times website unless you are already a subscriber.

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