The Best Cafes in Paya Lebar Where I Like to Work or Chill Out with Friends
Paya Lebar is an underrated neighborhood in East Singapore, but personally, I love going there because of all the cafes! There’s a good variety here—the affordable, cozy ones and the pretty, more expensive cafes—and I always love checking out new ones.
If you’re planning to visit Paya Lebar soon, here’s a list of cafe recommendations for you. These are my favorites in the area, and hopefully, you’ll love them too.
Knots Cafe and Living
Address: 160 Paya Lebar Rd, #01-07, Orion@PayaLebar
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday—9 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +6568170383
Knots Cafe and Living is my absolute go-to cafe in Paya Lebar. This cafe looks like a tropical wonderland. There are plants everywhere—in the corner and even hanging from the wall! As a result, I always feel at ease here.
The food is wonderful as well. When I’m here for breakfast, I always order the Knots Waffle Brekkie because it’s loaded with so much stuff (waffles with smoked beef sausage, bacon, and more). So, I always feel full afterward.
If I’m dining for lunch or supper, I usually get the steak and egg. The steak is wonderfully tender and savory, and it becomes even more delicious with the black pepper sauce. Meanwhile, the sunny-side-up egg has the perfect runny yolk!
Pro Tip:
- Looking for a venue for a party? You can book the event space at Knots Cafe and Living!
Jimmy Monkey
Address: 2 Paya Lebar Rd, #01-10 Park Place Residences (next to the playground)
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—8 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6569204749
Jimmy Monkey was founded by coffee lovers from Melbourne, which is why this cafe is oozing with lively Australian vibes. The coffee quality here is also top-notch because they source their beans from the best independent farms all over the world!
I like getting the JM Wagyu Burger here. The patty is unbelievably juicy, and the runny yolk from the egg makes each bite richer. I recommend adding a pineapple to your burger because its fruity sweetness adds so much depth to the flavor profile.
For the drinks, you can enjoy the classic brews, but personally, I’ll go for the sweet ones. I particularly like the Gula Melaka Cold Brew. The gula melaka (or palm sugar) makes the beverage taste like butterscotch.
If you don’t like coffee or tea, there are alcoholic drinks like beers and cocktails available in this cafe!
Pro Tip:
- This cafe offers catering services! Check this PDF to see the catering menu.
Sweet Garden Dining Cafe
Address: Cassia Cres, #01-50 Block 32
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday—12 to 4 pm, 5 to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6591004286
Sweet Garden Dining Cafe is a small spot on Cassia Crescent, making it easy to get ignored. But don’t overlook it because it’s such a wonderful hidden gem!
This cafe is helmed by an ex-hotel chef, Barry Lok, who worked in several 5-star hotels like Raffles Hotel and Singapore Marriott Hotel. Because of this, you can expect delicious dishes here but at a relatively affordable price!
I really loved the Ham and Cheese Baked Rice here. The whole plate is covered with cheese, so I get a satisfying cheese pull every time. The rice is also bursting with flavor—savory (thanks to the ham) and slightly tangy (thanks to the tomato sauce).
Another dish I like here is the Hawaiian Skinny Pizza. I’ve always been on Team Pineapple on Pizza, so I already know I will enjoy this one. The dough on this pizza is great (it doesn’t feel skinny at all), and every bite is crispy, savory, and sweet.
Pro Tip:
- This cafe has limited seating, so I recommend coming here as soon as it opens so that you can secure your spot.
Swee Heng 1989 Bakery Cafe
Address: 10 Eunos Rd 8, #B1-158 SingPost Centre
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—8 am to 8:30 pm
- Sunday—8 am to 8 pm
Contact Number: +6566550300
Are you a big fan of pastries and other sweet baked goods? Then you might like Swee Heng 1989 Bakery Cafe!
My usual recommendation is the Chocolate Mochi Tarik. The mochi filling is more liquid-y than stretchy, but it still adds a nice burst of chocolatey sweetness every time I take a bite.
If you prefer something savory, then I recommend the Chicken Luncheon. It’s a sandwich with scrambled eggs and grilled chicken as the filling, and it’s such a satisfying meal. The portion is generous, and the sauce makes it more savory.
Pro Tip:
- From what I’ve noticed, it takes some time for the food to be delivered to your table, so I recommend coming here about 30 minutes before your usual lunch/dinner time.
Coexist Coffee Co
Address: 11 Eunos Rd 8, #01-02 Lifelong Learning Institute
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—8:30 am to 5:30 pm
I usually go to the Lifelong Learning Institute to use the public library there, but when I heard that there’s also a cafe, I became an even more frequent patron.
My go-to order is the Chicken Waffle. Technically, the “waffle” is a brioche French toast, but it’s fluffy and sweet all the same. The buttermilk fried chicken adds the perfect savory contrast to all the sweetness.
To end my meal, I order a slice of tiramisu mille crêpe (crepe cake). It’s sweet and slightly bitter at the same time. It pairs really well with my Lychee Black tea (earthy flavors with hints of sweetness from the lychee).
Pro Tips:
- Do you want to learn how to roast your coffee beans properly? Then, you might want to attend any of the classes and workshops hosted by Coexist Coffee!
- This cafe often hosts filter-tasting sessions that let you taste new coffee blends and even receive some fun goodies! Attend one when you can.
Huggs Coffee
Address: 1 Paya Lebar Link, #01-03 Paya Lebar Quarter
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—7:30 am to 5:30 pm
- Friday—7:30 am to 10 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—12 to 5 pm
Contact Number: +6562839288
Huggs Coffee blends the concept of zen with modernity, which is why the cafe’s interior looks both simple and elegant. I always feel calm and relaxed here and even motivated enough to do some work on my laptop.
The chicken wrap is my favorite thing to order because it’s a simple yet satisfying meal. It’s also delicious. The butter chicken complements well with the other fillings, especially the nutty gouda and the tangy tomato pieces.
If you want something sweet, get the double chocolate muffin. It’s so decadent and rich, and the chocolate chunks make every bite fudgy!
For my drinks, I love the latte gula, which is double espresso with caramelized gula melaka. It’s perfectly sweet and energizes me in no time!
Pro Tips:
- The cafe is pretty small, so avoid coming here during rush hours. It’s best if you come here as early as possible (i.e. as soon as the doors open). If you like the coffee here, you can buy roasted beans, capsules, and more in their online shop.
Joe and Dough
Address: 10 Paya Lebar Rd, #02-25/26 PLQ Mall
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—9 am to 9:30 pm
- Sunday—9 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +6569095680
Joe and Dough is a lovely, charming cafe that serves specialty coffee and handcrafted bakes. Whenever I dine here, I always feel like I’m tucked away in a cottage somewhere!
I love the brunch menu here. My go-to order is the Breakfast Fry Up, which is their rendition of an English-style breakfast. It’s loaded with eggs, toasted bread, sausages, and more, so I feel full and satisfied after eating.
If you like pastries, don’t pass up on the muffins. I prefer the blueberry muffin because it’s sweet and tart, but the banana walnut muffin is tasty as well.
When it comes to my beverage, I like to go for the coolers. So far, I’ve tried and loved the Calamansi Manuku Fizz (it’s so refreshing, and the sour and sweet flavors are perfectly balanced).
Pro Tip:
- If you like the taste of the coffee here, you’ll be glad to know that the cafe sells coffee beans! There are other merch items available as well.
A Beautiful Day Cafe Tea Room + Cocktail Bar
Address: 2 Paya Lebar Rd, #01-09 PLQ PARKSIDE below, Parkplace Residences
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday, Saturday—11 am to 11 pm
- Friday—11 am to 12 am
- Sunday—11 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6593848401
They weren’t kidding when they named this cafe “A Beautiful Day Cafe” because you will have a beautiful day here. Not just any other beautiful day—you’ll feel like you’re part of the royalty because the interior looks like it came straight out of Bridgerton!
Whenever I come here, I always treat myself to desserts. My favorite is currently the double chocolate fudge cake (so decadent and fudgy!) paired with a scoop of gelato (I like the Earl Grey Lavender flavor because it’s subtle and doesn’t ruin the cake).
For people who like savory meals that fill their stomachs, go for the classic fish and chips or bangers and mash (basically, sausages with mashed potatoes). I personally recommend the Mala Popcorn Chicken because it has that kick of spice that I like.
It would be remiss of you if you didn’t try any of the tea here. The tea is served in beautiful crystal bottles! How can you not feel like a main character in a historical show?
Pro Tip:
- Do you have a pet dog? Feel free to bring them with you to this cafe because it’s pet-friendly!
Ya Kun Kaya Toast
Address: 60 Paya Lebar Rd, #01-87 Paya Lebar Square
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—7:30 am to 8 pm
Contact Number: +6563840623
If I had to pick one food duo that represents Singaporean food culture, it would be kopi (Singaporean coffee) and kaya toast. Ya Kun Kaya Toast is one of the best places to get a taste of this iconic food duo.
The kaya toast here is simple yet delicious: the bread is perfectly toasted, and the kaya (coconut jam) is sweet without being sickening. I recommend adding soft-boiled eggs to your dish for more protein. I love dipping my toast in the eggs’ runny yolks.
To wash everything down, I get an iced kopi. If it’s raining outside, I’ll get it hot, but it’s usually sunny, so I’ll have it iced.
If you don’t drink coffee, you might want to get any of the tea options instead.
Pro Tips:
- It can get very crowded during lunch and tea time, so I recommend coming here before those times. It’s best if you come here via public transportation because it’s difficult to find parking spaces in the area.
Nom Bistro
Address: 400 Paya Lebar Way, Level 1 MacPherson Community Club
Operating Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday to Friday—12 to 10 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—11 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6567473839
Featuring bright colors and simple interior design, Nom Bistro is a delight! The menu is also pretty extensive. It has options for pizza, pasta, burgers, desserts, and more!
I really like the pasta dishes here, especially Bloody Mary. The sauce is such a standout (it’s tomato sauce infused with vodka and spice), and the grilled prawns and al dente noodles soak it all up perfectly.
If I want something more filling, I get the ribeye steak because it’s hefty (at 200 grams) and served with mashed potatoes and vegetables. The red wine reduction adds bitter and fruity notes to everything on the plate, and I can’t get enough of it.
Don’t miss out on any of the specialty drinks. The strawberry lemonade is a winner in my book because of how fizzy, refreshing, sweet, and sour it is!
Pro Tip:
- This cafe tends to be fully packed on the weekends, so I recommend coming here on a weekday instead.