17 Under-HDB Cafes In Singapore For Affordable Pasta, Pretty Desserts And More

For hidden under-HDB dessert cafes and coffee spots around the island, look no further. We’ve compiled a list of the best HDB cafes in Singapore, including ice cream and waffle spots, as well as atas bakery cafes.

• 1. Rise

Nestled in the sleepy Potong Pasir neighbourhood, under an HDB block, Rise has amassed a steady following thanks to its IG-worthy pink and concrete interiors. They also offer a plethora of bakes that taste as stunning as they look.

Highlights include their drinks menu, which sees Tiramisu Cream Latte ($8.50) and Strawberry Matcha Cloud Latte ($8.50). The former features an iced latte topped with a ladyfingers biscuit.

Don’t sleep on their Fresh Berries Waffles ($17.90), which pair well with their ice cream lineup. Read our Rise cafe review.

Address: 148 Potong Pasir Avenue 1, #01-53, Singapore 350148 Opening hours: Sun-Mon, Wed-Thurs 11am to 7pm, Fri-Sat 11am to 9pm

Website

Rise is a Muslim-friendly eatery.

• 2. Rookie’s Coffee Shop

Blink and you might miss it: Rookie’s Coffee Shop is an under-the-radar cafe with chill vibes and great coffee, nestled under an HDB block in the old Bukit Merah estate. Try their Iced Bandung ‘Spro ($6.50), a pretty latte that’s served with distinct layers: rose syrup, fresh milk, and espresso. If you’re hankering for a sweet treat, the cafe offers a small range of bakes, including Brownie ($4), Chocolate Chip Cookie ($4), and Lemon Bar ($5.50).

Do note that their bake menu changes from time to time. Check out our Rookie’s Coffee Shop feature.

Address: 123 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-112, Singapore 150123 Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am to 5pm, Sat-Sun 10am to 6pm

Website

Rookie’s Coffee Shop is not a halal-certified eatery.

• 3. Abundance

Abundance is a cosy and casual Taiwanese cafe tucked in the sleepy estate of Lengkok Bahru, Redhill. The under-HDB cafe is known for their Gua Bao ($7.90++): fluffy bao stuffed with thick pork belly, topped with pickles, coriander, and roasted, ground peanuts.

They also offer other Taiwanese classics such as Beef Noodles Soup ($16.90++) and Red Hot Chilli Dumplings Noodles ($9.90++). Before you leave, try their famous Peanut Ice Cream Roll ($6.90++), a popular street snack comprising vanilla ice cream, crushed peanuts, and fresh coriander in a popiah-like skin. Read our Abundance review.

Address: 63A Lengkok Bahru, #01-378, Singapore 151063 Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm

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Abundance is not a halal-certified eatery.

• 4. Cafe Lilac by Whisking Bakes

If you’re big on orh nee, you have to visit Cafe Lilac by Whisking Bakes on Crawford Lane. Located under an old HDB block, this clean and minimalist cafe serves up unique yam-infused treats at wallet-friendly prices.

For something different, try their Taro Einspanner ($7+), which is essentially an iced black coffee with yam paste topped with taro cream. There’s also the Strawberry Taro Latte ($7.50), which replaces the iced black coffee and taro cream with milk and strawberry jam. Read our Cafe Lilac by Whisking Bakes review.

Address: 466 Crawford Lane, #01-08, Singapore 190465 Opening hours: Mon, Wed-Fri 11:30am to 5:30pm, Sat-Sun 10am to 5:30pm

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Whisking Bakes is not a halal-certified eatery.

• 5. Daily Mujo

Daily Mujo is for those living in the Bedok neighbourhood. This under-HDB cafe offers value-for-money mains that are under $20, including Laksa Hokkien Mee ($12) and Pandan Chicken Chop ($16): tender, pandan-infused chicken thigh paired with pineapple salsa, fries, and coleslaw.

You’ll also find local kopi on the menu, in the form of Kopi Latte ($4), where kopi bing is topped with a creamy milk foam. Else, go for their aesthetically pleasing Mango Matcha Latte ($7), which combines sweet mango puree with earthy matcha and milk.

Read our Daily Mujo review. Address: 84 Bedok North Street 4, #01-27, Singapore 460084

Opening hours: Daily 8:30am to 9pm

Website

Daily Mujo is not a halal-certified eatery, but does not use pork or lard.

• 6. No Horse Run Cafe

If you’re looking for somewhere affordable to dine at, No Horse Run Cafe is one for the books. Here, pasta and baked rice are all priced under $20, with the cheapest Mac and Cheese starting from $10.90.

Alternatively, the Grilled Chicken Aglio Olio and Fish Baked Rice are equally hearty and delicious options to consider. Read our No Horse Run Cafe feature. Address: Block 202 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, #01-1682, Singapore 560202

Opening hours: Tue-Fri 12pm to 12am, Sat 11am to 12am, Sun 11am to 10pm

Website

No Horse Run Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery.

• 7. One18 Bakery

Another East side gem is One18 Bakery, an under-HDB bakery that sells legit croissants in an assortment of sweet and savoury flavours. Their concept is relatively unique, as you can mix and match three items for $10.

You’ll find croissants packed with Beef Rendang, Chicken Satay, Pistachio and more. Read our One18 Bakery feature. Address: 826 Tampines Street 81, #01-118, Singapore 520826

Opening hours: Daily 7am to 8pm

Website

One18 Bakery is a Muslim-owned eatery.

• 8. Cafe FuFu

Cafe FuFu specialises in artisanal Italian sourdough pizzas that are fired up on-site. Order their signature Pizza Fufu ($20+/$30+), which stars coriander pesto, fresh tiger prawn chunks, semi-dried tomatoes, and chilli flakes for added heat.

Alternatively, the popular Pizza Salami ($18+/$28+) is worth trying. This tomato-based pie is finished with oregano-infused olive oil and salami, and then baked till crispy in the wood-fired oven.

Read our Cafe FuFu review. Address: 63 Lengkok Bahru, #01-362, Singapore 152063

Opening hours: Tue-Thurs 11am to 9pm, Fri 11am to 10pm, Sat 9am to 10pm, Sun 9am to 4pm

Website

Cafe FuFu is not a halal-certified eatery.

• 9. Hundred Acre Creamery

If you live in the East, check out Hundred Acre Creamery, a hidden under-HDB cafe serving ice cream and waffles. Go for their freshly baked waffles, available in flavours such as Coconut Pandan Mochi ($7).

It features a coconut and pandan-infused waffle that comes with a soft and chewy mochi middle, great for pairing with your choice of ice cream. There’s the Chrysanthemum Honey ($5.50), which nods to Pooh’s honey obsession, and the vegan-friendly Ispahan Sorbet ($4.50) for those who can’t take dairy.

Read our Hundred Acre Creamery review. Address: Block 824 Tampines Street 81, #01-24, Singapore 520824 Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 11pm

Website

Hundred Acre Creamery is not a halal-certified eatery.

• 10. Desert Dessert

Desert Dessert is a Korean-themed cafe tucked away in the Redhill neighbourhood. They have an extensive range of coffee, cakes, and croffles for you to indulge in until 11pm every day. The Matcha Latte is priced from $6 here, best paired with their Classic Croffle (from $5.50).

Otherwise, go for the classic Cafe Latte ($7) or an iced Chocolate ($7). Read our Desert Dessert feature.

Address: 63B Lengkok Bahru, #01-350, Singapore 152063 Opening hours: Daily 11am to 11pm

Website

Desert Dessert is not a halal-certified eatery.

• 11. Eleven Strands

Eleven Strands has taken over the spot of the now-defunct Kombi Rocks. Boasting a chic, gorgeous minimalist interior, their speciality is fresh, handmade pasta.

Try their Mushroom Risotto ($23+) or Seafood Risotto ($25+), the latter starring all kinds of fresh seafood such as mussels and tiger prawns. There’s also a range of pizzas here, spanning Spicy Chilli Prawn ($21+), Burrata Cheese ($22+), Smoked Salmon ($21+) and more.

Address: 66 Yio Chu Kang Road, Singapore 545568 Opening hours: Tue, Wed & Fri 11am to 9:30pm, Thurs 10:30am to 9:30pm, Sat 10:30am to 10pm, Sun 10:30am to 9pm

Website

Eleven Strands is not a halal-certified eatery.

• 12. Lickers

Lickers is a popular spot frequented by students for a midday cool down. The vibe here is hip and chill, with cheeky neon lights that jazz up the interior.

You can get a plate of warm, fluffy waffles topped with two scoops of ice cream for $12.50. The cafe serves unique, but not over-the-top, flavours such as Yakult Oreo and Oolong with Lavender, which is refreshing and delectable.

Address: 124 Hougang Avenue 1, #01-1446, Singapore 530124 Opening hours: Mon 6:30pm to 12am, Tue-Thurs 1pm to 2am, Fri-Sun 12pm to 2am

Website

Lickers is not a halal-certified eatery.

• 13. Delato

Delato is another East secret that offers freshly baked waffles with gelato. The cafe, which only opened in August 2023, serves Sicilian-style gelato, which swaps out egg yolks for cornstarch for a smooth and thick mouthfeel.

Flavours rotate from time to time! Must-tries include Maple Walnut Pie, Cereal Milk Chocolate Swirls, Mango Basil, and Biscoff Speculoos.

Each scoop is priced at $4.20. Read our Delato feature.

Address: 477 Tampines Street 43, #01-154, Singapore 520477 Opening hours: Mon 6pm to 11pm, Tue-Thurs 5pm to 11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm to 12am, Sun 12pm to 11pm

Website

Delato is not a halal-certified eatery.

• 14. Geometry

Geometry stays comfortably nestled amongst mamak shops at Jalan Bukit Merah. Perfect as a post-lunch treat is their ice cream, which comes in unique flavours such as Earl Grey Tie Guan Yin and Paddle Pop.

Ice cream here is priced at $3.80 for a single scoop and $7.20 for a double scoop, with premium flavours available at a top-up of $0.80 per scoop. Unlike other cafes that serve ice cream with just waffles, Geometry gives you the option to have your ice cream with a Handmade Brownie ($6.50).

Address: 2 Jalan Bukit Merah, #01-5142, Singapore 150002 Opening hours: Wed-Sat 12pm to 10:30pm

Website

Geometry is not a halal-certified eatery.

• 15. New Deli Bakery

Tampines residents are lucky, with the addition of New Deli Bakery to their hood. This Tampines bakery moved from MacPherson, offering freshly baked croissants and pastries alongside a small drinks menu.

It’s also run by a baker who used to work at Tiong Bahru Bakery! You won’t go wrong with their signature Chocolate Croissant ($4.80), said to be flaky and buttery.

Otherwise, their Vanilla Kouign-amann ($5) is equally delicious. FYI, this bake stars premium French butter and vanilla bean pods from Papua New Guinea.

Read our New Deli Bakery feature. Address: 462 Tampines Street 44, #01-66, Singapore 520462

Opening hours: Wed-Sun 8:30am to 5pm

Website

New Deli Bakery is not a halal-certified eatery.

• 16. Parvifolia

Located in Bedok and open till 1am on selected days, Parvifolia is where you can head to for floral-infused ice cream. A Classic Scoop here costs $5.20, while a Double is priced at $7.70. We recommend pairing their gelato with the Signature Waffle (from $7.70) for the best dessert experience.

Alternatively, you can enjoy freshly baked Banana Cake ($3.50) or Red Velvet Cake ($6), perfect for tea time. Read our Parvifolia feature. Address: 510 Bedok North Street 3, #01-75, Singapore 460510

Opening hours: Sun-Tue & Thurs 12pm to 12am, Fri-Sat 12pm to 1am

Website

Parvifolia is not a halal-certified eatery.

• 17. SL Bakehouse

We know the term “hidden gem” is overused, but SL Bakehouse in Jalan Besar is one that really fits the title. There’s a display of affordable tarts and viennoiseries, alongside drinks to go with your bakes.

Recently, the sourdough lineup has been selling like hotcakes, with six different variations: Multigrain ($8.50), Fig & Walnut ($9.50), and Cranberry & Pistachio ($9.50) are some popular picks. It’s also a must to get the Sourdough Egg Tart ($2.20) here!

Read our SL Bakehouse feature. Address: 637 Veerasamy Road, #01-121, Singapore 200637 Opening hours: Sat-Sun 10am to 6pm

Website

SL Bakehouse is not a halal-certified eatery.

Guide to HDB cafes in Singapore

If you love cafe hopping but are too lazy to travel far, KIV this list of neighbourhood cafes for good food in your hood. For more cafes around town, check out cafes that accept CDC Vouchers, sorted by area.

We also have a guide to cheap cafes in Singapore for brunch under $20. Drop us your email so you won't miss the latest news.