At any time of day, I'm keen on satisfying my cravings for carbs, whether that's through cakes, pizzas, or a delicious pasta dish. Above all, though, my hearts are set on a good loaf of bread.
Luckily, in Singapore, I'm spoilt for choice with high-quality bakery options. Whether it's croissants, baguettes, flatbreads, sourdough, brioche buns, pastries, or rolls, you'll find some of the city's best bread here, always served warm and straight from the oven.
In this article, I'll be sharing some of the bakeries my husband and I explored in Singapore. Each one has its unique charm and story, so stay with me till the end to discover them!
Our first stop was Mother Dough Bakery, a must-visit on my Singapore itinerary! Situated at 3 Kledek Street, Singapore 199259, it's open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm.
Nestled in the vibrant locales of Kampong Glam, Arab Street, and Haji Lane, it's a perfect spot to indulge in baked goods and then stroll around the neighborhood.
What intrigued me about this bakery was its dynamic approach to product offerings. They rotate their menu monthly, ensuring a fresh and exciting selection each time you visit. It's a concept that piques curiosity!
The bakery was bustling with activity. By 10 am, this place is crowded already, and by the time we arrived at 10:30, several items had sold out, barely half an hour after opening.
Mother Dough also offers a dine-in option, which is a rarity in Singapore's predominantly takeaway bakery scene. They have seating areas on both the ground and first floors.
We tried the Roti Boyan Pie, a pastry filled with mashed potatoes, shallots, chili, and spices, accompanied by a chili dip. The bread was delicious—soft and aromatic, though the dip was a bit mild for my taste. Still, it was a satisfying lunch, both tasty and filling.
Additionally, we tried the Chai Cake with Cinnamon Apple Cider Glaze. This spice-infused cake, featuring cinnamon, black pepper, ginger, cardamom, and cloves, was topped with an Apple Cider Cinnamon frosting.
The cake was delightful, with well-balanced spices. It was a bit on the sweet side for me, but the tangy frosting provided a nice counterbalance.
For anyone who loves bread and enjoys discovering new bakeries, Mother Dough Bakery is a must-visit. The textures and flavors of their offerings are rich and complex, and they use premium ingredients for added nutritional value. I'm already looking forward to my next visit!
Our next bakery stop was St. Leaven Bakery, located in the bustling Takashimaya Shopping Center at 391 Orchard Road #B208-1-2, Ngee Ann City, Singapore 238872.
Reaching there is a breeze; just alight at the Orchard MRT Station (NS22/TE14), make your way into Takashimaya mall, and you'll find the bakery near the Cold Storage Supermarket on the B2 floor.
The variety of breads, sandwiches, and pastries here is remarkable, a true paradise for anyone with a penchant for bakery delights. I was particularly captivated by the Milky Toast, Matcha Bun, and a chocolate bun.
The Matcha Bun stands out in my memory for its exceptional taste and texture. The matcha powder was authentically bitter, which I adore, and the bun itself, along with the matcha cream, was incredibly soft and pleasing to the palate. In hindsight, I regret not purchasing more.
And remember, St. Leaven's opening hours are the same as those of Takashimaya Mall: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. It's definitely a bakery you shouldn't miss!
Johan Paris is a unique bakery, originally from Ginza, Japan, which blends German, French, and Italian influences with Japanese baking techniques.
In terms of pricing, most of their breads and pastries are priced above SGD 5, with an average cost of around SGD 7 for a loaf. Considering the high-quality ingredients imported from Japan, and their stringent quality control, these prices seem fair for Singapore.
You can find Johan Paris in Isetan Scott's mall, located at 350 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238868. Just head to the B1 floor, and you'll find the shop near the supermarket.
I bought Melted Cheese Bread, Garlic Bread, and Butter Bread (though I forgot the exact name of the bread). Thankfully, all three were delicious! The Melted Cheese Bread was my favorite.
Its texture displays a clear French influence - slightly hard and dry on the outside. However, the generous cheese filling and the soft, airy core are distinctively Japanese
Everyone has different tastes, but to me, it was delicious despite its simple appearance. Perhaps I'm biased, as I see bread as a worthy treat for myself. So, naturally, I relish such snacks. For those who, like me, enjoy exploring bread and other bakery treats, Johan Paris is a must-try!
Next on our list is Bacha Coffee. Though primarily renowned for its coffee, their bakery items are equally impressive and worth trying.
Established in Marrakech in 1910, Bacha Coffee specializes in 100% Arabica coffee. What sets Bacha Coffee apart is their commitment to providing a global coffee experience. They source beans from over 30 top coffee-producing nations, including Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Kenya, and Indonesia.
My order included a Cold Magdalena Decaffeinated coffee from Colombia (SGD 8.50), one Croissant of the Month (SGD 3.50), and a Coffee & Chocolate Croissant (SGD 3.50). The coffee had a dominant fruity flavor with a hint of biscuit aroma. It was pleasantly bitter and smooth on the palate, becoming creamier with added whipped cream.
Bacha Coffee also offers a rotating 'Croissant of the Month' menu, changing monthly, adding an element of surprise and curiosity for customers.
Bacha Coffee's concept is undeniably premium. From the store's design and ordering process to the overall ambiance, everything is tailored to provide a luxurious, personalized experience. This makes it an ideal choice for souvenirs.
You can find Bacha Coffee at several locations in Singapore, including the Takashimaya Department Store, ION Orchard, Fashion Avenue at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, and Changi Airport Terminals 1, 3, and 4.
My next visit was to The French American Bakery, nestled at 49 Haji Lane, Singapore 189242. This halal bakery, established in 2021 by pastry chef Aisha and her husband, has since flourished. It's particularly renowned for its Hot Chocolate, topped with blow-torched cream.
During my visit, I tried both the Hot Chocolate and the Pain Au Chocolate. Each was delightful, with the Hot Chocolate standing out due to its bittersweet flavor enhanced by the creamy topping.
However, it's worth noting that the bakery doesn't offer dine-in options due to its limited size. So, customers can only purchase and take away their treats. Despite this, I found the bakery quite charming and enjoyable.
I stumbled upon AU Croissant in the Wisma Atria mall, located at 435 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238877, on the B1 floor. It was a serendipitous find; the pastries looked so tempting that I decided to give them a try.
I opted for the Tiramisu Croissant (SGD 4.80) and the Sausage Danish with Cheese (SGD 4.20). Both had flavors that were pleasantly mild and not overly sweet. However, the texture was slightly lacking – neither as flaky nor as buttery as I prefer. While enjoyable, I must say I've experienced better in terms of pastry quality.
On my list was the well-known Champion Bolo Bun, located on Tanjong Pagar Rd 92, Singapore. This bakery had gained popularity, piquing the curiosity of many (so we wanted to try it too, lol).
The Bolo Bun, often referred to as a Pineapple Bun, is a hit in Hong Kong and its neighboring regions. Interestingly, despite its name, the bun doesn't contain any pineapple. It's called a pineapple bun because its appearance resembles the skin of a pineapple.
Upon my visit and intention to order, I was informed by the staff that their bread isn't halal (sad), so I didn't make a purchase.
However, they suggested their coffee as an alternative. So, I ended up just buying coffee! For those non-Muslim friends eager to try it, go ahead! I'd love to hear about your experience in the comments.
Another stop on my journey was Tiong Bahru Bakery, located in ION Orchard. Tiong Bahru is acclaimed as one of the top bakery chains in Singapore, celebrated for its diverse range of pastries and menu items.
Despite its many outlets, the queues can get quite lengthy, particularly on weekends. During my visit, I opted just to look around as the line was long and I was still quite full.
Since I was exploring other culinary delights at the time, I didn't get a chance to try their products. But, on my next visit to Singapore, Tiong Bahru Bakery is definitely on my must-try list!
Finally, we visited Châteraisé, a delightful Japanese patisserie located at Square 2 Novena, 10 Sinaran Drive #01-36/41, Singapore. This was located inside the Novena MRT station, so it's an easy stop on our way back to the hotel we stayed.
Though the place is not too big, this shop offers a wide variety of products, all imported directly from Japan. Among my purchases were the Kyoto Uji Matcha Soft Serve Ice Cream (SGD 2.50) and the Fluffy Cream Roll Uji Matcha (SGD 2.50).
The ice cream cone lived up to my expectations, with the matcha flavor being perfectly sweetened and the texture exceptionally smooth!
The Roll Cake was equally delightful. Despite being a tad sweet, the flavors were harmoniously balanced with cream and red bean, making each bite satisfying and delicious until the very end.
