1. LOOKSEE LOOKSEE
Hidden between a row of bars on Beach Rd, LOOKSEE LOOKSEE feels like an Instagram photo that reached a lifetime. Millennial‑pink walls, stone‑beige undertones, a sprinkle of cactus and fern give it that “I’m in a magazine” vibe.
Grab a book from their small library of F&B, art and design reads (if you don’t fancy those). Bring your own novel and soak up a cup of the handcrafted tea from A.muse. Pay whatever you wish, but at least $5 per pot.
Weekday afternoons are so quiet you’ll swear you’re in a library.
Address: 267 Beach Rd
2. COOK & TRAS SOCIAL LIBRARY
Do the fancy‑fancy thing: the Cook & Tras Social Library inside Six Senses Maxwell looks like a classic library but packed with Asian teas, kombucha, and a shared menu of Straits‑heritage bites plus Southern‑European flavors.
With over 3,000 titles in the bookshelves, you can curl up in a plush armchair or sofa and get lost in a mystery or philosophy book.
Location: Six Senses Maxwell, street level.
3. THE GLASSHOUSE
Minimalism. Coffee from worldwide roasters. Scandinavian lighting. They specialize in toast, but you’re welcome to bring any brunch or snack to munch with your latte.
Pick a seat somewhere—bar or couch—and enjoy their free Wi‑Fi while you read. It’s basically a photo‑op with gorgeous white walls and greenery.
Address: 30 Victoria St, #01‑03 Chijmes
4. THE MOON
Once an antiques store, now a private, tranquil sanctuary for bookworms. The Moon boasts a library with mostly women authors—70 + percent, which means you’re more likely to find a Jane Austen or a local Singaporean novel than a medieval grimoire.
They serve golden‑turmeric milk (Haldi Doodh) and you can sink into a beanbag or plush armchair. They also screen films, host group meditations and workshops. A true home‑away‑from‑home vibe.
Address: 37 Mosque Street
5. GALLERY & CO.
Reading inside the National Gallery Singapore—a museum feel that’s actually fun. The restaurant is adjacent to a shop that sells quirky decorations. Don’t feel obligated to pretend to admire art; just enjoy your book.
Window seats bathe in natural light—but beware the 2 pm sun can scorch you.
Address: 1 St Andrew’s Rd
6. ARTEASTIQ
Feel the vibe of a Victorian‑modern tea lounge inside Mandarin Gallery. The square‑pane windows look out over lush trees, and the teas include fruit, floral, Chinese, Japanese, even “Tea‑tox” like Honey‑Lavender with lavender sprigs.
The “Lady Yang” dessert tea (a lychee infusion over a skewer of rose‑powdered lychees) is pure dessert‑in‑tea bliss.
Address: Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Rd
7. LADY M
White‑and‑grey interiors that calm the senses and ESCORT you away from the hustle of Orchard Central flagship store. Beside the bakery at Scotts Square and South Beach, you can indulge in Mille‑crepe confections and artisanal teas.
They even recommend tea‑and‑cake pairings in handy lists.
- Scotts Square: #01‑06/07 Scotts Square
- South Beach: 26 Beach Road, #01‑17
8. CAFE DE NICOLE’S FLOWER
Flowers everywhere—floral arch, overhanging ferns, a little florist corner. The cafe serves hearty brunches, but the desserts and drinks steal the show. Soufflé pancakes with dried blooms? Whale‑blue butterfly‑pea‑infused tea with honey lemon? A treat for the senses.
Pet‑friendly with an embedded florist to fool you into thinking it’s a kombucha shop.
Address: 224 Telok Kurau Rd, #01‑01
9. THE READING ROOM
High‑tea sets and cafe nosh during the day. A bustling bar with tapas, wines, craft ciders, cocktails by night. A layout of wooden chairs, upholstered seats, and vintage‑framed pictures that feels like a real, messy, cozy sanctuary.
Take your own book or gamble on the library’s own selection—there’s plenty.
Address: 19 Bukit Pasoh Rd
10. THE SOCIAL SPACE
“Socially‑conscious multi‑concept” with fair‑trade food and beverages—including premium tea from Sri Lankan Amba Estate. This place lets you browse eco‑friendly products or get a manicure. It’s a place to wander and stay for hours.
Address: 333 Kreta Ayer Rd 01‑14
11. MELLOWER COFFEE
Primarily a coffee joint but the tea is a worthy companion. The second floor offers bean‑bags where you can recline, while bar stools give you a good street‑crossing view. Every drink comes with a fresh flower vase, perfect for a flatlay addict.
Address: 108 Middle Rd
12. BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Cloud lamps, ferns, skylights—and still no croissants. Contemporary Sichuan fare instead, such as Asian‑spiced poached pears with cucumber‑mint or white‑pear‑ginger teas. Try the cucumber‑mint or white‑pear‑ginger, pair it with Asian spice poor pear: a little bit extra.
Address: 115 Amoy St
13. PLAIN VANILLA BAKERY
Hipster Tiong Bahru bakery known for its scrumptious cupcakes, served with loose‑leaf tea. The storefront changes every few weeks: wooden swing, low tables, carpets, bicycles with basket to rent for a quick cardio session.
Address: 1D Yong Siak St
14. MERCURE SINGAPORE BUGIS
Central, (truly not per inch). The new Timeless Indulgence Afternoon Tea Set ($35 + per set) offers Western pastries or Asian desserts like Durian Creme Brulee. The chic lobby lounge hosts BARtistry@ONE22.
Staycation? Take your book and tea up to the pool for a dip in the water while you read.
Address: 122 Middle Rd
15. THE RABBIT HOLE
Garden bar concerned with gin—sipping a pot of tea there is a good idea, but you can also indulge in a gin‑based cocktail crowned with flowers. If you prefer to stay quiet, the indoor bar adorned with greenery is perfect for reading while you watch a bartender work.
Address: 39C Harding Rd
16. TEA BONE ZEN MIND
Pass through a humble wooden door and immerse yourself in a koi pond, tea‑laminated spaces and “Japanese‑tatami” rooms*
Remember to take a deep breath and enjoy dryness in the mind, shelf.
Address: 98 Emerald Hill Rd
17. THE COASTAL SETTLEMENT
Remnant of old‑school Singapore, with smooth cement floors, red‑and‑blue china, big chairs and glass walls that show tropical green outside. The interior’s retro charm is a hug in a mug for the waist‑goals of solo reading.
High‑tea sets and free‑flow coffee or tea daily 2–5 pm.
Address: 200 Netheravon Rd
18. ANTOINETTE
Quiet during weekdays, a subtle stainless‑steel with old‑school Victorian chairs, heavy candelabras, and whimsical ink‑gestures that are bedtime for the mind. Wax–d wax‑quiet. Cake’s cradled y‑smooth gosh.
Plan a visit outside lunch and dinner—otherwise it can get loud. 30 Penhas Rd and Mandarin Gallery.
19. MY ART SPACE
Part art school, part cafe—sunlight pours in through skylights, the fountain reveals behind the glass. The artist’s studio lives beside the cafe, visually appealing to those users who want to feel immersed. The tea menu is simple and pleasing, no over‑flowing.
Address: 31 Orchard Rd
20. ATLAS BAR
A chill hideaway atop a building that switches between a sky‑high view and a welcoming library vibe. They serve a wide selection of teas—including traditional herbal blends, matcha, and even unique, spicy chamomile. The décor is a bit industrial but hand‑crafted. Jazz cars, slow‑hours, and small plates with locally ready-made handmade espresso drinks evoke good vibes.
Address: 7 Marina Bay Way
Atlas: The Gin‑Bar That Plays Tea Too
When you hear Atlas you’ll usually picture crystal‑clear gin, tucked into a cozy, dimly lit corner of Singapore’s bar scene. And you’re right — it’s arguably the best gin bar in the world. But did you know this regal‑looking venue sprinkles a dash of elegance with a flawless tea service?
Let’s dive into the summer vibes of its afternoon tea set. Pick your favorite tea — Earl Grey, Darjeeling, or maybe a floral Jasmine — and indulge in a whirlwind of savory & sweet bites. No, you’re not just chewing onions; think aromatic truffled egg and watercress brioche and a dreamy passionfruit cheesecake that will make your taste buds feel party‑ready.
- Truffled Egg & Watercress Brioche – a savory bite unlike any other.
- Passionfruit Cheesecake – sweet, tangy, and utterly delightful.
- Tea Of The Day – always a pleasant surprise.
Why we love sipping at Atlas? It’s the intricate design and art that wraps you in a feeling I’ve learned on countless visits: every corner reveals a new hidden detail. Whether it’s a hidden weeping willow wall or a miniature music box chiming in the background, the ambiance is a per‑tour experience.
Pro tip: Reserve ahead if you’re heading on a weekend or a weekday after work. Weekday afternoons? U‑m, you can usually dodge the queue, but reservations save you the headache.
Store this address in your phone: 600 North Bridge Rd.
Summerlong: Brunching With a Riverside Flair
If brunch plans have you penciled out this week (whether you’re a lingering coffee lover or a “one‑pushed‑out‑on‑cooking-stove” type), then this spot is your new go‑to. It splashes a resort‑inspired atmosphere right on Robertson Quay, so you’ll feel like you’ve boarded a fancy yacht.
Grab a comfy rattan chair, order your favorite brew, and set your inner bibliophile ablaze by finishing that book you’ve been scrolling past.
- Unlimited salad buffet bar – a rainbow of veggies, pastas, and juicy desserts ($23).
- Steaming bowl of Shakshuka – a spicy, tomatoy, egg‑filled delight.
- Real Turkish Breakfast – a breakfast feast that will keep you reading through two chapters at least.
Not looking to stay indoors for too long? Take a stroll along the riverside. A gentle breeze while holding your coffee will let your mind reset, right between bites.
Store this address: 60 Robertson Quay #01‑04.
See Summerlong’s Instagram feed for a taste of how the place feels, and head out to feast on these brunch staples.
