Venture beyond the CBD and you will find some real gems for breakfast in Singapore. I found two such places located on the outer edge of the Arab district. The first being Tolido’s Espresso Nook and the second simply called Artistry. What brought me to these cafes, was the fact that my hotel’s breakfast was less than impressive – actually it was downright woeful! So I was looking for the exceptional, a place where I could relax with a good coffee, awaiting a freshly cooked breakfast that would have my tastebuds rejoicing.

Tolido’s Espresso Nook

This relaxed cafe has a lovely ambience, with it’s slightly eclectic decor, it beckons you to sit and refuel. Tolido’s serves breakfast all day long, with some fantastic choices on the menu. Food is freshly prepared and the coffee is really good. I loved this place so much, that I came back 3 times! Standouts are the banana almond french toast, the omelette and the pandan pancakes.

The staff are ever so welcoming and like to chat with their patrons, giving this place a real personal edge. Like all great places, this place gets very busy on weekends.

Where to find:

462 Crawford Lane, Singapore. (Enter from Jalan Sultan)

Closest MTR is Lavender.

Artistry

Artistry exudes a sophisticated come rustic look, with black and white timber featuring throughout. Artwork adorns the walls of this petite venue and are all for sale for the right buyer (i.e those with a heavy wallet).

Artistry opens mid morning, for those late risers, serving all day breakfast and lunch. The menu may be small but the choices on offer are done well. The standout is the BRB pancake, served with fresh berries, bacon and ice-cream. It boasts on the menu to allow 20 minutes for this little masterpiece and it is most definitely worth the wait.

A very busy cafe with both locals and tourists coming in for breakfast, lunch and their coffee fix.