Unwinding with nature: Garden-themed cafes in Singapore

By Gabriela Lim

With Singapore’s fast-paced development, many skyscrapers are erected to fill the spaces of our little island. It is no wonder the city is left with few surviving natural spaces aside from tourist spots, such as the Singapore Botanic Gardens and the Gardens by the Bay.

In this issue, the Nanyang Chronicle brings you to some new and upcoming garden-themed cafes that you might fancy if you’re looking to soak in the presence of greenery over a good cup of coffee.

Birds of Paradise Gelato Boutique
63 East Coast Road, #01-05
S428776
Opening hours:
Tue to Fri: 4.30pm – 10pm
Sat to Sun: 12pm – 10pm

Birds of paradise. PHOTO: GABRIELA LIM

Nestled in the bustling streets of Katong is a three-month-old gelato boutique known for its Asian-inspired, smooth and creamy gelato.

Birds of Paradise offers unconventional, botanical-themed flavours such as spiced pear and lychee raspberry, featuring a delightful mix of fruits, flowers and spices, which are all made in-house from scratch every day.

The decor here follows its botany theme, with a garden-inspired wall mural and bouquets of flowers set on the countertops adding to the vibrant, inviting atmosphere.

The Instagram-worthy mural, a whimsical jungle utopia with its mix of patterned leaves and colourful birds, has become the store’s trademark branding.

“To us, the beauty of these rare birds in the jungle seemed to have achieved perfection,” said owner of the boutique, Mr Edwin Lim.

“Similarly, we hope to pursue the same beauty and perfection with our unique handmade gelatos.’’

Among the array of interesting ice cream flavours, my personal favourite would be white chrysanthemum — a delectable fusion taste of herbal honey and delicately sweet cacao nibs.

If you’re not a fan of chrysanthemum, you can opt for the mildly sour alternatives, such as the strawberry basil, which offers a much more tangy taste.

While the prices here are not cheap — a single scoop would cost you $4.70, and an additional $1 for its specialty waffle cone — customers are paying for the specially crafted ice cream flavours.

Apart from using expensive and fresh ingredients, the gelato boutique also naturally infuses its flavours — a process of extracting essence from flowers and herbs, which are then used as the base of the ice cream flavours.

For all you ice cream lovers, this might just be the place to try something different and more natural for the palette.

Moreover, Katong is paved with many food spots, so use this opportunity to take a trip to the east and spend the day cafe-hopping.

Botanist
74 Neil Road
S088839
Opening hours:
Tue to Sun: 8am – 6pm

Botanist. PHOTO: GABRIELA LIM

Since its opening on 5 Nov, Botanist has attracted quite a sizeable crowd, with customers willing to wait up to an hour to get seats.

Run by the same team behind well-known cafes Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters and Alchemist, Botanist is the newest addition to the family inspired by the cafe culture from Down Under. And just like its reputable sister cafes, Botanist also delivers great coffee.

Patrons can opt for alfresco dining, which immerses them fully in the garden theme. The vertical garden, a wall feature of plants hanging over, spans across the alfresco dining area. It is meant to create a serene environment for customers having their meal.

“The idea was to create a hidden garden that is subtle, and go back to the root of where coffee came from, since coffee beans are originally from plants,’’ said Mr Mike Chan, the head barista in Botanist who played an integral role in setting up the store with his friend and cafe owner, Mr Will Leow.

“We had a vision of creating a meticulously curated garden interior for patrons to unwind at, almost like how a botanist would design his home,” added Mr Leow.

Botanist’s menu boasts a wide range of food and drinks, and each dish served here has accents of the cafe’s personal touch through its varied plating of edible flowers.

Botanist’s French Toast. PHOTO: GABRIELA LIM

The French Toast ($18), one of its signature dishes, is a gem for those with a sweet tooth, paired with rhubarb berry marmalade alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Topped with poached pears and fresh berries, this dish is elegant with its meticulous plating of refreshing almond flakes and edible flowers.

But don’t leave without trying its coffee. Each cup of coffee is carefully brewed to attain a balanced intensity with in-house roasted beans.

On top of that, customers also get to pick their favourite beans and size of the coffee, all of which maintain consistent texture and a light roast, without the burn taste that many coffee houses err on.
Its house blend, Dark Matter ($3-6), is a favourite among patrons with its rich taste.

The Laneway Market
266 Tanjong Katong Road
S437053
Opening hours:
Wed to Fri: 11am – 9.30pm
Sat and Sun: 10.30am – 9.30pm

Laneway coffee. PHOTO: GABRIELA LIM

With bouquets of dried flowers hanging from the ceiling and cartons of fruits stacked against the walls, many passers-by would pop in The Laneway Market for a peek.

The market-themed cafe’s interior captures a mix of old and new, with large vases of dried flowers and wooden furniture juxtaposed with accents of modern minimalism from its wall tiles.

The restaurant is adorned with bunches of dried baby’s breath lining its walls.

Vases of fresh blooms add colour to each table and are changed weekly by the staff.

“We felt that the theme and decoration would leave customers with a calming effect, which explains the mass number of flowers everywhere,” said Mr Christopher Tan, owner of the cafe.

The cafe offers classic brunch items such as scrambled eggs and truffle fries ($12), but the one item that keeps me coming back for more is the mushroom risotto ($20), a delicate concoction of Italian and Japanese flavours.

Earl Grey Latte. PHOTO: GABRIELA LIM

Over the past year, Mr Tan, who is also the head chef, has surprised me with different variations of this dish, from a simpler Hon Dashi risotto with field mushrooms that has a creamy base topped with bonito flakes, to a contemporary take on risotto, topped with fried mushrooms and a sous vide egg.

“We want to keep things interesting so guests will be able to try new dishes whenever they visit,” the 25-year-old said.

Apart from its mains, a favourite among customers is the cafe’s signature coffee, the cold brew ($6.50) served in a bottle.

But if you are feeling slightly more adventurous, try the Earl Grey Latte ($6) for its floral essence that complements the coffee taste.