Finding a Cup of Coffee in Singapore

Coffee (kopi in Malay) is not at all hard to come by in Singapore. Finding that perfect cup you actually want is harder.

In the residential neighborhoods of Singapore, a strong cup of half-descent Sumatran coffee is available on almost every street corner. But unless you speak at least a little Malay, chances are you will get mixed two parts coffee to one part sweetened condensed milk. That's the way it comes. Tidak susu passes in Malay for "no milk."

Picture courtesy of Graham Braun

Coffee is Asian. At least it is central to much of the culture of the Malay word. But if you're just looking for your morning hit and not for a cultural experience, Starbucks is probably the place for you. And you're in luck, because at last count there were 15 Starbucks in Singapore.

In the Orchard Road and downtown areas:

• Orchard Point, on Orchard Road between Centerpoint Mall and Orchard Plaza.
• In Marina Square on Raffles Boulevard. The sqaure is connected to both the Marina Mandarin Hotel and the Pan Pacific Hotel.
• Plaza Singapura on Orchard Road near the Dhoby Ghaut MRT station.
• In Liat Towers on Orchard Road, next to Far East Shopping Center.
• In the Orchard Building, near the corner of Grange Road and Orchard Road.
• In the Shaw Leisure Gallery, inside the Shaw Towers on Beach Road, not far from the Raffles Hotel.
• In Far East Plaza (not to be confused with Far East Shopping Center), next to the Grand Hyatt on Scotts Road.
• In the Orchard Parade Hotel.
• In Singapore's World Trade Center at 1 Maritime Square in the Harbourfront area.
• In

  Picture courtesy of Holly Henry-Pilkington

  In other locations:
  • Inside Tampines Mall, near the EW2 stop on Singapores MRT.
  • Causeway Point in the Woodlands area of Singapore.
  • Inside Parkway Parade.
  • In Eastpoint Mall, across from the Semei MRT station.
  • On Holland Avenue, not far from Holland Road Shopping Center.

  Of course, there are plenty of other choices in Singapore when it comes to coffee.