Whoever came up with the phrase ‘east side best side’ must’ve never been to Upper Thomson.
This place literally has everything: speciality coffee houses, brunch cafes, authentic Italian food, Hong Kong street food, and more. If you’re spoilt for choice and can’t decide where to eat, we’ve compiled the 20 best places to eat at Upper Thomson, for both cafes and restaurants.
Best cafes at Upper Thomson
1. Beth
MasterChef Singapore Season 4 contestant Amanda Chia opened this cafe on Casuarina Road, and the weekend queue forms early for the hotcakes.
Beth runs Italian-European brunch with a serious matcha programme — 13 different matcha and hojicha options from a Ceremonial Matcha Latte ($7.5) up to a Melon Matcha ($9). The Giant Hotcake ($17) is the move on a weekend visit. Sandwiches run from $18 for pistachio and mortadella to $23 for truffle and beef carpaccio. Closed Tuesdays.
Location: 134 Casuarina Road, Singapore 579514
Opening hours:
Monday: 10:30am-3pm, 5:30-9pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wed-Fri: 10:30am-3pm, 5:30-9pm
Sat-Sun: 9am-9pm
2. Cheeky Cuppas
A takeaway kiosk under a 52-year-old HDB block in Sin Ming — not Upper Thomson proper, but close enough and worth the detour.
The move here is the Spanner, a drink topped with housemade sweet cream. The Chaspanner ($9.0) uses 6g of Japanese matcha — double the standard pour — under that cream layer and it’s what to order. Open from 8am on weekdays and 9am on weekends, done by 5pm. Good for a morning run before a walk up the Thomson stretch.
Location: 24 Sin Ming Road, #01-47A, Singapore 570024
Opening hours:
Mon-Tue: Closed
Wed-Fri: 8am-4:30pm
Sat-Sun: 9am-5pm
3. Menage Cafe
Menage Cafe is one of the best dog-friendly cafes in Singapore with amazing dishes (for humans, of course).
This cafe at Sin Ming Road includes Japanese rice bowls like Unagi Don ($17.9) and all-day brunch like Salmon & Rosti ($19).
We recommend one of their Asian-inspired pasta, such as the Tom Yam Pasta ($17.9) and Prawn Laksa Pasta ($17.9).
Menage Cafe also offers a delectable range of dog food for your pup, such as Sous Vide Pork Loin, Chicken Breast, Salmon Steak and more. Each dish comes with brown rice and broccoli for a complete meal.
Location: 6 Sin Ming Rd, #01-01/02, Singapore 575585
Opening hours:
Monday: Closed
Tue- Fri: 12pm-9:30pm
Sat-Sun: 1030am-9:30pm
4. Mr. Onigiri
Mr Onigiri is a popular affordable Japanese food kiosk specialising in onigiri sandwiches called onigirazu. They have been viral for bringing a twist to the classic supermarket’s triangle shaped rice ball.
For those new to their offerings, the Spam with Onigiri ($4.9) is a must-try, a classic Okinawa-style onigiri. Alternatively, adventurous palates can explore their signature Melted Cheesy Crispy Chicken ($6.9), featuring a deep-fried chicken patty with gooey cheese and tartare sauce, or the fusion Otak-Otak Onigiri ($7.9).
Location: 215P Upper Thomson Rd, Singapore 574349
Opening hours: 8:45am-10pm (closed on Wednesdays)
5. Salted Caramel
Salted Caramel Artisan Ice Cream, an ice-cream speciality cafe at Upper Thomson, presents hand-crafted ice cream with unique flavours like Ispahan and Lemon Cheesecake.
But, hinted in their name, their signature Salted Caramel flavour stands out. Their Salted Caramel ice cream is especially good as it features a striking contrast of salty and sweet, possibly from the incorporation of Fleur de Sel, a type of hand-harvested sea salt.
Prices start at $4.5 for a single scoop, $8.5 for a double scoop, and $15.9 for a takeaway pint.
Pair your ice cream with options like Fudgy Brownie ($5.5) or Waffle ($5.5) for an extra treat.
Location: 246F Upper Thomson Rd, Singapore 574370
Opening hours:
Mon-Thu: 12-11pm
Fri-Sat: 12pm-1am
Sunday: 12-11pm
6. Oaks Coffee Co
Oaks Coffee Co. stands out for its exceptional coffee selection, housed within a sleek monochromatic cafe.
Discover their specialty drinks like the tantalising Cafe Cot Dua ($8) a Vietnamese coconut coffee topped with creamy coconut foam, and the refreshing Nam Sai (Thai “clear broth”) ($8) a delightful fusion of lemon, lime, and a dash of Tabasco.
Delve into their innovative dishes infused with Asian flavours, such as the aromatic Laksa Orzo ($22) and the shareable spicy Mala Hokkaido Pork Dumplings ($16).
Location: 223 Upper Thomson Rd, Singapore 574355
Opening hours:
Mon-Tue: 10am-10pm
Wednesday: Closed
Thu-Fri: 10am-10pm
Sat-Sun: 9am-10pm
7. SOD Cafe
SOD Cafe Upper Thomson presents a wallet-friendly option for all-day brunch, perfect for those seeking convenient yet delicious bites on the go.
This cafe at Upper Thomson rose to fame with its freshly-baked desserts, speficially the Galaxy Royale, a decadent chocolate cake adorned with a striking blue coating. If you’re craving for a classic, their handcrafted Tiramisu is not bad as well.
Additionally, bubble tea enthusiasts will find satisfaction here, with the Tan Milk Tea ($4.5) being the best seller, is a velvety roasted charcoal oolong milk tea.
SOD Cafe also has a second outlet at Hougang.
Location: 183 Upper Thomson Road, Longhaus, #01-05, Singapore 574429
Opening hours:
Monday: 10:30am-9:30pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wed-Fri: 10:30am-9:30pm
Sat-Sun: 10am-9pm
8. Knockhouse Cafe
Knockhouse Cafe’s name was derived from the knocking sound that baristas make in the process of extracting a shot of espresso, representing their passion for bringing a pleasant coffee experience to their customers.
For coffee, aside from the classic lattes and pourovers, we recommend their White Russian ($7.5). It’s a rare item in Singapore’s cafe scene that is inspired by the cocktail that combines vodka, coffee liquor and cream. Their specials also include Black Sesame ($6) and Tipsy Cocoa ($8).
Meanwhile, the brunch menu comprises western and Japanese mains, as well as all-day brunch. Poke bowls start from $14, while the all-day brunch menu includes Egg Florentine ($19) and Duck Confit Rosti ($22).
Location: 185 Upper Thomson Rd, Singapore 574333
Opening hours: 9am-6pm
9. Woodlands Sourdough
Despite its confusing name, Woodlands Sourdough is a popular cafe at Upper Thomson Road.
The second half of the name is accurate though, specialising in sourdough that you can purchase from $7 a loaf.
If a whole loaf is too much to commit too, Woodlands Sourdough also has bite-sized items that you can get to-go, such as their Tartine ($8), which is a thin slice of sourdough topped with fresh mozzarella, pesto, roasted tomatoes and salad greens.
The Treacle Tarts, a classic British dessert tart that is baked with a buttery shortcrust base, is also available.
Location: 183 Upper Thomson Rd, #01-03, Singapore 574332
Opening hours:
Mon-Wed: Closed
Thu-Sun: 8:30am-4pm
10. Hello Arigato
Down the road from Kong Cafe, you’ll find a Japanese-inspired cafe painted in comforting shades of green and white.
Hello Arigato is known signature Gyu Sando ($26), with a thick strip of medium rare Angus beef striploin, paired with Japanese milk bread and caramelised sweet onion jam.
Its strong contender, the Tamago Sando ($14) elevates the classic egg mayo sandwich with tamagoyaki and Ajitama egg, Japanese rolled omelette and marinated egg respectively.
Hello Arigato also has outlets at Everton Park and Joo Chiat.
Location: 227 Upper Thomson Rd, Singapore 574359
Opening hours:
Monday: Closed
Tue-Fri: 10am-4pm, 5:30-9pm
Sat-Sun: 9am-9pm
11. Thus Coffee
Thus Coffee is more than just a cafe. Also functioning as a local coffee roaster, Thus Coffee aims to design a cosy environment to indulge in a simple cup of coffee.
Their coffee menu is simple, with the basic whites and blacks that start from $3.5, to cold brews that start from $7. In addition, brunch and mains such as Scramble Lyonnaise ($16) and Hearty Chicken Stew ($17).
Location: 4 Jln Kuras, Singapore 577723
Opening hours: 9am-9pm
12. State of Affairs Thomson
An early riser? Fret not as this cafe near Marymount MRT Station opens at 6am to fulfill your cafe needs.
Experience the quintessential Singaporean breakfast in an elevated form, as State of Affairs offers their version of the kaya toast set. The Kaya Toast ($9) features their homemade kaya and miso sauce for the eggs.
They place heavy emphasis on serving a good cup of coffee too, with five different single origins on rotation for espresso-based coffee and pour overs.
Location: 183 Upper Thomson Road, Longhaus 01-02, Singapore 574332
Opening hours:
Mon-Fri: 7am-4:30pm
Sat-Sun: 6am-6pm
13. Columbus Coffee Co.
One of the most highly-acclaimed cafes at Upper Thomson, Columbus Coffee Co. is founded by the same team behind Apollo Coffee Bar and Neptune.
What sets them apart from most cafes is its unique dishes. Here, you won’t be able to find your basic brunch dishes. Instead, you’ll find interesting creations like the Stockpot Chicken & Gruyere ($23.1), Halibut & Scallop “Pao Fan” ($25.1), and Cereal Prawn Pasta ($22.6).
Location: 220 Upper Thomson Rd, Singapore 574352
Opening hours:
Monday: Closed
Tue-Sat: 9am-10pm
Sunday: 9am-7pm
14. ToMo Cafe
Famous for their Instagrammable cloud drink and signature Chuffles, ToMo Cafe opens their third outlet at Upper Thomson.
Indulge in outlet exclusive rice bowls and burgers, such as the Pastrami Don ($21) and ToMo’s Premium Hamburg ($30), and don’t forget to share a Chuffle before leaving. You can get it from $6.
Location: 185 Upper Thomson Rd, Singapore 574333
Best restaurants at Upper Thomson
15. Omote
Nestled in Upper Thomson Plaza, Omote is a vibrant modern Japanese restaurant with budget-friendly chirashi bowls.
Stop by to try their innovative dishes such as Black Truffle Chawanmushi ($9.8) and their signature Deluxe Salmon Chirashi ($28.8) , a delectable medley of salmon and caviar.
For a communal dining experience, explore their shareable options like the Tempura Assortment ($25.8) or the mouthwatering Hotate Mentaiyaki ($13.8), featuring grilled scallops topped with creamy mentai cheese sauce.
Location: 301 Upper Thomson Rd, #03-24A, Singapore 574408
Opening hours:
Monday: 11:30am-2pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wed-Sun: 11:30am-2pm, 5:30-9pm
16. Fatboy’s the Burger Bar
Fatboy’s the Burger Bar Upper Thomson is famous for its Build-Your-Own Burger menu where you get to crafting your own burgers. That means you can add peanut butter and pineapples in your lamb burger!
Aside from that, their best-selling menu are the classic Bacon Bacon Cheese Cheese Burger ($18.5) and their speciality burger called Fat Basterd ($24) along with their signature Beef Chili Cheese Fries ($9)
Location: 187 Upper Thomson Rd, Singapore 574335
Opening hours:
Mon-Fri: 12-11pm
Sat-Sun: 11am-11pm
16. Social Smoker
Social Smoker is a hidden American BBQ smokehouse at Upper Thomson renowned for its artisanal wood-smoked meat platters.
Bring your friends to indulge in the Social Smoker shareable platter, opt from three to five meats options starting from $70 per portion. For an a la carte menu you can try their 200 gr St. Louis Pork Ribs ($20) or succulent USDA Beef Brisket ($36). Pair it up with their signature cocktail, Grandpa’s Old Fashioned ($16).
From Friday to Sunday only, they have a special menu of Dino Beef Ribs ($80) and Smoked Dill Chicken ($19)
Location: 2 Jln Leban, Singapore 577547
Opening hours:
Mon-Tue: Closed
Wed-Sun: 12-2:30pm, 5-10pm
17. So Good Char Chan Tang
At So Good Char Chan Tang, experience the essence of Hong Kong-style dining with an array of traditional comfort food.
Highlights from the restaurant menu are Fried Hor Fun with Beef ($13.3) and their signature tender Roast Pork Belly ($12.8). For dim sum enthusiasts, indulge in classics such as the Traditional Pork Belly Dumpling ($5.5) or the delightful Lotus Paste Dumpling ($3.5).
Location: 26 Sin Ming Ln, #01-121B Midview City, Singapore 573971
Opening hours: 8am-8:30pm
18. Pocoloco
Tucked away in the Upper Thomson neighbourhood, Pocoloco offers an affordable yet authentic Italian dining experience, boasting freshly prepared Italian cuisine crafted from imported ingredients of the highest quality.
The most popular dish on their menu is their Mentaiko ($14.9) , a tagliolini pasta blended with Japanese mentaiko cream sauce. Additionally, their menu showcases a variety of homemade pasta selections, including the savoury Canelloni Ripiene De Angelo ($18.9) featuring lamb meat enveloped in rich béchamel sauce and cheese.
Location: 215F Upper Thomson Rd, Singapore 574349
Opening hours:
Mon-Fri: 12-3pm, 6-10pm
Sat-Sun: 12-10pm
19. Tamako Meal
Tamako Meal offers budget-friendly Japanese homemade dishes.
Founded by a Japanese lady, who named the restaurant after her grandmother who used to cook for her, you can find affordable bento boxes and donburi here.
Their extensive menu features favourites like the signature Tamako Meal Teishoku Obento ($16.8) and the exquisite Salmon and Tuna Don ($17.8). Catering to families, they offer a family combo menu suitable for groups of three to ten people, including sushi platters, yakisoba, teriyaki skewers, and salad, starting from $98.
Additionally the restaurant also has a daily special menu for Monday to Thursday priced only at $15.
Location: 28 Casuarina Rd, Singapore 579516
Opening hours:
Mon-Thu: 11:30 am-2:30 pm, 6-10 pm
Fri-Sun: 11 am-3 pm, 5-10 pm
20. Casuarina Bistro
Nestled in the charming enclave of Sembawang Hill Estate, Casuarina Bistro stands out with its specialisation in Mexican cuisine complemented by Italian and Western delights.
Indulge in the flavourful Chimichanga ($18.9), bathed in a rich red Casuarina sauce, or savour the zesty Quesadillas (starting from $19.9), filled with tantalising jalapeño chilies. Among their stellar offerings, the Fajitas (starting from $19.9) steal the spotlight, allowing diners to customise their choice of protein.
It’s an ideal place to unwind with your friends, thanks to its laid back atmosphere.
Location: 132 Casuarina Rd, Sembawang Hills Estate, Singapore 579520
Opening hours: 11 am-3 pm, 5-11:30 pm
Cafes near Upper Thomson
If you can’t find any suitable cafes in this area, hop over to the nearby neighbourhoods. We have compiled various guides of the best cafes near Upper Thomson:
- Botanic Gardens cafes (2 MRT stops away)
- Orchard cafes (4 MRT stops away)
- Somerset cafes (5 MRT stops away)
- Buona Vista cafes (5 MRT stops away)
- Serangoon cafes (5 MRT stops away)
- Kovan, Hougang, Sengkang cafes (6-9 MRT stops away)
- Queenstown cafes (7 MRT stops away)
- Clementi cafes (7 MRT stops away)
- Bugis cafes (8 MRT stops away)
- Chinatown cafes (9 MRT stops away)
- Punggol cafes (10 MRT stops away)
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