In a country hustling and bustling with life within an urban, concrete jungle, to chance upon a café filled with not only great food, but also arts of all kinds, is, without a doubt, a rare sight. Such an experience is what these 3 cafés aspire to bring to their Singaporean patrons.
Broun Café:
Situated in the middle of North Canal Road, a mere 5-minute walk from Clarke Quay MRT Station, lies the humble Broun Café, distinctively made known not only by its dark brown painted walls, but also by its array of strange and wonderful offerings that not only include good grub, but live performances as well.
Patrons are spoilt for choice at Broun, as the café offers, among others, delectable pasta, stew, and their luscious Homemade Signature Brounie. The café even has a mini shop which “sells books, stickers, and a number of other strange … [and] wonderful items from local creative folk”, they describe on their website, broun.sg.
With the 2 café founders being musicians themselves, it is no surprise that when you pay a little visit to the café from Wednesday to Saturday nights, you’d be treated by tunes from talented local musicians who play in a corner titled Broun Sessions. “I adore Broun for its love for the local arts, music and cultural scene,” says Juliet Pang, vocalist of jazz quartet, White Noise, who recently played at Broun Café.
*Note: Broun Café will be temporarily shifting from its home at North Canal Road. However, Broun Sessions are still on at The Loft Café, nearby Smith Street.
- Price Rating: $$
- Rating: 4/5
- Address: (Temporary) 268A South Bridge Road, Singapore.
- Contact Details:
- Tel: +65 6535 0430
- Website: broun.sg
- Facebook: facebook.com/broun.sg
- Opening Hours
- Tue: 11:30 pm – 3:00 pm
- Wed – Fri: 11:30 pm – 10:00 pm
- Sat: 9:00 am – 10:30 pm
- Sun: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Food Review:
- Food: 3.5/5
- Ambience: 5/5
- Service: 4/5
- Value: 4/5
Talent Café:
Along Tras Street stands what looks like a 4-storey whitewashed shop house, better known as Talent Café Singapore. Initially started over 15 years ago in Kuala Lumpur, the franchise opened in Singapore last year.
Though its exterior may seem plain, the interior of the café exuberates an ambience of classy art, in an environment where “photographers can collaborate with models, graphic artists with poets, chefs with artists,” as stated on their Facebook page.
Stairways and walls are lined with works of art, exceptional photographs of all kinds. “They are changed every few months,” says a staff member. “Next month, we’ll feature photographs from local art students!”
With great cuisine, coupled with mini bars that serve a diverse range of alcoholic drinks and desserts, Talent Café achieves a unique eating experience unlike any other.
- Price Rating: $$
- Rating: 4/5
- Address: 34 & 36 Tras Street, Singapore, Singapore 079026
- Contact Details:
- Tel: +65 6536 7077
- Email: info@talentcafe.asia
- Website: talentcafe.asia
- Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Talent-Cafe-Singapore/113204665422850
- Opening Hours
- Mon – Tue: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Wed – Fri: 11:00 am – 1:00 am
- Sat: 6:00 pm – 1:00 am
Food Review:
- Food: 4/5
- Ambience: 5/5
- Service: 4/5
- Value: 3.5/5
The Connoisseur Concerto (TCC) (Pantone My Art)
Amidst paintings and illustrations hung from wall to wall, a mirrored wall lined with books, and with soft cushions to rest your tush, this two-storey The Connoisseur Concerto (TCC) outlet offers a great environment for one to sit back, enjoy great food, soups, salads, pasta, dessert cakes, and not forgetting their signature offering, listed in almost every page of their extensive drinks menu- coffee.
The outlet even plays host to art exhibitions, most recently, Pantone My Art, held in collaboration with art-management.com, which opened on Jul 11. The exhibition features artwork from “ten Singapore-based artists,” as stated on their webpage, pantonemyart.com, tasked with creating works of art in one main colour.
*Note: Pantone My Art will be held until Sep 30.
- Price Rating: $$
- Rating: 4/5
- Address: 51 Circular Road, Singapore 049406
- Contact Details:
- Tel: +65 6533 9033 or (TCC Main Office) +65 6336 5675
- Fax: +65 6533 3430 or (TCC Main Office) +65 6338 9031
- Website: theconnoisseurconcerto.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/PantoneMyArt
- Opening Hours
- Sun – Thu and Public Holidays: 11:00 am – 12:00 am
- Fri – Sat and Eve of Public Holidays: 11:00 am – 2:00 am
Food Review:
- Food: 4.5/5
- Ambience: 5/5
- Service: 4/5
- Value: 3.5/5
Be it in a shophouse located along a quaint street, or in a posh-looking café, it seems that slowly, arts and good food are going to be coupled together, permanently. We look forward to what other kinds of fusion cafés pop out in the future!