A Review of Overrated Cafes in Chinatown
Updated: Aug 25
From overly fancy lattes to so-called "insta-worthy" desserts, our candid insiders spill the beans what to get and what to miss at these hotspots! ☕🍔🍩🧁
We'll never let you pay for another overpriced latte again, if you'll only get to the end of this article where we cover what's worth the penny and when to save your hard-earned money.
Glasshouse (Neil Road)
136 Neil Rd, #01-01, Singapore 088865
Opens: Mon - Sun 8:00am - 6:00pm
Ah, Glasshouse, a place that captured the hearts of many but left our adventurous souls feeling unsatisfied, time and time again.
With a sigh, @jeajeajea admits, "This is actually my 3rd or 4th time at here and every time I leave I feel v unsatisfied." It's not that the food is terrible, mind you. It's decent, but it falls short of greatness and one can’t help but give up halfway.
Take, for example, the $20 fried chicken waffle, which, unfortunately, tends to get a bit too oily, and the $18 mac&cheese becomes very “jelak”.
But fear not, dear caffeinated souls, for Glasshouse cafe does have a glimmer of hope. Our determined explorer recalls a secret gem amidst the mediocrity. “I had their hummus & sour dough before that was great".
@kermit shares her experience with the drinks. “the iced latte was just normal… just tasted like a normal latte you get at any place” she confesses.
But wait! Her eyes light up as she shares her wisdom: "the mont blanc pulled through! the sweet cream on top of cold brew was actually really good, especially the small bits w zest!"
So, if you find yourself venturing into the realm of Glasshouse cafe, heed her advice and skip the lackluster latte. Instead, opt for the $9 Mont Blanc that promises a taste sensation worth savouring and the hummus and sour dough pairing!
Paaru.sg
195 Pearl's Hill Terrace, #01-61, Singapore 168976
Opens: Mon - Fri 9:00am - 7:00pm | Sat - Sun 8:00am - 6:00pm
Prepare to step into the world of Paaru.sg cafe, a place that has gained its fair share of TikTok fame.
@pogstal, fueled by the countless TikTok videos, couldn't resist the urge to try it out. Expectations were high but only some were duly met. “I LOVE THE Japanese vibes ah, the ambience really sells it…”
But alas, the coffee failed to meet the hype. "The mocha is damn MEH!!!!" she exclaimed, disappointment dripping from her words like spilled boba pearls.
@kermit, on the other hand, found solace in the shokupan, declaring it "not bad" and “quite nice and sweet”. But for @pogstal, who isn't a fan of overly sweet treats, her judgment was reserved. She couldn't be the judge of the shokupan's sweetness, admitting, "I don't really like sweet stuff, so I can't be a judge of that, oops."
Queic by Olivia
41 Kreta Ayer Rd, #41, Singapore 089003
Opens: Weds - Sun 11:00am - 7:00pm | Closed on Mon & Tues
Now, let us delve into the cheesecake chronicles. Queic by Olivia takes the spotlight with good reviews on Google, but once again, disappointment lurks in the shadows. Our courageous soul, @thisisribena recounts a saddening experience, as their much-anticipated go-to burnt cheesecake falls short of expectations. Instead of a symphony of flavors, it tasted like a mouthful of melted cheese with an overwhelming sugary assault. A bitter note in an otherwise sweet tale. To add salt to the wound, everything in that fateful photo came with a hefty price tag of $45. Oh, the irony of life's culinary adventures!
September Coffee
258 South Bridge Rd, #01-01, Singapore 058807
Opens: Tues - Thurs 11:30am - 8:30pm | Fri - Sat 11:30am - 9:00pm | Sun 11:30am - 5:00pm | Closed on Mon
Let's dive into the wild world of @thisisribena once again, this time focusing on her epic quest at September Coffee. With an adventurous spirit, she boldly ordered the "yuzuri spritz and matcha rose!" from the menu, expecting a mind-blowing flavor explosion. But oh, the disappointment that followed! When asked about her verdict, @thisisribena couldn't help but deliver a crushing blow, declaring, "It's not worth it.”
But isn’t September Coffee supposed to be about coffee??? You got that right! @kermit comes in to save September asserting, “the sesame latte with coffee is great, the food is amaizing!!” It was so good that @kermit forgot how to spell "amazing". Time to ready your tummy for some September coffee!
Oh and apparently, beyond the good ambience, the breakkie, tater tots and the sauce-y rose udon stole the show and blew their guests away! @gerlehdees agreed fervently, “Dude this looks so good LOL”. Perhaps it’s time for @kermit and @gerlehdees to schedule a date at September Coffee!
Leckerbaer (Keong Saik Road)
14 Keong Saik Rd., Singapore 089121
Opens: Mon - Thu & Sun 10:00am - 8:30pm | Fri - Sat 10:00am - 9:00pm
Finally, we have Leckerbaer, the pastry shop which tops our list for "atas" vibes but fails bitterly in the drinks game. While they offer a set of pastries with two drinks for $36, @xavsharky's experience would warn you against this temptation. He laments, "their drinks are ex and not that special tho 🥴".
Instead, bring your own water and get their pastries by themselves. @xavsharky shares that the biscuits are "not bad" and that he personally likes the sour ones more, like the lemon tart and raspberry bun.
Although, it'll be prudent for you to proceed with caution and a heightened awareness of your own preferences for @mjoycel remarked that she got something sour which she didn't like! At times like this, we advise you ask the server what the flavours might be.
In a world of overhyped cafes and Insta-fame, our local guide spills the tea on the most overrated spots in Chinatown down to the specifics of their menus. From lackluster brews to meh-worthy dishes, they've shattered the illusions and revealed the truth. So, fellow adventurers, trust the locals, ditch the hype, and seek out the real hidden gems. Cheers to keeping it real, one sip and bite at a time! And if you ever encounter an overrated cafe, be sure to warn others of it by posting on Scratchbac!
This article is scooped by Scratchbac user @jeajeajea and co-written by ScoopAI. Expand to see disclaimer:
The content is generated using data gathered using posts from Scratchbac users and the internet. Please note that all information provided in this article is derived from the opinions of our users. We do not take responsibility for any inaccuracies that may be present. Readers are encouraged to verify facts from reliable sources independently.
