How I accidentally created the Ultimate Girls' Day Out along Haji Lane: French American Bakery, Takara House & Late Morning

Were we planning to visit three places? Nope, we only had one in mind. But somehow, one thing led to another… and we accidentally created the ultimate girls’ day out.

Sorry, boys! This might be a girls’ guide, but if you're looking to win some boyfriend-of-the-year points, feel free to steal this itinerary and treat your girlfriend to a day she'll actually talk about in the group chat.

As Christina Aguilera once said, "What a girl wants, what a girl needs…", and what we needed was some good ol' S&D: shopping and drinks. A random TikTok of the newly opened Takara House in Haji Lane caught our attention, and it seemed like the perfect start to a sunny Tuesday.

Arriving earlier than expected, let’s just say we had a bit of time to kill. We wandered over to Haji Lane; a spot so popular with tourists that, honestly, it feels like a whole new world for Singaporeans like us who haven’t stepped foot there in years. Safe to say, we were in awe of how much it’s changed.

In an attempt to fill both our stomachs and the disappointment of missing out on M Patisserie’s desserts, we followed the pull of turquoise doors into the French American Bakery... our first meal of the day.

Inside, we were met with a jaw-dropping spread of French pastries, from beloved classics to creations so unique you’d only find them here. After pacing up and down the display case more times than we’d care to admit, we finally came to a decision.

We got the Cinnamon Bun ($3.90), Brookie ($3.90), Flat Kouign-Amann ($3.90).

Sugary goodness wrapped in warm, freshly baked pastries... exactly what we needed to kick off a full day of walking around the city.

The cinnamon bun was packed with spiced cinnamon goodness in every rolled layer, finished off with a generous drizzle of milky-sweet icing. Question: What do you get when a brownie and a cookie have a baby? A brookie! O.O

Dense, decadent, and rich enough to satisfy any sweet tooth all morning long. And finally, the flat kouign-amann: delicate, flaky layers kissed with milk chocolate. The perfect pastry for those who prefer something light but still indulgent.

With our cravings satisfied and bellies happily full, we made our way over to the now-open Takara House for a little (okay, a lot of) retail therapy.

Characterised by their recognisable neon orange signage!

Stepping into Takara House felt like being transported into a cosy little cottage straight out of a Studio Ghibli film.

Every nook and cranny was brimming with quirky trinkets and personality. We pretty much found ourselves in a game of ‘Where’s Wally?’ trying to spot them all!

Now, onto the clothes. As a self-proclaimed shopaholic, I was immediately drawn to their carefully curated selection of vintage pieces. From graphic tees to Japanese-style clothing, there was truly something for everyone. But what really caught my eye? The wide selection of vintage jewellery. They do say diamonds—or really, anything sparkly—are a girl’s best friend! <3

After much debating (and pestering my co-workers for opinions), I finally picked out the most gorgeous vintage necklace to add to my ever-growing collection.

After all that shopping (and decision-making!), we were more than ready for a much-needed coffee break. We trotted (yes, with Jia Le wobbling in my heels) down to Late Morning for a little pick-me-up.

This homeware store/coffee shop is a tranquil escape tucked along the busy streets of Chinatown.

Their little coffee setup is tucked away to the side of the cashier; easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. One of the staff shared that it actually started out as a personal coffee corner, but after getting so many inquiries, they decided to open it up for customers too.

The menu is simple, offering the classics and one specialty drink. Naturally, we had to try most of their classics (for research purposes, of course).

Iced White ($7), Iced Matcha Latte ($7)  & the Iced Coconut Americano ($7)

The coffee based drinks featured an acidic coffee blend with tart after notes, perfect for those who like their coffee STRONG. For those looking for a non-coffee treat this matcha ranked high amongst my critical matcha loving colleagues for its premium taste and harmonious blend with the milk and sugar so definitely give it a try if you’re looking for a solid cup of matcha. 

Psst, you can use your CDC vouchers to pick up some aesthetic homewares at Late Morning while waiting for your cuppa!

So, grab your friends, steal our citywalk guide and I promise you’ll get your well-deserved R&R! 

Locations: 

French American Bakery - 49 Haji Ln, Singapore 189242 

Takara House - N Bridge Rd, Level 2 of 674, Singapore 188804 

Late Morning - 230 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058779