Meet Avenue on 3 Cafe, a Mediterranean cafe in Orchard Paragon where you forget about Instagram (for a little while).

Tucked away in Paragon is a quiet cafe that looks like it belongs somewhere along the Mediterranean coast. Meet Avenue on 3 Cafe, a place that, at first glance, could easily be mistaken for a manicure lounge if I’m being honest.

Now, this isn't a groundbreaking find, but a tenderly unique one. If you’ve seen/enjoyed cafes located in Pazzion or Editor’s Market... this feels like the older, more regal, quieter sibling. It sits along Avenue 3, Paragon’s shopping level, and serves an unexpectedly broad mix of food, tea-time bites, and drinks.

Plushy seats, regal vibes.

The décor feels like a blend of influences mostly Mediterranean, with French-style touches that show up in both the interiors and the menu. There’s marble, plushy seats, carpet-ry, soft lighting, and an air of calm luxury.

I came with a book, ready for a slow afternoon, but was seated in the middle of the cafe instead of a corner.

When I asked to move to a hidden spot (which was empty), they politely declined, which was a little disappointing. My neighbours turned out to be two ladies joyfully catching up on life. Lovely for them, less ideal for someone hoping to read and munch, hehe.

Seated in the middle of the cafe :(

Still, I tried to carve out a pocket of calm. I made myself really comfy, and happily ordered their signature croissant ($8) and a latte ($7), and a truffle and caviar capellini ($28) for later!

I started with the latte: simple, reliable, and served in a cup that photographed nicely. There was nothing revolutionary about it, but it felt like the kind of coffee that quietly does its job.

The pretty porcelain teacup makes up half the moooood.

The croissant, on the other hand, arrived like royalty. It came with its own butter plate, which felt almost ceremonial. The pastry was warm, flaky, and delicate, the kind that left tiny golden crumbs on the plate. I couldn’t help but admire the presentation... even if the price is a bit steep.

The salted butter came on an embossed butter plate, complete with delicate engravings. A small flourish, but it made the whole presentation feel quietly luxurious.

The capellini, though, was less successful. The noodles were a little too al dente, and the flavours didn’t quite find harmony if I'm being picky. The textures were dry and disconnected. It looked lovely, but the taste never really matched the promise of its appearance. Maybe it was an off day, or maybe it just wasn’t meant to be a main character on this menu.

Overall, it’s a pretty place for tea, not mains. The plush seats are so comfortable you could sit for hours without a hint of a butt ache.

I finished a chapter of my book before deciding to leave the centrestage of the cafe, tummy satisfied and all.

It’s an easy space to linger in... the kind of café better for tea, reading, and gentle people-watching than for grand culinary discoveries.

Location: #03-48 The Paragon, Singapore 238859