The Book Cafe: The perfect place to go if you're between choosing a library and a cafe.

The Book Cafe stands out from other cafes or coffee joints because it actually lives up to its name. No weird looks when you pull out a religious text or a chunky hunky book. No second glances if you "overstay" your welcome. So hooray, true book worms!

You know how reading in most cafés feels a little strange? In Singapore, at least, it does seem like most people come to cafés to work, chat, scroll, or brunch—which is absolutely fine, of course. But it does make you feel a little out of place when you’re the only one quietly flipping pages.

But here, not really. Here at The Book Cafe, exists a different spirit altogether. A literary spirit >.<

Also, the acoustics of The Book Cafe are surprisingly kind: soft enough to muffle conversations, yet not make you feel claustrophobic.

Those eyes, watching you read! Or, Big 'Sister' is watching.

For one, what we like about it is that it's no try-hard! It doesn't have gimmicky arm chairs, but comfy and practical couches. The tables are sparse, grey, muted. There aren't a ton of "eye-catching" anything, save for the paintings we saw earlier. Secondly, magazines line the walls beside the tables on floating shelves—just reach out and you've got something to keep you company the rest of the afternoon.

Beside me, a cornucopia of magazines!

We tried their food next, which was a creative mix of pancakes and savoury French toasts, the kind that looks indulgent but feels surprisingly balanced. The pancakes were soft and fluffy, paired with a drizzle that wasn’t too sweet. The savoury French toast, topped with streaky bacon and a side of scrambled eggs, struck a good balance between breakfast and brunch, comforting, unfussy, and quietly satisfying.

Food? Approved. Coffee? A bit on the lighter side, the kind that won’t jolt you awake but will keep you gently caffeinated while you sink deeper into your book or your laptop.

If you linger long enough (and you probably will), you’ll notice time slipping past without the usual sense of guilt that comes from overstaying at a café.

No side-eyes, no passive-aggressive table-clearing. Just a quiet understanding that everyone here’s doing the same thing, here for the same thing: some quiet, peace, good brunch.

The Book Café isn’t trying to be some hipster thing (oops), and that’s its charm. It’s comfortable, familiar, and refreshingly unbothered by trends. You don’t come here to be seen; you come here to read, think, write, or just exist for a while.

p.s. It can get a bit crowded on weekends (as expected), so do check in with a call before heading down.

Location:

The Book Cafe, 20 Martin Rd, #01-02 Seng Kee Building, Singapore 239070