Tiong Bahru Bakery Safari: The outdoor cafe where nature, pastries, and peaceful vibes meet

If I had to sum up this Monday morning in three words, they'd be: chickens, mosquitoes, tasty. Nope, I didn't eat any poultry, nor did I snack on mosquitoes (they were the ones dining). Instead, I treated myself to a simple brunch at Tiong Bahru Bakery Safari to kick off the week.

Tiong Bahru Bakery is undeniably a household name among us cafe-goers, and with their recent menu revamp, I couldn't resist paying a visit. While the original Eng Hoon Street branch boasts more exclusive items, the Minden Road outlet in Open Farm Community, with its charming outdoor café and safari glamping theme, easily landed a spot on our list of Unique Finds to explore.

Getting there on foot wasn't exactly a breeze, as it is tucked within the lush greenery of Dempsey Hill. But once I found it, I felt like Dwayne Johnson in an adventure film, stumbling upon a rare nature escape right in the heart of busy Singapore.

The entrance to the space had a warm, inviting vibe, almost like stepping into a cosy kampung. A rustic wooden signage bearing the iconic Tiong Bahru Bakery logo greeted me, while another, half-hidden among the plants, detailed the thoughtful design philosophy behind the branch's theme. And then, there it was: the glamping tent, strung with soft lights.

After a quick welcome from the resident chickens (key characters in many of their Google reviews), I made my way through the outdoor seating area toward the counter, which opened into the indoor section. Before I slowly digested this unfamiliar setting, I placed my brunch order: Milo Dinosaur Shio Pan ($4.50) and Iced Dark Cherry Matcha ($8.50) — two of the many new additions to Tiong Bahru Bakery's refreshed menu.

My brunch combo: Milo Dinosaur Shio Pan and Iced Dark Cherry Matcha :D

I took the chance to soak in the interior while waiting for my order to be prepared. It was a quiet morning for them, with only about five customers, myself included.

Inside, a neat choreography of wooden terrace seats and soft-cushioned benches played out beneath a tiger mural—civilised, charming, and just safe enough for the croissant crowd.

Still, against better judgement (and the lure of butter in the air), I stepped outside to see what this so-called safari really had in store.

The outdoor setup read like a catalogue of comfort: high tables for the sociable, stools for the restless, patterned cushions for the ones who stay too long. I chose the latter. The pattern had done its job. I sat there alone, privately relieved that no one seemed to notice.

Strings of camping bulbs and hanging lamps swung lazily overhead, giving the place an unbothered kind of charm. And then, inevitably, the wildebeest—stuffed, stoic, absurd—loomed as the cafe’s version of a conversation starter. The lights are warm orbs even under the afternoon sun, promising an exquisite after-hours glow.

And then, the part that actually matters: the drink. The Iced Dark Cherry Matcha arrived looking a certain level of daunting, a pastel green layered with syrupy red. I stirred it gently, the compote rising like colour returning to a washed-out painting.

The first taste surprised me, partly because I've never asked for “cherry” anything in a tropical city. Yet it was bright, nuanced, and quietly satisfying, the sort of drink that makes humidity feel briefly lighter.

Peep that stunning layer of dark cherry compote.

The matcha itself was quiet—too quiet, perhaps. Its usual grassy assertiveness gave way to milk and cherry. I’ve always admired matcha’s bitterness, the way it screams to be tasted. But here, the cherry took over, and I didn’t mind. It was a restrained sweetness, floral and real, with that chewy compote offering bursts of texture like punctuation marks.

Even the portion felt generous, as though the cafe was rewarding my curiosity. It carried me, happily caffeinated and hydrated, all the way to the MRT.

After a few too many sips (because I couldn't stop "tasting" it), I finally turned my attention to the Milo Dinosaur Shio Pan, slicing into it with much effort (the whole table shook).

Topped with a copious dusting of Milo powder, this bun carried a nostalgic local twist (but who really ever outgrows Milo?) and stood out from the other more savoury shio pans on the menu. Plus, it would never escape a Unique Food Scout’s eye to give this one a miss.

Unassuming exterior shell carrying the shockingly tasty Milo cream!

The bun was a mild disappointment. I’d expected that satisfying balance of sweet and salty, but the salt barely made itself known. The Milo powder dominated, and the bun itself leaned dense and a little dry — none of that light, buttery texture you’d hope for in a good shio pan. In hindsight, I should’ve dipped it into the matcha. But hindsight only ever arrives when the plate’s already empty.

Then the Milo cream turned things around. Thick, rich, and genuinely chocolatey, it had none of the airy sweetness I’d braced for. It was luscious in a way that felt almost deliberate, the kind that coats rather than disappears. I even asked if there was cream cheese in it — there wasn’t. Somehow, it didn’t need it.

Embedded within the swirls were also tiny fudgy bits that made each bite even more indulgent. What surprised me most was how cold the cream was, almost ice-cream-like, which balanced the heaviness and kept it from feeling cloying.

I took my time with brunch, letting myself savour the symphony of flavours while sinking into the peaceful rhythm of nature. Picture this: birds chirping and insects trilling softly in the distance. If this sounds like your kind of morning, then Tiong Bahru Bakery in this setting might be as enjoyable to you as it is to me.

The ambience was what truly made this Monday morning special. While this "safari" might not come with wild lions, zebras or giraffes, it certainly has its own cast of characters: hungry mosquitoes and outspoken chickens, all wrapped in Singapore's signature humidity. Fortunately, it wasn't unbearable due to the abundance of ceiling fans and a gently overcast sky, all working together to save me from melting into my seat.

It might sound like I'm complaining, but I promise I'm not. These quirks come with the territory and are all part of the experience I signed up for. Still, if you're not one for the outdoor café kind of adventure, you might prefer to stick to the indoor seating or another one of Tiong Bahru Bakery's many outlets.

Important note: If you do intend to visit, never leave your food unattended. The chickens may be harmless when unprovoked, but the moment you walk away from your plate... let's just say, they won't hesitate to help themselves.

To put it simply, Tiong Bahru Bakery Safari feels like the ideal spot for a relaxing catch-up with old friends if you don't mind the rustic setting. There's something oddly nostalgic about it, a quiet haven where you can bask in Singapore's nature while slowly enjoying good food that makes the heat feel almost secondary. And if you're an introvert like me who prefers a laid-back space with fewer crowds, this unique Tiong Bahru Bakery outlet might just be the one for you.

📍130E Minden Rd, Singapore 248819