Serangoon, while known to many in the East, is filled with many unique places to explore. Whether you stay in Serangoon or not, here are some of their hidden gems you may not know about!
The Plain Jane
Don’t let the name fool you because this café is certainly no plain Jane. Known for their delicious light swiss rolls, its most popular offering has to be the Not So Plain Jane swiss rolls, a matcha-flavoured confectionery soft on the outside and creamy in the inside with generous matcha cream that will satisfy any matcha fan.
Located in a quiet residential block and housed in a homely and minimalistic café space perfect for all your phototaking needs, the café also offers light meals and beverages – the perfect setting for laidback brunches and afternoon tea meetups.
The Plain Jane
Address: 211 Serangoon Ave 4, #01-10, Singapore 550211
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Friday 12pm-6pm
Saturday-Sunday 10am-6pm
Closed on Mondays
Ciel Pâtisserie
Look no further for beautifully decorated and delicious fine cakes and tarts. Run by two young entrepreneurs, one of the co-owners was trained in Le Cordon Bleu in Bangkok and Paris – so you know these treats will be worth it. Best of all, this humble bakery ensures that its prices remain low while not compromising on quality. The simple strawberry shortcake comes highly recommended, among other favourites such as the lemon meringue tart and the Scarlet, a cream cheese mousse cake scented with lemon with a tart red fruit gelee hidden in the middle.
Ciel Pâtisserie
Address: 124 Hougang Ave 1, #01-1444, Singapore 530124
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 11am-8pm
Lickers
Come for the ice cream, stay for the savoury snacks at this vibey heartland cafe. A favourite supper haunt for those in the know, this humble artisanal ice cream joint serves up a wide variety of flavours, from the classic to the imaginative. Their waffles and ice cream combo is also more wallet-friendly than most other places! Feeling peckish? The savoury snacks offered are nothing to turn your nose up at with favourites such as the drumlets and tater tots sure to sate your cravings.
Lickers
Address: Blk #01-1446, 124 Hougang Avenue 1, Block 124, Singapore 530124
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 1pm-2am
Friday-Sunday 12pm-2am
Closed on Mondays
Serangoon Gardens Bakery & Confectionery
As with many things in life, the simple things are often the best – something this old-school bakery can attest to. Don’t expect any fancy stuff here at this traditional bakery which has been around for the last 30 years, still selling the same traditional and unpretentious soft buns, baked fresh at the stall every day. Join the queue and watch the 2 uncles picking bread from the shelves and calculating the total sum at godlike speeds, accompanied by the aroma of freshly baked bread and the therapeutic sounds of the plastic lids closing and the uncle saying “再来!”. Some favourites include the butter bun and the luncheon meat bun – come early though as they usually sell out by lunch time.
Serangoon Garden Bakery and Confectionery
Address: 49A Serangoon Garden Way, #01-45 Garden Market, Singapore 555945
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 6am-4pm
Closed on Mondays
Hong Chang Frog Porridge and BBQ Fish
Spot this popular coffeeshop by the supper crowds waiting around outside for a table. Popular for its signature frog porridge and sambal stingrays (seriously, every table will have at least these 2 dishes), Hong Chang is a great option for supper if you’ve grown bored of the standard prata and dim sum offerings. Best of all, the food here is both delicious and wallet-friendly! Give the trip to Chomp Chomp at Serangoon Gardens a miss and try this instead!
Photoshoot at the Japanese Cemetery Park
Snuggled in the heart of Chuan Hoe Avenue near Serangoon Gardens, the well-maintained Japanese Cemetery Park is a quiet and peaceful garden of repose located in the midst of a residential estate. Popular among residents as a quiet place to relax and enjoy the lush greenery and Japanese-inspired architecture, the scenic cemetery has of late seen an increasing number of people looking to snap a photo of its aesthetic archways to spruce up their social media feed. Home to a long row of archways decorated with bougainvillea, the archways make for a picturesque photo reminiscent of springtime in temperate countries when the flowers are in bloom. Given that travel is out of the picture for a while yet, why not head on over to recreate Japan’s famous cherry blossoms?
Japanese Cemetery Park
Address: 22 Chuan Hoe Ave, Singapore 549854
Catch the Sunset From myVillage
The leafy rooftop above myVillage in Serangoon Gardens is a great place to catch the sunset. Offering views over the residential estate, golden hour sees the whole scene painted in vibrant hues of gold and orange making for an unforgettable sight. Take in the view, or simply enjoy the serene quiet offered on this unassuming rooftop, as you chat with friends. Once the sun has set and your stomach starts making itself heard, head back into myVillage for some solid dinner options.
myVillage
Address: 1 Maju Ave, Singapore 556679
Create Your Own Charcuterie Board at La Petite Boutique
Home to a growing French community, Serangoon Gardens has come to be known as the unofficial “French ghetto”. It is therefore unsurprising that the estate is also home to a gourmet grocer, specialising in artisanal cheese, wines, and breads (among others) all imported from France. To raise awareness for their products, the shop also regularly hosts themed events to let customers taste their various foods, and Morgane, the friendly owner is always more than happy to offer her recommendations. Why not try your hand at creating your own charcuterie board with cheeses bought from this shop? Don't forget to pick up some wine to pair it with!
La Petite Boutique
Address: 4 Kensington Park Rd, Singapore 557256
Art Jamming at My Art Studio
If you’re looking for a creative outlet to relieve stress, try painting. You don’t necessarily have to stock up on your own art supplies – just do it the hassle-free way by going for an art jamming session. My Art Studio offers art jamming sessions for $50 per 3 hour session, inclusive of all the supplies you will need as well as free tea and coffee. Let your creative juices flow and just go for it - no one will be judging your final product.
My Art Studio
Address: 14c Kensington Park Rd, Singapore 557265
