A review of all the cafes in Marina Bay Sands, including the best and worst!
Marina Bay Sands is a huge area- there's the hotel, mall, waterfront area etc. So obviously there are a lot of Chinese restaurants, Japanese restaurants, and cafes to choose from! Here's a little guide to help you decide which one is for you.
In The Hotel
Origin+Bloom
Origin+Bloom is the only cafe- or deli-found within Marina Bay Sands Hotel itself, although it has 2 outlets, one located at Tower 2 and the other at Tower 3. (There are also other casual dining options in MBS Hotel, such as poolside dining, or Renku lounge.)
You'll find pastries, sandwiches, ice-cream, and some luxury groceries (such as expensive chocolate) here. I've eaten here several times and find the food functional but not something I would particularly want to eat. To be honest, I think the standard of the food here is somewhat low for a 5-star hotel.
Despite that, the cafe is always super busy, so not the best place to catch up with friends. It also closes early FYI.
Here are some of the things I've tried:
- sandwiches: meh. I like how they have local flavors, such as rendang sandwichs. However, the taste lacks something. I've also tried the classic Western flavors such as Philadelphia steak but it wasn't great.
- pastries: quite clever. I had a bubble tea-like pastry which, after being cut into, had lava flowing out. Taste was average though.
- Ice-cream: not bad, would have it again
- Cookies: tried several flavors, only a fan of the chocolate. (But I'm a chocoholic.)
- Chocolate Rounds: Bought a packet. It tasted OK, but not worth the price,
Recommended For
- If you're staying in the hotel and need a convenient and quick bite to eat.
In The Shoppes
Local
Rasapura Masters
If you're on a budget, get some local cuisine or a cup of Singapore coffee, known as kopi, at the MBS foodcourt, Rasapura Masters. (Click through for a review of ALL the food court stalls!)
Recommended for
- a wide range of delicious comfort food
Location: B2-50, The Shoppes (besides the Digital Light Canvas)
Toast Box
There is ALWAYS a queue but it moves pretty fast.
It's a good place if you're looking for a big breakfast- or small- that won't cost too much. Toast Box is a coffee chain that has outlets all around the island. Many Singaporeans start their day at Toast Box, which serves authentic Singapore tea, coffee, and toast.
I recommend trying the local coconut jam or Kaya toast with your coffee drink!
Recommended for
- Cheap and cheerful
- Local flavor
Location: B1-01E, The Shoppes
International
Angelina
Established in 1903 by Austrian confectioner Antoine Rumpelmayer to celebratehis daughter-in-law, Angelina is a Parisian-style cafe that offers casual dining, with dishes such as pasta. It has an opulent setting, and many enjoy brunch or afternoon coffee there.
Some popular items include:
- Mont-Blanc: The signature pastry of Angelina is a crispy, light French meringue under a mountain of whipped cream, covered by chestnut-flavored vermicelli.
- Éclair Chocolat
- Hot Chocolate
Unfortunately, I find the location MUCH too busy- dining on the elevated platform is somewhat reminds me of a hamster dining in its cage! If you're looking for a private space to dine with family or friends, this is not it.
However, if you like enjoy seeing and being seen, you'll like Angelina. The light streaming through the glass windows in the ceiling is also nice.
- Location: B2-89, The Shoppes, Bayfront Avenue
- Nearest Carpark: Central (Orange zone)
Recommended For
- Taking photos for Instagram
- Seeing and being seen
% ARABICA
Some popular items:
- Kyoto Latte: made with espresso, milk foam, and vanilla syrup
Location: L1-75, The Shoppes
Bacha Coffee
Bacha Coffee is one of the most popular cafes and shops at Marina Bay Sands, with a wide selection of coffees- there is almost always a queue here! If you're a coffee connoisseur, stop by this cafe.
Recommended for
- over 200 types of coffee- single-origin brews and exquisite blends
- the signature 1910 Coffee (think coffee meets strawberries and cream.)
- the fusion Kaya Croissant (Coconut Jam Croissant)
Location: B2-13/14, The Shoppes
Beanstro
This is one of the few halal options at Marina Bay Sands which also offers light meals.
It's located right under the Rain Oculus, so it can be a bit noisy here. In addition, the food and drink isn't great.
However, it does get a lot of natural light and it's one of the cafes that opens the earliest at MBS (from 8.30 a.m.) I've had an early-morning meeting here with an insurance agent before, and we were the only people around!
Location: B2-20, The Shoppes (Near the Rain Oculus)
Da Paolo Gastronomia
This is part of an Italian chain in Singapore. For personal reasons, I no longer dine here.
Location: L1-87, The Shoppes
P.S. Cafe
One of Singapore's favorite brunch spots, P.S Cafe has over 12 outlets in various locations in Singapore. I used to visit it for the truffle shoestring fries.
This is one of the newer dining options at MBS, and also one of its most beautiful cafes. Sitting on a floating island platform and sheltered by black and white parasols, the cafe is surrounded by glistening water. Some people say it's reminiscent of Parisian cafe culture, but it really reminds me of a luxurious Bali villa. Plus, it's located in the quieter part of the mall, so less noisy too!
Unfortunately, I've dined here twice and the food sucks. Now, I've never found the food at P.S. Cafe good. It's always been overpriced, with serviceable but not great food. Alas, the food here doesn't even meet that low benchmark! I tried the Asian fish and the Western salad- both were bad so....
The service was well-meaning but they obviously couldn't cope. They got my order wrong twice and made me change tables in the middle of my dinner! (This all happened within the same visit.)
Personally, I think it's one of the worst cafes at MBS and would not return. However, if you want to make a booking, they have w Whatsapp Concierge service from 10 to 10 at +65 6708 9288.
Location: Marina Bay Sands Shoppes, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Canal Level #B2-119, Singapore 018956 (Close to the Apple Store/ Hai Di Lao)
Opening Hours: 10.30 a.m. to 10 pm (Sunday-Thursday) and 11pm (Friday-Saturday & eve of public holidays)
Ralph's Coffee
Another new addition to the Marina Bay area, this is a cute little cafe. You can get everything from pineapple juice to cake and croissants here.
Some things to try:
- The coffee: They have a special blend of coffee that uses organically grown beans, which have a smooth and well-balanced flavour, sans the typical acidity.
- Pineapple Shaken Tea: exclusive to Singapore and quite refreshing in our weather!
TWG
TWG has 2 outlets at Marina Bay Sands so make sure you're headed towards the right one! They are:
- TWG Tea Garden: the largest Tea Salon in Singapore and seated atop a reflective pool. Like Angelina, there's very little privacy to be had here.
- Another enclosed outlet which is located closer to the Bayfront MRT Station.
Recommend for
- Wide selection of over 1,000 types of harvest teas and distinct blends from around the world
Starbucks Reserve
Not much to say, a Starbucks is a Starbucks! You can pop over to the Ippudo next door, if you fancy some Japanese cuisine? (Ramen. Wakuda- over at the hotel side- is better though.)
Location: B2-56, The Shoppes (next to the food court/ Digital Light Canvas)
ArtScience Museum
Miracle Coffee
Located by the ArtScience Museum, one of the most popular things to do in Singapore, Miracle Coffee is a pop-up by Singaporean singer-songwriter JJ Lin. The coffee is brewed with Ethiopian beans.
Note: it is al fresco i.e. in the hot Singaporean outdoors!
Recommended for
- Kaya Cloud: this exclusive Singaporean coffee is made Ameriacano-style, with a fresh cream kaya-flavoured topping, with gula melaka shavings.
Sweet Spot
This is the Museum's permanent cafe. It serves light bites such as croissants, sandwiches, and drinks. (They're actually not bad.)
Note that the museum is sometimes closed for events. When that happens, Sweet Spot is closed to the public too. (Happened to me one morning!)
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