Think Singapore and a few iconic dishes come to mind. Chilli crab and Hainanese chicken rice, of course come to mind, but another staple that many Singaporeans can also agree on is the kaya toast, and these are the best in Singapore.
More than just a tourist must-eat (name one foreign celebrity that hasn’t said they wanted to try this while they were here), kaya toast is a classic breakfast menu that’s loved for its simplicity, not to mention the harmonious blend of sweet, toasty, and savoury textures and flavours all at once.
Believed to be created by Hainanese immigrants in the 19th century while serving on British ships, kaya toast (or roti bakar in Malay) has found its way into the hearts of locals in Singapore, Malaysia, and around the region. It’s also been fully integrated into coffeeshop culture, and you’ll find a number of hawker stalls, kopitiams, cafes, and restaurants serving up the local classic in both traditional and contemporary ways.
There are only three components to this nostalgic number: cold butter, kaya and bread. Yet there are tons of variations that can be found. There are those who prefer their bread thick, soft and fluffy, while others like theirs thin and kissed by a charcoal grill for that oh-so-satisfying crunch. Some locales offer the sweeter gula melaka kaya spread, while the traditional Hainanese joints tend to serve up a custard-like version that’s much more pandan-forward. Some like their butter spread thinly across the bread, while others enjoy thick cold slabs sandwiched between the warm toast.
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Whichever your preference, you’ll find some really good versions of the breakfast and afternoon tea favourite from the list below. After all, every self-respecting kaya toast lover in Singapore deserves more than the (overrated) offerings by Ya Kun or Toast Box. Besides time-tested heritage kopitiams like Heap Seng Leong, this list also includes a version from Good Morning Nanyang Cafe that replaces white bread with orange ciabatta for a modern twist.
Beyond the chain offerings, here are more places in Singapore for the best kaya toast in Singapore.
11 places for the best kaya toast in Singapore:
Tong Ah Eating House
Tong Ah Eating House may have moved out of the iconic red and white building to a couple of units down along Keong Saik Road, but the food here remains as delicious and modest as before. Diners usually get the Crispy Thin Toast Kaya ($2.60/HKD 15.50 a la carte, $5.80/HKD 34.60 set), which comes with lightly charred and crispy kaya toast, two soft-boiled eggs, and a drink. Those who prefer their bread fluffier should look to the Traditional Kaya Toast ($2.20/HKD 13 a la carte, $5.40/HKD 32.20 set) instead.
You’ll also find the elusive Kopi Gu Yu here, which is a strong cup of local coffee that’s topped off with a slab of butter. Instead of making it greasy, the butter creates a silky texture and heightens the caramelised notes from the coffee. Perfect with one of Singapore’s best kaya toast.
Opening hours: 7 am–10 pm daily
Tong Ah Eating House is not a halal-certified eatery.
(Image credit: Tong Ah Eating House/Facebook)
- Address 35 Keong Saik Rd., Singapore 089142
- Phone 6223 5083
Chin Mee Chin Confectionary
Chin Mee Chin Confectionary is best known for one thing: its super addictive Kaya Toast ($2.20/HKD 13). The sweet, aromatic handmade kaya is made with the same recipe as when they first started in 1925, and comes slathered over pillowy buns that are toasted over a charcoal fire, before being topped with a thick, generous slab of cold butter.
Opening hours: 8 am–4 pm (Sunday to Tuesday); 8 am–4 pm, 6–11 pm (Friday and Saturday); closed on Mondays.
Chin Mee Chin Confectionary is not a halal-certified eatery.
(Image credit: @chinmeechin.sg/Instagram)
- Address 204 E Coast Rd, Singapore 428903
Heap Seng Leong
Be prepared to transported to a different era at Heap Seng Leong. Besides the nostalgic Kopi Gu Yu, many come to queue at Heap Seng Leong for their kaya toast. Each serving is made to order, and the store owner leverages on his years of experience to make the charcoal-toasted bread both deliciously chewy and crispy at the same time – the perfect accompaniment to his traditional Hainanese kaya. Best had after a quick dip in a saucer of soft-boiled eggs.
Opening hours: 5 am–3 pm daily
Heap Seng Leong is not a halal-certified eatery.
(Image credit: @heapsengleong via Instagram)
- Address 10 North Bridge Rd, #01-5109, Singapore 190010
- Phone 6292 2368
Ah Seng (Hai Nam) Coffee
You know your kaya toast is destined for greatness if it’s been mentioned by the Michelin Guide. While you’ll be able to find the usual kaya toast here at Ah Seng (Hai Nam) Coffee, we suggest a serving of their French Toast with Kaya. After being soaked in a generous amount of egg, each slice is charcoal-grilled to golden perfection. The French toast is then slathered with kaya and cold butter before being served with even more handmade kaya on the side.
Opening hours: 5:30 am–3 pm Saturday to Wednesday; closed on Thursday and Friday
Ah Seng (Hai Nam) Coffee is not a halal-certified eatery.
(Image credit: @cherylthebaker via Instagram)
- Address 7 Maxwell Rd, #02-95, Singapore 069111
- Phone 9710 2907
Keng Wah Sung Cafe
Picture this: smooth, silky butter, a delightfully addictive homemade kaya, and thin, warm, and toasty slices of bread — that’s how kaya toast is served here at Keng Wah Sung. The humble establishment serves up a mean cup of Nanyang Kopi too, so you best believe that’s what we’re dipping our toasts into. If you’ve fallen in love with their kaya, you can always buy a bottle home too.
Opening hours: 5:30 am–11 pm Monday to Saturday; closed on Sunday
Keng Wah Sung Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery.
(Image credit: @yk_eats/Instagram)
- Address 783 Geylang Rd, Singapore 389672
Good Morning Nanyang Cafe
We might be cheating a little with this recommendation from Good Morning Nanyang Cafe. Located on the second floor of Far East Plaza, the eatery serves its freshly-made kaya not with the usual white bread, but with orange ciabatta. Yes, that combination may seem a little odd, but the subtle citrus notes from the bits of orange zest makes for a refreshing, fragrant touch to the classic dish.
Opening hours: 8 am–8 pm daily
(Image credit: @teo_rated via Instagram)
- Address 14 Scotts Rd, #02-23 Far East Plaza, Singapore 228213
- Phone 9650 3256
YY Kafei Dian
Those who know their kaya toast in Singapore will know that YY Kafei Dian serves up some of the best in town. The fluffy homemade buns here are so soft, we’d like them in a bigger size just so we can use them as a pillow – and then eat it after, of course. Each of the cloud-like buns comes with a light crust on the outside too, and is served with a generous slather of deeply caramelised kaya and a square of butter.
Opening hours: 7:30 am–7 pm from Monday to Friday; 8 am–7 pm on Saturday and Sunday
YY Kafei Dian is not a Halal-certified eatery.
(Image credit: @happykl19/Instagram)
- Address 37 Beach Rd, #01-01, Singapore 189678
- Phone 6336 8813
Bao Er Cafe
There’s a reason why Bao Er Cafe’s kaya toast has been trending everywhere recently. This hidden gem – located within the dingy confines of Balestier Plaza – has become quite the sensation recently for its kaya toast, which consists of thick, creamy and fragrant kaya that’s rife with notes of pandan and coconut. The spread is served atop light, crispy and chewy toast that absorbs the slab of butter perfectly. Little wonder it’s been crowned one of Singapore’s best kaya toast this year.
Opening hours: 8 am–8 pm daily
Bao Er Cafe is not a Halal-certied eatery.
(Image credit: @iam_so_full/Instagram)
- Address 400 Balestier Rd, #02-01, Singapore 329802
- Phone 8686 9777
Great Nanyang Heritage Cafe
If you’re a fan of butter, Great Nanyang Heritage Cafe is the best place to be. The kaya toasts here come with the option of thick or wholemeal toast, but stick to the traditional kaya butter toast (from $2.50/HKD 15), which comes sandwiched with generous hunks of SCS butter. Dip it into the soft-boiled kampung eggs and wash it all down with a cup of their fragrant kopi.
Opening hours: 7:30 am–3 pm, 5–8:30 pm daily
Great Nanyang Heritage Cafe is not a Halal-certified eatery.
(Image credit: @hamikuaaa/Instagram)
- Address 5 Craig Rd, Singapore 089665
Killiney Kopitiam
Killiney Kopitiam might be more mass-market than the others on this list, but the branch at its namesake street at Killiney Road still remains to be one of the best places for kaya toast in Singapore. Originally founded back in 1919 as “Kheng Hoe Heng Coffeeshop”, this establishment is Singapore’s oldest coffeeshop, and continues to serve their toast with fresh, homemade kaya today. Complete your breakfast with their rich kopi, which is concocted from Columbian Arabica coffee beans.
Opening hours: 6 am–6 pm daily
(Image credit: @killineysg/Instagram)
- Address 67 Killiney Rd, Singapore 239525
- Phone 6734 3910
Heng Heng Coffee Stall
Located at Bukit Merah View Market & Hawker Centre, Heng Heng Coffee Stall is best loved for its affectionately nicknamed “Space Buns” 太空包 ($1.60/HKD 9.50), which come reasonably priced despite Singapore’s rising costs. The kaya buns here are prepared to order and are served with a slight char, and come sandwiched with homemade kaya that’s not too sweet, as well as thick slices of cold butter.
Opening hours: 4 am–9 pm daily
(Image credit: @fishy.eats/Instagram)
- Address 115 Bukit Merah View, #01-23, Singapore 151115
Related: Bars, Boutiques, And Bougie Galleries: The Ultimate Guide To Chinatown, Singapore
This story first appeared here.
(Featured image credit: @flyeetelfly/Instagram)
All currency conversions were done at the time of filing.
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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