Wildcard Cafe & Bar – a new charming cafe in Havelock

Nestled within the revamped Furama RiverFront Hotel in Havelock Road, Wildcard Cafe & Bar is a delightful coffee and wine bar that offers comfort plates around the clock. With its intriguing decor, creative menu, and a touch of nostalgia, this new cafe is worth a visit if you are in the area around the Havelock MRT station.

Enigmatic Entrance to Wildcard

Venturing into the Furama RiverFront Hotel lobby, which now boasts a modern and sleek look, we stumbled upon an obscure door leading to Wildcard Cafe & Bar.

Alternatively, you can access Wildcard through its main entrance located outside the hotel lobby, next to a 7-eleven store.

Stepping into Wildcard, we found ourselves immersed in the ambiance of a retro diner. Despite its compact size, the cafe exudes a unique charm with a circular bar and captivating corners, each offering a slightly different ambiance. It can be a great spot to unwind and enjoy a drink and some light bites at all hours of the day.

Menu of Wildcard

The food menu at Wildcard Cafe & Bar is limited. It has only a few savoury items on the menu plus a couple more on the daily special board. There are separate menus for the day and the evening. The menu does offer a few unconventional dishes such as oxtail doughnuts and prawn sando.

Below are pictures of the day menu.

Sandwich & Fried Mala Quail

We ordered the Egg Mayo on Milk Bun ($15) and Fried Quail ($22), as well as white coffee ($6) and black coffee ($5).

The Egg Mayo on Milk Bun presented a delightful combination of fillings within lightly toasted soft milk buns. There were pickled onion rings and some crunchy bits which added interesting flavours and textures to what would otherwise be a standard egg mayo sandwich.

We did not know quite what to expect when we opted for the fried quail. The plating was minimalist but there was nothing minimal about the flavours. The buttermilk-fried quail seasoned with duck fat and Sichuan pepper had complex and rich flavours. It was like a very spicy version deep-fried chicken but with the meat tasting more like duck. Those who like deep fried crispy chicken and the taste of mala should enjoy Wildcard’s fried quail.

While the food at Wildcard Cafe & Bar was commendable, it’s worth noting that the portion sizes are modest. Perhaps, that would allow for a lighter, more balanced dining experience.

Wildcard Coffee

Wildcard Cafe & Bar is run by the same team behind Maxi Coffee Bar, a small coffee bar on 6 Ann Siang Hill known for its fine coffee. It was thus not surprising that we were served very good barista-crafted coffee at Wildcard.

The coffee brewed using Ethiopian beans had a nice floral aroma with rich and clean flavours. There was just a slight hint of acidity in the black coffee and white coffee was milky and luscious.

Brunch, Coffee or Wine

For those seeking a nice cafe in the vicinity of Havelock MRT station, Wildcard Cafe & Bar will be a good option. Whether you’re in the mood for a leisurely brunch, a good cup of coffee, or a glass of wine with bar bites, this charming spot offers a cozy haven in a convenient location.

Ratings:
Food: 3
Service: 4
Value: 3
Atmosphere: 3
Overall Rating: 3 TOPs

Wildcard Cafe & Bar
#01-03 Furama RiverFront
405 Havelock Road
Singapore 169633

Opening Hours:
Wed – Fri: 8 am to 11 pm
Sat & Sun: 9 am to 11 pm
Closed on Mon & Tue

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The Ordinary Patrons | Real Dining Experience of Ordinary People
an independent Singapore food blog