Asylum Coffeehouse: a Hip Cafe in Jalan Besar Worth Visiting

If you’re looking for a hip cafe in Jalan Besar, Asylum Coffeehouse could be the perfect spot. With a name that certainly grabs attention, Asylum Coffeehouse is a cosy cafe that combines excellent specialty coffee with a stylish space and relaxed atmosphere.

Hip Cafe in Jalan Besar

Asylum Coffeehouse is located on the ground floor of a old shophouse in bright Peranakan colours. The cafe itself has white walls and large glass windows that let you look into the small but attractive space inside. The interior embraces minimalist design principles with its clean aesthetic.

The seating arrangement is simple but functional, with benches lined up against the walls and a few bar stools at the counter. For those who don’t mind Singapore’s heat and humidity (or are lucky enough to visit on a cooler day), there are additional seating out in the a narrow corridor. These outdoor spots offer a quaint vantage point for people-watching.

Keluak Blend Coffee

Asylum Coffeehouse is dedicated to the art of coffee. Their speciality is their house-special four-bean Keluak blend, which they said they spent more than a year developing. This signature blend pays homage to the traditional Peranakan dish, Ayam Buah Keluak. It combines beans from Colombia Popayan, Brazil Royale, and Ethiopia Sidamo, to create a medium-dark roast with full-bodied notes of nuttiness and chocolate.

For food offerings, Asylum keeps it simple with a selection of pastries and cookies displayed at the counter, along with granola (by Dearborn) and chicken pie for those seeking something more substantial.

Coffee & Pastries at Asylum

We ordered their hot black coffee ($4.50) and an iced white coffee ($6.50). Both lived up to expectations, delivering the promised notes of chocolate with a subtle floral hint. I found the iced white particularly satisfying on a hot day.

To complement the coffee, we tried their blueberry Danish ($6) and kouign-amann ($6). Both were excellent examples of what good pastries should be. The Danish had a delicate, buttery, and slightly flaky texture, while the kouign-amann featured an inviting caramelised exterior and layers of rich, buttery pastry inside.

The pricing at Asylum Coffeehouse is reasonable for speciality coffee shops in Singapore. The service model is straightforward: order and pay at the cashier’s counter, and your drinks and food will be brought to your table. During our visit, the staff were friendly and welcoming, even offering complimentary water without us having to ask – a small touch we truly appreciated.

Worth seeking asylum in

Asylum Coffeehouse is an example of what makes a hip café in Singapore appealing. Its limited seating might be a drawback but that possibly contributes to its trendy status – there’s nothing like exclusivity to boost the “hip quotient”). The small cafe delivers where it matters most: quality coffee and pastries in an aesthetically pleasing environment.

Nearby, another popular cafe, Moonchild, offers more space and a full café menu. However, Asylum Coffeehouse with its focus on excellent artisan roasted coffee has its own following. For coffee enthusiasts exploring the Jalan Besar area, this little cafe is well worth seeking asylum in – just be prepared to wait for a seat or plan your visit during off-peak hours.

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

Asylum Coffeehouse
311 Jalan Besar
Singapore 208970

Opening Hours: 8 am – 4.30 pm

Website