Toby’s Estate Café & Roastery opened at Robertson Quay in 2011. Fourteen years on, this riverside cafe remains a great place for a relaxed weekend brunch.
Riverside Cafe
Housed in a renovated warehouse beside the Singapore River, the Robertson Quay outlet serves as Toby’s Estate’s Asian flagship. When we visited on a Sunday morning in 2015, the cafe was packed. A decade later, whilst many new cafes have opened and closed across Singapore, Toby’s Estate continues to thrive. Its charming location certainly helps, as does the excellent coffee. The straightforward menu, with reasonable pricing, likely plays a part too.
The outdoor seating beneath leafy trees offers clear views of the Singapore River. Though the river looks little more than an elongated swimming pool, the waterway still provides a pleasant waterfront atmosphere. The spot also makes for excellent people-watching – there is a steady stream of fashionably dressed joggers along the riverside promenade.
Inside, the cafe features clean industrial design. Tables are placed at a comfortable distance from one another. The layout feels airy and comfortable, making it suitable for a relaxing meal and lingering over coffee.
Menu Toby’s Estate
The all-day menu covers familiar cafe favourites. Breakfast options range from simple croissants and eggs on toast to heartier dishes like the Brekkie of Champions with bacon and mushrooms. Mains include several chicken dishes, burgers and pasta. There are vegetarian options.
Below are pictures of the menu.
Brunch at Toby’s Estate
We ordered the Toby’s French Toast ($18.50), Grilled Chicken & Avocado Sandwich ($20) and Breakfast Tacos ($18). For beverages we had cappuccino ($5.50) and matcha latte ($6.50).
The French toast arrived with bacon, fresh apple slices and berry compote. The crisp bacon and apple provided textural contrast to the soft brioche bread, creating a balanced mix of sweet and savoury elements.
The Grilled Chicken & Avocado Sandwich had tender chicken breast with avocado, kale and tomato in between wholegrain bread. It came with a substantial serving of mixed greens. The combination made for a satisfying, straightforward meal that felt healthier than most cafe fare.
The Breakfast Tacos comprised three soft shells filled with scrambled eggs, baked beans, bacon, cheese, chilli jam, and salsa. It was a colourful item. The vibrant presentation matched the bold flavours, making it the standout dish of our visit.
The cappuccino and matcha latte met our high expectations. Both drinks were well made, with the house-roasted coffee beans delivering the expected Toby’s Estate quality we had hoped for.
Reliable Choice for Weekend Brunch
It is easy to see why Toby’s Estate is still popular after all these years. It is one of the best spots for a relaxing weekend brunch. Their coffee is excellent, the food is good and fairly priced, and the service is attentive and helpful. The riverside view is a bonus. We have visited the café several times over the years and would gladly return when we are in the Robertson Quay area.
Ratings:
Food: 3
Service: 4
Value: 3
Atmosphere: 4
Overall Rating: 4 TOPs 
Toby’s Estate
8 Rodyk Street, #01-03/04
Singapore 238216
Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday : 7 am – 3 pm
Saturday – Sunday: 7:30 am – 5 pm
The Ordinary Patrons | Real Dining Experience of Ordinary People
an independent Singapore food blog
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