Flock Cafe Tiong Bahru – an indie cafe that keeps drawing them back

While many cafes have shut their doors, Flock Cafe in Tiong Bahru is still going strong. Located on the ground floor of a pre-war public housing block at Moh Guan Terrace, it has outlasted many indie cafes across Singapore and stood firm against the rising tide of franchises and chain cafes.

A Neighbourhood Setting That Works in its Favour

The cafe sits along one of Tiong Bahru Estate’s quiet residential stretches. Outside, wooden tables, potted plants and a hand-written chalkboard menu greet visitors. The setting feels relaxed.

Inside, the space has a modern industrial design, tempered with natural wood furnishings and warm lighting. Bookshelves line one wall. Small framed prints are on another. The cafe feels homey rather than designed to impress.

There are communal tables and a few two-person tables scattered through various sections of the cafe. Despite being narrow and compact, the space accommodates both solo diners and small groups without feeling too cramped. However, it is probably not the place for intimate conversations or secret business discussions.

The Menu of Flock Cafe

Flock Cafe is an all-day breakfast establishment. The menu includes brunch classics, pastas, salads, burgers, waffles and pastries. That range gives the cafe enough versatility to draw different types of visitors – the “work from home” guy with his laptop, tourists exploring Tiong Bahru on foot, pilates kakis after class, as well as the family looking for a weekend meal.

The all day breakfast items include the Big Breakfast, The Cheeky Eggs (poached eggs and braised pork cheek on brioche) and The Banana French Toast with bacon. Among the mains are interesting items like Prawn Linguini, Pork Cheek Rigatoni and Shakshuka.

Brunch at Flock Cafe

We placed our orders and paid at the counter. No GST or service charge was added to the bill. The food and drinks were served to the table. The items we had tried at Flock Cafe were Pork Cheek Burger ($20.20), Club Pancakes ($20.20) and Coffee ($6).

Pork Cheek Burger

The burger arrived as a toasted brioche bun holding a generous portion of tender and tasty pulled or shredded pork, topped with a slice of cheddar. A crisp lettuce base provided contrast. The accompanying cajun fries had a mild spiciness and was hot and crispy on the outside. Overall, it was a substantial and satisfying plate which tasted as good as it looked.

Club Pancakes

The Club Pancakes was a savoury version of what would otherwise be a sweet dish. The pancakes themselves had nice texture. They came layered with a slice of cheddar, a chicken sausage and honey-glazed ham. Two sunny-side-up eggs and a side of mesclun salad were served with the pancakes. The combination worked well. The dish was filling without being heavy. We could enjoy a portion of the pancakes with the sweet maple syrup – a dessert of sort.

Latte

The latte had nice latte art. One was rendered as a portrait of a woman’s face, an interesting and memorable variation. The coffee was medium-bodied with no obvious bitterness. There were notes of chocolate and toasted nuts. The coffee alone would justify a return visit for those who take their brews seriously.

Attract a mix of regulars & first-time visitors

Independent cafes across Singapore have found business conditions increasingly difficult. Rising rents, shifting consumer habits and competition from well-funded chains have forced many to close. Flock Cafe, however, seems to have navigated these pressures more successfully than most.

Flock Cafe feels distinct from mall-based or chain alternatives. Part of its appeal lies in the location and physical space – the aged wood, slightly mismatched furniture and pre-war public housing setting. The menu also contributes, offering variety beyond predictable cafe fare. The prices are reasonable, and no GST or service charge will be added to the menu prices. Service is friendly and unpretentious. The cafe opens early at 8 am. A large car park is situated just next to the cafe. For drivers, this convenience is a real bonus. Together, these elements help attract a mix of regulars and first-time visitors exploring Tiong Bahru.

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

Flock Cafe
78 Moh Guan Terrace
Singapore 162078

Tel: +65 6536 3938

Opening Hours: 8 am – 8.30 pm

MRT station: Tiong Bahru

Website