Plain Vanilla (Tiong Bahru)

Plain Vanilla (Tiong Bahru) is the flagship store of Plain Vanilla, a Singapore bakery café known for its cupcakes. It is at 1D Yong Siak Street, in the Tiong Bahru estate. The shop sells cupcakes and other bakes, serves coffee, and has a brunch menu every day.

Plain Vanilla began in 2011 as a small takeaway spot in Holland Village. Its co-founder and CEO, Vanessa Kenchington, worked as a lawyer before she turned to baking. The Tiong Bahru shop opened in 2013 as the brand's second outlet. Today Plain Vanilla has several stores across Singapore.

What to order

Start with a cupcake. Flavours include vanilla bean, carrot, dark chocolate ganache and strawberry white chocolate. They are topped with an American-style buttercream, which has a slightly grainy texture. There are also monthly special flavours.

This store has the brand's widest range of bakes, so there is plenty to try beyond cupcakes, from whole cakes to loaf cakes and cookies. The flourless chocolate cake is the brand's gluten-free bake.

The brunch menu covers breakfast classics. Choices include eggs Benedict, Turkish eggs, smashed avocado toast and a breakfast skillet with bacon and ham. Eggs Chesapeake comes with crumbed crab cakes on brioche. For something sweet, there is a mixed berries French toast.

Bigger plates join the menu from late morning. These include a kale Caesar salad, tagliatelle carbonara and penne Bolognese with burrata. The Monte Cristo sandwich is made with brioche French toast.

The coffee comes from Allpress. Tea lattes, loose-leaf teas, cold-pressed juices and smoothies are also on offer. The menu can change with the seasons.

The setting

The store fills a renovated shophouse and does three jobs at once: bakery, café and shop. A skylight lets daylight pour in, which keeps the room bright. You can also sit outside on the alfresco tables.

Shelves hold the brand's own grocery range, Plain Vanilla Foods, along with homeware from other brands. It is an easy place to pick up a gift.

Good to know before you go

• No reservations: seats are first come, first served, so expect a wait at busy times.
• Hot food: last orders for hot food are taken in mid-afternoon, so come earlier for brunch.
• No cash: the store is cash-free. Pay by card, contactless or GrabPay.
• Dietary notes: the menu marks vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes. Many savoury dishes contain pork and are made in the same kitchen as the bakes, and some bakes contain alcohol.
• Wi-Fi: free Wi-Fi is available in the store.
• Private events: the store can be booked for events. Details are on the Plain Vanilla website.

Nearby

Tiong Bahru suits a slow morning walk. Read about Tiong Bahru Estate, or follow our Tiong Bahru heritage walk. For local hawker food, head to Tiong Bahru Market. If you want croissants, Tiong Bahru Bakery is also in the estate.

Our Tiong Bahru neighbourhood guide has more ideas. For more coffee and cake around the city, see our list of cafés and bakeries. To stay in the area, compare hotels in Tiong Bahru and Alexandra.