You know how much I love quaint cafés with a hole-in-the-wall, indie vibe. When I visited Singapore for the first time last week, a friend who lives near the Tiong Bahru area took me to Forty Hands, a café that was chosen as one of Time Out Singapore’s Best New Cafés of 2011.
They sell sustainably produced specialty coffee and use only fair trade and direct trade coffee beans. But that’s not the only thing that entices coffee enthusiasts cum environmentalists such as myself. They also serve a tasty selection of sandwiches and pastries made with an Australian and Western flair.
I ordered the truffle mushroom sandwich, SGD$9, which is a flavorful treat for vegetarians. It’s stuffed with arugula leaves and fresh mushrooms. You know you can’t go wrong with truffle oil. As for my caffeine fix, I had a large cup of mocha, SGD$8.50. It’s not the best cuppa I’ve ever had, but it sure hit the spot. A little coffee art always manages to win plus points with me.
According to many online reviews, the place is difficult to find, so make sure your GPS tracker is working or pick a taxi driver who knows his way around Singapore. Whatever menu item piques your interest, you can enjoy it in their 1930s-style, graffiti-walled shop. If you happen to drop by on a non-busy day, you’ll find it cozy enough to linger for a few hours.
Forty hands is located at 78 Yong Siak Street, 01-12, Tiong Bahru, SingaporeTel. no. +65-6225-8545
Visit their official website here.