Nanyang Old Coffee

★★★★☆ Very good – strongly recommended for heritage lovers and visitors exploring Chinatown; a few areas to improve. Nanyang Old Coffee on South Bridge Road delivers classic Singaporean kopitiam breakfast in a charming three-storey heritage shophouse that doubles as a coffee museum. I sat by the wooden stairwell, where a glowing cylindrical lantern and vintage black-and-white portraits set the mood. We ordered: Toast Set B (kaya butter toast, half-boiled eggs, Kopi C Peng) — S$7.40 Kopi C (hot) — S$2.50 Mini Ondeh — S$3.20 Total: S$13.10 after discount, paid via PayNow The hot Kopi C was the highlight — strong, aromatic, with that unmistakable traditional Nanyang flavour. The iced version was a bit too sweet for my liking, even after asking for less sugar. The butter sugar toast was rather average — crispy enough, but nothing that stands out from other kopitiam options. The half-boiled eggs came out nicely runny with dark soy and pepper. What makes this place worth the trip is the second floor. It houses a small museum with educational displays on Nanyang pastries, Nyonyaware porcelain, and vintage kopitiam artefacts — including a Singapore Coffee Lingo poster that explains how to order kopi the local way. Peranakan costumes, antique cash registers, and old gramophones complete the nostalgic vibe. For heritage enthusiasts or visitors wanting to understand Singapore's coffee culture beyond the cup, this is genuinely educational — and very Instagram-worthy. Recommended for families, cultural explorers, or anyone after photos with heritage charm. It's a five-minute walk from Maxwell MRT (TE) and near Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. I'd confidently host overseas guests here for the experience.

Keeper of the classic singaporean kopi taste without compromising quality I visisted this chinatown branch while I was doing last minute shopping. The places' interior brings you to a pre retro vibe. There are old books, musical instruments, old TVs, artwork..etc..their cafe is literally a museum or a time capsule. Their classic Kopi and kaya buttertoast is perfect for any time of the day. This place is definitely worth visiting.

Toast, Half Boiled Egg, and the Pork Ribs Rice was good, but their signature Nanyang Coffee can’t make it. Their signature is the coffee, but the beans is really lack of aroma, and has less depth in flavour. I think the beans itself is either not roasted right, or the beans have been sitting there for too long. Beans got no smoky, nutty, chocolate, caramel notes, and it is pretty diluted.

The most flavorful coffee and mouth watering food. I had the pork bao and pork ribs with rice and both were delicious. The museum upstairs is lovely. You feel like you’re in the olden days. The staff is also friendly. A must visit if you’re in Singapore!

Food was average, but I enjoyed my drink as it was gao and creamy. Staff were friendly and the place has a nostalgic charm. It is a nice spot to sit, relax, and reminisce about the past. The place may feel a little stuffy or dusty. Two floors available, the museum is at second floor with seatings available. I ordered the siew mai and lor mai gai which were so so. The eggs were not great. The toast was alright. The bread was thick but crispy, and the kaya and butter were spread evenly. Indoor and outdoor seating available. Come for the experience and the see see look look, not so much for the food.

Located in the heart of Chinatown. Staff are friendly and easy to talk. Kaya toast was amazing! We ordered the egg&toast set with iced coffee and braised pork belly rice, authentic and delicious.❤️

this Nanyang coffee ☕️ is def the perf S'pore vibe! Strong coffee smell mixed w/ that caramelized sweetness n a hint of creamy smooth. Tastes rich & leaves a sweet aftertaste, esp since I'm chilling at a v old-school coffee shop. So unique, highly recommend!

Had a kopi and kaya toast here for breakfast and it was amazing. Seating options are limited and get full quickly, but otherwise the service is fast and great. I became a big fan of kaya after eating the kaya toast here along with a great kopi. Would highly recommend for anyone visiting.

Grab yourself breakfast then go explore a free coffee museum upstairs. I recommend the sampler and of course the coffee is great. They have limited seats available, but you should be able to get one under normal conditions. I appreciated the staff's patience as I figured out what to eat, returned to order more, and any mistakes I made along the way. They also keep the place clean. Once you are down, you'll be in the heart of Chinatown. A nice bonus!

The coffee and toast was soooo good that I ordered another cup. I definitely recommend this place. Breakfast is so affordable and filing ... under $10! Don't forget to try the Singapore Combo Breakfast. 10/10

Great spot for Kaya toast and Kopi. The ambience is very neat as well with a coffee museum on the second floor. I was in a rush, so I couldn't check it out. I enjoyed my Kaya toast with the eggs and the iced kopi. There was a line, but it moved pretty quickly. If you're looking for some Kaya toast and kopi, this is a great spot to visi

I'm still trying to get over my jet lag after 25+ hours of flying. After a long easy run, I wanted something comforting but also traditional. This place fit the bill: filtered coffee with cane sugar, half-boiled eggs cooked in coconut milk, and thick cut toast slathered with butter. An epic, caloric feast for 7:30am, but it was open and had excellent outdoor seating views. Half boiled eggs are an acquired taste. Like Hainainian chicken rice, the base of the meal is rich in its simplicity, requiring you to really appreciate the flavors without a ton of seasoning. Unlike chicken rice (the other ubiquitous dish of Singapore) there was no bar of sauces and seasonings to spice this rather sweet concoction. Nonetheless, the coffee was beautiful, the toast, perfectly crispy and chewy, and eggs were half cooked to perfection. Not my go-to breakfast but you have to try it if you're visiting.

In A Nutshell: -If you want a traditional Singaporean breakfast then one of the things the locals eat is kaya. -Its a toast that has a sweet spread, butter & served w/ runny eggs. -I tried it for the first time here. -The coffee is decent too, got an extra cup to-go. Overall, Ya Kun Kaya Toast is a chain so this is one of their many locations around the city/state.

Had braised beef belly and iced kopi o and really enjoyed both. Service was good and the place was well kept. Definitely worth a visit.

Definitely eat upstairs in the museum! We wanted the breakfast set but they didn't have any eggs! Everything was delicious and we would definitely return.

After a long day in Chinatown, this is the place to unwind. At a small corner inside the department store is where you find this place. Other drinks are available and there food too for those who want a bite to fill your belly. Coffee is old style and the taste superb.

Opens earlier than most places in the area. The coffee was some of the best we had in Singapore ( least bitter). Upstairs inside you can eat/ drink in ac and a see few small but interesting displays on Singapore & food culture. Food Menu is very small - a couple of simple toasts, buns , and not much else. The servers were hard to understand & did not use English with us but were patient with our family ordering. It was a good stop for a light breakfast - better than toast chains in area. Authentic but not overwhelming. On edge of china town & Buddha tooth temple is right around the corner.

Great place to come for a refreshing break. We had the iced version because it is so hot here. I think we got more with the iced version. Very good, better than Starbucks

A bit on the pricey side for the area but everything LOOKS and TASTES delicious. Huge plus to be on a busy street if you need inspiration to explore SG some more.

A coffee shop that has a literal coffee museum on the second floor and serves great coffee. A great place to go if it's your first time in Singapore to get the traditional coffee, Katya toast and soft boiled eggs

Stumbled to this coffee shop near our hotel. The kaya toast was super crunchy, yet perfect when dipped into the soft half-boiled eggs. The coffee has a perfect balance of caffeine and milk. Such great traditional Singapore snack or breakfast. A must try for anyone visiting Singapore.

Hey, I was hungry, and they were one of the only places open early in the morning, so I decided to try it out. Luckily, I was not disappointed. It's a little place on the corner. There is both outdoor and indoor seating. You are sitting on short little stools in a crowded space inside, but it was okay. They have free WiFi. I had an iced coffee, the special, and toast. The toast was a little different. It consists of a thin square of butter between two pieces of toast. I would describe it as a butter sandwich. It must be a local norm. The special was pretty good, with rice dough as the base. The staff were friendly.

This is a very nice coffee house style café right next to Chinatown. What this café offers is a very nice selection of lattes and other coffee-based drinks. Plus, they have a nice selection of juices and a few other drinks, as well. They also offer a nice selection of various food items. Each of these items are prepared individually so you know that they are fresh. Also, they have some various bakery items. Perhaps the nicest thing about this coffee house is it's atmosphere. It is very old-school. You really get the feeling of old Singapore/old coffee house when you are visiting this business. Overall, it is a really nice place to stop in for a quick pick me up, meal, or just to hang out and spend some time with your friends.

A small and locally owned food spot that offers various coffee variants and food. Tried this spot for breakfast and was delighted that they served Kaya Butter Toast, which is a must try if you're in Singapore! The Kaya Butter Toast costs S$2, which is such a steal. It comes with four slices that are lightly toasted and very fluffy. The inside is lined with generous amounts of butter. It's simple, light, and delicious. It goes well with coffee! Plenty of seating inside and outside. My only issue is that the inside could use some cleaning. But overall a wonderful spot!

My sister and I were walking around Chinatown and came across Nanyang Old Coffee as we waited for the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple's display to open. I never knew that Singapore Traditional Coffee was brewed with beans that were roasted with caramel sugar and butter. No wonder it has this buttery taste that I can't quite pinpoint. I was excited to try the famous Singapore traditional coffee. The cafe had signs and posters explaining how they roast the coffee beans. I ordered the kopi siew dai, which is just black coffee with less condensed milk. It's very aromatic and full bodied, and has just the right amount of sweetness. I was instantly energized! Overall, Nanyang Old Coffee was solid. I should've tried their kaya toast too.

Got the iced coffee and the kaya toast and it was actually the best iced coffee I have ever had. It is on the sweet side compared to my normal coffee with a splash of milk but highly recommend wanted to get a second glass because I devoured it so fast! Also tried the kaya toast and it was very good! Had never had it before but happy we tried!

Since I am not a huge coffee drinker and I don't know much about what makes a good cup of Joe, I did a bit or research to make sure I give this review some justice. Singapore's signature coffee is call a Kopi. And if I lived in Singapore, I would be an avid coffee drinker because of this one drink. While walking around Chinatown, we happened upon this adorable, charming old-fashioned coffee/tea shop. Just the outside facade had me drawn to this place. There is no A/C but we didn't find it unbearably hot. To understand how Kopi came about. I read that empty evaporated milk cans were used as takeaways cups. They pour coffee into it and well, you get the picture. Kopi is coffee that is brewed through and strained through socks or pantyhose. They do the back and forth pour method (fun to watch) and the mixture is skillfully poured between two pots. Condensed and evaporated milk is added. The sweetness cuts through the bitterness making for an unbelievable drink. Why it is not popular in the U.S. I have no idea. The Kopi here is served in small cups. I can't help but admire how beautiful and adorable their cup and saucers are. I should have asked if I could buy a few home with me. We also enjoyed their Kaya toast which has coconut jam and a slice of cold butter, making for a sweet and salty little treat that goes well with your Kopi. Don't hesitate to stop by this charming coffee shop!!

Must try authentic Singaporean kopi! Food/Drink: I just got the best selling iced kopi (iced coffee) and it was delicious. They have other drinks but they are famous for their kopi! Price: Only 4 SGD for a cup (and that's only because I got it iced, it's 3 SGD if you get it hot). Atmosphere: Great little hole in the wall with ample indoor and outdoor seating.

Nice coffee shop right in Singapore Chinatown. My first time trying Kaya Toast here and I loved it! I also ordered the Kopi (coffee with condensed milk, a couple steamed buns and dim sum. All of the food and coffee was worth trying and it was cheap! Make a stop here if you are in the area for a quick breakfast and visit the tiny coffee museum in the back.

I don't leave reviews often but I felt the need to warn people about my experience here with the service and food safety. Ordered an iced coffee and Swee Kueh. The cashier taking my order did not care to be there and was rude. The coffee was standard, and wasn't very strong or special to write home about. The Swee Kueh was room temperature and before I started eating, I noticed there was an insect in my dish. When I brought it back to their attention they claimed it went into my dish after it left their kitchen and refused to take responsibility. I would not place an insect in my food let alone for a dish that was sub $3. You do not taste the history of Singapore through this coffee. With tons of coffee options around and 2 hawker centers nearby, I highly recommend skipping this place.

Stopped by for a quick coffee fix in Chinatown and found this lovely gem. Ordered Kopi O (black coffee), Kopi C (coffee with condensed milk) and pandan cake. Served in little china cups, the coffee was excellent. Would definitely recommend Kopi C - the bitter notes of the coffee blends beautifully with the condensed milk!

Staff seemed unwelcoming but coffee was good. Kaya butter toast was excellent; the bread was both crispy & fluffy and the butter was the perfect amount of melt. Kopi-C was fine but not astounding. Good atmosphere, nice to sit outside.

The little cafe in the Singapore Chinatown has a wide selection of traditional drinks, snacks, and savory meals. There are two entrances: one is the main entrance and has a counter at which you place your order, and one to extra seating and the free coffee exhibit/museum. We visited on a hot, rainy day for some afternoon snacks, and ordered an ice blended mocha (Ice blended means the ice is crushed and mixed in.), an ice blended milk tea, an ice blended lemon sour plum drink (So refreshing in the hot weather!), an ang ku kueh (red tortoise cake), and kaya butter toast. We ordered the mocha and the kaya butter toast as part of a set, which gives you a choice of any hot or cold beverage, and is a real deal. Though I didn't try any of the savory dishes, I thought it was a great afternoon tea place with reasonable pricing. The only thing I wish could be improved was the taste of the kaya, which lacked its strong, signature coconut taste, and tasted a bit like generic jam. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to explore the museum, but given the chance, I would go back for their drinks and see the exhibit.

Tasting the tradition of Singapore has been a great experience. Good food and the price is within reach

I was never an avid coffee drinker, but this traditional coffee shop had me sold. Definitely one of the best coffees I've had, it was creamy yet the coffee flavor was still intense but not overwhelmingly bitter. Personally, it was a perfect balance of sweetness and creaminess. Definitely recommend checking it out in Chinatown. Didn't even know it was actual a famous coffee shop. Stopped by because I wanted a cold drink to get through the humid Singaporean weather, and lucky for us, there was no wait. My friend told me she passed by yesterday and apparently the lines were pretty long.

It was hot and humid in Singapore (aka usual Singapore weather). We just completed our visit the the Singapore Chinese Heritage Museum (good really worthwhile visit) when we discovered Nanyang Old Coffee. We ordered the iced Coffee! The iced coffee was fantastic! Good strong coffee with the cream perfectly incorporated into the drink. Good place for coffee while in Singapore Chinatown.

What's more refreshing than a cold beer while roaming Chinatown in the heat? An Iced cold Ice Blended Kopi from Nanyang Old Coffee!!! Love that retro look and decoration. What's make Singaporean Coffee different than the one I used to drink? It is all in the beans. Singapore Traditional Coffee bean is roasted with small portion caramel sugar and butter or margarine and brewed it traditional handmade method. The coffee is strong, sweet and has this wholesome feel. Smooth and full of aroma........ Sipping my iced coffee with a big smile on my face! I had a photo to prove that too!

Stumbled across this place by accident while roaming through Chinatown looking for breakfast. We chose this place because my bf needed an emergency pit stop to the bathroom. I can't comment on the bathroom facilities because I was a bit afraid to go in there after he was done. :/ The menu listed a Kopitiam set for only $3.50, yay! I also saw a beautiful photo of Bah Kuh Teh that we unfortunately didn't get a chance to come back and try for lunch. Standard Kopitiam breakfast with runny eggs, Singaporian coffee, and kaya butter toast. Simple decor with a cute old-fashioned look with a mini Singapore coffee museum which was literally just a few ancient artifacts displayed in the back room. I was excited to let my bf try a wife cake (one of my all-time favs from Taiwan), but I was a bit disappointed at the greasy pastry that ended up before us. Not sure if this was typical Singaporean style or a rancid leftover, but it was nothing like the light, flaky ones I've had from Taiwan. We also grabbed some bottles of grass jelly to quench our thirst, and I didn't realize they were mint-flavored. So that was a bit weird, but still interesting to try something new.

Very classic and decent coffee shop with good A/C and old things. Suei Guei is tasteful and lemon tea is also good. Highly recommend for short break.

Stopped here during my short trip to Singapore. This was actually the first coffee shop I visited and everything that followed was varying levels of disappointment. This shop is right on the outer shirts of china town which would make you think it's a tourist trap. The interior is really trendy with hints of traditional decor. As a foreigner they made ordering very simple with the simple to understand coffee chart. By far the most flavorful cup I have during the entire trip. Service was also excellent and the bathroom and table were clean. For a coffee shop that's pretty much all you need to do to be successful.

Singapore is the perfect place to have local Chinese style breakfast. They called it 'kopi tiam' or place to have coffee. The simple simple breakfast usually a cup of coffee or tea with 'kaya' jam sandwich and half boiled eggs in a bowl. Of course, this place also have 'nasi lemak' and cakes. Very popular with locals.

Poor service from the 2 person today. 1)when arrive, asked kindly to the 1 of the staff if I am able to put my stuff down first before I scan the QR code. At first I thought she didn't hear me so repeated twice then she took out her earphone and say "what you want?" with an attitude tone and give me a black face like it was my fault to ask nicely. 2) As I was already ordering my drinks with another staff, half way she just say "we closing in 30mins" in yet another rude tone. Why didn't they inform me when I first come in? And wait till I settle down and order half way then inform me about it? I really don't understand why must both staff be so rude and give an attitude tone? When I was just asking nicely and also ordering normally. So far I got no issue with any coffee stall place I went to for my entire life. But only this place seems to have an issue with me. Coffee is good. Services really damn bad

In a world where everything's moving so fast, and the youth moving on to 'ang moh' coffee la, espresso this and macchiato that, it's nice to know that places like this that serve a mean cuppa good ol' coffee (like the Samsui women used to sip!) still exist. This is the best out of the old-world cafés (Ya Kun, Wangz, etc) in my opinion. Great toast and kaya, fragrant coffee served in the traditional white cups and saucers, though the Nyonya Nasi Lemak is a huge, huge disappointment (probably one of the factory made, pre-packed variety). The coffee aunties are sweet and nice (just like the coffee - if you like it with condensed milk!), and we might move on to beans from Rwanda and Ecuador, but it's nice to know what kept our country awake and working (and growing to the finesse it is today!) during the 60s! Take a sip of some rich, rich delicious history.

Friendly service and nice to rest your feet after walking all over the area. Popular for old sg coffee which is basically milk and coffee. I had the blended version which is made w ice and served cold. Tasted great. No complaints here.

Good coffee and kaya toast but don't expect good customer service. The people who worked there doesn't not smile and they look like they hate their jobs.

For a visiting tourist I would maybe slightly edge this place as it's charming, it's located within Chinatown. The other would be killiney kopitiam on killiney rd which is more for locals. To be honest ya kun is my favorite but this place is good too.

Mmm, not authentic nanyang/hainanese coffee. Prolly catered towards tourist market(non SEA) region. The kaya toast is decent but abit dry. My hainanese ancestors will disapprove.

Although very crowded and touristy, this is a good sample of local coffee and toast. The Singlish placemats add to the charm.

My favorite spot for a Kopitiam breakfast set! Coffee is always delicious and strong. Eggs and Kaya toast also delicious. Good covered seating outside with fans. Seating inside with AC. Breakfast set is only $4.20. Service is always quick and friendly. Recommended over the Kopitiam chains in town!

I actually only came here because my hostel (Royal Hostel) had a breakfast deal with them. The line at 8am was fairly long though which suggests good things - line also moved fairly fast. I got the lo mai gai - or sticky rice chicken. Usually a dim sum item, steamed while wrapped in a lotus leaf. There was no lotus leaf here, but it was actually pretty tasty overall. It did lack the characteristic leaf flavor but the rice was cooked very well and the sauce had a terrific depth of meatiness and savoriness. I would recommend it.

iced coffee on a hot day hits the spot. nice coffee flavor airy and wasn't overly sweet. on the ways to maxwell

One of my must stops when In Singapore. Grab a cup of copi and a snack. Sit inside and feel like you're in a different era or sit outside and slow down and enjoy the day.

The cafe management is not up to standard . I had done in before the food just taste so so nothing great and I found the website that they have delivery services so just to share with you guys due to bad experience i had with them I will advise if you want to order from them be prepared , firstly they will stated food is preparing and after waiting for one hour , they will cancel your order due to their own reason so it's quite piss off and I will not order from them anymore .