Bukit Merah Lane 1 may not be where you would expect to find an artisanal coffee shop, but it will probably attract coffee enthusiasts to this part of the island.
In the event you are planning a ‘food trip’, the cafe is in close proximity to famous food places such as Keng Eng Kee Seafood, Poh Cheu Soon Kueh and Ang Ku Kueh, and Alexandra Village Food Centre. Kiroi Freshly Baked Cheese Cake is located just opposite.
Owner and barista of Rookie’s Coffee Shop Junior who was previously from Kurasu, mentioned that this area used to be his favourite hang-out place during Singapore Poly days.
Therefore, he finds nostalgic value in the surroundings, and sees potential in the neighbourhood.
There was this pleasant, neighbourhood charm about this place (nothing too pretentious); and if it not too crowded, you can always have conversations with the baristas to find out more about coffee.
The café space is not that big, primary with counter seating (can sit about 4 to 5 pax), though there are some camping chairs outdoors to chill by.
The Rookie’s menu is kept lean, with offerings of White ($5), Black ($4.50), Chocolate ($5.50), Aeropress ($6, $6.50), with iced and oat milk options at a dollar extra.
The espresso based coffee beans are currently sourced from Little Big Coffee Roasters (at Biopolis), with mellow acidity and tropical fruity and orange notes. I would say my cup of iced black was medium-bodied, balanced, and refreshing.
Junior recommended the Aeropress as he found the properties and taste profile of the coffee did not change as much as it cooled down.
I had the Geisha from Colombia, and this coffee had a light aroma, not too acidic, with passionfruit and mango notes.
The focus of Rookie’s is still on coffee, and therefore the food choices are kept limited to a tangy and pretty delicious-sour Lemon Bar ($5) and Chocolate Chip Cookie ($3.50).
Rookie’s Coffee Shop
124 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-144, Singapore 150124
Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm (Tues – Fri), 10am – 6pm (Sat – Sun), Closed Mon
Other Related Entries
Round Boy Roasters (Jalan Bukit Merah)
Kurasu Singapore (Waterloo Street)
Degree Celsius (Penang Road)
Balance Coffee (Balestier)
Equate Coffee (Tanjong Pagar)
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