If you’ve ever walked down Geylang Road and thought you’d seen every kind of café, think again.
Brawn & Brains Coffee hides behind a row of metal shutters and construction barriers.
If you are looking for it, do not expect a neon sign or flowery entrance.
Make your way to Lorong 35 and look for the Scissors Curry Rice coffee shop. Walk past it and slip into the back alley right behind.
The entrance to Brawn & Brains can be quite hidden, so keep an eye out for a clean glass front with the café’s round logo and a tiny bright yellow stool outside.
Step inside and you’ll see the place is as no-nonsense as its façade. There is a large La Marzocco machine on the counter, with rows of pale yellow cups lined up like a promise.
The menu is all about the coffee. No cooked food, but there are bakes.
Coffee drinks include the White ($5.50), Black ($5.00), and Cold Brew ($10.90), all proudly roasted in-house and served as double ristretto shots.
Their Pen & Pencil house blend features a mix of beans from Brazil, Colombia, and Ethiopia, designed to be approachable and well-balanced.
In the cup, you can expect a smooth and rounded profile with mild fruit notes, gentle nuttiness, and a pleasant chocolate finish.
For those after something a little different, the menu offers Iced Strawberry Matcha ($8.50) and classic Matcha ($6.50), both available iced or with oat milk.
Bakes wise, there is a small selection of fluffy donuts such as Classic Sugar ($4.00), Cinnamon Spiced ($4.30), BB House-Made Kaya ($4.50), Lemon Curd ($4.50), and savoury Scallion & Cream Cheese ($4.80).
Teacakes are available by the slice, including Chocolate & Banana ($5.00), Lemon & Cranberry ($5.00), Espresso & Walnut ($5.00), and Earl Grey ($5.00).
There is also the popular Korvapuusti sometimes, a Finnish cinnamon bun ($5.00), great for pairing with your coffee.
The seating is minimal. There’s a single bench outside for those who like their caffeine with a dose of sunlight.
Most regulars grab their coffee to go, but if you get lucky, you might snag a spot inside.
Brawn & Brains Coffee
673 Geylang Road, Singapore 389500 (Lorong 35 Enter back alley behind Scissors Curry Rice coffee shop)
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 5pm (Mon – Fri), 9am – 5pm (Sat – Sun)
Other Related Entries
Bee Hoe Coffee (Joo Chiat Place)
Hideout Coffee Bar (Mackenzie Road)
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Space 23 (Jalan Besar)
Mad Roaster’s Slow Bar (Lengkok Bahru)
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