This new café-bar tucked along Mohamed Sultan Road has stayed a little under the radar.
EarlyAfter calls itself a café by day and cocktail bar by night, and the setup reflects that.
It isn’t like the usual bright and airy café.
Warm lighting spills over soft beige walls, while curved furniture and light wood tones create a relaxed, almost Scandinavian atmosphere.
The bar stretches across the back, lined with spirits that remind you this is more than a brunch café.
Brunch hours come with familiar plates and coffee aromas. Dinner brings out polished mains and house cocktails.
Breakfast favourites feature the Tornado Egg Burger ($23), Deconstructed Breakfast ($26), Burrata Tartine ($20), and The Early Riser ($26).
I ordered the Tornado Egg Burger ($23) because it sounded the most intriguing.
Not bad at all. The egg was creamy, thick (so thick that I realised it was not like the usual), and held together nicely in the soft brioche bun.
Instead of a soft scramble, it came shaped almost like a layered omelette, smooth on the outside and custardy inside.
The chipotle sauce brought a light smokiness and mild tang, while the bun was warm and buttery, soft but with a light chew.
Definitely worthy of being the star brunch dish here.
If you prefer something more substantial, main courses include Ribeye Steak with Truffle Mash ($45), Pan-seared Salmon ($24), Wagyu Burger ($30), Portobello Burger ($21), Tuscan Chicken ($24), and Blue Mussel & Toast ($19).
Over on the pasta side, the kitchen gets a bit more playful.
There’s Grandma’s Spicy Shrimp Pasta ($26) packed with hae bee hiam heat, Aglio Olio Prawn ($21) for those who like a lighter, garlicky punch with chilli padi, and Seafood Rose Marinara ($24) for a creamy, ocean-sweet finish.
Decided to have the Grandma’s Spicy Shrimp Pasta ($26) as it sounded the most different.
It arrived looking vibrant, the prawns sitting on a neat tangle of spaghetti coated in a rich, brick-red sauce. It had that unmistakable hae bee hiam aroma — a little smoky, and full of promise.
The first bite hit with a wave of spice and umami. It was tasty, though I thought it could use a touch less heat to let the other flavours breathe.
I liked that they tried something different from the usual cream or tomato-based café pastas.
For something to share, sides include Mentaiko Fries ($14), Truffle Fries ($14), Har Cheong Mid Wings ($14), and Oyster Explosion ($7 for two pieces).
The Har Cheong Mid Wings ($14) were crisp on the outside, juicy inside, carrying that distinctive prawn paste aroma without going too heavy.
Prices are on the higher side, fair for the neighbourhood and the setting, but some potential diners may be deterred.
If you like thick creamy eggs, a bit of spice in your pasta, and a café that feels calm without being dull, EarlyAfter’s worth a visit.
EarlyAfter
33 Mohamed Sultan Road, #01-01, Singapore 238977 (Near Fort Canning MRT)
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 11:00pm (Mon – Sun)
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