Cannot decide between Nanyang kopi or Western style brunch?
Now you can have both, complete with a view of National Gallery’s open spaces (can even see MBS from here) and the quiet hum of a cultural landmark.
Twenty Eight Cafe and Kopi 1930 have combined forces in one dining area, yet the menu feels broad without being confusing.
One side offers local staples built around familiar flavours.
The other leans into brunch dishes with a slightly more playful hand.
From the Twenty Eight Cafe side, the menu covers mains, salads, pastas, bites and desserts.
You can expect filling mains like Angus Steak ($34), Seafood Cioppino with Sourdough ($26) and Cajun Chicken ($20). Pastas range from Beef Pappardelle ($26), Seafood Linguine Aglio Olio ($24), Crabmeat Linguine ($24), Spicy Tomato Linguine ($20), Creamy Green Pesto Chicken ($20) to Wild Mushroom Aglio Olio ($20).
Dessert is centred on the Kaya Heritage Soufflé Pancake ($20), which appears to be their signature sweet.
It arrived as a tall, soft stack with a gentle wobble. The homemade kaya was smooth with a clear pandan note, and the coconut cream added mild fragrance.
I found the ‘roti kauk’ most interesting, which was toasted bread biscuit (made from both ends of the white bread) that supplied crunchy contrast. It tasted like those old-style dry biscuits.
The Soufflé Pancake might be a little indulgent for one, so get a friend or two to share the calories.
Kopi 1930 takes a different approach with local favourites built on noodles, rice, fried bee hoon and nasi lemak.
You can go for anything from Mee Siam ($10.90 or $13.90 for a set), Mee Rebus ($10.90 or $13.90), Laksa ($10.90 or $13.90), to Chicken Curry ($11.90 or $14.90) and Braised Mid Wing ($11.90 or $14.90).
I ordered the Fried Bee Hoon ($8.90) with chicken luncheon meat (they don’t serve pork here), fried mid wings and a fried egg.
It was surprisingly not bad, as the bee hoon was flavourful yet not oily. Maybe the wings were a tad salty?
I also tried the Chicken Luncheon Meat Toast ($5) with fried egg.
The bread was soft but still crisp, and was simple combination that worked. Like those home-made ones with slightly more flair.
Together, they cater to a wide mix of diners who pass through the National Gallery, from tourists to office workers.
A place where you can pair Kaya Toast with Cioppino or Mee Siam with Soufflé Pancakes, then head over to an exhibition after the meal. Sounds good?
Twenty Eight Cafe and Kopi 1930
National Gallery #01-11/12/13/14/17, 1 St Andrew Road, Singapore 178957 (Near City Hall MRT)
Opening Hours: 8am – 6pm (Mon–Sun)
Other Related Entries
Percolate (Pickering Street)
Bastille Bakery (Joo Chiat)
POUT Rooftop Café (South Bridge Road)
Bibik Violet (Temasek Shophouse)
Tiong Bahru Bakery Flagship (Tiong Bahru)
* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Telegram for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. This meal was a treat from a friend, but all opinions shared are my own.
