Grandlink Square is an aging mall on Guillemard Road mostly known for its Viet food, indie fitness places, and spa shops. Most of the units seem to belong to a different decade.
So what brought me there this time other than Banh Mi? Artisanal coffee.
Most people likely drive through Geylang, past the building without a second thought (Fun fact: it was built on the site of the historic Queen’s Theatre.)
Brawn & Brains has opened a new café there, standing out with its bright glass front and three beige plastic chairs resting on the pavement.
It seems like the owners really love this area, with other outlets not too far away at 637 Geylang Road, Hamilton Road, and Pico Creative Centre.
Talking about the owners, founders Xavier Teo and Gwen Peh started their journey just down the road at the old Singapore Badminton Hall in 2013.
Xavier actually has a background in the sheet metal industry. He designed and built much of the original furniture himself.
This industrial influence is still visible in the new space. You will see metal scaffolding and white tiled walls that give the room a raw and functional feel.
If you are there for a coffee drink, options include Espresso ($4.50), Macchiato ($4.50), Black ($5.00), White ($5.50), Cappuccino ($5.50), Cold Brew White ($10.90), and Espresso Tonic ($8.50).
For non-coffee drinks, there are also the Matcha Lemon Tonic ($9.00), House-Brewed Kombucha ($7.50), Iced Strawberry Matcha ($8.50), Dirty Matcha ($8.00), Matcha ($7.00), Mocha ($7.50), and Hot Chocolate ($7.00).
I have been to Brawn & Brains many times, and so ordered the Iced Strawberry Matcha ($8.50) and the Strawberry Kombucha ($8.50) for a change.
The strawberry matcha had a creamy base and arrived in distinct layers of green and pink, with the strawberry flavour very prominent.
The kombucha provided a sharp and refreshing fizz that worked well on a hot afternoon. However, I feel that the coffee remains the real reason to visit this ‘hidden’ spot.
If you like some food items to accompany your drink, there are the BB Lucky Bagels in Plain ($4.00) or Sesame ($4.20), Lemon Cranberry Teacake ($5.50), Espresso and Walnut Teacake ($5.50), Orange Sesame Teacake ($5.50), and an assortment of donuts starting from $4.20.
I also had the savoury Quiche ($7.50) which arrived in a simple disposable box, and I was pleasantly surprised by its quality.
The slice was thick, with a deeply browned top and a firm crust. Inside, the filling was soft and savoury, with the bacon, mushrooms and cheese giving it that needed richness.
If you somehow find yourself at Grandlink Square and need a good cup of coffee, you now know where to head to.
Brawn & Brains – Grandlink Square
Grandlink Square #01-05, 511 Guillemard Road, Singapore 399849
Opening Hours: 9:30am – 6pm (Mon – Sun)
Other Related Entries
Brawn & Brains Coffee (Pico Creative Centre)
Kyuukei Coffee (Gillman Barracks)
Waterloo Coffee (Waterloo Street)
Pour.traits Coffee Roasters (Havelock II)
Grounds On A Hill Coffee (Clementi)
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