Plain Vanilla Telok Ayer in Singapore

"Wah! One of the few places I know that serves water for free! Don’t look down on the “build your breakfast”. Everything looks simple. But they taste great. Coffee is just good. Okay, the service. It’s pretty good too. Water served without asking, shortly after we are seated. Pastry is crispy. Not soggy. Will come again. Definitely"

"Nice spot with outdoor seating for a morning coffee. I had the Fresh Fruit Bowl with Greek yoghurt - it was alright. The baked goods looked and smelled amazing"

"Beautiful cafe with a great selection of brunch items and beautiful baked goods. There is only a small amount of seating indoors in the air-conditioned area, but more right outside in the open air. I got truffle cheese mushrooms on sourdough with poached eggs. Ohy god, it was presented so gorgeous, and made for great pictures when the eggs were cut open and the yolk came oozing out. On top of that, it all tasted incredible as well! The mushrooms were cooked to perfect tenderness and complemented the bread and cheese wonderfully. My friend got a scrambled egg burger with potatoes. I'm not sure what it's called on the menu. According to him, it was great! I also got a box of cupcakes to go and share with my family because I love how cute they looked. They have different types of filling in the middle. The cake was soft and tastefully sweet. I would come back to try some of the other bakes they had on display. The place is also very cozy indoors. The staff are also lovely. I usually expect to be snobbily served in places like these, but I was pleasantly surprised that they were pretty nice."

"What an incredible Singapore gem! We ate breakfast and cakes here both mornings we were in town and it was just perfect. The food was amazing and every cake we tasted were so decadent. The location and WiFi were super good too. Best of all was the service though! When we arrived the second day, the staff remembered us from the first day, and they gave us free dessert to celebrate our engagement. It was so unexpected and sweet, and we were so touched. Thank you again for an incredible time! We can not recommend enough!"

"Plain Vanilla exudes a cozy, rustic charm that makes it feel like a hidden gem tucked away from the bustle of the city. With its wooden furniture, warm tones, and inviting atmosphere, it’s the kind of place that encourages you to slow down and unwind. While most of the seating is outdoors—great if you’re bringing along your furry companion—it can get a little warm in the afternoon, so dress light or aim for a morning visit. The food is not bad—simple, hearty fare that pairs well with their coffee, which is smooth and enjoyable. But what really impressed me was the stellar customer service. During our visit on 21 June around noon, my family accidentally spilled an entire cup of coffee. Within seconds, the staff came over, calmly mopped the area, and to our surprise and delight, replaced the coffee one-for-one without hesitation. It was such a thoughtful gesture that truly brightened our day. That kind of sincere customer recovery is rare and worth commending. This small act speaks volumes about the team’s attentiveness and kindness. In an age where service can feel transactional, it’s heartening to see a place that still values hospitality at its core. Thank you to the wonderful staff on duty that day—you turned a minor mishap into a heartwarming moment. We’ll definitely be back. Five stars for the service alone!"

"Plain Vanilla September special is a rainbow cake with raspberry inside. Here to review that it’s big enuf to self indulge or to share. Moist cake, nice cream, raspberry puree adds a twist to the taste. Atmosphere wise - it’s crowded on a weekend cos it’s the only cafe open. Not much indoor seating and prolly better for a dine and dash situation rather than sitting/chatting for a long time."

"Cute cafe along Telok Ayer to have a bit of rest between exploring the area. Needed a matcha fix and ordered the iced green tea latte and was recommended the pistachio tiramisu. Both were lovely. The tea had a good balance of bitter and creaminess and the tiramisu was a little sweet but very generous with the pistachio so that helped to balance things out, I feel. Was also given a slice of banana bread, on the house, just because. Which was really sweet of them. It was moist and not lacking in bananas. It would also be handy to note that the dessert portions were generous and would be good for sharing. The staff were all sweet and attentive as well. Which is always a plus. Good, friendly, service is tough to come by these days. Overall, this would be a good spot for those seeking a respite from the heat and a bit of rest with tea and dessert."

"Love coming to this outlet! The cupcakes were presented beautifully and there were many options to choose from. My favourites are the cinnamon, hazelnut, and carrot cupcakes All the staff are always friendly and welcoming whenever I visit. I was served by Darryl today, who politely took my order and made sure everything was perfect. Really appreciate the great service and cheerful atmosphere — will definitely be back again soon!"