SINGAPORE: Carpenter & Cook

The cafe culture that once seemed natural only in Europe has slowly but surely pervaded Singapore's thriving food scene. Maybe its psychological or maybe caffeine releases endorphins, but I genuinely feel like a brighter and more motivated person after a good cup of rich and flavourful coffee. 

The concept of a cafe with a vintage themed interior has been done all too often - but with good reason. There's something pleasantly surreal about unique cafe interiors. The ones I visit most (i.e. Fork in London, K.ki and Forty Hands) are neither modern nor posh, aren't trying too hard to impress, but are just tastefully comfortable. 

People don't visit cafes solely for the food. They visit for one of two things: the coffee or the atmosphere. Carpenter & Cook has done a fantastic job with its interior and it's no wonder that it's crowded all the way until evening. Nonetheless, their cappuccino was much too strong for me. It's the kind that leaves me so hyped up on caffeine that I end up feeling jumpy for the next 5 hours. I'd recommend going for the pastries (all handmade) and for the pleasure of indulging yourself in an English-themed vintage atmosphere. 

Carpenter & Cook

Chun Tin Road/Beauty World area at
19 Lorong Kilat, #01-06, Singapore 598120

Operating hours are:
Tuesdays - Fridays: 12pm - 10pm
Saturdays: 10am - 10pm
Sundays: 10am - 7pm
Closed on Mondays