Address

20 Martin Road
#01-02 Seng Kee Building

Tel: +65 6887 5430

Opening hours

Sun–Thurs
8.30am – 10.30pm
Fri–Sat
8.30am – 12am
7.1
 
Ambience/Setting
7.8
Food & Beverage
6.4
Value
6.6
Service
7.7

Based on 10 reviews

Would you return to this place?
    Definitely 80%     Probably 10%
    Not Sure 10%     Probably not 0%
    Definitely not 0%
Based on 10 reviews

Specialities

No reviewer input yet.

Promotions

Featured Reviews

from 10 reviews
Write a Review
  1. Chicken Rice Man

    First reviewed by  Chicken Rice Man

    "So tired of bad food"
  1. Great to Chillout

    May 6, 2007
    When I first found book cafe, I thought it was fantastic! Magazines, books, and comfy sofas. It's like stepping into someone's living room.

    The main draw of the place really is that you can order one drink and enjoy the rest of the evening. Come early and monopolize the couches (there are only two sets). I hate people like you. Flip through the myriad of ladies magazines (yes guys, I know you secretly are into this too… but only to check out the hot models!) or pick up a serious book on how to solve world hunger.

    Given this business model of long overstayers like myself, prices can get a bit expensive. We ordered two peppermint teas and one ice honey lemon tea today and the price came up to $19.

    I haven't tried to food so I cannot really comment on the quality. I suppose it is not too bad as I've seen a number of people tucking in with some gusto. I'm not sure if I myself would come here for the food though.

    Bring a date here and show her you know more than one more cool joint in Singapore. At least if you’re not conversant, you can hide behind a Herworld or Female Magazine and show her you care about 'her' world affairs.
    I also recommend this place for

    Type of meal:Brunch, Lunch
    Occasion:Romance/First Dates, Chillout
    Atmosphere:Quiet/Peaceful, Alfresco/Outdoor Dining, Hidden Find

      6.7
      Ambience
      8
      Food & Bev.
      6.2
      Value
      5.9
      Service
      na
      Spent about
      S$6 / pax
      Would You Return?
      Definitely
      Helpful Review?

      0
    • Perfect with a Book and a Cuppa

      Jul 30, 2009
      Book Cafe has always been one of my favorite places to hunker down with a book or a magazine with a cuppa, away from the madding crowd. I love that they are also one of the few places which serve breakfast all day.

      Food : Have been for brunch, dinner as well as late night coffee on different occasions, and have never once been disappointed. Have tried the pancakes and the fry up which consisted of hash brown, sausages, bacon, toast and eggs for brunch, cod and sandwiches for dinner, and last but not least, hot cocoa with marshmallows, mango smoothies and a variety of desserts i.e, apple pie, lemon and rosemary cake with Greek yogurt as well as pine nut pie (available only on weekends). Comfort cafe fare ... love it all.

      Service : Friendly and pleasant.

      Ambience : Laidback and cosy. Relaxing music. Love the sofas.

      Remains one of my favorite haunts.
      Must Tries

      Rosemary and lemon cake, pine nut pie, hot cocoa with marshmallows, breakfast set

        7.1
        Ambience
        7.5
        Food & Bev.
        7
        Value
        7
        Service
        7
        Spent about
        S$15 / pax
        Would You Return?
        Definitely
        Helpful Review?

        0
      • One of a kind...

        Mar 10, 2009
        I’ve fallen in love with the Book Cafe – except that it’s got nothing to do with the food (which is totally overpriced), or the coffee (which is all right), or the service (mostly friendly and helpful).

        Sometimes, it’s not about the food or the drinks or the service – though the Book Cafe’s got all three more or less covered. Sometimes, it’s simply about function, atmosphere and access.

        I like the fact that I can drop by on a sunny afternoon, sit in the smoking section, get free internet access, AND plug my laptop into one of the many power sockets placed outdoors. Tell me another cafe that has all of the above. And I love the fact that it’s cozy, semi-secluded, but not totally out of the way.

        Well worth taking three buses to get there. Well worth the overpriced menu. Yay for the Book Cafe!
        Must Tries

        Diet Coke

          7
          Ambience
          7.5
          Food & Bev.
          5
          Value
          8
          Service
          7.5
          Would You Return?
          Definitely
          Helpful Review?

          0
        1. simple n cozy - recommended for first time date or quiet time

          Feb 11, 2010
          I went there a couple of times , in the morning and in the evening. What I love about this place is they let you be alone and they dont chase you to get out . You can spend the whole evening and reading your favorite book with coffee or desert or apple pie.

          The ambiance is relax, casual and if you want to have quiet time on your own or if you want to bring your lap top and do your work that would be much better place than Mc. Donald...

          Food wise, I had tried the Greek yoghurt was simple , was ok but not special. I tried the pancake too for breakfast. It is very small portion ( but you could choose bigger portion). The pancake was just ok. For drink, I like the honey lemon .Quite refreshing . I tried the  lemon tea.. , it was rather bitter...but given the fact the ambiance and affordable price.. it is alright.
          i would definitely return..



          I also recommend this place for

          Type of meal:Lunch, Hi Tea
          Occasion:Romance/First Dates, After Work
          Atmosphere:Quiet/Peaceful, Hidden Find

            7
            Ambience
            7
            Food & Bev.
            7
            Value
            7
            Service
            7
            Spent about
            S$10 / pax
            Would You Return?
            Definitely
            Helpful Review?

            1
          • special.

            Sep 13, 2009
            i was brought to this cafe a few months back, and till now it's still one of the special places i hold closely to my heart.

            i can't really judge the food because i haven't tried much. what i can be certain of is the warmth that runs through me whenever i visit.

            i can't pinpoint what is it that gives me that feeling. perhaps it's the simple and homey interiors. maybe even the interesting range of coffee table books and magazines. or it could be the chalkboard menu, so very endearing.

            or maybe sometimes all that's important is who you're with, because it can render all other factors insignificant.
            I also recommend this place for

            Type of meal:Breakfast, Brunch, Supper/Night Dining, Cheap Eat/Budget, Lunch, Dinner, Hi Tea
            Occasion:Romance/First Dates
            Atmosphere:Quiet/Peaceful, Hidden Find

              8.5
              Ambience
              8.5
              Food & Bev.
              na
              Value
              7.9
              Service
              9.1
              Would You Return?
              Probably
              Helpful Review?

              0
            • Perfect with a Book and a Cuppa

              Jul 30, 2009
              Book Cafe has always been one of my favorite places to hunker down with a book or a magazine with a cuppa, away from the madding crowd. I love that they are also one of the few places which serve breakfast all day.

              Food : Have been for brunch, dinner as well as late night coffee on different occasions, and have never once been disappointed. Have tried the pancakes and the fry up which consisted of hash brown, sausages, bacon, toast and eggs for brunch, cod and sandwiches for dinner, and last but not least, hot cocoa with marshmallows, mango smoothies and a variety of desserts i.e, apple pie, lemon and rosemary cake with Greek yogurt as well as pine nut pie (available only on weekends). Comfort cafe fare ... love it all.

              Service : Friendly and pleasant.

              Ambience : Laidback and cosy. Relaxing music. Love the sofas.

              Remains one of my favorite haunts.
              Must Tries

              Rosemary and lemon cake, pine nut pie, hot cocoa with marshmallows, breakfast set

                7.1
                Ambience
                7.5
                Food & Bev.
                7
                Value
                7
                Service
                7
                Spent about
                S$15 / pax
                Would You Return?
                Definitely
                Helpful Review?

                0
              • First Time and Will come again

                May 30, 2009
                Food is okay but the set dinner is $25++. You get to choose one of the main course, and comes with soup/salad + drinks + desert. You can even choose those main course that is worth $23.95 ( Cod Fish ) . :)

                The sofa seats is comfortable but i prefer the table seats if i want to use my laptop the whole day. if it is just reading, then sofa will be better

                Service is great. i requested for the sofa seats after dinner and they gladly reserved it for us after we finished.

                Parking around here is also quite okay on weekends. will pop by one of the weekdays to try.
                I also recommend this place for

                Type of meal:Dinner
                Occasion:Chillout
                Atmosphere:Quiet/Peaceful

                  7.5
                  Ambience
                  8
                  Food & Bev.
                  6.9
                  Value
                  5.9
                  Service
                  9.3
                  Would You Return?
                  Definitely
                  Helpful Review?

                  0
                • Cozy & comfy!

                  Apr 15, 2009
                  I went to this place for the 1st time with a friend 2 weeks ago. Have passed by the place before while driving but did not venture in. My friend is a regular customer so she suggested to go there for brunch.

                  We didn't want to sit at the sofas so we just took a table near the door. I like the fact that there was plenty of natural light coming through the windows. Another positive point was the many magazines for us customers to read leisurely in a relaxed ambience.

                  I asked my friend what does she usually order & got the same as her (Hehe..so i don't order wrongly & regret! i hate wasting food). So we had the breakast dish (which is served throughout the day). Nothing exciting about it but it was filling with slices of smoked salmon, mushrooms, 2 sausages, a slice of toast, scrambled eggs (or sunny-side up if u prefer), hashbrown & half a tomato.

                  Service is commendable, orders were efficiently taken & repeated. Our fruit juices were served within a few minutes & the food followed timely. Even when we finished our meal & drinks, we sat there chatting for a while & a female wait-staff served us a glass of chilled water each. Without us asking! Nice touch =)
                  Usually in S'pore, it is very often that customers are "forgotten" by the service staff once they finish eating. It's a "clean up plates & run away" situation, no need to bother anymore. So I was pleasantly pleased by this small but thoughtful gesture by the book cafe staff.

                  A customer's dining experience does not end when he finishes the meal, it is until he walks out the door. The book cafe should treasure this staff because apparently, she knows that. Good service can be trained but good AND genuine service comes from the heart. Keep up the good work!
                  I also recommend this place for

                  Type of meal:Brunch
                  Occasion:Chillout
                  Atmosphere:Quiet/Peaceful, Hidden Find

                    7.3
                    Ambience
                    7.5
                    Food & Bev.
                    6.8
                    Value
                    6.5
                    Service
                    8.2
                    Spent about
                    S$24 / pax
                    Would You Return?
                    Definitely
                    Helpful Review?

                    0
                  • best place to rot

                    Mar 12, 2009
                    the first time my gf brought me there to celebrate my birthday... i fell in love with the place... its so cosy... after that i brought my bf there and it has become our hideout and place to rot.... we always love to sit at the sofa seat, there is a strange feeling when you sit on the sofa, the moment you sat and you simple doesnt wanna get up anymore and just rot there.... nice place to chill really...
                    1 Review Photos
                    7.4
                    Ambience
                    9
                    Food & Bev.
                    7
                    Value
                    6.5
                    Service
                    7
                    Would You Return?
                    Definitely
                    Helpful Review?

                    0
                  • One of a kind...

                    Mar 10, 2009
                    I’ve fallen in love with the Book Cafe – except that it’s got nothing to do with the food (which is totally overpriced), or the coffee (which is all right), or the service (mostly friendly and helpful).

                    Sometimes, it’s not about the food or the drinks or the service – though the Book Cafe’s got all three more or less covered. Sometimes, it’s simply about function, atmosphere and access.

                    I like the fact that I can drop by on a sunny afternoon, sit in the smoking section, get free internet access, AND plug my laptop into one of the many power sockets placed outdoors. Tell me another cafe that has all of the above. And I love the fact that it’s cozy, semi-secluded, but not totally out of the way.

                    Well worth taking three buses to get there. Well worth the overpriced menu. Yay for the Book Cafe!
                    Must Tries

                    Diet Coke

                      7
                      Ambience
                      7.5
                      Food & Bev.
                      5
                      Value
                      8
                      Service
                      7.5
                      Would You Return?
                      Definitely
                      Helpful Review?

                      0
                    • for the library geek.

                      Jul 20, 2008
                      Finally, a place for the avid reader to kick back and enjoy a book with some quality food and drink.

                      I discovered book cafe by sheer chance. It's location isn't optimum - tucked behind a construction barrier, next to a row of deserted shophouses and office buildings and right at the near end of a clubbing district.

                      But inside, it is just quaint. hidden away from the bustle of the city but near enough to do errands. there are shelves of books, periodicals and magazines for any type of reader and sofas for you to lean back in.

                      I liken it to going over to a friend's place to read a fine book.

                      The food is right up my alley. I tried the salmon noodle soup which is basically your fish soup with milk but this time they use fresh pieces of battered salmon.

                      The salmon is soft and fresh with just the right texture - flaky but still holding together. If you're not a fan of the fishy taste, then i wouldn't recommend this dish because it is a tad fishy.

                      The soup base is hearty but a little salty. If you're a savoury fan, then this will tickle your tastebuds.

                      The salmon noodle soup is chocked full of veggies and ginger, which is a good mix of the good ol' hawker center yu pian mi fen and a the westernised noodle soup.

                      Wash everything down with a iced jasmine tea with lemon, just to get the salty out of the system.

                      Those prices are a tad expensive, i do find it incredibly value for money. The staff are very attentive and friendly, and most of all, you don't feel pressure to gulp your food and leave. They invite you to sit as long as you like, browsing their range of reading materials.
                      Must Tries

                      salmon noodle soup, smoked salmon casear salad

                      I also recommend this place for

                      Type of meal:Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner
                      Occasion:Romance/First Dates, Girls Night Out, After Work, Private Dining, Chillout
                      Atmosphere:Quiet/Peaceful, Hidden Find

                      3 Review Photos
                      •  salmon noodle soup
                      •  one of the shelvings
                      •  the many titles they carry
                      7.2
                      Ambience
                      7.6
                      Food & Bev.
                      7.2
                      Value
                      6.4
                      Service
                      7.4
                      Spent about
                      S$25 / pax
                      Would You Return?
                      Definitely
                      Helpful Review?

                      0
                    • milkshake craving not satisfied

                      Apr 13, 2008
                      came here for my late morning milk shake craving, but was sadly disappointed.

                      milkshake was only slightly thicker than the strawberry milk and it tasted like strawberry milk (no fresh strawberry blended into it).

                      Its been some time since i drop by here for milk shake and I'm sure it used to be thicker. (thank goodness, I found novus cafe at the museum, sufficiently thick, smooth and possibly with fresh strawberry cos I can see the tiny pulps, milkshake can be found there! phew....)
                        5.9
                        Ambience
                        7.2
                        Food & Bev.
                        4.9
                        Value
                        4.9
                        Service
                        6.4
                        Spent about
                        S$7 / pax
                        Would You Return?
                        Not Sure
                        Helpful Review?

                        0
                        1. ice said on 13 Apr 2008 18:20

                          hey I think this place uses Daily Scoop's ice cream. no?
                        2. SCdreamer said on 13 Apr 2008 18:43

                          yup they do....but dunno why milkshake not thick leh? i dun remembered it being like this????

                          maybe they change to milk shake? ie just strawberry milk and spinning it to froth it up?
                      • Great to Chillout

                        May 6, 2007
                        When I first found book cafe, I thought it was fantastic! Magazines, books, and comfy sofas. It's like stepping into someone's living room.

                        The main draw of the place really is that you can order one drink and enjoy the rest of the evening. Come early and monopolize the couches (there are only two sets). I hate people like you. Flip through the myriad of ladies magazines (yes guys, I know you secretly are into this too… but only to check out the hot models!) or pick up a serious book on how to solve world hunger.

                        Given this business model of long overstayers like myself, prices can get a bit expensive. We ordered two peppermint teas and one ice honey lemon tea today and the price came up to $19.

                        I haven't tried to food so I cannot really comment on the quality. I suppose it is not too bad as I've seen a number of people tucking in with some gusto. I'm not sure if I myself would come here for the food though.

                        Bring a date here and show her you know more than one more cool joint in Singapore. At least if you’re not conversant, you can hide behind a Herworld or Female Magazine and show her you care about 'her' world affairs.
                        I also recommend this place for

                        Type of meal:Brunch, Lunch
                        Occasion:Romance/First Dates, Chillout
                        Atmosphere:Quiet/Peaceful, Alfresco/Outdoor Dining, Hidden Find

                          6.7
                          Ambience
                          8
                          Food & Bev.
                          6.2
                          Value
                          5.9
                          Service
                          na
                          Spent about
                          S$6 / pax
                          Would You Return?
                          Definitely
                          Helpful Review?

                          0
                        Displaying 1 - 10 of 10