SINGAPORE – One is a black-and-white 2D-themed cafe that transports you into the sketch of a cosy home setting.
The other is a vibrantly coloured African cafe and lounge featuring beautiful art pieces and furniture in every corner.
Both Cafe Monochrome in Syed Alwi Road and Kafe Utu in Jiak Chuan Road are an Instagrammer’s dream – and they have made it to 2023’s list of The 50 Most Instagrammable Cafes in the World, released by global travel site Big 7 Travel.
Cafe Monochrome is ranked at No. 27, while Kafe Utu rounds off the annual list at No. 50.
Kafe Utu first entered the global list in 2019 at No. 9 in 2019, the year it opened, and placed fifth on The 50 Most Instagrammable Cafes in Asia list.
Over the years, the brand has gained a strong following not only for its lovely interiors, but also the bold flavours in its African food and drinks.
At Cafe Monochrome, which opened in May 2021, its whimsical hand-drawn sketches are designed to mimic a home, with living room, hallway of mirrors and frames, walk-in wardrobe and study.
Its menu offers pastas, burgers, donburi and ice cream with waffles.
Cafe Monochrome’s director Cliff Chua, 27, says: “We’re happy to be listed and now see more tourists coming since borders have reopened. There are no plans to expand as the concept will be unique only when it’s a single outlet.”
The two Singapore cafes are listed alongside other stunning locations, including three from South-east Asia that are in the top five.
In first place is Bali’s Montana del Cafe, where you can have coffee with a mountain view.
Chiang Mai’s Chom Cafe, located in a dreamy garden setting, is ranked No. 4, while Hanoi’s Note Coffee – a unique space covered in Post-It notes from visitors – is in fifth place.
In second place is Cappadocia’s Mithra Terrace at the Mithra Cave Hotel, which offers views of rising hot-air balloons from its rooftop terrace, while the third spot is occupied by Speedos Cafe, a hot favourite at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
Criteria for making the list include online customer reviews, atmosphere and service, location and accessibility, and consistency.
Also released in 2023 is Big 7 Travel’s 50 Most Romantic Restaurants in the World, which has the one-Michelin-starred restaurant Marguerite at Gardens by the Bay at No. 14.
