Tiong Bahru Bakery (Eng Hoon Street)

Tiong Bahru Bakery's Eng Hoon Street shop is where the bakery began, in the low-rise Tiong Bahru estate, one of Singapore's most charming residential neighbourhoods. The estate was built from the 1930s with curved, streamlined Art Deco blocks, spiral staircases and courtyards, and the bakery's arrival helped to make the area a favourite with café-goers. The brand has since opened several branches around the city, but the original remains the most atmospheric place to try it.

The bakery focuses on French-style viennoiserie and bread. Its croissants, with crisp, shattering layers, and its kouign amann, a buttery, caramelised Breton pastry, are the items regulars come back for. The counter also holds pain au chocolat, tarts and seasonal pastries, as well as sourdough loaves and baguettes to take away. Coffee is served alongside, and there is a short menu of breakfast plates, sandwiches and simple savoury dishes for those who want something more substantial.

Weekend mornings are busy, with queues at the counter and a scramble for tables, so go on a weekday for a calmer visit. The shop opens at 7.30am on weekdays and 8am at weekends, closing at 8pm every day. Early arrivals have the best choice of pastries before popular items sell out. There is seating inside and a few tables outside under the block's covered walkway.

It suits couples, solo travellers and families looking for a relaxed breakfast, and it is an easy introduction to the neighbourhood. Prices are at the higher end for a bakery, in line with other specialty cafés in the city.

The bakery is at 56 Eng Hoon Street, #01-70, and Tiong Bahru MRT station is around ten minutes away on foot. After breakfast, walk round the estate's quiet streets to look at the pre-war architecture, browse its boutiques and cafés, and visit Tiong Bahru Market, where the upstairs food centre serves local breakfasts such as chwee kueh and the ground floor holds a traditional wet market. Nylon Coffee Roasters in Everton Park is a short taxi ride or a longer walk away for a second coffee, and Chinatown is reachable on foot in about 20 minutes.