Singapore’s coffee scene is as rich and diverse as its culinary culture. And when it comes to local coffee bean brands, you’ll find a flavourful mix of heritage, innovation, and specialty craft. As a professional barista who’s passionate about every stage of the coffee journey, I’m always excited to highlight the roasters that bring character and complexity to each cup.
Whether you’re a seasoned home brewer or just starting to explore beans beyond the supermarket shelf, this guide walks you through some of Singapore’s most loved local roasters—and what makes each of them worth brewing.
1. Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee
Old-school expertise meets modern roasting.
Founded by Mr. Tan Tiong Hoe in the 1960s, this roastery is practically a legend in Singapore’s specialty coffee community. What sets Tiong Hoe apart is its seamless blend of tradition and progress—roasting high-quality beans while paying homage to old-school methods and values. You’ll find single origins and blends roasted with precision, often featuring profiles that showcase clarity, balance, and sweetness.
Barista tip: Their Ethiopia Yirgacheffe is a standout for filter brews—think jasmine florals with bright citrus notes.
2. PPP Coffee (formerly Papa Palheta)
Pioneers of Singapore’s third-wave coffee movement.
PPP Coffee has played a major role in shaping the city’s modern coffee culture. With a strong focus on sustainability and direct trade, their roasting style emphasizes transparency and terroir. Their beans are incredibly well-balanced, and their blends (like Terra Firma) offer nuanced flavor layers that work beautifully in both espresso and milk drinks.
Barista tip: Their Throwback blend is a go-to for home espresso machines—rich, chocolatey, and forgiving to dial in.
3. Chye Seng Huat Hardware (CSHH)
Design-forward space, quality-forward beans.
Run by the same people behind PPP Coffee, CSHH isn’t just a café. It’s a full-on coffee lab with a roastery, tasting bar, and training facility. Their beans are sourced with care and roasted to bring out the most distinctive flavor notes. The experience at their café spills over into every bag of beans they sell.
Barista tip: Their Kenya single origin offers intense fruit-forward complexity—great for pour overs.
4. Foreword Coffee Roasters
Social impact with a specialty coffee twist.
Foreword Coffee Roasters stands out not just for quality, but for its mission. They employ and empower people with disabilities and special needs, making every cup feel meaningful. Their roasting profile tends to be lighter, allowing the natural acidity and flavors of the beans to shine through.
Barista tip: Their Myanmar beans are surprisingly juicy and vibrant. It’s an underrated origin that makes a killer V60.
5. Cowpresso Coffee Roasters
The home brewers’ best friend.
Cowpresso is a small but mighty roaster that focuses on quality, affordability, and home barista education. They sell everything from espresso machines to grinders. Their beans are also roasted fresh, in small batches, with home brewing in mind. If you’re looking to start brewing espresso at home, this is a great place to find beginner-friendly blends that still pack flavour.
Barista tip: Try their Signature Blend for lattes and cappuccinos—it’s smooth, chocolatey, and milk-friendly.
6. Hook Coffee
Playful, accessible, and packed with flavour.
Hook Coffee is very well-known for their fun packaging and even more fun naming (think “Give Me S’more” or “Sweet Bundchen”).
But don’t let the cheeky branding fool you! The coffee is well-sourced, freshly roasted, and incredibly easy to enjoy. They cater to a wide range of palates, which makes them perfect for new coffee drinkers.
Barista tip: If you love experimenting with cold brews or AeroPress, their flavored options are approachable and surprising.
7. Liberty Coffee
Boutique roastery for bold palates.
Liberty Coffee keeps things small and intentional. They specialise in bold, intense flavour profiles, which is ideal for espresso lovers. Their Speakeasy blend is especially popular for its syrupy mouthfeel and dark fruit notes, making it a staple in both home setups and specialty cafes across the city.
Barista tip: Pull this blend with a slightly longer shot to bring out that sticky sweetness—it’s perfect for straight espresso drinkers.
8. Common Man Coffee Roasters
Global sourcing, local mastery.
One of the more internationally connected brands on the list, Common Man works closely with producers around the world to bring in exceptional beans. Their in-house roasting ensures consistency, and their barista training programs are among the best in the region. Their cafés are often packed for good reason: the beans and brews are consistently excellent.
Barista tip: Their CMCR Espresso Blend is incredibly well-rounded and a great all-purpose option for any brew method.
Final Thoughts
Singapore’s coffee scene isn’t just about kopi and café hopping. It’s also about the incredible passion and precision behind every locally roasted bean.
As a barista, I can tell you that great coffee starts long before it hits your cup. These brands represent everything that’s exciting about Singapore’s coffee community: a strong sense of place, attention to craft, and a drive to connect people over better brews.
So whether you’re a pour-over purist, a home espresso geek, or just someone who appreciates a good cup—you’re in good hands with any of these local legends.
