Punch Cafe Singapore - Courtyard

Punch Cafe With Beautiful Courtyard By Folks Behind Ronin And The Plain – North Canal Road, Singapore

Yet another cafe by the folks of established cafe is the Punch Cafe located at North Canal Road. This cafe opened by the same folks that own the renown Ronin and The Plain. At the same period of the Punch opening, down the same road, North Canal Road, there is Ivory Coffee too. Wow! Interesting! I am glad that I am getting more cafe to the area so close to me.

 

It seems like for 2016 may be a year for established cafe to expand their operations. We have seen the first being The Populus, a joint venture between Department of Caffeine DOC and 2 Degree North Coffee in late 2015. And shortly after, we have Atlas (click here to read more) by Assembly Coffee and Oh My Tian (OMT) by Hatter Street. Now, we have the Punch. I know of the fifth coming, but will keep mum for now.

 

Punch Cafe Singapore - Overview of Courtyard

 

The Punch is divided into 2 sections. The front section, nearer to North Canal Road, is an indoor where the usual dinning for lunch and dinner happens. While the second, where is the back of the space, named as the courtyard is where the brew bar is found.

 

 

Brew Bar

 

At the Punch, the mornings are started at the Brew Bar with coffee and light snacks. Right at the footstep of the Brew Bar is where the lushy bright Courtyard is. One will find the courtyard will greens on a wall, natural light penetrated from above. Early birds could laze at the bench enjoying a freshly brewed coffee with simple light bites at the lovely space. What a way to start the day!

 

Punch Cafe Singapore - Brew Bar

 

I am glad that the Punch provides a simple printed menu, unlike their sister cafes where the menu were yakked away by the service crew.

 

Punch Cafe Singapore - Brew Bar Menu

 

You aren’t in luck if you are looking for espresso based coffee on a weekday morning. Instead one will get the filter, either Chemex or V60 ($6.50) or batch brew ($4.50). On the day of my visit, I got a choice or Brazilian or Boliva single origin beans for the filter brew.

 

The Punch Cafe Singapore - Custard Doughnuts ($1.20)

 

Doughnuts or Brownie Cookies Custard Doughnuts are the only available selections. Dounghnuts in 3 flavours; jam, nutella and custard ($1.20 each or $10 for 10). My choice Doughnut was the custard one. I find the custard filling too scanty. I prefer to have more. Texture was fluffy with a chewiness in it.

 

The Punch Cafe Singapore - Salted Caramel Brownie Cookie ($5.35)

 

The Punch Cafe Singapore - Espresso Butter Cream Brownie Cookie ($5.35)

 

The other option available was the Brownie Cookie in either Salted Caramel or Espresso Butter Cream ($5.35). I only tried the Salted Caramel as it was highly recommended by the service crew, Jolin (hope I got her name correctly). The Salted Caramel Brownie Cookie was so fabulous. It was to die for. The entire combination wasn’t cloyingly sweet, instead it was light enough. I was left wanting for more after the first Brownie Cookie. It has the perfect ratio of all the elements; the sweet, the chocolate, the saltiness, the caramel.

 

The Punch Cafe Singapore - Boliva Chemex Brew Coffee ($6.50)

 

I went for a cup of Boliva Chemex Brew Coffee. A little winey, fruity and floral with low acidity and medium body. It was such a fabulous cuppa; an ideal pairing with the Salted Caramel Brownie Cookie.

 

 

Dinning Area

 

The first half of the space catered to the dinning area serving Lunch, Dinner and Weekend Brunch.

 

The Punch Cafe Singapore - Overview of Dinning Area

 

 

Weekend Brunch

At our visit for weekend brunch, 2 brunch and 2 main items were served.

 

For Brunch, Poached Eggs With Mushroom On Sourdough Toast ($13) and a Porridge (Oatmeals with Caramelised Banana).

 

The Punch Cafe Singapore - Poached Eggs With Mushroom On Toast ($13)

 

We wasn’t keen on the Porridge so went with the former. Though the mushroom was really delicious but personally I thought it was too simple. I was expecting a little more from Punch.

 

The Punch Cafe Singapore - Fried Drumlets ($11)

 

While Mains for the day were Drumlets ($11) and Seabass. It was a pity that Seabass was sold out which we would really love to try. Though the fried drumlets were extremely tasty and ultra crispy, NAHMJ thought it is better off as a sharing plate than Mains. It wasn’t fulfilling as a Main.

 

The Punch Cafe Singapore - Cappuccino ($5)

 

Cappuccino ($5) at the Punch was low acidity, full body and with both nutty and berry flavour hint.

 

The Punch Cafe Singapore - Pineapple Slushie

 

We were recommended to try the refreshing Pineapple Slushie ($8), pineapple blended in coconut water with mint. A little sourish with very light hint of sweetness from the coconut water and with tint of mint.

 

 

NAHMJ Verdict

 

Though food served at the Punch was generally delish, NAHMJ was expecting more from Punch. We certainly do think they could better than this. Nonetheless, NAHMJ is keen to try out both their dinner and lunch.

 

 

Last but not least, I left a latte art in display performed by Vincent in this post for your viewing pleasure. In this video, Vincent poured a double rosetta. Enjoyed!

 

 

 

Punch Cafe

32 North Canal Road Singapore 059288
Tel: +65 6532 3622

 

Opening Hours

 

Brew Bar:  Daily  0800 to 1800
Weekdays Lunch:  1200 to 1500
Weekdays Dinner:  1800 to 2300
Weekends Brunch:  0800 to 1800

 

Getting There

 

By MRT:

  • Downtown line and North East line – Chinatown station
  • North East line – Clarke Quay station
  • North-South line and East-West line – Raffles Place station

 

By Bus:

  • alight at Clarke Quay Station along Eu Tong Sen Street   2, 12, 33, 51, 54, 61, 63, 80, 124, 145, 147, 166, 174, 190, 197, 851, 961
  • alight opposite Clarke Quay Station along New Bridge Road   2, 12, 33, 54, 147, 190
  • alight at Boat Quay along South Bridge Road   51, 61, 63, 80, 124, 145, 166, 174, 197, 851, 961

 

Rating:  8/10