My Awesome Cafe is noted by many foodies and cafe-hoppers as the must-visit spot along Telok Ayer Street. This retro-haven is a joy to visit for its food and ambiance.
The cafe kept the original façade of Chung Hwa Free Clinic, and some parts of the interiors and branding reflected that old “Chinese Clinic” feel.
With such a name (and many menu items titled the same way), you’d think that Barney Stinson opened this cafe. Even the crew members use that superlative adjective often.
You won’t be able to miss the cafe’s boss, Franck Hardy, who looks more like a fitness model or personal trainer. Despite his hulking stature, he’s friendly – so is the rest of his team.
The clinic’s waiting room is now the cafe’s dining hall.
Walk all the way in and you’ll see the kitchen.
The tables (with the height and wire shelf) quickly reminded me of school desks from secondary school days.
Some of the unique “upcycled” furniture at the cafe.
One of several restored fans that line the wall.
Black chalkboard with drawings and printed articles near the back. Will I have the honour of having my entry posted here? Haha.
There’s certainly a lot to see at the far end of the cafe. As you wait to pay your bill, you’ll have time to marvel at the random curios. It’s almost like an invisible scenic switchback for some attraction.
Upstairs: Offices of the famed Mangham Gaxiola agency.
With so many glasses available, you can have your Indiana Jones moment picking the your “holy grail” for water. You have chosen… wisely. Then check out the water dispenser:
It’s a traditional medicinal tea warmer.
Some freshly-made desserts placed beside the kitchen, so you may go up close and be tempted.
Salads! And lots of them. Perhaps the most popular item on the menu.
Lots to eat here, though most of them seem a tad healthier than typical cafe cakes. A strong all-day breakfast menu. No waffles!
I had this Positive Energy Drink ($4), which I misunderstood as a mix of fresh juice and Red Bull. Turns out it’s a Red Bull-like drink in a can shaped like a battery.
The My Awesome Salad ($15). Worthy of its name, this is a huge plate of meats resting on crunchy, fresh greens. The kind of salad Ron Swanson would approve (40% meat). Generous amounts of chicken, duck rillettes and smoked salmon. Plus half an avocado. I love this – I’d call it My Favourite Salad.
My dear sister (aka future socialite/tai-tai/model) posing with the Awesome Salad.
Some sweet treats that were available in the morning (of a second visit): Pineapple Upside Down cake ($5) and a Cookie ($2.50). Nothing much to say, though the cookie was not chewy, or even crispy – too brittle that it just fell apart on the plate. The pineapple cake was nice, but offered no surprises – it is what it is.
You’ll soon realize in The Café Tour that I’m quite obsessed with each cafe’s lighting and furniture. The ones here are rather fascinating – tiny tree of LEDs in each bulb, hanging off a grid of pipes.
Ammo boxes (which can be easily missed) at the front of the cafe.
Where did they find all these things?
With a distinctive old-school flavour and shelves filled with assorted articles from the past, My Awesome Cafe is worth the walk down Telok Ayer Street. You might have already been to another bakery/cafe/bistro/pub nearby. Being close to the Central Business District, the cafe is very crowded during lunch on weekdays, so do plan ahead. Reservations are accepted for parties of 10 or more.
My Awesome Cafe
202 Telok Ayer Street
Singapore 068630
Open daily, weekdays from 7:30am. Weekends from 11:00am.
For more information refer to their Facebook page.
ROUSE (Dunlop St) | Craftsmen Specialty Coffee (Siglap V)
My Awesome Cafe (Telok Ayer St) | Mean Bean & Wicked Grind (Beach Rd)
Yellow Cup Coffee (Havelock Rd) | Coast and Company (Siglap Dr)
Tiferet Tea Room (East Coast Rd) | Chye Seng Huat Hardware (Tyrwhitt Rd)
Carry On (Tanjong Katong Rd) | Tian Kee & Co. (Dakota Crescent)
Sin Lee Foods (Jln Bukit Ho Swee) | Stateland Cafe (Bali Ln)
Fatcat Ice Cream Bar (Bedok North Ave 2) | Les Délices (Kreta Ayer Rd)
Paddy Hills (South Buona Vista Rd) | ???
Actually i find it so so.. the scrambled egg was too dry.. and ex
I actually Loved it also. I guess you can truly enjoy it when you fully understand their concept, the efforts put behind to create this cafe, and appreciate the old memories those guys have tried to bring back to Singapore and Singaporeans. Everything is being demolished or repainted, they stand out for keeping a culture alive and my guess is that in a couple of years, this cafe will be seen and respected highly for standing up for what they believed in, which is to conserve the Singapore history and offering a back-to-basic food with super fresh ingredients, that’s it.