Ooh, Heaven is a place on Earth — well, not exactly.
But, if heaven were to be a place on earth, I would imagine that this hidden cafe along Mount Sophia might just be what heaven would look (and feel) like on Earth.

Cafe Manna is the newest addition to the quiet Mount Sophia, near Dhoby Ghaut, which has been making waves online for its very pretty stained glass panels and all-white aesthetic. Interestingly, the cafe is also hidden within The Secret Haven.
Living up to the “secret” in its name, The Secret Haven is rather hidden, and you’ll have to endure a nine-minute long walk and climb a super long staircase — that actually might feel like the staircase to heaven.

But once you arrive at the entrance of the cafe, you’ll be greeted by the vibrant stained glass nestled among white walls and green plants — which, after that long walk, will feel very much like you have arrived at the gates of heaven (or haven).
Inside, you’ll find that the interior is kept to a minimal and dressed in neutral tones. You really can’t help but feel so peaceful inside — kinda like how you would feel in heaven I guess.

Ok enough about the aesthetics, let’s talk about the food. Cafe manna has a rather extensive food menu, comprising all-day brunch platters, hearty mains, sides and more.

As a self-proclaimed rosti lover, of course I had to order the Rosti with Sausage & Egg (S$18.90) which comes with a thick and juicy sausage alongside two perfectly cooked sunny side up eggs and a generous dollop of sour cream.
I was really impressed by how thick and crispy the rosti was. The sausage added a burst of flavour and smokiness to the mix, while the sour cream helped to cut through the greasiness. It was simple yet indulgent and definitely ticked all the right boxes for a good rosti.

We also had the Baked Shakshuka with Chorizo & Sourdough (S$19.90). It comprises bell peppers, tomatoes and chunks of chorizo, paired with crispy sourdough slices.

I wished that the shakshuka had a bit more of the tomato tang to it. The bell peppers really overshadowed the other components, so if you’re not a big fan of bell peppers you might wanna skip on this one.

For mains, we had the Braised Beef Cheek with Mash (S$27.90). It featured two generous servings of tender beef cheek on top of super creamy and buttery mash.

Given how beefy and slightly gamey the flavours were, pairing the beef with a generous serving of creamy mash was definitely ideal.

If you still have the stomach for more food, why not get some sides like the Loaded Tater Tots (S$15.90), Charred Broccolini (S$15.90), or the classic Truffle Fries (S$14.90).
Drinks-wise, Cafe Manna has partnered with am coffee co to serve you some delicious and unique brews, along with your usual cafe coffees.

If you love bandung and coffee, then you definitely must get the Bandung Rose Latte (S$7.50) which features a special milk blend and rose syrup, topped with bandung foam and rose petals.
The components individually were great, but when drunk together, the coffee did overpower the flavours of the rose syrup and bandung. That said, I loved the sweet rose notes.

I personally preferred the Tiramisu Latte (S$8.50) which is an iced latte topped with mascarpone crème and dusted with the right amount of Valrhona cocoa powder and a ladyfinger biscuit sitting on top. The coffee does contain a splash of alcohol — as does the classic tiramisu dessert.

All I can say is, my time spent at Cafe Manna was definitely not like any other cafe visit. Surprisingly, I felt so calm and zen inside. I am definitely making plans to return to Cafe Manna — yes, I am willing to endure the long nine-minute walk there. And this time, I’ll try to get my hands on their Burnt Cheesecube (S$7).
If you’re planning to make a trip down, here’s a pro tip: make sure to get your poses and cameras ready, because we reckon you’ll be taking plenty of beautiful pics here for sure.
Are you looking for a new cafe to add to your list?
Cafe Manna
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📍 31 Mount Sophia, Singapore 228480
🕑 10am–6pm (Tue to Fri), 9am–6pm (Sat & Sun), Closed on Mon.
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Photos by Marcus Leong
I'm either mean or a meme, there's no in between.