One of my favourite weekend activities is to go cafe hopping. Enjoying a nice cup of coffee while people-watching certainly makes for the chill Sunday activity, and Rise Bakehouse at 111 Somerset is certainly one for the books.
You might be more familiar with their sister branch in Potong Pasir, but the second outlet of this pretty cafe in Orchard Road is just a stone’s throw away from Somerset MRT, serving hearty brunch alongside refreshing drinks — plus, they’re Muslim-friendly too!
My favourite drink on the menu is the Grape Yakult Honey Sencha (S$7). If you grew up loving grape yakult, then you have to order this. It has the fruity sweetness of grape yakult but mixed with a fragrant honey infused green tea. It is super refreshing, especially on a hot and sunny day.
Where are my tiramisu lovers at? While this outlet doesn’t serve the actual dessert as they’re Muslim-friendly, Rise has a Tiramisu Latte (S$8.50) that is a good alternative to the dessert. The coffee is nice and sweet with a smooth finish and soothing roasted aroma.
It is topped with a nice sweet cream, dusted with cocoa powder and served with a lady’s finger to dip into the coffee. The drink is on the sweeter side but not cloying.
Food-wise, the Croque Madame (S$15.90) really stole the show. It comprises a smokey honey chicken ham, with melted Gruyère and cheddar cheese sandwiched between two slices of toasted sourdough bread. The melted cheeses helped to elevate the smokiness of the ham while the sourdough bread helped to balance out the savoury flavours and also added a touch of crunch into the mix.
The sandwich comes with a side of salad with fresh strawberries and blueberries. But what really impressed me was the tangy passion fruit salad dressing — yes, you read that right. It added a nice sour zing that will certainly help to whet your appetite to devour the sandwich. It also helps to cleanse your palette from the savoury flavours of the Croque madame. I’d say this dish is super value for money.
The signature Rise Breakfast (S$15.90) makes for a great brunch meal. Much like a regular cafe breakfast dish, it has two slices of toasted sourdough bread, a juicy chicken bratwurst, creamy scrambled eggs, and a side of berries. If you’re not in the mood for some bread, you can always swap it out for brown butter waffles.
The chicken bratwurst was a very generous thick cut and was super juicy with a nice smokey fragrance. Fun fact, scrambled eggs actually have a creamy and slightly runny consistency — and I was pleasantly surprised by it. It had the right creamy texture with a hint of sweetness that complemented the toast. The berries add a refreshing sour zing, nicely rounding off the meal.
Rise isn’t just the place for weekend brunch. It also makes for a great tea time spot to rest your legs after all that shopping. They’ve got an impressive bakery stocked with plenty of cakes like Orh Nee Yam, Matcha Strawberry, and a Honey Vanilla Chamomile. There’s also a selection of fresh bakes for you to pair with your afternoon tea.
Overall, the items on the Rise’s menu are on the slightly pricier side. But for what it’s worth, you do get a generous serving of premium ingredients served on an IG-worthy plate with equally pretty drinks to pair with!
Looking for a new cafe to check out this weekend?
Rise Bakehouse
Instagram | Website
???? 111 Somerset Road, 111 Somerset #01-05, Singapore 238164
???? 9.30am—6.30pm (Mon to Thu), 9.30am—9.30pm (Fri to Sun)
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Photos by Marcus Leong
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