Cafés & Dessert Spots | Jem Article

Paris Baguette (#02-20) is a good choice if you’re looking for a bakery-café atmosphere that feels a little more polished and sophisticated. It works beautifully whether you’re meeting a friend for an unhurried chat or squeezing in a mid-afternoon meeting in the area. 

You can keep it light with pastries or go a little more substantial with savoury options like salads and sandwiches. And when you’re in the mood to share, their Fresh Strawberry Yogurt Cream Cake and Original Royal Pudding are classic crowd-pleasers - the kind of choices that feel slightly indulgent without needing a whole celebration to justify them.

For catchups that are meant to be effortless and familiar, Toast Box (#01-50/50A) is the place to be. Step inside and you're immediately greeted by the nostalgic, comforting aroma of freshly brewed local kopi (coffee) made from traditional caramelised beans. It's a scent that instantly makes you feel at home.

Crowd favorites here include the iconic Kaya Butter Toast - crispy, grilled bread with fragrant coconut jam and a slice of cold butter - paired perfectly with soft-boiled eggs. The beauty of Toast Box is its versatility; if your quick coffee catch-up stretches into lunch, you can easily add heartier comfort dishes like a spicy Laksa or a tangy Mee Siam. This ensures the meetup doesn’t have to end early just because someone needs a proper bite. It’s reliable, relaxed, and made for conversations that flow naturally without the pressure to rush!

If you're meeting for coffee but want the vibe to remain casual and low-effort, the Canadian favorite Tim Hortons (#01-47) is a solid pick, especially handy when your group is split between "I need strong caffeine right now" and "I want something sweet to go with my drink!".
Start with coffee, then add a treat to share - their assorted doughnuts are an easy win, and Maple Glaze and Boston Cream are popular flavours that tend to please most people at the table. It’s the kind of spot that fits short meetups, quick recharges, or spontaneous “let’s grab coffee” moments.

Queic by Olivia (#01-33) keeps it simple: cheesecake, done right. With a focus on one thing, you won’t waste time choosing from endless desserts - just grab a perfect slice.

You can grab individual slices for a quick treat during a shopping break, or, if you want to be the hero of the dinner party, bring home a whole cheesecake to share. Their flavours are a fun part of the draw, moving beyond the standard New York style. Look out for the Jem-exclusive Pandan Kaya, which offers a lovely local twist, or the rich Dubai Chocolate for something decadent! It makes a quick stop feel a little more special, even if you're just picking up dessert on the fly! 

Plus, Queic is a halal-friendly establishment (their recipes contain no pork, lard, or alcohol, and they use halal gelatine), making it a thoughtful and practical option when you're buying for a mixed group and want something everyone can enjoy. 

Another standout for the 'grab and go' category is Kazo (#B1-K26). Think crispy cream puffs with a crunchy shell and baked cheese tarts, all made fresh daily. 

Kazo is an ideal choice for when you're shopping with kids, moving between stores, or simply need a quick sugar hit to keep your energy up. Their pastries are designed to be eaten easily, making them a great option when you're picking up something that won't get messy in a bag and will still be fresh when you open it later. Crowd favourites iinclude their Signature Hokkaido Polo, Hokkaido, and Chocolate Cream Puffs, the filling is generous and smooth, contrasting perfectly with the crisp exterior! And because Kazo is Halal-certified, it's another fantastic, safe choice for sharing across different groups of friends and colleagues!

If your preference leans toward classic bakery comfort, Tai Cheong Bakery (#B1-35) remains the go-to choice for a reliable, takeaway-friendly treat steeped in tradition. 
Their egg tarts are the undisputed star here, featuring a crumbly, buttery cookie crust and a smooth, decadent custard filling that melts in your mouth. It's ideal when you don't need an elaborate dessert spread, just something simple and deeply satisfying to bring home (or back to the office for a tea break). And if you want something savoury alongside your sweets, you can also pick up bakes like their famous Chicken Pies. This makes Tai Cheong handy for those moments when you don't want something "too sweet" but still want a comforting snack. 

If you're the type of person who truly cares about the quality of the tea itself, not just the toppings- CHICHA San Chen (#01-17) is a great place to go. They take their craft seriously, brewing each cup to order using its patented Teapresso machine. This meticulous process ensures every cup is fresh, consistent, and far more refined than your standard grab-and-go bubble tea.
Try the Dong Ding Oolong Fresh Milk Tea for a smooth, aromatic pick that still feels like a treat.  It works beautifully as a sophisticated “dessert drink,” delivering comfort without being overly rich or cloying. With its distinct roasted notes, it also doubles as an excellent palate cleanser after a meal. This is where you go for bubble tea that truly celebrates the art of tea.

After a hearty meal at Jem, a refreshing cup of tea can be the perfect way to end on a lighter note. CHAGEE (#01-64) offers a modern tea experience rooted in premium tea leaves, delivering satisfying flavours without the heaviness of traditional desserts.

For those who prefer a milder, more delicate palate, the Glutinous Lemon Tea offers a gentle harmony of high-mountain green tea and the subtle fragrance of glutinous rice, uplifted by the brightness of freshly squeezed lemon. Meanwhile, tea lovers who enjoy deeper, more robust notes can savour the Da Hong Pao Lemon Tea, where the roasted richness of oolong is balanced with a lively citrus twist, delivering a bold yet refreshing finish.

And for something different, Warabimochi Kamakura (#B1-K25) is worth a stop. While their main star is warabimochi - a Japanese soft, jelly-like chewy dessert - they also offer warabimochi drinks. 

Think creamy milk or yogurt-based drinks with chewy warabimochi bits in them, giving you that satisfying “sip and bite” experience that still feels like dessert in a cup. If you’re in the mood for something refreshing, the Mango Yogurt Warabimochi drink is a great pick. It’s a sweet, tangy mango yogurt blend with mochi bits and a topping of whipped cream - light enough after a meal, but still dessert-like enough to feel like a treat on its own.

If your ideal dessert is flaky pastry, Tiong Bahru Bakery (#01-34/35) is the kind of place you can keep coming back to. Their French-inspired pastries, including croissants and kouign-amann (a caramelized, buttery cake) work beautifully as a "tomorrow's breakfast" plan. 
They crisp up perfectly in the oven and taste just as good as they did in the store. They are also great if you want to bring something home to surprise the family. It's the kind of bakery where you can sit down and enjoy a treat immediately, then still pack a couple of bakes for the next day without it feeling like an afterthought.

If you’re after a bakery that covers a bit of everything and caters to a variety of tastes, The Bread Club (#B1-36) is a spot worth keeping on your radar. 

You can pick up buns and loaves for everyday breakfasts, plus cakes and pastries when you want something a little sweeter on the side. If you’re buying something for sharing, their Granny’s Banana Cake and walnut cake are simple, familiar options that tend to be easy wins.