Hey, Faithfuls! If you've been following my blog for a while, you'll know I'm already a fan of Vernacular Coffee. I usually find myself making the trip to their Guillemard outlet whenever I'm craving a good cup of coffee (and their ridiculously good Cacio e Pepe). So when I heard they had opened a brand-new outlet at Selegie Road, I knew I had to pay them a visit.

Compared to their original Guillemard outlet, the new Selegie space definitely feels a little more polished and refined, especially since it's located at the Varel Singapore hotel. The interior embraces a warm, minimalist aesthetic, with plenty of natural wood tones, clean lines and lots of natural light streaming through the large windows. It's the kind of cafe that feels bright and calming without trying too hard.

Right in the middle is a large communal table that's perfect for groups or solo diners looking to get some work done, while smaller tables line the sides for those wanting a little more privacy. If Singapore's weather decides to be kind for once, there's also alfresco seating outside for a slower, more relaxed coffee break.

That said, I still think the original Guillemard outlet wins when it comes to overall vibes. It just has a little more character and charm that keeps pulling me back.

We started with one of their croissants, which are priced from S$6. I went with the original croissant, and it was honestly really good. It was huge, beautifully flaky and wonderfully crisp on the outside, with soft buttery layers inside. It was surprisingly filling too, so I was already feeling pretty full after finishing just one.

Vernacular has also expanded its brunch offerings at the Selegie outlet, with offerings such as Vernacular's Breakfast (S$19.50). The breakfast plate comes with a croissant, pork sausages, streaky bacon, portobello mushrooms, tomatoes, and eggs, along with honey lemon vinaigrette salad from some greens, as well as butter and strawberry jam to accompany your croissant.

This was nothing particularly groundbreaking, but everything was cooked well and came together nicely. I did appreciate how the portions were pretty generous, especially considering it's under S$20.

Between the two mains, I actually preferred the Velvety Mentaiko Pasta (S$18). The creamy sauce was packed with the savoury umami flavour of Japanese spicy cod roe, coating every strand of pasta nicely. It's finished with sweet cold-water shrimp, which added little bursts of sweetness to balance the richness of the sauce.

And as expected, the coffee did not disappoint. Their Iced White (S$7) remains one of my favourites, and I'd honestly come back just for this alone. It strikes a really nice balance, not overly acidic, not overly milky or creamy, just incredibly smooth and easy to drink.

Overall, Vernacular Coffee's Selegie outlet is a lovely addition to the neighbourhood, though I'd imagine they will still face some competition from the popular Apartment Coffee just down the road.

That said, I still have a soft spot for their Guillemard outlet. The atmosphere there feels a little more cosy and unique, and I'll probably continue making the trip there. But if Guillemard is packed (which it usually is), or if I'm in town, I'd happily pop by the Selegie outlet instead.

Thanks for reading, and see you next post!

Vernacular Coffee @ Selegie Road
Address: 189 Selegie Road, Singapore 188332
Opening hours: Daily 8:30am to 10pm
Telephone: +65 6450 3400

Website

The space is stunning, and I genuinely mean that. It's got this clean, minimalist aesthetic that reminded me so much of the pasta bars I've seen on my Korean restaurant deep-dives online — white elements everywhere, metallic surfaces, pale wood furniture, floor-to-ceiling glass panels letting in loads of natural light. There are even fresh-cut flowers on every table, which was such a cute touch. The whole place felt airy, stylish, and honestly very date-worthy. 

The moment I stepped in, I was INSTANTLY hit with a wave of nostalgia. The space honestly looks like a makcik’s house, or even my own grandmother’s home with old-school furniture, wooden accents, a retro TV, a sewing machine, and even those lace table mats that just scream grandmother.

Prices start from $4.80 for the Original Matcha Latte, and it comes in a sealed can, so you can keep it in case you're not feeling like having caffeine right now. And these matcha lattes aren’t limited-time! They’re here to stay and are currently available at Munchi Pancakes outlets in Guoco, Causeway Point, and The Star Vista.

What I didn’t realise (and probably should have guessed) is that the hotel is actually directly linked to Changi City Point. I mean, the clues were all there in the name, but yeah. It was such a pleasant surprise because having a mall connected to your hotel just makes everything more convenient with food options, last-minute snacks, coffee runs, even some shopping if you’re bored.