Cheese, to us, is the ultimate comfort food ingredient. Apologies to our lactose-intolerant readers, but here at Coconuts Singapore, we just can’t get enough of it – whether it makes an appearance in pizzas, mac and cheese bowls, or our current obsession: grilled cheese sandwiches. (FYI: The toasted delight even has its own Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day on Apr. 12 in the US.)
Anyway, ravenous for a bite of the cheese-and-carb combo, we nibbled our way through cafes across the island that serve up a piping hot plate of grilled goodness.
Read on and drool.
52 Sandwich Shack
Crispy on the outside, warm and buttery on the inside, and deliciously cheesy in the center – that’s just how this Raffles City takeaway kiosk grills its stuffed cheese sandwiches.
With a golden brown brioche base, the hearty toast is packed with a blend of cheddar, fontina, and mozzarella for its signature sammie ($6.90). But you can also throw meat into the mix, with options like yakiniku pulled pork ($8.90), wagyu beef and onsen tamago ($11.90), and truffle mushroom ($9.90).
#B1-54 Raffles City Shopping Centre. Daily 9am-9pm.
Alter Ego
The indulgent Alter Ego, which offers eat-clean poke bowls on its menu, also feeds your naughty side, should you give in to the temptation of sinful treats like fried chicken skin, fried chicken burgers, and pizza fries.
But since you’re here for the grilled cheese ($13), we’ll have you know that the gruyere and taleggio cheese rendition served with tart tomato soup is total #cheesepull #goals. Plus, for an extra $3, you can get yours with braised beef short ribs.
#01-13D Esplanade Mall. Mon-Thurs noon-3pm & 6pm-11pm, Fri noon-3pm & 5pm-1am, Sat 11am-1am, Sun 11am-11pm.
Kara Café & Dessert Bar
Comfort food comes in several variations at this sleek space – from the classic toastie with sweet pickle relish ($10.50) to the pepperoni-stuffed sourdough with marinara sauce, garlic, and basil ($11.50).
Truffle addicts can go for the kale and cashew pesto sammie with gooey brie and truffle sauce ($15), while bacon devotees can try the smoked bacon blues ($15) with blue cheese, apple chutney, and rocket leaves. But if you’re feeling generous, shell out $17 for the open-faced shaved ham and pesto one with dollops of creamy burrata.
617 Bukit Timah Rd. Daily 10:30am-10:30pm.
Kith Café
For something simple and relatively affordable – café food does tend to be overpriced, after all – brunch hangout Kith Café offers three types of grilled cheddar sandwiches ($10): Truffle cream cheese, turkey ham, and bacon with eggs.
It’s nothing fancy, but it’ll do the trick when serious cravings hit you hard.
Available at selected outlets, including #01-44/45 Millenia Walk. Daily 7:30am-10pm.
Loof
One of our favorite watering holes to hit up for a chill sesh, Loof’s collaboration with Artichoke chef Bjorn Shen in 2016 resulted in a “Dude-Sin” menu of bar bites whipped into shape with a local twist.
One of the standout dishes that continues to impress is the bak chor mee-inspired grilled cheese ($18), a hulking creation of sourdough bread crammed with generous sprinklings of minced pork, mushrooms, and cheese.
#03-07 Odeon Towers Extension Rooftop. Mon-Thurs 5pm-1am, Fri-Sat 5pm-2am.
OverEasy
Sift through the burgers, fries, and milkshakes on the American diner-style menu, and you’ll find the melty goodness of smoked cheddar, gruyere, and parmesan in a three-cheese sourdough sandwich that comes with a bowl of tomato soup ($20) for an added zing.
It’s only available for all-day weekend brunches, but that’s all the more reason to indulge.
Available at two outlets, including #01-06 One Fullerton. Tues-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, Mon-Thurs 5pm-1am, Fri-Sat 5pm-3am, Sun 2pm-11pm.
Park Bench Deli
The sandwich shop known for its chunky creations overloaded with generous ingredients crafts a mean grilled cheese ($14) with cheddar and emmental cheese in between slices of rye bread that you can dip in tomato soup.
Confession time: We’ve actually greedily ordered this as a sharing side dish to our main sandwich – that’s just how much we love cheese and carbs.
179 Telok Ayer St. Mon-Fri 7:30am-4pm, 5pm-9:30pm; Sat 9am-3:30pm.
Say Chiizu
Instagram-worthy stretchy cheese toast, you say? Why, yes please. Offered in flavors like charcoal, chocolate, and matcha, the savory-sweet Hokkaido-style snacks ($3.80) come in small, easy-to-eat portions for on-the-go nibbling.
But if you ask us, the original version is still best. After all, why mess with something if it ain’t broke?
Available at six outlets, including #B3-49, 313 @ Somerset. Daily 10:30am-10pm.
The Rösti Farm
This eatery may specialize in rösti (potato pancakes), but it also whips up a wicked grilled cheese in the form of Grandma’s Classic. The no-frills combination of gooey cheddar cheese and toasted bread – which comes in single and double versions ($7-$10) – is so pure, it’ll hit you right in the heart with nostalgia.
But if you’d like to get fancy with your add-ons, try the smoked salmon parmesan ($10-$15) or the fig and Earl Grey jam spread ($10-$15).
#B1-K12 Waterway Point. Daily 11:30am-9pm.
