For writer and photographer Lester V. Ledesma, coffee is more than a morning ritual – it’s a lifelong fascination. His latest project, “Brewing Nostalgia”, is a collection of 24 black-and-white film photographs celebrating Southeast Asia’s oldest and most historic coffeehouses. The series will be on display at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre concourse from 2 December 2025 to 30 April 2026. More of Ledesma’s work can be seen on Instagram @mykopikamera.
Singapore’s coffee scene is flourishing, with trendy cafés offering every kind of artisanal brew imaginable. Yet behind this contemporary “third-wave coffee” craze lies an older and more storied culture.
You’ll still find it on almost every street corner – the humble kopitiam (kopi means “coffee” and tiam means “store”), born of Chinese immigrants who arrived in Singapore in the late 19th century. Using sock filters and tin kettles, they created a distinctly Southeast Asian style of kopi that remains the backbone of local coffee culture. Today, these old-school coffeehouses are part of daily life, their fragrant brews, simple dishes and unpretentious charm drawing patrons from every walk of life.
Though many kopitiams have modernised – some even becoming air-conditioned and upmarket – there are a handful of truly vintage ones that still cling proudly to the old ways. Visiting these time-honoured cafés feels like stepping into another era – and not even the most carefully designed retro spots can match their lived-in nostalgia. Here are six of Singapore’s oldest and most atmospheric kopitiams.
Heap Seng Leong: Influencer-approved
This coffeehouse looks straight out of the 1970s, with its tiled walls and marble-topped tables. An old abacus sits beside rows of reused jars filled with snacks, while the kitchen still relies on a charcoal stove for toasting bread.
Second-generation proprietor Shi Ting Chow took over the shop from his father in 1974 and now runs it solo. Recently, it has become a favourite of vloggers and influencers who come for its old-school vibe – and for a rare local beverage: kopi gu you, jet-black, ultra-strong coffee topped with a slab of butter.
10 North Bridge Road
Peking Room: On borrowed time
The name sounds posh, but Peking Room is as down-to-earth as it gets. Located within one of Singapore’s earliest public housing estates, this corner kopitiam has been serving the neighbourhood since 1967. It’s also a foodie favourite, thanks to its crispy carrot cake and flaky roti prata. Aside from its brightly coloured plastic chairs, little else has changed.
Ceiling fans whir lazily above the counter where Mr Lee – the kopi uncle of 14 years – brews coffee with practised ease. Adding to its charm is the adjoining sundry shop, which looks and feels just as old. Visit soon – Tanglin Halt is slated for redevelopment, and this entire block will be vacated by 2027.
49 Tanglin Halt Road
Khong Guan: A prestige address
Regulars say their beloved Khong Guan is as old as the HDB block it occupies – making it one of Singapore’s longest-surviving coffeehouses at around 64 years old. Its building is among the first ever completed by the Housing and Development Board. Yet the kopitiam remains packed, with queues for its signature nasi padang – assorted Malay curries served over rice.
Old photos and yellowed newspaper clippings line the walls, chronicling Queenstown through the decades. Amid the bustle, the two kopi aunties behind the counter still serve up the classic combo: freshly brewed kopi with half-boiled eggs and kaya toast.
49 Stirling Road
Kang Siang: Spirit of ’68
Gone are the days when the shipyards along the Kallang River sent a steady stream of thirsty workers to Kang Siang, the original coffee stall at the 57-year-old Jalan Benaan Kapal food court. Second-generation owner Quek Soon Kok still remembers delivering coffee to dockworkers back in the day.
The neighbourhood now hosts sports facilities and fast-food chains, yet Kang Siang retains a loyal crowd drawn by its thick, syrupy brews and nostalgic prices – a cup of kopi still costs just 90 cents. Look closely behind the counter to spot vintage crockery and brewing tools that have survived the decades.
56 Jalan Benaan Kapal
Ban Kee Guan: Hidden gem
It’s a wonder how this place has stayed under the radar for nearly six decades. Tucked within an aging block of flats near Robertson Quay’s gleaming hotels, Ban Kee Guan feels like a time capsule from the 1980s. There’s the no-frills dining area with its antique metal fridge, the counter stacked with glass mugs and the ever-steaming tin coffee kettle.
Elderly patrons quietly read their newspapers while sipping kopi, a scene unchanged for generations. The lone food stall serves excellent fishball noodles, and though there’s no Wi-Fi, the timeless charm – coupled with the easy chatter of regulars – is reason enough to linger.
5 Jalan Minyak
Keng Wah Sung: Neighbourhood favourite
Geylang Road’s heritage shophouses form a fitting backdrop for Keng Wah Sung, a bustling corner kopitiam that’s been around since 1974. It’s the go-to coffee spot for locals from nearby shops and condominiums. Second-generation owner Ong Kee Liam keeps things classic – from the thick, aromatic kopi to the kaya toast made using family recipes.
The spacious dining area is a mash-up of past decades: wood-lined signboards from the 1980s, handwritten price lists and walls showing their age. True to its roots, Keng Wah Sung opens well before sunrise and doesn’t close until midnight – ensuring that everyone gets their daily caffeine fix.
783 Geylang Road
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