Stopped by here for a quick coffee break. Ordered an Amber Black coffee. There's no sugar, just pure Guatemala Gesha beans inside. I was surprised by how well it tasted, especially the floral notes and the tea-like flavour. It was potent and distinctively the named beans, so it really was a pleasant experience. They will give you a glass of water to clear your palate. Usually after a few sips, your palate would be clouded by the strong aroma of the coffee beans, hence a sip of water is needed to refresh and clear your palate for you to continue savouring your coffee. Atmosphere was pretty chill, presumably because of the timing. Staff was also friendly, giving an overall inviting atmosphere. Would recommend you to try this coffee spot!
Overview
Walking into Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee feels less like visiting a cafĂ© and more like stepping into a living archive of Singaporeâs coffee culture. This place has been around since the late 1960s, and that heritage shows the moment you smell freshly roasted beans drifting out into the corridor. I first came here on a slow weekday morning, expecting just a decent cup of coffee. What I got instead was a lesson in sourcing, roasting, and respecting coffee as a craft.
The location at 170 Stirling Rd, #01-1133, Singapore 140170 is tucked within a quiet estate, which makes it feel like a neighborhood secret rather than a tourist stop. Yet, it consistently pulls in baristas, café owners, and serious coffee drinkers. That alone says a lot. Over the years, Tiong Hoe has built a reputation not just as a diner-style café, but as one of the most trusted coffee suppliers in Singapore.
The menu is refreshingly focused. Instead of overwhelming you with dozens of drinks, it highlights what they do best: espresso-based coffees, manual brews, and seasonal single-origin beans. On my last visit, I ordered a flat white using beans from Ethiopia, roasted in-house just days earlier. The barista explained the roast profile in simple terms, pointing out how lighter roasts preserve acidity and floral notes. According to the Specialty Coffee Association, lighter roasting helps retain origin characteristics, and tasting it firsthand made that research feel very real.
Beyond drinks, the cafĂ© offers simple food options that pair well with coffee. Think pastries, light bites, and brunch-style plates that donât overpower the cup in front of you. Itâs clear the food exists to support the coffee experience, not compete with it. That balance is something many cafĂ©s struggle with, but Tiong Hoe gets it right.
What really sets this place apart is the process behind the scenes. Tiong Hoe works directly with green bean importers and follows strict quality control during roasting. I once attended a public cupping session here, where staff demonstrated how they evaluate aroma, body, and aftertaste. These methods align with global standards used by organizations like the Coffee Quality Institute, which emphasizes consistency and transparency in specialty coffee grading. Seeing those standards applied locally builds a lot of trust.
Reviews from regulars often mention how educational the experience feels without being intimidating. Staff are happy to explain grind size, extraction time, or why a particular bean tastes nutty rather than chocolatey. That kind of knowledge-sharing shows real expertise, especially in a market where coffee trends change fast. While some cafés chase novelty, Tiong Hoe focuses on fundamentals, and that approach has kept it relevant for decades.
There are limits, of course. If youâre looking for elaborate desserts or a loud, social brunch spot, this might feel too calm. Seating can also be limited during peak hours, especially on weekends. Still, most people Iâve spoken to agree that the quality of coffee more than makes up for those minor inconveniences.
As both a cafĂ© and a coffee supplier, Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee occupies a unique space in Singaporeâs food scene. Itâs a place where professionals refine their skills and everyday customers quietly upgrade their understanding of what good coffee can be. Every visit feels consistent, honest, and grounded in years of hands-on experience, which is exactly why it continues to earn strong reviews and loyal regulars across the island.
Good to know
Service options
â Delivery â On-site services â Takeaway â Dine-inHighlights
â Great coffee â Great dessertPopular for
â Solo dining â Good for working on laptopAccessibility
â Wheelchair-accessible entrance â Wheelchair-accessible seating â Wheelchair-accessible toiletOfferings
â CoffeeDining options
â Dessert â SeatingAmenities
â Gender-neutral toilets â ToiletAtmosphere
â Casual â Cosy â TrendyCrowd
â Family friendly â University studentsPlanning
â Accepts reservationsPayments
â Credit cards â Debit cards â NFC mobile payments â Credit cardsParking
â Paid parking lot â Paid street parking â ParkingPhotos
Location
Reviews
It's a very delicious coffee shop. But it's a pity that drip coffee is served only hot. I wanted to drink drip coffee, but I couldn't. But the basic long black is also very delicious. And selling various kinds of beans was very interesting.
I reckon the coffee at Tiong Hoe @ Stirling is one of the best coffee in Singapore, never fail to satisfy all my cravings! You can even smell the coffee fragrant before entering the cafe. Tried some of their specialty coffee beans and all are great. Go for their Intense White option if youâd like an extra flavour, extra kick - my fav so far. Love it!!
Tucked away in a neighbourhood, there is this little hidden gem (perhaps not that little). Ordered white with Autumn Amber. The first sip flew me back to Japan, where I had the best coffees. This place definitely knows how to roast their beans well. The hojicha tart was equally impressive, with a light, fragrant flavour, with the good ol' classic Singaporean phrase "not too sweet". It complemented my coffee well.
highly recommendïŒgood and nice coffeeïŒThe girl who wears green T-shirt is sooo friendlyâŠ
We were on the hunt for a nearby specialty coffee spot and came across Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee in Queenstown. This cosy cafĂ© is tucked away in the heartlands, not far from Queenstown Shopping Centre or even IKEA. Itâs a great little stop if you're in the area and craving a good cup. Letâs talk coffee. I had a cappuccino with oat milk, while my friend went for a flat white. My cappuccino had a surprising almond-like aftertaste, which I suspect came from the oat milk enhancing the nutty notes. The finish was smooth and flavourful with a light sweetness, likely from a light to medium roast. I had a sip of the flat white too. It didnât have that same almond edge, but it still carried a nice nutty profile. Well-balanced, well-extracted, and the milk was steamed to perfection. The cafĂ© itself had a relaxing and cosy atmosphere, with soft background music and a warm, welcoming layout. There were about seven small tables inside with benchtop seating, and a couple of benches outside if you prefer a bit of fresh air. They serve a small selection of pastries, which seem to be more of a light snack to accompany your coffee rather than a full food offering. They also sell coffee beans and accessories. If youâre thinking of starting your own V60 pour over setup at home, theyâve got you covered, from beans to kettles. There are also cleaning tools if you already own a coffee machine. All in all, this place feels comfortable, unpretentious, and good for the soul. It wasnât too busy during our visit, and the layout made it feel open and inviting rather than cramped.
Found a nice coffee place nearby after breakfast and ordered 2 white coffees. Both were smooth, aromatic and well crafted. You could even smell the coffee from outside. Definitely a great spot for coffee lovers!
Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee is a well-established coffee roastery in Singapore, known for its dedication to high-quality, specialty-grade beans. Founded by the passionate coffee enthusiast, Tiong Hoe, the company has built a reputation for expertly sourced, roasted, and brewed coffee. They offer a wide variety of beans, ranging from single-origin options to unique blends, catering to different tastes. Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee emphasizes freshness and sustainability, working closely with farmers and suppliers. Whether through their retail shop or online presence, they bring the art of fine coffee to enthusiasts, delivering an exceptional and memorable coffee experience.