7 Must-Visit Eateries in Kada, Singapore's Historic Heritage Building

Nestled at 5 Kadayanallur Street, directly adjacent to the legendary Maxwell Food Centre, Kada represents Singapore's newest culinary destination housed within a meticulously conserved 101-year-old building that once served as St Andrew's Mission Hospital. This remarkable four-storey heritage building, originally constructed in 1923 and complete with Singapore's oldest electric lift dating back to 1929, has been transformed into a dining haven that perfectly balances historical charm with contemporary cuisine.

What sets Kada apart is its curated collection of artisanal cafés and restaurants spanning multiple cuisines and dining styles. From specialty coffee roasters and Mediterranean rooftop fine dining to authentic dim sum and innovative tea culture, the building offers a comprehensive culinary journey under one heritage roof. This strategic positioning, just a three-minute walk from Maxwell MRT Station and beside the iconic Maxwell Food Centre, creates a unique dining ecosystem where heritage hawker culture meets contemporary gastronomy. Let’s check out seven great places to dine at Kara!

1. Alani - Mediterranean Rooftop Bakery-Cafe

Perched on Kada's fourth-floor rooftop, Alani emerges as a Greek Mediterranean bakery-café that embodies the free-spirited wandering lifestyle its name suggests in Greek. The restaurant's design philosophy centres around open-air Mediterranean charm, with potted greenery, large communal tables, and rattan chairs creating an atmosphere that encourages lingering conversations. The dog-friendly outdoor space enhances the relaxed ambience, whilst the intimate indoor dining area showcases wooden displays brimming with tantalising bread and pastries.

Alana’s menu shines through their signature sarikopita cheese pie (S$16), a fried pastry filled with cheese and coiled into a turban shape that's virtually impossible to find elsewhere in Singapore. Their artisanal open-fire sourdough bread is also crafted using a 14-year-old Greek sourdough starter that produces exceptional depth of flavour. From sourdough cinnamon rolls stuffed with Italian pistachio praline to the dessert-like portokolopita with bitter chocolate, each creation demonstrates mastery of traditional Mediterranean baking techniques. The menu extends to innovative brunch offerings that apply Mediterranean sensibilities to familiar concepts – Caesar salads and French toast receive inspired regional interpretations that demonstrate genuine culinary creativity.

Location: Kada, 04-04, 5 Kadayanallur Street
Opening Hours: 11am-3pm (Thurs & Fri), 9:30am-2:30pm (Sat & Sun)

2. Kyuukei Coffee - Japanese Minimalist Sanctuary

This tranquil café, meaning 'rest' in Japanese, serves expertly roasted coffee (S$8-S$18) alongside ceremonial matcha and hojicha in a peaceful minimalist setting. The expanded Kada outlet maintains the brand's serene aesthetic whilst offering quality toasties and pastries that complement the contemplative coffee experience. The café's commitment to coffee excellence manifests through their serious approach to bean sourcing and roasting, with the owner's passion evident in every cup.

Their in-house roasted beans cater to true coffee connoisseurs, whilst ceremonial matcha (S$8 straight, S$11 latte) and hojicha (S$6 straight, S$7 latte) provide equally contemplative experiences for non-coffee drinkers seeking quality beverages. Beyond exceptional coffee, the menu extends to encompass expertly crafted items like the Smokey Beef BBQ Toastie (S$22) and Lemon Olive Oil Cake (S$4.50), ensuring the minimalist philosophy doesn't compromise on substance whilst retaining the tranquil charm that originally attracted coffee enthusiasts seeking respite from urban intensity.

Location: Kada, 01-04, 5 Kadayanallur Street
Opening Hours: 8am-6pm daily

3. ECHO House - Contemporary Comfort

A versatile café offering both indoor and outdoor seating with an unpretentious philosophy, serving expertly crafted drinks like the signature Here Comes The Sun espresso tonic with passionfruit (S$7.50) and the Vanilla Twilight cold brew topped with vanilla cream (S$7.50). The popular matcha strawberry (S$7) tends to sell out quickly, whilst unique offerings like the bolo croissant (S$6.50) - a hybrid of Hong Kong pineapple bolo bun and French croissant - showcase creative fusion alongside standards like banana bread (S$5.50) and pain au chocolat (S$6).

The indoor-outdoor configuration allows diners to choose their preferred atmosphere, whether seeking the energy of street-level dining or the tranquillity of the covered interior space, making it an ideal spot for both solo work sessions and social gatherings. ECHO House's commitment to creating a welcoming environment extends to its pet-friendly policy and service philosophy, where efficiency meets genuine hospitality, demonstrating remarkable adaptability in Singapore's competitive café landscape whilst attracting patrons who appreciate reliable excellence without unnecessary ceremony or pretension.

Location: Kada, 01-08, 5 Kadayanallur Street
Opening Hours: 8am-6pm (Mon to Fri), 9am-6pm (Sat & Sun)

4. Shou Dim Sum & Daikoku Izakaya - Dual-Concept Excellence

Located next to Kada's historic lift, this venue transforms from handmade Hong Kong-style dim sum restaurant during the day to Japanese izakaya by evening. Shou specialises in traditional dim sum craftsmanship, featuring Steamed Siew Mai (S$5.50), Steamed Shrimp Dumplings (S$5.80), Shanghai Xiao Long Bao (S$5.50), and modern interpretations like Mala Siew Mai, alongside pan-fried options such as Radish Cake (S$5.50) and Baked Mini Egg Tarts (S$5.50). The Shou Lunch Set (from S$10.90++) includes choice of Pao Fan, noodles, or congee with beverages and Osmanthus Jelly.

The evening transformation into Daikoku creates an entirely different dining experience, with Japanese izakaya culture taking centre stage through authentic yakitori grilled over Binchotan charcoal. Standout dishes include chawanmushi (S$4.50), mixed sashimi selection of four kinds (S$23.80) featuring salmon, yellowtail, scallop, and ikura, plus adventurous offerings like grilled chicken heart (S$3) and crown (S$5). The meatball yakitori (S$3.80) comes with pasteurised raw yolk for dipping, whilst carefully curated sake selections complement the smoky grilled specialties perfectly.

Location: Kada, 01-02/03, 5 Kadayanallur Street
Opening Hours: Shou: 11am-2:30pm (Tues to Fri), 11am-3:30pm (Sat to Mon); Daikoku: 5:30pm-10:30pm (Mon to Sat)

5. Origin Teahouse - Tea Culture Innovation

Located at Kada's entrance, this Instagram-worthy establishment brings global tea expertise to Singapore's bubble tea landscape with 100% fresh and natural ingredients. The alfresco setting with parasols creates an inviting environment for sophisticated tea offerings including rich and aromatic Jin Jun Mei Milk Tea (S$6.80), floral Gardenia Milk Tea (S$6.80), and the refreshing Triple Citrus Jasmine Tea (S$7.60) that stands out with its bright, zesty profile. The tea programme represents serious commitment to quality and innovation, avoiding artificial flavourings whilst offering sophisticated alternatives to mainstream chains.

The establishment's positioning within Kada's ecosystem demonstrates understanding of contemporary dining preferences, where beverage-focused venues increasingly serve as social gathering spaces rather than mere refreshment stops. While Origin has no indoor seating, the outdoor arrangement with parasols encourages lingering and social interaction, essential elements in successful contemporary café culture that transforms simple tea service into community-building experiences, whether seeking traditional preparations or contemporary interpretations that showcase global tea culture expertise developed by founders Ethan Keng and Li Wenxi.

Location: Kada, 01-05A, 5 Kadayanallur Street
Opening Hours: 11am-9:30pm (Mon to Sat), 11am-8pm (Sun)

6. Pacto by Parchmen - Artisanal Coffee Haven

An intimate four-seat café focusing purely on coffee excellence, featuring distinctive blends like Finca Campo Hermoso from Colombia. Specialty drinks include White Coffee (S$5.50) and Yuzu Iced Black (S$6), served through a charming open-window counter that emphasises artisanal craftsmanship over elaborate food. This quiet coffee sanctuary offers a peaceful retreat for coffee lovers seeking meticulously crafted brews in an unassuming setting that feels more like a speciality takeaway spot than a traditional café.

The minimalist approach extends to the café's operational philosophy, where focus remains firmly on coffee craftsmanship rather than elaborate food offerings, appealing to purist enthusiasts who appreciate attention to detail. The café's coffee programme showcases commitment to sourcing excellence through carefully selected blends like the Morning Glory, demonstrating that quality doesn't require elaborate presentation whilst creating an authentic artisanal experience that stands apart from Singapore's increasingly commercialised coffee culture, where substance consistently trumps style.

Address: 5 Kadayanallur St, #01-10, Singapore 069183
Opening Hours: 8.30am-5pm (Mon to Fri), 9am-5pm (Sat & Sun)

7. Proud Potato Peeler - Mediterranean Fine Dining

Chef Alberto's reservations-only rooftop restaurant offers "Middle Easterranean" cuisine through a rotating seven-to-eight-course prix fixe menu (S$178 nett). Drawing from Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, and Lebanon, the sophisticated evening destination provides stunning city views alongside authentic regional flavours and seasonal ingredients. Signature dishes include the potato pies with hand-rolled phyllo pastry, smoked cheese, homemade spicy yoghurt sauce, prosciutto and fresh truffle - a tribute to chef Alberto's grandmother's recipes. Creative fusion items showcase local touches, such as charred beef short ribs with laksa-inspired sauce, whilst housemade sourdough bread is crafted using a 12-year-old sourdough starter hand-carried from Greece.

The rooftop setting provides stunning city views that complement the sophisticated cuisine, creating a complete sensory experience that justifies the premium positioning. The reservations-only policy maintains exclusivity whilst ensuring optimal service standards, with dishes customised according to guests' dietary restrictions and a S$44.50 per person deposit required upon booking. The daily menu rotation demonstrates commitment to seasonal ingredients and creative interpretation that distinguishes this establishment from Singapore's increasingly homogeneous fine dining landscape, ensuring each course reflects genuine understanding of diverse culinary heritage rather than superficial fusion concepts.

Location: Kada, 04-04, 5 Kadayanallur Street
Opening Hours: 5:30pm-11:30pm (Wed to Fri), 5pm-10:30pm (Sat), 12:30pm-10:30pm (Sun)