Kafe Utu

Three distinct floors inside a Jiak Chuan Road shophouse make up Kafe Utu, Singapore’s first dedicated African café and restaurant. The ground floor operates as the main dining area, a warm space defined by African mahogany furniture and monochrome portraits on the walls. Head up to the second floor and you’ll find a lounge furnished with large leather couches, before reaching the small alfresco rooftop terrace that overlooks the neighborhood. The whole place is filled with the sound of Afrobeat music, and much of the decor and tableware is imported directly from the continent. By day, it’s a café centered on specialty coffee, but by night, the focus shifts to a full pan-African menu. The kitchen turns out a range of stews, curries, and grilled meats, often served with chapati or Moroccan *batbout* bread. Expect dishes like the Swahili Fish Curry and Goat Curry, though a lot of the menu carries serious heat – the Kickass Crispy Beef Tripe, for example, gets its intense spice from a house-made habanero sauce. The brunch menu offers African interpretations of classics, like the Pulled Pork Breakfast with fried plantains. The coffee program is just as intentional. Beans for the house "Ubuntu" blend are roasted on-site, and signature drinks include the *Bidi Bado*, a mocha served in a cup rimmed with peanut butter, toasted almonds, and pink peppercorns. The bar also stocks African beers like Tusker and Lion. Reservations are a good idea, especially for dinner when the space gets busy, and it's a popular spot for birthday celebrations. Just know that the entire establishment is cashless, so you’ll need a card or PayNow to settle the bill.