La Marelle Café

La Marelle Café is located on Baghdad Street, within the cluster of restaurants and cafes in the Kampong Glam neighbourhood. The café is situated on the second storey of a shophouse, a large sign with its bolded name and signature motif, raindrops, indicating the entrance.

A step into the café had me transported into a lucid world of colours, the staircase an entrance to a magical place. Motifs of raindrops and clouds bejewel the walls, deck against the vibrant hues of purple, pink, and green; the café’s interior is an intricate art piece itself. Large lanterns illuminate the café with warm orange glow, emanating a romantic ambiance for its patrons. Wooden tables adorn with vases of flowers are placed spaciously against each other, allowing patrons to bask in their own space while immersing in the enchanting environment.

La Marelle was initially established as a lifestyle boutique before entering the café scene. As such, the café is decorated by its eclectic brand of trinkets, stationeries, and bags – a La Marelle’s rendition of the theme ‘Alice in Wonderland’. These vintage ornaments are not only for décor but are also available for purchase at the counter. Another aspect to its captivating furnishing would be its large chalkboard that covers the entire face of a wall. La Marelle’s menu is artistically written in calligraphy font on the chalkboard for patrons to peruse the various food it serves.

The café is renowned for its desserts, and without further ado, I had selected the afternoon tea set that consists of a slice of cake and a beverage. My Sea Salt Caramel Cake was served on a vintage plate, its aesthetic further enhanced by La Marelle’s choice of utensils. A generous slab of cake, I could distinguish between the five different layers – caramel, vanilla, sponge, coffee, and the chocolate base. The cake had a spongy texture, and it came as a lovely surprise that this unique mixture was in perfect complementation. The combination was a heavenly delight with a tad bit of stronger caramel essence and a faint sea salt aftertaste. The coffee cream and nut toppings were a pleasant addition to the cake, providing a piquant relish to the overall palate. The cake was sweet, yet not overwhelmingly so, and the saltiness provided a balance to the flavoursome caramel; it was indeed an ambrosial treat.

I had requested for Iced Honey Chamomile Tea, and it was a refreshing drink to counter the persistent heat in Singapore. The generous serving of honey in the tea had balanced the earthy fragrance of chamomile, further enhancing the herbal tea with a saccharine taste. The tea was the perfect accompaniment to the cake, a palatable drink to end the meal.

La Marelle is a whimsically artistic café, its décor aesthetically unique, playing on the border of fantasy and realism. The café’s Halal-certified wide range of food, including its specially curated all-day brunch to main dishes and desserts, provides the right fix for patrons at any time of the day. Its spacious interior and complimentary wi-fi are also a bonus, and along with its décor and design, La Marelle Café is the perfect place to spend the day in.