Café Colbar (Colbar Eating House), Singapore
Colbar in short, for Colonial Bar, but also known as Café Colbar and Colbar Eating House, seems to be very popular in Singapore. It came highly recommended by my friend, Malcolm, who told me it is a “rustic, colonial eatery”.
Upon our arrival, I asked him, “Where is the colonial building?” In my mind, I had envisioned something along the lines of the Ipoh Town Hall building. Maybe not as majestic, but close.
I guess a Singaporean’s perception is really different from a Malaysian’s, especially one who is from a small town. Well, Ipoh is a city but compared to Singapore, it is small. I’m sure you get my meaning.
Anyway, I chatted with a local who was having his lunch there. I asked him if there is any other place in Singapore with this setting, and he answered, “No.” I said, “Come to Perak, we have plenty of such shops in smaller towns like Sungkai, Bidor and Tapah, just to name a few.”
He was impressed and said, “Wow, you all really know how to preserve your buildings, eh?” But I was like, “There was no preservation required! They never progressed!”
The shop that is now Colbar was actually once the canteen of the old British army camp back in 1953, but it is well-maintained and has retained its rustic charm.
This is also one of the cafés that has mushroomed in the area between Rochester Park and Portsdown Road, so it is just a short drive from Park Avenue Rochester. Take the MRT to Buona Vista MRT Station, then hop onto Bus 191.
Café Colbar / Colbar Eating House
Add: 9A Whitchurch Road, Singapore 138839
Tel: +65 6779 4859
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Tues – Sun)
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the food looks nice. but singapore is pretty expensive for msian to go now 🙁
This is pretty old skool type… and well, I guess the food looks yummy….
Old school we have one here in kl. But this one in sg is a must to check it out
looks so different this cafe, feels like going back to school or school or camp canteen feel.
This remind my childhood place! It’s very old school but full of memory!
Dining area open concept type and the fried rice looks nice. Something different.
the fried rice do look appetising. i want one now. 😀
This Cafe Colbar is a bit like home style and the food also pretty decent and simple like our daily meal.
Interesting concept in a old way style of dining experience. Canteen place since 1953 it was quite an old age for a place!
Interesting restaurant setting, thanks for sharing with us this unique place in Singapore 🙂
The place looks like our high school design. Never knew Singapore have such place to dine in.
Nice and cozy. Really bring back to the yesteryears. Lovely. 🙂
this 1 at Singapore ! love Colbar signage design on gate !
It’s been a while since I last step to Singapore.. Hope to visit there soon..
This cafe is really different from those we have been. I mean having a very casual and cosy ambience in the air-conditioned room. But this, is more like kedai kopi kind of cafe. =\
If I get to go to Singapore again, I will certainly check this place out
Nice to see something like this in Singapore ‘coz like everything there is so developed and modern nowadays. So seeing a rustic place like this preserved is pretty cool.
wow i didn’t know such a place exists! Will go check it out soon~