I’ve walked past Symmetry Cafe more times than I can count. It sits on a quiet stretch of Jalan Kubor, the kind of street you’d miss if you weren’t looking for it. For years, Symmetry lived on my mental list of places I’d get to eventually.

Last Saturday, I finally did.

I went early, around 9:30am, mostly because I’d been warned the weekend rush comes fast. That turned out to be good advice. By the time I left, the room was full and there was a small cluster of people waiting near the door.

The Room at Symmetry Cafe on Jalan Kubor

It’s cosy, but I won’t pretend it isn’t tight. Tables sit close together, and on a busy morning, you’ll hear bits of your neighbour’s conversation whether you want to or not. There’s outdoor seating if you’d rather have air and a little more room.

I took a small table by the window and settled in.

For a brunch place in Singapore, the location works well. Symmetry Cafe is close enough to Bugis MRT Station to be convenient, but tucked far enough into 9 Jalan Kubor that it does not feel like you are eating in the middle of the usual Bugis rush.

What I Ordered at Symmetry Cafe, 9 Jalan Kubor

Symmetry Egg Benedict ($22)

This was the dish I’d heard the most about, so I ordered it first. The poached eggs arrived soft, and when I cut in, the yolk ran the way you hope it would. Underneath sat a base of mushroom and onion hash, savoury and grounding, and the hollandaise had a light acidic edge that kept it from feeling heavy.

The dish was served with maple glazed bacon and smoked salmon, which gave the plate a richer, more layered feel. The bacon brought sweetness and salt, while the smoked salmon added that clean, smoky finish that makes the whole thing feel a little more polished.

It’s the kind of food that does what it promises. Nothing showy. Just eggs done properly, which is harder to find than it should be.

Big Breakfast ($24)

I shared this across the table, and I’d suggest you do the same. It’s a full spread, the sort of plate that spills toward the edges. The scrambled eggs were the quiet highlight, creamy and soft rather than watery, cooked by someone who clearly paid attention.

The mains included fresh salmon, maple glazed bacon, smoked salmon, and the usual breakfast sides that made the dish hearty without feeling careless. It is more thought-out than the usual big breakfast you get elsewhere, and it has enough going on to make it perfect for people who like to share bites across the table.

It’s hearty, varied, and filling. You leave full.

Truffle Fries ($15)

These get talked about a lot, and I understand why, though I’ll be honest with you. On a good day, the truffle aroma comes through and the portion is generous enough to pass around. On mine, the truffle flavour was a touch uneven, stronger on some fries than others.

Still, as a table snack with coffee, drinks, or inventive cocktails going around, they did the job. I’d order them again if I came with a group, less so on my own.

The Service, Drinks, and Bar Experience at Symmetry Cafe

The staff were warm without hovering. Someone checked in at the right moments, refilled water without being asked, and stayed easy even as the room filled up. On a crowded Saturday, that kind of steadiness stands out.

There was no rush to turn the table, which I appreciated. I sat a while after finishing, coffee cooling, and nobody made me feel like I’d overstayed.

Symmetry also works beyond brunch. It is an all day dining restaurant with a bar that serves inventive cocktails and a good selection of drinks, making it the kind of place that can stretch from a slow day meal into the night. I can see it working for business lunches, casual occasions, or a relaxed catch-up when you want food that feels familiar but still a little considered.

The Practical Bits

The Location: 9 Jalan Kubor, Near Bugis MRT Station

Getting to Symmetry Cafe is convenient for both locals and travelers. Located at 9 Jalan Kubor, it’s just an eight-minute walk from Bugis MRT Station. From Bugis MRT, walk towards Raffles Hospital, and you’ll find Symmetry Cafe opposite the Santa Grand Hotel. This accessible location makes it an ideal spot for those exploring Singapore who want a relaxed brunch away from the usual hustle.

Budget around $30 to $45 per person for brunch with a drink. That’s the honest catch. For a cafe meal, it leans steep, and you feel it when the bill lands. The food is good, but this is not the place for a cheap, casual bite.

Book ahead through Chope, especially on weekends. And if you can, go early. The difference between 9:30am and 11am here is the difference between a slow morning and a squeeze.

Symmetry Cafe: A Fresh All Day Dining Restaurant That Still Holds Up

I’d give Symmetry a 7.5 out of 10.

The food holds up, years into its reputation, which is more than a lot of places for brunch in Singapore can say. The eggs are reliably good, the breakfast plate is generous, and the room has a warmth that makes you want to linger. What keeps it from higher is the pricing, which asks a bit much for cafe fare, and the cramped weekend buzz that can wear on you if you came for calm.

But I understood, sitting there with a broken yolk and a half-drunk coffee, why people keep coming back. Symmetry Cafe is not chasing anything too loudly. It just does its thing, steadily, and lets you settle into a slow morning.

I’d go again. Just early, and probably on a weekday.