17 Hongkong Street
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm, daily.
On top of serving exceptional coffee, Ronin does a mean brunch. The unassuming industrial-chic cafe on Hongkong street has amassed a steady stream of regulars who visit for their daily sustenance. And for breakfast, they dish up two great versions of French toast, catering to both the sweet tooth and the savoury lovers (both $16). Diners can choose to have their French toasts with a berry compote, honey mascarpone and pistachio crumble or braised apples, bacon and a hazelnut butter. Both versions are excellent.
Merci Marcel
56 Eng Hoon St, #01-68
Opening hours: 9am to 11.30pm, daily. Closed on Mondays
Newest kid on the Tiong Bahru block Merci Marcel is making waves with its chic decor and casual dining options. Doors open at 9am everyday, except Mondays when they're closed, with an extensive menu for brunch and lunch. Their French toasts are on the sweeter side - prepared with brioche, no less - accompanied by berries and honey toasted almonds.
Maison Ikkoku
20 Kandahar Street
Opening hours: 10am to 5pm for lunch, daily. 6pm to 1am for dinner, Sun to Thurs, 6am to 2am for dinner, Fri & Sat.
Here's a spot for breakfast and a nice tipple. They may be best known for their cocktails, but Maison Ikkoku has long established itself as a place for good nosh too. The dish at question is their caramelised banana French toast that's prepared with thick brioche slices. And if you're worried about the dish being overtly sweet, you'll be happy to know they make their caramel with a touch of salt so the sauce is beautifully balanced.
17 Jalan Pinang
Opening hours: 9am to 11pm, Tues to Sat. 9am to 4pm, Sunday. Closed on Mondays.
Marrying the best of our favourite bread-related sweet treats is Artistry's PB&J French toast, which essentially is peanut butter and jelly-flavoured fried bread. And feel free to bring your furry friends along for brunch here; the cafe in the Bugis vicinity welcomes dogs at the al fresco sitting area.
Botanist
74 Neil Road
Opening hours: 9am to 10.30pm, daily. Closed on Mondays.
For French toast that looks and tastes the part, there's Botanist on Neil Road. The French toasts here are crisp on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside. Fans of French toast will know the that caramelised, crunchy ends of the toast are the best bits and there are lots of it to be found here. The sweetness is then tamed by the tart accompanying berry compote and rounded off by a generous sprinkle macadamia nuts and scoop of ice cream.
