In a city buzzing with modern patisseries and viral TikTok bakes, there’s something incredibly comforting about walking into an old-school bakery in Singapore. The smell of fresh pandan chiffon cakes, the sight of buttery sugar rolls behind foggy glass displays, and the familiar touch of red-and-white plastic bags—it’s nostalgia you can taste. Thankfully, a few of these gems have stood the test of time and are still delighting generations in 2025.
Whether you grew up on these treats or want a taste of the past, these are the best old-school bakeries still standing strong in Singapore today.
1. Balmoral Bakery – Since 1965
Address: 105 Clementi Street 12, #01-06, Singapore 120105
Opening Hours: Daily, 10am–9pm
Contact: +65 6779 2064
A Clementi mainstay for nearly six decades, Balmoral Bakery still oozes British-inspired charm from the 1960s. Step inside and you’ll see shelves lined with classic cream horns, custard puffs, rum balls, and retro-style cupcakes with sugary icing flowers.
But it’s their chicken pies, beef pies, and old-school Swiss rolls that keep the loyal crowd coming. Wrapped in familiar waxed paper and boxed in no-frills packaging, Balmoral doesn’t try to be trendy—just reliably delicious. Regulars note that “it tastes exactly like it did 30 years ago,” which is the best compliment an old-school bakery could ask for.
2. Dona Manis Cake Shop – Eastside Hidden Gem
Address: Katong Shopping Centre, 865 Mountbatten Road, #B1-93, Singapore 437844
Opening Hours: Tue–Sat, 11am–6pm (Closed Sun–Mon)
Contact: +65 6345 5930
Tucked in the basement of Katong Shopping Centre, Dona Manis Cake Shop is run by an elderly couple who bake everything by hand. They’re most famous for one thing: banana pie. Flaky crust, caramelised bananas, chopped walnuts—one bite is pure bliss.
Customers often queue and order in bulk, so arriving early is smart. Reviews on food forums regularly praise how the banana pie has remained “perfectly consistent for over 20 years.” Beyond pies, their butter cakes, chocolate tarts, and old-school jam rolls also transport you to a simpler time.
3. Lana Cakes – The Iconic Chocolate Fudge Cake
Address: 36 Greenwood Avenue, Singapore 289239
Opening Hours: Tue–Sat, 10am–6pm
Contact: +65 6466 5315
Lana Cakes is a Bukit Timah institution, famed for its ethereal chocolate fudge cake. Moist, soft sponge layered with luscious handmade chocolate fudge—it’s one of the most iconic cakes in Singapore. Started by Mrs. Violet Kwan in 1964, the bakery is now run by her son, keeping the legacy alive in its original location.
What makes Lana unique is its refusal to modernise unnecessarily. No aggressive marketing, no trendy flavours—just lovingly baked cakes, wrapped in wax paper, and placed in their signature green boxes. If you want a birthday cake that says “Singapore in the ’80s,” this is it.
4. Serangoon Garden Bakery & Confectionery – For That Fluffy Bun Fix
Address: 49A Serangoon Garden Way, Singapore 555945
Opening Hours: Daily, 6:30am–5pm
Contact: +65 6288 2146
Nestled in Serangoon Garden Market, this humble stall draws long lines for its fresh buns. Think soft-as-a-cloud coconut buns, luncheon meat buns, and the beloved hot dog bun with streaks of mayo and ketchup.
It’s the kind of place where you feel like a kid again, pressing your face against the display and choosing two (or five) buns to go with your morning kopi. Regulars come back for the familiar buttery dough, affordable prices, and that nostalgic old-school bakery smell you can’t fake.
5. Ng Kim Lee Confectionery – Traditional Hainanese Bakery
Address: 4 Chun Tin Road, Singapore 599591
Opening Hours: Daily, 9am–9pm
Contact: +65 6466 1172
Located in Upper Bukit Timah, Ng Kim Lee is known for its wide array of Hainanese-style pastries, including little muffin-like cakes in flavors like orange, coffee, and pandan—all neatly arranged on metal trays behind glass.
The faded signboard and tiled flooring signal its age, but it’s the flavors that stick with you. Try their egg tarts, kaya cakes, and tau sar piah, all made in-house the old-fashioned way. It’s the kind of bakery that makes you want to bring a big bag and stock up for the whole week.
6. Tiong Bahru Galicier Pastry (Honourable Mention – Closed in 2023)
Though it closed its doors in 2023 after decades of delighting customers with kueh and pastries, Galicier deserves a shoutout. Its legacy inspired many home bakers and helped keep nonya-style pastries alive. In 2025, fans are still reminiscing over their ondeh-ondeh and sugee cakes.
Why We Still Love These Old-School Bakeries
In a city constantly changing, these bakeries offer more than just bread and cake. They’re cultural time capsules, shaped by family stories, handwritten recipes, and daily rituals that haven’t changed in decades. While minimalist cafes and rainbow lattes have their place, there’s nothing quite like biting into a cream horn from your childhood.
These bakeries stand out not just because they’ve lasted, but because they’ve stayed true to their roots. In an era of delivery apps and digital menus, they remind us what real, heartwarming hospitality and handmade food feels like.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a nostalgia seeker or a Gen Z-er curious about heritage flavours, these old-school bakeries in Singapore are worth your time—and your taste buds. They might not be flashy or Instagrammable, but they’ve stood the test of time for good reason. So go on, take a trip down memory lane. Your next pandan cake or coconut bun might just be the sweetest thing you’ve had all year.
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