Linda: Dory, we’re going to Penny University!
Dory: Er, isn’t it called NUS – National University of Singapore?
Penny University is a Halal restaurant-cafe in Singapore serving Halal breakfast, all-day brunch, sandwiches and lunch, and dinner.
Coffee Houses are known as Penny Universities in the UK.
For the cost of a cup of coffee, you could access intellectual discussions and, possibly, sober debate.
That’s where the upper-class social business people would hang out.
I hoped to bump into Sheldon Lee Cooper, Ph. D., Sc. D., and experience his extraordinary mental prowess – close and personal.
And all that for the price of a coffee!
Penny University Cold Brew
A Rainy Afternoon Tête-à-tête
I grinned at Kak Linda.
We made our way to Penny University in the pouring rain – a good start!
I’m always full of apprehension and excitement at the thought of any new activity, place, café, or food.
Not necessarily in that order, of course.
We are getting there – after all, we’re in Singapore and meeting for the first time.
But like an LDR of the working colleagues kind.
“Penny Universities were the first coffeehouses that originated in London in the 17th Century.
People would pay a penny to come in, and once inside, had access to coffee, the company of others, newspapers, bulletins, and the latest news and gossip.” – Her Canberra.
Penny University
Penny University is a cafe chain in Singapore known for its specialty coffee, tea, and food.
The name “Penny University” is derived from the coffeehouses in 18th-century London, where people could purchase a cup of coffee for a penny and engage in intellectual discussions.
The first Penny University cafe opened in 2012 on East Coast Road and has since relocated to Jln Klapa (where we were headed)
The cafe has a relaxed and cozy atmosphere, making it a popular spot for catching up with friends.
We noticed some people were doing their work there, too.
Penny University serves a wide range of coffee and tea, including pour-over coffee, espresso-based drinks, and herbal teas.
The cafe also offers a variety of food options, including breakfast items, sandwiches, and cakes.
One of the unique features of Penny University is its coffee.
Before the pandemic, the cafe regularly hosted live events and promotions – I stalked their social media pages.
Penny University offers a laid-back and welcoming environment for coffee and tea lovers in Singapore.
The Grab driver couldn’t drop us at the entrance as the area around Jln Kapla was a maze of one-way streets.
When we arrived in this visually hip and cute cafe, it was buzzing with customers.
That got us excited.
Where and when do we get to sit?
Cafe Interior
The space is minimalist, with two dining areas.
One is upfront with sunlight streaming in, and there are small tables and a wooden bench type of seating.
The other is in the kitchen, dark and filled with the sights and smells of cooking.
We didn’t want to smell like we just came from the kitchen for our next appointment, so we patiently waited for people to leave so we could sit in the café properly.
We just wanted a bite to eat and spend some time catching up on the activities in Singapore.
Penny University L: Cafe, R: Seating near Kitchen
Penny University Menu
The café offers an all-day breakfast, brunch, and dinner menu influenced by Asian and Levantine cuisine.
Here are some popular items on the menu at Penny University in Singapore.
Coffee: Penny University takes pride in its specialty coffee, which is brewed using freshly roasted beans.
They offer a range of coffee drinks, including espresso, cappuccino, latte, and flat white.
There’s pour-over coffee, cold brew, and nitro coffee.
Tea: In addition to coffee, Penny University may also offer a selection of teas, such as black tea, green tea, and herbal tea.
All-day Brunch: Depending on the time of day, Penny University may offer breakfast items such as pastries, croissants, muffins, bagels, or sandwiches—the ingredients for fillings like eggs, bacon, cheese, avocado, smoked salmon, or ham.
Light bites: For a quick snack or light lunch, Penny University may offer a selection of small dishes such as salads, sandwiches, quiches, or wraps. These could be vegetarian, vegan, or meat-based.
Desserts: Penny University offers a selection of cakes, pastries, or cookies you can enjoy with coffee or tea.
Please note that this list is incomplete, and the actual menu at Penny University may vary depending on the time of day and other in-store promotions.
What We Ordered
We had our paratha brunch with friends earlier.
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus $9
Roasted pepper hummus, sourdough soldiers.
The roasted red peppers, chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. It tasted so different and exciting.
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus has an excellent combination of tangy taste with an added smoky roasted flavor without any burning heat.
Hummus generally has a creamy texture and a savory, slightly tangy taste due to its main ingredients.
However, the taste and texture of hummus can vary depending on the specific recipe used, and roasted bell peppers add a bold, spicy flavor.
Its brilliant color and sweet, mild pepper flavor make it a delightful hummus!
It’s best to ask the staff at Penny University for more specific details on their hummus dish.
Waffles with Strawberries and Blueberries $10.50
Choice of chocolate, salted caramel, or maple syrup
We chose salted caramel.
Tea in a pot $5
We chose Camomile Tea
We would have gladly tried other exciting menu items (if we had spare tummy space!)
Penny University Hummous $9
Conclusion
Penny University is a small restaurant.
It is best to take a Grab car (if you want to avoid getting a parking ticket! ) as it is challenging to find parking nearby.
What we ordered were average, medium portions.
When we asked questions, the servers were pleasant enough, but they needed to learn more about the menu to make recommendations.
Overall the experience was enjoyable; we loved the laid-back environment as we had a chance to catch up and chat.
Penny University
17 Jalan Klapa, Singapore 199329
Opening Hours: 8 am – 5 pm (Sun – Thurs), 8 am – 10 pm (Fri – Sat)
Contact: +65 8727 1395
Blog Disclosure: This is a NOT sponsored blog post. All opinions are mine. The writer and friends paid for their meal.
