Paper Crane @ Waterloo Street: Cafe Food with Soul


If ever I had plans to set up a cafe, Paper Crane would be a visionary example of what would manifest. A hole-in-the-wall located within the premises of Singapore Council of Women's Organisations; the vibes are straightforwardly bright and sparky, almost as simple as the menu layout which remains as chalkboard writings sprawled across blackboards; greeting visitors once they step into its cozy premises. If you must know, the cafe is co-owned by ex-magazine editor and her partner, a big burly Canadian with a teddy-bear like persona, who trained in Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts and previously worked the stoves at Wild Honey - with such food credentials at bay and a certain anti-establishment act put in place; you know that quality and price of the food will be un-debatable.

It took me a while, but I finally made my pilgrimage to the quaint little 40-seated cafe touting a lean, mean Fried Chicken dish that was highlighted recently on the Today newspaper. The Signature Buttermilk Fried Chicken ($15) served alongside UBO's homemade chilli and ajwar (roasted capsicum and eggplant) is a real winner. A sturdy cornmeal crust infused with a healthy dose of spices enrobes succulent chops, whilst the sprightly mannerism of my accompanying Citrus Sunshine Slacker from Evil Twin Brewing provides a fizzy finish.


Also on the menu are some really value for money deals, take for example their $10 specials which come with a free homemade coolant from 11am - 2pm daily. The Pesto Spaghetti with Mushrooms is a delightful tangle-weed of freshly made pesto evenly coating individual strands. Despite the dish needing just a wee bit more extra virgin olive oil to enhance the intensity of the sauce; admittedly you can't really complain since its a pretty decent meal for just 10 buckaroos.

At the end of the day, regardless of the finished product and its failure to evoke a 'life-changing' experience; the food at Paper Crane is a true reflection of our urges to involve ourselves in a bit of slow-cooking from time to time. Everything here is made from scratch, albeit with lots of love injected; so hold the comments and indulge in the unpretentious fare dished, as if you were in a friend's kitchen.


Paper Crane 
96 Waterloo Street
S(187967)
t: 6837 0836

Operating Hours:
Mon - Sat: 11am - 10pm

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