After more than a decade shaping Hong Kong’s café culture, Elephant Grounds is touching down in Singapore, opening in the heart of Beach Road’s buzzing central development. Born as a tiny coffee kiosk, Elephant Grounds is now one of Hong Kong’s most recognisable lifestyle cafés, loved for its specialty coffee, all-day brunch, and relaxed, design-led spaces that encourage people to slow down and stay a little longer.
Founded in 2013 as a humble neighbourhood coffee counter by entrepreneurs Kevin Poon and Gerald Li, the brand grew out of a simple idea: build a café that mirrors how people really live, gather, and spend time. Poon, a cultural tastemaker and art collector, shapes the brand’s lifestyle and design direction, with Li, who oversees culinary and development; together, they continue to uphold the distinctive concept of where culture, craft, and everyday utility intersect in effortless ways.
A NEW “COFFEE N’ CHILL” HOME
Opening to the public on 10 January 2026 at Guoco Midtown’s Network Hub, Elephant Grounds in Singapore stays true to the brand’s philosophy of staying grounded while living fully. Each outpost is individually designed, but all locations share the same visual language; airy, nature-inspired spaces set within the heart of urban jungles, from Hong Kong to Manila, and now Singapore.
The Guoco Midtown space offers a thoughtfully chosen indoor/outdoor setting that is both pet-friendly and family-friendly, reinforcing the café as a warm community hangout rather than just another coffee stop. It is conceived as a genuine third space – neither home nor office – but a place to pause, people-watch, and reconnect with friends, family, and yourself.
BAKERY AT THE HEART
Anchoring the double-volume interior is the Bakery, the beating heart and hearth of the new space. Only the second of the brand’s 10 regional locations to feature an on-site production kitchen with its own baking team (the first being the much-loved Hollywood Road outpost in Hong Kong), the Singapore café is set to be the first – and only – F&B concept within the mixed-use development to serve fresh bakes made entirely from scratch, daily. From the weekday coffee dash to long, easy weekends with friends and families, signature breads, pastries and croissants will be baked throughout the day. Widely regarded as one of the best croissants in Hong Kong, Elephant Ground’s version is crafted using a non-traditional lamination technique that blends French and Japanese methods, resulting in a crisp, flaky, beautifully golden-brown finish. The line-up spans classic styles and elevated spins, including CHOCOLATE, ALMOND and the indulgent BANOFFEE croissant.
COFFEE…
At its core, Elephant Grounds is built on a strong foundation of quality coffee. The House Blend is directly sourced from Ijen Lestari, a Cup of Excellence–winning farm in East Java and roasted in-house to produce signature blends alongside premium single-origin coffees, each calibrated to express balance, clarity, and character.
Beyond the café, Elephant Grounds’ coffee programme is designed to follow guests into their everyday routines, from the roastery to the home. The brand’s OG Blend is available as whole beans, drip bags, and coffee capsules for at-home brewing, bringing its “Coffee n’ Chill” experience into kitchens, offices, and holiday villas with the same attention to sourcing and roasting found in-store.
The drinks menu goes beyond coffee, with a considered selection of premium matcha, teas, and curated alcoholic options, making it a go-to for both casual drinkers and seasoned enthusiasts across the spectrum. Whether you are grabbing a quick flat white, lingering over a pour-over, or easing into the evening, the beverage programme is designed to meet you where you are.
N’ CHILL…
Food at Elephant Grounds is crafted to be enjoyed all day, blending comfort with thoughtful execution. Signature brunch favourites include the much-loved shakshuka, served two ways: MR SHAKSHUKA with toasted sourdough, chorizo, feta, and cilantro, and MRS SHAKSHUKA, a vibrant plant-forward plate with tofu, zucchini, pumpkin, black olives, onion, and spicy tomato salsa.
Pancake fans can stick with the ORIGINAL stacks with maple syrup or go for wild berry pancakes topped with fresh cream, almond flakes, and berry coulis. Other always-on signatures include the AÇAI YOGHURT BOWL built around Founders’ Granola – made in small batches using preservative-free rolled oats, dried apricots, nuts, seeds, maple syrup, and coconut oil, and featured throughout the breakfast menu.
Good Morning & Chill (weekdays, 8:00AM – 11:00AM)
Good Morning & Chill is designed for those on the move who still want something satisfying. Expect PB&J toast on milk bread, croissant or sourdough; MANGO COCONUT OVERNIGHT OATS with Greek yoghurt and mango coulis; a hearty breakfast burrito packed with scrambled eggs, bacon, chimichurri, avocado and spicy tomato salsa; and a FLORENTINE BENEDICT with king oyster and shiitake mushrooms, baby spinach, carrot purée and yuzu hollandaise.
All-Day (11:00AM – 8:00PM)
As the day unfolds, the menu eases into heartier plates that work just as well for a late lunch as they do for an easy dinner. Donburi bowls include the TUNA POKE with avocado, spring onion, tempura flakes, and onsen egg, plus a steak gyudon crowned with chimichurri, crispy shallots, and shiso.
Pasta fans can dig into LINGUINE CARBONARA with onsen egg, parmesan and bacon, while burger lovers can go straight for the EG BURGER, built with a wagyu patty, cheddar, rocket and tomato, served with fries. The menu is intentionally versatile, making Elephant Grounds an any-occasion spot – from solo laptop sessions to group dinners.
Brunch & Chill (weekends & holidays, 8:00AM – 5:00PM)
On weekends and public holidays, Brunch & Chill brings together more than a decade of brunch favourites in a “best of brunch” line-up. Highlights include the MORNING CEREAL bowl with Founders’ Granola and fresh fruit; a colourful BUDDHA BOWL layered with vegetables, grains, and hummus; and the FARMER’S OMELETTE loaded with mushrooms, greens, and mixed cheddar.
For those leaning into comfort, there is the CORNED BEEF HASH with poached eggs and vegetables, as well as Asian staples like the TRUFFLE BAKED PORK CHOP RICE featuring oat-crusted Ibérico pork tenderloin, black truffle egg fried rice, and cheese.
ICE CREAM & MORE
Elephant Grounds’ ice cream programme backs up the food menu with a playful, cult-followed twist. Its ice cream sandwiches (launching in Q2 2026) have become a signature expression of the café’s fun, considered approach – nostalgic, but turned up a notch in both flavour and texture.
Beyond food and drink, the Singapore outpost will feature a dedicated merchandise corner, with lifestyle items rolling out between January and February 2026. The debut line-up will include reusable tumblers (including collaborations with MiiR), apparel for adults and kids, tote bags, and the brand’s OG espresso blend grounds for fans who want to bring the experience home.
DESIGNED FOR ALL, BUILT FOR EVERYDAY LIFE
Conceived as a contemporary urban refuge, Elephant Grounds Singapore is built as a true third place – somewhere to press pause between home and office. The space invites guests to linger, people-watch, and soak in the city at their own pace.
“Elephant Grounds has always been about creating spaces where people feel comfortable lingering, connecting, and coming back,” say founders Kevin Poon and Gerald Li. “Singapore’s café culture has matured in a way that values both quality and experience, and Guoco Midtown felt like a natural home for us. We’re excited to bring our take on coffee, food, and everyday living to a city that understands the importance of slowing down.”
Since 2013, Elephant Grounds has grown into a defining presence in Hong Kong’s café landscape, building a loyal community following across Asia. Its arrival in Singapore marks a deliberate next step, introducing a café experience where coffee, food, and atmosphere stand as equal pillars, each reinforcing the other. With the island-state now part of its journey, Elephant Grounds invites the city to discover its own spin on “Coffee n’ Chill” at Guoco Midtown.
Elephant Grounds Singapore opens to the public on Saturday, 10 January 2026.
