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Wazzup Pilipinas!?
In a significant expansion of its global footprint, the renowned specialty coffee brand Blue Bottle Coffee has officially opened its doors at LUMINE SINGAPORE in Raffles City Shopping Centre. This marks the brand's first foray into Southeast Asia, bringing its meticulous approach to coffee craft to Singapore's vibrant café scene.
From Oakland to Singapore: A Craft Coffee Journey
Founded in 2002 by James Freeman in Oakland, California, Blue Bottle Coffee began with a simple yet revolutionary idea: to serve delicious coffee, roasted fresh and brewed to order, sourced from the world's most sustainable farms. From its humble beginnings as a small coffee cart, the brand has grown into a globally recognized name with cafes across the US and Asia, including locations in Japan, South Korea, China, and Hong Kong.
The new Singapore outlet continues Blue Bottle's tradition of excellence in a spacious 135-square-meter café that seats 42 guests. Located in the heart of Singapore's bustling Raffles City, the café represents a significant milestone in the company's international expansion strategy.
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A Thoughtfully Crafted Menu
Coffee connoisseurs can indulge in Blue Bottle's signature blends and espresso-based beverages, including classics like Americano (S$7.50), Cappuccino (S$8), Latte (S$8.50), and Mocha (S$9.50). The café also offers its celebrated cold brew selections, including the signature Cold Brew (S$7.50) and the distinctive New Orleans-Style Coffee (S$8), cold brewed with roasted chicory and blended with milk and organic cane sugar.
Non-coffee drinkers aren't left behind, with refreshing options like Lemon Yuzu Fizz (S$8.50), Kimino Sparkling Apple Juice (S$7.50), and Kimino Sparkling Peach Juice (S$7.50). For those seeking warm comfort, the menu includes Matcha Latte (S$9.50) and Hot Chocolate (S$9).
Local Partnerships: A Celebration of Singapore's Culinary Craft
In a nod to local flavors and artisanal excellence, Blue Bottle has partnered with Bakery Brera, a beloved Singapore bakery established in 2016. This collaboration brings a selection of freshly baked viennoiseries to the café, including Singapore-exclusive creations that marry traditional techniques with local flavors:
Pandan Canelé with Kaya (S$6): A caramelized crust giving way to a custardy pandan interior with a heart of rich kaya
Coconut Kouign-Amann (S$8): A caramelized Breton pastry with a tropical twist of toasted grated coconut
These sit alongside classic offerings like Pain au Chocolat (S$8), Almond Croissant (S$8), and Triple Cheese & Turkey Croissant (S$8).
Design Philosophy: Connection at the Core
The café's design embodies Blue Bottle's "less is more" aesthetic philosophy while creating a space that fosters connection. With no visual barriers, the open layout allows for a natural flow between guests, baristas, and the café space. At the heart of the café is a distinctive U-shaped island bar that offers 360-degree visibility, placing coffee center stage while enabling warm, personal interactions.
The material palette strikes a harmonious balance between modernity and warmth. A stainless steel bar complements LUMINE SINGAPORE's fashion-forward setting, while white oak furniture and leather accents introduce an inviting tactile contrast. Custom oak Taguchi speakers enhance the sensory experience, reinforcing Blue Bottle's commitment to craftsmanship in every detail.
Community Commitment
Blue Bottle's Singapore debut is grounded in meaningful collaborations that reflect its values of craftsmanship and community. Beyond its partnership with Bakery Brera, the café has collaborated with homegrown floral studio The Florté, whose modern botanical arrangements add a touch of local creativity to the space.
As part of its opening celebrations from April 3-5, 2025, guests can personalize their Blue Bottle Singapore Tote at the café with any tote purchase between 12pm and 7pm.
A Sustainable Approach to Coffee
True to its founding principles, Blue Bottle maintains rigorous standards for its coffee. The brand sources beans that exceed specialty-grade standards, with a minimum score of 84 on a 100-point scale (where 80 is the threshold for specialty designation). The majority of its coffees are certified organic, and where exceptions must be made, the company works with suppliers who demonstrate a legacy of environmental stewardship.
Blue Bottle pays premium prices to ensure coffee farmers can sustain best-quality growing practices, with prices at least equivalent to Fair Trade rates and often much higher. Every member of the coffee sourcing team is a certified Q grader, the highest certification a professional coffee taster can achieve.
Looking Ahead
With operating hours from 8:00am to 8:00pm daily, Blue Bottle Coffee Lumine Singapore Raffles City Cafe invites guests to experience its dedication to craftsmanship, environmental responsibility, and warm hospitality. While the brand's mobile app and subscription services are not yet available in Singapore, the company looks forward to evolving its offerings based on local feedback and demand.
As Singapore's specialty coffee scene continues to flourish, Blue Bottle's arrival represents not just a new café opening but the addition of a globally respected voice in coffee craft to the local conversation—one that promises to both influence and be influenced by the rich coffee culture already present in the city-state.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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