It’s the start of the new semester, which means it’s back to the same grind, the dreaded group projects, and the eternal dilemma of what to eat after school.

While you can’t escape the deadlines and lectures, it’s a good thing you can escape to these off-campus food spots to make it all a bit more bearable.

Here are 9 cafes, food spots, and dessert shops around Nanyang Polytechnic to satisfy your after-school cravings.  

9 food spots around Nanyang Polytechnic

AM:PM CAFE

Meadowbrew

boon café

Bread Butter Bakehouse

Villa Creamery

No Horse Run Cafe

Steakgrill

Monday Coffee Bar

F.I.C.

AM:PM CAFE

Photo: AM:PM CAFE/Google images

True to its name, AM:PM CAFE is open as late as midnight on Fridays, meaning you’ll never have to worry about post-CCA hunger pangs.

The cafe is best known for its Hong Kong-style Egglet Waffles, which come freshly baked in Plain (S$9) or Pandan (S$12.50).

Once you’ve picked your base, select your soft serve flavour, which includes Blue Vanilla, Salted Caramel, and more.

Top it off with three complimentary toppings and a sauce, and finally, you can choose to make it a set for an additional S$2. This comes with a choice of Americano or tea.

Aside from waffles, other signature specials include Affogato (S$6.50), which consists of Salted Caramel and Chocolate ice cream with espresso.

Or try something closer to home i.e., Chendol (S$7), a coconut soft serve drizzled with gula melaka sauce.

Facebook | Instagram 📍 529 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, #01-2365, Singapore 560529🕒 11.45am–10.30pm (Sun to Thu), 11.45am–12am (Fri to Sat)

Meadowbrew

Photo: @meadowbrewsg/instagram

Your next after-school coffee run might be closer to you than you think. In fact, it could be just right under your block.

Introducing Meadowbrew, a hole-in-the-wall cafe in the heart of Ang Mo Kio.

They’ve got your classic brews such as Espresso (S$3.50) and Macchiato (S$3.80).

Or take a shot at their signature sips, including the ever-present Strawberry Matcha (S$6.50), Iced Ripple Latte (S$6.50) with raspberry ice cream flavour, and This.Appointment (S$6.50), a coffee with creamy orange vanilla flavour.

Complement your drinks with their quick bites, puffs, and wraps. Choose from sweets like Chewy Peanut Chocolate Cookie (S$3) to the savoury Beef Bulgogi Wrap (S$5.90) and Chicken Gochujang Wrap (S$5.90). 

Facebook | Instagram | TikTok📍 532 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, #01-2473B, Singapore 560532🕒 8am–5pm (Daily)

boon café

Photo: boon café/Google images

Each tertiary institution has its own collection of food gems, so what better way to get bang for your buck than at the neighbour to Nanyang Polytechnic, ITE College Central?

Check out the campus’s boon café, where quality cafe food doesn’t break your bank.

The cafe’s specialty is their Curry Chicken with Country Loaf (S$6.50), but other worthy mentions include their All Day Breakfast sets which come in sweet (S$6) and savoury (S$7).

But for something worth every dollar, build your own (byo) bowl has different tiers depending on your meat choice.

The Classic (S$5.50) has four sides, while the Deluxe (S$6.50) includes a chicken or fish with three sides, Premier (S$7.50) has shrimp or beef with three sides, and Suite (S$8.50) comes with salmon and three sides.

Facebook | Instagram | Website📍 2 Ang Mo Kio Drive, ITE College Central, Block F, #02-11/12, Singapore 567720🕒 8am–5pm (Mon to Fri), 8am–2pm (Sat), Closed (Sun)

Bread Butter Bakehouse

Photo: @breadbutter.sg/instagram

Get your fresh bakes at Bread Butter Bakehouse, which offers both takeaway and dine-in.

Break breadwith the all-day brunch options such as Crispy Kaya Butter Bun (S$3.10), Crosswich (S$8.50), or the Cheesy Butter Thick Toasties (S$7.40).

Or get their assortment of sweet bakes including their Cheesecakes, Croffle with Single Scoop Ice Cream (S$12.90), Muffins, and more.

Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Website📍 7 Ang Mo Kio Street 66, #01-08, Flora Vista, Singapore 567708🕒 8am–8pm (Daily)

Villa Creamery

Photo: @villacreamery/instagram

Beat the heat at this new gelato shop, Villa Creamery, just 20 minutes away from Nanyang Polytechnic.

You might have a meltdown over the sheer range of flavours and waffle choices available.

For waffles, there’s Belgian (S$5.90), Mochi (S$6.90), Pandan Mochi (S$6.90), and Nian Gao (S$6.90).

As for the gelato selection, there’s a scoop for every mood, including Grape Yakult, White Peach Raspberry, Hojicha Mochi, and more. Single scoops go for S$4.50, Double for S$8.60, and Triple at S$12.50.

Instagram | TikTok 📍 128 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, #01-1867, Singapore 560128🕒 1pm–11.30pm (Sun to Mon), 5.30pm–11.30pm (Tue to Thu), 1pm–1am (Fri), 12.30pm–1am (Sat)

No Horse Run Cafe

Photo: @nohorserunsg/instagram

No Horse Run Cafe needs no introduction. The cafe has gone viral online for their unique gelato flavours and waffles, but it’s a great lunch spot too.

Swing by during lunchtime from 11am to 4pm on weekdays for Student Saver meals. For S$6.50, choose between mains including Grilled Chicken Aglio Olio, Mac and Cheese, and Cheesy baked rice.

You can also get add-ons ranging from S$2 to S$3.50, such as Milk Tea and Fries.

Another must-try is their Korean Cream Waffles. Three sizes are offered, including Whole (S$13.90, two flavours), Half (S$8.90, one flavour), and Quarter (S$5.90). 

Then, load your waffles with various flavours such as Peanut Strawberry, Matcha Cream, and Kaya Pistachio.

Facebook | Instagram 📍 Block 202 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, #01-1682, Singapore 560202🕒 7am–10pm (Tue to Sun), Closed (Mon)

Steakgrill

Photo by Steakgrill

Steakgrill is a rare gem among other steak spots with its affordable cuts. 

From N.Z Ribeye (S$24) and Australian Tenderloin (S$26), to Argentina Ribeye (S$36), pick your pleasure. Non-steak mains include Cajun Grilled Chicken (S$10), Grilled Snow Pork Lion (S$16), and more. 

Less meaty but just as mighty is the customisable pasta with protein. Your pasta options range from Aglio Olio and Arrabiata to Creamy Pomodoro, Pesto, and more.

Then, add your selection of protein, such as Mushrooms (S$8), Sausage (S$10), and Grilled Snapper (S$16).

Facebook | Instagram | Website📍 408 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, #01-783, Singapore 560408🕒 12pm–2.30pm, 5.30pm-8.30pm (Daily)

Monday Coffee Bar

Photo: Angela Tan/Google images

Coffeeholics of Nanyang Polytechnic, get through your Monday blues with the community coffee bar Monday Coffee Bar, which mainly serves brews, bakes, and sandos. 

Sandos include the classic Chicken Katsu (S$8.50), Luncheon Tamagoyaki (S$7.50), and Crunchy Kaya Butter (S$4.50).

Or take the sweet route with their Almond Croissant (S$5), Chocolate Danish (S$4.50), and Butter Croissant (S$4.50). 

You can even enjoy 15% off if you purchase a drink with any of these sandos or bakes.

Then, pair your mains with a White (S$5.20), Black (S$4.80), or Iced Butterscotch Latte (S$6.80).

Alternatively, non-coffee drinks include Hojicha Latte (S$5) and even Genmaicha Latte (S$5).

Facebook | Instagram | Website📍 421 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, Singapore 560421🕒 8.30am–4.30pm (Mon to Fri), 9am–5.30pm (Sat to Sun)

F.I.C.

Photo: @as.eat.should.be/instagram

At first glance, F.I.C. looks like your standard Vietnamese food spot. But upon closer inspection, the homey eatery offers some less common finds in Singapore.

Typical Vietnamese fare such as Fresh Viet Rolls (S$5.45) and Grilled Lemongrass Chicken Salad (S$5.45) can be found here.

But a unique, light bite you can try is F.I.C.’s pizzas made from rice paper used in Vietnamese spring rolls. These paper pizzas come in three flavours — Chicken Sausage (S$3.30), Lemongrass Chicken (S$3.50), and Mentaiko Crabmeat (S$3.80).

And for dessert, cool off with F.I.C.’s main attraction — their fried ice creams in flavours including Coconutti (S$5.45) and Biscotti Biscotti (S$5.45).

Instagram📍 Block 114, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4, #01-345, Singapore 560114🕒 12pm–8pm (Thu to Sun), Closed (Mon to Wed)