Cuisine: Western/ European
Address: 90 Goodman Road Block N, #01-56, S 439053
Nearest MRT: Mountbatten (Circle Line)

Cafe Melba is a relaxed cafe and restaurant concept by Tadcaster Hospitality, which blends influences from (Melb)ourne and (A)sia for a gourmet yet leisurely dining experience. We opened our first Cafe Melba in the East at Goodman Arts Centre in 2012, and Cafe Melba at Mediapolis in the West in May 2016.

We went to the outlet at Goodman Arts Centre after an eventful morning at Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve. There were not many people at the cafe when we visited on a weekday afternoon during the school holidays. The kids were telling me excitedly about the Bouncy castle, which existed during pre-covid times. Today, the open field in front of the cafe is left bare.

The kids ordered the Fluffy buttermilk pancake stack ($14) with add-ons of scrambled egg and bacon ($4 each). One of them had the adult portion which comes with 4 big fluffy pancakes while the other had the children’s version which is served with an orange juice, berries and 3 slices of smaller pancakes. I tried one of the pancakes and liked it, because it was so fluffy. There was maple syrup and butter by the side. Paired with scrambled eggs and bacon, this becomes a hearty breakfast/ brunch for the kids.

For me, I settled for the Smoked duck pasta ($24) which comes with truffle cream pasta, 63c egg and parmigiano cheese. The smoked duck was not too salty and I liked the cream sauce. I don’t usually like thick and creamy sauce, but this pasta dish was acceptable for me so I did not feel unbearable after having a few mouthfuls of the pasta.

The other dishes on the menu include burgers, sandwiches, eggs benedict, steak and fries etc. It is pretty much the typical kind of cafe food. We were seated inside the restaurant, which had an open concept and we could see the food being cooked in the kitchen. The staff were kind enough to help me change my order when I told them that we had over-ordered. They changed the adult’s portion of the fluffy pancakes to a kid’s version.

Overall, Cafe Melba did not disappoint. Other than being slightly out of the way, it was a good way to fulfil our appetite after being stuck at Sungei Buloh for some time and having walked the entire coastal boardwalk. The prices of the items are slightly more expensive than the average, but the quality of ingredients used are acceptable. Its location at the Goodman Arts Centre affords Café Melba plenty of sprawling grounds for bright and breezy family gatherings.