Once you get over the initial surprise of seeing a cool café in an obscure factory building of industrial-heavy Kallang, it’s easy to be enamoured by Backstage’s cavernous, warehouse-like interior, earnest service and relaxed setting. So named for its unusual spot at the back of a TV studio, it’s the perfect hideout (not too crowded) to squirrel away with a novel and a cup of Papa Palheta’s Terra Firma blend ($3.20- $4.40).
A standout main is the chilli crab panini ($10) in a semi-thick sweet, savoury tomato and chilli-based sauce and served with fries on the side, but there are also pastas ($8-$13) and Asian-themed dishes like beef rendang ($11) and Ipoh hor fun ($7) to banish the hunger pangs.