Located just a 6-minute walk from Lavender MRT, Rustica sits quietly at the corner of Crawford Lane. It may not look flashy from the outside, but it definitely stands out from other cafes in concept as this place is all about supporting homegrown produce.
From seafood to chocolate to coffee beans, the team works closely with local farmers, fishermen and roasters. Some standout partners include The 1872 Clipper Tea Co. and Mireia Vanilla, a vanilla cultivator in Singapore. Menus here rotate about every three months and are split between breakfast and dinner service, so timing matters. Bonus points: they only charge 10% service charge, and there’s no additional GST. They also accept CDC vouchers.
The Interior
Rustica’s interior is cozy and minimalist, with clean white walls, warm wooden tables, and small pops of greenery that give the space a calm, inviting feel. Natural light and wall-mounted food photography add a subtle local touch without overwhelming the space. While seating is slightly limited with mostly small tables, it still has a functional space that matches the restaurant’s down-to-earth concept.
There’s even a display counter for pastries which is perfect if you just want to grab some food to go. Outdoor seats are more ideal if you’re bringing a furry friend.
What We Tried : An Honest Review
Drinks
Pandan Latte ($8)
The coffee was sweet, but lacked pandan and coffee aroma or depth — it tasted just like a sweet generic latte. While it looked aesthetic, the flavour didn’t quite live up to its name.
Cold Brew with Mireia Vanilla Cream ($9)
This drink was better as the vanilla cream had a natural fragrance and the coffee was lighter and smoother than your average kopi beng. This was subtle yet refreshing at the same time and this would probably go well with one of the pastries they have on their display.
All Day Breakfast Menu
These dishes are available from morning to 4pm.
Seafood Roll ($23)
The bun was nicely buttered and slightly crispy on the outside. The filling inside the bun includes poached prawns and mussels, as well as herb tartar. It is also served with scrambled eggs, petit potato hash and garden greens on the side. We felt that the dish was average, nothing too amazing but the portion size is just nice for 1 pax.
“Swirl” Kaya & Ricotta Toast ($10)
This is our favourite dish/dessert of the visit. The bread was soft, fluffy and buttery. The homemade pandan kaya jam and ricotta cheese was whipped together into a smooth, flavourful spread on top of the bread. The ratio of the sweetness from the kaya and savouryness from the ricotta cheese was just nice. The gula melaka syrup also added a nice hint of sweetness without overpowering the taste or making it too jelat. This was a 10/10 dessert.
Curry Fish Rice ($18)
The pan-fried Barrumundi fillet was soft, with a nice savoury curry sauce that goes well together with the fish, but portion size was quite small. It is served together with a blend of Thai Hom Mali and Basmati rice with blue pea flower. It tasted similar to the kind of white rice you eat at home — comforting but not particularly special. The crispy shallots on top does add to the fragrance and extra crunch though.
From The SG60 Menu
In celebration of SG60, they have also launched special menu items which are inspired by local dishes. We tried 2 dishes from this special menu which is available from 1 to 10 August 2025.
Chilli Crab Pau (2 pcs for $15)
We appreciate the SG60-themed twist on familiar local flavours, but we felt that this Chilli Crab Pau looked better than it tasted. There is soft shell crab on top of the stuffed mantou with blue swimmer crab. We were looking forward to it but taste-wise, it felt disjointed. The bun was a bit plain, the soft shell crab could be better seasoned, the blue swimmer crab was slightly dry and the chilli sauce leaned more spicy than sweet. We found ourselves eating components separately rather than enjoying it as a full bite.
Rustica Cereal XL Prawns (2 pcs for $18, 4 pcs for $32)
As the prawns were pre-peeled, it made it easier to eat them. The cereal coating was home-made but it was fragrant and crispy. While this one was simple and it did hit the spot, but we felt that it wasn’t worth paying close to $10 for a singular cereal prawn.
Min Jiang Kueh with Sweetcorn Ice Cream ($9)
While the idea sounds interesting with all the traditional flavours combined, we were disappointed with the execution. The kueh itself was too dry and bland on its own, and we felt that the candied orange clashed with the rest of the ingredients in the dessert. The peanut brittle was also barely noticeable in the Min Jiang Kueh and didn’t add much flavour to it. The only way to make the dessert taste slightly better was to eat the kueh with the ice cream in every bite.
To look at their full menu, check on their instagram.
Verdict – Would We Go Back Again?
We wouldn’t mind going back as it is convenient and especially for the cozy setting, hearty meals, and to explore more of their other drinks and dishes, since the menu changes regularly. For a restaurant that works with local producers, the prices feel fair and justifiable. We highly recommend the “Sqirl” Kaya & Ricotta Toast and the Cold Brew with Mireia Vanilla Cream. This place is great for casual brunches, whether you’re dining solo, as a couple, or in a small group. The space is also wheelchair-friendly and pet-friendly (outdoors).
Rustica
Address : 462 Crawford Ln, #01-65, Singapore 190462
Nearest MRT Station : Lavender MRT
Operating Hours : 9am-4pm (from Sunday-Wednesday), 9am-9pm (from Thursday-Saturday)
Closed on Mondays.
Instagram : @rustica.sg
This is not a halal certified establishment, but vegetarian options are available.
Read more of our food reviews here.