Riders Cafe

 

17 January 2023 - A view of the building in the evening.

My earliest recollection of Riders Cafe at the Bukit Timah Saddle Club was when my dad, eager to connect with me, asked if I had ever gone there before. I had not and he found the place a decent hangout spot, so he offered to take me to breakfast there one day. We arrived, but the place was packed to the brim and it would likely entail a long wait, so we hightailed ourselves out of there and went in search of another place.

Many years later, as the government announced plans for the Cross Island MRT Line and that the area would be taken back under state control to support the construction of the said MRT line, it was with quietness and a lack of fanfare that Riders Cafe announced their final hurrah. Before then, I made 2 separate trips to visit the place I had never dined at yet - once in the evening and once during the day. Fearing that there would be a mass of nostalgia seeking diners, I made a booking for both days but the crowds were lower than expected on both days.

17 January 2023 - Coaster with a lovely image of a horseshoe.

17 January 2023 - Crowd of diners during the evening meal.

17 January 2023 - Interior of Riders Cafe during the evening.

17 January 2023 - Caesar salad.

17 January 2023 - Chicken Parmagiana.

17 January 2023 - A view of the stables in the evening.

17 January 2023 - Balcony seats, after they were vacated. The balcony was pretty full on this
particular evening.

17 January 2023 - A view of the entry area to the cafe.

17 January 2023 - Photos of momentous times now past, hanging
on the wall near the entry way from the car park.

17 January 2023 - More photos adorn the parapet.

17 January 2023 - No devil in these details of the iron gate leading to
the cafe.

17 January 2023 - Cafe signage.

12 February 2023 - Stairs leading to the cafe seen during the day.

12 February 2023 - The photos at the entry way during the day.

12 February 2023 - American breakfast.

12 February 2023 - The crowd dining for lunch on the day. This was a week before their closure.

12 February 2023 - A view of the balcony area.

12 February 2023

12 February 2023 - A view of the entry way seen from outside.

12 February 2023 - A view of the building during the day.

12 February 2023 - A view of the stables which will go as well.

12 February 2023 - Horses in the stables.

12 February 2023

17 February 2023 - Other neighbouring buildings.

Speaking with the staff during my second visit, I learnt that their final day would be a week later on 19 February 2023. It was a nice place with a lovely ambience (well, light manure smells wafting over count too), away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Making the most of the limited time left, I'm glad I got to experience the cafe twice before they shuttered for good in the name of progress and development.

There’s something about urban life – you walk out your door, and you’re in a steady of stream of life happening around you, and it’s very easy to get caught up in that stream and simply kind of keep on moving.

~ Dani Shapiro