Singaporeans will soon be able to order a Double-Double, Iced Capp and Timbits at Timmies. Iconic Canadian coffeehouse chain Tim Hortons is opening its first local outlet at VivoCity at 10am on Friday (Nov 17). This marks the brand’s first foray into Singapore.

A household name in Canada, Tim Hortons is well-known for its range of coffee beverages paired with doughnuts, paninis, American-style chilli, burgers and soup. But you can only get selected menu items here (more on that later).

8days.sg got a sneak peek at the cafe ahead of its opening.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The shop is located at a first-floor corner of VivoCity (near Bath & Body Works). Once you spot it, you can’t miss the Canadian-ness of it. The storefront is emblazoned with a gigantic maple leaf and a supersized coffee cup for photos.

OPENING MORE OUTLETS

Tim Hortons Singapore was brought in by Japanese conglomerate Marubeni Corporation, which has set up a subsidiary called Marubeni Growth Capital Asia to handle its expansion into the F&B industry.

Other than VivoCity, the company has already planned to open three more outlets here: At Nex this December, Suntec City next January and One Raffles Place next April.

THE MENU

Tim Hortons’ classics are all here, except for the aforementioned chilli and soups. You can order savoury Sourdough Melts sandwiches made a la minute, with six flavours available like Maple Glazed Chicken Ham & Cheese (S$9.90), Truffle Mushroom (S$9.90) and Triple Cheese & Caramelised Onion (S$8.90).

Each sourdough panini is topped with a layer of cheddar before being grilled and served hot. We recommend going for the Triple Cheese & Caramelised Onion sandwich. The mozzarella, cheddar and American cheese sauce blend offers an insane cheese pull, and is pressed with sweet caramelised onions and spring onions. Tasty stuff.

DOUGHNUTS

You can also get doughnuts for dine-in or takeaway. The options are displayed in a glass case at the entrance, and include Timmies’ longtime bestsellers like the Boston Cream Donut (S$3.50), Strawberry Belgian White Chocolate Donut (S$4.50), Belgian Dark Chocolate Donut (S$4.50), Maple Salted Caramel Donut (S$3.50) and Yuzu Lemon Cream Donut (S$4.50). There are also old-school picks like Classic Glaze Donut (S$2.90).

We find most of the doughnuts here too sweet for our liking, but the fragrant Maple Salted Caramel Donut and the tangy Yuzu Lemon Cream Donut are worth the calories. We remember enjoying a Honey Cruller from a Timmies outlet in Canada years ago, but sadly that’s not on the menu here.

TIMBITS

No trip to Timmies is complete without a box of Timbits. They are the coffeehouse chain’s signature little doughnut balls, which come in three flavours including Classic Glaze, yummy cinnamon-dusted Cinnamon Sugar and Birthday Cake with sprinkles, offered in a 10-piece box for S$10.

CAKES

There are also cakes from a supplier with Singapore-inspired flavours like Ondeh Ondeh (S$7.90 a slice).

DOUBLE DOUBLE, TRIPLE TRIPLE

If you keep hearing people ordering “double double” or “triple triple” (from S$5 for a regular cup) at Tim Hortons, know that they are getting the classic Canadian order of coffee with either double or triple shots of cream and sugar packets.

Kopi-o kosong (black coffee without sugar) diehards can try the “single single” instead, which has the cream and sugar reduced accordingly. There are also Signature Lattes in your choice of hot or iced, with a more unusual Maple Cinnamon (S$7) option.

ICED CAPP

The ice-blended beverages go by the name Iced Capp, and the VivoCity cafe offers five coffee flavours like Salted Caramel Macchiato (from S$7 for regular size) and Dark Chocolate Chip Mocha (from S$7.50 for regular). Non-caffeinated options include the local-exclusive Matcha (from S$7 for regular) and Summer Berry (from S$7 for regular).

Just let the barista pipe a mini mountain of whipped cream on your Iced Capp: The beverages here all lean on the very-sweet side and you might as well just give in and indulge.

Do note that during the opening period, customers are limited to a maximum purchase of one six-piece box of doughnuts, one 10-piece box of Timbits, two beverages and two Sourdough Melts.

TIM HORTONS MERCH

You can also buy a selection of special Tim Hortons merch, some Singapore-themed, like tumblers, mugs and coffee beans.

OPENING PROMOTIONS

As with most store openings, there are special promotions. But Tim Hortons’ offers are exceptionally generous. From Nov 17 to 19, the first 100 daily customers will get to redeem a free regular-sized Cafe Latte every week for six months. You heard it from us here: Be prepared for the long queues.

On its opening day on Nov 17, the cafe is also giving away exclusive Tim Hortons merch to the 101st to 200th customers, and a swag box worth S$80 to 30 best-dressed customers.

There’s also an ongoing promotion where customers who download Tim Hortons Singapore’s app and sign up for a membership can get a free regular cup of Cafe Latte.

Tim Hortons Singapore opens Nov 17 at 1 HarbourFront Walk, #01-207, VivoCity, Singapore 098585. Open daily 10am to 10pm.

This story was originally published in 8Days.

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Iconic Canadian coffeehouse chain Tim Hortons to open first Singapore outlet on Nov 17