Mood for Food: Central Perk

Reporters Avanya Rao and Diya Navlakha explored one of the themed cafes that resides in the heart of Singapore, modeled after the iconic TV show, Friends.

For anyone born before the mid 2000s, the names Joey, Chandler, Phoebe, Ross and Monica were household names. The hit sitcom, Friends, aired for the first time in 1994 and lasted ten seasons, ending with its final episode in 2004.

Who would have thought that a comedy revolving around the lives of six people in their twenties and thirties, living in New York City, could have such a long-lasting impact on the television industry and people’s lives as a whole? Here in Singapore, there is a Friends themed cafe centered purely around the show’s plot, setting and characters. Named after the iconic coffee house where the characters of the show spent countless episodes chatting and sipping their staple coffees, Central Perk is a vibrant and extremely aesthetic example of the rise of themed cafes around Singapore.

Central Perk has managed to incorporate every element of the TV show, from Rachel’s wedding dress to Joey and Chandler’s foosball table. The cafe showcases the three most common hangouts of the characters – Central Perk Cafe, Monica’s kitchen, and Joey and Chandler’s living room.

Even the menu is filled with inside jokes from the sitcom including, “Joey’s You’re My Everest Turkey” and each character’s signature coffee served in the classic oversized mugs. Although on the pricey side, the proportions of the featured menu items are more than sufficient. Similarly, service is excellent – food arrives quickly and is served by friendly faces who play an integral role in the overall experience.

Overall, Central Perk is definitely up there as one of the most authentic themed cafes we’ve ever visited. Whether you’re an avid fan of and want to catch up on some of your favorite Friends episodes (they are streamed constantly on a projector in the center of the cafe) or just in the mood for a good cup of coffee, we highly recommend Central Perk as a place to satisfy your caffeine fix.

1 Magazine Road