Shop Like A Parisian At This Tiong Bahru Café

You may recognise this tres cool café that’s popped up all over your Instagram feed recently, but few people know that you can shop like you’re in Paris over here. The array runs the gamut from sunglasses to homeware from — you guessed it — France. The French owners, who are also the folks behind creperie O’Comptoir and French bistro Batignolles, painstakingly sourced for products from artisanal small-batch French makers on their trips back home, so most of these doodads are exclusive to Merci Marcel in Singapore.

Who exactly is Marcel? Nope, it’s not the name of the owner, nor is Marcel even a real person. It’s “a concept”, we’re told. It is, however, based on a character on a painting that you may find somewhere around these cool digs (we won’t spoil the fun for you). We don’t know what it’s like to be like Marcel, but perhaps it starts by carting some of the café’s very own merch back home.

Don’t be fooled by the sleek modern designs. These timepieces tell a tale as old as time — the brand is named after one of the oldest watchmaking towns in France.

So easy peasy to look oh-so-chic with these Izipizi sunnies.

The next best thing besides hopping on a plane to Paris to people-watch at a café? Buy a set of enamel homeware from a French company that has a history of over 80 years. Then make some tea and enjoy with crackers and cheese from Merci Marcel’s counters and pretend you’re on vacay.

How do you say Instagrammable packaging in French? Pair these with wine from the carefully curated selection here that’s imported from independent winemakers in France.

How to enjoy these artisanal jams from Brittany, which come in delectable flavours like salted caramel apple, fig, and pear and vanilla. Step 1: Ditch that diet. Step 2: Slather generous amounts on croissant after croissant. Step 3: Eat.

Merci Marcel is at #01-68, 56 Eng Hoon St. Open Tue to Sat 8am to 11.30pm, Sun 8am to 10pm. For more info, go to www.mercimarcel.com.

Photos: Merci Marcel