Singapore’s dessert scene is losing two familiar names.
On 6 August 2026, Japanese-French patisserie Pantler announced that it could close after 12 years, while Laurent Cafe & Chocolate Bar announced the closure of its 20-year-old Robertson Quay cafe.
There is, however, a small difference between the two.
Pantler is still hoping that someone will take over the business before its planned final day on 30 August. Meanwhile, Laurent Cafe & Chocolate Bar is set to serve customers for the final time on 10 August, although the Laurent Bernard Chocolatier brand itself is not disappearing.
Pantler May Close on 30 August Unless Someone Takes Over
Pantler announced on Instagram on 6 August that it would close on 30 August 2026 unless it can find someone to continue the business.
The patisserie was founded in 2014 by Singaporean Matthias Phua and Japanese pastry chef Tomoharu Morita.
Both had worked at Grand Hyatt Tokyo, where they met, and later worked at Joël Robuchon Singapore.
Pantler began as a small bakery on Telok Ayer Street before moving to its current, larger premises at 474 River Valley Road in 2021.
Over the years, it built a following for its Japanese-French pastries, including its Yatsura chocolate-hazelnut cake, Strawberry Shortcake, Pantler Cheesecake and Chou à la Crème.
However, Phua said rising operating costs and the challenging business environment had made continuing Pantler in its existing form difficult.
The owners had considered shutting the physical cafe and operating from a central kitchen instead, focusing on online orders and takeaways.
However, Phua said that option would still require considerable investment without any guarantee of a return.
Instead, they are now looking for someone to take over or acquire Pantler.
Phua told The Straits Times that this could be an existing operator, a hospitality group or an entrepreneur who sees value in continuing the established brand.
So technically, this is not necessarily the end of Pantler just yet.
If nobody steps forward, however, 30 August will be its final day.
Laurent Cafe & Chocolate Bar Is Closing After 20 Years
Just hours after the Pantler closure story emerged, another longstanding dessert business delivered similar news.
Laurent Cafe & Chocolate Bar at Robertson Quay announced on Facebook on 6 August that it was closing.
The cafe was opened in 2006 by French pastry chef Laurent Bernard and his wife Iveta, making it 20 years old this year.
Before the arrival of many of Singapore’s newer artisanal chocolatiers, Laurent Bernard Chocolatier had already been serving handmade chocolate bonbons, chocolate soufflés, cakes and other desserts from its Robertson Quay home.
The business subsequently expanded to other locations, including Portsdown Road, Takashimaya and Shenton Way. Those outlets eventually closed, leaving the Robertson Quay cafe as its sole dine-in outlet.
According to chef-owner Bernard, the decision to close was due to the financial burden of operating the cafe.
He said reduced foot traffic around Robertson Quay and rising rental costs had also affected the business.
The cafe initially announced that 6 August itself would be its last day, but its closing date was subsequently extended.
Its confirmed final day is now 10 August 2026.
The Laurent Bernard Chocolatier Brand Is Not Disappearing
The good news for people who still need their chocolate fix is that the closure only affects the cafe.
Laurent Bernard Chocolatier will continue its online business.
Customers will still be able to order cakes, chocolate boxes and other products for delivery or self-collection from its central kitchen at MacTaggart Road.
Bernard said he currently has no plans to open another cafe and will instead focus on the online business.
So while the familiar Robertson Quay location is saying goodbye after two decades, the chocolates themselves are not going anywhere just yet!
For Pantler, meanwhile, its fate now depends on whether a buyer appears before the end of August.
