SINGAPORE — A magazine named after a food product? A periodical with an artist on the cover instead of an iconic landmark?

Yep, Cereal and The Travel Almanac are just two of the many indie travel titles which have sprung up in recent years. “Niche travel magazines are thriving because more people want to read unusual content. The articles also last, compared to those in traditional glossies, which may not be as relevant after a while due to trends and popularity,” explained Annabelle Fernandez of Magpie, a local retailer of independent magazines.

FOR VISUAL READING: CEREAL

With a title inspired by the act of reading the back of breakfast cereal boxes, Cereal prides itself on deeply researched articles on travel and food. The photos here are absolutely stunning, whether it’s capturing ube (purple yam from the Philippines) or Villa Rufolo in Ravello, Italy. Bigger things are in the making: The mag launched its bespoke online city guides called Guided and collaborated with several brands to produce notebooks, bags and candles.

FOR A TASTE OF TRADITION: AFAR

What’s so bad about knowing what to do and where to hang out with the locals? San Francisco’s Afar started small in 2009 but has grown increasingly popular. It hews to some traditional elements of travel mags with list-type pieces such as Dreamy Hotels Worth A Detour, while offering wonderfully written and candid stories.

FOR ARTY -FARTY CULTURAL DISCUSSIONS: THE TRAVEL ALMANAC

This bi-annual title examines the idea of travel from the perspective of cultural figures — Barney, director David Lynch, publisher Angelika Taschen, singer-songwriter Kazu Makino have all been interviewed. Hotels are reviewed, too, running the gamut from big-name properties to tiny inns.

FOR LIFE-CHANGING PERSPECTIVES: WHEREVER

Launched April last year, Wherever bills itself as an “out of place journal”. In true journal style, articles are weighty and literary. They range from a war reporter living in Syria under siege to an analysis about the relationship between footwear and the places we go.

FOR A HYPER LOCAL FOCUS: WE ARE HERE, BOAT

Both magazines zoom in on one particular location for each issue. The former holds no punches when it delves deep into the grit, glory and psyche of cities such as Dubai and Kathmandu. Articles include a point of view from a migrant worker in Dubai and an account of the massacre of Nepal’s royal family. Meanwhile, Boat sets its writers loose to meet unusual locals and explore the city for surreal experiences (a Bonsai business in Kyoto or visiting an empty TV station in Athens, anyone?). What’s gold in Boat are also the essays from famed residents like Jeffrey Eugenides decrying the “ruin porn” that characterises the writing on his hometown Detroit. SERENE LIM

Afar, Cereal, The Travel Almanac and Wherever are available from www.magpie.com.sg. Boat and We Are Here can be purchased on their respective websites.