New eateries in Singapore to try in March 2018
Image adapted from: @ibing_sg
We’re still recovering from our bak kwa overload but with the opening of new eateries, it’s time for round two of feasting. You can definitely make diet allowances when you have an ice-cream popsicle that’s shaped like your favourite fruit, or a Mexican joint in a penthouse in the middle of the CBD.
Don’t let the aftermath of your CNY-bingeing stop you when it comes to trying these 20 new cafes and restaurants.
– Cafes –
1. Bearded Bella
Image credit: @caffeinedaily
Not just another cafe at Craig Road when it comes to Bearded Bella – the Melbourne-influence here is all too apparent when you’re looking at the light-filled space and high ceilings. One of the owners, besides being the winner of the Singapore National Barista Championship, also has prior experience from other popular cafes like Strangers’ Reunion.
The Melbourne usual: Smashed Avo. Image credit: @cliffton_jt
The menu isn’t fully firmed up yet but rest assured: like all other Melbourne’s cafes, there will most likely be a smashed avo dish lurking somewhere.
Address: 8 Craig Road, Tanjong Pagar, Singapore, 089668
Opening hours: Mon to Sun: 7:30AM – 5PM
Telephone: 9880 0775
2. I-Bing
Mango popsicle. Image credit: @bunnymunchies
You know I-Bing will be good when they’re from the same Thai folks who brought us April’s Bakery – the cafe with Cantonese-style pies in flavours like Thai Tea. These popsicles come in Southeast Asian fruit flavours like Durian, Tamarind, and Mangosteen. And here’s why they’re so unique: they not only taste fruity, but they look like exact fruit replicas.
Image credit: @ibing_sg
The logic in us argues that these fruity popsicles are healthier than your average ChocoCone, and for $4.95 to $5.50, they sure make for an affordable icy treat. You can also preorder Rose Pot Ice Cream in the flavours of Pink Milk, Pink Lemonade, and Blueberry Mint (1 for $7.50, 3 for $21).
Image credit: April’s Bakery Singapore
I-Bing also does puppy popsicles so you can lap up your choice of Golden Retriever (Earl Grey), Corgi (Ovaltine), or Dalmatian (Double Cookies and Cream).
Raffles Place outlet
Address: 1 Raffles Place, #B1-38, Singapore, 048616
Opening hours: Mon to Fri: 8AM to 8PM (Closed on Saturdays and Sundays)
Telephone: 8459 4956
Chinatown outlet
Address: 133 New Bridge Road, #B1-35, Singapore, 059413
Opening hours: Mon to Sun: 10AM – 10PM
Telephone: 8122 7604
3. WOLF
Image credit: @rum17raisin
Rice bowls have been all over our IG feeds lately, and WOLF’s menu is solely built on…yep, you guessed it: rice bowls. You can expect the gooey onsen egg and fat Japanese grains for WOLF’s variety, but most interestingly, there are 14 different rice bowls for you to choose from. The Crispy Skin Unagi, Foie Gras & Ikura, and Salmon Mentai all sound equally appetising.
For comparison’s sake, that’s 5 rice bowls more than Tanuki Raw, our regular rice bowl joint. WOLF caters to the CBD crowd, with prices ranging from affordable to a treat-yourself-type lunch from $12.80 to $28.80. The aesthetics and food will work well for a casual team gathering.
Address: 30 Raffles Place, #01-42, Singapore, 048622
4. Wakey Wakey
Image credit: @esmooond
Wakey Wakey does their decor well, mixing industrial fixtures and wooden finishings. Their complete menu will only be available later this month, but for now, give their sweet treats like cakes and waffles a go – the Speculoos Cake is infused with the spiced biscuity taste of speculoos between two fluffy sponge layers.
Image credit: @char_lee86
Since Wakey Wakey’s run by the same folks behind Strangers’ Reunion and Curious Palette, it makes sense that their buttermilk waffles are strikingly similar.
All orders are on a tipping basis until their official launch.
Address: 302 Beach Road, #01-04/05, Singapore, 199600
Opening hours: Mon to Sun: 9AM – 6PM
Telephone: 6291 0227
5. Summer Hill
Image credit: @summerhill.sg
Summer Hill is a quaint French bistro tucked away in an HDB estate – you wouldn’t expect the head chef to have been from the now-defunct Cocotte at Wanderlust Hotel.
Image credit: @summerhill.sg
Dig into home-style French fare like their Signature Roast Chicken ($23 for half, $45 for whole) or their Mustard & Sage Pork Collar ($25). Both comes with two daily sides, which could be anything including: purple kohlrabi coleslaw, roasted baby potatoes, blanched green beans, or green peas.
Address: Block 106 Clementi Street 12, #01-62, Singapore, 120106
Opening hours: Mon to Sun: 11:30AM – 9PM
Telephone: 6251 5337
6. Prodigal Cafe
Image credit: @makanarts
Prodigal Roasters ain’t no stranger to the local cafe scene, but the second Prodigal Cafe has opened with a full-fledged food menu – something the prior was lacking. You’re no longer limited to takeaway coffees, since Prodigal Cafe has a generous 28 seats that’ll let you soak in the aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans.
The food menu includes simple dishes like Grilled Salmon ($17) and Chicken Stroganoff ($15).
Address: 81 Macpherson Lane, #01-55, Singapore, 360081
Opening hours: Thu to Tue: 10AM – 6PM (Closed on Wednesdays)
Telephone: 9450 0484
7. ta-da! The Bistro
Image credit: ta-da! The Bistro
ta-da! The Bistro is a regular cafe that doubles up as a venue to throw an elaborate surprise party for your friend – they’ll be shocked to see their picture or video playing on the screen when they walk in. There’s also a digital jukebox to blast your friend’s favourite tunes.
Image credit: @mr.chimerical
Otherwise, ta-da! The Bistro is also a cosy cafe that serves up Asian fusion food and brunch – mains like Seafood Aglio Olio Spaghettini ($17.90) and Baby Oink Ribs ($25.90) make for a tasty meal.
Address: 51 Bras Basah Road, Manulife Centre, #01-03A, Singapore, 189954
Opening hours: Sun to Thu: 11:30AM – 10PM, Fri to Sat: 11:30AM to 12AM
Telephone: 6560 0859
8. BPC Singapore
Image credit: @BPC Singapore
This one’s for all the hungry students out there – BPC Singapore dishes out rice bowls and their portions are looking generous. The menu’s fairly simple to navigate: sort out your sauce and choose between Black Pepper, Bulgogi, or Curry. As for your meat, you can choose between Beef, Pork, Chicken, Beef Hamburg, Tonkatsu, or Chicken Katsu. Prices range from $7.90 to $9.90.
Address: 175 Bencoolen Street, Burlington Square, #01-57, Singapore, 189649
Opening hours: Mon to Fri: 11AM – 8PM, Sun: 11AM – 3PM (Closed on Saturdays)
Telephone: 6732 1473
9. Casa MANINI
Image credit: @casamanini
Adding to Serangoon Garden’s thriving food scene, Casa MANINI is a new casual Italian bistro that has all our favourite Italian usuals. That means pasta, pizza, and bottles of red wine. The decor is quaint and borderline homely in the most Italian way, with its pastel green walls and wall mural of a seaside Italian town.
Image credit: @casamanini
Lots of their food is suitable for sharing, whether it’s a classic pizza or a giant sharing platter with steak and fries.
Address: 14B Kensington Park Road, Singapore, 557265
Opening hours: Tue to Sun: 12PM – 2:30PM, 6PM – 10PM (Closed on Mondays)
Telephone: 6281 1286
10. Little Farms Cafe
Image credit: @hungryunicornboy
Originally a grocery, Little Farms now has a kitchen that does all-day breakfast and brunch. Since they sell everything your pantry needs – that is, everything that’s organic with a fair trade stamp, you know that they’ll also be serving up food that’s just as legit.
Image credit: @littlefarms
Their brunch fare looks particularly delish, like their Cape Grim Steak & Eggs ($24) and Smashed Avocado ($15).
Address: 491 River Valley Road, #01-20, Singapore, 248371
Opening hours: Mon to Sun: 7:30AM – 9:30PM
Telephone: 6262 0619
– Restaurants –
1. The Brightside
Image credit: @sluggr_club
In bright shades of yellow and green, The Brightside is a refreshing change to the usual bars with dim lighting. You can tell it’s a fun-loving place from their use of crates, indoor faux lawn, as well as colourful stools and beanbags.
Image credit: The Bright Side
Their food menu is varied – think Asian Tacos like Tom Yum Goong or Spicy Street Chicken and burgers like their Gourmet Double Cheese Burger – but all will pair well with one of their cocktails ($15 nett).
Image credit: @mrbrightsidesg
Address: 37 Duxton Hill, Singapore, Singapore, 089615
Opening hours: Mon to Sat: 4PM – 11:45PM (Closed on Mondays)
Telephone: 8427 1232
2. Meating Place
Image credit: @commonmancoffee
With a name like Meating Place, you know that the prime focus will be on meats. These folks have their own in-house dry aging methods and can serve up a mean cut of beef. Their Slow-cooked Wagyu Karubi Rice Bowl ($19) comes with Japanese brown rice, edamame, beans, taro chips, spring onions, and a beautifully oozy onsen egg.
Meating Place does more than red meats; they’ve also got this Tea-Smoked Salmon dish. Image credit: @meatingplace.sg
But surprisingly, Meating Place also fixes up seafood and vegetable dishes for those who aren’t huge meat lovers. They’re doing seafood justice with their Tea-smoked Salmon, that’s smoked to a pale pink that promises to be tender inside.
Address: 7 Fraser Street, Duo Galleria, #01-27, Singapore, 189365
Opening hours: Mon to Fri: 11:30AM – 3PM, 6PM – 9PM, Sat: 6PM – 9PM (Closed on Sundays)
Telephone: 8338 2918
3. The Great Mischief
Image credit: @deeyanahyahya
The Great Mischief is a hotel restaurant but not your standard hotel restaurant with dinner buffets. Instead, they serve up halal Catalan-inspired tapas, and that means more garlic, more oil, and more smoky oomph. The hotel component The Great Madras, is looking on-fleek too with their neon signages and retro wallpaper.
Image credit: @culturefiasco
Pick a few plates of tapas to try; such as their Pasteles De Cangrejo ($8), which is mud crab cake stuffed with corn, onions, and zucchini, as well as Bikini Party ($9) – black truffle paste, mozzarella, and turkey bacon in brioche.
Address: 28 Madras Street, Singapore, 208422
Opening hours: Mon to Thu: 6PM – 10:30PM, Fri: 6PM – 2AM, Sat: 12PM – 2AM, Sun: 12PM – 10:30PM
Telephone: 9392 2762
4. Gastronomad
Madagascar Vanilla Bean Pistachio Parfait. Image credit: @planingidah
It’s a eureka moment. Gastronomad has finally invented Halal wine for all our muslim friends out there, so they can order their mains alongside the wine pairing option. It’s made from grapes but don’t think you’re wasting your money on plebeian grape juice – this halal wine smells and tastes just like wine.
Image credit: @gastronomadsg
Gastronomad has an open kitchen so you can peep in to see what’s cooking. Their Saffron Prawn Risotto ($22.50) or spice-rubbed Ghost Chicken ($12.50) look like excellent choices.
Address: #01-30, 11 Sin Ming Road, Singapore, 575629
Opening hours: Thu to Sat: 5:30PM – 10:30PM, Sun: 8:30AM – 6:30PM
Telephone: 8742 4766
5. alittle Tashi
Image credit: @alittletashi
When looking at alittle Tashi’s menu, only one word comes to mind: unusual. Because how else would you describe a restaurant where you can simultaneously order Blood Cockles ($14), Foie Gras ($35), and Fruit Curry ($9)? It’s an eclectic mix of Asian cuisine, that’s for sure but kudos to them – they certainly deserve the term “Asian Fusion”.
The steps of The Laundry Room. Image credit: @fatmancooking
Besides their sharing plates of Asian Fusion, they also have a bar called The Laundry Room that’s in the back alley of the space. Feel rebellious while you’re sitting on the steps with a cocktail in hand.
Address: 39 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore, 207538
Opening hours: Tue to Sun: 6PM – 12AM (Closed on Mondays)
Telephone: 9757 3680
6. The Hungry Caveman
Image credit: @thehungrycavemansg
The Hungry Caveman’s already a huge hit in China and we’re excited that it’s now in Singapore. How could you not be, when it’s an automated barbecue skewer restaurant? When it comes to picking your meat, the Signature Lamb Skewer ($2.20 per skewer) and Australian Grain Fed Beef Skewer ($2.60 per skewer) both look like solid choices.
Image credit: @thehungrycavemansg
Flavour the meat with the complimentary sauces: peanut, dry chilli, and chilli.
Address: 181 Orchard Road, Orchard Central, #06-25, Singapore, 238896
Opening hours: Mon to Sun: 11AM – 10PM
7. LES 45
Image credit: @lowereastside.45
Such a staid word, but it’s nice when you can dine luxuriously in a penthouse. But don’t expect your usual fine-dining restaurant or rooftop bar, LES 45 brings you the glamour while serving up Mexican dishes that aren’t too fancy.
Image credit: @lowereastside.45
Taking inspiration from NYC’s trendy Lower East Side and at Floor 45 of Singapore Land Tower, this Mexican restaurant’s right in the middle of the CBD. Take a bite out of their chocolate-covered Homemade Churros or a hearty Hake Fish Taco. And they prepare your guac right at your table too.
Address: 50 Raffles Place, #45-03, Singapore, 048623
Opening hours: Mon to Fri: 11AM – 3PM, 5PM – 11PM (Closed on Saturdays and Sundays)
Telephone: 6221 9555
8. SHAO – 烧
Image credit: @shaobbq
From SHAO – 烧’s name, which translates to the word “roast”, it makes sense why they specialise in roast meats. More interestingly, they’re also known for their Signature BBQ Crab ($45 – $55/350 – 600g) which relies on basic ingredients like pepper and salt – this style of cooking is said to enhance the natural sweetness of the crabmeat.
You can choose for the crab to be seasoned with sea salt, black pepper, or their signature BBQ sauce – a Japanese-inspired Unagi Sauce.
Address: 117 Frankel Avenue, Singapore, 458232
Opening hours: Wed to Thu: 11AM – 3PM, 5PM – 11PM, Fri to Sat: 10AM – 3PM, 5PM – 12AM, Sun: 10AM – 11PM, Mon: 11AM – 3PM, 5PM – 11PM
Telephone: 6610 9233
9. High Steaks
Image credit: @highsteakssg
High Steaks is a no-frills diner that fulfills all your meat cravings. If you’re wanting to channel your carnivorous side, this is the place to dig into a platter of 1kg Tomahawk Steak ($75). Other cuts include the Australian Grain Fed Ribeye ($28/250g) and NZ Angus Tenderloin ($38/250g). There are also four signature sauces: Black Pepper, Brown, Cream, and Red Wine.
It’s recommended to reserve your steaks at least 5 hours before heading down.
Address: 8 Jalan Legundi, #01-03, Singapore, 759274
Opening hours: Tue to Fri: 11AM – 3PM, 6PM – 10PM, Sat to Sun: 11AM – 10PM (Closed on Mondays)
Telephone: 6908 0866
10. Takayama
Image credit: Veronica Phua
Wooden bento boxes are looking classy at Takayama. Artfully arranged, this restaurant is a bit atas but we’re appreciating their hard work and effort. Their Lunch Menu caters mainly to working professionals – choose a main like Saikyo Miso Black Cod ($68) or Stewed Agu Pork ($68).
Image credit: Takayama
All lunch sets come with homemade tofu, seasonal otsukuri (sashimi), a seasonal cold appetiser, pickled vegetables, Hokkaido rice, miso soup, and fruit jelly. As for dinner, there’s just the choice of omakase ($280) where you’ll be treated to rarities like black truffle, abalone, and foie gras.
Address: 6A Shenton Way, Downtown Gallery, #01-09/10, Singapore, 068815
Opening hours: Mon to Fri: 12PM – 2:30PM, 6:30PM – 10PM, Sat: 6:30PM – 10PM (Closed on Sundays)
Telephone: 6224 0864
Food joints to feast at in March
We’re loving how there’s a staggering amount of good food to fill our bellies for the month of March. Eat up and stay merry: there’s always a new restaurant or cafe out there
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