As tantalising as it is to browse must-visit lists of cafes and restaurants in Singapore, dining needs and preferences become a little different when you’re planning a meal with the fam. Instead of shuffling the entire tribe over to some cramped, new-fangled hangout spot for youths in town, try these neighbourhood hidden gems on for size.
Whether it’s to keep the hyperactive kids satiated or provide your beloved elders with hearty fare they can actually appreciate without the IG-worthy frills, these 9 family-friendly cafes and restaurants will have your upcoming gatherings sorted.
Woody Family Cafe is a point of pride for Northies, but a well-hidden secret among those who don’t stay on the edge of the island. Tucked in a residential area near Sembawang Park, every last inch of the family-owned and -operated eatery is decked out with eye-catching decor and vintage paraphernalia.
Food wise, Woody has an extensive menu offering authentic Peranakan fare, mod-fusion desserts like ondeh ondeh cakes, and everything else both local and Western in between. The harmonious balance means you can definitely find something to satisfy the kids’ taste buds, without straying too far from traditional food for the older folk’s sake.
Woody Family Cafe
Address: 12F Andrews Ave, Singapore 759930
Opening hours: 3PM-12AM, Daily
Telephone: 6758 1185
Website
A lot of hipster cafes veer towards a picture-perfect vibe where you have to dress and behave as if you’re stepping straight out of the Instagram Explore page. Over at The Larder Cafe, you can dig into scrumptious nosh while kicking back in a way more casual and relaxed atmosphere.
The staff are an affable bunch, and it’s no surprise that the space is frequently booked for customers-turned-friends to celebrate birthdays and other special occasions.
We especially love that they’ve spared plenty of thought for diners with kids in tow, offering 5 different Kid’s Meals each priced at just $9.90++, along with a free cup of juice. Options include pastas, a burger and fish & chips.
They’ve also recently opened their second outlet over at Serangoon Gardens, a testament to the success and popularity of the cafe among locals. Now you know where to head to for a break from Chomp Chomp’s offerings!
The Larder Cafe
Address:
-Blk 177, #01-124 Toa Payoh Central, Singapore 310177
-66A Serangoon Garden Way, Level 2, Singapore 555962
Opening hours: Tue – Sun 11AM-10PM | Closed on Mon
Telephone: 6253 8382 (Toa Payoh) | 6246 4431 (Serangoon)
Website
Crave Kitchen is the East side’s new kid on the block, having just opened in June 2019. The Halal-certified eatery’s degree of success hardly requires more time to determine, often experiencing a full house with their variety of Western mains selling like hotcakes.
Besides burgers and the usual suspects like steak, fish & chips and chicken chops, we highly recommend customising your own pasta concoction.
Mix and match your ideal sauce base – options include aglio olio, carbonara, garlic mushroom and seafood marinara – with protein toppings like praw, ribeye, fish fillet and lamb. Prices start from $8.50, and there’s no GST or service charge.
Craze Kitchen
Address: Blk 201D, #01-1171 Tampines St 21, Singapore 524201
Opening hours: Sun – Thur 11.30AM-11PM | Fri & Sat 11.30AM-2AM
Telephone: 6970 0287
Website
Tiong Bahru is practically synonymous with hipster cafes, and Voyage Patisserie is a new hidden gem that’s well worth the effort to unearth. The moment you set foot within its lofty confines, the chic Parisian decor whisks you away to a fantasy vacation.
Image credit: Eatbook
With tonnes of sunlight flooding in, intimate conversations are guaranteed whether you snag a seat at the sleek tables or bar counter, overlooking the baristas work their magic. The ideal setting for an idyllic tea-time catch-up sesh with the in-laws!
Voyage Patisserie
Address: 249 Outram Road, Singapore 169048
Opening hours: Tue – Thur 10AM-10PM | Fri – Sun 10AM-12AM | Closed on Mon
Telephone: 6223 2490
Website
Made easily accessible with its location within Wisteria Mall, Lim Spring Court serves up traditional Asian cuisine that all generations can appreciate. Expect loads of kampung style dishes cooked with love and care, looking and tasting grand while remaining at humble prices.
The comfy and unpretentious setting makes for wonderful conversations with relatives you haven’t seen since Chinese New Year, and there’s no need to worry about acting all prim and proper as you would in a fancy banquet restaurant.
Lim Spring Court
Address: 598 Yishun Ring Rd, #B1-07 Wisteria Mall, Singapore 768698
Opening hours: 11AM-10PM, Daily
Telephone: 6304 7947
Website
Family suppers are usually a tze char affair; but if you ever find yourself hankering for some Japanese food in the wee hours of morning, Odoru Kuma will come to the rescue.
Open till 3AM every single day, the Jap-BBQ and Steamboat buffet restaurant evokes some serious out-of-Singapore vibes. From the charming facade surrounded by flora to the ultra cool dining benches fashioned after trishaw seats, dining here is definitely a mini adventure in and of itself.
Free-flow meats, toppings and appetisers include premium US beef, Spanish pork and children’s faves such as chawanmushi, chicken nuggets and fried chicken karaage.
Odoru Kuma
Address: 580 Queensway, #01-02, Singapore 149066
Opening hours: 11AM-3AM, Daily
Telephone: 6909 7909
Website
Situated a stone’s throw away from popular Katong eateries such as Chin Mee Chin, 328 Katong Laksa and a slew of hipster cafes, Mel’s Place is truly a hidden gem to flock to when you need a break from the usual crowds.
A spacious sanctuary where you can dine amidst crisp, fresh air and loads of nature, the menu features delectable Western mains as well as tze char favourites with an upgraded twist – think beef hor fun stir-fried with tender Wagyu or Hokkien mee chock full of squid, prawns and scallops.
Stay tuned to their Facebook Page for regular deals and happenings, like 1-for-1 pints to complement live music performances and in-house football screenings. Perfect for some bonding time with Dad!
Mel’s Place Bar & Bistro
Address: 2A Kuo Chuan Avenue, Singapore 426897
Opening hours: Mon – Thur 4PM-1AM | Fri, Sat & PH 4PM-2AM | Sun 3PM-1AM
Telephone: 6440 3573
Website
Even the way light passes through the tinted windows to cast various shades of the rainbow around us made it feel as if we’ve been transported out of Singapore. Definitely something you wouldn’t expect from a heartland eatery in Hougang!
Apart from dainty floral-inspired creations that are almost too gorgeous to gobble down, their menu features quite a number of dark-hued dishes tinged black from charcoal, including Charcoal Wings ($10.90 per half dozen) and Burgers ($13.90 onwards). Not sure if it was intentional, but the juxtaposition certainly reminds us of Princess vs. Villain parallels.
Wild Blooms
Address: 1187 Upper Serangoon Rd, #01-01 The Midtown Residences, Singapore 534785
Opening hours: Tue – Thur 11AM-11PM | Fri & Sat 11AM-11.30PM | Sun 11AM-9PM | Closed on Mon
Email: general@wildblooms.sg
Website
Cafe-hopping is fun, but being bombarded with endless waffles and Eggs Benedicts can suck the joy out of hunting down new places with the fam. Lying at the end of a residential stretch in Kembangan is South Union Park, a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cafe serving brunch delights with a slight fusion twist.
Switch things up in the flavour department with an order of their Scotch Egg with Lemongrass Chilli ($8), mixing a British classic with some piquant Asian spices. We’re also big fans of the Lightly Smoked Edamame Salmon ($23), seared just enough to retain that gloriously pink centre.
South Union Park
Address: 101 Jalan Kembangan, Singapore 419139
Opening hours: Tue – Thur 5.30PM-10PM | Fri 11.30AM-10PM | Sat 11AM-10PM | Sun 11AM-9PM | Closed on Mon
Telephone: 9061 8703
Website
Whether you’re rounding up the family to snap a memorable group shot or documenting the drool-inducing dishes on IG Story, your phone cam is likely to be on standby.
Make full use of the camera-ready conditions by capturing your latest food discoveries and posting them on Instagram with the hashtag #ShiokFoodFind, making sure to tag the @ShiokFoodFind account as well.
If the account reposts your pic, you’ll snag a $50 voucher to splurge on even more food adventures. It’s as simple as that!
As a nifty bonus, following @ShiokFoodFind also grants you access to a constant stream of food-related news, deals and happenings submitted by fellow foodies.
This post was brought to you by Shiok Food Find.
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