Singapore’s oldest restaurants
High tea sets or brunch sessions are always solid choices – your mum certainly wouldn’t mind either. But this Mother’s Day, treat her to a meal that’s sure to bring back memories. Whether it’s the retro floor tiles or the spread of traditional dishes, here are 5 old school restaurants to make your mum feel young again.
And don’t go in assuming that these restaurants are anything like your downstairs char kway teow joint. Instead, take the chance to get all dressed up for a memorable Mother’s Day out.
1. Chin Mee Chin Confectionery
Another oldie but goodie: Chin Mee Chin Confectionery is a local coffee shop that’s been around since 1925. With mosaic tiles in blue and white, this place has a range of pastries that your mum would’ve loved as a kid. There’s everything from custard puffs to swiss rolls, from fruit cake slices to curry puffs.
Wearing: Luxury Bangle in Pink ($279)
But it’s most known for their Kaya Bun ($1.20), perfect for a simple breakfast to bask in the ambience of old-school Singapore. Instead of the kaya toast slices you’ll find at Toast Box or Killiney, the kaya here comes heartily slathered in toasted buns.
Wearing: Further Thin Bangle in Rose Gold ($199) and Eternal Watch ($799)
Address: 204 East Coast Road, Singapore 428903
Opening hours: Tue to Sun, 8:30AM – 4PM (Closed on Mondays)
Telephone: 6345 0419
2. Shashlik Restaurant
Wearing: Latisha Choker ($279) and Latisha Strandage ($399)
Shashlik Restaurant is along Orchard Road, but tucked away in one of those ulu buildings that no one really ventures in. It was opened in 1986 by nine Hainanese migrants, who all got their Russian culinary skills by working in Russian cruise liners.
Wearing: Latisha Choker ($279)
It’s worth heading down, not just for its nostalgic atmosphere, but to taste their Oxtail Stew ($32) and Borsch Soup ($7) – local takes on the classic Russian dishes.
Wearing: Further Thin Bangle in White ($199)
Address: #06-19 Far East Shopping Centre, 545 Orchard Road, Singapore 238882
Opening hours: Tue to Sun: 12PM – 2:15PM, 6PM – 9:15PM (Closed on Mondays)
Telephone: 6732 6401
3. Spring Court
Wearing: Latisha Pierced Earring Jackets ($189) and Crystalline Pure Watch ($799)
Spring Court’s been all over Singapore from East Coast to Chinatown, but the fact remains – it’s Singapore’s oldest Chinese restaurant. Dating back to 1929, Spring Court was probably the in restaurant of your grandma’s time.
People would flock to its original branch in Great World Amusement Park for weddings and other massive celebrations that needed a full-fledged banquet menu.
Wearing: Lollypop Ring ($299)
Now, their restaurant’s housed in a 4-storey building in the middle of Chinatown. Pull up a straight-back wooden chair and try their Popiah ($7.50), which is stuffed with huge filings of prawns, radish, and veggies.
Wearing: Lollypop Ring ($299) and Crystalline Pure Watch ($799)
Address: 52-56 Upper Cross Street, Singapore 058348
Opening hours: Mon to Sun: 11AM – 3PM, 6PM – 10:30PM
Telephone: 6449 5030
4. Islamic Restaurant
Wearing: Sparkling Dance Flower Necklace in Medium ($299) and Sparkling Dance Flower Necklace ($199)
At a mighty 97 years old, Islamic Restaurant is the oldest on our list. It’s housed in a shophouse along North Bridge Road, and once you step through its doors, it’s like a blast to the past. Black and white photos are scattered across the walls and their tables are lined with printed tablecloths.
Wearing: Sparkling Dance Flower Necklace in Medium ($299)
Then, you can’t help but notice the wafting aroma of their Nasi Briyani. Order two sets for you and your mum – it comes with light and fluffy grains or rice, with a choice of Chicken ($10), Mutton ($11), or Fish ($11).
Address: 745 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198713
Opening hours: Mon to Thu: 10AM – 10PM, Fri: 10AM – 1PM, 2PM – 10PM, Sat to Sun: 10AM – 10PM
Telephone: 6298 7563
5. Yet Con Hainanese Chicken Rice
Wearing: Stone Round Pendant in Pink ($189) and Stone Round Pendant in White ($189)
This Hainanese chicken rice joint has been around since the 40s – your mum’s sure to have wandered in here back in the day to get her fill of traditional chicken rice. In fact, Yet Con Hainanese Chicken Rice is so traditional that there’s no soy sauce when served.
Wearing: Further Thin Bangle in White ($199)
Otherwise, their Chicken Rice Steamboat ($12/person) is great for sharing, especially when it comes with seafood platters to cook in chicken broth. While eating, sit on one of their quaint wooden chairs and ask about her escapades when young – you’ll be surprised at how many exciting stories she has to share.
Address: 25 Purvis Street, Singapore 188602
Opening hours: Mon to Sun: 12PM – 7PM
Telephone: 6337 6819
Restaurants for Mother’s Day
Rather than sipping tea at yet another hotel lobby, treat your mum to a meaningful meal at one of Singapore’s old school restaurants this Mother’s Day. Take the chance to ask after her favourite memories and then surprise her with a gift that’ll create plenty more.
Wearing: Sparkling Dance Flower Necklace in Medium ($299)
Sparkling crystals from Swarovski are sure to tug on her heartstrings, especially when their Mother’s Day collection has five distinct jewellery lines: Latisha, Sparkling Dance, Gabriella, Stone, and Live.
Wearing: Eternal Watch ($799)
Wearing: Latisha Pierced Earring Jackets ($189)
The Latisha Pierced Earring Jackets ($189) will be a huge hit with its drop-through pearls, while the Latisha Choker ($279) is an easy way to glam up any outfit.
Wearing: Latisha Choker ($279), Further Thin Bangle in White ($199), and Latisha Strandage ($399)
From delicate monochrome strands with floral motifs to gleaming pavé bracelets, there’s something for every mum out there.
Find out more about Swarovski’s Mother’s Day collection here!
This post was brought to you by Swarovski.