Oh December, the time of the year when bright lights and festive decorations are strewn across every building in sight. Of course, festivities aren’t complete without the glorious spread of food to stuff ourselves silly. With the smell of roasted turkey and gingerbread cookies lingering in the air, the best time of the year has finally arrived. Indeed, tis’ the season to be hungry, I mean jolly.
From sweet treats like cinnamon apple cookie Dutch pancakes to savoury goodies like spicy cheese kimchi fried rice, dive into our monthly guide and find your way to the hottest restaurants and cafes in town.
Remember when your parents told you not to play with your food? Chicken Clinic got that memo and pretty much tossed it in the trash. With their Korean spicy sauce syringes, surgical trays and huge tweezers that double up as cutlery for you to dissect your meal, playing with food has never been this fun!
Treat yourself at this hospital-themed cafe, serving up Korean fried chicken with a hint of Japanese flavours. Get the signature Seasoned Spicy Chicken ($19.50) for that authentic Korean Spiciness or the Chicken Yaki Udon ($15.50) for Korean-Japanese fusion goodness.
Address: Thomson V two, #01-13, 11 Sin Ming road, S(575629)
Opening Hours: Mon to 4 pm – 9.30 pm | Tues to Sun – 12 pm to 9.30 pm
Tel: 8451 4011
Website
I looove my desserts. So put Korean bingsu, Italian gelato and Belgium waffles together at Caffebene, and I’m completely sold. With this popular Korean cafe finally arriving on our shores, take your pick from over 13 different kinds of waffle concoctions!
Satisfy all your bingsu cravings with the signature Green Tea Tower Bingsu ($15.90 or $20.90) and if you’re looking for something savory, try out their Garlic and Cheese Honey Bread ($13.90) too!
Address: 1 HarbourFront Walk, VivoCity, #02-150, S(098585)
Opening Hours: 8 am – 10 pm daily
Tel: 6635 1778
Website
With their ridiculously photogenic interior design and equally-as-Instagrammable food, snapping a pic your meal at Populus Coffee & Food Co. will up your Instagram game.
You won’t find your usual Eggs Benedict kind of brunch staple at this all-day breakfast hangout. Instead you’ll find a variety of brunch dishes like the Populus ‘Chicken Rice’ Donburi ($18), Lemon & White Chocolate Sundae ($14) and even the Spring Pancake with Fried Chicken ($21). Time to step out of your cafe comfort zone and find your new brunch favourite!
Address: 146 Neil Road, S(088875)
Opening Hours: 10 am – 7 pm daily
Tel: 6635 8420
Website
Stroll along Telok Ayer Street nonchalantly and you might just miss this quaint little cafe. Hidden behind an assuming door, Free the Robot offers sandwiches, salads and mains like Handmade Mushroom Chicken Meatball Linguine ($9). After you’re done letting your itchy hands fiddle around with the robots scattered around the cafe, try out the signature brew, Free the Robot ($6) – infused with a blend of coconut, espresso and milk.
Address: 118 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068587
Opening Hours: Tues to Sat 8.30 am – 4.30 pm | Closed on Sun and Mon
Tel: 6438 1836
Website
Just look at this drool-worthy signature Chocolate Avalanche ($13.90). Made of a chocolate molten lava cake resting upon a layer of almond nougatine that’s waiting to ooze all over the orange infused vanilla ice cream below, this chocolatey treat looks absolutely delish. And if you were born with an extra sweet tooth, Non Entrée Desserts will do a fine job of satisfying all of your sugary cravings!
Address: 204 Rangoon Road, S(218451)
Opening Hours: Tues to Thurs 2 pm – 10 pm | Fri 2 pm – 11 pm | Sat 12 pm – 11 pm | Sun 12 pm – 10 pm
Website
The next time you decide to cafe hop around the island, be sure to include this new kid on the block on your list! Get your Eggs Benedict fix with a twist with 20F Specialty Coffeehouse’s Pulled Pork Benedict ($18). And no cafe experience is complete without the classic waffles and ice cream combination, so be sure to try out the Espresso Kahlua Waffle ($12) while you’re here!
Address: 20 Foch Road, S(209261)
Opening Hours: Tues to Sun 10 am – 10 pm | Closed on Monday
Website
Never settle for half-cooked homemade pancakes made with idiot-proof premixed batters ever again when you try these Dutch baby pancakes at Hot Pans. With Dutch baby pancake flavours like Cinnamon Apple Cookie ($7.50) and Lemony Mixed Berries ($9) topped with fresh fruits and a scoop of ice cream each, this right here is the real deal.
Address: 348 Bedok Road, #02-14, S(469560)
Opening Hours: Tue to Sun 12 pm to 10 pm | Closed on Mon
Tel: 9690-1079
Website
No, you’re not going to find preserved animal parts or anything too exotic at this concept store. From the same folks behind The Lab SG, check out some locally made gourmet goods like handmade nougats, granola and marmalade stored in traditional “sinseh” jars.
Address: 9 Jalan Pisang, #01-01, S(199076)
Opening Hours: Mon to Sat 12 pm – 8.30 pm
Tel: Mon to Sat 12 pm – 8.30 pm | Closed on Sun
Website
Nestled in Koreatown along Tanjong Pagar Road, Da Bang brings you Aussie brunch and desserts with a Korean twist. Dive into the Nacho Cheese Omelette ($16) stuffed with mozzarella cheese, salsa sauce, crushed nachos and all that yummy goodness!
When night falls, Da Bang transforms into a Korean-Mexican fusion bistro called Don’t Tell Mama. Serving up delectable guilty pleasures like Bulgogi Quesadilla ($12) and Garlic Prawn Fries ($18), you’ll want to get your hands dirty here!
Address: 52 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088473
Opening Hours: Mon to Sun 7.30 am – 5.00 pm, 5 pm – 12 am
Tel: 6221-2007
Website
As the name suggests, this one’s for all the otakus out there. Introducing Singapore’s first anime themed ice cream parlour! Emulating Japan’s peculiar culture, expect to find quirky sorbet flavours like beer and bakua here. If that’s not Japanese eccentric, you’ll also be surrounded by shelves of manga comics and all sorts of collectible figurines from classic animes too!
Address: Kelantan Road, Blk 30, #01-99, S(200030)
Opening Hours: Mon 12.30 pm – 6 pm; Wed to Thurs 12.30 pm – 10 pm; Fri to Sat 12.30pm – 12 am; Sun 12.30 pm – 6 pm | Closed on Tues
Website
If you’ve never been to the National Gallery Singapore, the latest and arguably the most prestigious attraction in Singapore, you’re missing out! After touring the gorgeous museum, head down to National Kitchen By Violet Oon Singapore located in the historical City Hall building.
Immerse yourself in the full cultural experience as Singapore Nyonya, Violet Oon, whips up a repertoire of Peranakan-Western delicacies like Buah Keluak Pasta ($24) and Cod in Creamy Laksa Sauce ($34). No Peranakan meal is complete without dessert and the Roti Jala With Gula Melaka And Banana Sauce ($10) sounds like the perfect Nyonya dessert that’ll hit the spot!
Find out more about the National Gallery Singapore here.
Address: 1 St. Andrew’s Road, #02–01, National Gallery Singapore (City Hall Wing), S(178957)
Opening Hours: 11 am – 3 pm, 6 pm – 11 pm daily
Tel: 9834 9935
Website
There’s so much more to Korean food than just bingsu and kimchi. If you’re looking to get out of the mainstream and try something new, Masizzim is your best bet. With hearty Korean meat stews, crisp pancakes, rice bowls and rice balls that you’ll even get to try rolling, jio your friends for a new taste of Korea!
Address: 313 Orchard Rd, #B3-02, S(238895)
Opening Hours: Mon to Thurs 11 am – 10pm | Fri to Sat 11 am – 11 pm | Sun 11 am – 10 pm
Tel: 6509 5808
Website
With bars dotted all over the island, you might have thought you’ve seen it all. They all have the usual booze display cabinets, dim lighting and high tables and seats, right? Wrong! Introducing Fu Lin Bar & Kitchen, Yong Tau Fu bar by day and Asian Tapas bar by night. Starting from $6 for 6 items accompanied with their signature noodles, get your Yong Tau Fu fix here with a side of booze for the perfect mid day meal.
When night falls, tuck into some Asian inspired tapas like the Dali’s Pork Feet ($12) and get a taste of the Young Tau Foo ($18), a special in-house cocktail made out of pressed beancurd and Snow Leopard vodka.
Address: 127 Telok Ayer Street, S(068596)
Opening Hours: Mon to Sat 10 am – 3pm, 5 pm – 12 am | Closed on Sunday
Tel: 6423 0311
Website
The next time you’re in the mood for some deep fried crispy chicken, head over to Ann Siang Road’s latest addition – Bird Bird. Claiming the title of the Palace of Thai Chicken, Bird Bird serves up authentic Thai fried chicken with dishes like the Bird Slayer Pancake ($22) – a rich coconut and corn pancake slapped with fried chicken and drizzled with a fish sauce caramel.
Another must try is the Thai doughnuts ($10) served with a Thai kaya dip, and the upgraded version of your average Thai milk tea – Thai red milk tea slushie ($5).
Address: 18 Ann Siang Road, S(069698)
Opening Hours: Tues – Sun 6.30 pm – 10 pm
Website
Embrace your short attention span when the munchies strike with local and international cuisines at ADHD. Located within the absolutely gorgeous The South Beach Hotel designed by renowned French designer Philippe Starck, take your pick from sharing plates, steaks, pastas, brunch dishes and more!
Address: The South Beach, 30 Beach Road, S(189763)
Opening Hours: 6.30 am – 11 pm daily
Tel: 6818 1888
Website
When Clarke Quay gets a little too crowded and noisy, how about dining next to the Benjamin Sheares bridge and having a view overlooking the Kallang River instead? Get your fix of American comfort food with your booze with dishes like the flame grilled St Louis Smokey BBQ Pork Ribs ($32) and a side of Chilli Cheese Fries ($14) in this nautical-themed restaurant!
Address: 11 Rhu Cross, PAssion WaVe @ Marina Bay, #01-02, S(437440)
Opening Hours: Tues – Fri 12pm – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 10pm | Sat – Sun 12pm – 10pm | Closed on Mon
Tel: 6268 5225
Website
The festivities aren’t complete without some roast meat to fill our hungry bellies. Instead of having the usual turkey and ham, add an Asian twist to your Christmas dinner. Tucked away in Asian Civilisations Museum, Empress specialises in roast meats with dishes like the Empress Sweet And Sticky Pork Ribs ($18) and the Royal Peking Duck ($38). They also have set lunches priced at $38++ and set dinners priced at $88++!
Address: 1 Empress Place, #01-03, Asian Civilisations Museum
Opening Hours: 11.30am to 3pm, 6 to 11pm daily
Tel: 6238 8733
Website
If you’re the kind of person who savours that thick slab of butter sandwiched between your kaya toast, you’re gonna love Buttergrill. With their 10 signature herb butters including flavours like truffle, red wine and figs and even spicy salted egg yolk lavishly painted on your grilled meats and seafood, prepare your palate for an epic masterpiece of flavours. For drinks, the Vodka Espresso Milkshake ($12) is great for giving your meal that extra kick.
Address: 114 Tanjong Pagar Road, S(088529)
Opening Hours: Mon – Thurs 11am – 10:30pm | Fri – Sat 11am – 12:30am | Sun 9am – 4pm
Tel: 6221 2354
Website
You’ve made it through the whole work week in one piece, so there’s no shame in pigging out! Celebrate TGIF tapas-style American grub at The Quay Kitchen and Bar and try out the Pork and Mushroom Wontons with Soy Ginger Dip ($8). If you’ve really worked up an appetite, treat yourself to a Bacon Pizza ($16) to go along with some beer, wine or cocktails.
Address: 86 Robertson Quay, #01-02, S(238245)
Opening Hours: Tues – Fri 5pm – 11pm | Sat – Sun 8am – 11pm | Closed on Mon
Tel: 6734 7241
Website
Who says you have to settle for churros and hot dogs the next time you and your kakis drop by USS or Adventure Cove? Bringing you a mix of Cantonese, Sichuan and Shanghainese cuisines, fuel up at Avenue Joffre or if you’re planning for some adrenaline pumping fun and don’t want to “merlion” on the Battlestar Galactica, opt for some light dim sum with dishes like the Pork and Mushroom Siew Mai ($5) or the Steamed Egg Yolk Bun ($5).
Address: 26 Sentosa Gateway, Resort World Sentosa, #02-137 – 139, S(098138)
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm daily | 11am – 10:30pm on Fri
Tel: 6570 3213
Website
Whether you’re having a grand festive feast or a quiet dinner with your closest friends, finding the right place to makan is the key to a great time. With 20 more options for you to choose from this December, time to start hunting down your new favourite hangout and start planning for those epic year end meals!
If you’ve exhausted this month’s list, check out last month’s and let the food hunt continue!
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