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What’s the first thing we Singaporeans do when planning for a holiday vacation? Suss out all the good food in the area. With many famous cafes and restaurants from overseas opening outlets in Singapore this month, even if you didn’t travel in June, you’ll be able to get the best of so many international flavours without leaving town! Save the money for that plane ticket – the best flavours in the world are coming to you!
With food fit for royalty, Crown Bakery’s artisanal breads are free of artificial food colouring, flavouring, preservatives, addictives and chemical improvers. Instead, their chefs are dedicated to the art of baking rustic sourdough loaves and all things bread. Besides the usual ciabatta loaves, the more unusual ones include Hainanese Chicken Bread ($4.50), which is made from chicken soup, skinless chicken thigh, garlic, ginger, and shallots.
More than bread alone, the typical cafe offerings like Crown Breakfast ($29) and Sourdough Buttermilk Waffle ($6 with maple syrup & butter, $9 with 1 scoop of ice cream & fresh fruits) are also on the menu. But here’s the catch: the best ingredients are used, like French mill wheat flour, Hokkaido Kitanokaori flour, German sourdough, French butter, and direct-from-farm honey!
Address: 557 Bukit Timah Road Crown Center, #01-03
Telephone: 6463 3066
Opening Hours: 7.30am-9.30pm (Sun – Thurs), 7.30am-10.30pm (Fri & Sat)
Picture sizzling bacon in a pan, streaks of fat running through the meat… if you’re already drooling, OMB is the cafe for you. A bacon-inspired cafe, everything from food to merchandise has bacon in it. From Bacon Jam with 2 Slices of Baguette ($2) and Bacon Bomb ($28) to Bacon Brownie with Bacon Ice Cream ($9), don’t even step in here if you’re not a bacon fan.
Address: 7 Dunlop Street, Singapore 209337
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm (Tue – Fri), 10am – 10pm (Sat & Sun)
A vintage automobile cafe selling homemade goods and coffee, Car-Rousel is conveniently located in Kallang Wave Mall. The next time you’re done kayaking or rock-climbing at the Sports Hub, head down for some coffee, sandwiches, salad and panna cotta!
Address: 1 Stadium Place, Kallang Wave Mall, #02-12, Singapore Singapore 397628
Telephone: 6384 6822
Opening Hours: 8am – 10pm
First bacon, and now meatballs. There are so many types of meatballs to choose from here: Battered Prawn Triple Sliders ($7.90), which are prawn meatballs tucked into a crispy mantou, and the Signature Ballistic Meatballs ($5.90) – sesame-battered cheesy beef meatballs. Otherwise, you can customise your meal with 4 types of meatball (beef/chicken/seafood/vegetarian) and 3 toppings available!
Address: #02-02/03 Bedok Market Place, 348 Bedok Road, Simpang Bedok
Telephone: 9229 7440
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10pm
La Cure Gourmande brings you the best biscuits and confectionery straight from Paris, guaranteeing to “make you feel like you just stepped back into childhood.” More atas than our traditional iced gems and pinwheel biscuits, their chocolate-filled biscuits are made with cacao from Kenya, while their filled madeleines are available in 5 flavours.
Even with more than 170 different biscuits, chocolates, caramels and nougat, we Singaporeans get to enjoy a new product created specially for the Asian market – pineapple biscuits filled with pineapple jam! Laden with history, tradition and culture, these biscuits will give you a glimpse of France.
Address: #03-09 Takashimaya Shopping Centre
Telephone: 6684 2983
Opening Hours: 10am – 9:30pm
Imagine dining at the very same tearoom as Proust and Coco Chanel! While now impossible, get as close to your dreams by visiting Angelina. Founded in 1903 in France, this tearoom is renowned for its exquisite sophistication and class, and was once the in place for Parisian aristocrats to rub shoulders at.
Angelina’s desserts are no less elegant, but if you’re not born an aristocrat and you’re unwilling to splurge, head straight for their Old-Fashioned Hot Chocolate “L’Africain” ($12) and the Mont Blanc ($13.50). Guaranteed to make you feel like royalty!
Address: Capitol Galleria #01-82, 15 Stamford Road Singapore 178906
Telephone: +65 63840481
Opening Hours: 10am – 8pm
For the uninformed, Neh Neh Pop sounds like the Hokkien slang for boobs. Creatively coined by owner Bjorn Shen who also owns Artichoke, Neh Neh Pop is a creamsicle (popsicle with cream) brand with flavours as wacky as its name.
The Mango Sticky Rice ($7) consists of toasted coconut flakes and Rice Krispie bits stuck on a white chocolate shell, with mango chunks and coconut rice pudding cream underneath. For a safer alternative, try the Strawberry Pockie ($7) – white chocolate and strawberry Pocky bits, encasing strawberry jam and vanilla cream.
Address: 161 Middle Roadd, Singapore, 188978 Singapore
Opening Hours: 6:30pm – 9:45pm (Tues – Fri), 11:30am – 2:45pm (Sat & Sun)
You would’ve heard of Les Amis. One of Singapore’s best restaurants, it was ranked no. 13 in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2015. Due to the popular demand, Les Amis has expanded its pastry section, which is now helmed by Pastry Chef Cheryl Koh.
Fuss-free and without any complicated decorations, her tarts exude simplicity. Freshly baked every day by the chef herself, they are available in limited quantities. Made with the same quality ingredients as Les Amis, these tarts will definitely be a hit.
Address: 1 Scotts Road, Shaw Centre #01-12, Singapore 228208
Telephone: +65 62353225
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 7:30pm
If its name hasn’t warned you adequately, here’s my warning: be prepared to be dazzled by this cafe. From the colourful interior to the never-ending selections of Shibuya-style honey toasts, this popular Taiwanese cafe has finally opened its first outlet in Singapore.
From the Mango and Coconut Gelato Honey Toast ($18.90) to the Matcha with Azuki beans Honey Toast ($19.90), these honey toasts already look dazzling on its own. Try them to see if they live up to the hype!
Address: 15 Stamford Road, #01-85 Capitol Piazza, Singapore 178906
Telephone +65 63843310
Opening Hours:12pm – 8pm
Simple and unpretentious, minimalistic and monochrome, this cafe is what cafes should be: a cool place for people to hang out. Beyond their excellent cuppas, their Cold Brews ($5) are served in medical syringes, while their takeaway involves piccolo servings in unique coffee waffle cones. If you’re a no-frills coffee connoiseur, their Espresso ($3), Black ($4.50) and White ($5) coffees will serve you well.
Address: MavRx Coffee Apothecary, 1A Duxton Hill Singapore 089587
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 4:30pm (Mon – Fri)
After opening her first F&B outlet The Mama Shop, actress Felicia Chin is back, with crabs and seafood in tow. Wholly Crab, a pun spun by the actress herself, aims to serve affordable seafood with a local twist.
Try their Marmite Crab and Nori Tempura Soft Shell Crab, or customise your own seafood bucket using the medley of seafood and sauces available, such as marmite, laksa, cream cheese and spicy tomato. The best ingredients are used, such as Sri Lankan crabs, Argentinean Prawns and Chilean mussels.
Address: Stall 17, Satay By The Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive
Opening Hours 2pm – 10pm (Sun-Thurs), 2pm – 11pm (Fri, Sat, eve of PH, PH)
A serious contender for best Korean chicken in Singapore, Choo Choo Chicken does not fail: fat and juicy wings, with a generous amount of sauce, and it’s succulent and crispy to boot. Their Choo Choo Spam Rice Burger ($6.90) is well-flavoured with sesame oil, Korean seaweed and spam!
Address: 33 Bali Lane s189869 (Arab Street)
Telephone: 6299 0980
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 11pm
Known for their edgy and hip American-style comfort food (read: burgers), MEATliquor has finally opened its doors in Singapore. Bringing you American burgers in a restaurant covered with multicoloured murals, neon signs and thick wooden tables scrawled with faux-poetic quotes, you might find yourself instinctively bobbing along to their hip hop and electro funk music.
Their dishes are uniquely local too – besides their suspicious Dead Hippie ($22) and Dirty Chicken Cheeseburger ($19), their Sambal Fries ($10) and Gunpowder Soft Shell Crab ($14) were specially created for our tastebuds.
Address: 99 Duxton Road, Singapore 089543
Telephone: 6221 5343
Opening Hours: 5pm – 2am, 6pm-10:30pm (Tues – Fri), 5pm – 3am (Sat)
Another Italian restaurant has opened in Singapore, so what makes it stand out? Well, its lunch set is pretty reasonable at $32, the interior of the restaurant is classy, and the service is professional too! Besides using quality and fresh ingredients, this restaurant prides itself on their passion for Italian cuisine.
Featuring dishes like Veal Chop Milanese with Pachino Tomato Salad and Pappardelle with Pork Cheek & Red Wine, their 3 course menu at $32 is a steal for all you OLs in the CBD. Do note that the lunch set is only available from Monday to Friday, 12 noon to 2:30pm.
Address: 55 Market Street, Singapore 048941
Telephone: +65 68776933
Opening Hours: 12pm – 2:30pm, 5:00pm – 12am (Mon-Fri), 6pm – 12am (Sat)
Not all fairy tales have a happy ending. Here’s the truth: the three piglets were eventually killed by the big bad wolf…and turned into pork dishes served at Three Little Pigs! Just kidding – this restaurant does sell mainly pork, turning the little pigs into dishes like Roasted Pork Belly ($16.80) and Pork Chop (from $16.80). Of course, if pigs are your best friend, there’s always the Roasted Farmed Chicken ($16.80) and Caramelised Miso Halibut ($19.80).
Address: 391 Orchard Road #B2-32 Takashimaya Ngee Ann City, Singapore 238872
Telephone: +65 68364988
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10pm (Mon – Thurs), 11am – 10pm (Fri – Sun)
Finally, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s second restaurant in Asia has opened! With a menu straight from London, Bread Street Kitchen is about having fun and being relaxed – not to mention the great view at Marina Bay Sands.
Savour dishes like Roasted sea trout, summer vegetables, Lala clams, aromatic broth ($38) and BSK beef burger, Monterey Jack cheese, spicy sriracha mayo ($26), or if you’re a die-hard Singaporean fan, wait for the team to introduce local flavours into the menu!
Address: Marina Bay Sands Bay Level L1-81, 2 Bayfront Avenue, The Shoppes, Singapore S018972
Telephone: +65 6688 5665
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 5:30pm (Lunch), 5:30pm – 10pm (Sun – Wed), 5:30pm – 12am (Dinner), 11:30am – 1am (Sun), 11:30am – 2am (Fri – Sat)
Move over, Makisan! Rollie Olie is the new player on the block, specialising in california-like rolls: there are currently more than 10 different types of rolls, 9 signature rolls, ‘sushirritos’, and skinny rolls! Made fresh to order, the sushi is packed full of interesting flavours, and best of all, you get the liberty to layer on as much sauce as you like.
Their novel sushi rolls, priced between $12.95 to $16.95, include Bollywood, with curry prawn filling, and Dos Amigos, which combines grilled eel and cream cheese. If 8 pieces of sushi is too filling, their set meal, with 4 pieces of sushi, soup and salad, is available at $12.95.
Address: The Star Vista, 1 Vista Exchange Green, #02-05, Singapore 138617 (Buona Vista MRT)
Telephone: +65 63165710
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon-Sat), 11:30am – 10pm
First, it was pork, and now, chicken. This beautiful Japanese restaurant serves ‘Mizutaki’ – a type of Japanese hotpot – but what’s stunning is its Japanese aura. A spacious interior full of wooden finishings and tatami textures, even the waitresses are dressed in kimonos!
Almost the whole menu is about chicken, but the star of the menu is its hotpot. The Hanamidori Hana full course set ($25.90 per pax) comes with a variety of ingredients, such as gyoza, grilled salmon, chawanmushi and scallops. The soup already comes with collagen, which helps to keep your skin smooth – and if you want an added boost, simply add an extra 100 grams for $2.90.
Address: #04-01 Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road, Singapore 238839
Telephone: 6333 9287
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10pm
This restaurant wasn’t named ‘Twins’ for fun – it’s actually opened by a pair of (good looking) Korean twins! Being a Korean restaurant, fried chicken is obviously on offer, and it’s available in two flavours: Soy & Garlic, and Yangnyum.
But that’s not all – if you’re down with a cold, the Woojar’s Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup (Lunch $13.90 / Dinner $16.90) is the perfect remedy. Spicy seafood noodle soup with huge amounts of seafood, it is flavourful and packs a hearty punch.
Address: 7 Craig Road, Singapore 089667
Telephone: +65 62215025
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 12am
Pizza number 4 is the chef’s favourite – tomato, pulled chicken, cranberry compote, camembert, rocket, extra virgin olive oil ($22). If you’re itching for dessert, you can head over to Baker & Cook next door too!
Read our full experience here.
Address: 1 Swan Lake Avenue Singapore 455700
Telephone: +65 6448 9288
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm (Monday – Thursday), 12pm – 10pm (Friday – Sunday)
With so many new restaurants and cafes this month, there’s no such thing as going to the same outlet twice! If there’s one thing you should pamper more than your skin, it’d be your stomach. After reading this, there’s no excuse now.
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