Adira Chow

Some 300 or so new restaurants open in Singapore every month – let that sink in for a bit. For anyone who’s counting, that’s almost 10 restaurants a day. And sure, we might be a hungry bunch – who can blame us, we’re one of the world’s best cities for food after all – but that number is still on all accounts, pretty astronomical.  So since Singapore’s food scene never sleeps, neither shall we. We’re constantly eating our way through freshly opened joints to discover the next hottest dining ticket in town, whether it’s your favourite chef making waves with a new concept, or an undiscovered restaurant that needs to see the light. Without further ado, here’s bringing you the best new restaurants in Singapore this year – all tried, tasted, and approved by our team.  RECOMMENDED: The 50 best restaurants in Singapore you must try and The 50 best bars in Singapore

When it comes to romance, the setting can make all the difference. Whether you're celebrating a milestone or just want to impress your date, Singapore boasts plenty of enchanting spots to enjoy a memorable meal with that special someone. From cosy, candle-lit corners to stylish venues with million-dollar views, these restaurants are perfect for setting the mood. But not just that — they come with stellar food and top-notch service to boot. So if you're planning to dial up the romance for your next date night, or perhaps pop the big question, then look no further than this list of the most romantic restaurants in Singapore. RECOMMENDED: The most romantic bars in Singapore and The 50 best restaurants in Singapore you must try

You know what they say, everyday is Valentine’s Day when you’re in love. But why not make use of the special occasion to pamper your significant other anyway? Whether you prefer the classic wine and dine, or somewhere more unique for a one-of-a-kind date night, we’ve prepared just the list for you. From a romantic escapade to the Arabian Desert, to a scent-sual journey through India, these restaurants are offering exceptional experiences this season complete with sumptuous spreads to get you in the mood for love. RECOMMENDED: The most romantic restaurants in Singapore and The 50 best restaurants in Singapore

Brunch is an institution – as it should be. There's nothing better than waking up slightly later on the weekends and hunting down the perfect brunch spot where you can order both breakfast and lunch items. Whether it's regular eggs on toast, ricotta pancakes or a bowl of pasta, hit up these spots in Singapore to fuel your lazy weekend with late breakfast meals and a cup (or two) of coffee. RECOMMENDED: 7 most Instagrammable cafes in Singapore and The best minimalist cafés in Singapore 

Among all the scrumptious local food our island has to offer, from aromatic laksa to umami-laden char kway teow, popiah isn’t really the most popular of the pack. But let us make a case for this unassuming dish.  First, this spring-roll-esque snack has a soft crêpe-like skin made of wheat, and is chock-full of fresh ingredients – cooked turnip, jicama (bengkuang), bean sprouts, lettuce leaves, and more. Sometimes it comes with peanuts, shredded omelette, and shrimp too. It’s also typically accompanied by a sweet bean sauce. Stuffing your mouth full with one of these hefty slices is an undeniably nostalgic childhood experience for many.  The origin of popiah dates back to the 17th century in Fujian, China. Legend has it that a Ming Dynasty official was nose-deep in his work and too busy to eat, so his wife whipped up a few ingredients and put them all together in a paper-thin wrap as a quick meal. Thanks to the Chinese diaspora, popiah spread throughout Asia and now even has variants like the Nonya popiah in Singapore and Malaysia which sports an egg skin. Whether you’re looking for some mid-day grub or a DIY popiah set for some family fun, we’ve rounded up the best places in Singapore to savour this well-loved comfort dish. RECOMMENDED: 10 vanishing heritage foods in Singapore to try before they’re gone and Teochew Porridge for the Soul: How a Singaporean son is revamping his father's porridge business

The year is off to a great start with loads of exciting openings in Singapore, including a new four-storey lifestyle haven in the heart of the city. Located right next to the bustling Maxwell Food Centre is Kada, a new hotspot with plenty of dining options and health and wellness experiences. Think New Bahru but smaller in scale and also at a more accessible location – just a three-minute walk from Maxwell MRT Station. This all-in-one lifestyle enclave is housed within a conserved 101-year-old building which was formerly home to St Andrew’s Mission Hospital.  There’s much to explore here, so let us break it down for you. The first floor caters to all the caffeine addicts and foodies, with several homegrown coffee brands and restaurants to pick from. Level Two is a dedicated space for health and fitness enthusiasts, featuring five studios offering everything from pilates and personal training to hydrotherapy and physiotherapy. The co-living space Habyt occupies the third floor, providing a one-of-a-kind stay with access to the wellness facilities on the second floor. And finally, the fourth-floor rooftop houses a private dining concept and an art jamming studio.  Without further ado, here are our 10 top picks of everything you should eat, drink, and do at Kada. RECOMMENDED: The best Singapore attractions to visit and New and upcoming attractions in Singapore to check out in 2025

Birthday cakes. Wedding cakes. Cheesecake. Chocolate cake. Cake for one, just one. We sift through the best bakeries to present you with the best cake shops on the island. Don't worry – the perfect cake is not a lie. But if you want to lie to yourself about the calories you're consuming, go right ahead.  RECOMMENDED: The best traditional bakeries and cake shops in Singapore and the best cafés in Singapore for dessert   

Hot pot is not just a meal. In Singapore and many parts of Asia, it's a social experience. There's nothing quite like gathering 'round a bubbling pot of soup with family and friends — though it's perfectly fine to have an individual serving all for yourself too (we'll show you where in a minute). Not only do steamboats offer an inexplicable sense of communion, but restaurants now have plenty of broth flavours to choose from, plus an extensive range of ingredients and side dishes to leave you stuffed and satisfied. Some places even come with top-notch service so you're sure to have a good time. Let our list of the best hot pot places in Singapore show you where to go. RECOMMENDED: The best supper spots in Singapore and The best seafood restaurants in Singapore  

Beyond the sumptuous reunion dinners and heartwarming gatherings, we can’t deny that a highlight of every Chinese New Year is getting to stuff ourselves silly with snacks and goodies. Face it, you’ve found yourself munching away mindlessly on endless love letters or cookies at one point in time during those annual house visits. This festive season, it’s time to indulge in these irresistible – and highly addictive – snacks. And no one ever said hosting new year gatherings was a competition, but if it were, these goodies are sure to gain you that ‘host with the most’ title this year.  RECOMMENDED: Where to buy a cheongsam for Chinese New Year in Singapore and The best restaurants for Chinese New Year 2025 reunion dinner in Singapore

Christmas and New Year celebrations are drawing to a close, and we all know what that means – Chinese New Year will soon be upon us. The hallmark of each Lunar New Year and the main event that kickstarts all the festivities is, without a doubt, reunion dinner. This is where loved ones gather over lavish spreads to make merry and usher in a prosperous year ahead. This Year of the Snake, restaurants across Singapore have pulled out all the stops to whip up show-stopping feasts that are as auspicious as they are delicious. If you’ve yet to make a booking, let this handy list show you where to go. RECOMMENDED: The best Chinese New Year takeaways in Singapore for 2025 and The best Chinese restaurants in Singapore

Each Lunar New Year, you’ll probably find yourself running an endless amount of errands, from spring cleaning and packing ang baos, to procuring snacks and decorations, and the list goes on. This Year of the Snake, make things a little easier for yourself by forgoing that messy reunion dinner cookout. Instead, invite your closest kin over for a luxurious feast, delivered straight from the kitchens of these restaurants. It’s the perfect way to celebrate if you prefer to gather in the comfort of your home instead of fighting the crowds while dining out. Chinese New Year doesn’t have to be a stressful affair – let these festive deliveries show you why. RECOMMENDED: The best Chinese New Year 2025 menus for reunion dinner in Singapore and The best Chinese restaurants in Singapore

December 2024 The food scene in Singapore never sleeps, and here at Time Out, we’re constantly combing through hoards of restaurants to find out what’s the best of the best – right here and right now. In this refreshed list, you’ll see exciting new dining concepts featured among longstanding F&B stalwarts, as well as some hidden gems that we swear by.  Welcome to the Time Out Eat List, our handpicked best from Singapore’s food scene, ranked by expert local editors. We’ve got everything, from boundary-pushing restaurants by renowned chefs, to humble local finds that’ll impress you without breaking the bank. Choosing the 50 best places to eat is no easy feat, which is why we’ve also got separate lists for the best Japanese, Spanish, and hawker joints among many others.  Find out more about how Time Out makes recommendations and reviews restaurants.

Opened by the same people behind Drim Korean Steakhouse – yes, the one that Korean heartthrob Cha Eun Woo visited last year – Modu is also perched on the second floor of Mandarin Gallery. The 40-seater is elegantly styled with Hanok-inspired elements, and you can either grab a counter seat by the open kitchen, or dine in private rooms that seat up to 12 guests. All samgyetang broths at Modu are slow-cooked for minimally eight hours. The black chicken samgyetang is the cleanest tasting of the lot ($37), featuring a whole spring chicken stuffed with glutinous rice. Black chicken or ogol-gye is said to be more nutrient-dense than regular chicken, with a leaner meat texture. More unique picks on the menu include the perilla seed samgyetang ($38) which has a thicker, gruel-like consistency from grounded perilla seeds, and a nuttier aroma.  There’s also the Hangover Samgyetang ($37) which gets its name from its ability to cure nasty hangovers. The spicy broth – made from a secret house chilli blend – is meant to work up a sweat that’ll rid those toxins from the body, or at least jolt the senses awake. But even if not, it’s worth a try seeing that we’ve yet to find spicy versions of samgyetang elsewhere in Singapore. Other flavours on the menu include a collagen-rich herbal soup base ($35); black sesame ($38); as well as the Beauty Samgyetang ($37) brimming with medicinal herbs to help you achieve that glass skin glow.  On top of samgyetang, you can fill up on a range of sharing sid

Bangkok’s Hereduan made quite the name for itself when it popularised a unique version of omelette rice – one that’s runnier in texture and eggier in flavour. These glistening bowls, often loaded with seafood or pork, have been recommended all over Thai social media. Well, you can now find something quite similar in Singapore, not at a restaurant, but at an unassuming coffee shop in Ang Mo Kio. Running Egg is Singapore’s answer to the Thai street food sensation. To ensure things are up to par, the owner even brought in two chefs previously from Hereduan to recreate its original recipe. All the ingredients are flown in from Thailand, from the condiments down to the eggs and rice.  On the menu, you’ll find a straightforward selection of five dishes: runny egg rice with prawns ($7.80), chicken basil ($6.80), pork jowl ($7.80), grilled pork (moo ping) ($7.80), and a  Singapore-exclusive version with luncheon meat. Add-ons of any of these ingredients are also available (from $2).  You’ll notice that the eggs here come slightly under-scrambled, with an almost watery, even soupy consistency. The signage at the stall makes it clear that it’s supposed to be “running, not scrambled” after all. As the golden liquid seeps into the bed of rice and coats each grain, it adds a luscious and creamier texture to each mouthful. Despite being slightly drenched when served, the rice remains nicely separated and doesn’t turn soggy as quickly as you might expect it to. The chicken basil egg rice

In just a matter of weeks after opening, this hole-in-the-wall along Tras Street racked up over 700 reviews on Google with a gobsmacking rating of 4.9 stars. Granted, leaving a note gets you a free bowl of curry here, but comments suggest there’s reason to believe this restaurant hailing from Busan offers something a cut above the average tonkatsu joint.  We walk in early at 11am on a Monday morning to a half-full restaurant. A smart move, as by noon, tables are fully packed. In Korea, 300 reservations across Tonshou’s four outlets are made within five minutes each day once slots are open for booking. You won’t face that problem here, since the Singapore store has a strict no-reservations policy.  Counter seats are the only option, and the best ones are right up front where the smoking charcoal grill is. Tonshou dubs itself as the world’s first charcoal-grilled pork cutlet restaurant, and its secret to success is a fastidious four-step cooking process that’s supposed to yield the ideal tonkatsu slice – crisp and succulent, with a pale pink centre. This involves low and high-temperature cooking, resting, and finishing off on the charcoal grill. If it’s your first time here, the array of tonkatsu sets on the menu can be slightly dizzying. The majority feature premium white pork from Australia, but there’s also a selection of Kurobuta (black pork) from Hokkaido, Japan.  To start, chilled corn potage – gritty, rich, and appetising – is served. Each set also comes with cabbage s

It’s been a minute since we’ve been here, but three years on and Stay Gold’s still gold. For those who aren’t acquainted with this popular watering hole along Amoy Street, Stay Gold Flamingo is a dual-concept space housing a café in the front and a cocktail bar at the back, serving up completely different experiences depending on the time of the day.  In the day, step into the sun-drenched Flamingo for brunch and coffee, and at dusk, venture to the back of the room behind velvet drapes to enter Stay Gold – a sleek, neon-lit drinking lounge. The head bartender Amos Kew and his team present ‘That’s A Nice Jacket’, their most extensive cocktail menu to date. It’s a nod to the bar team’s iconic workwear – paint-splattered jackets where each colour denotes a different level of seniority. And on this new menu, 20 thoughtful creations ($25 each) are divided into five colour-themed sections indicating – you guessed it – the profiles of the bartenders who crafted them. These range from approachable tipples in the White section, to cocktails served with interactive elements and flair in the Blue section, and complex and potent drinks under the Purple category. There’s also the Pink section showcasing cocktails doused with coffee, wine, or tea as a tribute to Flamingo, and the Red section which houses Stay Gold’s signature drinks through the years. Start easy with Shizu from the White section – a clear Ford’s Gin blend with yuzu shiso cordial, soda, and orange flower water. Despite it

Ditch the glitzy furnishings and grand cocktail bars for this casual watering hole in town. Side Door recreates the familiarity of home – a place where you know like the back of your hand, where you’re well-acquainted with all its side doors, if you will. The space is stripped back, minimal, and manages to rock an urban industrial look while still sporting a friendly atmosphere. But pleasing aesthetics aside, it’s the drinks and food that keep us coming back.  The bar is helmed by the powerhouse husband-and-wife duo Bannie and Tryson who were previously at Fairmont Singapore’s Anti:Dote – Bannie as an award-winning mixologist and Tryson as Chef de Cuisine. Think of Side Door as the bantering duo’s home away from home, where they get to show the best of what they’ve got in one space. Bannie’s mixology style is distinct – cocktails here are minimal in presentation yet complex and layered in taste. Most drinks are clarified with precision to bring out the main flavours of each ingredient. And because ‘competition mixologists’ like her are constantly put on the spot to innovate, you can expect no less than interesting and conceptual yet delicious pours at Side Door.  The Non-Fruit Beer, for instance, is Bannie’s reinvention of the soju bomb, a popular drink in Korea. Here, malt whisky, lychee, Korean barley, Fernet Branca, and dry vermouth are blended to replicate a fruity pilsner. There’s also the Seaside, a perennial favourite which has been with the bar since the start. The f

How does one brace oneself for a four-hour dinner in a two-Michelin-starred restaurant? The answer, as we’ve discovered at Cloudstreet, is to simply allow yourself to be taken away. Stepping in from the electrifying energy of Amoy Street to the intimate psyche of chef Rishi Naleendra that is Cloudstreet, the disjunct is jarring. It helps to know that every restaurant deserving of a star is more than the plates it puts out. Storytelling, art, design, and service – they’re all part and parcel of the experience, meant to inform and enliven the food. Cloudstreet is Rishi; it’s the essence of his person distilled into a two-storey shophouse space. The restaurant opens up like a biography, every element a nod to a fragment of the chef’s life, from his love for Tim Winton novels, his childhood in raucous war-torn Sri Lanka, and short-lived architectural dream in Melbourne, to his foray into hospitality, finding love, and then landing in Singapore. Chef Rishi’s breakthrough came during his time at the now defunct Maca, and he later on earned his keep – and his first star – at Cheek by Jowl. Then came along Kotuwa and Fool Wine Bar.  But Cloudstreet has always been that anchor space for deeply personal exploration through food. The eight-course tasting menu ($398 per person) starts with five snacks served as individual courses, with the first bite being an Australian Coffin Bay oyster wrapped in betel leaf, a nod to the Sri Lankan custom of serving guests betel leaves as a welcome sn

A new restaurant now sits in the sweeping 10,000-square-feet colonial bungalow atop a hill at Labrador Park. The historic black-and-white building was once home to Thai restaurant Tamarind Hill, but now houses Asu, a fine-dining concept led by Singaporean chef Ace Tan, who puts forth a unique take on progressive Asian cuisine. The 25-seater is one of three establishments in the building, including Cantonese-Teochew restaurant Shan and a bar.  The space at Asu is often described as ‘monastic’, and understandably so. It’s washed out in white, concrete, and oxidised bronze, complete with simple wooden furnishings. And then there’s the atmosphere as you step in – a curious, calm, yet inviting one, like a prelude to the meditative experience that’s about to follow. The first thing that catches the eye is a sweeping dining table that surrounds the open kitchen like seats in an amphitheatre, almost as if setting you up to watch a performance.  The term ‘progressive Asian cuisine’ is enough to make eyes roll, but Ace is quick to dispel all prejudices. Here, ‘progressive’ doesn’t just mean applying shiny new culinary trends to age-old Asian foods, but also exploring the progress or journeys they undertake over time – their origins and transformations – and then expressing them in creative dishes. To help with that, he’s got a diverse team of chefs from all over the continent who collectively put out two menus (from $188 per person) each season. A debut menu titled ‘Origins’ puts this

Few home bakers in Singapore ever venture out of their kitchens to open physical stores, but the handful who do are a cause for celebration. The name Marymount Bakehouse might ring a bell – it’s among the batch of small home-based bakeries which sprung up during the Covid pandemic in 2020. Since then, it’s built up quite a following for its sourdough breads,  which tend to be snapped up once they’re fresh out of the oven. And now, it welcomes its first full-fledged café in Farrer Park, where everything on the menu weaves in components of its well-loved sourdough. The sourdough breads here are a work of art – and we mean literally. Each loaf is intricately hand-scored by chef-founder Ian in beautiful leafy patterns, making it almost painful to slice up. But beyond that, the bakery sticks by a 20-hour natural fermentation process (without commercial yeast to speed it up) for all its dough, to yield more complex flavours and a slightly more pronounced sour profile. The high-hydration loaves also see thinner crusts and a soft middle, but more importantly, they don’t turn stale and hard as quickly. Marymount’s sourdoughs are also lower in gluten and popular among expectant mothers. Regulars come back for the house loaf ($14.50), a standard white wholemeal country sourdough. But other favourites include the extremely versatile pain de campagne ($15) which is a French country rye, or the Marymount Seeds ($16) which features a trio of sesame, quinoa and sunflower seeds mixed into a

Many would recognise Havelock Road Cooked Food Centre by its unique L-shaped structure, and it is one of the remaining hawker centres in Singapore to sport this distinct kind of layout. The food centre has seen the Tiong Bahru and Havelock area through decades of development, and despite only housing a modest number of stalls, many of them have a prominent fan base, with customers flocking down from across the island for a taste of nostalgia. Among the popular stalls here are household names like Covent Garden Kway Chap, Meng Kee Fried Kway Teow, Du Du Cooked Food (a tutu kueh specialist), Khin Kee Fishball Kway Teow, and more. 

If you’ve eaten your fill of Korean barbecue or jjajangmyeon in Singapore, here’s something different worth trying. Onmi is where you can get an eight-course Korean dinner at $118 (and a five-course lunch for $46) – one of the more affordable tasting menus in town these days. The restaurant sits along Amoy Street in the company of renowned establishments like Cloudstreet, Nouri, Birds of a Feather, and more.  Here, traditional Korean flavours are coaxed out through predominantly French culinary techniques, but not everything is avant-garde. Expect to get acquainted with ingredients and dishes rarely seen in Korean restaurants across Singapore – think nut porridge, perilla oil noodles, and burdock roots. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Singapore (@timeoutsg) A sharp perilla oil tea starts off the dinner menu, and while it isn’t delicious, it certainly wakes the palate and primes it for the journey ahead. The sour tea is immediately contrasted with an earthy porridge made from a mixture of five nuts, though it isn’t so much a porridge as it is a thick paste. Dehydrated lotus roots and potato crisps are served on the side and meant for dipping.  We’re next presented with a duo snack of shiitake mushroom biscuit and a smoked domi (red snapper) tart, and so far everything’s still on the delicate, lighter side. But the shima-aji (jack stripe mackerel) which comes next quickly switches things up. The fish is finely sliced and tossed in

You can now find Japan’s iconic melting teddy bear hot pot in Singapore. Kumachan Onsen from Hokkaido is known for its collagen jelly ‘kuma’ (bear) that slowly dissolves into a hot pot broth – slightly morbid if you think about it, but still adorable nonetheless. Each bear is even topped with a cute head ‘towel’ made of daikon to complete its look.  The store is tucked away on the seventh floor of Orchard Central with bear-themed decor throughout the restaurant, from pastel bear wallpaper and giant bear plushies sitting around or hanging on hammocks.  Personal hot pot sets are priced relatively affordably from $15.80 depending on what main ingredient you choose – these range from chicken ($15.80) to the more premium beef karubi set ($23.80). There are six hot pot flavours inspired by different types of hot springs, and depending on what you pick, you’ll either get a white, red or brown bear. The signature broth is ‘The Hot Spring of Health’ which features a collagen soup base. Other flavours include ‘The Hot Spring of Whitening’ with a Japanese white miso stock, ‘The Hot Spring of Longevity’ which is a spicy broth reminiscent of mapo tofu, and ‘The Hot Spring of Fortune’ which features a bonito-based soup.   We went for a soy milk-based soup, a gochujang broth, and the classic collagen soup. Stop by the condiment counter to customise your dipping sauce and add in your hot pot ingredients while you wait for the bear to dissolve. Each individual set comes with a platter of ass

You might be familiar with Joji’s Diner, the retro all-American joint which took social media by storm when it first opened. The 24-hour café-restaurant is known for its distinct decor influenced by diners in the 80s, as well as its huge servings of classic American fare – chicken and waffles, milkshakes, and more.  The brand launched a new 24/7 concept situated just beside Joji’s Diner in Serangoon. Called Joji’s Sandwich Parlour, the new joint similarly takes inspiration from the States, but instead of 80s-inspired decor, it rocks somewhat of a camp-themed aesthetic – think anti-slip metal flooring, wooden picnic tables, and chipboard walls. It also swaps out the typical American comfort food served at Joji’s Diner for glorious stacks of sandwiches, coffee, and mains. Choose from nine sandwiches on the menu. A must-order is the Classic Reuben ($24) which sees Black Angus brisket brined for 14 days before it’s smoked over Hickory wood. It’s then lathered with Russian dressing, Swiss cheese, as well as mustard and sauerkraut for an added zing. Choose between sourdough or focaccia – we recommended the sourdough for its crunchy exterior and fluffy, soft interior which makes biting through the chunky stack a breeze.  Other popular picks include the Shrimp Po’Boy ($22) where grilled fresh tiger prawns are the star of the show. There’s also the classic Joji’s grilled chicken sandwich ($16) featuring homemade guacamole spread over chunks of tender chicken. Spruce up your sandwich

Several restaurants and cafés have popped up along Tras Street recently, and they’ve all been pretty impressive so far – tonkatsu joint Tonshou and Japanese patisserie Koko are some of them. But if you don’t mind venturing out of your comfort zone a little, then check out Latido, where you’ll be given a delightful introduction to the undiscovered world of Colombian cuisine. For the average diner in Singapore or even the casual foodie, Latin American food is probably unchartered waters. But if Latido is your first foray into the cuisine, you’re in good hands – Bogotá-born chef Fernando Arévalo has a wealth of experience running esteemed restaurants like Bacatá and Preludio previously.  Photograph: Latido / Instagram The new 60-seater is clad in dark wooden furnishings and handmade decor pieces by Colombian tribes – direct contacts of Chef Fernando’s. The interiors are sleek yet casual, a stark contrast to the prim and proper Preludio and Bacatá. At Latido, Chef Fernando cooks up some of his favourite dishes from his childhood in a more toned-down, relaxed environment.  Come in open-minded and adventurous, because there’s no time to be squeamish when chicken hearts ($22) and rabbit ($38) taste this good. The chicken hearts are skewered and paired with a red wine egg yolk sauce, and a separate bowl of piping hot and crispy Andes potatoes. The way to enjoy this is to slightly dip – not dunk – the skewers in the sauce, and then mash some of the potatoes in to thicken it up.  Ph

If you’ve exhausted all the ice cream spots that the CBD has to offer, here’s a new dessert joint to have on your radar. Koko Café & Patisserie is a Japanese-themed café which popped up quietly last month just beside Gyutan-Tan at Tras Street – its sister restaurant specialising in grilled ox tongue. If you’re craving something sweet after a meal, head down to Koko for a range of Japanese pastries, cakes, and specialty drinks, priced from $4. The café sports an uncluttered, minimalistic design with a dessert display counter at the entrance, high ceilings, and a small 16-pax seating area. Tables are deliberately spread out to maintain a comfortable environment for conversations and so the space doesn’t get too cramped and clamorous. The highlight of Koko is its pastries, which are all handmade daily by a pâtissier from Japan. The choux puffs come with fillings like the standard custard cream ($4), dark chocolate ($5), and matcha custard ($5), and are all freshly piped to order. There’s also the ‘choux puff of the day’ with a surprise filling – simply ask the staff for that day’s special. Photograph: Koko Café & Patisserie We also enjoy the stuffed doughnuts which come in six flavours including lemon-glazed ($4), matcha, custard, coffee, pistachio, and chocolate raspberry ($5). Each doughnut has an airy, fluffy consistency, with a chewy texture just shy of mochi.  While most of the doughnuts are sweet, those after something savoury can get the curry doughnut ($5) – a Japanese

Culinary Class Wars might have been a mega TV sensation, but the Korean cooking show doesn’t quite hold a candle to the prestigious Bocuse d’Or, also known as the ‘Olympics’ of the culinary world. Think of it as a global culinary showdown – but ‘white spoons’ only. Singapore has had our eyes on the top prize for decades since our last best showing in 1989, when chef William Wai of Resorts World Sentosa clinched the Bocuse Bronze. This year, Singaporean chef Mathew Leong makes history again, securing first place across all of Asia, and sixth place overall.  Photograph: Chefs Mathew Leong and Synva Knapstad Gjerde at the Bocuse d’Or Grand Final 2025 The Bocuse d’Or Grand Final 2025 concluded last night in Chassieu, France, with thousands of supporters crowding out the Sirha Lyon hall in Eurexpo. For five and a half hours, Chef Mathew and his Commis chef Synva Knapstad Gjerde battled it through two tough challenges, under the watchful eye of audience members and an expert panel of judges – talk about pressure cooking.  Together, they presented two dishes, one on a plate, and one on a platter. The first required contestants to use three ingredients – a duo of celery, stone bass, and lobster; the second needed to have venison, foie gras, and tea. The results? Two stunning masterpieces, titled Aurora of Flavours: A Sea-to-Garden Voyage, and Blossoms of Tropical & Forest, inspired by Singapore’s vibrant flora.  Photograph: Bocuse d'Or | Aurora of Flavours: A Sea-to-Garden Voyage

Korean cuisine is so much more than greasy barbecues and fiery dishes. There’s also boyang-sik, which are foods that are packed with health benefits and meant to nourish the body. One of the most well-known of the bunch is samgyetang or Korean ginseng chicken soup. The dish is typically enjoyed throughout summer as it energises the body in the warmer months. In other words, perfect for those of us here in Singapore who are perpetually simmering in the relentless heat.  While you can find samgyetang at plenty of Korean restaurants here, there’s a new spot that specialises in this dish in particular. Modu opens its doors this month at Orchard Road, and it offers six variations of samgyetang, alongside other boyang-sik. Opened by the same people behind Drim Korean Steak House – yes, the one that Korean heartthrob Cha Eun Woo visited last year – this new concept is also perched on the second floor of Mandarin Gallery. The 40-seater is elegantly styled with Hanok-inspired elements, and you can either grab a counter seat by the open kitchen, or dine in private rooms that seat up to 12 guests. Photograph: Modu All samgyetang broths at Modu are slow-cooked for minimally eight hours. The black chicken samgyetang is the cleanest-tasting of the lot ($37), featuring a whole spring chicken stuffed with glutinous rice. Black chicken or ogol-gye is said to be more nutrient-dense than regular chicken, with a leaner meat texture. More unique picks on the menu include the perilla seed samgye

$10 cocktails and $1 oysters? In this economy? This New York-inspired bar and grill at the new QT Singapore hotel at Robinson Road says anything is possible. Its new happy hour deal – The Cygnet Hour – starts this February 10, promising affordable tipples from 4pm to 7pm daily, and oysters at $1 a pop on Wednesdays. The bar offers three spirit-forward cocktails on rotation, so expect an element of surprise with each visit. Each drink is shaken tableside for a dash of theatricality too – a Cygnet signature. Not in the mood for cocktails? Go for a highball or choose from a selection of beers, house wines, and prosecco at no added cost. Photograph: Cygnet Each table will be served a complimentary side of fries to accompany the drinks, but those feeling peckish can take a gander at the bar snack menu where everything’s priced at $10 as well. Bites include jamón and cheese Bikini sandwiches – a popular Spanish tapas – mini lobster rolls, tater tots, and more. On Wednesdays, golden hour is made even better with $1 oysters on top of the existing happy hour offerings. And staying true to its Brooklyn old-world charm, you can expect classic 90s hip-hop and R&B beats to be playing through the restaurant the whole afternoon long. Find out more about Cygnet and make a reservation here. The Cygnet Hour starts on February 10 and will be available daily from 4pm to 7pm. Cygnet is located at QT Singapore, 35 Robinson Road, Singapore 068876. READ MORE:  Luxury watch brand Audemars Piguet la

What was once a novel phenomenon now seems to be the new yardstick in the world of retail. We’re talking about the trend of luxury lifestyle brands dipping their toes into F&B. Think Coach Play and Ralph’s Coffee which popped up in 2023, last year’s launch of Le Chocolat Maxime Frédéric at Louis Vuitton, and plenty of others. In the luxury car scene, there’s also the upcoming Audi and Burnt Ends Bakery café slated to open early this year. This month, Swiss watch brand Audemars Piguet debuts the world’s very first AP Café right here in Singapore. The café is part of a larger concept store called AP House, which is set within the lush courtyards of the historic Raffles Hotel. The store joins a cluster of 21 other AP Houses worldwide, including some in iconic destinations like Milan and London. Here’s everything to expect at this new paradise for watch enthusiasts. Classic Swiss flavours with a local twist at AP Café Photograph: Audemars Piguet At AP Café, Swiss flavours take centre stage as a nod to the brand’s origins, so expect to see rosti, raclette, and the like on the menu. Accompanying the food and dessert menu is a list of five cocktails (from $26), a selection of tea by Antea Social, and coffee by the local bakery Burnt Ends. Savoury bites include salted Swiss wafers called bricelets ($5), a hearty short rib raclette pie ($38), snackable caesar crudités ($18), and more. The one-biter röesti enveloped in gold leaf and topped with caviar ($25) adds a touch of luxe befit

If there’s one thing Singapore’s food scene has no shortage of, it’s Japanese restaurants. The cuisine is so popular that you’ll have no trouble finding yakitori joints, ramen chains, and everything in between anywhere on the island. That said, the competition also makes it tough for new Japanese restaurants to stand out. Enter Sushi Zushi, which somehow manages to combine three things that Singaporeans love: sushi, omakase-style dining, and a good deal.  This new sushi bar is located on the second floor of Funan in the corner that Gong Cha used to occupy. The first thing we notice is its unconventional layout, consisting of two islands with counter seats where we get to watch the chefs prepare everything before our eyes. The sushi is served directly by hand onto wooden trays on the countertop – similar to how it’s done in omakase restaurants, except that here, you get to pick what you eat.  Photograph: Sushi Zushi Founders Ryan Lin and Gerald Lee (also behind Omu Nomu Craft Sake & Raw Bar) have a lofty goal in mind, and that is to serve high-quality sushi at affordable prices.  At Sushi Zushi, the standard salmon nigiri goes at $2 for two pieces, as does a range of other gunkan and nigiri. But you’ll also spot more premium offerings on the menu like scallop nigiri ($9 for two), otoro nigiri ($12 for two), uni handrolls ($20), and snow crab nigiri ($12 for two) – definitely on the higher side in terms of pricing, but still not astronomical. On top of the usual suspects like

This family-run business at Sin Ming isn’t your average nasi padang stall. Serangoon BBQ & Curry (SBC) offers a unique hodgepodge of barbecued dishes, Peranakan specialties, and nasi padang staples, all served alongside fragrant blue butterfly pea rice. Uncle Tan and Auntie Cheong have been running the place for the last 41 years, but the couple will soon be retiring, with their final day at the stall being January 19. While no official announcement of the closure has been made, SBC reposted stories of users sharing about its upcoming closure on its Instagram page. There’s also a temporary signage at the stall informing customers of its last day. Photograph: Serangoon BBQ & Curry Uncle Tan and Auntie Cheong – both former hotel chefs – started Serangoon BBQ & Curry in 1983. Back then, they were at Somerset Eating House, where Somerset Skate Park stands now. Their signature barbecue chicken recipe was developed around this time too, and famously uses a 17-spice marinade. The stall moved a couple of times due to rental hikes, first to Block 237 Avenue 3 in 1989, then to 150A Bishan Street 11 in 2004, and finally to its current location at 22 Sin Ming Road in 2020.  With Uncle Tan and Auntie Cheong now entering retirement, regulars have to bid a bittersweet goodbye to the beloved establishment. But there’s something else to look forward to. The couple’s elder son Eugene – who has been involved in the business since 2020 – has recently launched a modern rice bowl concept at Junc

You might have heard of Air CCCC – the sprawling 40,000 square feet campus at Dempsey Hill housing a restaurant and working garden. It recently made Time Magazine’s World's Greatest Places 2024 list and even bagged La Liste’s Opening of the Year award. Well, did you know that the restaurant is now not just open for lunch and dinner, but breakfast too?  Sunrise at Air is a new weekend breakfast experience that combines the best of both worlds: fresh bakes by the renowned Le Matin Patisserie (making a comeback after a sudden closure last February), and picnics on the restaurant’s pet-friendly lawn. In other words, weekend mornings done right.  Photograph: Air CCCC From 8am onwards on Fridays through Sundays, stop by after your morning workout or walk with the dogs for a breakfast for champions, whether it’s a simple but satisfying coffee and sourdough croissant set ($8.80), or one of Le Matin’s other specialty bakes.  On the menu are creations like the garden herbs and charcoal chicken sausage roll ($11) made with fresh herbs from Air’s garden, and the seasonal yoghurt cup ($6) featuring locally made yoghurt and homemade granola. There’s also the gula apong kouign amann ($6) with Sarawak sugar, and croissants stuffed with kenari nut cream ($7) – a spin on the almond croissant. For those who prefer sticking with the basics, the restaurant offers classic bakes like banana bread ($5.50) and pain au chocolat ($6) too. Photograph: Air CCCC, Le Matin Patisserie With Chinese New Y

2025 is off to a sizzling start, with a fresh wave of exciting new restaurants in the line-up for January. We know your arsenal is probably stocked with saved places to visit with friends and family, so let us keep this short. We’ve cut through the noise online to bring you a round-up of five promising restaurants we’re keeping an eye on as they open their doors this month. From a wildly popular tonkatsu joint from Busan that launches its first international outlet here, to a novel hotpot experience at celebrity chef André Chiang’s latest restaurant, here’s where we’re headed to first this year. 1. Tonshou  Photograph: Tonshou Tonshou opened to the public in late December right before the year-end festivities took over with full force. So if you haven’t managed to give this popular Busan restaurant a try, now is the perfect time to do so. A single statistic is what generated all the initial buzz, and it’s that in Korea, the restaurant sees 300 tables snapped up in five minutes each day once slots are open for booking. The main draw at Tonshou is charcoal-grilled pork cutlets that undergo a tedious four-step process that’s supposed to yield succulent, juicy slides with a distinct smokiness and pink-hued centre. On the menu are bestsellers like the hire katsu set (pork tenderloin cutlet, $26); Hokkaido Kurobuta rosu katsu ($32); and for something different, the katsu sando set ($21) which sees fluffy bread slices encasing fatty tonkatsu chunks. 2. Murger Han    Photograph: M

Tonkatsu might have originated from Japan, but one Korean restaurant has gained a cult-like following in recent years for its unique approach to the dish. Hailing from Busan, Tonshou began six years ago and now has four locations in South Korea. To get a gauge of how popular its pork cutlets are, the restaurant sees 300 tables snapped up in five minutes each day once slots are made open for booking. This month, the brand is unveiling its very first international outlet in Singapore at Tanjong Pagar.  Photograph: Tonshou Singapore Tonshou prides itself on being the world’s first charcoal-grilled pork cutlet restaurant. The secret to its success lies in a detailed four-step cooking process that promises to yield succulent, juicy slices with a distinct smokiness and delightful pink-hued centre. This involves low-temperature cooking to retain the pork’s juiciness, high-temperature cooking to achieve a crispy golden-brown crust, resting the meat, and finally, charcoal grilling it to impart a smoky aroma to each slice. Photograph: Tonshou Singapore On December 20, guests will have a chance to try Tonshou’s highly raved pork cutlet sets for themselves. On the menu are bestsellers like the hire katsu set (pork tenderloin cutlet, $26); katsu combo set ($32) featuring pork loin, tenderloin, and shrimp; and the Berkshire rosu katsu set ($37) which uses a special cut of English Berkshire pork loin. Another popular offering is the katsu sando set ($21), which features fluffy bread sli

K-pop idol group Seventeen is returning to Singapore this year for their Seventeen [Right Here] World Tour , much to the excitement of Carats across the island. But beyond powerhouse vocals and energetic dance performances, the 13-member boy band is also known for being fan-service Maestros . Ahead of their concert on January 25, the group is partnering with Marina Bay Sands to launch The Wonderland with Seventeen , a series of activations at the mall tailored to fans in Singapore – Very Nice indeed. Here's everything to expect.  From January 25 to 26 from 7pm to midnight, catch the three iconic towers of Marina Bay Sands lit up in Seventeen's signature rose quartz and serenity blue hues – representative colours of the group. This is the first time that the resort is partnering with a K-pop group for a building light-up at this scale. The same Spell -binding projections will also be visible on the underbelly of Sands SkyPark, the exterior of ArtScience Museum, and The Shoppes, so get those cameras ready for photo-ops. Photograph: Bread Street Kitchen On top of that, F&B outlets across Marina Bay Sands will be launching Seventeen-themed creations from January 20 to 26. The best part is that with every purchase of a food or drink item part of the collab, you will be able to redeem a limited-edition Seventeen B-Side Label sticker, exclusively designed for this event.  Visit Gordon Ramsay's Bread Street Kitchen to try the Carat Kick Burger ($34) which features fried chicken thi