Adira Chow

Enter any hawker centre in Singapore and you’ll be greeted with a sea of endless options, from oil-coated noodles to mouthwatering stir-fry. Not many will spare a second glance at the vegetarian food stall, planted there assumably for variety’s sake.  We first stumbled upon Origanics while filming our guide to Woodleigh Village Hawker Centre. As a hardcore vegetarian bee hoon fan – my favourite being Ruyi Yuan at Block 80 Redhill Lane, which I only realised years later was meatless – I stopped for a closer look. The bright green banner caught my attention first, but it was the menu that really drew me in. Kolo mee, ‘duck’ rice, ‘fried fish’ bee hoon soup – these were all dishes Singaporeans know and love, but reinvented as meat-free versions. Photograph: Adira Chow We got talking to the owner, 32-year-old Darryl Tong, who shared his story of growing up in a vegetarian household, dropping out of school and becoming a hawker, and what Origanics is all about.  A product of circumstance Darryl grew up in a staunch Buddhist family where his parents were strict vegetarians. As a kid, he only ate vegetarian meals at home and was not allowed to bring back any form of animal products. Though he only became a vegetarian four years ago, much of his knowledge of food and cooking is influenced by his upbringing. So when it came to breaking into the F&B scene, the decision to sell vegetarian food was a natural one.  Photograph: Daniel Iskandar Darryl has been in the industry for more t

“Porridge is sick people food” – that’s what many young Singaporeans think when we picture the thick, white, bland-tasting gruel that’s ladled into plastic bowls. So understandably, tatted-up 29-year-old Darryl Peh who sports an Undefeated tee and a double-lined hard part is the last person we’d imagine to run a porridge stall.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Singapore (@timeoutsg) Darryl – who goes by Peh – took over his family’s business White House Teochew Porridge two years ago after a major operation led his father to call it quits. But letting go of decades of sentiment was not as easy for Peh, who grew up prancing around and wiping tables at the old Simon Road stall, which existed long before the days of Lola’s Cafe. “I’ve eaten this for 26 years of my life, so it’d be a waste to not have the chance to eat this again,” he says. With the additional nudge from a good friend and a resolve to do justice to his dad’s legacy, Peh picks up his spatula and gets to work quickly. The first thing on his agenda? Making sure he can cook. Photograph: Daniel Iskandar Hei bee hiam (spicy dried shrimp), curry chicken, braised duck. These are longtime customers’ favourites at White House which Peh will have to master. On top of that, there’s a whole smorgasbord of dishes lining the counter in the same fashion as what you’d see at a cai fan stall. Everything from fishcake to classic Chinese stir-fried dishes is prepared in-house daily.  Commit

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 

Quality and quantity don’t typically go hand in hand, especially when it comes to buffets. But we found the places in Singapore that come close to perfecting the formula. From free-flow boozy brunch buffets, to classic international spreads and premium dinner curations, we’ve got just the spot for you that is guaranteed to impress your friends and family. RECOMMENDED: The best steamboat and hot pot restaurants in Singapore and The best brunch buffets in Singapore

February 2025 The food scene in Singapore is always buzzing, and at Time Out, we're dedicated to uncovering the very best of it – right here, right now. This updated list brings together fresh, exciting dining concepts alongside beloved F&B classics and a few underrated spots we swear by. Welcome to the Time Out Eat List, where we've handpicked the finest spots in Singapore’s food scene, curated by our expert local editors. From innovative restaurants by acclaimed chefs to humble local haunts that won’t break the bank, we've got it all. Picking the 50 top places to eat is no easy task, which is why we’ve also crafted separate lists for the best Japanese, Spanish, and hawker spots, among many others. Find out more about how Time Out makes recommendations and reviews restaurants.

As far as cooking competitions go, most of us might only be familiar with MasterChef or Culinary Class Wars. But neither holds a candle to the prestigious Bocuse d’Or, which brings together chefs from across the world in a global gastronomy showdown, often dubbed the ‘Olympics’ of the culinary world. Recently, one Singaporean chef clinched first place in Asia and sixth globally at the Bocuse d’Or Grand Final in Chassieu, France – a feat we haven’t seen since 1989 when Chef William Wai bagged the Bocuse Bronze.  The man in question is 30-year-old Mathew Leong, Executive Chef of three-Michelin-starred Re-Naa in Stavanger, Norway. Chef Mathew is in Singapore for an exclusive five-night pop-up at Dusk @ Mount Faber Peak, where he’ll be showcasing a five-course menu that marries Nordic and Asian flavours. Ahead of the event, we sit down with him for a chat to find out more about his cooking journey, as well as how he’s feeling after the competition.  RECOMMENDED: Singaporean chef Mathew Leong wins first place in Asia at the Bocuse d'Or culinary competition and The full list of Michelin star restaurants in Singapore  Photograph: Chefs Mathew Leong and Synva Knapstad Gjerde at the Bocuse d’Or Grand Final 2025 Can you share about your early days in the kitchen and how you became a chef? When I was a kid, I participated in this culinary contest, and one of the juries – Chef Jimmy Chok – spotted me and gave me the opportunity of a lifetime to become a chef. From there on, I fell in l

Some of the best bars in the world are located right here on our tiny island, from glamorous destination concepts in ritzy hotels, to those tucked away behind unsuspecting shophouse doors. And thanks to these establishments leading the charge, there are constantly new drinking holes popping up in a bid to shake up the scene. We take a look at some of the latest bar openings, from a new rooftop spot overlooking Marina Bay, to a cosy bar in an old school library. If you’re searching for a new haunt or a reliable spot for a nightcap, look no further than this list of the hottest bars in Singapore right now. RECOMMENDED: The 50 best bars in Singapore

Can a drink spark romance? While we can’t guarantee love at first sip, these charming bars are definitely the kind of places that set the mood right. You could be looking for a quiet, intimate setting for enrapturing conversations where the rest of the world fades away, or maybe you don’t mind buzzy pads full of lively energy and passion. Good for you, because you’ll find both types in this handy list of our recommended venues. These bars in Singapore are perfect for creating the kind of night you’ll both remember for a long time, whether it’s your first date, or 50th. RECOMMENDED: The most romantic restaurants in Singapore and The best restaurants with a view in Singapore

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   

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

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

Casa Cicheti takes over the quiet spot where PS. Cafe Petit once was, and it has completely refashioned the all-black interiors and marbled floorings into something more rustic and inviting. Light wood furnishings and striped fabric upholstery whisk you away to a home in the Italian countryside, and the space is bathed in swathes of soft light in the day. But it’s at night where the cosy trattoria really comes alive with noisy get-togethers and the like. In line with the familial theme, family-style sharing menus ($58 per person for lunch, $85 for dinner) are available, though be warned – these are sure to leave you stuffed. If you’re not a big eater, we recommend skipping the extras and zooming in on some of our favourites.  For starters, the gnocco fritto ($18) and carpaccio ($23) are good shouts. The former is generously laced with three slices of coppa each, while the latter has a robust flavour from the tuna-anchovy aioli and added texture from sunchoke chips. Cicheti is known to toss up a decent salad, and the Insalata Verde ($19) is no exception, with bursts of umami from the pine nuts and burnt miso dressing. The pizzas at Casa are a crossover between Roman and Neapolitan styles, hence ‘Nea-Romana’. Made with a trio of flours – finely milled 00, rye, and a larger amount of semolina, they are then fermented for 60 hours and finished off in a gas oven. The crust and base bear more similarities to the crunchy Roman pizza (sans the square shape), but they come in classic

If you told New Zealand-born chef Eliot Thomas two years ago that he would be running his own restaurant in Singapore, he wouldn’t believe you. Magpie opened its doors in early January, 2025 in the buzzy neighbourhood of Tiong Bahru, serving up plates as unexpected as Eliot’s journey across the continent. On the menu? Borderless soul food.  It’s a quixotic word, borderless. But it perfectly captures the essence of Magpie, which is as much a story of a serendipitous encounter between two people from across the world, as it is about curious, experimental, and bold cooking. The idea for the bistro started when Kurt Wagner – the visionary behind popular African concepts Tamba and Kafe Utu – met Eliot on a trip to New Zealand. From there, the two got talking about their favourite culinary memories from their travels, from the fresh spices of Zanzibar to the vibrant flavours of Mexico. With Magpie, Eliot wants the experience to be “aggressively delicious” but “unconventionally familiar”. True enough, you’ll find influences from all over the globe in his dishes, from India to Italy, China to Fiji, and so on. Because of the produce-first nature of his cooking, expect the menu to change every few weeks as well. We start with the fresh tandoor bread ($9) glazed with Magpie’s butter. While it doesn’t leave a lasting impression on its own, it’s the perfect vehicle for dipping into other saucy dishes. Case in point: the grilled squid with melon chaat salad ($25) topped with chickpeas and

It’s food festival season this March, with the Kita Food Festival making its anticipated return to Singapore. The annual event celebrates the best of Asia’s culinary maestros and diverse food scene. This March 12 to 15, it’s all about legendary crossovers — think four-hands dinners, kitchen takeovers, and more. You have Chef Eugene See of the mod-Sichuan joint Birds of a Feather join arms with Chef Kelvin Cheung of Dubai’s Jun on March 12 and 13 for a four-hands dinner ($118 per person). Meanwhile, Singapore’s only West African restaurant Tamba will be hosting award-winning Australian chef Brian Cole on March 14 and 15 for a kitchen takeover. The six-course West African feast is priced at $198 per person. And there’s still more — check out the full programme here. The Kita Food Festival restaurant series ends with a bang on March 15 with Kita’s Big Barbecue ($88 per person). This massive backyard cookout will take place at the alfresco Gourmet Park Kampong Bugis, featuring six barbecued dishes prepared by chefs from buzzy joints across Southeast Asia. Familiar names include chefs Ricardo Allen (Camp Caribbean) and Adam Penney (Carnaby), as well as Waymann Cheong from the highly-raved Lucky Hole in Penang. Find out more about Kita Food Festival here.

Jungle fits right into the cluster of late-night watering holes along Ann Siang Hill. As night falls, spot a warm glow emitting from a corner shophouse unit, where the atmosphere is abuzz with the sound of chatter and classic funk tunes in the background. Here’s where plates of grilled meats and soulful Thai food come out smoking hot, while cocktails with Thai ingredients are shaken up by the counter.  The restaurant sports a snappy, no-nonsense one-pager of a menu – just the way we like it. It’s a straightforward selection of six starters, eight grilled dishes, two curries, and one dessert. Get the pomelo-lemongrass salad ($18) to start, where refreshingly sweet pulps that burst in your mouth are combined with a savoury splash of fish sauce and dried shrimp. We recommend saving some to have in between the heavier grilled dishes and curries. The grill section sees everything from Southern-style charcoal grilled chicken ($17) to lamb skewers ($15) and hammered beef brisket ($22). But if you’re spoilt for choice, the sugarcane-smoked pork jowl ($28) with nam jim jaew (a Thai dipping sauce for meats) is always a safe bet. It’ll also be amiss to not order the charcoal grilled cabbage ($12) with a soy ginger drizzle – another house favourite. Pick between the lamb massaman curry with roasted shallots and smoked ghee ($28), or the Southern crab yellow curry with wild rice shoots ($32). The crab curry has been a mainstay on the menu since Jungle’s opening. It’s a decent level of sp

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

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

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

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

The Cicheti Group is behind some of our favourite Italian concepts, from Cicheti and pasta-haven Forma, to wine-forward Bar Cicheti and Wild Child Pizzette for gourmet slices. Its fifth concept, Casa Cicheti, finds its home in charming Tiong Bahru (read: the recent hotbed for trendy F&B openings).  The restaurant had a rocky start last December, having to close for a short period after opening. But now that the dust has settled, it’s time to dig into its extensive menu of Italian favourites, including a new take on Neapolitan pizza. Photograph: Casa Cicheti Casa Cicheti takes over the quiet spot where PS. Cafe Petit once was, and it has completely refashioned the all-black interiors and marbled floorings into something more rustic and inviting. Light wood furnishings and striped fabric upholstery whisk you away to a home in the Italian countryside, and the space is bathed in swathes of soft light in the day. But it’s at night where the cosy trattoria really comes alive with noisy get-togethers and the like. In line with the familial theme, family-style sharing menus ($58 per person for lunch, $85 for dinner) are available, though be warned – these are sure to leave you stuffed. If you’re not a big eater, we recommend skipping the extras and zooming in on some of our favourites.  Photograph: Casa Cicheti | Gnocco Fritto For starters, the gnocco fritto ($18) and carpaccio ($23) are good shouts. The former is generously laced with three slices of coppa each, while the latter

What’s it like to dine in a cave? You might imagine dripping water from overhanging stalactites, humid air, and maybe some unwanted smells. But at this new restaurant in Singapore, you can experience the novelty of dining in a cave-like setting in dry, air-conditioned comfort.  Many were curious when the announcement of Cavern Restaurant’s opening dropped earlier this month. Ahead of its official opening on March 12, we were given a sneak peek of what to expect at this new attraction in Rainforest Wild Asia. Read on to find out all about it. The ambience Photograph: Cavern Restaurant The first question people asked when they saw the news was: is it a real cave? To that, the answer is no. Like most of the structures in the Rainforest Wild Asia, the restaurant is another of its architectural feats, drawing close references to Sarawak’s Mulu cave system in Gunung Mulu National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The crystalline light fixtures mimic the cave’s droplets, and the textured walls and ceilings replicate its limestone surfaces. The expansive area fits 150 guests, and the restaurant has plans to market it as an event space or even a location for a dream destination wedding. There’s also a bar counter that seats around 10 people, where you can watch cocktails shaken up before your eyes, adding to the visual spectacle.  Photograph: Mandai Wildlife Group While the restaurant space is pretty impressive and realistic in its own right, what’s more fascinating is the 220-

Our tiny city punches above its weight in many things, from state-of-the-art airports and powerful passports to beautiful gardens. But one thing remains true: our food scene is one to beat. And it’s not just us who think so, but the people behind some 1.9 million food posts on Instagram, all featuring Singapore’s best food hotspots.  Social media has reshaped the way we travel, with jetsetters turning to platforms like  Instagram and TikTok to uncover the trendiest restaurants and places to dine at while on vacation – even before boarding the plane. UK-based travel company Travelbag asks the question: which destination is making the biggest splash on social media for food enthusiasts? This month, it published a survey compiling 50 cities worldwide and analysing their Instagram and TikTok data to find out the answer. The survey is part of a wider study that reveals the most popular long-haul destinations for food lovers, which you can view here. As it turns out, Singapore is among the top 10 cities in the world where food lovers are posting and sharing their culinary adventures. Our little red dot ranks eighth on the list, amassing 1.9 million posts on Instagram and 47,800 on TikTok tagged #singaporefood. Photograph: Shutterstock Curious as to which cities bagged the top spots? Coming in first is London, which despite all the bad rep the UK receives for its food, boasts a whopping 3 million Instagram posts tagged #londonfood. Meanwhile, Toronto takes second place as social m

Singapore’s largest modern art museum, National Gallery Singapore, is known to house several prominent F&B concepts, including Michelin-starred restaurants. Come March and April however, the museum will bid farewell to five of its seven existing F&B tenants, ahead of a major refresh in the works this year. The cocktail bar Smoke & Mirrors and the well-loved Cantonese restaurant Yan recently announced that their last day at the Gallery will be on March 15. Both establishments are iconic fixtures on the museum’s rooftop, having been around for some nine years.  Photograph: Yan Their leave will be followed by several others this April, including Courtyard Café & Lounge, as well as omakase restaurant Hachi and its adjacent bar-cellar The Public Eight. Catalan restaurant The Great Mischief – located on the first floor right next to the Gallery’s gift shop – will be closing its doors too. But these F&B joints weren’t the first to go. Last November, the museum parted ways with one-Michelin-starred Italian restaurant Art di Daniele Sperindio and Italian steakhouse Gemma. This leaves only two F&B establishments standing – three-Michelin-starred French restaurant Odette, and Peranakan restaurant National Kitchen by Violet Oon.  Photograph: Hachi While the news is sad for many, some tenants like Smoke & Mirrors and Yan are hinting at possible plans in the future. Taking to Instagram, the rooftop bar shares that “this isn’t goodbye”, telling its fans to “stay tuned” for what’s next. 

If you told New Zealand-born chef Eliot Thomas two years ago that he would be running his own restaurant in Singapore, he wouldn’t believe you. Magpie opened its doors in early January, 2025 in the buzzy neighbourhood of Tiong Bahru, serving up plates as unexpected as Eliot’s journey across the continent. On the menu? Borderless soul food.  It’s a quixotic word, borderless. But it perfectly captures the essence of Magpie, which is as much a story of a serendipitous encounter between two people from across the world, as it is about curious, experimental, and bold cooking. The idea for the bistro started when Kurt Wagner – the visionary behind popular African concepts Tamba and Kafe Utu – met Eliot on a trip to New Zealand. From there, the two got talking about their favourite culinary memories from their travels, from the fresh spices of Zanzibar to the vibrant flavours of Mexico. Photograph: Magpie With Magpie, Eliot wants the experience to be “aggressively delicious” but “unconventionally familiar”. True enough, you’ll find influences from all over the globe in his dishes, from India to Italy, China to Fiji, and so on. Because of the produce-first nature of his cooking, expect the menu to change every few weeks as well. We start with the fresh tandoor bread ($9) glazed with Magpie’s butter. While it doesn’t leave a lasting impression on its own, it’s the perfect vehicle for dipping into other saucy dishes. Case in point: the grilled squid with melon chaat salad ($25) toppe

Say cheese – M&T (Monts & Terroirs) is now in Singapore, and it’s the very first bistro and boutique concept in the city to exclusively stock and serve French mountain cheeses. That’s premium cheeses straight from the French Alps onto your plate. The new store and restaurant is located at Guoco Tower in Tanjong Pagar, a hotspot for the nine-to-five crowd.  For those unacquainted with the brand, M&T is a concept by Sodiaal – a French dairy company that represents over 8500 farms and 15,000 farmers in France.  The M&T bistro offers all-day dining from breakfast to dinner, with a fully French menu that incorporates some of its signature cheeses. We reckon one of the most popular offerings would be the cheese sharing boards, which are good for three to four (from $36). Pick from the French Mountain 5 Cheeses Selection ($36); the cold cuts selection ($36); or the mixed French cheeses and cold cuts board ($44) – all served with a bread and butter basket.  Photograph: Monts & Terroirs Helming the kitchen is Chef Nicolas Drouglazet, who has worked in kitchens across France, Asia, and Saudi Arabia for 24 years and counting. Some highlights on the menu include the grass-fed Angus beef burger featuring Comté ($26), Croque Monsieur ($18, available for lunch only), and the Le Cordon Bleu Maison ($34, available for dinner only).  Meanwhile, the M&T boutique is where you can stock up your pantry with premium French cheeses and a selection of light bites. While the range of cheeses is exte

Local brand Edith Patisserie, renowned for its bespoke celebration cakes, is launching a new concept – though, it’s not focused on cakes. Instead, co-founder Shaun is unveiling a new café in Everton Park as a heartfelt tribute to his late mother, Tina, who passed on in 2024 after battling cancer. Tina’s Café will serve up traditional breakfast sets as well as hearty local fare – some of Tina’s favourite comfort foods. Start your mornings with classics like kaya butter toast with soft-boiled eggs and a cup of kopi or teh ($6 per set). For a more filling meal, go for the big breakfast platter ($14.80) which is generously loaded with scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, and more; or nasi lemak (from $5).  Photograph: Tina's Café More unique offerings on the menu, such as orh nee (yam) pandan chiffon cake ($2.80), Portuguese egg tarts, waffles, ice cream, and more. There’s also the option to swap out kaya for orh nee paste in the butter toast sets ($6.50 for the orh nee set) – a flavour not commonly seen at most breakfast joints and kopitiams in Singapore.  To mark its grand opening, Tina’s Cafe is offering a special promotion: 50 percent off every second toast set purchased from now till March 5. Photograph: Tina's Café Find out more about Tina’s Café here.  Tina’s Café is open daily at 01-22, 5 Everton Park, Singapore 080005. READ MORE: The five coolest new cafés in Singapore to visit right now The ultimate guide to Kapo Factory Building: 7 highlights to check out Two Singapore

In a time of tighter wallets and struggling F&B businesses, it might surprise you to hear that Google searches for “fine dining” skyrocketed by 49 percent last year. It’s comforting to know that people are still seeking out gastronomic experiences – or at least thinking about them. In Asia alone, there are countless restaurants that diners have pegged as bucket list destinations. And great news: Singapore is well represented in that list.  A recent survey by luxury travel company The Luxury Travel Book reveals the most sought-after Michelin Guide restaurants in Asia for 2025, and two restaurants in Singapore are named among the top five. The survey analyses monthly Google searches, star ratings, dining experiences, culinary trends, and restaurant design, to find out which are the most in-demand restaurants in Asia right now.  In Singapore, Burnt Ends and Odette share a third place ranking on the list, with a whopping 12,100 average monthly Google searches each. The two are among other restaurants like Tempura Kondo in Tokyo, Sushi Masato, and Jay Fai in Bangkok – all of which also garnered around 12,100 searches per month. Both Burnt Ends and Odette were also named in La Liste’s top 1000 restaurants in the world for 2025.   Photograph: Odette Helmed by Dave Pynt, Burnt Ends is the award-winning Australian barbecue joint at Dempsey Hill which houses a monster brick kiln that heats up to 700 degrees celsius – ensuring that hunks of brisket, ribs, and the like come out perfect

In a time of tighter wallets and struggling F&B businesses, it might surprise you to hear that Google searches for “fine dining” skyrocketed by 49 percent last year. It’s comforting to know that people are still seeking out gastronomic experiences – or at least thinking about them. In Asia alone, there are countless restaurants that diners have pegged as bucket list destinations. A recent survey by luxury travel company The Luxury Travel Book reveals the most sought-after Michelin Guide restaurants in Asia for 2025. The survey analyses monthly Google searches, star ratings, dining experiences, culinary trends, and restaurant design to find the most in-demand restaurants in Asia right now.  The restaurant that people are most furiously searching for on Google? Hong Kong's Yat Lok with 60,500 monthly Google searches. This heritage restaurant has been doling out glistening roasted goose since 1957. Our editors at Time Out Hong Kong can testify that this dish has "crispy, paper-thin skin while the meat inside remains juicy", achieved through a complicated prep process that includes marination in a top-secret sauce. If the queue at Yat Lok Central is too overwhelming for you, there's always its lesser-known sister restaurants at Tai Po. The next trending restaurant is Seoul's Jungsik with 22,200 monthly searches on Google. This two-Michelin starred venue is led by chef Yim Jung-sik, often credited as the pioneer of modern Korean fine dining. This two-Michelin-starred venue is led

Rooftop bars aren’t a rare find in skyscraper-dense Singapore, but Smoke & Mirrors has long been a favourite for good reason – the bar is perched atop the National Gallery with unobstructed views of the city, and has a unique cocktail menu influenced by artistic themes. Come March 15 however, it will be shutting its doors after nine years.  Earlier this month, Smoke & Mirrors took to Instagram to announce its upcoming closure and reminisce about highlights over the years, including the annual F1 night race and the occasional National Day Parade that takes place at the Padang. It also mentions in the video that this isn’t goodbye, hinting at something new is in the works – perhaps a new location or a rebrand? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Smoke & Mirrors Bar (@smokeandmirrorsbarsg)   While you keep those guesses coming, if you haven’t paid a visit to this destination cocktail bar in a while, this is your last chance to do so. After all, it was named among Time Out’s annual list of the best rooftop bars in the world just last year.  Indeed, a big part of the bar’s popularity has to do with its location. Sunset is the best time to visit, as you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the Padang, Victoria Concert Hall, the civic district, and Marina Bay Sands in the background. A seat along the balcony also guarantees you a romantic night out. But that’s not all. The building has a 200-year-old history where it once served as Singapore’s City Hall. Now, it ho

You’ve heard of dining under the sea, in the dark, and all sorts of one-of-a-kind restaurant experiences in Singapore. But here’s one that probably hasn’t crossed your mind: a restaurant in a cave. And before you ask, no, Singapore isn’t home to any real caves. But what we do have is a new restaurant modelled after Sarawak’s famous Mulu cave system – one of the largest and most intricate in Southeast Asia. Fittingly named Cavern Restaurant, this new dining venue at Rainforest Wild Asia draws close references to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, with crystalline lights similar to the droplets you’d find in the Mulu Caves, and textured walls that replicate its limestone surfaces.  Photograph: Cavern Restaurant The 158-seater is set to open on March 12, 2025, and will be part of a larger 220-metre zone in Rainforest Wild Asia called The Cavern. Developed in collaboration with the Sarawak Forestry Corporation, the area will also feature wildlife like racer snakes and giant black scorpions.  Photograph: Mandai Wildlife Group Tunglok Group, which will be managing the restaurant, is known for its successful Chinese cuisine concepts, but at Cavern Restaurant, Western flavours will be taking centre stage. Head Chef Sheng Lim brings over a decade of experience at renowned establishments like Jaan, Cure, and CÉ LA VI, so look forward to dishes from all over the world. Highlights include grilled octopus with chimichurri, beef tenderloin skewers with Padron peppers, and juicy beef burge

Singapore’s café scene is as vibrant as ever, and the joy of discovering a new place that just popped up in your neighbourhood never gets old. We’ve put together this handy list of the coolest new cafés in Singapore which just opened this year. From cosy, independent nooks hidden behind back alleys, to well-loved homegrown brands that continue to put out fresh concepts, these are the spots to have on your radar as you plan your next coffee date. 1. Bee Hoe Coffee Photograph: Riize Rise Joo Chiat’s alleyways are always ripe grounds for discovering new gems, and Bee Hoe Coffee is the latest to join the gang. The pocket-sized café sits behind Autocutt Barbershop, but you’ll have to enter from the side alley lined by potted plants. Its tiny space means takeaways are the norm, though there are a couple of stools outdoors for days where the sunlight is more forgiving. The café mainly serves Colombian and Vietnamese beans, and at surprisingly reasonable prices – from $3.50 for a long black, $4.50 for an iced latte, and so on. Vietnamese drip coffee starts at $3, and there are also special creations on the menu like salted coffee ($5), peanut butter coffee ($5.50), and coconut coffee ($5.50).  2. 2050 Coffee Photograph: 2050 Coffee Every well-informed coffee kid should have already heard of Kyoto’s 2050 café. But even if you weren’t part of the 691,100 Singaporeans in Japan last year, you’ll now be able to get the whole 2050 experience at its second store on Beach Road. Operated